In the prophecies of the Apocalypse preserved for countless years in the Phaeron's court of this world, there was such a passage: When the sun had fallen for the fifth time, a Red Lake would appear west of the capital of the old and new names. That would be proof of the arrival of the fifth apostle, whose name was the Dark Hawk. He was the master of the sinful Black Sheep and, at the same time, the king of the blind White Sheep.
Most frightening of all, it was said that once he appeared, the world would soon fall into an age of darkness?
Today, guided by the Apocalypse, the knights of the Holy Iron Chain Order under the Phaeron's court had finally found the "Red Lake" recorded in the books. They reined in their horses beside that lake—scarlet and horrifying, littered everywhere with shattered armor, weapons, rotting corpses, and foul miasma, its waters stained reddish-brown with blood who knew how long ago.
That was right!
This was the place where Griffith had sacrificed Guts and the Band of the Hawk, causing him to bear that Brand, driving Casca insane, and sending all his companions into the mouths of demons!
"This blasted place?"
"It reeks!"
Unable to bear the sight before him, one of the Holy Iron Chain knights, mounted on a tall warhorse clad in a decorated caparison and wearing barding, finally spoke up.
"Vice-Captain Yasan..."
"What are your thoughts on this?"
He first pushed up the visor of his helmet, then impatiently asked the knight beside him, whose armor was equally ornate but whose body was broad and corpulent.
"My thoughts?"
"None. Not a single one!"
Hearing that, another knight beside him—a fat, burly man with a face full of coarse flesh and a large beard—waved his