Chapter 11 – A Bite, A Curse, A Hunt

Guts was still playing with the kids when a strange girl approached him slowly.

Meili: "M-My name is Meili… c-can I join the fun?"

She asked shyly, holding a small puppy in her arms. Guts gave her a soft smirk.

Guts: "You call this fun? These little monsters are torturing me…"

The man who used to slaughter Apostles without blinking…

was now completely helpless against laughing children.

Guts: "That your puppy?"

Meili: "Y-Yeah… He's a bit angry sometimes, but he's nice."

Guts: "Is that so?"

He reached to pet the dog—

and it promptly bit his hand.

Puppy: "Woof!"

Guts: "Tch… I've never been liked by animals anyway."

Just then, he noticed Rem watching him from a distance.

That was enough for today.

Petra: "Come again, Cool Nii-san!"

Lucas: "We'll be waiting!"

Guts waved lazily and walked over to Rem.

Guts: "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Rem: "No… It was nice. Watching you."

Guts: "Huh?"

She didn't elaborate. She turned to lift the salt barrels herself, but Guts stopped her.

Guts: "A lady shouldn't carry heavy stuff. Let me."

Rem (blushing): "Th-Thank you…"

As they walked back toward the mansion, Rem couldn't help but glance at him.

Rem: "Say… did you ever have children?"

Guts: "Huh?"

Rem (quickly): "D-Don't get the wrong idea! I'm just curious…

You were really kind with the kids."

Guts: "…Maybe I did."

Rem: "Eh?"

Guts: "Forget it."

He didn't want to say it.

Not now.

Before the Eclipse… Casca had become pregnant.

But after the horror Griffith unleashed…

That child was lost. Or… maybe it wasn't.

No one knew. Maybe no one ever would.

Rem: "Sorry. I shouldn't have asked something like that."

Guts: "It's fine.

I don't feel anything about it anymore."

Rem: "You and my sister… You're alike. Brave, strong…

I wish I was like that too. But I'm not."

Guts suddenly laughed, a real laugh—loud and sudden.

Rem: "W-What's so funny?"

Guts: "You think people are born brave?

No one's born brave.

You become brave by surviving hell and not giving up.

You move forward, even when everything tells you not to."

His words hit deep. His tone wasn't proud—it was raw.

Rem (softly): "…I see."

They reached the mansion.

Rem went off to prepare dinner. Guts headed to change—

but when he opened the door, he found himself once again…

Guts: "Damn. Back in the library again."

Beatrice : (staring at him):

"Hmph. You carry a stench I dislike. Too much death… too much darkness. You're not a guest I welcome willingly, I suppose."

Guts : (dark gaze):

"Don't worry. I'm not here to stay."

Guts : Speaking of which… I've got a favor to ask."

Beatrice: "A favor? That's rare coming from you."

Guts had a gut feeling.

Meili.

Something about her had been wrong.

She didn't belong with the other kids.

And the way she smiled… it was the smile of someone who had just finished a job.

Guts: "Can you check if there's any spell or curse on me?"

Beatrice (ironically):

"A scar-covered giant asking for magical treatment? How delightfully unexpected, I suppose."

Guts (raising an eyebrow, calm tone):

"I'd rather use a blade, sure. But some things can't be cut down with a sword."

Beatrice: "Hmm… Not sure what you're thinking, but alright."

She placed a hand on Guts' scarred chest. Her cheeks tinted pink for a second.

Beatrice: "I'll do it."

A pulse of magic traveled over his body—then bounced back.

One of his wounds—left by the puppy's bite—began to glow.

Beatrice: "It's a curse. A weak one, but…

It could've killed you before the end of the day."

Guts: "So I was right. Can you remove it?"

Beatrice: "It's easy enough…

But you're calm for someone who was nearly dead."

Guts: "My life's on the line every damn day.

This? This is nothing."

Beatrice: "Hm… You already know who cursed you, don't you?"

Guts: "I do."

Beatrice: "And what will you do now?"

Guts (grinning): "What else? Time to hunt a bitch."

He closed the door.

Finally, after so long, he donned his armor again.

Guts: "Been a while…

Let's soak this sword in blood again."

He walked downstairs—ready.

Rem: "What happened, Guts-kun?"

Guts: "I'm heading to the village.

There's danger."

Rem: "Danger?"

Guts: "Hard to explain. Just trust me."

He moved to leave, but Ram appeared in the hall.

Ram: "Where do you think you're going?"

Guts: "If we don't act fast, something bad will happen to the village."

Ram stared at him for a moment, then gave a small smile.

Ram: "Rem. Go with him. He may need help."

Rem: "Yes, sister."

They left together.

Guts stopped just beyond the gates.

Guts: "Been a long time since I did this.

Rem, try to keep up."

Rem: "Eh? What do you—?!"

In an instant, Guts vanished forward, moving with inhuman speed.

Rem followed—barely.

But she wasn't an ordinary maid either.

They reached the village.

The people were gathered, worried faces turning toward Guts.

Village Chief: "Guts-sama! Thank the gods you're here!"

Guts: "Tell me everything. Now."

They were led to the forest's edge.

There, among the trees, were glowing crystals—barrier stones.

One was cracked.

Rem: "A barrier crystal…

It keeps magical beasts away.

If it's broken, that means something got in."

Village Chief: "Guts-sama… Rem-sama…

Please—our children disappeared.

Save them."

Guts exhaled slowly.

Guts: "Take a break, old man.

We'll bring your brats back."

Village Chief (weeping): "Thank you! I'll never forget this—"

Guts: "Save it. Tell me that when we bring them back."

Rem: "Let's go, Guts-kun."