The Queen and the conspirators believe they succeeded in poisoning Griffith and that he is dead. However, while they are celebrating, their room is locked and the tower is engulfed in flames. Griffith is still alive and watches them burn, having forced Foss to aid him by kidnapping his daughter. Griffith has again used Guts to remove his competition. Guts decides to leave and tells a pleading Casca that he does not want to be caught up in Griffith's dream anymore.

A year has passed and Guts is living with Godo, a swordsmith, and his granddaughter Erica. Guts learns that the Band of the Hawk are now wanted outlaws and Casca is their captain. Guts goes to them and finds them battling foreign mercenaries.