Berserk 345 summary

stolen from sk.net

The episode title is "Great Gurus".

As they enter the house, Isidro comments on how big it is. Big enough that Schierek's home (the house of the spiritual tree) could fit inside that hall in its entirety. The gurus are playing chess. One says "checkmate" and the other one pretends he needs to leave as an exilir he's brewing must be ready now. They bicker about it: "you're trying to escape like this again!" to which the other replies "it's you who's always escaping, yesterday there was no moon but you talked about a ceremony, I could see right through it!" All the while the third guru is asking their help, Danan, if the meal is ready yet. She replies that they've just had a meal, to which he says "ohhh is that so?"

Upon seeing this, Isidro bluntly asks it is a retirement home. Cucca tells him he's rude, and explains that they are gurus, like Lord Gedflynn, who lead the magicians in this village. She presents them and they each have a specialty associated with their name (see Uriel's post for that). And of course there's Danan, who helps with chores and stuff. She welcomes Puck home and tells him he must have gone through a lot of trouble on his journey. She comments on how journey is supposed to make people grow up... but that with him it seems it's not the case, although he did get fatter. Then she's off to make tea.

Guts speaks up: "Sorry but can I meet the king of elves, the King of the Flower Storm, before that?" Schierke utters his name... Guts goes on: "We... I have something to ask him. I've come here with only that in mind. The one I've wanted to meet so much is just in front of me, please understand." Ged replies that he understands Guts is in a hurry, but urges him to take it easy for now, as a guest. He adds that although he's the king of elves, he won't disappear while they drink a cup of tea. Guts wants to insist, but Ged adds that "if you rush to him nervously, it might hurt his feelings."

Finally Ged adds that Guts' companions must also be tired from a long journey. Magnifico jumps on the occasion to say that yes, he's tired, so can he have his tea? Roderick comments that he never changes. Ged goes on to point out that besides, Guts' companions seem to like Danan's biscuits (as they gorge themselves). The red-nosed guru seems to be an addict himself. Isidro comments that indeed, the food of a witch is awesome. Puck calls it his "soul food" and Ivalera says that it's quite good, though not as much as Flora's biscuits. Guts is unhappy but accepts. Puck, as he's stuffing his face, adds that it's Ok, because the king of the elves isn't the easy type (implying he's not easy to deal with).

On that note, Danan arrives saying the cake is also ready, which prompts everyone to rush to her. Serpico tells Guts that he feels completely spent because the constant tension they've been under is finally eased up. Guts agrees. We cut to the group retelling their adventures. The audience comments "Ohhh trolls and kushan monsters, a ghost ship and a sea god... must have been a really adventurous journey!". Isidro says "oh yeah" and specifies that they had turmoil every goddamn day and incessantly risked their lives. Guts comments that he's exaggerating a bit, but that it's essentially true. Cucca asks Schierke for confirmation and Schierke says yes, and that to be honest she can't even believe they arrived safely, even though it's a bit awkward to say as a magician. Cucca comments that the outside world is horrible. Ivalera says yes, and that without Schierke the group would have been destroyed long ago. Molda says that it's stimulating and sounds interesting, which displeases Cucca.

Ged gets serious and says it's the world the Falcon of Light created through the Blast of the Astral World. "It's really a world of legends that were passed down generation to generation."
Guts seizes the occasion: "That story... can you tell me more about it, old man?" Ged obliges. He asks them: Since that day, have you ever seen "the branches" that scrape the sky?
Isidro replies: Ah, you mean that thing we can see sometimes when the weather's good? Serpico says that at first, he thought it was a strangely shaped cloud... Roderick goes on: "But we can even see it during the day so we use it instead of constellations. To us seamen it's very convenient."

Ged explains that it's the branches of the world tree, the legendary giant tree that is said to connect heaven, earth and the netherworld (land of the dead). Schierke repeats: "the world tree..." Isidro says he's heard of it in some children's tale, but Ged says it's a bit more complicated with the magical analysis. Schierke asks him if he means "the road of dragons"? Ged is delighted. "Ohh, you're really the pupil of Flora, you must have studied much. This is indeed literally piercing deep inside of the astral world and the corporeal world. It's a giant "crack/rupture" that pierces through the world. Note how in that panel where Ged explains it, viewed flatly like that, it does look like a crack. Anyway, Isma asks what he means, and Schierke tells her to think about the den of a mole.

Schierke explains that during full moon nights, people can, rarely, get to pass on a road that connects the real world to the astral world. The small one is called "the road of elves" and it's connected to shallow ponds in the astral world. Sometimes that causes a child to get lost in the forest. Ged picks up: And the bigger one is called "the road of dragons", and is connected to the deep parts of the astral world (We see the Vortex of Souls as a background to that explanation). Ged then addresses Guts directly: The egg at your waist is something to reach to the abyss, that opens the road of dragons. Guts pulls it out and gets reactions from the kids, asking what it is or saying it's ugly, while Isidro jokes that it looks funny. Ged then asks Guts: "Then... is it yours? Or are you just its carrier?"

Guts replies with a reference to Flora: "Ahh those who are magicians... I've heard the same thing in the forest before." Then Puck interjects: "And like I said before, this is mine!" The witches tell him "Wait, isn't that thing dangerous? A cursed, monstrous thing..." Puck tries to convince them otherwise "Look at him carefully, he likes cheese", but without success as they're scared and disgusted. Ivalera is dismayed that he's "like that" even at home.

Schierke thanks Ged for the introduction, but asks if he could tell her about the attacks of the forests of spiritual trees and how they're related to the appearance of the world tree. The gurus answer: "Forest of spiritual trees is a general word that refers to a land that where there are giant trees that exist in "the interstice/crack". And each of the giant trees is a parasite tree that roots spiritually on the world tree." They go on to explain that those trees are symbolic representations that exist in different worlds, and that their role is to prevent the world tree's branches to extend to the real world. They do this by absorbing the world tree's power. The magicians based in the forests of spiritual trees do magical research based on the giant spiritual power that the trees have. And by protecting the land, they prevent the balance of the real world and astral world from tipping. They think it's their duty. They tell her that her teacher was also one of those magicians.

The gurus go on: "Now almost all forests of spiritual trees around the world have been burned to ashes. Because of that, the world tree got more power. So the ancient chaos when the real world and the astral world are mixed together is going to come back." Ged says that now, he wants to ask a question to the man in black, who has a deep relation to him: "Who the hell is the Falcon of Light? Can you tell me what he wants to do by twisting the world like that? What desire led him to be reborn as a Guardian Angel of Desire?"

Guts thinks to himself: "My, my... I've reached this place while restraining my fixation on Griffith. How could I ever expect to be asked a question about him in that place I've finally reached?" He then answers: "To acquire his own country." He goes on: "He said so on the days we were mercenaries, when we ate the same food." Ged comments: "Taking a country... indeed. I looked into it with my spiritual view. He revived a giant ancient city at the foot of the world tree. While the world is becoming chaotic, ironically only the base of the giant tree stands out like a typhoon's eye. It has become a land that repel evil spirits, thanks to the gentle spiritual power that land is full of. So now it has indeed become a normal country where humans can live peaceful lives."

Cucca is surprised to hear that Guts is an acquaintance of the Falcon of Light that brought up the Blast of the Astral World. She asks him what he is. Serpico comments that he's been surprised by Guts in many different ways but that this one is really beyond his imagination. "Your opponent, to whom you're connected, is such a powerful man that can change the world." Magnifico says to himself: "Ah that Black Swordsman has a connection with such an important person... I can't let it go." It prompts Roderick to comment that he truly is a merchant at heart. Isma complains that she can't udnerstand anything, it's too complicated. Isidro reassures her: "Don't worry, me neither." He then tries to make sense of it: "Do you mean the person who is the Falcon of Light is the White Falcon, the hero of Midland?" Serpico says yes. Isidro goes on: "Hmm, I'm not sure but the Falcon used something like magic to make the world full of monsters." Puck responds: "Approximately right." Isidro keeps going: "And the Falcon is an old acquaintance of Guts." His deduction finally bears fruit: "It can't be!! The man I've respected, the 100 man slayer, the strongest man of the Band of the Falcon! You're also an acquaintance of his, Guts?! Awesome, please introduce him to me!"

Ged reflects: "To take a country, or more precisely to establish his own country. The whole world himself... It's helpless. Though he doesn't care about the means to reach his goal." Guts says that it's a bit different, it's the other way around. "To Griffith, the goal is about the means. And then says that "he hasn't changed at all. To acquire his country is just a passing point. He's the Falcon who flies as far as he can go, towards the highest possible goal. This is the Falcon, Griffith."
The end.

>stolen from sk.net
you jew

bump

bump...

>To acquire his country is just a passing point.
That's an ominous foreboding. This is honestly a chapter I've been waiting - and I think the rest of us have been waiting - for, for-fucking-ever. Finally, the characters start to speak about the actual plot, we get some exposition on the world, and we get a little bit more insight into Guts' present mentality. It sounds to me that, as soon as Casca is fixed, he intends to go one man army against Griffith. He's suppressed his rage for the person he loves. And unless you're one of them queers what think Casca is going to still like Griffith, they might even get to go after him together. I'm sure the RPG party will come along too, but things won't be about their nonsense/shenanigans anymore, which is fucking ideal.

Guts is getting pretty fucking impatient.

>Schierke explains that during full moon nights, people can, rarely, get to pass on a road that connects the real world to the astral world. The small one is called "the road of elves" and it's connected to shallow ponds in the astral world. Sometimes that causes a child to get lost in the forest. Ged picks up: And the bigger one is called "the road of dragons", and is connected to the deep parts of the astral world (We see the Vortex of Souls as a background to that explanation).

Will this lead to a fast-travel arc where they brave the Road of Elves and accidentally dip into the Road of Dragons? *cue more ship-crews getting eaten*

Question, when is the next volume going to be available.

Well going to the vortex is the only way they can truly defeat the Godhand right?

Or Godhand will be coming to Guts in the physical world culminating in a battle at the Abyss.

He wants his waifu back ASAP. Understandable.

>His deduction finally bears fruit: "It can't be!! The man I've respected, the 100 man slayer, the strongest man of the Band of the Falcon! You're also an acquaintance of his, Guts?! Awesome, please introduce him to me!"
I chuckled. Didn't think Miura was capable of humor anymore.

Not that I think this will happen but I can seriously imagine Guts flipping his fucking shit if the Elf King says he won't help for whatever reason. To be at what is essentially the end of such a long trek only to be turned down. I have no doubt that Guts would threaten to murder the whole island if he doesn't cooperate. Of course, that won't happen and the Elf King will oblige with his request because the plot demands it.

We all know he would.

what the FUCK is wrong with his neck?
And his face
Jesus Miura

according to rumors its going to be released some time in 2017, which makes you think that we arent going to get any hiatuses this year.

Who IS that kid?

I hate this manga. I wish i was on there.

My money is on it being Casca and Guts'. Or like it half is while the other half resides within Griffith's soul or some BS like that.

Why would he refuse to heal Casca? I mean id like to see Guts going batshit crazy but nah

Miura's drawing are looking really odd. What the hell.

Filter

anyone else bummed out about how Guts has aged in real time?

?

Thanks Horse.

I can't wait til you are proved wrong. Casca is going back to Griffith. Can I have a way to contact you so when it happens I can rub it in your face?

he's had a hard life

Lore is cool and shit but on the other hand we still dont know shit. Miura is so fucking slow

Instead of being fucking smart, and her and Guts living peacefully on Elf Island while Griffith does fuck all with his Falconia shit, she'll regain her memories and be all "I have to face him again!"

And then Guts will have to go with her, no matter how stupid of an idea it is.

They should just write off the rest of the world, and pop out babies on Elf Island for the rest of their days.

As if an island full of pagan witches isn't high up on Griffith's hitlist
Reminder that Void created the monothiest witch hating religion after Skull Knight got eclipsed

miura drawing is really looking like shit

what a time to be alive

You can't have contact info, but trust me, I'll be around. And on that day, if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

remember the skull knight "Kind of felt like an elf."

What if the Elf King is what someone who actually kills a member of the God Hand becomes?

full Moe

Jesus, did Farnese just get a botox injection off screen? What the hell is happening to Miura's drawing style?

>"It would not be beyond my power but I, as a being of the Astral plane, an unfit to mettle in the affairs of the mortal world and therefore am unable to assist your companion."

Or some bullshit like that. I agree it won't happen but I get the impression that Guts should be positively shaking with anticipation of meeting this guy and I can't imagine his confusion and anger if things didn't work out the way he thought they would.

Sweet jesus those dick sucking lips. Maybe next chapter when he stops making shit he can keep those lips

That's clearly some sort of """beauty"" vision" like in cartoons when someone is smitten.

So how much time until it's properly translated?
I've only caught up recently

It's not about the witches.

>Ged explains that it's the branches of the world tree, the legendary giant tree that is said to connect heaven, earth and the netherworld (land of the dead).
>The gurus answer: "Forest of spiritual trees is a general word that refers to a land that where there are giant trees that exist in "the interstice/crack". And each of the giant trees is a parasite tree that roots spiritually on the world tree." They go on to explain that those trees are symbolic representations that exist in different worlds, and that their role is to prevent the world tree's branches to extend to the real world. They do this by absorbing the world tree's power.
>The gurus go on: "Now almost all forests of spiritual trees around the world have been burned to ashes. Because of that, the world tree got more power. So the ancient chaos when the real world and the astral world are mixed together is going to come back."

>blowup doll lips

Kill me.

It's not new. Miura's art (especially his faces) wasn't always consistent. But I agree that it's getting worse and worse.

anyone got a good link for the dark horse scans?

I've used evil-genius scanlations since forever, do better options even exist?