The meaning in a hawk's eyes when it gazes at prey is unmistakable. Griffith's prey is in his sights as he steps up campaigns both against the invading Empire of Chuder, and against the conniving noblemen side by side with him in Midland's court. His Hawks are involved in another skirmish on the front lines, where Caska and Guts are separated from the others. Wounded and trapped in enemy territory, they struggle to return to the Hawks before the marauding armies of Chuder track them down.