Berserk: The Prophet

Green, who had finally fallen asleep, vaguely saw Cady's figure in his dream, and the eyeball on his right neck seemed to be moving under the skin like a tumor that kept changing position.

"You...did...very well."

In the mist of Green's dream, a black fog with an indistinct face whispered. Green's brows furrowed in his sleep, and then he was awakened by a gust of cold wind.

Green's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, and the wriggling sensation from his neck made him feel nauseous again. Pink granulation tissue had already begun to heal at the wound site.

Disgusting stuff!!

Green tried to puncture it with his fingernails, but the eye that was almost growing on his neck suddenly opened wide and bit down hard on the carotid artery, releasing toxins.

"Ugh..." A piercing pain made Green's vision go black, and he could no longer move. He could only painfully clutch his neck to relieve the pain.

"...Damn it!"

.........

The next day, the same labor and brainwashing were repeated.

Green recalled the whispers in his dream and thought to himself that it must be the ghostly worm that Cady planted on his neck that was causing this.

Days passed, and after an unknown amount of time, the temperature began to rise gradually. Green and Baziso gradually won the respect and recognition of some children.

However, this was bound to cause discontent among the soldiers who took turns overseeing the work, just like tonight, when Green and Bazzo were tied to a pillar and whipped by them again.

If there has to be a reason, it's that... it's also part of their mission.

However, it was clear that Green and Bazzo did not succumb to their violence so easily, and continued to help other children with what they could in their spare time every day.

For example, helping to move stones, picking up a companion when they fall, or treating simple wounds can earn respect and loyalty.

Green and Bazso had united these loose and confused children into a single force, and as night fell, they told Grant's story—a story almost every child knew—in the tone of little Hanks in prison, and the myth of the brave who arrived at the "House of the Gods."

All of that would remind them in an instant that they were pure-blooded Grantians.

Touched by the story told by Grimm, the children began to sing Grant's songs in the cage.

Green and Baziso exchanged a glance, a hint of relief flashing in their eyes. Even though they were wanderers in a foreign land, it was hard not to blend into such an atmosphere.

They successfully evoked a deep sense of pride and belonging in the children.

The singing grew louder and louder, penetrating the cell walls and echoing throughout the prison-like concentration camp.

Even the children in the distant prison were moved and joined in the chorus.

At this moment, they no longer seemed like imprisoned slaves, but rather proud and courageous Grantians.

"In that high mountain land surrounded by sea and filled with mist, the breeze whispers between the valleys, photinia 1 and bramble 2 bloom in the wilderness, and the stories of warriors begin to be sung."

Oh, Grant's valiant heroes, with hearts set on the land of glory, gripping their weapons, they set sail!

From mountains to seas, nothing can stop them! Warriors with the blood of gods flowing through their veins can fight whales, and warriors clad in guild armor will conquer the world!

The shadow of a dragon once visited, and flames devoured the sunset's glow! The warriors rose, their eyes like steel!

An ancient castle stands on the hilltop, and a checkered battle skirt flutters gently in the wind.

The bagpipes play a melodious tune, the prelude to battle, the power of the gods burning in their blood!

Oh, the heroic descendants of Grant, gripping their swords and spears tightly toward that glorious land!

From the ocean to the mountains, nothing could stop them, until the dragon's flames scorched the earth, taking away the warrior's beautiful love and his manly dignity!

Before the crater of the volcano, a giant dragon spews flames and bares its fangs, its evil intent attempting to swallow the world whole.

But would Grant's heroes feel fear? Their blood boils in their battle songs, forging glory in myth and in the world!

Though the dragon's scales seemed indestructible, they were ultimately no match for the sea bear people, whose blood flowed with the gods!

In that life-or-death struggle, the dragon was pierced in the throat by the warrior's spear, like a falling star at its end.

It plummeted tragically from the highest point of the sky, shaking the earth like a mournful war drum!

Listen, the sound of bagpipes drifts by, as if our ancestors are softly praising us!

The names of the heroes are engraved in the Hall of Heroes of the "Fire Palace," a shining light of Pride for Grant forever!

Brave Grantians! Brave Grantians!! Their courageous and immortal souls will finally arrive at the 'House of the Gods' under the guidance of the elves!!!

When the song ended, the children's voices were almost shouts that reached the sky, which naturally alerted the Juda soldiers in the concentration camp.

"What's going on with these Grant's bastards?!"

Even Father Morse, inside the stone house, couldn't help but close the book in his hand, his hands trembling with anger.

This is... heresy... heresy!!

They were singing hymns passed down from heretical gods!

They are indeed children of heretics, with the blood of heretics and demons flowing in their veins! Unteachable, utterly unteachable!!

The arrival of the Juda soldiers interrupted the children's longing for their hometown and shattered their rare moments of relaxation.

"What kind of rubbish and stupid stuff are you singing? You ill-mannered fools!"

The cages hummed as the soldiers pounded them, and the children were all silent in the shadows deep within the cages.

The events of the night alarmed all the Judas in the concentration camp, and they all came out to see what was happening, including Father Morse.

This is blasphemy against God!!

"These descendants, whose blood flows with heresy and evil, must be severely punished!!"

Father Morse's originally aged and kind voice became unusually sharp and angry, sounding particularly jarring in the quiet night.

The soldiers of Judas only found the noise and the night freezing cold; no one was so bored as to think about taking the children out of their cages and beating them one by one.

The soldiers and officers first calmed Father Morse down, then went into the parade ground to vent their anger, cursing for a while before walking over to Green and Bazzo.

"It's you again, isn't it!? Didn't you get enough of a beating during the day!?" Vice General Juda, who was in charge of managing them, grabbed Green's stray hairs.

Green gave the lieutenant a disdainful look and spat blood-tinged saliva directly in his face.

"Bastard!" Lieutenant General Juda was furious. He raised his hand and slapped Green across the face, then pulled out a whip and lashed him mercilessly. The terrifying sound of flesh being torn apart echoed throughout the concentration camp.

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1. Photinia: The broom heather from Scotland, belonging to the Ericaceae family, is pinkish-purple, relatively cold-hardy, and symbolizes admiration.

2. Thistle: It is the national flower of Scotland, belongs to the Asteraceae family, and has a legendary history and symbolic meaning.