Berserk: The Prophet

"Hey"

Alden sighed in frustration, rubbing his temples. He was at a loss for what excuse to give after suffering heavy casualties. It seemed he needed to come up with a perfect excuse before joining forces with the main army.

With a worried expression, he looked up at the surrounding terrain. Apart from this flat area, it was surrounded by mountains nearly 20 meters high. The place they had come from was like the opening of a water bag. Alton untied the water bag, took a sip, and plugged it back in. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine! Oh no!!

"Get on your horse quickly!!"

Realizing what was happening, Alton immediately ordered the soldiers who had just dismounted and were resting to mount up and prepare for battle.

"Huh? No way, we were just about to dismount and rest..."

"Yeah...what's going on?"

Upon hearing the general's new instructions, everyone complained. They had just opened their helmets to get some fresh air, and their buttocks were already aching from being jostled on horseback.

"No way, Dad..."

Adam had barely sat down on the ground when he was bewildered by his father's series of orders. Alton had already mounted his horse and was ready to set off, while his strong younger brother Samson, who was very obedient to Alton, immediately mounted his horse as well.

"Stop dawdling, we're running out of time! Get on the horse, Adam!" Alton grabbed Adam and threw him onto the horse.

"Reorganize! Quickly!"

At Alden's command once again, the men in the group slowly got up from the ground and prepared to mount their horses.

"Kill!! Kill them all!!!"

The sound of horses' hooves echoed behind them, and two armies charged out from the road ahead: the White Dragon Knights led by Yuris and Eric's Tumel Knights. Yuris's force, in particular, included many of their main troops, with a front line comprised entirely of spearmen, halberdiers, and lancers who relentlessly attacked to suppress the cavalry. Alton's heart leaped into his throat. Two knightly orders and their main forces! This was not something the current Blue Whale Knights could contend with!

"withdraw!!"

Alden looked around, not having time to think, and could only take his two sons and flee into the only rugged mountain path on the left that seemed to be free of enemy troops. This path was even narrower, only wide enough for two or three cavalrymen to pass through.

"Damn it, have those mercenaries and apprentice knights cover our retreat!!"

Upon seeing this, Alton immediately ordered one of his lieutenants to organize the situation, otherwise the elite Blue Whale Knights would be completely annihilated in no time!

The lieutenant nodded, as if he had made a death wish, and turned his horse around to lead the mercenaries to intercept them and buy time.

"It's alright... as long as the elite of the Blue Whale Knights remain..."

Alton consoled himself in this way, realizing that he had lived forty-five years without understanding what had happened; he had fallen for Midland's treacherous scheme!

.........

Having narrowly escaped death, the remaining members of the Blue Whale Knights dared not linger even as the afternoon approached. Exhausted and hungry, trembling with fear, they dared not stop, their heads hanging low like a pack of stray dogs, and could only continue their journey.

The original cavalry force of over a thousand men was drastically reduced to just over 300 Blue Whale Knights. No ragtag soldiers could keep up, since the Blue Whale Knights were all equipped with Juda's best warhorses. Even so, nearly half of the knights were lost. Even if Alton returned, it would be enough to declare bankruptcy.

However, these are all secondary. The main goal now is how to escape safely and survive the brutal war. This is the most important thing for the Goplous family to think about.

"Why are we running away, Father?"

Adam felt like his buttocks were about to be shaken to pieces. Twice in a row, he ran away with his head in his hands before he even touched the enemy's sleeve.

"Uh... hahaha, you wouldn't understand, kid." Alton laughed awkwardly, but in order to save face as a father, he began to talk nonsense with a straight face.

"This is a brilliant tactic passed down through our Gopluis family for 300 years—the 'covering retreat'!" Alton said with a straight face, unaware that this would later lead Adam astray, turning him into a selfish and shameless man.

"I see! Hahaha..."

Adam listened thoughtfully, then burst into laughter, just like his father.

Upon reaching a certain point, victory seemed to be just ahead. The narrow mountain path finally revealed a glimmer of light from the outside world, and the team quickened their pace.

However, the sight outside took Alton by surprise.

"Hiss!!" "Sizzle~"

A row of well-equipped and orderly White Dragon Knights stood not far away, ready to charge at any moment. Green was among them. The leader of this operation was Aaron Ormandy, the vice-captain of the White Dragon Knights.

That is, Seniva's father, the second son of the Ormandy family. He was originally going to make a name for himself in the army and then return home to take over dozens of manors. However, because his brother Amedy was assassinated a month ago, he had to become the next hereditary marquis and heir of Erda Fortress. His father, Shet, was the marquis and lord of Erda Fortress. However, because Lord Shet needed to spend a lot of money on military expenses and maintenance, he did not have spare money to let his youngest son form a knight order. His eldest son was no exception. He was originally groomed to be the next heir, but unfortunately, he lost his life.

Aaron's fortunes have risen accordingly, and many members of the White Dragon Knights have begun to court him. The position of vice-captain is a natural progression, as a powerful ally is always welcome, no matter where you are.

The Blue Whale Knights rushed out as soon as they saw the light at the exit, their faces filled with astonishment. This was all... one thing leading to another, and their Blue Whale Knights were about to be completely finished.

"...Hahaha!"

Alden suddenly burst into laughter. The outcome was already decided. He had fought many battles over the years and suffered his share of losses, but this was the first time he had lost so humiliatingly, squandering his entire fortune. The Goplous family's century-old wealth was about to crumble in his hands. A strange sense of sorrow welled up inside him. He had spent his entire life on the run; this time, in front of his son, he had to lose gracefully. He couldn't disgrace the Goplous family, and more importantly, he couldn't lose his dignity as a father!

"You guys take Adam and the other two and escape while you can. Samson, you're taller and stronger than your brother, so protect him. The Gopluis family bloodline can't end like this!!"

Alton spoke solemnly to his confidants and Samson, then a determined glint appeared in his eyes as he looked at the group of white dragon knights who were about to charge.

"For the glory of the Gopluis family!!"

"Blue Whale Knights! Charge!!"

Their swords gleamed in the sunlight as the Blue Whale Knights, with a death wish, charged toward the seemingly endless White Dragon Knights, like a blue whale surging into a turbulent ocean with white waves.