What Happens
The Battle for Doldrey, Chapters 5-6
Despite the paralyzing effect of the poison Casca manages to kill Sir Adon. Outside, Guts finds himself unhorsed, his sword split in two by Boscogn’s pole-axe. Then a large, cleaver-like sword drops from the heavens (thrown from a nearby clifftop by an unseen Zodd). Guts uses it to simultaneously decapitate Boscogn and his horse, and the defenders are thrown into a panic when they see the flag of the Hawks flying from Doldrey’s ramparts.
With Doldrey fallen the Holy Purple Rhino Knights retreat in disarray. Gennon pleads with Griffith, begging him to remember the night they shared together. But Griffith tells Gennon he feels nothing at all for him, he was only a tool to be used and discarded, and kills him. As the Hawks celebrate their victory, Zodd reflects that the time of the Eclipse will soon be at hand as he takes his leave.
Triumphant Return
In Windham, a small group of officials, including Minister Foss, are plotting the demise of Griffith, seeing him as a threat to their authority and status as nobles. They are backed by the Queen, who was having an affair with Count Julius because of her loveless marriage to the King. Aware of it, Foss planted rumours that Griffith was behind Julius’s assassination. A message arrives for Minister Foss, the sender unknown, and he suddenly turns pale.
The Hawks return to the city to find every street and window packed with cheering citizens. Princess Charlotte tries to get Griffith’s attention as he rides by her balcony, but he doesn’t even react. Her maids are sure he just didn’t hear her in the commotion.
Moment of Glory
At ball held to celebrate the victory the King announces that an armistice with Chuder has been signed. Furthermore, to honor the Hawks for their role in the war, Griffith is to be made a Count and given the rank of General, while the Hawks will be granted the prestigious White Title, making them the White Phoenix Knights, and all their commanders ennobled.
Tombstone of Flame, Chapters 1-2
A toast is called to celebrate the announcement, but Griffith suddenly collapses after taking a sip of wine. The servant who gave him the poisoned goblet tries to make a getaway with his reward, but Guts kills him on the road.
Later that night, Minister Foss tells the other conspirators he received a report that the servant they bribed has been killed, eliminating the only real loose end. After he makes a hasty exit smoke starts to rise through the floorboards, and when the others try to open the door the room bursts into flames. Running to the window, the Queen spots none other than Griffith standing outside.
With an explanation that he had the poison swapped for a paralysis-inducing drug, Griffith leaves the conspirators to burn. A shaken Minister Foss asks him how he found out, and Griffith explains that he didn’t. Rather, Foss’s expression the day Griffith left for the last campaign was enough to give his intentions away; Griffith simply used him from there. But since Foss played his part Griffith releases his daughter, and after he gives the kidnappers their reward Guts kills them. Griffith seems a little bothered that he keeps asking Guts to do his dirty work, but the latter says he’s just doing what he does best, and isn’t this all part of what Griffith has to do anyway? Griffith asks him again not to reveal this side of him to the others.
One Snowy Night
Chuder hardliners or an unknown third party are blamed for the death of the Queen and conservative ministers, but the truth is never found. A month passes, and winter comes.
One night, Casca sees Guts with a pack slung over his shoulder and realizes he’s really going to leave. As she pleads with him not to a nearby Corkus and Judeau ask him to go with them for some farewell drinks, while Casca runs to get Griffith.
At the bar, Guts explains that he decision is a well-thought-out one. All his life he’d wanted someone to acknowledge him, but he never had that until Griffith. Now that he’s been recognized, he doesn’t want Griffith to look down on him, but at him as an equal, and he can only do that by winning something for himself, the way Griffith has, which means, as much as he loves the Hawks, he has to leave.
Morning of Departure, Chapters 1-3
Corkus is furious that Guts would walk away from something everyone’s worked so hard for, and that he would presume to see himself in any way equal to Griffith. Judeau, although disappointed, offers to see Guts off.
On the way, Judeau tries another approach by asking Guts about his feelings for Casca. Guts insists there’s no way that would ever happen, given her obvious feelings for Griffith. Judeau argues that what she feels for Griffith is different, more like worship than love because of what he did for her, and even if it was love he probably couldn’t reciprocate. With the war over Griffith lacks more chances to shine on the battlefield, so he must now pursue Princess Charlotte, the only person who can help him overcome the last obstacle to his dream.
Leaving town, they see the other main Hawks, including Griffith, who insists that, just like three years ago, the only way he’ll let go of Guts is if he beats him in a fight.
Guts’s conviction in his choice is unwavering, whereas Griffith’s confidence is faltering because of it. It all comes down to one strike…and Guts wins. Griffith falls to his knees in shock while Guts continues on his way, certain his old comrade will pick himself up again.
Commentary
Sorry Griffith, but when Guts wants something, he won’t let anything stand in his way, even you. You know, just like you said someone who’s your equal should do. Except Guts is the last person anyone expected to leave the Hawks, especially Griffith. Until now Guts has been someone who’s needed direction from others, and whose devotion seemingly hasn’t wavered even after seeing Griffith’s ruthless side.
Problem is, that’s exactly the side of him that Guts doesn’t like. What he’s done for Griffith isn’t in his nature. He’s only ever killed out of malice once that we know of (Donovan); the rest has been either self defense (Gambino) or on the battlefield (everything else). And he’s done all of that himself, rather than using someone else. He isn’t keeping others in the dark about it either. At the ball he reflects that “the rest of the Hawks don’t have a clue what’s in the works here tonight. Ain’t that a little cruel, Griffith?” In other words, he’s uncomfortable with the way Griffith does things. He prefers to deal with his enemies head-on and himself, rather than using others for his own ends. When coupled with Zodd’s warning that Griffith is dangerous to be around (he’s certainly dangerous to cross), things have slowly evolved from being suspicious of Griffith to realizing he doesn’t want to be around him anymore.
It’s not that he doesn’t respect Griffith; he’s definitely sincere when he says Griffith is “the only one I can’t stand looking down on me.” Thanks to the Hawks he was able to look beyond himself, make friends for the first time, and realize he can aim for something greater than the next battlefield. That’s Griffith’s doing, and he’s grateful for it, so he’s stuck with him as long as he feels he can be useful. But with the war over, he’s now outside his comfort zone, and that means striking out on his own. All things considered, it’s possible he might’ve done that anyway since he’s likely a very poor fit for court life. But in the end Griffith is still the deciding factor.
What’s unusual about the whole thing is that he’s not the only one who knows there’s more to Griffith. Casca heard his speech about people and dreams as well, but it hasn’t changed anything. The only thing that’s different between now and then are her feelings for Guts. Yeah, she’s totally upset about him leaving just because they’re “comrades who’ve braved death together.” Yes, it’s that too, but with everything he’s done for her it’s hard to believe that’s the only reason. And for someone who only thinks of her as a comrade, Guts sure got flustered when Judeau brought up the subject. But Judeau seems to be the only one who’s really noticed it, at least for what it is.
But that’s not the only thing he’s noticed. It hasn’t escaped his attention that all of Griffith’s main enemies are conveniently dead, or that his ticket to the throne is completely infatuated with him. He may not have any direct proof, but I find it hard to believe he isn’t convinced Griffith was behind the former and deliberately engineering the latter (he outright says he suspects as much). But like Casca, it hasn’t changed anything.
These chapters really bring out the contrast between Guts and the other Hawks. Most of them had nothing before Griffith, and lack any special talents of their own; they need someone great in order to really achieve something. Guts doesn’t have much either, but he does have something he’s better at than most anyone else, and that’s the other reason he alone is able to walk away from the Hawks. Corkus may think his goal is unrealistic, but he’s actually describing him very well by saying that “normal people use their own strengths and talents to come to terms with their real lives and make do the best they can.” That’s exactly what he’s doing. And we know we will find a goal eventually, although it’s probably not what he had in mind.
On an unrelated note, I nominate this volume for Worst Berserk Cover. Seriously, what’s up with Griffith’s hair?
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