Reinhard placed a hand on Guts's shoulder.No reproach. No approval.Just a gesture.The weight of a moment shared.
The arena slowly emptied.But in the air still lingered the echo of a fight...and a promise broken.
Almost at ease, Guts stepped toward his prosthetic arm, left behind earlier.He picked it up and reattached it mechanically, without a word.Once again, he had reminded the world who he was — not with words, but through action.
Around him, murmurs slipped like snakes between the stands.Confused, muffled... but ever-present.A low, melancholy hiss, like a tune he had heard before.
He raised his eyes, scanning the arena.The spectators were leaving in small groups, whispering opinions, surprise, fear.
No one looked at him.But everyone was talking about him.
Then, his eyes caught a familiar figure.There, near the exit... Emilia.She wasn't moving.She was waiting.
He knew: a conversation would follow.Maybe reproach. Maybe silence.It didn't matter.
He exhaled slowly.Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.Discreet. Almost peaceful.
And Guts, without a word, walked toward the exit.
Guts approached slowly. Emilia stood there, waiting. She didn't move.Silence hung between them like a blade suspended in the air.
When he reached her side, she spoke first.Her voice wasn't raised. Nor trembling.It was... cold. Strangely calm.
Emilia (arms crossed):"You made me a promise."
Guts (stopping in his tracks, surprised by her tone):"I… I know."
Emilia (looking straight into his eyes):"You promised to stay out of it. You said it. You promised."
Guts (sighing):"I saw how they looked at you... how they talked about you. I couldn't just stand there."
Emilia (harsher):"Then why did you promise?"
He didn't answer.
Emilia (voice sharper):"A promise, Guts… isn't just words. It's what trust is built on.If you can't keep your word… then how can I believe in you?"
A silence. Guts stared at her, lost.
Guts (slowly):"I did what I thought was right."
Emilia (frowning):"Maybe. But it's not what I needed you to do."
Guts (lowering his gaze):"I don't understand. You were in danger, angry, humiliated—"
Emilia (cutting him off):"And still, I didn't ask for your help."
She stepped back.
Emilia (hurt):"You didn't just break a promise.You took away my chance to prove I could stand up for myself."
Guts remained silent. His eyes drifted off. He wanted to speak... but nothing came.
Emilia (lower, more quietly):"You did it for you. Not for me.Your silence says more than your words, you know?"
Guts:"Maybe. Yeah... maybe I just… snapped."
She didn't respond.She turned away.
He followed her.
No words were exchanged between them.The silence stretched along the road back to the inn.A tension lingered, invisible but very real.
Like two souls walking side by side...without truly crossing paths anymore.