Guts couldn't help but frown as he listened to Nidhogg's account of the great upheaval that had befallen the Hawk Company after his departure. When Nidhogg finished speaking, he immediately stood up and decided to set out for Windham City at once.
"What are you going to do in Windham City? Go to your death?" Nidhogg casually pressed Guts back into his chair. "Right now, the King hopes that members of the Hawk Company will return. They've set up ambushes."
Erica was serving everyone broth. A fragrant bowl sat before each person. But unlike Godo, who sipped his soup seemingly unconcerned, she would take a sip and then listen intently to their conversation.
"I have to save Griffith."
Guts was somewhat agitated. On one hand, he instinctively thought Griffith had done such an outrageous thing because of his departure. On the other hand, he refused to believe that Griffith could have been shaken so easily.
This is Griffith we're talking about. How could he be so easily unsettled?
Nidhogg shook his head and said:
"You need to think about the Hawk Company first. The King's public statement is that Griffith and the White Phoenix Knights attempted to rebel in Windham City, and the King's army thwarted their plot and captured Griffith."
"The Hawk Company was surrounded and intercepted by the King's army. Thanks to the efforts of Casca and the others, they finally broke through the encirclement. But they probably don't know what's happened."
"I know this because I have my own sources. They must be surrounded, pursued, and hunted, unaware of the situation. I don't know how many are left now, hiding wherever they can, quietly licking their wounds."
Guts also admitted that Nidhogg was right. After thinking it over, he said:
"Then you'll come with me to the Hawk Company. The two of us together can save the Hawk Company. Then we'll have a chance to save Griffith in the future."
"You go." Nidhogg politely declined. "It's not that I'm heartless, but just as I respect your choice, you should respect mine. I need to prepare for the Eclipse."
Guts pressed his lips together and finally nodded. "Fine. We'll split up. I'll find Casca and the others first. We'll meet again eventually."
Now that he knew the Hawk Company's current situation, Guts could no longer stay in the mountains to continue his sword training. His intention to leave was quite firm.
Godo was unfazed, but Erica's eyes reddened.
"Brother Guts is leaving?" Erica was a little sad. Though she often went to the town at the foot of the mountain and met many people, the only ones who truly considered her family were Godo and Guts, who had lived here for a few months.
"Erica..." Guts said firmly, "My comrades are in danger. I have to go back. Don't worry. I'll return here whenever I have the chance, and I'll bring my comrades with me."
Godo also had to put down his bowl and spoon and say, "Erica, Guts is an outsider here. Everyone has their own story. You can't force others to stay in your story just because your stories intersect."
"Don't worry. I don't think Guts is the type to die easily. I'm afraid we'll have many more opportunities to meet this guy in the future."
Guts's and Godo's words gave Erica much hope and anticipation. Her sadness turned to joy, and she smiled through her tears.
At that moment, Nidhogg took out his map and crossbow, placed them before Guts, and said, "Before I left the Hawk Company, I was given gifts. Now I'll pass them on to you."
"This is a map of the Kingdom of Midland, drawn by Casca. The place I'm heading to is already beyond Midland's borders. I don't need this map. But you'll need to search everywhere for them while they're hiding. It will certainly be very useful to you."
"And this crossbow, a gift from Rickert. Take it too. The enemies I'll be facing—a crossbow bolt can no longer easily pierce them. I'll have few chances to use it. Your current enemies are still human. You can use it."
Hearing this from Nidhogg, Guts didn't stand on ceremony. He carefully put them away and said, "I'll set out at dawn. When I find Casca and the others, I'll tell them your news."
"As for the contents of the brand, I..." Before Guts could finish, Nidhogg interrupted him.
"Guts, the Eclipse is a very heavy and dark thing. I believe you can handle it, which is why I told you. But they don't need to know. Not even Casca, Pippin, and Judeau can handle it at your level."
"On the contrary, it's completely unpredictable how they would react to such things. In the end, it might be self-destructive and lead to unpleasant things, like... division and conflict."
"You just need to always be cautious and wait for me to return."
"Alright." Guts thought it over and agreed.
Nidhogg remembered something else. He turned to Godo and said, "Godo, do you have any suitable weapons here that Guts could use?"
Godo was stunned by the question. Then he lowered his head and thought seriously.
Guts waved his hand and said, "The greatsword in my hand is very useful now. It's a new sword Godo forged for me a few months ago. There's no need to change it."
"Well..." Godo said after thinking a bit, "I used to think that way too. I thought your enemies were famous generals, heroes, and powerful foes of the world. This greatsword was enough to deal with them."
"However, listening to what you've said—it's so mysterious, and Nidhogg truly displays inhuman strength—perhaps this greatsword won't be enough. Sooner or later, it will break in battle and fail you."
Godo remembered something. Suddenly, he smiled mysteriously, his beard becoming a bit disheveled. He turned to Guts and asked, "Guts, I don't know if you're interested in killing dragons?"
"Killing dragons?" Guts was puzzled. He didn't understand what Godo meant.
Nidhogg raised his bowl to drink his soup and remained silent.
"Well, I have a dragonslayer sword that I made in my youth." Godo smiled. "It should be my greatest masterpiece. But it's a pity there are no dragons in the world, and no one can wield it. So it's been gathering dust."
Hearing Godo's words, Guts became interested and asked, "You're hiding such a weapon? Where? Show me."
"It's in the corner of the weapon room." Godo said. "Don't worry. Let's finish this broth first. Then it won't be too late to go and have a look. It'll be just in time to digest our food."
A quarter of an hour later, Godo pushed open the wooden door of the forge, revealing the gray area within: the forge, bellows, anvil, quenching barrel, hammers, tongs, chisels, and punches.
There, he took a key and led the group to the adjacent weapon room. He unlocked the door.
Inside the weapon room were several iron racks filled with all kinds of equipment: swords, spears, shields, armor, warhammers, crossbows, and even cannons that had become popular in recent years.
Godo led everyone to the deepest part of the room. In a dark, simple corner, they saw the object of his pride—a giant sword that looked unremarkable.
Nidhogg and Erica had both seen the dragonslayer sword before, so they weren't surprised. Only Guts's eyes were deeply drawn to this giant sword. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
If this is a sword, it's too big. Huge. Wide. Heavy. And very crude. It's just a slab of iron.
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