"Captain. Lieutenant. Look" Gowther says, and the four of them look up to see a large structure, that only their dear friend could make.

"Yeah. That's Ground Gladius." Meliodas says.

"Diane must be here then." Y/N adds, sniffing the air.

"What's she doing in the capital? That seems kinda weird."

"However, this magical power definitely belongs to her."

"So what's going to be our next move, Captain? Lieutenant?" Ban questions, looking at the two in question - who just continue to stare up at Ground Gladius.

"I'll help her. You make saving the Princess your top priority, Captain." Gowther says. They each agree, Gowther heading off towards Diane with Meliodas, Y/N and Ban heading further into the capital.

"I am Holy Knight Grand Master Deyfus." He introduces to the people of Lioness. "People of Liones, hear me. We've been infiltrated by traitors, known as the Eight Deadly Sins. And they've began ransacking the village"

"Crap." Y/N says, running alongside Ban and Meliodas.

"Damn that bastard." Ban adds.

Somewhere in the village, Diane is laying against a broken building, bloodies and battered after her fight with the Holy Knights. Villagers surround her with weapons.

"Eight Deadly Sins? Then that means this giant - " They see the poster for Diane, "Yeah, it's got to be! It's Diane the Serpent Sin!"

"The Holy War of ancient legend is finally about to begin! But have no fear! Liones will be guarded by the power of the Holy Knights! For those who can fight, take up arms and make a stand!"

Diane uses her hammer as leverage to help her stand up, as villagers begin throwing stones at her - the stones doing no damage whatso ever.

"Take out the Eight Deadly Sins!"

"Stop it. Please." Diane begs, turning around with sad eyes to the villagers, but they continue to throw rocks. "I'm not, I'm not your enemy!"

"Shut up! Look what you did to our city!" Diane knows she can't change their mind, so instead of defending or attacking, she just begins to walk away.

"Hey, don't let her get away!" She takes a step forward, and the building next to her face blows up.

"The giant started attacking us!" The villagers begin running away in fear of what she will do next. Diane can just look back in desperation.

"That's not true, I didn't do this."

"Zeal! Zeal!" Guila is shouting, running through the crowd of people running away from Diane.

"It doesn't even make sense." Diane mumbles to herself, continuing to just walk away - her head held down in, shame? "What am I doing in a place like this anyway? The Human's country. Why should I give a damn if it's destroyed? I've always been alone anyway. And I always will" Diane stops walking, shaking her head. "No...'Cause I made a promise to Elizabeth! And I'll keep it!"

"It's Diane!" Guila says, having caught up to her. Another explosion happens next to Diane's head. "Where'd that attack come from?

"The Giant wreaking havoc as she roams the village." Helbram's voice comes out of nowhere, startling Guila. When turning to face them, Jericho is also standing besides him. "A stunning sight to be sure!"

"But aren't you the one who's causing all the destruction, Sir Helbram?"Jericho questioned.

"Well, under these dire circumstances, no matter what I do, Diane will be the only one who's held responsible for this. It's called staging." Just as Helbram finishes, Guila rushed forward to grab him by his cloak.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?"

"Like I said, we now have a villain and it wouldn't do for out ne'er-do-well to not cause a commotion. To establish knights as the embodiment of justice, villains are a must. Now tell me, what better villains are there than the Eight Deadly Sins?"

"Then, what about all the reports that came in on the Sins' plotting to take over the kingdom?" Guila inquires, "Are those lies as well?!"

"Come on, Guila. Does any of that really matter right now?" Jericho tries to calm Guila down, "Forget it, and let's go after Diane's head together and give her what she deserves."

"Jericho, why exactly did you drink the Demon's blood?" Guila changes the subject.

"Why what?" She questions, confused.

"Sister!" A voice shouts, and the three look over to where the voice came from. "Is that you, Guila?"

"Stay away from here!" Guila warns her brother, just as he leaves the alleyway and turns to see the Giantess.

"A giant?" Zeal says, seeing Diane just as the building above him explodes and the roof begins to collapse down to him - which he can only luck up with a scared expression and loud gasp.

"Zeal!" Guila shouts for her brother, watching as the debris falls closer to him. However before it can land on him, Diane has turned back around and kneeled over him, protecting him with her body. She winces in pain ad the debris lands on her back, breaking apart.

"Did you really save me?" Zeal questions, looking to Diane - who's head is ducked down to look at him."

==

"My comrades?" Elizabeth questions, looking up to the Giantess.

Mm-hmm, because you're one of us now, Elizabeth." Diane responses, smiling down at her.

==

"I'm sorry" Diane says, "I couldn't do anything more to help you after all."

"It would appear that it's all over now." Dreyfus says, walking towards the other three, Gillthunder and Howzer on either side of him.

"Grand Master Dreyfus is here." Jericho states, turning to face him as she jogs over to him - an eager smile on her face. "I'd be honoured if you'd entrust me, Jericho, with the task of taking Sin Diane's head."

"Very well." Deyfus accepts, as he and Gillthunder stops Infront of her - Howzer continuing forwards towards Diane.

"And afterwards, promote me to an upper-level..." Howzer's movement stops Jericho in her track, as she and Dreyfus follow him.

"What do you think you're doing, Howzer?" Said man stops in front of Diane, his weapon on his shoulder.

"You told me this years ago, remember? 'You may only use your power when you yourself feels the situation justifies it.' Well, it would appear that now the time has finally come!" Howzer stands strong, not a doubt in his body.

"So, you plan to take us on by yourself, is that it?" Dreyfus challenges.

"No." Guila adds, standing besides Howzer. "We both will."

"Howzer? Guila?" Diane mutters, looking to the two Holy Knights that just before had attacked her.

【Ａｓｐｅｎ】

Published: 12/11/2024

So...Been a "few" months hasn't it my stunning readers. Welp. I have returned to give you something to chew on for however long...So yeah, love you guys.

:D