01x02 - Zodd the Immortal

[bunniefuu]

This place has a weird vibe.

What is this place?

We are the Band of the Falcon.

Have you heard of us?

Yes.

You're a group of mercenaries that
one wouldn't want as an enemy.

You're right.

We are the Band of the Falcon.

I like you.

I want you, Guts.

Griffith!

To me,

it seems as though you put yourself
in harm's way on purpose

so you could then
try to save yourself from death.

That was how it seemed to me.

I want my own country.

Guts,

I will decide where you die.

You f*cking b*stards!

Lay down your life.

There is no other way to survive.

The only way to stay alive
is to emerge victorious.

I wanted to be his sword.

I wanted to see for myself

all that Griffith
and the Band of the Falcon did,

what they had taken for themselves

and what they would attempt
to take in the future.

Yes,

despite all the tens of thousands
of enemies and comrades,

only you could make me

forget my dreams.

AN ORIGINAL WORK BY KENTARO MIURA

Hold your formation!

Show those Tudor dogs
what Midland is made of.

Don't let them escape.
k*ll every last one of them.

Our enemy, the Black Ram Iron
Lance Knights, cannot be stopped.

Our forces are suffering grave losses.

If this continues,
our main camp may even be in danger.

Is there no one...

who can vanquish those black devils?

Push forward!

The Black Ram Iron Lance Knights

will claim the head
of the king of Midland.

Huh, what is this?

You're putting a lone horseman
up against all of us?

Have it your way.

We'll crush you.

No way!

He took out General Gien...

And with a single swipe...

There is only one enemy. Surround him!

But...

What?

They're attacking from behind.

Who is that?

The Band of the Falcon.

The gods of death on the b*ttlefield.

Why are they allying
with the Midland Army?

The Tudor forces are retreating.

What fools!

The tide turned on the fortunes
of just a single band of mercenaries.

The Band of the Falcon...

I didn't know they were this good.

Indeed.

They were certainly worth contracting.

They were just lucky
in landing a surprise attack.

You are overestimating them.

However,

the fact remains that they could topple
the Black Sheep, and we could not.

They used a brilliant surprise attack

and skillfully read the enemy's tactics.

Both tactics were...

What is the name of their leader?

His name is Griffith.

Griffith...

Good boy...

Guts!

You were really incredible, Guts.

It was so cool,
to see you on that solo run.

Sorry about that.

I went off on my own without permission.

You're never going to change.

You're right.
You'd never do that, Captain.

Regardless of how we did it, we won.

Let's go celebrate.

Yeah, let's do it.

Let's drink.

Let's get drunk!

Okay, follow me.

Why is Corkus leading this?

Guts was the guy who did all the work.

-Guts...
-Let's stick with tradition.

We need to talk.

Do you have a minute,
Great Captain Guts?

What is your intention here?

What do you mean?

Don't play dumb.

Your mission was to hold the enemy at bay.

But you broke away from our ally

and charged at the enemy
with g*ns blazing.

It might be all right now
because it went well,

but you acted selfishly.

You could have put
the entire Band of the Falcon in danger.

You need to understand
the position you hold.

Sorry, I'll be more careful in the future.

That's just like you.

It's always just words.

You haven't changed a bit
in the last three years.

You're happy as long as
you're swinging your sword in battle.

You don't think about your allies
for even a second.

You're like a rabid dog.

You're wrong.

I am no longer that man.

I always think about...

That's enough, you two.

Griffith!

I will give him a good talking to.

You're too easy on him.

You two really don't get on.

It's not my fault.

She always starts trouble with me.

It has been three years.

Get it together.

Has it really been three years?

Yes.

Since you and I had our duel.

It was a fun fight.

That's how all duels should be.

Okay, let's go.

You'll be the toast of tonight's banquet.

Griffith.

I'm sorry... about today's battle.

Guts, you fight for me...

because you belong to me.

Did you hear the news, about Griffith?

Yes, it was quite an alarming development.

Indeed. Since the Falcons joined
the w*r on our side,

we have had a string of victories.

But they are mercenaries.

They serve whichever master pays them.

If mercenaries have

no battles to fight,
they're no better than thieves.

It is unacceptable to reward them so.

You are correct.

Plebeians shall always remain thus.

If we're not careful in dealing with them,
we'd be inviting trouble.

However, without their assistance,

we may be torn asunder by the Tudors.

That is true, and I can understand
why His Highness hired them.

But that's no reason...

Indeed.

That's no reason
to turn a commoner into a nobleman...

His Highness is surely confused.

At the battle earlier,

I heard that they will henceforth act
as our vanguards.

Are you serious?

But what about Count Julius'
White Dragon Knights?

Were they relieved of their duties?

And then there was the massive ransom
when His Highness was taken hostage...

The enemy count has been slain.

Guts' unit is mopping up the stragglers.

He's taking an unusually long time.

It doesn't seem like that big a job.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

Well...

Someone said there are treasures inside.

So...

We kept hearing screaming
coming from inside.

And from the people who went to look.

I'll go.

Let go of me, Gaston.

We should ask Captain Griffith for backup.

Try it and you're a dead man.

Captain!

You'd better not follow me.

What... the hell happened here?

What's going on?

Zodd the Immortal?

Yes.

I heard that he is allied

with the enemy in this battle.

Wait, isn't Zodd a legendary warrior?

Yeah.

The number of scalps that guy

has taken could fill a kingdom.

People don't just fear Zodd

because he is strong.

Stories of his prowess in battle

have been told for 200 years.

200 years...

That's the reason that
he is called immortal.

He's strong...

He's too strong.

You're impressive, kid.

Most people can't last
this long against my sword.

Is that so?

Only our swords are evenly matched.

Fascinating...

you aimed for my sword.

You are the first person who has ever

impaled me so deeply with a sword.

I am glad for that.

Perhaps the entire reason
I have lived these 300 years

was to face a foe like you.

It's impossible!

How can a monster like this be real?

Stand and fight!

Don't let me down.

Was that the limit of your powers?

Well,

I guess I should say you did well,
for a human.

Is that Zodd?

Don't let your guards down.

Prepare the second round.

Fire!

I will show you no mercy.

No one will stand
in the way of this battle!

This is bad.

Run away!

Casca!

Withdraw all of the troops.

Griffith is going to help him?

Guts.

You idiot. Why did you come for me?

You can save your complaints
for after we escape this monster.

Fight!

Fight me until I tear
your flesh from your bones.

This is bad!

Griffith!

Can you move?

If I don't, we are done for.

You go to the left.

Let's go.

Guts!

Quick, let's make a run for it.

Griffith!

I never thought I would meet two humans
who could injure me at the same time.

And now, they will both be lost
at the same time.

Stop it.

He is my...

my...

So long, human.

But that's...

the Egg of the King?

What is the Crimson Beherit doing here?

So that's how it is?

So this is the game we are playing?

Kid, let me give you a piece of advice.

No, it's better to call it a prophecy.

If you call yourself a true friend

of this man,

you should heed these words.

When this man's dream evaporates,

you will meet your end:

a death from which there is no escape.

What is that?

A demon?

What was that about?

And... what did he mean by a true friend?

I'm going to die?

I don't understand...
What the heck is going on?

Griffith, wake up!

Griffith, are you okay?

Stay away!

This is all your fault, you b*stard.

It's all your fault...

that Griffith ended up like this!