Berserk: The Prophet

However, even though Green didn't do anything for Madwood, Edward still felt as if he had been wronged as originally expected. Ten years of dedication had only earned him the exclusion and distrust of his best friend, and Glenn Belluddo would never explain himself to him for these so-called "trivial matters."

Edward was originally very passionate about lance racing, and his dream was to become the champion of the tournament. Moon Knight Laugus was his idol. However, during his assimilation period in Judas Prison, a fight with the tiger Cusha resulted in the loss of his left eye. If the eyepatch is removed, the hideous scar remains permanently there.

Childhood dreams also vanished. The lance competition was a head-on confrontation between the two sides, taking place in narrow passages on both sides. The key to victory lay in the rider's sense of distance and timing, which could not be handled by just one eye.

"Tsk."

Edward clicked his tongue in resentment. Emotions that he usually kept to himself and never surfacing were now boiling within him like a volcano about to erupt.

...This is the consequence of the Grand Duke's actions.

He only had a sliver of maternal love to rely on to maintain his sense of self. Damn it... why did he feel his mother didn't reject this arrangement at all? Didn't Heike still love Glenberdo?

Why? Even his only source of maternal love is being taken away...

God...why are you so cruel?

—Naurudkawati.

The group arrived at the capital. Unlike the dragon's lair, the capital was filled with prominent Grant nobles. Even the privileged witch, Ludwick the Silver Wolf, was not allowed to enter the city.

This made Benedict deeply uneasy. She could see the flow of air and people's aura, so even though she was blind, her daily life was not much inconvenient.

Upon entering the royal city, she saw people everywhere with an aura of filth and grime. Without Silver Wolf's company, she felt even more insecure and could only cling tightly to Kirsten's arm as they walked.

Upon arriving at the palace, Grin and Folda were assigned to look after Benedict. General Kirsten, along with Grunberdo and others, entered the audience hall to meet the Grand Duke.

Even without its former extravagance, the magnificent palace is still larger than most lords' fortresses; it is the size of a medium-sized fortress, complete with opulent gardens and lawns.

Green and the others waited in a stone pavilion.

A royal maid made a cup of hot tea for the three of them, but none of them were really interested in drinking it. After waiting a while, Folda went to prepare a place for them to stay for the night.

...It's nothing more than the Halvorsen family's mansion or hotel.

This was the first time Green had been in close proximity to this girl named Benedict Cuth, and she seemed somewhat uneasy.

Green hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "Are you alright? Is the environment here making you feel uncomfortable?"

Benedict nodded, her voice trembling slightly, and said, "I... I can sense that this city is mixed with a lot of terrible and complicated atmosphere, but I can't see them... It scares me a little."

Green thought for a moment and decided to try to comfort her, "Don't worry, I'll stay here with you. If you need anything, just let me know."

Benedict relaxed a little after hearing this and smiled gratefully at Green.

Benedict's mind had been in turmoil ever since she learned that Guren Belludeau had been arranged to marry someone. Now, she realized that the aura surrounding the boy sitting opposite her was very indistinct; she had never seen anyone with such an indistinct aura before.

“You…” Benedict frowned, only noticing a tiny glimmer of gold amidst the blurry red mass on the boy's body—a color brighter than any she had ever seen. However, the aura surrounding the boy flickered, as if he might vanish from the world at any moment.

"...What's wrong?" Green asked, puzzled, looking at Benedict Cuth's furrowed brows.

Just then, Kirsten and Gurunberudo came out of the palace.

—The Royal Palace Audience Hall—

The Grand Duke's bewildering attitude gave Gurunberdo a real headache; no matter what question he asked, the Grand Duke gave the same answer.

"If you dislike receiving gifts, then find your own marriage partner."

Hickel's fiancé is a prominent nobleman, the eldest son of the Olsen family. The Eugensen family is pleased with this arrangement and would likely not allow Hickel to refuse.

Edward was about to speak, but seeing Hickel's head bowed in silence, he shut his mouth.

Even if Hickel wanted to get married, wouldn't she still want to be with Grunberdo? She hadn't even received a reply to her confession of love before this happened... It's really...

However, Edward still wanted to try again.

“Hickel, if you don’t want to accept this marriage, you can try other methods,” Edward said softly.

Hickel looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“For example, you could do as the Grand Duke suggested and find a marriage partner yourself,” Edward continued. “If you find the right person, you can avoid this arranged marriage.”

Hickel bit his lip, seemingly pondering Edward's suggestion.

“I will support you, no matter what decision you make,” Edward said with a smile.

Looking at Edward, Hickel felt a surge of emotion.

Perhaps this is a viable solution...

However, Hickel's eyes fell on Gurenberdo. Edward looked slightly disappointed; as expected...

Gurunberdo felt Hickel's gaze, but his face remained expressionless, and he did not look at Hickel. However, his mind was in turmoil.

He knew all too well that the interests involved in this marriage were complex and intertwined, and not so easy to escape.

Find your own marriage partner...

Gurenberudo's mind drifted to Benedict, who had been dancing gracefully in the dragon's lair not long ago. He furrowed his fiery red eyebrows in distress, yet he was utterly clueless about love.

Even though dragons can run rampant on the battlefield, they can never be sure of their own feelings when it comes to matters of the heart.

The dragon does not understand what love is.

...If only I had realized my own feelings sooner that day.

Why is it that we only see our own "heart" clearly after we lose something?

He Kun watched the changes in the three men's expressions, inwardly cursing his good-for-nothing son for causing any trouble. He glanced at Edward with a venomous look, then quickly disappeared without anyone noticing.

At this moment, the Grand Duke suddenly spoke again, his tone filled with unquestionable authority: "This matter is settled, say no more, I am tired."

The expressions on everyone's faces grew even more somber, and the atmosphere became increasingly oppressive.

He Kun just wanted to end the talks as soon as possible, so as not to have them suddenly disrupt the original plan.

"What exactly are you planning? Are you perhaps going to elect Gurenbelud as king?" Besides Edward, Hokun's other two sons, who were born with personality defects and some disabilities, said indignantly.

“Considering the future of this country, it’s not impossible,” He Kun said, looking at his three sons with a hint of arrogance.

Regardless, that gaze still deeply pierced Edward's heart.

Upon hearing the Grand Duke's words, Gurenbeldo was not pleased; instead, his expression turned ferocious. He didn't want to marry Folda. Although she was well-preserved, the old woman looked just as old as his mother, who had been dead for 14 years.

The image of those Juda soldiers carrying their infant mothers 14 years ago is still vivid in his mind. He simply cannot bring himself to lay a hand on such a woman; just thinking about it makes his stomach churn.

"It's all because you heirs are so useless. If you want the throne, you need to show some spirit." He Kun said meaningfully, trying to entice his good-for-nothing sons. It was obvious who he was saying this to.

Edward had now fully realized that everything Hokun had done was to make him completely betray Gurenbelud and Hekel, and only by severing ties with them would he be qualified to compete for the throne.

The Grand Duke left the audience hall after saying this.

Having received no useful information, Gullenberudo and General Kirsten slowly walked out of the audience hall.

“What do you think, Gurenberudo?” Kirsten looked at Gurenberudo, hoping that Gurenberudo would express his desire to marry Benedict Cuth at this moment.