Word count: 1500 words
---------------------------
The rest of Blue Rose emerged from the shadows, their presence as commanding as their reputation. Lakyus, the noble leader, stepped forward, her holy sword Kilineyram gleaming in the sunlight. Evileye, the enigmatic vampire, floated gracefully beside her, her masked face giving her an air of mystery. Tia and Tina, the rogue and ranger, flanked the group, their weapons at the ready.
"Gagaran, I told you to be quiet," Lakyus sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "You ruined the element of surprise."
"Eh, who cares?" Gagaran replied with a grin, hefting her Warhammer onto her shoulder. "We're Blue Rose. We don't need surprises to win."
"That's not the point," Tia muttered, her daggers glinting as she twirled them in her hands. "Subtlety exists for a reason."
"Subtlety's overrated," Gagaran shot back, earning an eye roll from Tina, who was already spinning her dagger in hand.
Makima, who had been alongside Shoko, suddenly appeared next to Meliodas in a blur of motion. Her expression was cold, her golden eyes narrowing as she assessed the intruders. "Master," she said, her voice low and dangerous, "shall I dispose of them?"
Meliodas raised a hand, stopping her before she could act. "Not yet, Makima. Let's hear them out first." He turned his attention to Blue Rose, his violet-purple eyes glinting with curiosity.
"So, what brings the famous Blue Rose to my humble establishment? I'm flattered, really, but I don't recall inviting you."
Lakyus stepped forward, her tone formal but firm. "We're here on behalf of the Adventurer Guild. You and your subordinates are wanted for questioning regarding your involvement in the recent disturbances in the kingdom. Specifically, your actions at the noble's estate."
"Ah, that," Meliodas said, feigning innocence. "And what exactly are we being accused of?"
"Destruction of property, assault, mass murder, and suspected ties to illegal activities," Evileye replied, her voice calm but laced with authority. "We've been tasked with bringing you in for questioning. If you resist… well, let's just say things might get messy."
Meliodas chuckled, his demeanor relaxed and almost playful. "Messy, huh? Sounds fun. But tell me, do you always barge into people's homes unannounced? Or is that just a Blue Rose specialty?"
Gagaran snorted. "Kid, you've got some nerve talking back to us. Are you that dumb?"
Meliodas replied, his smirk widening. "You're Blue Rose, the famous Adamantite-rank adventurers. Undefeated, untouchable, but you girls are the dumb ones, you fell into my bait and here you are, you came all by yourselves to die and become my slaves for eternity." Meliodas bowed his head. "I sincerely thank you for your future services and loyalty."
The members of Blue Rose exchanged weird glances, but their confidence was unwavering. They had faced countless enemies and emerged victorious every time.
To them, this was just another mission, another chance to prove their strength and uphold their reputation. They were having fun, treating the situation as if it were just another day on the job.
"Look," Lakyus said, her tone softening slightly. "I don't know what you are talking about but we don't want to hurt you. If you come quietly, we can resolve this without any bloodshed. You're young, and it'd be a shame to see your life end here."
Meliodas tilted his head, his expression one of mock contemplation. "Hmm, let me think about that… No."
Gagaran burst out laughing. "Kid's got guts, I'll give him that."
"Or he's just stupid," Tia muttered under her breath.
Evileye's gaze sharpened as she studied Meliodas. "You're awfully calm for someone surrounded by Adamantite-rank adventurers. Do you really think you can take us on?"
Meliodas shrugged, his nonchalance only adding to the group's confusion. "I'm not the one who's going to fight you."
"Oh?" Lakyus raised an eyebrow. "Then who may it be?"
At that moment, Yoriichi stepped forward, his presence as calm and unshakable as ever. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, his expression serene but focused. "Be proud, my master deems you worthy enough to face me."
Brain, who had been observing the scene from a distance, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and a little pity for Blue Rose, but at the same time, he was excited to see his teacher in action.
"Him?" Gagaran said, ignoring Yoriichi's comment as if it was an unfunny joke, pointing at him with her Warhammer. "You're kidding, right? One guy against all of us?"
Meliodas smirked. "You've gotten too comfortable, haven't you? Too used to winning. It made you arrogant. But don't worry, Yoriichi here will remind you what it's like to face a real challenge, what true despair feels like."
Blue Rose exchanged glances once again, this time their confidence momentarily shaken by Meliodas' words after seeing how confident he was.
But they quickly recovered their resolve hardening. "Fine," Lakyus said, gripping her sword tightly. "If that's how you want to play it, we'll take you all down. But don't get the wrong idea, after we deal with this guy you are next, we gave you one last chance to back down."
Meliodas' eyes gleamed with amusement. "Makima bring me a chair, this is going to be fun."
The tension in the air was palpable as Blue Rose prepared for battle, their weapons at the ready.
But for Meliodas, this was nothing more than a game, a carefully orchestrated plan set into motion by Makima.
-Flashback-
Meliodas sat at a large, ornate desk, his eyes scanning a map of the Re-Estize Kingdom spread out before him. Makima stood beside him, her crimson gaze sharp and calculating as she leaned over the map, her finger tracing a path from their current location to a marked establishment in the capital, the adventurers guild.
"So," Meliodas began, his voice calm but laced with ambition, "what's the next move? We've taken over the Eight Fingers, established the Obsidian Chains, and gained a foothold in the kingdom. But I want more. I want influence, power, and people who can help us achieve our goals."
Makima straightened, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "If it's people you want, then there's one group that stands out above the rest, like you already said, the Blue Rose adventurer team."
Meliodas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The Adamantite-rank adventurers? But they will never ever work for me, they are a strong group that only trusts each other."
"True but they're the best in the kingdom," Makima explained, her tone smooth and methodical. "Skilled, versatile, and highly respected. If we can bring them under your command, it would significantly boost our influence and capabilities. However, like you said they're not the type to join just anyone. They only take on missions that interest them and pay well."
Meliodas leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he considered her words. "So, how do we get their attention?"
Makima's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a well-formed plan. "We hit two birds with one stone. There's a noble who employs Brain, the swordsman we've been keeping an eye on. This noble is wealthy, influential, and has the means to pay for a high-profile mission. We attack his mansion, kill his soldiers, and steal his most valuable asset 'Brain'. But we leave the noble alive."
Meliodas' eyes narrowed as he began to see where she was going with this. "And the noble, in his desperation, will turn to the Adventurer Guild for help."
"Exactly," Makima confirmed. "He'll create a quest, one that's lucrative enough to catch Blue Rose's attention. But here's the key, you need to make sure your face is seen during the attack. Cause a commotion at the entrance of the mansion, and let the neighboring guards and bystanders get a good look at you. Blue Rose has vast connections and resources. They'll piece together that the Meliodas who attacked the noble's estate is the same Meliodas who took over the Eight Fingers and turned it into the Obsidian Chains."
Meliodas chuckled. "So, we lure them to us. They'll come chasing us, thinking they're just on another mission. But in reality, they'll be walking right into our hands."
Makima nodded, her expression as composed as ever. "Precisely. Once they're here, we can assess their strengths, if you believe that they would be useful, we bind them to us like dogs in need of a master."
Meliodas stood, his smirk widening as he walked over to the window, gazing out at the sprawling facility of the Obsidian Chains. "I like the way you think, Makima. Blue Rose… they'll make a fine addition to our ranks. Let's make it happen."
Makima joined him at the window, her hands clasped neatly behind her back. "As you wish, my lord. I'll ensure everything is prepared. All you need to do is play your part."
TO BE CONTINUED --->
Hey everyone! Author here.
If you've got an anime character you'd love to see summoned into the story, feel free to drop your suggestions, including which character you'd like to see and what rank you think they deserve. Your input might just shape the next events in the story!
Also, If you enjoyed the story (or even if you didn't), I'd love to hear your thoughts. Constructive criticism helps me grow as a writer, and your feedback means a lot. Plus, once this story hits 10 reviews, it gets an official rating, so dont forget to drop a review for the book!