The setting sun had dripped like bright red cocoa into the darkening sky, leaving only a trace of afterglow in the western heavens. Bertade squatted beside Yuku's gradually chilling corpse, silently staring for a long while. Familiar memories surged into his mind once more, filling his eyes, painting a layer of deeper profundity in the Head Warrior's weathered pupils.
"Such is the fate of a Samurai, inescapable for anyone..."
Bertade gazed at the smile of the hound, murmuring softly. After a moment, he gently shook his head and reached out to close Yuku's widely opened eyes. Then, the Head Warrior drew the sharp Obsidian Stone Dagger from his belt and slowly extended it, pressing it to the hound's neck... He needed to bring back a token to report to His Highness.
"Haha! Dear respected Head Eagle Warrior, look who I have caught!!"