Chapter 148

is the 148th chapter of the manga, Nanatsu no Taizai.

Long Summary
Jericho carries Ban and Elaine into "My Sweet Gluttony" and wonders why it's there in a random cave. The bartender informs her that he likes the cave, despite the constant chirp of cuckoo birds, and he asks if they are peddlers or lost travelers. Jericho says that they aren't customers but are gravely injured and need to rest, but before she could go on, she passes out and falls to the floor.

Having rushed to her side and getting a closer look at the trio, the bartender recognizes Ban's scar and face but thinks it impossible. Ban shouts at the bartender, scaring him. Jericho explains that Ban is the Seven Deadly Sins' "Fox's Sin of Greed," and the bartender assumes Jericho must be a Holy Knight of Liones and worries that she has come for him, too. Confused, Jericho further explains that the Sins are no longer sought after for the murder of Zaratras because the real culprits were the two Great Holy Knights. The bartender can't believe Dreyfus and Hendrickson would do such a thing and asks if that means the Sins no longer need to hide. Jericho responds that the Sins have ironically become the country's heroes, at which the bartender begins crying. He grabs hold of Ban and demands to know about Merlin. Beginning to recognize the bartender, Ban informs him that she's with Meliodas and remarks about the horrible moustache that the bartender has grown, the bartender responding that it was for a bold and daring statement. Puzzled, Jericho asks if they know each other, but the bartender, realizing that the trio is being hunted, rushes them into the pantry behind his bar. As he closes the door, there is a loud slam.

Galan yells for the trio to come out; the bartender squeals at the two demons and tries to hide behind the bar. The two are confused as they sensed the trio were here but not only see a human. Galan smells something, draws nearer to the bar, and samples one of the kegs, remarking how much alcohol has come in 3000 years. Merascylla looks on. Galan offers her a drink, and while she initially refuses, he talks her into trying some. She exclaims at its taste and is seen pouring herself another drink, remarking how much alcohol has come in 3000 years. In her drunken revelry, she decides that humans were at the bottom of her list of clans but are now at the top and that her favorite is the bartender, who informs them that they are drinking Bernia Ale, which is known for having the sweetest and most bitter tones and for being popular among women because of its apple fragrance. Surprised at his knowledge of alcohol, which he explains is part of his job, Merascylla declares that he will be safe when they wipe out humanity. Galan protests that she can't decide such things, but the bartender is dumbfounded that they plan to wipe out humanity. Galan explains that the Ten Commandments, as the Demon King's chosen few, are currently laying waste to Britannia. The bartender remembers Merlin saying something about them but he can't believe they exist.

Menacingly the two demons turn on the bartender. Galan threatens that he can't let the one who ruined his face and crushed their hearts get away so easily, and Merascylla adds the fairy who interrupted her meal. They know the trio are hidden in the pantry, but while Galan could crush them easily, he doesn't see the fun in doing so and the alcohol has put him in a generous mood. Instead he proposes a deal with the bartender: he'll let the trio live if the bartender wins the Galan Game. Merascylla, loving the idea, gives Galan a high-five. Jericho tries to talk the bartender out of it, but he explains that despite his little skill with combat, he is great at games, be they cards, dice, or anything else.

Galan explains the game: in a one-on-one match, they will both choose a weapon and take turns hitting the other, one blow at a time, with the first to die as the loser. The bartender screams in fright, and Jericho tells him to run. Galan says that he'll let the bartender go first. The bartender asks what would happen if he refused to play, and Galan replies that he would slaughter them all. Shivering and sweating, the bartender accepts, and Galan pats him on the back and says that should the bartender break his oath, Galan's commandment Truth will turn him into stone. Pouring herself another drink, Merascylla points out that Galan's pat knocked the bartender out.

Hours later, after having continued to drink heavily, Merascylla and Galan wonder if the bartender will ever wake up and why the bar has become so warm. Jericho also mentions the heat and Ban starts at the idea of it being morning. Galans notices the axe above the bar and marvels at the craftsmanship. Merascylla eggs him on to take it, and Galan finds it heavy and unwieldy with so much weight in the head but not enough length to be wielded with two hands. A voice points out that it is a one-handed axe. It is the Divine Axe Rhitta, named for a maiden who was loved by the sun. The bartender appears taller and more muscular (his swollen arms ripping his shirt) and says that Rhitta could not be touched by a demon who spends his time lurking in the shadows. He remarks that the two are either foolish or unlucky to have willingly wandered into this bar. Still drunk, Merascylla wonders who the bartender thinks he is, and Galan wonders why the bartender has changed so dramatically and if he is even human. As his muscles continue to swell and rip his shirt, revealing a lion tattoo on his back, the bartender confirms that he is human, the pinnacle of all humans: the Seven Deadly Sin's "Lion's Sin of Pride," Escanor.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Ban
 * Jericho
 * Elaine
 * Escanor
 * Galan
 * Merascylla