Berserk: The Prophet

That night, after having dinner with Baziso, Green stayed alone on the city wall as usual. He went to the watchtower. The battlefield had been cleaned up. The scrap metal could be melted down and reforged enough for the Duchy of Grant to arm another batch of militia.

The stolen horses can also be used to add new knights to the Flame Dragon Knights.

Since the vast plains and pastures of the south were occupied by the Judas, the small inland area of ​​the Duchy of Grant was simply not enough to support a large number of warhorses.

A night breeze blew by. It seemed like he'd been in Grant for almost a year, and the local customs and culture had made him feel a sense of longing. Green noticed the neatly combed blond man; it was Edward, standing alone on the other side of the city wall, lost in thought.

By the way, how is his relationship with Hickel progressing?

Just as Green was about to take a step, his senses, sharper than ever before, noticed Madwood, who was hidden in a dark, cramped corner, blending into the darkness. Their eyes met.

Oh, ever since Belial swallowed that Behemoth, the totem on his chest has grown considerably, and his senses and strength have also undergone a qualitative leap.

Even Bazzo's strength was no longer enough to suppress Green, and the weight difference had also narrowed.

Hmph, Madwood is trying to sow discord among the three of them. I really don't know what that so-called Grand Duke Grant is thinking! Their peaceful lives in the rear are only possible because of Gurenbeldo!

Green pretended not to see Madwood, but it seemed he had been lurking around Edward for a long time.

Green deliberately made a noise and came to Edward's side. Edward looked unwell and had a confused expression.

Why isn't Lord Edward with Sister Hickel today?

“I don’t know either,” Edward replied absentmindedly.

Green noticed Edward's unusual behavior and asked with concern, "What happened, Lord Edward? If you have any worries, please tell me, and perhaps I can help."

Edward hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing, simply gazing silently at the battlefield.

Yesterday, Hickel's reaction to Gullenberger was clearly not something that would happen between pure friends.

"Hickel said she would think about it carefully."

After a long pause, Edward finally uttered those words, but the emotion in his eyes was clearly one of anxiety and uncertainty.

Even though I got the answer I wanted, I couldn't feel happy at all.

Her thoughts drifted back to the previous night. Hikel had gone out of town alone, and fueled by alcohol, she no longer wanted to stay in the stables. Watching Grunberdo and Benedict being so intimate, she felt very down.

"...Hickel, it's not safe for you to be out alone so late."

How could Edward possibly leave Heckler alone outside? He secretly followed her when she left, but seeing her getting further and further away from the dragon's lair, Edward couldn't help but pull her back.

"...Don't follow me!" Hickel's voice trembled noticeably; she just wanted to be alone for a while.

Edward followed silently behind Hickel, keeping a safe distance. He understood that Hickel needed some space, so he didn't approach or disturb him.

Hickel walked to a creek, sat down, and stared blankly at the water. Edward stood quietly beside her, leaning against a large tree, watching her.

...The person I decided to protect for life since childhood shed tears in front of him again.

Gurunberudo...

Edward harbored resentment deep in his heart. The blue ghostly flames intertwined. Madwood's words were not without reason. Glenn Belludeau was a killing machine who never fully considered the feelings of others.

After a while, Hickel looked up and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath and said to Edward, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure just now."

Edward sat down next to her and gently patted her shoulder: "It's okay, you can cry if you want to."

Hickel turned to Edward and said, "...Thank you, Edward. I know you were just worried about me being alone."

Edward hugged his knees with both hands. With his long limbs, he simply stayed by Hickel's side without making any physical contact or teasing as usual.

In essence, he is also a man who finds it difficult to express his feelings; all he wants is love.

He longed for his father's love, he longed for Hickel's love, and he longed to one day be adored by the people. He wanted so much.

Isn't it ridiculous? He clearly carries the tainted blood of royalty and nobility, yet he still craves something so pure. It seems the love he longs for has never been shown to him, while that person has everything he desires.

That person... was Gurenbelud, who easily possessed everything he desired but could not attain.

Kirsten, whose love was even stronger than that of a biological father, showed his paternal love...

Even Hickel, his childhood sweetheart, was captivated by him, her eyes now unable to hold any other affection...

The public's support, the eager gazes, and the loudest cheers always belong to Gurunberudo...

Even though the military expenses have always been funded by the royal family and Edward behind the scenes, and even though the Duchy of Grant is supporting these people, they only remember Glenberudo!

...All Edward had from childhood was a mother's love filled with scandals. He grew up amidst these scandals, an illegitimate son of a less-than-respectable patriarch.

The Grand Duke was not well-liked, and his title as the Grand Duke's son was practically meaningless.

Edward was not talkative as a child and did not want to play with other children because they would always gossip about his mother and humiliate him, and bully him when his mother was not around.

...Only Hickel was special.

When he was being bullied, it was Heikel who ran out and chased them away; only Heikel would protect him.

Perhaps it was from that moment that Edward decided to protect her.

But things didn't go as planned; I really wish they hadn't gone hunting that day.

...If that's what Hickel wants, then it's fine for him to be the shadow behind Gurenbelud.

...But Hickel was not happy.

Edward buried his head in his knees, took a deep breath, and composed himself.

"You like Gurunberdo?"

Hickel paused slightly, not answering immediately. Moonlight shone on her face, reflecting her complex expression.

After a long silence, she finally spoke slowly: "I don't know." This answer filled Edward with a bitter feeling.

The night grew deeper, and the wind grew colder. Edward looked up at Hickel, his eyes filled with deep affection and helplessness: "But I can see that he's different in your heart."

Hickel gently bit his lip: "Grunberdo... he's brave, strong, and seems to always be able to solve any problem."

Edward gave a wry smile: "And what about me? What am I to you?" Hickel turned his head and met Edward's gaze: "You are my most important friend, always have been."

Edward stood up, his back to Hickel: "Just friends?" His voice trembled slightly in the wind.

Hickel fell silent, unsure how to respond. Edward took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Never mind, I just want to tell you that I haven't forgotten the marriage our parents wanted to arrange."

“If…no, I hope you will consider me as your fiancé, Heechul. I will wait for you, however long it may take.” Edward left these words and turned to leave.

As Hickel watched his departing figure, she felt a mix of emotions. She had never imagined that Edward would have such thoughts about her, nor that he had ever forgotten the unresolved marriage from his childhood.

...That was clearly just something their parents said, but those distant childhood memories made her feel that they were even closer than most siblings.

Yes, she's not getting any younger, she should have been thinking about marriage a long time ago, but ever since what happened in Chester prison...

In this era, almost no nobleman was willing to marry a woman who was not a virgin.

This is also one of the reasons why Hickel couldn't boldly express his love for Gullenberger.