Berserk: The Prophet

Outside the city, after Edward had completely taken control of the guards camp, he led his soldiers to continue their advance toward the dragon's lair.

Before long, the sound of hooves suddenly came from afar. Everyone looked and saw a white horse galloping towards them. This made Edward somewhat puzzled.

The man on horseback was agile and nimble. Only when he got closer could one see that the old man with gray hair was actually Kirsten. Although he was over 60 years old, this veteran was still full of energy.

Kirsten pulled on the reins, and the white horse reared up before landing steadily. He looked at Edward with a hesitant gaze.

The letter said that Edward was leading those nobles in a fierce battle against the Grand Duke, so why is the army behind him now wearing the insignia of Grand Duke Hochschild and the Halvorsen family?

“Oh, General Kirsten, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” Edward said listlessly.

...What's the use of rushing here now? Everything has already been settled, and he has no other choice.

Kirsten frowned, his gaze lingering on the flags for a moment before he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness Edward, what exactly is going on? Why are you aligning yourself with the Grand Duke's forces?"

Edward looked at the veteran and felt a complex mix of emotions—respect and helplessness—but it ultimately turned into a sigh.

"General, the situation is now beyond my control. You have come too late."

Kirsten's eyes widened at these words. "Are we just going to give up like this? We still have a chance to turn things around!" He clenched his fists around the reins, his face full of resentment, trying to persuade Edward.

Edward first shook his head with a wry smile, then uncontrollably threw his head back and burst into a bitter and indignant laugh.

"...No, you won't have a chance anymore. Gurenbeldo wasn't with you. He's probably already fallen into the trap set by the Grand Duke and Juda. The 'Dragon' will never be able to return to its original lair!!" Edward seemed to be trying to shake off those past memories. His bloodshot eyes were filled with a mixture of helplessness and resentment.

...Why did none of his plans come to fruition? Did the messenger hawks fail to deliver the messages in time, whether to Kirsten or Gullenberg?

Edward couldn't figure it out, and he didn't want to think about it anymore. He was already overwhelmed by He Kun's affairs, and he had no heart to distinguish right from wrong.

Upon hearing this, Kirsten's expression changed drastically. He wanted to grab Edward by the collar and demanded, "What did you say? Gurenbelludo was tricked? Explain yourself!" His eyes were bloodshot, and his usual composure was gone, replaced by endless anxiety and anger.

...That's probably a father's worry.

...But that look was incredibly piercing to Edward right now!

Gurunberdo...tsk, you really have many things that I can only dream of.

Everyone cares about you so much, treating you like their own son, Kirsten...

Although they are not father and son by blood, they have a closer bond of trust than those who are related by blood.

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, Madwood had already ordered his shadow men to surround Kirsten and his entourage who had arrived later.

"Your Highness, why waste your breath on this old scoundrel? Our target is the Dragon's Nest and the traitor Gurenberudo."

"Why not capture this old guy and take him hostage? Even if Gurenbeldo is lucky enough to survive, do you think he won't surrender obediently?" Madwood rode up to Edward, acting as a supervisor while also offering advice to ensure the mission's successful completion.

Edward frowned, looked at Madwood, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. "Madwood, this is none of your business."

He knew in his heart that although Kirsten seemed to be on the opposite side of him at the moment, the old general's loyalty to the duchy was beyond doubt, and he should not treat him as an enemy easily.

Mad Wuxiu, however, was unimpressed. He tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Your Highness, you can barely take care of yourself right now, yet you're still concerned about this old fellow? He might not even appreciate your kindness!"

"Now that the situation is clear, taking them down will be a way to give the Grand Duke an explanation, and we can head to the Fire Dragon's Nest as soon as possible with fewer obstacles."

“...You!” Kirsten glared at Madwood and the group of shadow henchmen who had surrounded him, his beard bristling with rage. Then, a flash of shock and anger crossed his eyes: “What? The Grand Duke actually…”

Then, as if realizing something, he looked at Edward and said, "So, are you now acting as an accomplice to evil?!"

Edward took a deep breath, staring blankly into the distance, and slowly said, "The Grand Duke has long intended this. Now, Gurenbeldo is still unaware of the conspiracy and his life is uncertain. The so-called war is nothing more than a game for those who hold great power. At worst, they can use this land as a bargaining chip to exchange for a peaceful life."

"The Grand Duke's actions are aimed at seizing this opportunity to wipe out all forces in one fell swoop. The Royal Guard is now under my control, and the entire Duchy is under Hokun's command. The nobles who truly care for the people of this land are doomed." Edward calmly gazed at Kirsten. Regardless of the cause of the delay, everything was settled and irreversible; one could only lament the capriciousness of fate!

Kirsten's figure swayed for a moment on horseback, as if struck by a heavy blow. He muttered to himself, "How could this be? I've endured so many years of hardship, only to watch the duchy..."

A moment later, he raised his head, his eyes regaining their fighting spirit. "No, it's not over yet, Edward. We can't just sit here and wait to die. There must be another way."

Edward looked at him, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "A solution? General, do you think I haven't tried? But before absolute power and intrigue, we are like ants. Hokun is currently waiting in the palace to see how I help him eliminate the last obstacle. He can't wait to see Gurenbeldo's head!"

Kirsten gritted her teeth, her gaze fixed intently on Edward. "So what if we're like ants? As long as we're alive, we can't give up the fight!!"

“If Gurenbeldo really meets with misfortune, how can I have the face to live on? The people of the duchy are still counting on us, how can we easily admit defeat!” Kirsten’s tone became more and more indignant. Even when forced into such a desperate situation, the vigorous old general would rather break than bend.

Edward frowned slightly. Although he was touched by Kirsten's persistence, the sense of defeat from the past still lingered in his mind, making it difficult for him to let go. "General, I see your determination, but reality is cruel. What do we have to fight against Hokun now? Going there would only be a pointless death."

"No! As long as Gurenbeldo is alive, I will definitely..." Looking at the shadow hands gradually approaching, Kirsten's eyes widened in anger, like an old lion making a final stand.

...He was so convinced that Gurenbelud was the one who could save the Duchy of Grant.

"Enough!!" The flame of jealousy and resentment in Edward's heart suddenly surged forth.

Gullenberudo... Gullenberudo...

He'd heard that name tens of thousands of times! Why does everyone only remember Gurunberdo?!

Why does that brute deserve everyone's care and love?! If Gurunberdo hadn't been so stupid, Kirsten wouldn't have arrived so slowly!

“General Kirsten, I will still respectfully call you teacher! If you surrender now, I guarantee the Grand Duke will not harm you! You can still enjoy your old age with your granddaughter. Don’t be ungrateful!!” Edward shouted these words as if he had used all his strength. He was really driven crazy.

"...I have no way out!" Edward murmured, head bowed. His pale face, dark circles under his eyes, and bloodshot eyes made him look utterly haggard—a far cry from the elegant young nobleman he once was.

Just shouting those few words with all his might had already made him break out in a cold sweat.

Upon hearing Edward's words, Kirsten was first taken aback, then her face was filled with disappointment and heartache: "Edward, I thought you still held onto your loyalty to the Duchy, but I never imagined you would be so foolish!"

"I, Kirsten, have fought half my life. When have I ever feared death? How could I possibly give up the fight just to live a life of ignominy?"