01x14 - A Reader of Books

[bunniefuu]

His body covered in pitch-black marks,

Meliodas displays phenomenal levels of magic power.

It is a demonic power that far outstrips even that of the New Generation!

Just who is Meliodas?



Are the Seven Deadly Sins truly the enemy?



As they all entertain such thoughts, a new battle is about to start!

And what of the remaining Seven Deadly Sins?



Hang on!

Read...

Read... book.

Reading while walking would constitutea nuisance to others.

Now, then, walk.

If we keep up this pace,we can read by evening.

Gowther... I am happy.

This is a tale of ancient times,

when the human and non-human worlds had not yet split.

Not content with just the Kingdom of Liones,

nations with Holy Knights have extended their reach across all of Britannia!

Magic is power

and it is this power that can sway an entire country's fortunes.

Of all these knights, one group is renowned throughout Britannia.

Their name is...

EPISODE :A READER OF BOOKS

Let's settle in here.

Wait!

There you are.

Please wait here for just a moment.

Birds approach vegetation to gather foodor to find a resting spot.

To summon birds,let's utilize the laws of nature.

But I'm not a perch.

Nor am I bird food.

Are you laughing?



Then, I, too, shall laugh!

Afraid...

That is a hare. It won't harm you.

Gowther... I'm afraid.

I'll go return it to the forest.

This should do.

It's a perfect fit!

Just as I thought,we're going to need glue or something.

I'll go look for somewhen it stops raining.

Rain is one process of the water cycle.

When water evaporatesfrom the earth's surface,

it forms clouds around the dust in the air

and the rainfall seeps into the ground,forming rivers, then flowing into the sea.

And then it rises again towards the skies.

Everything in this worldis part of a cycle.

Plants and insects, as well as animals...

They eat others in order to live,and return to the earth when they die.

Over and over, in an endless cycle,this process is repeated...

Those who have strayed from that path...where should they go, I wonder?



Book...

Oh, that's right.

Which book would you like to read?



Dark Pulse?

Memory of the Darkness?



Her Justice?



You really do adore this book.

Hey, listen! This situation...

I read a book, and you listen.

You're happy, and I learn something.

You and I are part of a cycle, too!

I've never seen this writtenanywhere before! It's a new discovery!

Yes, you're right.But it is an alluring hypothesis.

At the very least, it interests me.

Thank you. I've learned one more thing.

It's very enlightening to be with you.

Thank... you.

Yes, that's right - thank you.

It's a pity that my journey with youwill be ending soon.

Sir Helbram!

What is it?

What's wrong?

Come on, we're on our break.

Forgive me.

I've received wordthat the Armor Giant has been spotted

in the Woods of Ordan, east of Vaizel.

Armor Giant?



Surely not one of the remainingSeven Deadly Sins...

Gowther the Goat Sin?



Summon the Roars of Dawn.

That order?

But--

Don't let him get away this time.Make sure you finish him off.

Yes, sir!

Dammit! Why do we have to stand by?



Jericho, can't you do somethingabout that mouth of yours?



-After all, you're dressed so fetchingly!-My clothes have nothing to do with it!

Sending in the Roars of Dawnwas an unexpected move,

but Sir Helbram must have his reasons.

Keep in mind that we were overpoweredby the Seven Deadly Sins.

We should be building up our strength nowbefore the next battle.

-Well, see you!-Hey! Where are you going?



Why not make the most of our break?



But you just saidto build up our strength...

Guila!

Missus! See you tomorrow!

I'm home.

Welcome home!

Sister! Welcome home!

-Thank you for all your hard work!-Zeal...

How did you get that cut?

Who would...

I'm sorry.

I got this month's pay from the missus,but... this is all that's left.

I'm sorry!It's all because I'm never home...

No... You're a Holy Knight, Sister.Of course you're busy!

If it's for your sake, Sister,I can take anything!

Don't push yourself too hardand get sick, okay?



Okay.

Don't get beaten by the Seven Deadly Sinsgoing after the kingdom, okay?



Okay.

But whatever you do, don't get hurt, okay?



Okay.

-Does that sting?

-Nope!

Thank you, Sister!

Disgrace to this kingdom's Holy Knights!

Everyone says that our father,a Holy Knight, fled during a mission,

and because of that, tons of people d*ed.

But I believe in him.Father would never desert his comrades.

It's just that for some reason,he can't make it back home.

Sister, you decidedto become a Holy Knight

because you believe in him, too, right?



-It's not quite like that.-Huh?



It was because I wanted to protect youin Father's place.

Because I wanted to become someoneyou could always be proud of.

I can totally take care of myself,you know.

I'm helping out at the missus's shop,after all!

Zeal...

And so,believing in their father's return,

his two children lived on.

I'll read it again another time.

-Sister?

-What is it?



-So you don't like it short?

-No, no...

You look really cute.

Thanks.

Hey, wanna go toss another rock?



Huh! That's lame.This time, let's light the place up!

Hey, don't you think that's going too far?



Who cares?

Their old man is a traitorous Holy Knight!

Rumor has it that the big sister'sa Holy Knight now, too, but who knows?



That miserable Zeal, braggingabout his sister every time he talks!

I'm telling you, it's beyond annoying!

What should we doto that little punk next?



If it's for your sake, Sister, I can take anything!

Me, too.

I'll do anything for you.

Slader?



All right, I'm off, then.Please keep quiet.

Captain, is this good?



Yeah! It's a little far from town,but we should be fine if we advertise!

Thank you, Hawk's Mom!Why don't you rest for a bit, too, Diane?



Okay! I'm gonna naptill the tavern opens, then!

Good night!

All right! Why don't we get readyto open the tavern?



Us guys will procure the food.

Elizabeth, I want you out thereto promote the tavern.

-And could you also go buy some herbs?

-All right!

Hawk, you're providing support.

Fine by me, but do you thinkElizabeth will be all right?



Oh, I'm perfectly capableof going shopping!

Yeah, but the Holy Knightsare after you, right?



Wouldn't it be better if you stayed here?



Staying cooped upwill only dampen her spirits!

Don't worry! If anything happens,I'll be right there!

Sir Meliodas...

-Yeah, but still...-Then why don't you disguise yourself?



Disguise?



Town Girl Style!

Minstrel Style!

Traveling Dancer Style!

Now she really stands out!

Um... I think I'll be fineif I just wear a shawl...

I guess so.

Okay, get changed, get changed!

U-Um...

She can undress herself!

I'll be going, then!

Right! You be careful, now!

Why're you draggin' me into this, too?



Ban! King!Whoever catches the best quarry wins!

No way am I gonna lose!

Huh?

Captain, come to think of it,where's your w*apon?



You gonna hunt bare-handed?



Oh, hey, I'll figure it out somehow!

-Huh! Victory is mine!-Hey, you're in the same boat!

Don't make too much of a ruckus, okay?



Has Sir Meliodas ever armed himselfwith a proper w*apon?



Don't ask me. Not since I've known him.

I see. He's been carrying the swordwith the broken blade till now.

-Is there some reason for---Elizabeth! Hide!

A Holy Knight from the kingdom...

They've already sniffed you out?



Those Holy Knights are endowedwith beast-like senses of smell, eh?



Well, still not as amazing as my nose!

Hello.Are you two playing hide-and-seek, too?



Um...

I beg your pardon.I should've introduced myself first.

-Hello, young lady.-H-Hello!

And also... oink, oink, oinkity-oink!

Are you making fun of me?



Oh, my! Who knew that a pigcould speak the human tongue?



Huh?



Yes, it is startling at first, isn't it?



So are those g*ons from the kingdomafter you, too?



"You, too?

"

You and the creature as well?



-You're so annoying at every turn!-Hawk...

Book... book... Gowther...

Read... book...

What do you think of this bad boy, Ban?



Sword wolves are mostly red meat- perfect for smoking!

And the hide's worth a pretty penny!

Drawn and quartered rabbits taste greatwhether you stew, fry, or boil 'em!

And the broth you make from these guysis good for the skin!

Yeah, but as far as the contest goes,I win.

You hopelessly inept kitchen catastrophewith no taste buds... who are you to talk?



King, how did you fare in your...

King!

-Quit goofing around!-Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

He's right!

We've got to offset our losseswith a decent haul.

Isn't that good enough?



-Just what you two got?

-Nope, not cutting it!

As punishment, go catch somethingeven more awesome than ours!

If you do, Diane might see youin a better light...

No choice, then.

What was that?



Couldn't have beena bear or a boar, right?



The God of the Mountain, maybe?



It totally sounded like Hawk moaningwhen he has the runs!

Ouch! What do you think you're doing?



Wanna go take a look?



I'm Alan.

-I'm...-Hey, Elizabeth!

Fugitives shouldn't tell peopletheir names!

You're right, Hawk!

Elizabeth and Hawk, is it?



-Oh, no, I did it! My bad, Elizabeth!-I'm sorry!

It's good manners to share names.They're only used in conversation, anyway.

Spreading the word benefits no--

Will this bring me money?



If you're selling out anyone, sell me out!

I'm just kidding.

Mr. Alan... do you need money?



What I need is some glue for armor.

Armor?



Yes.But it's not as if that will truly help.

I don't know what to dofor someone who's suffering.

Nor what I should say...

nor what expressionI should have on my face.

That's not written in books.

What a weirdo.

There's nothing you can do,

but you also can't just stand byand do nothing...

I understand.All the more if it's someone you cherish.

Someone you cherish?



Isn't this person your lover?



Lover... someone you love...

To love is to harbor strong feelingstowards a specific person.

Do you have someone like that, too?



Elizabeth, you're okay,and that's what matters.

Don't worry!If anything happens, I'll be right there!

No... um...

I have a feeling that's not what mine is.

I-Is that right?



Then... a friend of yours?



-A friend?

-What, that's not it, either?



A friend... A companion.

What's that?



Hey! Hang in there!

The Roars of Dawn...are responding to the att*ck.

The Armor Giant...

Stay away! The armor-clad monster...

-Armor Giant?

-Armor-clad monster, what the hell's that?



Ban, King, we've found him.

-Huh?

-No way!

Yeah. It's got to be him.

Gowther the Goat Sin!

I'm getting quite a clear readon his magical powers. He's close!

Yeah, but he shows no signof making a move!

Either way, don't let your guard down!

The Roars of Dawn...

I've heard some unsavory rumorsabout them!

I saw them a couple of timeswhen I was on the Kingdom's side.

Their only missionis to k*ll their targets.

They're the most vile combat squad ever!

Wouldn't have it any other way!That means I can run wild on them myself!

Perhaps it's no surprise,

but to think that he made short workof wiping out the vanguard we sent in...

Those scrubs who let him wipe them outwere just too spineless.

Right, Slader?



Gowther! Are you all right?



Slader, are they...?



No need for superfluous thoughtsor inquiries.

Our job is to eradicate our targetin solemn silence.

Concentrate.

-Captain...-Whoever moves, loses.

There you are!I apologize for being so late.

I searched all over town,but I was unable to find any glue.

What is it?



-You mean, what's up with you?

-Me?

I'm--

Afraid...

Gowther... Afraid...

-You!-What are you talking about?



Run!

k*ll him.

This guy's powerful!

Run, Gowther!

-Prepare for the second wave.-Hugo, above you!

This is...

Sorry, but I'm turning you into stonetill the dust settles.

Simon!

What the...?



You can just writhe thereuntil the dust settles!

It's my turn, next.

-As if I'd let you!-Oh, let me.

Thank you for fulfilling your dutiesas a lure.

Hey, nothing doing!

-An illusion!-Too bad.

Charging complete.And... mission accomplished.

Gowther!

What had just transpired,none of those present could comprehend...

And like a corpse,

the man just quietly waitedfor time to pass.

For the arrow that would be hurledfrom his blind side at full strength...

The price for breaking the sealwill be steep... humans.

Seal... did he say?

Hey... the way you talk...

That symbol on your chest...Don't tell me!

Yes. My true identity is...

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Impossible!

One of the Seven Deadly Sins...

The Goat Sin of Lust... Gowther.