Invasion of the Demon Beasts

Mounted guards drive civilians aside on their rush to the harbor, but crocodile pishacha surge from the water to fall on them. Those who flee up a stairway onto a raised bridge run straight into tiger beasts already devouring the crowd, while inside the port an army of Daka pours out from behind the blazing ships toward the city.

Guards reach the ballroom to warn the nobles of the attack. Guts and his companions worry instead for the harbor, fearing every vessel that could carry them to Skellig will burn. Roderick overhears and offers his own ship, admitting it is built more for war than for travel, and the group gladly accepts. When Magnifico asks why he bothers, Roderick says he means to prove himself a worthy match for Farnese, who overhears and glances shyly toward Guts.

Because his ship lies anchored outside the harbor, it remains clear of the flames for now. Magnifico, seeing the nobles rally around Federico rather than himself, chooses to travel with Roderick instead. Only Farnese pauses to look back at her father shouting orders, while Lady Vandimion silently wishes her daughter well.

Roderick decides the group should cross on foot, trusting the fighting strength of Guts, Serpico, Farnese, Isidro and Schierke. Their march stalls when Farnese wants out of her gown; Schierke still carries her old silver surcoat and dagger. Isidro picks the lock of a tailor's shop for her to change in while Guts stands watch, and the only passerby is Owen, who recognizes him as the former Raiders' Captain of the Band of the Falcon.

Crocodile pishacha, tiger beasts and an army of Daka overwhelm the streets and harbor of Vritannis. Roderick offers his warship to ferry the party to Skellig, motivated by his wish to win Farnese, and Magnifico joins them rather than stay with the nobles. Farnese leaves the estate for good as her mother quietly blesses the departure. The group moves out on foot, and Owen spots Guts as the old Band of the Falcon captain.

This is chapter 263 of the manga, part of the Millennium Falcon Arc, running twenty-one pages. It appeared in Young Animal issue 20 on October 14, 2005.