Guts: "Alright, kid… I don't want to be known as the guy who beat up a beautiful lady."
Girl: "Don't underestimate me!"
She sent three ice spears flying at Guts, who shattered them all with a single swing of the Dragonslayer.
Guts (sighing): "Didn't want to do that."
He slowly began walking toward them.
Puck: "H-Hey, Emilia… be careful! This guy's insanely strong… swinging that enormous sword with one hand? That's no joke."
He had just revealed the silver-haired girl's name.
Emilia: "You're right, Puck… he's strong. But I need my insignia!"
Puck: "Alright…"
He flew at Guts and began firing a barrage of ice magic. Guts effortlessly blocked each shot without breaking a sweat.
Guts: "Hey, pipsqueak… you remind me of a certain annoying fairy."
Puck: "No idea who you're talking about!"
As Puck got closer, he suddenly froze, trembling with fear.
Puck (gulping): "What… what is this dark energy…?"
As a high-level spirit, Puck could sense powerful magic—and what he felt was terrifying. The source of it was the brand on Guts' neck.
Guts: "Agh… my brand's acting up again."
It was a cursed mark, one he had received during the Eclipse. It attracted Apostles and dark beings. The magic Puck felt pouring out from it was unlike anything in this world.
Emilia: "I-I…"
Guts raised his hand toward her. Emilia flinched, bracing for pain—but instead, Guts gently patted her head.
Guts: "You're strong, kid."
He smiled softly. Emilia looked up at this fierce warrior, her cheeks flushing red.
Emilia (blushing): "Eh… umm…"
Guts: "Sorry for the misunderstanding. I really didn't take your… insignia thing. But I know who did."
Emilia: "R-really?"
Guts: "Yeah. Come on, kid. Let's find the thief."
Despite his appearance, Guts had a kind heart. Life as a mercenary had hardened him, and he had killed countless people—but it hadn't stripped away his humanity.
As they walked through the city, Emilia kept glancing at him, lost in thought.
Why hadn't he attacked her? Why had he helped?
Maybe… this "barbarian" was actually a gentle soul beneath the scars.
Guts: "Come to think of it… I don't even know your name."
Emilia: "Satella… my name is Satella."
Puck winced when he heard that.
Puck: "Oof… You've got a terrible sense of humor."
Guts: "Satella, huh… Beautiful name."
Emilia: "?!"
Guts: "Hm? Something wrong?"
Emilia: "N-no, not at all!"
Guts: "Alright then."
They reached the center of the city. The more Guts observed, the more certain he was—this wasn't his world.
Guts (thinking):I was right… this place isn't mine. I need to figure out why I was summoned here.
Emilia: "Umm… you didn't tell me your name either."
Guts: "Guts. Just call me Guts."
Emilia: "Yes… Guts."
She said it like a name she wanted to remember. Not just out of politeness.
She wanted to ask so many questions—about his hand, his eye, his scars, his strength.
But the one most on edge… was Puck.
Puck (thinking):That brand… it's like a beacon for dark spirits. He must be linked to the Witch somehow.
Guts: "Hey… over there."
He pointed at a little girl, lost and crying, wandering the square.
Guts: "Mind if we help her?"
Emilia didn't reply at first, but then nodded with a soft smile.
Emilia: "Y-yes, you're right."
She approached the girl and knelt beside her, extending a hand.
Emilia: "Are you alright?"
Girl (crying): "Mommy… I lost her… Waaaah!"
Emilia: "H-hey, it's okay… We'll find your mommy—"
Girl: "Waaah…"
The girl kept crying—until Guts knelt and gently patted her head.
Guts: "Hey, kiddo. Wanna ride on my back?"
Girl (sniffling): "W-would you…?"
Guts (smiling): "Of course."
Girl: "Yaaay!"
He lifted her onto his back. Her eyes widened as she realized how tall and massive he was. His body was like solid stone—pure muscle.
Emilia watched the scene and smiled softly.
He really is… a kind man.
Girl: "Can I get down?"
Guts: "Tired already? Alright, then."
He gently placed her on the ground. The girl grabbed his huge hand with one hand, and Emilia's with the other.
Emilia: "Let's find her mom first."
Guts: "You sure? What about your insignia?"
Emilia (blushing): "T-that can wait… And… sorry."
Guts: "Hm?"
Emilia: "I mean… I'm so—"
Suddenly, the little girl shouted:
Girl: "Mommy!"
She ran toward a woman who stood nearby.
Mom: "Plum! Sweetheart! Thank goodness I found you!"
Plum: "Hehe! I met a nice uncle and big sister!"
She pointed at Guts and Emilia.
Mom: "Oh my… Thank you both so much."
Emilia: "No need to thank us! We're just glad she's safe."
Mom: "May you and your husband stay healthy."
Emilia (blushing hard): "H-h-husband?! No! You've got it all wrong! We're not—"
Mom: "Haha, young love… I was shy too, back in the day."
She waved goodbye as she left. Plum turned and waved cheerfully at them.
Emilia (blushing): "She… she thought we were a couple… Haha… what a misunderstanding…"
Guts: "Yeah… But I wouldn't mind having a beautiful wife like you."
His voice was soft… and sad.
Emilia: "Say… did you ever love someone?"
The first name that came to Guts' mind was Casca. But the memories were painful.
She had broken… her mind shattered after the Eclipse.
That cursed day when Griffith took everything from them…
When their child died…
Guts: "Yeah… I did. But she's afraid of me now."
Emilia felt the weight of his words. The sadness in his voice… she understood it.
She wasn't the only one.
Emilia: "Seems like we're alike. I'm a half-elf."
Guts: "Half-elf, huh…"
She braced herself for rejection—but instead:
Guts: "That explains why you're so beautiful. Just like other elves."
Emilia (blushing hard): "Hnnnn… Th-thank you…"
She turned her head away in embarrassment, while Puck zipped forward toward Guts.
Puck: "Sooooffft! Punch!"
He gently bonked Guts on the cheek.
Guts (confused): "The hell are you doing, pipsqueak?"
Puck: "I punched you out of pride."
Guts: "Pride? For what?"
Puck: "For making that girl show her cute side."
Guts: "…??"