Inside the Boar Hat, silence reigned.
The wooden walls gave off a comforting warmth, and the familiar scent of ale and burning hearth lingered in the air. Meliodas strolled casually to the counter.
"No one's showing up tonight," he said, glancing at the fog-covered window. "With that kind of mist out there, even the drunks are staying home. Looks like we'll have peace and quiet."
Zeldris removed his cloak and sat on a bench, back straight, his eyes fixed on the shelf of old bottles.
"You haven't changed," he muttered, almost nostalgically.
Meliodas set two mugs on the table and filled them smoothly with Vania ale. Sitting across from his brother, he wore a crooked smile.
"So… how's the Demon Realm since you took the throne? Any rebellions? Troublemakers?"
Zeldris sighed.
"Everything seems fine… on the surface. But a few factions still swear loyalty to Father. They refuse to acknowledge me as king."
"Tch… Loyalists to the Demon King, huh? So they still exist."
Meliodas pushed a mug toward him.
"If you need backup, little brother… just say the word."
Zeldris grabbed the mug and looked away.
"I don't need my big brother cleaning up after me."
He downed it in one swift gulp, foam trickling from the corner of his mouth. Meliodas raised an eyebrow, then burst out laughing.
"Heh! You've grown up, huh!"
Zeldris placed the mug down slowly. His gaze darkened.
"Meliodas… I want you to come with me. To the Demon Realm."
Meliodas froze.
"Why? I thought you didn't need me anymore, remember?"
Zeldris hesitated, crossing his arms. His voice dropped its usual edge.
"It's not that. It's… hard to explain. I need to show you something."
Meliodas tilted his head, intrigued.
"What do you mean?"
Zeldris clenched his fists. Then, with a grave look in his eyes:
"What if… everything we knew about our clan—our bloodline—was a lie?"
A heavy silence settled over the tavern. Meliodas's smile vanished.
"A lie?"
"I can't say more. Not here. You'll understand when you see it."
Meliodas stared into his brother's eyes.
He knew that look.
This wasn't a whim.
This was real.
What is it you're trying to show me, Zeldris…?