I wanted to talk about NANATSU NO TAIZAI in this article, but the latest chapter of the popular series by Nakaba Suzuki makes that very difficult in a very literal way. For perhaps the first time since the series introduction, none of the titular Seven Deadly Sins are anywhere to be seen in this chapter. Instead, Suzuki has opted for a wholly different direction in his narrative. This chapter is focused on the remainder of the Ten Commandments, powerful demons tasked by the Demon King to carry out his bidding beyond Purgatory. Having left readers with Derieri and Monspiet at the end of CH.259, we rejoin them at the onset of the new Holy War.
Having avoided Zeldoris' request for the return of the Ten Commandments, both Derieri and Monspiet have been taking their ease in a rural human village. Their avoidance of Zeldoris' summons is a particularly unique phenomenon as each member of the Demon Clan has, prior to this instance, been quick to follow his lead in all matters. On their own, these two demons behave very differently when compared to their compatriots. Where monsters like Melascula and Galand were quick to murder humans, Derieri and Monspiet have shown a range of empathy that appears to be absent in other demons. This revelation is jarring when contrasted against their earlier violence, and demonic forms both during the conquest of Camelot and in the three thousand year flashback. Now disillusioned about the relationships between the Demon Clan and the other races of the world, Derieri decides that she must return her commandment to Zeldoris. In a moment of contemplation, she recants her personal understanding of the enmity between the Demon and Goddess Clans but states that the reality of their situation is very different from their dogma. I am always appreciative of Suzuki's willingness to go beyond stereotypical archetypes for shonen antagonists. While Melascula and Galand were villains in a very traditional sense, there is a level of depth to Derieri and Monspiet that comes out in their conversation with one another. The enmity shared by the Demon Clan and Goddess Clan is magnified for these two demons by the death of Derieri's sister, who was also Monspiet's lover. This shared vendetta serves as a basis for Derieri and Monspiet's relationship, though their conversation seems to hint at a mutual romantic inclination which remains largely unsaid between them. Seemingly drawn to them by their conversations of affection and love lost, Estarossa incinerates the woman who originally saved Derieri and Monspiet following their arrival in the human village. Having been characterized as hot blooded and hot headed from the outset, Derieri attacks Estarossa in retaliation but is easily outmatched by his use of "Full Counter". Estarossa then attempts to eat the departing soul of the woman he murdered, but is stopped by Monspiet, who replaces the soul with an apple instead. Monspiet has always struck me as a fairly interesting member of the Ten Commandments. What little time he has spent in combat has always been interesting and made important by exposition. Suzuki builds on this history as he uses this chapter to explain Monspiet's ability "Trickstar". By using this skill, the Reticence demon is able to change places with objects, and individuals so long as they share a similar mass and/or size. Irritated by his loss of a meal, Estarossa attacks Monspiet who is able to easily evade his attacks. Though Derieri attempts to aid Monspiet multiple times during Estarossa's onslaught, she is waved away by the Reticence demon who states her abilities are ill-suited to fighting against "Full Counter". Distracted in this manner, Monspiet is placed in a choke hold by the Love demon who proclaims that he has come to retrieve their commandments. Both Derieri and Monspiet then reveal to Estarossa that they had intended to return their commandments to Zeldoris all along. The Reticence demon additionally reveals that his commandment keeps him from sharing the nature of his heart with Derieri. It is at this critical juncture that Estarossa then reveals that returning the commandments to Zeldoris goes against his own machinations. In a surprising twist of events, Monspiet is able to use his "Trickstar" ability to switch places with Estarossa, effectively trapping the Love demon in a choke hold of his own making. Thus trapped, the Reticence demon relates a history unfamiliar to both readers and Estarossa alike. Suzuki's plot slowly begins to reveal itself in this exchange between demons. Although Estarossa's intentions are clarified, his motivations remain shrouded in mystery. By using Monspiet as his mouthpiece, Suzuki reveals Estarossa to be the weakest amongst the Ten Commandments; a demon unable to access the power of darkness without direct intervention from the Demon King. He also reveals that the use of a commandment in awakening Estarossa's latent abilities has deteriorated the Love demons mind and soul, leaving him in an unstable state. Though unsaid, this unstable state is liable to have manifested itself in the Love demons advanced appearance when compared to his siblings who retain a perpetually youthful visage. Monspiet also hypothesizes that taking in more commandments would likely result in Estarossa's death and stresses that he should refrain from fighting his siblings. During this string of exposition, Estarossa makes multiple attempts to break the choke hold by using his physical strength and command of "Hellfire". Both of these tactics prove to be useless against Monspiet, whose choke hold was secured by Estarossa himself, and the Reticence demon's mastery over "Hellfire". As the Love demon seemingly falls unconscious, Derieri questions Monspiet about what must be done with the Demon King's middle child as she moves to take a closer look at him. Her close proximity, however, allows Estarossa to grab her by the neck, forcing Monspiet to trade places with her just as the Love demon stabs his hand into her heart. It is with Monspiet's death that CH.260 comes to a close. True to form, it would seem that Suzuki's humanization of the Demon Clan holds a dark destiny for each member afflicted with empathy. Fraudrin, Dolor, and Gloxinia were casualties of their growing emotional capacity. In the upcoming CH.261 titled A Lost Cat, it is unlikely we will see whether Derieri's new found emotions will result in her own death. We can assume, however, that Estarossa will not sit idle now that Monspiet has been killed. With Derieri's "Combo Star" ability sealed by his own "Full Counter", the odds appear to be greatly in Estarossa's favour. Whether or not he will be able to capitalize on this opportunity remains to be seen. In the mean time, the title for CH.261 would seem to imply that Suzuki will be returning our attention to Cath, who still has yet to fully reveal his role within the grand scheme of things. It is for this reason that next weeks NANATSU NO TAIZAI is sure to hold more reveals and crucial information as the Holy Wars endgame is revealed. Written By: ALAN "VIENNA" SINGH
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