A young witch, Schierke, watches Griffith from a distance. While tracking Guts, Serpico remembers how Farnese took him in as her servant, though she abused him terribly. Serpico learned he was the illegitimate son of Farnese father and was therefore her half-brother, eventually becoming her bodyguard. Upon learning she was engaged to a member of the royal family Farnese tried and failed to seduce Serpico and set fire to her family mansion before joining the Holy Iron Chain Knights, eventually forcing Serpico to burn his mother as a witch. With their brands being so close together more powerful demons are attracted to Guts and Casca who tempt Guts to kill Casca to get closer to Griffith. Guts' rage overwhelms him and he hurts Casca, destroying her trust in him and she runs away. She is caught and almost raped by bandits, causing her to remember being raped by Griffith and she slaughters the bandits before attacking Guts. Guts is again overwhelmed by rage and almost rapes Casca before regaining control of himself. They are later found by Isidro, Farnese and Serpico who ask permission to accompany Guts on his mission.