The Seven Deadly Sins could be seen standing after the battle. All of them were acting as if they were mourning.
Escanor said with his usual calm and deep voice, "Well, you guys better go too. Everyone's waiting."
Diane looked at the ground, she didn't want to acknowledge the reality before her eyes.
She said in a sobbing voice, "Don't say just us. You're coming too!"
King, whom sandwiched between Diane's gigantic bust, also looked down. "What're you doing standing there...? Let's go back together."
Diane's tears had already started to fall.
Escanor smiled at his two comrades. "I'm sorry. I can't move my body anymore."
Escanor muscular body was ablazed by the aftereffect of using The One. He wanted to say his last goodbye.
"It looks like this is the end of the road for me. But I have no regrets for the life I led. Thank you guys, for giving me the honor of meeting all of you."
Escanor continued by saying his thanks to the Goat's Sin of Lust, "Gowther-kun...you were a great friend who listened to my deepest feelings."
Gowther turned his head away from Escanor as he can't see his proud friend in his last moment.
Then, towards the Grizzly's Sin of Sloth and the Serpent's Sin of Envy, he gave them his apology. "King-kun, Diane-san...I'm sorry I won't be able to attend your wedding. However, I wish both of you a happy life."
Both Diane and King can't help but sob at their friend's last prayer.
Escanor called out the Goddess's daughter, "Elizabeth-sama. Please give my best regards to His Highness, Hendy-kun and the others."
Elizabeth was crying as her kind soul was not ready for Escanor's departure.
Escanor continued, "Mael-san, thank you for taking care of us to the very end."
Then, Escanor looked at the Fox's Sin of Greed. He advised the Fox in a joking tone, "Ban-san. Try not to drink too much."
Ban knew his friend was leaving at that very moment, but he didn't know what to do.
Then, Escanor turned to the Dragon's Sin of Wrath. Meliodas walked towards Escanor as his body was quickly consumed by the blaze of Sunshine.
"Captain...you're the reason why I'm alive and also my best friend."
Finally, Escanor looked at the Boar's Sin of Gluttony. "Merlin-san...I've always loved you. Not because you looked a lot like Rosa...but because you treated me unlike any other."
Merlin denied his praise as she closed her eyes, "You give me too much credit. How do you know I didn't only see you as an interesting specimen to study?"
Escanor smiled as he was still adamant about it. "If that's all it was...I'm still happy. As long as it meant I got to take up even a little corner of your heart."
Then, Merlin said her feelings, "Too late...it's too late for anything now. There's no turning back. Escanor...I wish you'd found me sooner, 3,000 years sooner, even."
Escanor replied to Merlin, "No matter what, I'm on your side. No matter what you decide or what crimes you commit..."
Merlin was surprised a little bit. "You know about it!?"
Escnor with gentle reply, said to Merlin, "No...it's just a hunch. After all, since the day we met, you've always had the saddest eyes.
Merlin just gazed at Escanor with a complicated glint.
"It looks like my time is up."
Escanor's body now was now truly at its end. The Sunshine's fire burn his whole body inside out.
Diane shouted, "Escanor!"
Escanor then gave his last speech, "I wish you all the best. Now, please step away from me, it could be dangerous."
Meliodas with a small smile, wanted to accompany his friend until his last moments. "I'll see you off, Escanor."
Diane still sobbing. "I don't want to...say goodbye..."
"Farewell, Merlin-san..."
But then suddenly, Merlin ran towards him. Escanor tried to warn her. "It's dangerous! Stay back!"
In that poignant moment, Merlin jumped towards him, her lips gently brushing against Escanor's lips.
It was a soft, lingering kiss, a bittersweet farewell.
"I wasn't able to return your feelings but...the least I could do was burn a mark on my flesh to prove that you existed...As a proof of the only man to ever love."
After Merlin kissed Escanor, he regretted that he could not become the man that Merlin fell in love with, a man that was more worthy than her ambitions.
His tears had fallen to his cheeks, but they had been evaporated by his body's heat.
"Yours is a lonely love; the finest wine to inebriated the heart
But I cannot be the cup chalice that will hold you"
Oh God, I pray that another chalice appears that can embrace that love."
Escanor released his tears and smiled for the last time, marking his true farewell to his comrades, friends and family.
His body was now consumed by the raging flames, disintegrating into ashes.
-----
The atmosphere in the Phenex Clan household was charged with anticipation and tension.
Lady Riza Phenex was in the throes of labor, her body strained and perspiration glistening on her brow.
This childbirth was proving to be even more challenging than her first.
She clenched her husband's hand, Lord Erwin Phenex, seeking comfort and strength amidst the ordeal.
Hours felt like an eternity as Riza struggled to bring her second child into the world.
The room was filled with the hushed whispers of nurses, the sound of medical instruments, and the gentle reassurance of the midwife.
Riza's determination never wavered, and her spirit remained unbroken.
Then, a powerful cry echoed through the room, a cry that cut through the tension and brought a glimmer of hope.
The nurses' voices rang with excitement, congratulating Riza on the successful birth.
"It's a healthy and big boy!" one of the nurses exclaimed.
Tears of relief welled up in Riza's eyes, and she couldn't wait to hold her newborn son in her arms.
She whispered to the nurse, "Please, let me hold him."
With great care, the nurse swaddled the baby and gently placed him in Riza's arms.
Her heart swelled with love as she cradled her second son, marveling at the tiny, fragile life she had brought into the world.
Beside her, Erwin, her devoted husband, couldn't hide his joy.
He smiled down at his wife and their newborn son.
Riza, her voice filled with curiosity and affection, looked up at him and asked, "What shall we name him, my love?"
Erwin's smile grew wider, his eyes filled with pride.
"As our first son's name pays tribute to your name, Riza, I believe our second son's name should honor mine."
With a gentle and proud tone, he announced, "His name will be Escanor...Escanor Phenex!"
The name was truly fitting for the lineage of the Phenex Clan.
Riza and Erwin shared a tender moment, their hearts filled with love for each other and their growing family.
In that room, amid the cries of a healthy newborn, the Phenex Clan celebrated the birth of Escanor Phenex, a new chapter in their family's history.