Berserk: The Prophet

"Crack!!" The soldier in charge of supervising the work had no interest in their melodramatic charade, and the whip still lashed out as expected, striking Green.

The beams, like ugly blood snakes, crawled across Green's skin. Green grimaced and endured the pain, while the boy, terrified, hurriedly used his trembling body to move the large stone.

"You bastard, get back to your post!!"

The overseer lashed out with his whip again, tearing the skin and thin clothing apart and leaving streaks of blood.

Green's eyes were cold and stern, a flash of blood red crossing his gaze as he stared intently at the overseer before continuing to move the large stone.

"Varied...?!"

The foreman was stunned for a moment by the gaze, as if he had just been stared at by something indescribable, driven by biological instinct... and was so frightened that he didn't move for a long time.

He must have just been seeing things.

Grant's children also witnessed Green's actions in helping the other children.

in the afternoon.

The children, who had been working almost all day, could finally stop and rest.

The children gathered in small groups, some sitting, some lying down, enjoying this rare moment of rest. Green quietly walked to the side and found a quiet corner to sit down.

"Thank you for helping me today." Green looked up and saw the child he had helped that morning.

Green shook his head, indicating that he was welcome. The child hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Actually, everyone is very grateful to you." Green was slightly taken aback; he had never imagined that his actions would receive such recognition.

Just as Green was chatting with the boy, the overseer's voice suddenly rang out: "Break time is over, you little bastards! Get yourselves lined up in an orderly fashion on the playground!!"

The children stood up and gathered together again. Green took a deep breath, stood up as well, and went to the center of the playground with Bazso.

After everyone had gathered in the playground and the overseer had counted the number of people, he began his speech: "Well, please sit down. Next, Father Morse will explain the doctrines of the King's Hall to you."

The children sat down, and Green and Bazzo also casually sat down in their original spots.

A thin, frail-looking priest walked onto the stage. His expression was rigid and serious as he scanned each child present.

“My dear children, the teachings of the King’s Hall are the cornerstone of our faith. They teach us to respect the divine and obey the precepts so that we may ascend to heaven after death.” Father Moss’s voice, weathered yet powerful, echoed through the concentration camp.

Green listened quietly. He didn't really agree with the doctrines of the King's Hall; he just listened silently as the priest spouted those unrealistic nonsense.

After all, in the world of Berserk, only "demons" truly exist.

"Only by following the doctrine can one receive God's favor."

“Keep the commandments and have no other gods before you.”

“Do not make an idol for yourself. God punishes those who hate him, but he shows love to those who love him.”

"You shall not take the name of God in vain."

"Honor your father and mother; you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony against your neighbor..."

Father Morse spoke at length about the commandments set by "God," instilling in the children, whose values ​​were not yet formed, that Juda was a place blessed by "God," and that only those who fought to the death for Juda were qualified to reach the so-called earthly heaven in the afterlife—a kind of brainwashing education.

They are children born in a land other than "God". Only by fighting for "God" can they cleanse themselves of their sins, be reborn in Juda in the next life, and then die again in accordance with the commandments of "God" in order to reach the so-called true "Kingdom of Heaven".

You must die first, and then rise again.

You must live according to God's will and then die for God in order to receive that so-called "salvation".

Green: "......"

If someone dies, is there really an afterlife?

Green found this brainwashing method somewhat ridiculous, but it was undeniable that he himself was an oddball.

However, as someone who had already died, Green still wanted to cherish his dog life even more. Gods and demons, to hell with them!

Only when you die will you truly have nothing left.

At the moment of Greenspan's reflection, Father Morse finally ended his lengthy speech, and the children all looked somewhat tired and confused.

"It's getting dark, children, you are the sons of men for whom God will not favor you."

“You should all go back to your respective cages and pray to God to atone for your sins.”

After his speech, the soldiers prepared their dinner; a meager, bland gruel made from a little soup and leftovers.

Before receiving their bowl of soup, each child must clasp their hands together in a kneeling, lamb-like gesture of prayer, and shout, "Thank God for this blessing!!"

Those who disobey will be deprived of food and blankets, and will also be whipped.

This disgraceful behavior...how utterly foolish!

If you don't want to go hungry and cold, you should kneel down and pray!

After all, the so-called god won't give you food for free; instead, he'll give a whip to those who refuse to obey.

Green silently followed the other children in perfunctorily completing the so-called prayer to the scepter symbolizing the King's Hall, and received his share of dinner.

"Your prayers aren't sincere enough, kid."

May the Lord forgive your rudeness.

Green: "......"

Clearly, the elderly Morse could tell that someone was just giving a perfunctory answer.

Green and the other children squatted to the side and swallowed the barely edible thick soup in a few mouthfuls, which at least provided something hot to warm their stomachs.

They received some hay, which they used as bedding to keep warm that night; or rather, it was fodder for the horses.

Back in his makeshift cage, Green tossed and turned in his "bed," unable to fall asleep. The aches and pains in his body had not yet subsided, and tomorrow would bring another day of arduous training and labor.

Baziso, also unable to sleep in the nearby haystack, whispered, "Green, when will this ever end?"

Green was silent for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said, "There will always be a way."

Baziso also sighed helplessly, although he also felt that Green had no way to escape, and that Kadi had left a terrible curse on his neck.

Although he couldn't see what it was, the scratches on Green's right neck were a real sight, and he knew exactly what Green looked like every time he had an attack.

All we can do is hope... that we're still alive.