>>5313061"Boo-fucking hoo. Are you done with your pity part?" Guts chimes in, even after getting what he wants.
"Ya doing this for ya girl, or for yaself, Guts? Cause if it ain't for Casca, let the real men talk instead of being a child." Being a family man, Hyde can't help but feel offended by Guts and his priorities.
"I didn't hear anything about sparing the Mandragora or leaving it alive, so it's all fair game from here, right? I didn't interrupt you in your little chitchat, so let me do what I do best."
"But you just got done interrupting him! Tee hee! What a coward..." Zhafira's bubbly voice is heard behind Rita
"What was that?!" Guts turned over to look at her in the eyes as she elaborated.
"You're a coward, Guts. I never understood why Benny or my dad kept hiding my toys, tying me to beds or even why I'm here. But I'm always happy to be here! Complaining is for those who want to spread negativity, and that's a no no! Why do you never look happy, Guts? That can only be because you're scared! Silly little goofster Guts, scared of a few plants! Hahahaha!"
"Uh, Zhafira? I think that might be a bit too much..." Rita attempts to stop the clown girl, but her brief moment of provocation comes with plenty of lucidity.
"You know who wasn't a coward? Benny! My little brother never left my side, even when being so young, he always swore to protect me for all 14 years of his life! How many years did you stay with Casca when she needed help?"
Guts aims the dragonslayer at the harlequin, but after processing the words making too much sense for him, he dodged to her left as Zhafira sat on the floor smiling at him, not out of malice, but out of genuine intent on wanting Guts letting the anger out of his system.
"...One. Just one. And after she's worsened... Not even a single season..." Guts realizes his grave mistake, one that not even Zhafira's brother dared to make, even if he did leave eventually from exhaustion.
He was now wondering who was truly more deserving of being cured, and if all were to judge by the competence of their caretakers, Casca would be dead last.
Wondering if Guts was calm enough to rationally proceed with your plan, you pondered on who to proceed with in the final bout to meet the Mandragorans. Given how they aren't prone to violence against those who went against them, Guts would be better off staying here, but that could also mean he would take the anger of losing the argument out on Bolzack...
>Hyde will be crucial in taking the girls from out the bulb. He's in.>Guts will just get in the way and kill another Mandragora heart.>It's best to keep a watch on Guts rather than leave him alone, his added muscle could be useful.>Zhafira should stick with you, in case you can cure her too. 