Walter said:However Xech, I think I get your point. You think that even now, Serpico will stand down at some point in the duel, acknowledging his defeat, but still wanting to live. And hopping away, he'll say "My only pair of shoes, too!" I disagree. This duel has finality (and fatality ;D ) to it.
Serpico has always escaped by various tricks when Guts were to kill him and that was when Guts could also kill him without any remorse- Serpico was just an obstacle.
That is point number one that I believe you minimize.
Point number two is that Guts could care about Serpico at this point -he definatelly sees him with a different point than before at least. Let me just repeat about Guts warmth feeling about his new companions.
Point number three is that Serpico's character's cause isn't to assasinate Guts first place. Besides that could damage also Farnese's relationship as you said. Or does Serpico plan to dispatch all of them, the whole company -Schierke, Isidro, Puck and Ivarella to say? I profoundly disagree.