Berserk: The Prophet

Jacob leaned closer and whispered, "Sir, if this news is true, we'll have to be much more careful on our journey. All the factions will definitely be fighting each other openly and secretly because of this, and there will be danger everywhere."

"...Hmm, but I'm more curious about who would have the guts to do that." Green subconsciously thought of the man who always used vicious schemes to carry out assassinations.

Although he felt that Cardi's chances of survival were slim, Green, who was familiar with his methods, couldn't help but think of him.

After finishing their meal, Green and Jacob paid Old John. "Boss, we'd like to stay here for the night."

Old John was a well-built, middle-aged man with a full beard. He sized up Green and Jacob with his sharp eyes and slowly said, "Alright, 20 copper coins per person per night, and the stable horse management fee is 2 copper coins per day."

Green readily pulled out a few copper coins and handed them to old John. "Thank you, boss. I'll stay for one night."

“Come with me, there’s nowhere to stay at the tavern right now.” Old John led Green and Jacob to a villager’s house to ask for lodging.

After speaking with the people in the room, Old John ordered that a dry straw mat and a woolen blanket pillow be brought in.

"You two can make do here for the night. I am the village chief, and I have already spoken to them."

After thanking old John, Green and Jacob went into the somewhat cramped room.

It was more like a warehouse for storing firewood and hay than a house. A faint smell of hay permeated the room, and the dirt floor was fairly clean.

After settling in, Jacob couldn't help but complain, "This village looks poor, but the accommodation isn't cheap."

Green chuckled softly: "In times of war and chaos, it's good enough to have a safe place to settle down."

As he spoke, he walked to the window and looked out at the dark night through the blurry window paper, where the distant noise of a tavern could be faintly heard.

"Tonight is probably not going to be peaceful. Let's bring our equipment and luggage inside."

"Understood, my lord."

......

—Fortress on the southern side of the Dordore Mountains—

After a night of fierce fighting, the knights had already retreated. Although there were many casualties, fortunately, they were all insignificant people.

Although the surprise attack caught them off guard, everyone reacted quickly. The horses that were running around in all directions also hindered the knights' progress. The provisions carried by the army were still there, and even the siege weapons were undamaged.

...However, it seems we need to send people to find the horses that have run away.

Gambino spat, and the morale that had been raised so hard plummeted again.

Having just finished counting the dead and wounded, Guts approached Gambino with his blood-stained greatsword. His eyes were cold and indifferent as he looked at Gambino as if he were an enemy, without uttering a word.

"Oh, it hurts so much."

Gambino touched the slash wound on his shoulder, grimacing as he tore open the clean fabric with his teeth to bandage it.

"Is that Guts? Hurry up and start a fire to cook, and also feed the horses."

Gambino clearly heard familiar footsteps behind him.

...The little devil is lucky; it's to be expected that he didn't die.

However, the child behind him remained unresponsive and made no sound of moving. Gambino turned around and saw Guts's suspicious and hostile gaze, the greatsword still in his hand.

"...What is it? Want to practice swordsmanship so early in the morning?"

"I'm sorry, I was injured in last night's fight!! My shoulder shouldn't be moved."

"If you want to practice swordsmanship, find someone else! I have a lot of things to take care of." Gan Bi Nuo brushed it off with a few words, quickly bandaged his wound, and walked away.

Young Guts was stunned. Did Gambino not know... about yesterday's events?

"Hurry up and get to work, we'll be leaving soon."

Before Burgess could ponder the reason, Gambino's urging voice came over.

“...Gambino…” Guts’s eyes softened. He wanted to press Guts about whether Guts had betrayed him, but…

"Ugh?" Gambino scratched his head impatiently and glanced back at Guts.

"......" "...nothing."

Seeing Gambino's impatient look, Guts hesitated to ask and watched Gambino leave.

...Do not trust Gambino.

Gus recalled the words Green had left behind.

The answer seems obvious, but... why is the truth so...?

"........."

Gus's expression gradually became unacceptable, and he angrily smashed the wooden barrel next to him.

............

As night deepened, the barking of dogs in the village gradually subsided, the bonfire at the village entrance flickered in the wind, and the liveliness of the tavern gradually faded away, the deserters already completely drunk.

Green lay on the haystack, his eyes fixed on the crack in the roof. He had taken a short nap after a long day of exhaustion.

Jacob sat to one side, carefully wiping his sword, the firelight casting flickering shadows on his face.

Tonight, the two of them should take turns on guard duty. This village is not far from the main battlefield of the southern fortress. With so many deserters gathered here, there is a high probability that the nobles will find this place.

"My lord, who do you think would dare to assassinate the emperor?" Jacob voiced his question; this continent was truly different from his hometown.

"...I think if that person isn't dead, it must be his doing again." Green recalled the man whose eyes were as dark as a hawk's, but whose methods were as venomous as a snake.

Green did not examine his body at the time, but it is certain that... he was indeed burned by his own flames.

Just then, the previously noisy cicada chirping became eerily quiet.

"...They're here."

As soon as Green finished speaking, a series of light footsteps came from outside the house. The rustling of armor and chains swaying with each step was impossible to conceal.

The deserters in the tavern couldn't hear anything, because they were either drunk or making a lot of noise.

Jacob extinguished the oil lamp instantly, held his sword across his chest, the blade gleaming coldly in the darkness. Green also rolled to his feet, silently pressing himself against the wall, ready to escape along the path he had previously scouted if things went wrong.

The nighttime raid caught even the village patrolmen off guard, who were already resting and had no time to react.

These people are here to hunt down deserters.

...At least for now.

They surrounded the tavern, and the centurion in charge sent soldiers to arrest people.

Soon, chaos erupted in the tavern, with sounds of clashing swords filling the air.

It looks like someone has started to rebel.

Suddenly, a deserter burst out of the tavern's back door, running straight towards the room where Green and Jacob were. The centurion immediately ordered, "Chase after him! Don't let him get away!"

A group of soldiers followed after them.

Green and Jacob exchanged a glance; trouble was brewing.