Episode 333 (Manga)

Template:Chapter Paradise (楽土, Paradaisu^?) is the 333rd episode of the Berserk manga series, written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura.

Summary

Irvine launches his arrow made of his tail hair, which successfully flies through the cockatrice's breath, into its mouth, and kills it. Rickert immediately has misgivings about the situation; he is both aware of and has seen Apostles before, and he knows them to kill and eat humans. Irvine, an Apostle, has just saved his life.

Overhearing other passengers in the wagon, Rickert learns of rumors that Griffith employs other Apostles in the new Band of the Hawk. He begins to wonder what Griffith has truly been up to since his reappearance at the Tower of Conviction.

Rickert is no longer sure what to think of Griffith.

With Irvine's help, Laban's soldiers manage to move the fallen tree blocking the caravans' way, and the convoy resumes its movement. Rickert and Erica repair the broken string of their crossbow, but Erica notices that Rickert seems distant - he is deep in thought about Griffith. He recalls the day Griffith appeared on the Hill of Swords alongside Nosferatu Zodd, and remembers how Griffith had a familiar yet new presence. During the course of events following that day, Rickert had heard rumors that Griffith had been leading a new Band of the Hawk, but he did not investigate due to his responsibilities to Erica.

Rickert is brought out of his reverie when he notices that several harpies are closing in around the caravan to attack. Using his crossbow, Rickert kills them, and Laban wanders over to praise the boy's skill. Rickert recognizes Laban, having previously seen each other years ago on the night Griffith faked his death in the banquet hall in Windham. Laban, however, does not recognize the young Rickert, and is surprised to hear that the boy was once a member of the original Band of the Hawk.

The wing stones and, in the distance, the Spiral World Tree.

Rickert and Laban reminisce about the Hundred Year War, noting that it seems tame compared to the current conflict against the Kushan, as the convoy continues its way to its ultimate destination. It eventually emerges from the forest onto a plain, where Rickert notices several large, oddly shaped gemstone formations littering the grassland. Laban explains that they are called Wing Stones, and that they serve to ward off evil.

Laban then points out the World Spiral Tree, Ganishka's glowing white, standing dead body, with branches growing out of its head. Rickert, Erica, and the other passengers in their wagon stare at it in awe.

The caravan continues along its way, and everyone notes how utopian it seems. Laban explains that the grains, trees and flowers in the fields around them are always able to be harvested, and many people believe this is caused by some divine influence of the Spiral World Tree.

The caravan begins to approach its destination: Falconia, a place where, as Laban says, all refugees can find new homes and lives.

Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Irvine
2. Rickert
3. Erica
4. Griffith (Flashback)
5. Nosferatu Zodd (Flashback)
6. Laban