Two days later, under the first blush of dawn, the gates of the capital opened with a solemn breath.
The crisp morning wind made the banners of Liones snap and flutter.
Outside the city walls, a small group stood in silence.
Elizabeth held tightly to Tristan's hands, the boy clinging to her leg.
Beside them, Guilthunder, Margaret, and King Bartra formed a quiet farewell line, their expressions heavy with unspoken emotion.
Zeldris stood with arms crossed, eyes lifted to the sky.
Silent, as always—but clearly eager to leave.
Meliodas stepped forward.
He glanced back one last time at his family.
Elizabeth approached him, placing a hand on his chest, her eyes glistening.
"Come back to me… okay?"
"Promise," he said with a confident smile.
"I'm just going to check out an old family secret."
She said nothing—but her eyes said everything.
Behind them, Guilthunder stepped forward.
"Don't worry. I'll stay and watch over the kingdom while you're gone. And your family, too."
Meliodas gave him a grateful slap on the shoulder.
"Thanks, old friend."
Tristan walked up, eyes brimming with tears.
He hugged his father's leg with all the strength his little arms could muster.
"You'll come back, right, Dad? You promise?"
Meliodas knelt to meet his son's gaze, eye to eye.
"Of course. No matter what happens, I'll always come back to you and your mom."
He placed a hand on Tristan's silver hair, then added with a wink:
"And I'll even bring you back a souvenir from the Demon Realm."
Tristan wiped his tears and nodded, a determined look shining through his young face.
Meliodas stood tall and gave one last wave to them all.
His eyes met Zeldris's.
"Let's go."
The two brothers summoned their demon powers.
A black aura surrounded them as their wings unfurled and sliced through the morning air.
With a flash of darkness, they soared toward the horizon, leaving behind the golden-lit capital of Liones.
The journey toward the truth had begun.