It was night, and Ram was sitting in Guts' room.
She had been teaching him how to read and write, since Guts didn't know the written language of this new world.
Surprisingly, he had made great progress—he could already read basic texts.
Ram: "So… have you come across any fairy tales you like?"
Guts: "Yeah. A few good ones.
There's one that caught my attention—the tale of the Envious Witch, Satella."
Ram: "Ah, that one…
Just be careful not to say her name too loud in public."
Guts: "Huh? Why the hell not?"
Ram: "The Envious Witch is blamed for all the disasters in this world.
She created beasts so horrifying they still roam the land today. Her deeds… are terrifying."
Guts frowned. It felt too convenient—blaming all the world's problems on one person.
For some reason… he sympathized with her.
Ram: "What about you?"
Guts: "Me?"
Ram: "Do you know any stories? Something I wouldn't have heard."
Guts: "Hmm… maybe one or two.
Here's one—about two demons."
At the word demon, Ram flinched.
Guts: "Once, there were two demons. One red, one blue.
They were best friends and always looked out for each other.
But one day, the red demon became sad. He told the blue demon he wanted to be friends with humans…
But they feared him.
So the blue demon came up with a plan.
He'd attack the human village, and the red demon would chase him away.
That way, the humans would see the red one as a hero."
Ram (quietly listening):
Guts: "It worked. The red demon made friends in the village.
But after that… he never saw the blue demon again.
One day, he went to visit his friend's home…
And found a note:
'I'm glad you made friends. I've gone on a journey around the world.
Take care. —Your friend, Blue Demon.'
The red demon realized something…
No matter how many friends he had now, none could replace the one he lost."
Ram stayed quiet for a moment.
Ram: "That's… a sad story.
But the characters were idiots.
The red one was selfish, and the blue one was a fool."
Guts: "What? How so?"
Ram: "Would you side with the red demon who couldn't solve his own problem?
Or the blue one who sacrificed himself without being asked?"
She looked at him with sharp eyes.
Ram: "So, which one would you choose?"
Guts (smirking): "I've always been greedy.
I'd choose both….but life doesn't let you "
[Guts' thoughts]
If only…
A figure flickered through his mind. White hair. An empty gaze. Black wings.
Griffith.
He wanted a world. I just wanted us to stay together.
But there's never room for two dreams.
Guts tensed, a flicker of pain crossing his eye.
Another scar—unseen, but always open.
It might not bleed anymore… but it would always hurt.
Ram: "Tch. Illogical.
Anyway, let's go make dinner… and don't tell Rem that story.
She'd probably get upset."
Guts: "…Alright."
They headed to the kitchen.
Strangely enough, Guts had become decent at cooking.
At first, chopping vegetables had been a pain.
But thanks to his deadly skill with knives, he managed.
He always muttered:
"Killing's easier than this crap."
Rem: "Oh, sister, you're here.
We're out of salt, so I'm going to the village to buy some."
Ram saw her chance.
Ram (suddenly): "Ah! I feel dizzy…
Guts, please accompany my sister."
Guts: "The fuck?"
Ram (whispering): "It's your chance to get closer to Rem. Don't waste my effort."
Guts (sighs): "Fine. I wanted to see the village anyway."
Rem: "Shall we go, then?"
[Time skip – forest path]
They walked in silence for a while, until Guts spoke.
Guts: "Man… I missed walking through forests like this."
Rem: "Hm?"
Guts: "Nothing. Just reminds me of the old days.
I used to sleep in forests, hunt wild beasts for food… I guess I'm feeling nostalgic."
Rem (laughs): "Pfft… haha!"
Guts: "Huh? Did I say something funny?"
Rem: "You just said it so casually.
Also… that giant slab of metal on your back makes it even funnier, Guts-kun."
Guts: "This sword is part of me.
I don't go anywhere without it. I don't even know how to fight without it anymore."
Rem: "You're really strange…
I've always wanted to ask—where did all those scars come from?"
Guts: "Endless battles.
The scars started on my chest... but over time, they spread everywhere.
One day, I was stabbed, burned, crushed… and still got back up."
Rem: "T-That sounds inhuman…"
Guts: "Maybe I stopped being human a long time ago."
They reached the village.
Children played in the streets.
People smiled—bright, carefree.
A world without blood.
Rem: "Wait here. I'll go buy the salt."
Guts: "Take your time."
While he stood waiting, a group of children surrounded him.
Petra: "Whoa! Nii-san, your sword is huge!
I'm Petra!"
Guts: "Huh?"
Lucas: "I'm Lucas!"
Mild: "I'm Mild!"
Meina: "M-Meina…"
They all introduced themselves, excited.
Guts (overwhelmed): "Agh… y-yeah. Nice to meet you. I'm Guts."
Petra: "Guts-nii! Are you a warrior?!"
Guts: "Kind of."
Lucas: "So cool! You look so strong!"
Mild: "We wanna be cool like you!"
Guts: "Uh… hey now, brats, what do you want?"
Petra: "Teach us how to be cool like you!"
Meina: "Y-Yeah! Please!"
Guts looked at their eyes—pure, excited.
He sighed.
Guts: "Alright, brats.
Grab some sticks and try to hit me."
He drove Dragonslayer into the ground behind him.
Mild: "This'll be easy!"
Lucas: "Let's go!"
They rushed him.
Guts dodged every strike with ease.
Petra: "So… fast…"
Lucas: "No way I'm losing!"
He leapt toward Guts' face.
Guts (thinking): "That move… it's so predictable."
He sidestepped, letting Lucas fall flat.
More and more villagers gathered, watching the scene with smiles.
Villager 1: "Haha! He's huge, but so kind to the kids."
Villager 2 : He's different from the usual nobles… You can see he's lived through a lot
They all began to clap.
Guts stood in the middle, confused… yet calm.
Guts (thinking): "What the hell… kind of world am I in?"
[Time skip]
Rem: "Okay, Guts-kun, I finished—eh?"
She stopped.
He was standing there, kids clinging to his arms, villagers applauding.
He wasn't smiling… not really.
But his eyes were softer.
Lighter.
Rem (thinking):I didn't think he could laugh…
Guts noticed her. Their eyes met.
Guts (thinking, quietly):"Heh… Guess I let my guard down."
He picked up his sword, slung it back over his shoulder, and walked toward her.
Guts: "You done shopping, or do I have to babysit more brats?"