Berserk: The Prophet

With the bowstring drawn and the arrow pulled back to its full length, Madwood's mount was instantly pinned to the ground, while its rider was sent flying forward, landing face-first in the mud.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Hickel and Benedict rushed towards the city gate. The silver wolf, with blood spilling from its mouth, suddenly increased its speed, transforming into a silver lightning bolt, and entered the "Fire Dragon's Nest" before the gate completely closed.

Seeing that things were not going well, the shadowy figures chasing the two outside the city gate immediately pulled up Madwood from the ground and left the place.

Without hesitation, Gurunberdo ran down the city wall. He saw that Benedictine appeared to be injured!

"Benedict Cuth, are you alright?!"

Gurenberu rushed to Benedict's side. Ludvik, already riddled with arrows, led Benedict into the dragon's lair in his final moments before collapsing from exhaustion.

Just then, Gurenbeldo caught the girl's soft body; the priestess's pure white dress was now stained with a glaring red of thorns.

Gurenberudo anxiously examined her wound. A crossbow bolt had shot into Benedict's shoulder armor from behind, exiting below her collarbone and piercing her left collarbone. If it had been just a little lower, it would have reached her heart.

Her face was pale, but she forced a smile despite the pain. "I'm fine, it's just a minor injury. I'm glad you're alright."

Gulen Belludo gently held her hand, as if he could feel the life slipping away between those cool, delicate fingers.

"It's all my fault... for putting you in such a dangerous situation. I should have taken you directly to the dragon's lair..." The dragon, who always cherished Benedict as a fragile treasure, felt a deep sense of self-reproach and guilt, as if someone had clenched its heart tightly.

"I'm sorry, Gurenbelud, I failed to protect Lady Benedict..."

At this moment, Hickel also came over. Although her left arm was injured, it was fortunately not fatal. She broke off the arrowhead and pulled out the forced arrow.

"But now is not the time to blame ourselves. The Grand Duke's conspiracy has gradually come to light, and we must discuss countermeasures as soon as possible."

Gurenbelludo nodded, then looked nervously at Hickel and the other man. "What exactly happened? Have the assassins who killed Benedict returned? Where is Edward?"

Hikel's aquamarine eyes overflowed with complex emotions that were difficult to decipher. Not wanting to meet the gaze of Gurenberudo's innocent golden eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, "He betrayed us and colluded with the Grand Duke."

"What?! How is that possible! He clearly still..." Gurenberdo's expression changed; he couldn't believe Edward would do such a thing!

Edward had sent a messenger hawk to warn him to be careful of the Grand Duke's planned operation, which was why he rushed back in time. But the situation was urgent and there was no time to think.

At that moment, a sentry standing atop the city wall ran up to report: "Sir, a large number of enemy troops have been spotted moving this way. It's not just Juda's forces, but also the Grand Duke's forces from Nordkavatti!!"

Gurunberdo took a deep breath, his eyes hardening. "Everyone prepare to meet the enemy! Even if we die today, we will never let the enemy set foot in the Fire Dragon's Nest!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their morale soaring. Gurenberudo turned to look at Heikel and Benedict, who were being taken away by the medic to treat their wounds, and thought to himself that he must protect them this time; this battle would determine everyone's fate.

.........

Meanwhile, on the other side, Edward was leading his army relentlessly, following Madwood, who was pursuing Heechul and Benedict. When he saw Madwood's drawn bow aimed directly at Heechul, his heart seemed to stop for a moment.

Fortunately, Hikel was agile and avoided a fatal blow. It's unclear whether Madwood, usually so accurate, suffered the deviation due to the silver wolf's vicious bite through his right hand.

Seeing the shadow warriors, who were utterly terrified by Gurenbelud, return carrying crossbows, Edward knew exactly whose idea it was!

Seeing the scene before him, Edward roared, "Madwood, are you insane?"

When Madwood saw Edward, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Your Highness, please stop being so stubborn. The only way out is to join me and pledge allegiance to the Grand Duke. I'm doing all this for your sake!"

"Enough! I know what to do!" Edward's furious glare was terrifying, but all of this... including this path he was on, was his own choice.

Why does my heart still ache so much? Damn it... that kind of thing...

Neither of these scenarios was what he wanted to see, and he couldn't be easily swayed by Benedict's words!

However, it seems that Gurenbeldo returned from his mission unscathed. The dragons have already left their lair; Juda's 20,000-strong army is indeed a complete waste...

No, perhaps Gurunberdo has already received the carrier falcon he sent out that morning. Lucky fellow...

Even though it had come to this point, Edward, who was Gurenbeludo's enemy, suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Since that man is in the dragon's lair, then it's not like Hickel has no chance of survival.

Ah, if it's that guy... then it'll definitely work, right?

.........

Inside the Dragon's Lair, Gurenberudo was nervously directing his soldiers to prepare for defense. Fortunately, the Dragon's Lair had been able to handle such situations in the past.

However, the situation of being attacked from both sides still made the manpower in "Dragon's Nest" tight. The Juda army to the south was not so bad, but the side of "Dragon's Nest" facing Nordkahua had almost no defensive measures.

Benedict's condition stabilized temporarily after receiving basic treatment from the military doctor, but she remained pale.

After removing the brace from her left arm and bandaging her wound, Hickel was ready to go into battle, fighting alongside Gullenberg.

However, she still couldn't understand why Edward would betray her, since everything seemed so clear...

Hikel accompanied Gurenbelud to the city wall. The first to arrive were the Grand Duke's troops, whose banners bore the totem of the Royal Horn of Grant.

The leader was Edward, and with his command, the army immediately formed ranks. Edward leisurely rode his horse out from the ranks of the less than five thousand men, a nonchalant expression on his face.

Looking up at his old friend, Edward smiled self-deprecatingly. It's true... even at a time like this, he can't have a moment of pleasure riding on Glenberudo's head.

Looking up can be very tiring.

"Oh, how strange. Juda's bunch of trash couldn't even cut off your fingernails? It seems that Abecassis should really be buried in his grave."

"...You bastard!"

When Gulenberudo saw Edward appear before the enemy lines, a pang of pain shot through his heart. However, he still refused to believe that Edward had truly betrayed him, and shouted at Edward, "Edward, do you really intend to collude with the Grand Duke?"

Edward, mounted on his horse, remained calm. He suddenly broke the silence with a few low laughs before replying, "Grunberdo, the situation is now beyond our control. I am also helpless. If you surrender now, you may still be able to save your life."

Hickel shouted angrily from the side, "Edward, we've been through so much together, how can you betray our friendship and this land so easily!"

Edward gripped the reins, avoiding Hickel's angry gaze. Though he felt guilty, he said, "You wouldn't understand. Everything I've done is for a better future for the Duchy of Grant. The Grand Duke promised me that he would lead the Duchy to even greater glory."

Gurenbelud scoffed, "Colluding with Judas and sacrificing countless Grant lives, is this your so-called better future? Edward, you've disappointed me greatly."

As he spoke, Gurenbelud gripped his weapon tightly, his eyes filled with determination. Hickel also pursed his lips in resentment, his longsword pointing directly at Edward, ready to charge at him and fight to the death at the slightest provocation.

Edward looked into their eyes, his heart already numb. He knew all too well that his actions had deeply hurt his closest companions. But now the die was cast, and there was no turning back.