Berserk Chapter: 281

[Armisael]

Yeah, Miura took the politics in the old arc quite a long way because it wasnt as simple as Griffith running around and winning fights and suddenly becoming King. Griffith was in fact quite far from being a King then and he is now as well. He now has a princess of a country that is overrun by a foreign nation so her value isnt too good until he can erase the presence of the Kushan completely from Midland and reestablish her as Queen, and THEN try to keep his sword sheathed this time, or atleast long enough to get married, if you know what I mean.

Thanks EG for the new chapter, God bless you guys and your hard work

[inkthinker]

I kinda figure it's inevitable, though... Guts will return to a Midland where Griffith is a beloved saviour, and if not King then Emperor.

[Grahf]

I kinda figure it's inevitable, though... Guts will return to a Midland where Griffith is a beloved saviour, and if not King then Emperor.

I never really looked at the emperor aspect of it. Though I really doubt thats what he wants. Now that I remember when that one kid (the knight that's always with that one girl) just couldn't control himself and he kneeled before Griffith? Though that might just fall in line with him being an emperor.

[EnglishJim]

In Midland he'll be classed as King, I think. Still, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves, this battle ain't over yet! Really though, considering how much build-up there was leading up to this, it'd be a bit anticlimactic if it was over so soon, don't ya think?

Ganishka must have known that the Hawks were going to intervene, so I expect he had something planned for when they actually do. Honestly, I can't see Ganishka winning, but I hope he ain't gonna let this be a total walkover, which is the way it looks now.

Silat still hasn't made his move.

[Gemino]

What do you think Silat is gonna contrib to the Plot? I can speculate that he may try to assassinate the Emperor after being appalled by the Daka creation area that Rakshas showed him.Even with his diesel bodyguards he would prob just get murked very swiftly. I mean his bodyguards look hard and all but how are they gonna match up against the Emperor's henchmen (daka etc.). I dunno Silat just seems real insignificant to me.

[Istvan]

What do you think Silat is gonna contrib to the Plot? I can speculate that he may try to assassinate the Emperor after being appalled by the Daka creation area that Rakshas showed him.Even with his diesel bodyguards he would prob just get murked very swiftly. I mean his bodyguards look hard and all but how are they gonna match up against the Emperor's henchmen (daka etc.). I dunno Silat just seems real insignificant to me.

I'll agree with everything you said, but he must have some role, given how much time Miura has spent building him up. True, the total time is relatively small so far, but it's more then enough to seem to indicate that he's going to play some fairly significant role down the road.

In Midland he'll be classed as King, I think. Still, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves, this battle ain't over yet! Really though, considering how much build-up there was leading up to this, it'd be a bit anticlimactic if it was over so soon, don't ya think?

Ganishka must have known that the Hawks were going to intervene, so I expect he had something planned for when they actually do. Honestly, I can't see Ganishka winning, but I hope he ain't gonna let this be a total walkover, which is the way it looks now.

I agree completely! I'm really looking forward to seeing what the Emperor has planned for his counter attack, how successful it is, and how Griffith is going to deal with it. For the battle to end this easily would just be silly.

On a side note though, I kind of wonder if Midlands alone will be enough for Griffith now? Sure, he still wants a kingdom, but will he be satisfied with just one? Especially one that's as messed up as Midlands is at the moment?

[Sandman]

He must like trying to fix things ... well I wonder how many kingdoms fell to the Kushans after Midland??

[MrFelony]

We didn't see him become an Apostle, and I'm kind of doubtful that he did. What did happen is that after a (Femto inspired) dream, the Pope went off with Mule and the psychic girl (I forget her name) to join Griffith. Obviously, he's going to bless Griffith's cause, giving him the mantel of devine favor.

that was the "or something" lol. I thought he died...so I assumed that it was a chance. though griffith could have healed him or something. I'm not so sure that there will be a whole lot of resistance from the emperor.

we haven't really seen the full extent of his troops, but I doubt he has something that can compare to the apostles, he was recently injured so I'm not sure if he will be able to reform himself. Griffith may just go sassynate his ass ...I think what this might be is to show how overpowering Griffith is and be almost like God stepping down and crushing the Kushan himself. It'd be a little disappointing if there isn't some sort of fight put up, but for plot and expediency wise I wouldn't doubt it.

[Chaos_Wanderer]

Griffith is after the perfect kingdom. the perfect kingdom is never war with its neighbors. So I suppose if Griffith made all the countries and not just Midland 1 kingdom, there would be no one left to be at war with.
But thats after he defeats the Kushan of course.

[EnglishJim]

What do you think Silat is gonna contrib to the Plot? I can speculate that he may try to assassinate the Emperor after being appalled by the Daka creation area that Rakshas showed him.Even with his diesel bodyguards he would prob just get murked very swiftly. I mean his bodyguards look hard and all but how are they gonna match up against the Emperor's henchmen (daka etc.). I dunno Silat just seems real insignificant to me.

Then ask yourself, why did Rakshas show Silat the Daka creation? Why does he want Silat to know just how terrible the emperor is? It could be that Griffith is using Rakshas to turn Silat away from the Kushan, possibly to join the Hawks. Once Ganishka is killed, Griffith would use the Bakiraka's influence in the Kushan to claim the emperor's throne for himself. It's a long shot, I know, and the only thing I base this on is the fact that Rakshas hasn't killed Silat when he's had ample opportunities. Just speculating, but going off recent chapters it's likely Silat has something planned.

[Gemino]

I see what you mean. Griffith is manipulating every one who is closest to Royalty to achieve his dream. Kind of off topic but, remember when Silat said that he recalled seeing Gutts before, after he razed the Kushan men that attacked him. I wonder when did this encounter take place that he is referring too.

[Grahf]

At the tourney right after Gats left the hawks. And he saved Caska from him during the raid on the Hawks following the Tourney.

[newbified]

Yeah, as Grahf said Silat was Gutts opponent for the close combat tournament that he cut in on after leaving the Hawks, while living with Godo and Erica.

Silat also led the attack on the Band of the Hawk led by Casca while they were on the run from the Midland army. Gutts fought him there as well and once again beat him. I believe he equated Silats fighting style to that of some sort of Jester/clown.

Seeing as Griffith has the Pope now heading to his camp, after clearly having a vision of a Hawk saving Midland, the Pope will most likely endorse his "crusade" and Griffith will once again become the saviour of Midland.

With the King now dead, and his daughter being the only remnant of his bloodline (after the Queens death by Griffiths hand) and her being so strongly attached to Griffith, it's a very real opportunity for him to become King of Midland itself. Which is the same reason that Ganishka sought to create an heir with her in order to gain control of Midland without continuing the war itself.

If you believe that Griffith is trying to gain control of more than just Midland itself, I'm sure some connections could probably be drawn between himself and Gaiseric. Although I somehow can't see God Hand destroying his kingdom.

[hadi]

and let the battle begin!!

[Istvan]

we haven't really seen the full extent of his troops, but I doubt he has something that can compare to the apostles, he was recently injured so I'm not sure if he will be able to reform himself. Griffith may just go sassynate his ass ...I think what this might be is to show how overpowering Griffith is and be almost like God stepping down and crushing the Kushan himself. It'd be a little disappointing if there isn't some sort of fight put up, but for plot and expediency wise I wouldn't doubt it.

I'd disagree. He needs to win this battle, of course, and be seen as a savior, but he can't afford to utterly defeat the Kushans yet. Because after this, to achieve his goal, he needs to be made the warleader for all the armies opposing the Kushans, or at least be a very influential voice in them. For this to occur, he needs for there to be a continuing threat from the Kushans to fight against. It's like in the Golden Age, when he worked his way up the ranks by continually winning. Right now he's just a mercenary captain (albeit a brilliant and admired one), so there would be a lot of resistence to his marrying the princess. If he can be seen to lead the allied forces to a great victory over the Kushans, after saving them from certain destruction, that will probably change (especially if the Pope can declare the war against the Kushans a holy war, and Griffith as God's chosen warrior to lead them). But all of this requires that there be at least a few more battles. I really don't think it will end just yet.

[Chaos_Wanderer]

A possible twist for Silat may be becoming an apostle. He seems ambitious enough, and he wants something. Freedom for his people. It could also give him the opportunity to be relevant to the story again.

[Armisael]

A possible twist for Silat may be becoming an apostle. He seems ambitious enough, and he wants something. Freedom for his people. It could also give him the opportunity to be relevant to the story again.

Thats a cool thought. Clearly his cronies are strong...but not that strong..not enough to make much of a difference. However, as a sacrifice perhaps? Its a thought haha, but somehow I dont think Silatts buddies mean as much as, say, your army...or your wife and daughter..but who knows?

[Dominion]

BOOYAKA
once more for the team!
appreciated/ domo

[EnglishJim]

A possible twist for Silat may be becoming an apostle. He seems ambitious enough, and he wants something. Freedom for his people. It could also give him the opportunity to be relevant to the story again.

Thats a cool thought. Clearly his cronies are strong...but not that strong..not enough to make much of a difference. However, as a sacrifice perhaps? Its a thought haha, but somehow I dont think Silatts buddies mean as much as, say, your army...or your wife and daughter..but who knows?

I think they do. As far as we know, there is nothing more dear to him than his clan, and to offer the them up as a sacrifice would contradict everything he's been trying to do up until now.

But yeah, Silat would make a badass apostle; he'd be up there with the likes of Locus, I reckon.

[Gemino]

Ishidiro becoming an Apostle to reach his Greatest Swordsmans dream would be more entertaining then Silat.

I can't see Berserk ending anytime soon. I mean we don't even know the other members of God Hand's stories.

[Istvan]

A possible twist for Silat may be becoming an apostle. He seems ambitious enough, and he wants something. Freedom for his people. It could also give him the opportunity to be relevant to the story again.

One problem with that idea is that the God's Hand always show up at the point that the individual's dream comes crashing down, so the only way they have left to obtain it is from them. Since his dream appears to be obtaining welfare for his clan, if the dream was utterly destroyed (a.k.a. them being destroyed) who would he have left that he valued to sacrifice? And how would the sacrifice save his dream? It doesn't seem to work for me. But who knows, Miura has thrown twists before, so we'll have to wait and see.

[42ndEndOfTheWorld]

Then ask yourself, why did Rakshas show Silat the Daka creation? Why does he want Silat to know just how terrible the emperor is? It could be that Griffith is using Rakshas to turn Silat away from the Kushan, possibly to join the Hawks. Once Ganishka is killed, Griffith would use the Bakiraka's influence in the Kushan to claim the emperor's throne for himself. It's a long shot, I know, and the only thing I base this on is the fact that Rakshas hasn't killed Silat when he's had ample opportunities. Just speculating, but going off recent chapters it's likely Silat has something planned.

Yes, that's one of the possible interpretations, and a very good one. Another possibility, although a bit implausible one, is that Rakshas did it without Griffith's knowledge. Remember him telling Griffith that he will one day claim his head. If Silat already sees Griffith as a monster after what happened in the tower of rebirth, then maybe Rakshas is trying to turn Silat against both Griffith and Ganishka. I know that right now this all makes little sense, since Rakshas has no way of supporting Silat's clan, but we still don't know everything.

Silat is rather cool and I hate post-eclipse Griffith (although I really respect the old one) so I hope that Silat won't become one of his pawns.

[EnglishJim]

Another possibility, although a bit implausible one, is that Rakshas did it without Griffith's knowledge. Remember him telling Griffith that he will one day claim his head. If Silat already sees Griffith as a monster after what happened in the tower of rebirth, then maybe Rakshas is trying to turn Silat against both Griffith and Ganishka. I know that right now this all makes little sense, since Rakshas has no way of supporting Silat's clan, but we still don't know everything.

Like, why was he exiled? What does that mask represent? Just what the Hell is he?

Whatever his goals are he's managed to do one thing, and that is put doubt in the minds of the Bakiraka and in turn weakened the Kushan, if only a little bit. He's weakened their alliance, but not enough to make them change sides, I don't think. Silat won't want his people to be seen as traitors when after all, he's trying to restore the name of his clan, but he shows no love for Ganishka either.

Silat is rather cool and I hate post-eclipse Griffith (although I really respect the old one) so I hope that Silat won't become one of his pawns.

Me too. In the end though, it seems that everything is in the palm of his hand. Even Ganishka; he's just a convenience for Griffith to showcase how much of a saviour he (apparently) is.

[Istvan]

Me too. In the end though, it seems that everything is in the palm of his hand. Even Ganishka; he's just a convenience for Griffith to showcase how much of a saviour he (apparently) is.

Well, we hope that Guts isn't under Griffith's control, and if that's true he may yet succeed in messing up Griffith's plans. It's always possible that from his example Silat will find a third path, other then following Griffith or the Emperor. I really hope he doesn't end up on Griffith's side (Griffith frankly has enough power on his side already). He's just too cool for me to want Guts to have to kill him.

[Grahf]

Doesn't Matter because in the end I think it will be everyone vs. godhand somehow.