[Flashback – A few hours earlier]
As Guts, Emilia, and Roswaal ascended the immaculate steps of the royal palace, headed for the ceremony, the air was heavy with unspoken tension.Their footsteps echoed against the polished marble, each tap amplifying the distance between them.
Roswaal, true to himself, broke the silence with his usual singsong tone — though not without firmness:
Roswaal:"My dear Guts… I must ask you to exercise some restraint once inside. Your… temperament may unsettle certain nobles. And they are ever so… easily ruffled~"
Guts, arms crossed and sword strapped to his back, grunted softly without even glancing at the palace around them.
Guts:"I've never had the urge to play court games. As long as no one comes for me, I'll stay in my corner."
Emilia, walking beside him, turned her eyes toward him — a blend of admiration and nervousness in her gaze. She hesitated, then softly, but firmly, whispered:
Emilia:"Guts… I know you'll always be there for me… and I'm truly grateful. But… please. Not this time. I don't want to owe you another debt."
Guts turned to her. Their eyes met.A second passed in silence.
Then, he raised an eyebrow slightly… and gave a tired, crooked smile.
Guts:"Alright, Emilia. I'll stay back. Promise."
Roswaal, walking a few steps ahead, turned back with his eternal enigmatic smile:
Roswaal:"How touching~ A promise… That certainly makes things more interesting."
[Present time – Throne Room]
The noise had finally died.A heavy silence loomed.All eyes turned to him.
That hulking, dark figure.An outlier standing among men far too polished.
Guts stepped forward. The sharp sound of his boots on marble rang out like a challenge.He had promised. He wanted to keep his word.But some promises don't survive scorn.
Guts (loud and clear):"Enough. I'm sick of this. Apologize to Emilia. Now."
Emilia (shocked):"Guts!…"
But he didn't stop.
Emilia:"Allow me… to formally address the noble Council of Elders.My name is Emilia. I am accompanied by Puck, a fire-wielding great spirit. And… I am a silver-haired half-elf."
Murmurs in the crowd:"A great spirit…?"
Emilia:"I understand that my lineage, and its resemblance to… the Witch, causes unease. But I refuse to be dismissed because of it."
Guts froze for a second, surprised.He had expected to speak alone.But she… she had broken the silence too.
Guts (thought):She… stands tall. Even alone.She doesn't need me to speak for her.But I… need to speak for myself.
Sir Miklotov:"And this man… Who exactly is he?"
Emilia, a bit shaken, stammered:
Emilia:"Him? Well…"
Guts stepped forward again, now standing at her side.
Guts:"Don't worry, Emilia. I've made my decision too."
Emilia:"Your decision? What do you mean—Guts, wait!"
Guts (stepping ahead):"Greetings, members of the council.I'm Guts. Servant of Roswaal's mansion… and knight to Lady Emilia."
A cold breath swept through the room.Another wave of stunned silence.
Sir Miklotov:"A knight, you say…?"
Julius (stepping in, composed but firm):"Forgive my intrusion. But I must ask him something — if he truly calls himself a knight."
Guts (narrowing his eyes):"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Julius:"You just proclaimed yourself a knight before the Knights of Lugnica. Without a rite. Without recognition. Without rank. That's an insult to everyone who bears that title."
The imperial knights stamped their feet in unison — a thunderous, trained echo that froze the room.
Guts (dryly):"Nice choreography, boys. How long you practice that?"
Julius:"We practice daily. Because each day, we serve an ideal.Do you have that discipline? That will?"
Guts (calm, direct):"I want Emilia on that throne. And I'll do what it takes to make it happen."
Julius:"Do you have the means? The strength? The honor?"
Guts didn't answer. But his eyes burned.His silence spoke louder than words.
Julius (cold):"That's not courage. That's arrogance.What have you done to earn such a place?You're just an angry man, without title, without loyalty."
Guts (slow smile):"You're not wrong.But I don't need your fake titles to fight.And I don't need a noble father to feel legitimate."
Julius (irritated):"Such words lack elegance."
Emilia (stepping in, tense):"That's enough, Guts. Stop…"
She took his arm and gently pulled him toward the exit.Guts, surprised, followed without resistance.He didn't understand.He had only… spoken the truth.
An awkward silence settled.Behind them, Sir Miklotov spoke again.
Sir Miklotov:"Lady Emilia… whatever the case, your protector has shown us one thing:You are not to be feared."
Emilia said nothing.She let go of Guts's arm without looking at him.
Marcos (sharp, commanding):"Sir Guts. Leave the hall."
Guts, stoic, turned away.His heart heavy. His gaze cold.
He didn't know exactly what he had broken…
But the promise he made —He had kept it.In his own way.