Berserk: The Prophet

"Have you collected them all?"

"Yes, four of them, and they are all intact."

"That's right, that's the wonder of mithril. It's a relic from the Titan era. Currently, only Barkley's Pence has mastered some simple smelting methods to create mithril crossbows and swords. Each one requires countless hours of effort from alchemists and master blacksmiths. Legend has it that the dwarves first discovered the properties of mithril. Barkley's mithril deposits only exist in small quantities in the mountains between western Pence and the capital Crest. However, mining it is extremely difficult because of its properties. It's not easy to extract, and the manufacturing process is very complex. Moreover, the methods for refining and smelting this stuff are considered military secrets by any country."

"I see."

Mithril... I feel like I've heard of this stuff somewhere before.

"Alright, let me tell you the last use of this equipment. See this golden button? Be careful, because it's quite powerful when it comes out." Trunks tapped the button on the disc-shaped structure in the center of the gauntlet's cannon. It seemed that it would only pop out when punched or subjected to some external force.

"Click" "Swoosh"

As the button was pressed, the gears inside the machine seemed to start turning, and a pair of sharp blades popped out from both sides of the gun body, like a double-edged battle axe. However, considering the overall diameter, the defensive capabilities of the black steel gauntlet and the arm armor, as well as the tightness of the fit, it was more than enough to be used as a small battle shield for close combat. It looked quite sharp, with the widest part having a total diameter of about 20 centimeters, the same width as the gun body.

"Good heavens, is this some kind of mechanical art? No wonder it's so heavy; there's even a layer of mithril hidden inside." Green was slightly shocked again. The mithril material on the sword was obvious at a glance, and the grooves on the blade looked like some kind of ancient rune, although he couldn't understand them at all.

"Ha, that old man knows a lot of things. However, the mithril-made battle blade doesn't take up much weight, but it's very sharp and can easily pierce armor like a needle through paper. However, this form is usually used in close combat when the battle shield has been lost. It can be used to block. Although it can also cut off flying arrows when combined with arm armor, its defensive range is still limited."

“This thing has another mode, but it’s not usually used unless you want to trade your life with the enemy.” Trunks looked at the hand cannon on Grimm’s left arm and looked around. The little guy’s hand cannon was almost half the size of his, but it was still quite sufficient.

"how to do?"

"Keep pressing this yellow button and push it forward."

Green tried it out. The disc-shaped device could be pushed forward. As the gears turned, the blades on both sides were also pushed out. The small double-edged shield instantly turned forward at an angle, just enough to protect the front of the fists. The two symmetrical, flame-shaped, flat blades about 20 centimeters long, hidden under the muzzle of the gun, also extended out, ready for a desperate fight.

After all, the attack range is only 20 centimeters, so it's better to have a damaged weapon than nothing at all.

"This thing is so cool! What does the old man Casarian... no, what does the Duke like? Will I have a chance to bring him something on this expedition?"

"Ha, that would be best if we could, but the old man wants too many things, and each one is hard to obtain. Would you like to hear about it?" Trunks explained as he taught Grimm how to use the Black Steel Hand Cannon in melee combat.

"What is it?"

"Hmm... for example, demonic orbs and demonic gold that only heretical demons possess, as well as demonic weapons and the remains of demonic limbs."

"The armor and bodies of the Horned Viper Vanguard of the Serpent Cult. Of course, no one has captured a Horned Viper Vanguard yet. You still have a chance to get your hands on the Serpent Cult's poisoned weapons, but be careful not to die, because once you are cut by their weapons, you are not far from death. Their snake venom is still so potent that even the Azure Disciples in the capital have difficulty curing those infected with it. There is no cure."

"I see. No wonder they were so difficult to deal with. I hope I can get the old man a satisfactory gift." Green nodded. These things were indeed difficult for him to obtain with his current abilities, so he could only do his best.

Snake venom and the like—many highly toxic snake venoms are difficult to save from death even with modern antivenom. People usually don't survive more than 1 to 2 hours. If you are cut by a weapon contaminated with venom, even a small scratch can easily lead to death. But the system probably won't let me die so easily, right? After all, the prophets in the game always live well.

"Ha, good lad, it's good that you have the heart. This time, you just need to stay by my side. You don't need to fight anyone. The main thing is to broaden your horizons." Trunks patted Green on the shoulder. The little guy seemed to have already mastered how to use the hand cannon.

"That's right. The situation on the battlefield is complex. Victory cannot be achieved by individual bravery alone. Don't die, or I'll have a real headache."

Seranti also got off the bench. Even he himself wasn't entirely sure he'd return alive from the battlefield, let alone the horrific sight of those grotesque Serpent Cult members he'd witnessed firsthand when he and Trunks were treacherous on the Barkley border. Nearly seventy percent of their companions had perished at their hands, and even those twenty...

"Don't worry, the goddess of justice will protect me."

"Ha, you're right, that's a miracle!"

"...I hope so."

............

At noon, on the last hour of preparation, 1,500 Barkley heavy infantry and 500 Barkley arquebusiers were ready in the camp, fully prepared for battle.

The cavalry deployment was to gather at a horse farm not far away, with a thousand Holy Dragon Knights mobilized together, accompanied by five hundred Barkley Empire lancers.

"The situation at the front is urgent! Warriors of Barkley, for the glory of the King, wield your swords and defend your homeland! The glory of the goddess of justice, Astalia, is with us. Join me in driving out the evil followers of the Serpent Cult and protecting our people!!"

"The glory of the goddess is with us!!"

"For Barkley!!"

"Defend our homeland!!!"

The soldiers, their killing intent palpable, were determined to eliminate the enemy. The calamities caused by the Serpent Cult and the rise of heretics had already cost them many friends and family; if left unchecked, they would eventually bring ruin to everyone on this land. Trunks was very satisfied with the soldiers he had trained. He nodded, and, clad in crimson armor, rode to the forefront of the army. Beneath his robes, his large hands, clad in steel gauntlets, wielded a heavy knight's halberd that was difficult for an ordinary person to wield on horseback, pointing directly at the Rose Castle battle line to the south.

"Follow me into battle!!!"