Britannia.
Once before in this realm,
the Holy Knights of the Kingdom of Liones staged a coup d'état,
sparking what eventually became a Holy War
between the goddess and the demon races.
The devastating fires of war that ensued
threatened to consume the entire continent.
But thanks to the emergence of the legendary heroes
known as the Seven Deadly Sins,
the catastrophic war was brought to an end.
This story takes place 16 years after those events.
Huh?
THE UNKNOWN FORCE
Huh?
Never saw a creature like you back where I'm from.
Nice to meet you. I'm Percival.
And I just traveled down here from the Finger of God!
It only took two days!
Oh, right, do you happen to know if there's a place nearby here
where more humans like me live?
According to Grandpa, there are these places called villages and towns
where lots and lots of people gather!
I guess you don't understand human talk, do you?
It's got to be destiny that we crossed paths like this.
So let's be friends.
No, wait! Come back!
I don't know anyone here and it's making me feel so uneasy!
Wait... Uh?
Don't be shy! Gather around, everyone!
Ladies and gentlemen, the incredible Katz's Grand Circus show
is about to begin!
As the leader, I, Katz, will start.
Just feast your eyes on these bits of parchment...
Oh, how marvelous!
They've been transformed into a rain of fire.
Next up is Lady Elva.
Watch closely as her monkey jumps through the hoop,
vanishing and reappearing.
It's fantastic, don't you think?
Now, for the star performer...
Hey, Donny, come on! We're rehearsing here.
Why bother taking it seriously when nobody's watching?
It's a rehearsal because nobody's watching us.
Quit acting like you're better than me.
Huh?
Who's that?
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!
That was really incredible! Please do it again!
I want to see, I want to see!
Where did he come from?
Beats me. There's nothing around here.
- Hey, pip-squeak. - Huh?
Sorry, but our show isn't free.
Get out your cash.
Are you really extorting a kid for money?
This is how we make a living, isn't it?
What's cash? Uh...
Fine, so be it.
Your belongings will do.
Hm... Uh, here.
All right. I'll show you my trick then.
Hurray!
Huh?
Wow! So amazing!
It feels like I'm floating right now.
That's because you are.
You got to tell me. What's the secret behind it?
Ugh...
Hey!
Donny! That's cruel even for you!
I think it's a good lesson on how the world works!
And the effect is gonna wear off soon so who cares.
Are you kidding?
You can't just leave a child by himself out there!
She's got a point.
- It's not like anyone's with him. - Oh...
What? You want to turn back?
We've come a long way already, you guys.
Wait for me!
Oops, too far.
Hey, did he catch up to us on foot?
Um...
Look, I'm... I'm sorry, okay? Here! You can have your stuff back.
Well, I'm actually searching for someone.
Got any ideas how I can find him?
You... You're not mad that we ditched you?
Who are you searching for?
Ironside.
Huh, I've never heard of him. Is he an acquaintance of yours?
He's my dad who killed my grandpa.
That's a rather unsettling story to hear.
But I understand now. What you're really looking for is revenge, isn't it?
I'm not sure.
I don't know what I'm looking for but I have to find out why.
Why did he have to kill Grandpa?
Why wasn't he a part of my life until that very moment?
But first, I'm gonna kick his butt!
Nope. Ironside doesn't ring a bell.
Sorry. Wish I could help.
Oh, I see.
Sorry, I'm sure somebody must know where you can find that guy.
I'd start by going to a village and looking there if I were you.
A village? Village...
Village?
Village!
Yes! The place rumored to have people and houses! Ahh...
Wanna tag along with us to the next one?
Yeah!
You're not getting a free ride though.
Really, Donny?
Come on, you can do tricks, right?
Tricks?
Okay. Let's see what you've got.
You almost hit me and I'm standing right behind you?
Oopsie.
Don't you worry, kid. We'll still give you a free ride.
We're a troupe that travels around Britannia,
earning our keep by performing tricks
in the different towns and villages that we visit.
Woah! I can see why people pay.
Your tricks were so amazing, they were like magic!
Can't believe you were impressed by that garbage.
Wish we had something better to show
but that's all our half-baked powers can do.
Huh?
Of course, my dream is beyond my reach anyway.
We've got deep backgrounds of our own.
Each of the members of our circus once hoped to be a Holy Knight,
but had all their dreams shattered and then wound up here.
A what?
That's right! My dad-- Uh...
Ironside mentioned that.
I'm just an old friend of his.
Back when we were Holy Knights.
He said he and Grandpa were Holy Knights.
Wait, so you're the son of that kind of fighter?
No kidding?
So which kingdom's Holy Knights were they both?
Kingdom? I have no idea.
Holy Knight this, Holy Knight that.
Can we drop it and talk about anything else?
Hey, can you fly using that floaty trick of yours?
Shut up. Don't talk to me.
But how does it work?
Do you want me to send you flying again?
Just do it one more time, please!
- Give me a rest! - Who are they?
- Folks from the village? - You gotta help!
Help us! The village is in trouble!
Say what?
There's a wolf, and it's on the rampage.
Turn back around and call the Holy Knights for help, hurry!
Hold on. What's a wolf?
You've never seen one?
Give me a break.
Bringing in those guys over a wolf?
If that's all it is, we can handle it for you.
Donny, wait. You can't just...
In exchange for this, the village better provide free room and board tonight!
It's huge!
A monster wolf?
Wait! We have to send for the Holy Knights!
Donny! Someone's inside!
Even if there is, there's nothing we could do anyway!
Percival!
Are you out of your mind?
Grandpa always used to say,
"Destroy the wicked and lend the weak aid.
And above all else, defend that which is most dear to you with your life."
I never wanna feel that pain again,
or try and risk putting anybody else through it!
You hear that, Wolf?
I'm gonna cook you up and eat you!
Ouch!
Are you okay?
That hurt...
Why did you come back here?
- What choice did I have? - Huh?
You lit something in me.
The flames that I thought were lost are burning.
Percival, run!
How dare you attack my friend!
Amazing. A child defeated the monster wolf...
We're saved.
Everyone! We're safe now!
That kid did it! He brought down the wolf!
What a feisty little kid!
Who would've thought he'd defeat my familiar?
All right, onto the next challenge!
I wonder if it's some sort of bad omen.
I've never seen a wolf so enormous before.
I was so scared I couldn't move.
Rumor has it that nightmarish monsters
are popping up in other villages, too.
Ouch!
Stop with the pitiful noises.
You've got an honorable injury there.
Something like that.
Damn. I feel pathetic.
Hey, wait a minute, where did that kid run off to?
Oh, Elva took him to a spring up in the hills.
How terrible. That's the wound Ironside gave you?
Mm-hmm.
No way. It went straight through your back.
Mm-hmm.
Seems like it just healed recently.
Yep.
Hey, you've been so nonchalant with all your answers.
There's no need to act so grown-up.
It's just like Grandpa told me.
We've got to get you all cleaned up.
The villagers want to give you a warm welcome.
Brr!
Hey, Elva. Donny is great, isn't he?
Even though we only met today, he risked his life to protect me.
And you rushed into certain danger for people you didn't even know.
You're a way better person.
You really think so?
I bet Donny was influenced by you.
Huh?
He probably still hasn't given up on his big dream
of becoming a Holy Knight someday.
Hey, Elva, what is a Holy Knight?
"Your eyes see through evil,
your mouth speaks only the truth,
your heart is filled with justice,
and your sword destroys the wicked."
The Holy Knights are fierce warriors with powerful magic
who serve to protect kingdoms and their people.
Grandpa used to mumble that.
The magic they use...
is it like what you and Donny were showing me when we first met?
Well, sort of.
But our magic isn't strong enough to make us like them.
Huh?
That said, what really makes a Holy Knight
are the actions that they perform in times of danger.
You took on that monster for complete strangers,
and there aren't a lot of people who would have done that, Percival.
Who knows, maybe you were just born with the qualities of a warrior.
Do you squeeze into this every time?
Hey, there you are, kid.
We were wondering when the hero would come back.
Cheers to the great hero who rescued our village!
Cheers!
Yum! What is this?
It's berry juice with a little syrup mixed in.
Wish it was ale, but this will do.
You're old enough to drink alcohol, Donny?
Hey, don't lump me in with a kiddo like you.
We're 16.
Stop acting like an adult, Donny.
Oh, me too. Guess we're all the same age.
No way. You're seriously our age?
Uh-huh.
He totally saw everything.
Hey, Percival!
Thank you for saving me earlier!
My grandson means everything to me.
Thank you, sir.
Keep taking good care of your grandpa.
I will!
A guy in red armor? Never seen him.
Ironside? No, never heard of him.
A man wearing purple armor?
No, not purple armor! Red armor!
It might ring a bell, but then again, maybe not.
Does it or doesn't it? Pick one.
You gotta calm down, man.
Urgh...
Show yourself, Ironside!
You're gonna tire yourself out like that.
Ironside. I know that name!
He's floating in the air!
I came to meet the feisty little kid
who took down my familiar.
But what a turn of events! What a twist of fate.
The report said both the old man and his grandson were dealt with,
yet here you are, very much alive and kicking.
He must've felt affection for his own son, after all.
Don't tell me he spared Varghese's life as well.
Huh? Wait, how do you know my grandpa's name?
Whoever you are, you owe this young man here a big apology.
How dare you try and talk to him like that after losing his grandfather!
Uh, Katz...
From the looks of it, you're a Holy Knight?
That fact alone doesn't excuse you from saying whatever you may please.
My business here is with the little kid standing behind you.
What gives? This guy isn't budging an inch!
Out of the way.
- Boss! - Is he all right?
My apologies. I only intended to gently shake you off.
Who are you?
And how do you know both my grandpa and Ironside?
I am Pellegarde the Black Knight!
And I hail from the same kingdom as your elders, kid.
I am not a kid!
My name is Percival!
I like your spirit, Percival!
If you do know Ironside, then tell me where he is!
You're not even trembling in front of me.
I'm impressed.
You've only got five seconds to tell me his whereabouts.
They're having different conversations.
- Five, four, three... - I admire strong people
- regardless of gender or background! - ...two, one.
Those two really aren't on the same page.
Well then, it's a duel!
They're on the same page now?
Bring it.
Let's go.
Go get him, Percival!
Here I come!
Wait a minute! Where's your weapon?
Are you planning on going up against me with your bare hands?
Hah!
He has the power to knock back my heavy armor?
This kid really is an interesting one.
If I win, you have to tell me where he is!
Very well!
But if I win, you have to become my minion.
You show promise, kid!
I'm beginning to feel like raising you myself!
Percival!
- Huh? - Yeah, right...
As if I'll ever let you...
Victory...
is mine!
I'll win! I'll win! I'll win! I'll win! I'll win! I'll win! I'll win!
Huh.
You put yourself in harm's way for the sake of the weak.
And you're able to stand your ground against a formidable foe.
How sublime.
Uh, Percival...
If you won't use a weapon, at least use your magic.
How else am I supposed to enjoy this fight?
I can't. I don't have any magic.
What? But you're Ironside's son!
Perhaps I overestimated you.
But that will make it all the more rewarding to train you.
The sooner we start, the better.
So...
let's finish this duel!
Ugh! I won't lose.
Surrender, you stubborn brat!
You're no match for that guy!
You'll be risking your life for nothing.
So are you saying I ought to just stand by and watch this?
Someone! Anyone! Help him!
Easier said than done.
Especially if that guy is a real Holy Knight...
- Do something! - There's no way Percival will lose!
The hero who saved my grandpa and me would never give up!
Beat that guy up, Percival!
What the...
Just now, what was that?
How was I able to push him back?
You don't have any magic to use.
That is what you told me, right?
If what you said is true,
then what the hell is flowing out of you?
Percival, answer me!
FOUR KNIGHTS OF THE APOCALYPSE