In this world...
Is the destiny of mankind controlled by some transcendental entity or law?
Is it like the hand of God hovering above?
At least it is true...
...that man has no control, even over his own will.
Feel no shame about shape.
Weather changes their phrase.
Even mother will show you another way.
So put your glasses on.
Nothing will be wrong.
There's no blame. There's no fame.
It's up to you.
The first words should be found.
Whatever holds you back.
I...
...can...
I can get it off.
Tell me what...
Tell me what you want.
I don't know why...
Don't know why...
Don't know why you're afraid.
Tell me what...
Tell me what you'd say.
I don't know why...
Don't know why...
Too late...
It's too late.
The Band of the Hawk
Charge!
Off with the general's head!
Win all the prizes you desire!
B-Bazuso!
The Gray Knight, Bazuso!
As long as I stand here, no one will be able to pass!
Who else wants to feel the blade of my axe against their neck?
Is he the Bazuso who is known for slaying thirty men at once?
And for killing bears?
Quit your dawdling!
Defeat him and earn the bounty!
He's talking nonsense.
We're just mercenaries.
Try doing it yourself!
Who's that?
Hey, he's still a kid.
And look at that sword...
Is the brat really going to swing such a huge blade?
He's inexperienced...
The sword's just for looks!
He'll be killed off!
Do you really want to fight with me?
You've got some balls, kid.
But, you're going to regret it...
...when I chop your head off with my axe!
Either way...
...it's pathetic that a rookie like you is allowed to fight on the battlefield...
There seems to be a serious shortage of soldiers in your army.
Or are all the men cowards, hiding behind a kid?
W-What speed!
And his strength!
Look, Bazuso is being forced back!
W-Wait...
N-Now!
Everyone charge at once!
I didn't know our opponents had a warrior with such amazing skills.
Is he a mercenary or something?
Wondering if he's stronger than you?
Fool, our leader is on a different level.
Right, Griffith?
Evacuate this fort.
All right.
We held this castle for three months, not the three days they expected.
And we helped the fief lord escape...
We did the amount of work we were paid for.
Here's your reward for the battle.
Check the amount.
I must say I was very impressed.
Even if it was just a fluke, a rookie like you defeated Bazuso...
Well, it's truly unbelievable.
Would you consider serving me regularly?
Your salary could be tripled.
I would even promote you to a ranked warrior, if you want.
Don't you think that's a deal a mere mercenary could never resist?
Don't you?
Our contract expired today.
It looks like the fighting is over around here.
Wait a minute...
I will secure your position and income as well.
You won't need to put yourself in danger as a grunt during the war...
Hands off!
But...
Don't ever touch me!
Hey...
Someone's coming!
What?
Hey!
Hey, isn't he the guy who beat Bazuso?
What's he doing around here?
He's the enemy. What do we do?
It doesn't matter. We're finished fighting, right?
But I'm sure his coin purse is bulging.
He got plenty of reward money for defeating Bazuso.
What now, Griffith?
Do what you like.
Okay, guys, come with me!
What?
What's so funny, Casca?
You can't possibly beat him.
That's what you say, but...
I was planning to beat Bazuso and become famous.
I won't just stand here and let some humble wanderer...
...steal my thunder like that!
You'll die...
You'll see what happens.
Oh boy, Corkus...
Griffith, is it all right to leave this up to him?
Just my imagination?
Thieves?
Dan, get him!
Got it!
T-This guy's too strong...
Look, that guy beat Dan and Earl!
Damn it!
What are they doing?
Corkus lost his nerve, even though he brought all this on!
See, I told you so.
Casca...
You better help him.
W-Wait a minute!
Are you kidding?
It's Corkus's fault!
Okay, I'll do it...
Hey, Riguel, you go next!
W-Why should I?
Casca...
Y-You're backing me up?
It's not for you.
It was Griffith's order.
Get back...
It's a girl!
You bastard!
Hey, look.
Casca's being driven into a corner.
No one except Griffith has ever beaten Casca!
His skill...
And his strength...
I'm going to die!
Griffith!
Griffith?
Be careful! He's tough!
Will you put away your sword?
I see...
What?
Too quick!
Amazing!
In one strike...
Oh, what an idiot!
He's no match for Griffith in single combat!
Corkus!
You are the one at fault because you brought this on!
S-Sorry.
Y-You...
Stand back, Casca.
Griffith!
Gambino!
Gambino, help me!
My sword is no use against this thing!
Gambino?
Don't talk nonsense.
Don't you remember?
I am no longer living in your world.
You ran a sword through my body...
I was in agony...
...and then I died.
Gambino!
Please listen! I was...
Help me, Gambino!
You were the one who deserved to die.
You should have died.
Forgive me!
Gambino!
Please!
Don't touch me...
Please don't touch me...
Don't touch me...
Who is this?
A woman?
Black eyes...
Where am I?
A mercenary band?
They look kind of young...
That guy...
Black eyes...
You...
...should have been killed by Griffith back there!
That was no surprise...
Casca gave up womanhood long ago and lived her life as a mercenary.
She's far more skilled than the rest of us are...
It's particularly shocking to her...
...that Griffith gave her the order to lie down by you for two days...
...and warm your icy body...
...since you were shivering from the heavy bleeding.
"It's a woman's duty to warm a man," he said.
Did she punch you out of bed?
I am Griffith.
Your name?
Guts...
Such a great sword...
I couldn't use it.
Will you follow me?
Who are they...
...these guys with an unpleasant look in their eyes?
The Band of the Hawk.
The Band of the Hawk?
Ever hear of us?
I've heard only rumors...
The Band of the Hawk...
The mercenary company you least want to meet on the battlefield...
Thanks to them, that castle siege lasted for three months...
...even though it was predicted to end in three days.
After all that, I never figured that they were just these kids.
What on Earth is Griffith up to, sparing that punk's life?
I assume he wants that man to join us.
We saw with our own eyes how powerful he is.
I'm sure he is going to be a fine addition to our army.
Don't be ridiculous, Rickert!
He cut off Earl's arm and sent Dan to his death!
The bastard killed our guys. I can't pretend that didn't happen!
Right, Pippin?
Isn't this a nice view?
Why?
You could have stabbed me through the heart back there.
It would have been simple for you.
Why didn't you kill me?
I desire to have you as my soldier.
Guts...
I observed the duel between you and Bazuso at the castle.
That was a superb fight...
However...
...it was quite close...
If Bazuso's axe had not been cracked...
...the weapon would have decapitated you.
Maybe.
You're honest.
Judging by your way of fighting...
...it seems you always put your life at risk.
Even against monsters like Bazuso...
...or great numbers like Corkus's men, you don't yield an inch.
On the contrary, you recklessly challenge them with your sword.
You are brave, but...
I believe you purposefully put your life in danger and seek the meaning...
...of your existence by battling to preserve it.
That's what I felt...
You're interesting.
I find you very much to my liking.
I want you to join us, Guts!
What is this...
He...
Why is he telling me this?
If I say no?
You won't?
Of course not. I refuse!
Don't talk as if you know so much!
What do you know about me?
We've never talked before. How could you know anything about me?
I don't know much about you...
I just have a feeling about this...
You lousy...
Acting so friendly after you stabbed me!
It's you who started the fight!
I am definitely not going to forget about this!
I don't expect you to forget about what I did either, killing your guys!
You and I are obviously enemies...
What do you want?
Well, that's simple...
To settle things with our swords.
When I win, I'll make a hole in your chest just like this one!
What if I win?
Do whatever you want with me!
All right...
I rather enjoy settling things by force...
Griffith!
Leave us alone, Casca.
B-But...
No matter what, I will have what I want.
I've had enough of you acting so stuck up...
It makes me sick!
Looking back, the morning comes.
Don't find your face in your glass.
Take the moonlight by the tail.
It's a rainy sight. You're shading.
What is that?
It's just the same.
What is trying your crown?
I'm spending my glass, walking back.
So wear my glass. You're fading.
I'm waiting so long.
I'm waiting...
Next Episode
The story has begun.
While they are entwined with strings spun by fate...
...the boy cries out, and the girl is stirred by emotion.
"It's you that I want."
He does it for a certain someone...
He does it to survive... That is why the boy wields his sword.
Where will destiny take him?
First Battle