Berserk: The Prophet

......

As night fell, Green and Jacob arrived at an unnamed village. Like the southern fortress, it was surrounded by hills, where only a few meager crops could be grown.

Compared to most parts of Juda, this relatively barren land is planted with common crops such as rye, oats, and barley.

There are very few cash crops; only sparse flax and a small amount of cabbage, onions, and peas grown by a few households.

"Let's put our equipment away first; going in wearing armor will draw attention."

"Yes, my lord."

Jacob packed his armor into a packhorse's trunk, while Green simply stored the armor and other items into his spatial storage, leaving only a captured sword.

"Let's go in. I wonder if there's anywhere to rest here." After getting ready, the two led their horses slowly into the village.

As soon as you step into the village, a smell mixed with cooking smoke and animal manure hits you.

The houses in the village are scattered and built with rough stones and thatch, appearing dilapidated and simple.

On the narrow path, several children dressed in tattered hemp clothes were chasing and playing. When they saw them coming in, they stared at them curiously for a while. After realizing that the newcomers did not seem to have any ill intentions, they continued playing.

However, two thin children ran into an unnamed house in the village. That house was different from others, with blue stone tiles and bricks, a two-story wooden attic, wisps of smoke rising from the chimney, and even a separate vegetable garden, livestock enclosure, and stable.

Green stepped forward and stopped a slightly older-looking child, asking gently, "Is there anywhere nearby where we can stay? We're tired from our journey and would like to find a place to rest for the night."

The child blinked, pointed in the direction of the center of the village and said, "There's an old John's tavern over there. You can drink there and stay there too. The owner of that house is also our village chief."

Green took a small copper coin out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Thanks."

The child's eyes lit up, and after taking the small copper coin, he ran off happily.

The two walked toward the center of the village. Along the way, Green noticed that some villagers looked at them with wariness. After all, in this relatively isolated village, the appearance of unfamiliar faces always attracted attention.

Before long, they arrived at Old John's tavern.

Pushing open the door, a strong smell of malt liquor and a cacophony of voices hit me.

The tavern was packed with people, but surprisingly, everyone inside was wearing loose or tattered armor, and there wasn't a single farmer in the room.

...Wow, it seems they're all deserters.

When Green and Jacob entered, the conversation paused briefly before resuming, though occasionally glances were stolen at them.

Green and Jacob exchanged a glance and quietly found a corner to sit down. Jacob lowered his voice and whispered in Green's ear, "Sir, the situation seems a bit tricky. These deserters gathered here, and I'm afraid they might cause trouble."

Green nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd in the tavern as he secretly considered his options. On the surface, however, he remained calm, beckoning a tavern waiter and ordering two glasses of ale and some simple food.

Just then, a burly man with a face full of scars and half-open armor staggered to his feet, carrying a wine jug in his hand and with a hint of drunkenness in his eyes, and walked straight toward Green and Jacob.

"Hey, where did you two come from? You don't look like ordinary passersby." The big man shouted, his voice exceptionally loud in the tavern, which lowered the already noisy conversation. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen.

Green stood up calmly, meeting the burly man's gaze with composure. "We are just travelers passing through, and we would like to rest here for the night."

The burly man scoffed dismissively, "Who asked you? You little brat, kids shouldn't interrupt adults!"

Green: "......"

Clearly, the burly man completely ignored Green, who still looked like a child, while Jacob's face turned grim. He was about to draw his sword and lash out when Green stopped him.

Jacob's injuries haven't healed yet, and his equipment is on his packhorse, so it's not advisable to clash with this group.

Green suppressed his displeasure, put on a smile again, and said in a calm tone, "Brother, why get angry? We are all travelers. Seeing that you are all from military backgrounds, you must have experienced a lot of life and death on the battlefield. We are just travelers who want to ask for a drink and stay for the night. We will leave first thing tomorrow morning."

The burly man looked them over with suspicion, took another swig of wine, and let out a burp: "Hmph, travelers? These days... who would believe that? Right now, Juda has lost a bunch of men in Grant, and the noble lords are fighting tooth and nail over their own interests, treating us like animals and driving us to the battlefield!!"

"Damn it..." the burly man spat out with a sorrowful expression.

"But since you're somewhat sensible, I'll let you off the hook. But let me make this clear: behave yourself tonight. If you dare to ruin our plans, don't blame me for being ruthless!" With that, the burly man patted the large sword at his waist, swayed, and turned to return to his seat.

"..."

The tavern quickly returned to its usual bustling state, with people playing cards, throwing darts for bets, and most drinking and chatting.

Judging from their attire, Green observed that their armor was merely makeshift cotton and leather armor, with very few wearing plate armor, and their weapons were of various kinds. They appeared to be just an ordinary group of conscripts.

"...You know what? My hometown is closer to the capital. Guess what I heard from a tavern back home?"

"...What else could it be but the sordid infighting among these nobles?"

Some rumors reached Green's ears.

"Hey, I heard that our Emperor was almost assassinated!!"

Upon hearing this, Green's ears perked up instantly, and he exchanged a surprised glance with Jacob. He tried to remain calm, turning slightly to the side and pretending to casually continue listening to the conversation around him.

"Really? His Majesty the Emperor is heavily guarded, how could anyone possibly assassinate him?" Another voice asked, full of doubt.

"Absolutely true!" The first person to speak lowered his voice, but his excitement was still palpable. "I heard the assassin was a master, who infiltrated the palace directly. If it weren't for His Majesty's personal guards risking their lives to protect him, he might have met a terrible end!"

"Has the assassin been caught?"

"I don't know. I only heard it from a merchant from the capital in the tavern. But it is said that because of this incident, the entire capital is under martial law, and the nobles have begun to suspect each other, each suspecting that the other did it."

Green pondered to himself that the emperor's assassination was no small matter; it might conceal a much larger conspiracy. If the news was true, Juda's situation would likely become even more volatile.