Guts stopped dead in his tracks, in the center of the village.
He slowly turned his head, scanning the surroundings.
Then he placed his hand on the hilt of Dragonslayer.
Guts: We're setting up here.
Everyone stopped, surprised by his tone.
Firm. Instinctive. Natural.
Wilhelm stepped forward, his brow slightly furrowed.
Wilhelm: You're taking the lead?
Guts: Someone has to. And I don't see anyone else.
He pointed to the village center.
Guts: Wilhelm, with Julius. Set up a fortified camp. Use whatever you can find—wood, carts, fences. Turn the houses into barricades.
Wilhelm: Understood.
No argument.
Guts turned to Ricardo.
Guts: You, take the able-bodied villagers. Find those still standing, anyone who can hold a weapon. Train them quickly. Even half an hour can make a difference.
Ricardo raised his eyebrows, then his smile returned.
Ricardo: Ohoho, I'll teach 'em to hit straight, don't worry. Even a drunk old man can stab a spear if you show him where to aim.
Guts nodded.
Guts: Give them a speech too. Short, simple. Light a fire in their guts. Let them know they're fighting for their homes.
Finally, he turned to Rem.
Guts: Gather the children, the women, and the elderly. Tell Petra to lead them to Roswaal's mansion. They must leave before nightfall. No one stays here waiting to die.
Rem froze for a second.
It wasn't the first time she'd seen him like this… but that certainty, that calm and hard voice…
This wasn't the silent, solitary Guts she had followed.
This was a leader.
Silence settled around him.
Even Julius, even Felix, even Tivey and Mimi were looking at him differently.
No shouting. No fiery speech.
Just orders. Precise. Right. Relentless.
Like with the Band of the Hawk.
That day, without ceremony, Guts became the pillar.
And in everyone's eyes, something changed.
No one doubted anymore.
In just a few minutes, the village—once paralyzed by fear—now stirred with a new fever.
Quick footsteps, low voices, busy hands.
It wasn't courage yet.
But it wasn't resignation anymore.
The waiting was no longer a void.
Something, slowly, like a breath, rose from the ground: hope. Fragile. But real.
Guts walked on in silence. He made a detour toward the makeshift fortifications.
Wilhelm, already hard at work, was overseeing the barricade construction: overturned carts, stacked beams, hurriedly placed spikes at the street entrances. Nothing perfect. But better than nothing.
The old swordsman said nothing as Guts approached. Just a nod.
Tacit understanding.
Then Guts moved on.
In the village center, Ricardo was yelling, correcting a clumsy farmer's stance.
Ricardo: No, dammit, not like that! Your spear ain't a broom! Look at me! Straight! Firm! Again!
The villagers were sweating heavily, hands covered in blisters, but none backed down.
Guts watched. A faint warmth flickered in his eyes.
Further on, Rem was helping the women pack their few belongings, calming the children, giving orders with both gentleness and firmness.
Felix guided the weakest to the carts. Mimi and Tivey ran from group to group.
Everything was falling into place.
Chaos was becoming order.
Fear, becoming action.
Guts clenched his jaw.
He didn't like this.
Leading. Giving orders.
That had never been his role.
Then he turned back, walking through the village with heavy steps.
He stopped near Rem, who was overseeing the last departures.
Guts: Come.
She stood up at once, following without question.
Guts: Emilia and the others should already be here,
—he murmured, more to himself than to her.
He frowned.
Guts: I expected them to come to us… at least Roswaal. Where is he?
Rem: The mansion's far, but they had time.
Guts didn't answer. But his gaze hardened.
Guts: We're leaving now.
And already, they were leaving the village.
The path was quiet. Too quiet.
The trees gave way to the first stones of the estate.
The mansion appeared—untouched. Nothing seemed out of place.
No smoke. No sounds. No signs of attack.
They slowed down, alert.
And there, in the distance, a figure.
Ram.
Arms crossed.
Gaze steady.
She was waiting for them.
Guts exchanged a brief look with Rem. No need for words.
They moved forward in silence.
They dismounted.
Ram stepped forward immediately.
Ram: You're back already? Roswaal didn't inform me. He thought you'd return in two days.
Guts tensed. How could Roswaal know that?
He said nothing.
Ram: Master Roswaal went to the Sanctuary. He's… unwell. That's why he's not here.
She paused, watching Guts.
Ram: Did you kill the White Whale?
Guts: Yes.
But the fight wasn't over.
The mansion would be attacked. Roswaal's absence… was likely what the Cult had been waiting for.
Rem stepped forward, worried.
Rem: Ne-sama… Is Lady Emilia alright? Since we left for the capital, I found her… distant.
Ram: She's fine. Though she was troubled by Guts' childish behavior, she's recovered. Come in.
I see you've been preparing something for a while… If you're here, the Cult is on the move. Roswaal feared that too.
She glanced at Rem.
Ram: I read the messenger's letter. Roswaal will be… pleased. His wish is coming true.
Guts said nothing.
He wanted to see Emilia.
They passed through the mansion's gates. No need to search. Emilia was there, standing, as if she had been waiting.
She stepped forward.
Emilia: Guts…
Her voice was soft, almost fragile. She stopped right away, cheeks flushed. Her gaze dropped to the floor.
She couldn't look him in the eye.
Why?
Shame?
Maybe.
Guts couldn't say for sure. But something in her had changed. As if her heart was still trying to figure out how to face his.
Since their argument at the capital, she hadn't met his eyes. And now, facing him… facing this warrior who had slain the White Whale where none ever had… she seemed small.
Three centuries.
Three centuries of fear, of legends, of ruins… swept away by a single man.
But Guts had no intention of stopping there. He wouldn't just endure anymore. And he had no time for silence.
He stepped forward. Slowly. Then stopped a few paces from her.
Guts: The Cult is going to attack.
His voice echoed in the hall. Deep, firm, direct.
Guts: Ram, stay here with Emilia. Don't leave the mansion. In a few hours, the women, children, and elderly from the village will come seek refuge here.
He turned to the pink-haired servant.
Guts: I know your strength. I know you're powerful. Emilia too. And with Puck… you can hold this place. Defend it.
A moment passed. Then he continued:
Guts: But I ask you—do not interfere. No matter what you hear or see.
I'll deal with this. It's mine to end.
His gaze returned to Emilia. She had lifted her head, her silver eyes trembling.
Guts: Emilia… I know you're troubled. And I don't expect apologies. But time is short.
We'll talk… once this is over.
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't force anything. But his voice carried.
Like in the days when he led the vanguard of the Band of the Hawk. When he gave orders before great battles. When he held lives in the balance.
That tone… he had forgotten it.
But it came back naturally. Because here, now, he had no right to hesitate.
Silence fell. No one spoke.
Ram, straight as a blade, stared at Guts without blinking.
She didn't smile. But said nothing.
She knew he was right.
Emilia nodded. Slowly. Unable to hide the emotion in her eyes.
Guts didn't waver. Didn't look away. He wasn't asking for thanks or forgiveness.
He just wanted to see it through.
Guts: And Beatrice? Is she here?
Ram: Gone since you left. Probably locked in her damned library. As always.
He didn't reply. No time for such nonsense.
Before she finished speaking, he had already turned around. His boots echoed across the hall.
He was already at the door when Rem caught up silently behind him.
But before they stepped outside, Ram called out.
Ram: Guts. Do you really think I'll obey without a word? I take orders from Roswaal alone.
He froze.
Turned around.
His gaze pierced her.
No words. Not at first. Just that expression… dark, sharp, undeniable.
He had no time. No desire to argue. Not now.
But a soft voice came before his.
Rem: Ne-sama…
She turned to her sister, voice trembling with emotion—but firm.
Rem: If you can't trust Guts… then trust me. I believe in him.
I saw him fight the Whale. I saw what he can do… and what he's willing to do for all of us.
If he says it's serious, I believe him. So please… listen to him. Just this once.
Ram froze.
She looked at her sister's face. She had seen her change these past weeks. But not until now had she realized how much.
Rem was no longer the same.
And that look she gave Guts…
It wasn't admiration.
It was… something else.
So for the first time, Ram lowered her guard.
She nodded slowly.
Ram: Just this once… fine.
Guts said nothing. Just a brief nod. He knew what it cost her. But he couldn't linger.
Guts: We're leaving.
And already, he stepped outside, Rem close behind.
Less than thirty minutes had passed since their arrival.
And they were already heading back to the village.