The increased amount of 'Seven Deadly Sins' rumors that were travelling around the kingdom were beginning to aggravate me. First, there was the 'Wandering Rust Knight' story, about the girl who was presumed to be the Goat Sin Of Lust, Gowther, after she was seen entering a traveling tavern called the 'Boar Hat'. I swear, I've had to debunk so many conversations about it that most of my interactions with people these days are arguments regarding the team.

Then, of course, there was the rumor of the captain of the sins, the Dragon Sin Of Wrath, Meliodas, saving the village that produces Bernia Ale, Bernia Village, from the sword of one of the more powerful Holy Knights. Several people said he resembled a small child and looked nothing like his wanted posters. "It was a sight to behold". The stories were so vastly over exaggerated that it's difficult to sipher out the truth. 'I heard he took out four Holy Knights on his own, then took out the sword, which destroyed the village.' 'I heard that he saved the whole village by ripping a Holy Knight's sword form the ground, then he killed all of the village's residents because he didn't want to give away his identity.' 'Well, I heard that he pulled the sword out with two fingers!' 'No way, all he did was beat up the Holy Knights guarding the sword, pull it out, then leave!' 'He wouldn't do something so boring! This is the Seven Deadly Sins we're talking about!'

I mean, come one. Maybe we can get a bit more serious.

There were several rumors of both Diane and Meliodas taking on a high-ranking Holy Knight named Gilthunder in the Forest of White Dreams. There were several stories where the Holy Knight won (which, in my opinion, sounds extremely unlikely), and there were several where the two sins won. The only reason I even remotely believe this story is true is because there are plenty of eye-witness accounts of the Holy Knight coming flying from the Forest and straight into the Kingdom.

Nevertheless, the idea of the sins getting back together after 10 years is highly unlikely. Why now? There's no point in them regrouping at this point, other than to cause some more problems. I don't believe for a second that they were the ones who killed Grandmaster Zaratras, but it's not my place to voice my opinion. I am technically a fugitive as well, so I don't have a right to voice my beliefs.

Either way, I don't buy the 'Seven Deadly Sins' rumors.

My thoughts were cut short by the strong smell of an alcohol and disgustingly terrible flirting. "Heeey pretty lady... what's a- hic- what's a beauty like you doing in a- hic- a place like this?"

I turned from my pint, which I had been staring into with furrowed brows for who-knows-how long. I had been resting in a windowsill in the corner of the most popular tavern in Dalmary Town- The Pig's Headdress. I had been laying low in Dalmary for the past few weeks, as the Holy Knights from the Weird Fangs were hot on my trail- and it would be relatively suspicious for a figure such as myself to skip town as soon as they found out I was here. I was just laying low until their suspicion lowered.

"Pardon me? I couldn't hear you over the alcoholism you smell of," I spat, glancing down at his hands, in which he held a half-empty pint. There was a ring on his left, "And aren't you married? I don't think your wife would be very happy knowing that you were hitting on some random girl in a bar."

His face had turned beet red with rage, and he stumbled closer to me. He grabbed the collar of my cloak and lifted me above ground, so my drink sloshed to the ground and my feet hung above the spilled alcohol.

"What did you say, you little bitch?" He slurred, bringing his intoxicating-smelling face closer to mine. I smirked.

"I said your wife probably wouldn't be happy you're flirting with a random lady you met in a bar, you fucking alcoholi-"

My retort was cut short by his cup coming crashing toward my face in his enclosed fist. I moved my head to the side, effortlessly dodging the drunken attack. Keep in mind, I was still hovering above rather ground in his grasp. He swung again, and again, finally giving up and throwing me toward a nearby wall.

I crashed through it, the wood breaking beneath my weight. I glared down at the splintering wood- geez, I'm not that heavy. I layed in the rubble for a few moments before returning to my feet. The man stumbled slightly, glaring at me with a rage I hadn't seen in a long time. It only takes a few words to get people pissed off- it's kind-of fun to see how fast I can make people man. I have a real knack for it. I had gotten in my fair share of nasty bar fights, but he looked monumentally pissed.

"If we're going to fight, let's at least take it outside." I yawned, walking toward the front of the tavern without a second glance. He had crashed through the door just as I reached the center of the road, seething as he glared daggers at me. I raised an eyebrow. "You sure you want to do this? I don't think you know who you're messing with."

"Bitch!" He screeched, barging toward me with his fist ready.

I sighed as he barreled toward me, side-stepping as he swung. I gave it a second or two, letting him get a bit behind me, before swinging my leg lightly. It made contact with his stomach, causing him to cough up a small bit of blood. His fat lingered against my calf for a moment before flying down the main road and making contact with a nearby hill. It looked like he had passed out.

"Hm. Guess I hit him too hard..." I said, walking back into the bar. All of the men within it were staring out the windows at the man with wide eyes and slack jaws. I threw a sack of silver coins at the bartender before exiting, calling out, "That's for my drinks and the wall!"

The door then closed behind me, cutting off any connection between me and the bar patrons for a while. Despite my true and devoted love for alcohol, I find it somewhat hard to believe I would be allowed to enter the tavern any time soon after the destruction of the wall and the harm done to a drunk customer.

"Eh, whatever," I said, throwing my hood over my head and walking toward the roomspace that I had rented out for the time being. Rent here was surprisingly cheap- although, I guess most people don't want to be sleeping near a prison, so it's probably the best move from a business standpoint.

As usual, the town was bustling with activity. Men drinking on tables outside of the several taverns and women doing daily chores or shopping. Children winded their way through the small crowds of people who walked along the roads, playing mindless games.

It was cute, seeing them laughing as they ran around holding sticks like swords. A small child bumped into me, holding a stick that was cut to look like a sword. He looked up at me, a look of slight discomfort and uncertainty plagued his expression. I smiled smally, bending down to his height as I lowered my hood.

"And who are you, young sir?" I asked, my voice seeming more professional than it usually was as I looked at the boy. He had short, messy navy blue hair and bright, golden eyes. His skin was a pale white and his clothes were slightly dirty. He smiled widely, putting the stick in the belt of his trousers as though he were sheathing a sword.

"I am the Holy Knight Asphor! The strongest Holy Knight of today's generation and soon-to-be Grandmaster!" He said exuberantly, smiling mischievously as he put his hands proudly on his hips. I chuckled lightly.

"Well, Holy Knight Asphor, I apologize for my rudeness in introduction!" I said, standing up and bowing to him. "My name is (y/n). The Ra- I mean, a lowly townsfolk. I thank you for your service to our kingdom."

I returned to my standing position, looking down at the boy- who was wearing an adorably large smile as he stared up at me with excited eyes.

"Thank you, miss!" He said happily, pulling out his sword. "I now must go hunt the Seven Deadly Sins, and protect the kingdom from further evildoers!"

He then ran off, laughing as he pretended to fight off enemies and protect other children or adults. I sighed, frowning slightly. There are eight of them, you know....

I shook my head, throwing my hood back on as I winded through the streets on my own. I watched the townspeople go about their daily activities, like they had not a care in the world.

I stopped in the middle of the road, causing several families and groups to have to maneuver around me. I heard a few women grumble to themselves as they shot me a glare. I was staring at Baste Prison, the containment center that was around eight miles out of the town. I've heard almost everyone talking about how they kept the Fox Sin captured within its walls.

'The Weird Fangs are heroes!' Uh-huh, sure.

But... is that really true...?

The Ban I knew would never allow himself to be captured so easily- much less kept in captivity. That is, however, considering that he has nothing to gain by staying there.

My eyes narrowed at the building.

What do you have to gain, Ban?

"MAKE WAY YOU LOWLIFES!" I heard a loud shout, which broke my concentration. I turned towards where the sound had originated; a group of wannabe Holy Knights were walking toward the notice board, holding a rather thick stack of worn, deep yellow-orange papers. "I said... MOVE!"

Man, this day has just been too exciting. Let my internal sarcasm be noted.

They had shoved away an extremely frail looking woman, who was caught by a man who seemed to match her frailty. I could only assume he was her husband. The man glared at the 'Knight', but did not act on what (I assume) he wanted to do.

The two men- both brunette, but the smaller, chubbier one sported a thick mustache- hung up two signs on the board, each reading the same thing.

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NEWLY FOUND INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRIMNALS KNOWN AS THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:

Newly discovered information suggests that the Eighth Deadly Sin, who was supposedly out on a private mission for King Liones, is the sole organizer of the plan to overthrow the Kingdom. She is wanted as the rest of the (now) Eight Deadly Sins are.

(Insert Sketched Image)

(Y/N)

ALSO KNOWN AS THE RAVEN SIN OF DESPOND

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"Oh shit," I said aloud, reading the paper that was plastered across the board. I had to read it several times over before I could truly digest the information.

They've gone public with the information, which means one of three things: either they know I'm here, but don't want to risk attacking locals; the other sins are actually gathering together and they're getting desperate; or they really did just learn about my existence and staged my inclusion in the crime.

None of the three would be preferable. Any way you look at it I'm screwed. It's not like the sins are going to show up out of nowhere tomorrow looking for me (or Ban) and rescue me from the wrath of the Weird Fangs.

If worst comes to worst, I can always skip town... it's what I've done every other time someone has started suspecting me....