They walked side by side, without a word.Rem moved with steady, determined steps.Guts dragged his heavy frame like a walking wall, his cloak swaying behind him, his black sword resting in its worn scabbard.
In the distance, Crusch Karsten's estate finally came into view.Massive. Symmetrical. Worthy of a royal candidate.
The manor wasn't built to impress — it imposed.Polished stone, deep green banners, soldiers in tight formation — every detail radiated order and control.No unnecessary ornament. No excess. Just the essentials.Like a well-honed blade.
But nothing here intimidated him.No noble, no general, no palace — nothing could frighten Guts.Not after everything he had been through.
He felt the tension rise as they approached the guards.Their eyes slid over his sword, his black gaze.Some instinctively rested a hand on their weapon.
But he didn't flinch.Not even a hint of hesitation.
Rem, walking beside him, kept her head high.She knew the letter. She knew Roswaal. She knew what they had come for.
Guts had one thing in mind:
"You must convince Crusch Karsten to ally with Emilia.She'll respect you if you speak frankly.She'll follow if you prove you understand this world better than she does.Mention the Elior magic ore.Mention the White Whale's appearance near the Flugel Tree.Tell her you want to win this war — without betrayal, without masks."
He had memorized it all.And he knew exactly what to do.
They stopped in front of the large doors, where two guards immediately blocked their path.
Guard 1:"Identify yourselves."
Rem gave a slight bow.
Rem:"Rem, servant of House Roswaal. Accompanied by Guts, special envoy.We request an audience with Lady Karsten."
The two soldiers exchanged a glance.
Guts stayed silent. His gaze said everything:"I didn't come to negotiate. I came to convince."
One of the guards disappeared inside.The other remained in place, never taking his eyes off Guts.
And Guts, still, was already scanning the architecture.Openings. Escape routes. Weak points.By habit.
Rem watched him discreetly.She saw it.This was no longer the worn-out warrior from days past.Something had changed.Yes, he was tense — but focused.In control.
She thought:"He's ready."
And Guts, eyes locked on the door about to open, told himself simply:Tch… Enough hesitation. Now I push forward.
The grand doors finally creaked open.The guard returned, stiffer than when he had left.
Guard:"Lady Crusch will see you now. Follow me."
They walked through the manor's straight, pristine corridors.Everything breathed discipline.Not a vase out of place. Not a servant out of time.Guts might have respected it… if not for the stink of politics still lingering in his nose.
He walked slowly, his boots echoing against the stone.Behind him, Rem followed — upright, composed.They had arrived.
The room was wide, without pretense.Two tall windows opened onto an inner garden.Chairs arranged with care.And at the center…
Her.Crusch Karsten.
Standing tall in her dark green uniform, waiting for them.Her gaze — direct. Unyielding.
Beside her, a blond man in light armor, with a discreet smile but sharp eyes — Felix Argyle, most likely.
Crusch:"Rem. And… Guts, is it?"
She studied them for a long moment.
Guts nodded, without bowing.
Guts:"I don't usually bow. But I came to talk. So let's talk."
A silence settled.
Rem dipped her head slightly — a respectful gesture for them both.
Crusch crossed her arms. Her gaze lingered on his sword, then rose to meet his eyes.
Crusch:"I was told you seek an alliance. That Roswaal sent you.Why you? Why not him?"
Guts didn't look away.He slowly pulled an envelope from his coat, sealed with Roswaal's crest, and set it down on the low table.
Guts:"Because he doesn't want to get his hands dirty.I do."
Crusch reached out and opened the letter without haste.Silence.
Her eyes scanned the content — slow, measured.Behind her, Felix said nothing, but his ears twitched nervously.
During the wait, Guts sat down without asking.His sword stayed on his back.But his eyes never left Crusch's.
He wasn't playing a role.He was the role.
Finally, she folded the letter.
Crusch:"The Roswaal Domain's magic ore…The White Whale near the Flugel Tree…You know what you're offering me?A war."
Guts:"No.I'm offering you a hunt. And a victory."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Crusch's lips.
Crusch:"And why should I fight for Emilia?"
Guts:"You don't have to fight for her.You fight for your side.For your country.And me?I've got a debt to pay.And I'll pay it on the back of that beast."
Felix:"Nya~haha… intense, this one.But I like it.He believes what he says."
Crusch looked to Rem.Then back at Guts.
Crusch:"Very well.You'll have a more in-depth audience tomorrow morning.Until then, a room will be prepared. And you'll be watched."
Guts:"I sleep better when someone's watching."
Crusch:"Then rest.Tomorrow, we'll see if you're more than just a sword and a letter."
Guts and Rem offered brief bows before leaving the room.
Their heavy steps echoed down the hall for a few more seconds, then faded into silence.
Crusch remained seated, arms crossed. She hadn't moved.But her eyes still lingered on the closed door.
Then, in a quiet voice — more to herself than to anyone else, though loud enough for Ferris and the old man to hear:
Crusch (murmuring):"If this plan came from Roswaal…Why didn't Emilia say anything?Why this silence…?
Is she acting on her own will…Or someone else's?"
She said no more.But in her eyes, there was no fear.No doubt.
Only resolve.