Berserk: The Prophet

Winter came earlier than usual this year. Farmers had just harvested their crops less than a month ago when a sudden heavy snowfall struck.

For the time being, Midland and Judas will not be able to fight any large-scale battles; they can only wait until the weather warms up next year.

Green and his party traded along the border between Midland and Juda. This winter, many people froze and starved to death again, so Green dared not trade grain when his guards were few.

Speaking of the free card draw for completing the mission last time, it finally made Grinio angry, and he drew ten Pendor Black Armor Archers, which can be considered as replenishing his powerful ranged troops.

However, the journey from Midland to Judas was not smooth. Although there had been no large-scale battles yet, there were quite a few small-scale border wars.

...Coldness is always accompanied by hunger.

The number of pedestrians and caravans along the way has decreased, as people prefer to stay at home during this season.

Through telepathy, Green learned that Dui and Leyton had arrived in the Juda region to sell wool, leather, and dyes to the Baldian region.

My income over the past three months has been quite considerable; I've already earned more than twenty gold coins and have even started tinkering with some of Baldian's spices to sell to Juda.

For Green, everything is moving in a positive direction.

The snowfall in the Midlands this year is exceptionally heavy, as if foreshadowing a major battle to come. The closer one gets to the border, the stricter the security becomes, and the more rigorous the checks are compared to previous years.

The Judas spies have already taught them a lesson, and now they've lost a vast expanse of fertile, water-rich wilderness. The heavily indebted Midland cannot afford another defeat!

Heavy snow has blocked the mountains and the border is heavily guarded. Now, Green and Jacob are heading to the Kingdom of Baldian along the border of Midland. They can only detour into the Juda border from Baldian. They don't know if the members of the Fierce Bear Gang are still making a living there.

In times of limited information transmission, it was always like this: after parting, it was unknown when the reunion would take place. Due to inconvenient transportation and constant warfare, countless people never saw each other again.

Small quantities of grain, salt, and some linen were what Green's caravan carried and sold.

Food always sold out quickly, and there were always many starving people who could only watch others have enough to eat.

Along the way, Green saw far too many starving people. He knew he had no power or way to help them; fate was truly unpredictable.

"Tsk, another snowy day. Looks like I'll have to stay in town for a few more days." Green shook the snow off his cloak; there was a lot more snow piled up on the cargo.

"...We're almost there. Gauga is just ahead." Jacob rode ahead as the caravan leader.

Green looked up and gazed ahead. The heavy snow could not obscure the grandeur of Gauga City, and its impregnable defenses could still be vaguely seen. The town area and the castle area were separated by city walls, which meant that this was at least the territory of an earl.

Green led the caravan slowly into the town, which was deserted, with only a few pedestrians hurrying by wrapped in heavy clothes.

"Halt! Where did you come from?"

The guards at the gate walked up to Green's caravan and looked Jacob, the leader of the group, up and down.

Jacob calmly replied, “We come from Windam in the Midlands and are passing through here on our way to Baldin to do business.”

The soldier looked suspiciously at the caravan's goods and checked their passes. Seeing nothing amiss, he waved them through.

The process was the same old one: after paying the taxes, I entered the city. The people here seemed to be well-nourished.

Green and his companions led their horses slowly through the streets of Gauga City.

The stone-paved road was covered with snow. Horses hooves trod through the snow, and their wheels crunched on the ground. Occasionally, a horse-drawn carriage carrying other merchants would pass by, kicking up clouds of snow.

Most of the shops along the street were closed, with only a few taverns and general stores still lit by dim candlelight, from which faint voices could be heard.

Like most places, the town was only bustling with activity in the taverns and brothels during the winter, with the occasional citizen buying goods and food from the grocery store; the rest of the town was nearly deserted.

After placing the goods in a temporarily rented warehouse, Green decided to go to the tavern to inquire about some information and check in.

The moment you step into the tavern, the strong aroma of ale mixed with the smell of roasting fire hits you, and the noisy chatter suddenly falls silent for a moment before returning to its usual clamor.

Clearly, these men dressed as mercenaries were used to unfamiliar faces.

"Bring me a jug of ale." Green slapped the copper coin on the greasy wooden table, glancing out of the corner of his eye at several men in faded Midland uniforms huddled together in the corner, talking in hushed tones.

He casually approached, holding a wine glass, and happened to hear the words "Fierce Bear Gang".

"During this internal strife in Juda, the Fierce Bear Mercenary Group performed quite well. I heard they received a lot of rewards. Do you know anything about them?" Several unemployed mercenaries walked over and asked.

“I heard they’re in the mountains east of Baldian…” the man took a big gulp of wine, “but that area is now a no-man’s-land, with more jackals and bandits than deer.”

"Yes, I heard that there has been another peasant uprising in Baldine recently, and the criminals and slaves exiled to Landil have also rioted, even executing the warden of the Great Prison."

"This way, we mercenaries will have work to do again."

"That's right, those nobles will definitely spend a lot of money to defend their territory... and suppress riots."

While the mercenaries and Midland veterans were chatting, Jacob and his group arrived at the tavern. Green ordered a number of dishes and beer per person.

Jacob remained seated for a moment before receiving instructions from Green to inquire about the whereabouts of the Fierce Bear Regiment, which the veteran had mentioned.

"...This drink is on me. I just heard you mention the Fierce Bear Gang. How are they doing now? Do you have any specific information about their whereabouts?"

"Hehe, the Fierce Bear Gang is quite famous now. In that case... to be honest, I learned about it from a mercenary. Although the Fierce Bear Gang has a reputation, the mercenary captain has changed. I think his name is something like North."

"...That mercenary captain, what was his name again? He's a cripple now."

"The rebels in Baldyn have only been stirring up trouble for a short time, and it's obvious to everyone that Juda and Midland are about to go to war again. Most mercenary groups are busy preparing for the Hundred Years' War."

"To be honest, the new leader of the Fierce Bear Regiment is strange. The reason for the peasant uprising in Baldian was simply because they were so poor they couldn't afford to eat. Even if they won, there wouldn't be much to gain..."

The man being questioned, having received a free glass of ale, answered all his questions readily, but Green frowned.

...Is Gambino no longer the leader of the mercenary group?

...It looks like I need to get back as soon as possible.

"...Judging from your attire, you don't seem like mercenaries looking to join us. Why are you asking about the Fierce Bear Gang?" The Midland veteran looked Jacob up and down.

Even though it wasn't working hours, anyone would be curious about why a tall, burly man dressed as a businessman would inquire about the whereabouts of a mercenary group.

“My brother works for that mercenary group. I just wanted to stop by and check on my family,” Jacob replied calmly.

"Oh I got it."