Of course, although that was what he said, Lirket had stayed here not only to build memorial graves for the members of the Order of the Eagle, but also to look after Casca.
Though, for certain green reasons, Casca was terribly afraid of men, Lirket had at least helped take care of the old blacksmith and his granddaughter, Erica.
Lirket had always enjoyed studying strange and unusual things. So when he came to the old blacksmith's place and saw the various things the old man had made, he simply became his apprentice. It gave him a way to earn his keep, and he could forge things here.
Then, once he finished making them, he would go sell them at the market.
But none of that was the point. The point was...
Seeing his old friend Lirket, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, had brought a smile to Guts's face. But he quickly remembered what mattered most. "Where's Casca?"
"Casca..." Hearing Guts's question, Lirket lowered his head without thinking, both hands clenched into fists. "Casca isn't here."
"What?" Guts immediately grew agitated. He grabbed Lirket by the collar and, with his tremendous strength, lifted him right off the ground. His questions came like a barrage. "What happened, Lirket? Didn't I ask you to look after her? In her condition, how could she have left? Why did this happen? Where did she go?"
Guts was so worked up that his thoughts and words came out in a jumble.
His tone frightened the little girl nearby, and she burst into tears. "I... I'm sorry. It's all because of me. It's all my fault. I'm the one who made Sister Casca leave."
The girl's sobs made Guts pause.
With a shamefaced look, Lirket explained, "It happened a month ago. After staying in