Switched

Delman

A few minutes later, the Sins and Elizabeth were all gathered outside the Boar Hat with their various weapons.

"Alright, I'll go over the plan once again." Merlin was saying. "You'll explore the town together, and when you find the Clock, you will either steal it or you will have to go through Claude.

If negotiation doesn't work, fighting is what you're going to go for. King and Diane, watch out for each other, and Meliods, keep an eye out on Ban. Gowther will be with me at the Boar Hat so be careful. Escanor, be on guard because I'll teleport you in if things get out of hand."

Merlin paused. "Everyone got it so far?"

"Got it." Meliodas grinned.

"Oh, and Elizabeth?" Merlin added. "Stick close to Meliodas, and stay out of the way of the fighting. Meliodas? Take care of her or I will personally kill you."

"I'd like to see you try, but I will." Meliodas chuckled. "Everyone ready?"

"Yep!" Diane giggled. "Let's go capture some clock!"

"Good luck, mortals." Escanor called grandly as they walked down the hills.

The path to the village was well marked out, despite the Sins not seeing a single person the entire way down to the village. It was too silent, and it made everyone uneasy.

"I don't like this." Diane said to King. "To quiet."

"Yeah." King agreed.

The streets were empty, though the houses looked well cared for.

They were walking down a market Street, when Elizabeth gasped, pointing to a stall. "Meliodas! Look!"

Next to the stall was an incredibly life-like statue, in the act of picking something up. It was a bald man in simple clothes.

"What a creepy statue." Diane shuddered.

"It's not a statue. Look." Meliodas shook his head grimly. All throughout the street, these statues were dotted about, frozen in place. "These were people a few days ago. Someone's doing this."

"How horrible." Elizabeth gasped. "Look, they did it to a child!"

"I bet it was Claude. He's so going to die." Diane grimaced.

They continued walking towards the building where the clock was held. They arrived a few minutes later. It was a large stone building, and King identified it as the vilage hall.

"This is it. Let's go. Diane, since, you know, you're back to normal size, you should probably stay here for now." Meliodas ordered, and they advanced into the building.

"I hate being left." She complained.

Inside, the hall was large, well aired and spacious. There were several display cases, housing various artifacts and paintings.

"Merlin should have come, she'd have loved this." Ban muttered, looking around.

"Right, everyone, find the clock." Meliodas ordered, and they dispersed to different parts of the hall.

Elizabeth walked around for a bit, looking quickly around. The artifacts in questions were mostly paintings, tools, cups and things. Something caught Elizabeth's eye, crammed in the back of a case.

A gold clock, with ornate sides and a crystal on top, just like the photo Eric had shown them.

"Meliodas! I found it!" Elizabeth called.

"Bring it over!" Said Meliodas, who was trying not to laugh. Ban had got his arm stuck in a bear trap. King was trying to pry it open.

"Are you sure we can touch it?" Elizabeth called back doubtfully.