Berserk: The Prophet

The troops were moving out one after another, with twenty-four carts loaded with unassembled heavy catapults, pulled by nearly a hundred oxen.

Other siege equipment and crossbows were also in the queue.

Gambino and Persian scouts are exchanging war information in real time.

To maintain secrecy, Gambino's forces bypassed the main battlefield and areas where they might come into contact with the enemy, marching along mountain paths. However, the massive siege equipment meant their march was slow.

It will take about half a month to reach the southern fortress.

When they reached the hilly area and were about to come to the enemy's border, Gambino switched to marching at night to ensure a higher success rate, while during the day he sent his conscripts and logistical laborers to pave the potholed road ahead.

...daytime is for rest.

"Bang!" "Bang!"

"Not bad, kid, you've improved a bit." Gambino responded with ease.

"Whoa! Take this!!" Guts swung his wooden stick and attacked Gambino.

"Ha, if you don't want to die on the battlefield, then go all out!" Gambino teased sarcastically, but his wooden stick showed no mercy.

Guts gritted his teeth, his forehead covered in sweat, but he still refused to give up, wielding his wooden stick with great force, attacking Gambino again and again.

After another round of intense offense and defense, Guss was exhausted and almost fell over.

"Ha, is that all you've got?" Gambino kicked Guts away.

Gus was kicked and rolled several times on the ground. His arm scraped against the rough ground, tearing his skin and drawing bright red blood.

He suddenly sat up, his eyes filled with resentment and stubbornness, flames of anger flickering in his dark pupils, as he roared through gritted teeth, "Gambino...again!"

Looking at the disheveled yet unyielding boy before him, Gambino felt a strange emotion welling up inside him.

Although he softened his tone, his face still showed disdain: "Tch, get up, that's enough warm-up for today..."

"You did quite well compared to before."

Having said that, he untied his water bag and threw it at Gus.

Gus reached out and caught the water bag. His throat was dry, and without bothering to wipe his wound, he tilted his head back and gulped down several mouthfuls. The cool water dripped down the corners of his mouth, mixing with sweat and dust, leaving muddy marks on his face.

But even this clear spring water felt like strong liquor, a way to drown my sorrows. If only I had tried harder, if only I had been stronger...

So he can go with Green... He'll definitely protect him.

Damn it, you liar! I'm the older brother, and you just left me all alone like this...

I don't believe it, it can't be... it can't be like what Gambino said!!

Gus's eyes were bloodshot, and though he was still trying to be brave, his tears betrayed him and mingled with the soil.

I will desperately become stronger, save up enough money and equipment to find you, I definitely will...!!

Gambino watched Guts break down in tears without offering any words of comfort, simply watching him vent his emotions.

...People always have to accept loss.

...whether they are comrades-in-arms or family members.

Gambino spoke slowly and coldly: "Boy, tears are useless in war. Only the strong survive. Once you die, you have nothing. Everything you want to do can only go to your grave."

Guts gritted his teeth and responded to Gambino's words with a stubborn look in his eyes.

"...Hey, why are you looking at me like that again? It's getting dark, hurry up and cook, we have to leave."

Gambino urged him on, then turned and left, as he still needed to prepare for tonight's march.

Gus wiped the tears and dirt from his face, suppressing his resentment and anger for the time being, and replied in a muffled voice, "Understood."

—Northwestern edge of the Dordorey Mountains—

"Jacob, go and buy me some cooked lamb chops and ale." A dark-haired boy lay in a private room of the tavern, legs crossed, looking at a map while giving orders to the knight outside the door.

"Yes, Your Excellency." The knight named Jacob accepted the order and left.

It had been some time since he left the village, and Green planned to rest at a tavern in the town of Juda.

"Derion, have you found out where the Fierce Bear Gang is?"

Derian hurried into the room, knelt on one knee, and said with a serious expression, "Your Excellency, I have heard that they are reportedly acting as mercenaries for Duke Juda Landon in a territorial dispute with Heron."

"How much longer until we reach Langdon's direct territory?"

Derian lowered his head and pondered for a moment before respectfully replying, "Your Excellency, based on the current estimated journey, if we travel at full speed, we should be able to reach the Duke of Langdon's direct territory in about three more days. However, there is a section of rugged mountain road along the way, which may cause some delays."

"Alright, let's get our supplies ready and head out." Green stretched, ready to rest.

"However... Your Excellency, the area we are about to pass through may be experiencing an increase in banditry and be affected by war in the near future, so the safety level of the trip is high."

Green's lips curled into a slight smile; business was on the horizon.

“Isn’t this what we do, Mr. Delian?”

Derian paused for a moment, then understood what Green meant, and gave a wry smile: "Your Excellency, our main task is to find the Fierce Bear Gang. Getting involved in these troublesome conflicts will probably delay our journey."

Green waved his hand dismissively: "What's there to be afraid of? Taking care of these bandits while we're at it might even earn us a favor with Duke Langdon, which would be more helpful in finding the Fierce Bear Gang."

Seeing that Green had made up his mind, Derian didn't try to persuade him any further. He simply began to silently check the weapons and equipment, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.

Looking at his upgraded system panel, Green suddenly felt like he was playing a high-level game. He still didn't fully understand all the options. He had also exchanged for these two knights using knight essences he had accumulated in his inventory.

It seems like the golden finger has just arrived. Green suddenly had a feeling that he was no longer without the ability to stand firm in this chaotic world.

...He will surely return like lightning and conquer the world!

"Hahaha..."

Green was laughing so hard he was practically bubbling over as he fantasized in his head.

However, to support a large enough army, you need money and food!

Once he found Gus, he started trading.

Sigh, these two knights are handsome and incredibly strong, but their weekly wage of 96 dinars is just too much!

...This is just a knight's weekly expenses; 6 silver coins per week is quite expensive.

“...Sigh.” Green sighed in distress. This was truly an expensive job; without a stable income and livelihood, it would be impossible to make a living.

Fortunately, he had saved up some money from his previous campaigns with Trunks and the others against the Serpent Cult, plus the extra income he earned from his business.

Over the past two years, I've accumulated a whopping 70,000 dinars, which is roughly equivalent to 200 gold coins here. It's just that the system's exchange rate tax is a real rip-off...

In short, after eating and drinking his fill, Green lay down, because one needs to rest well in order to have the energy to continue the journey.