Berserk: The Prophet

.........

The group arrived at the Grand Duke's study, where servants had been waiting for some time. They opened the large door and welcomed Trunks and Green inside.

Unlike the imagined room filled with books, Grand Duke Casarian's room was filled with various precision instruments, large and small, and parchment drawings, arranged in a chaotic yet orderly fashion throughout the room.

Casarian's mechanical chair turned him toward the two of them, giving him a clear view of the children Trunks had brought.

"You're Green?"

Casarian sat in a mechanical wheelchair. Although only in his fifties, his hair was already gray, and his beard made him look somewhat old. The mask on his face was more like an exquisitely crafted mechanical visor. The intricate threads alone indicated that this mask was no ordinary object. His right arm was covered with a mechanical gauntlet, giving off a cyberpunk technological vibe reminiscent of his past life. His massive body and bones supported his entire upper body, suggesting that he had once been a very strong knight. The aura he exuded was one of quiet authority.

"That's right, my lord."

Green respectfully placed his right hand on his left shoulder in a bow. He had been here for some time now, and as Trunks's new servant, his first task was to learn aristocratic etiquette. Every day, servants from the Demiaris family would come to teach Green, and through them, he would learn about the history of Barkley and the great families with pure Barkley noble blood.

“Oh? Green from Port Tulai, I’ve heard of you, a little fellow who dared to capture the leader of the Vanskerry War single-handedly.” Casarian sized up the little guy in front of him. He was quite strong, but still a bit weaker than Trunks when he was a child.

Thinking of his rebellious son Casarian, he picked up the parchment on the table, filled with frustration and disappointment, and prepared to continue drawing his blueprints.

"You flatter me. I was merely passing by while the enemy was wounded," Green replied respectfully. It was clear at a glance that the old man before him was a man of somewhat eccentric temperament.

"Well, I suppose you're being modest, but it's already quite impressive to have achieved this much at your age. I've heard all the absurd things Trunks has said. In any case, you are now officially a member of the Demiares family. Remember to be careful with your words and actions in public, and don't let the Demiares family lose face."

Casarian nodded, still checking his drawings for flaws without looking up or opening his eyes, making occasional corrections.

"No problem, thank you for your hospitality, Your Excellency..."

Before Green could finish his sentence, Trunks secretly pinched him, and Green instantly remembered what Trunks had told him, so he quickly changed his words to, "Grandpa!"

Casarian then looked up and glanced at Green again. Hmm, he was a fairly sensible kid. It wouldn't be bad if he could be Trunks' adopted son. It was good enough that his youngest son could take care of himself.

"Um, how old are you this year, Ryan?"

Casarian put the parchment back on the table, which was a way of acknowledging Green's new public identity.

"...I'm seven years old, Grandpa." Green suddenly felt a bit socially awkward and wanted to scratch his toes. Sure enough, if an orphan with no one to rely on wanted to do well in this world, he had to first find a powerful patron and build his own network of connections.

"Hmm, the same age as Fertness..."

Casarian spotted the child hiding behind the door and beckoned him over. Trunks and Green followed the old man's gaze and saw a finely dressed but somewhat thin boy hesitating at the door, wondering whether to come in.

"Come in quickly, Fetnas."

Accompanied by Casarian's gentle urging, the boy called Fetnas timidly walked in, taking a considerable distance from the two of them before approaching Casarian's side.

"Father...did you call me here?"

Fetnas placed his hands on Casarian's legs and looked up at his father with a pitiful expression. He didn't like to interact with unfamiliar people, and even under his father's 'tutelage,' he would avoid his older brother Trunks, because his father wouldn't let him play with his older brother.

“Hmm, you’re too introverted, Fetnas. I’ve found you a new playmate, your nephew Ryan, who’s the same age as you.”

Casarian seemed to dote on his youngest son, after all, he was the only heir who could carry on the family line, and it would be best if he grew up healthy and strong, and then, get married...

Fertennas glanced at the boy his father had introduced. He looked much stronger than himself, tall and muscular, and seemed unapproachable. He timidly hid behind Casarian's chair, only revealing a pair of deep blue eyes as he sized up Green.

Green: "......"

I'm so introverted!!

Green was speechless. Was he really that scary? And such a young uncle... well, that was just in name only. Green had finally witnessed the messy generational system of the ancients.

"Haha, I've spoiled this kid. He's a bit introverted. You'll have to take good care of him, Ryan."

"No problem, I'll cover it!"

On the surface, Green maintained a confident demeanor, but inwardly he was thinking, "I'll try my best..."

With his tiny arms and legs, I dare not have any excessive contact with this pampered young master.

“Okay, then that’s settled. You’re tall and strong, so when no one else is around, let Fetnas call you brother.” Casarian nodded in satisfaction.

As for Trunks, Casarion chose to deliberately ignore him.

Trunks: "..."

Damn it, his adorable little brother hasn't even called him "brother" yet!

"Meow~ Meow~" A small white cat emerged from behind a pile of machinery and jumped into Casarian's arms.

"Oh, you're such a mischievous little cat, La Vegas."

Casarian stroked the kitten that was stretching on his lap with his left hand. Fertnas was also attracted by the cat and came out from behind the chair. He rarely showed a smile and reached out his little hand to touch the cat.

"Well then, let's end our meeting here tonight. Since you've chosen to come here, the educational resources of the Demiaris family will not disappoint you. I will plan your courses for you by tomorrow morning. As long as you are in Pence City, you will inevitably learn some interesting knowledge. As for martial arts, I believe Trunks will be very willing to guide you, Ryan."

Casarian handed the kitten in his arms to Fetnas and spoke earnestly to Green.

“I am deeply grateful and will certainly repay your generosity,” Green said respectfully.

"Hmm." Casarian nodded; no matter what, the little guy's attitude was still quite proper.

“Then we’ll take our leave, Father.” Trunks also bowed with his right hand on his shoulder, preparing to leave with Green.

"Humph."

Upon hearing that it was Trunks speaking, Casarion snorted coldly without even looking at him, turned his chair back to the table, and continued studying his magnificent mechanical structure.