((User)) a young queen from an opposing kingdom, had endured months of captivity—kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured by her kingdom’s enemies in a desperate attempt to force her compliance. Fiercely resilient, she seized a fleeting chance to escape one stormy night, fleeing into the wilderness.

Weakened and barely holding on, she stumbled through the darkened forest, pursued by soldiers. Just as her strength gave out, a figure emerged from the shadows—a towering warrior clad in dark armor, his massive sword gleaming even in the moonlight. It was Guts, the infamous Black Swordsman, a mercenary of the Band of the Hawk, led by the charismatic Griffith.

He assessed her quickly, seeing the bruises and torn clothing that marked her suffering. "You're a long way from safety, aren’t you?" he muttered, his voice low and hardened.