It's been a long time since we last saw Rickert, as Guts and Casca departed on the long journey to Elfhelm. Rickert and Erica were left behind at Godot's home, with no clear future carved out for either of them. And in such a changed world, where might they land?
There are a few things that are peculiar about Rickert that make me think that Miura has something special planned for him. First and foremost, he alone was spared when his comrades were killed in the first wave of apostles, just prior to the eclipse. The Skull Knight intervened just as he was about to either be eaten by The Count, or enlisted involuntarily by Rochine.
Why bother to spare him at this critical moment? Is there something in store for him?
A purpose beyond merely providing fairy dust to Guts and Casca after their injuries in the eclipse?
At this point in the story, Rickert has been given a choice by both Guts and Griffith to choose the path he wants to take. He was spared the life of revenge that Guts was thrust into after the eclipse. Rickert was allowed to grow up and move beyond the death of his comrades. And when Griffith visited him on the Hill of Swords, he invited Rickert to join him among his ranks, as before. But now that Rickert knows the full story, where will he go?
Falconia will surely be an inviting place for humans trying to escape the wilds of Fantasia. I imagine it will become one of the last secure strongholds in a chaotic world. My hope is that Rickert will be drawn there, even with his baggage with Griffith. He'd be able to provide readers with an interesting perspective within Falconia, as someone not taken in by Griffith or his minions, but someone who truly knew him during his days as a human.