Berserk: The Prophet

The words from that night echoed in Edward's mind. Yes, he could never bear to see Hickel hurt. Just thinking about the disappointment in those light blue eyes made his breath catch and his heart ache.

Edward slowly opened his eyes, and his slightly cloudy eyes regained their sharpness and gleam.

With such tempting terms as an exchange, what exactly does the Grand Duke want from me? He really wants to use me... to get rid of Gurenbeldo, doesn't he? After all, no one is more suitable to do this than him.

“There is indeed nothing to hesitate about, Father.”

Edward regained his composure. Yes, how could he forget the face of the Grand Duke on ordinary days?

A country ravaged by war, a king alienated from his people—just looking at Ho Khun's deteriorating health, one can tell that this throne is not easy to hold.

There was neither kinship nor freedom to speak of; their every move was monitored by the nobles, and they didn't know whether they controlled others or were confined in a cage called royal power.

...Even murder has to be done in secret, it's really boring.

...His father really has such low tastes, only capable of killing women?

The stench of blood seeping through the crack in the door was mixed with a faint fishy smell, and images of various targeted torture devices flashed through Edward's mind.

The serial murders that gripped the capital with fear... the culprit was his father, and the marks on the victims matched the items on the wall.

Edward looked at Hokun with a hint of barely perceptible pity in his eyes. A helpless and savage trapped beast, hiding in the depths of his magnificent palace, living in constant fear.

So what if they destroyed Gurenbeldo? This throne will likely be trampled into dust by Juda's iron cavalry long before he even sits on it...

So what if I'm jealous? So what if I'm angry? The only thing that can defend the Dragon's Nest and the Duchy of Grant... is that monster, Grenberg!

For the Grand Duke to so intent on harming Gurenberdo is tantamount to strangling himself, courting his own destruction. How could He Kun, as the Grand Duke, not understand the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold"?

Edward, who had regained his composure as usual, suddenly had a sudden realization.

...The Grand Duke actually wants to sell out this country!!

He almost fell into the Grand Duke's trap; it's true that negative emotions only dull the mind.

Edward took a deep breath, his eyes growing even more resolute. He decided he would no longer be swayed by the Grand Duke's schemes.

"What? You've figured it out?" He Kun's voice was as certain as if he had anticipated Edward's answer.

He raised his head, looked firmly at He Kun, and said slowly, "I will not be swayed by your words. My life should be decided by myself."

He Kun's face instantly darkened. He glared at them and roared, "You fool, this is your only chance!"

Edward remained unmoved, stood up from the stool, and said in a slightly hoarse but very steady voice: "This so-called opportunity is nothing more than pushing me into an abyss of desire and sin."

“And this throne that seems to control everything is nothing more than a magnificent cage. I would rather stick to my principles than become a puppet of power!” Edward’s only right eye shone brightly, as sharp as a peregrine falcon, trying to see through the empty shell of Hokun.

...That look sent shivers down He Kun's already decaying soul's spine!

Edward, who had always longed for the Grand Duke's approval, defied his father for the first time. He had had enough of his father's constant slander and manipulation. This was the tragedy of royalty!

At this moment, the air in the sealed room seemed to freeze, the tense atmosphere suffocating. He Kun clenched his fists, seemingly suppressing the anger in his heart.

Edward turned away, unwilling to look any longer at the filthy, rotting heart beneath Hokun's human exterior. He strode resolutely towards the door, his back appearing lonely and resolute in the dim light.

...It also takes courage to abandon the only way out and blood relatives with whom you cannot understand or trust each other.

The moment his hand touched the doorknob, Hokun called out in a daze behind Edward, "You'll regret this, Edward!"

Edward paused for a moment, then opened the door without hesitation and walked out of the secret room.

He left only one sentence: "I don't want to become like you, Father."

Looking at the dimly lit secret room door, He Kun opened his mouth in disbelief, but couldn't say anything. His throat didn't know how to organize his words, and he could only utter a few strings of meaningless syllables.

"...Hoho!"

I haven't felt this way in so many years. Is it resentment? Or anger?

I couldn't think straight anymore; only tears streamed down my swollen face. To be honest, crying on that festering, sore face made me look several times uglier than a pig.

Just as Edward pushed open the door and left, He Kun seemed to see his younger self.

He recalled his past self, so resolute and fearless, filled with beautiful dreams and lofty ambitions for the future. He was determined to change the world, to change the religious beliefs of this country, to integrate into the King's Palace, and to open up more valuable trade routes between the continent and the Holy City.

During his studies in mainland China, what he hated most was being ridiculed as a heretical prince by the aristocratic students from Judaism, and being treated as a backward, uncivilized barbarian...

However, with the setbacks and misfortunes that followed, those past experiences ultimately vanished, and the boy who was determined to change everything had long since disappeared.

Now he is trapped in a cage woven by power and desire, and has long lost his original aspiration and ideal of wanting to improve the country.

He Kun slumped slowly into the chair, his eyes vacant. It seemed that from some point onward, all he had left was... this cold throne.

......

Although Edward still felt confused and uneasy about the future after leaving the secret room, he longed for freedom even more.

Although he did not explicitly say anything detrimental to the Grand Duke, the Grand Duke's hints were quite clear. Edward, who frequently mingled in noble circles and was well-versed in royal tactics, knew that he had to take immediate action.

The Grand Duke will soon realize that, not only for his own safety but also for a brighter future with Hekel, he must stand firmly on the side of Gurenbeldo and Hekel!

Edward rushed back to the Halvorsen family, only to find Folda with bloodshot eyes, clearly still reeling from yesterday's events.

"...Edward."

"mother..."

Edward hadn't yet considered forgiving his mother. He opened his mouth but felt a tightness in his chest. He then set about preparing other things. He wanted to send a few trusted men to infiltrate the ice-free port to prepare a sailboat to take Hecker away from the Duchy of Grant.

"Edward!" Seeing her son ignoring her, Folda's eyes reddened even more, and her voice became even more aggrieved as she sobbed.

Edward paused for a moment, but did not turn around. He said coldly, "The soon-to-be-wives-of-the-city-lord, or perhaps I should call you the former queen, why are you putting on this act?"

Folda seemed stung by those words, her body trembling slightly. "Edward, I know I was wrong, I shouldn't have..."

Edward sneered, "Your repentance comes too late. Now all I think about is how to save our lives and get us out of this mess."

At this moment, the old butler sighed softly, "Young master, the madam has been very worried lately, and she has also been threatened by the Grand Duke quite a bit."

Edward's expression softened slightly; deep down, he still felt a bit of affection for his mother.

"So what? She betrayed my trust in her. So what if this family is gone? I don't care." Edward clenched his fists and sat in his room, pretending to be calm as he wrote several secret letters. He took out the several hawks kept by the Halvorsen family from their cages.

Folda strode up to Edward, her eyes red-rimmed, trying to explain: "Let me explain, Edward. Last night I was with Grunberdo..."

The old story was brought up again, and Edward immediately crushed the pen in his hand to pieces. Hearing this, he just wanted to kick this woman out!

"Butler, drag this woman out of my room! I don't want to see her again!!"