Half a day later, in a nook among the crumbling walls of what must have been a destroyed village, Guts huddled beside a newly lit campfire, thinking he could finally enjoy some peace and quiet while waiting for nightfall. Then, out of nowhere, a loud, arrogant laugh brimming with smug satisfaction shattered his rare moment of dozing.
"Hahahahaha!"
(*)
"Uncle Guts!"
(￣▽￣)~*
"Come take a look! Look what I caught!"
There was no doubt about who had returned. Guts recognized that bright voice at once. He sighed inwardly and waited until the rustling footsteps—more than one person's, apparently—drew closer. Only then did he have no choice but to open his eye and look.
"??"
In the ruined house, its walls battered by war and its remains serving as his temporary shelter, he immediately spotted a troublesome little girl. In one hand, she carried a wooden staff that was a bit taller than she was. With the other, she held a rope tied around a black-robed figure in a pointed black hat. The captive was petite and dainty, with short green hair and an exceedingly sweet, adorable face—and looked like a... grown girl?!
That was right!
To Guts, the scene was undeniably bizarre.
A seven- or eight-year-old girl had roped up a slightly taller green-haired girl who looked about twelve or thirteen, then dragged her over to show off. He really had no idea what to say about that.
"..."
After looking over the petite, short-haired captive with her sweet, adorable face, he turned to the troublesome little girl, speechless, and waited a while before asking himself what on earth she was up to this time.
"Aha!"
(*^▽^*)
"You can't guess, can you?"
(ｏ^-^)~''
"She's actually that little bird I was chasing before!"
(-)
Seeing that the clueless Uncle Guts really