Berserk: The Prophet

......

Zhenhuo Palace.

The group hurried to the Fire Town Palace, and Green naturally followed, feeling uneasy. However, he planned to consult with General Kirsten after meeting him.

Throughout the journey, Folda's burning gaze never left the broad back of Gurenberudo. This displeased Edward, who imagined that the new king was already going to great lengths to curry favor before even taking the throne, leading him to wonder if Folda had seduced Grand Duke Hokun in the same way to have him.

Upon entering the Fire-Suppressing Palace, the group arrived at the main hall where men were permitted to remain. General Kirsten stood there, looking at them sternly.

Green stepped forward, saluted the general, and explained his purpose.

The general's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Gurunberdo.

"Gurunberdo, what brings you here?" the general asked.

“General, I have some important matters to discuss with you,” said Gurunberdo.

Folda stepped forward, trying to speak, but was interrupted by Gurunberdo.

“This matter concerns the future of the kingdom, and I would like to speak with you privately,” Gurunberdo continued.

The general considered for a moment, nodded, and gestured for the others to leave the hall.

Edward was displeased upon seeing this, but he had no choice but to follow the others out.

Only Grunberdo and Kirsten remained in the hall, and no one knew what they had been talking about.

Hickel and Benedict looked confused and puzzled, but both were rather downcast.

Edward frowned, feeling a surge of annoyance as he watched Folda bustling around trying to please Glenn Belluddo. He had never felt so embarrassed by his mother before.

Green could see Edward's distress. No one wants to see their best friend suddenly become their nominal father, right? It's just too insulting.

However, the private conversation between Guren Belluddo and Kirsten was obviously more likely to be misunderstood. After all, Edward, who was the one who could come up with the most ideas, was locked outside. It would be hard to convince oneself that the two of them were not on guard against Edward.

However, I can somewhat understand General Kirsten's intentions, after all, Edward is the Grand Duke's son.

However, how could the usually clever Edward not have thought of such obvious differential treatment? The smarter a person is, the more they think, and if the misunderstanding is not cleared up in time, the gap between them will only grow wider.

"...Edward, the Grand Duke certainly doesn't just want to abdicate in favor of Gurenbelud, does he?" Green thought for a moment and then spoke up, after all, Edward's sullen and irritable appearance clearly indicated that he had something on his mind.

Edward's face darkened: "How could that old man's mind be simple? The royal family's methods have always been to protect their own interests."

"Although I don't know what he's scheming to gain for himself, it's clearly a power struggle, and he wants to manipulate us all!"

Edward stared resentfully at the tightly closed doors at the back of the hall, secretly plotting. The conversation between Gurenbelludo and General Kirsten? Hmph, they're probably scheming to sideline him and prevent him from participating in the real rebellion.

Edward was filled with resentment. He didn't want to stay in Grant for another second. If things continued like this, he would really become someone who was disliked by both sides.

All his efforts behind the scenes for Gurunberdo over the years have been utterly meaningless childish play, what a treacherous bastard! If it weren't for Hikel, he would have been plotting with the Grand Duke to kick Gurunberdo down right now.

What is this?! The people working for Gurunberudo are all eating his food, and they want to smash his rice bowl.

...This is absolutely outrageous!!

Green quickly comforted him, "Edward, don't be so pessimistic. Maybe things aren't as you think. Gurenbelludo isn't that kind of person, and the general has always been fair."

Edward glared at Green: "Fairness? How many people can remain fair in the face of power? I think they've been planning this all along, just trying to keep me in the dark."

Meanwhile, Heechul, who was leaning against Benedict Cuth and lost in thought, seemed to notice Edward's odd behavior and slowly walked over to sit down next to him.

Hickel patted Edward on the shoulder and asked softly, "What happened? You look angry."

Edward turned to look at Hickel, his eyes, which had been filled with anger and resentment, fell silent the moment they met Hickel's melancholy, light blue eyes, like a deflated balloon, and his voice became much lower.

"As you can see, Gurenbelludo and General Kirsten have clearly sidelined me. I don't want to be a pawn in this game of power anymore."

After a moment of silence, Hickel said, "Perhaps we should find an opportunity to talk to them and find out their true intentions."

Edward sneered: "Talk? Do you think they'll tell me the truth?"

At this point, Green interjected, "Why don't we observe the situation first before making any plans? After all, we don't know the specifics yet."

Edward took a deep breath and nodded. He knew he couldn't act impulsively; he had to calmly consider his next move.

“I’m sorry, but Hikel, the Grand Duke’s actions are definitely not out of genuine desire to abdicate in favor of Gurunberdo. Although I don’t know what Hekun is planning, it’s certainly not a good thing.”

Hickel was silent for a moment; to be honest, her mind was also in turmoil. She had never imagined marrying the eldest son of the Olson family, even though he was the son of the richest family in the Duchy of Grant.

Hickel nodded slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes: "I understand, this matter is indeed full of strange things."

As if he had thought of something, Edward suddenly felt afraid that if he didn't say something now, he would never have the chance again. It was as if he had some kind of premonition. "What are you thinking, Hickel?"

"What do you mean?"

"The matter of a marriage alliance."

Hickel pursed his lips, his brows furrowing slightly. "I feel confused about this marriage; I never imagined I would be involved in such a complicated situation."

Edward's eyes were urgent. "Then are you willing?"

Hickel sighed softly. "I don't know how to answer. It's not simply a matter of willingness; there are too many factors involved."

Edward's face grew increasingly grim. "Are you really willing to be used as a pawn and manipulated?"

Hickel shook his head helplessly. "What can I do if I'm not willing? It's the family's arrangement, and I have no choice."

Edward clenched his fist. "No, there must be a way to get rid of all this."

Hicker smiled wryly, “It’s not that easy. But in any case, we need to figure out the Grand Duke’s intentions and General Kirsten’s concerns first.”

Edward paused for a moment, then said firmly, "No matter what, I will not let you get hurt."

A flicker of emotion crossed Hickel's eyes. "Thank you, Edward."

At this moment, the hall doors slowly opened, and Gurenbelludo and General Kirsten walked out, drawing everyone's attention.

General Kirsten coughed lightly: "The current situation is more complicated than we expected, and the Grand Duke's thoughts are hard to fathom. In any case, we must go to Nowrudkahuati first."

Edward said nothing, but his gaze towards the two men revealed a hint of vigilance and wariness that went unnoticed by anyone.

“Well, let’s go ask the Grand Duke first and see if we can get him to rescind the royal decree.” Gurenberudo looked at Heikel and Edward, then at the dejected Benedict.

Hicker and Edward exchanged a glance and nodded. Rather than overthinking it, they decided to sound out the Grand Duke's opinion.

The group, including Benedict, headed to Naurudkahuatti.

Although there is no lord currently overseeing the Fire Dragon's Nest, fortunately, the distance between the Fire Dragon's Nest and Norudkahuati is not too far. If one rides at full speed, a round trip can be made in a day, and even if Juda attacks, one can return in time.

Folda's carriage and the specially made chariot of Gurenberu rode side by side, while Heikel and Edward and others rode forward on horseback, and Benedict was escorted by the silver wolf named Ludwick.

Along the way, everyone had different thoughts. Green did not want to act as Madwood suggested. He could easily figure out with a little thought that the Shadow Hand wanted Edward to betray Glenberudo and become a pawn for the Grand Duke.