Guts leads his men to raid a castle under Chuder occupation, but his men are wiped out by Nosferatu Zodd the Immortal, a fearsome giant warrior. Guts enters the castle keep and engages Zodd in battle. When Guts manages to stab him, Zodd transforms into his 300-year-old demon form. Zodd nearly kills Guts before Griffith and a group of Hawks comes to his aid, but they are ineffective. When Zodd is about to kill Griffith he sees the Behelit and ceases his attack. He then sprouts wings and flies off, telling Guts that should Griffith's dream die, it will be his doom.

Griffith and Guts continue to have success in battle and Griffith is made a count. The king's brother, General Julius, is furious about this as he and Minister Foss plot Griffith's murder with a poison arrow during an upcoming hunt.