The Masked Demon could think of nothing more than to end his own life. For his utter failure to secure their hostages. The Princess had been among them. With the Emperor not in their immediate grasp, despite having the vast majority of Sakuraichi’s forces surrounding him, she was a valuable hostage. Indeed, now the Emperor would soon know that it was Daimyō Sakuraichi who had hired the foreigner. That… hurg assassin.

On one knee, he held himself like a statue in obeisance to his lord daimyō. He would obey any order given, even the one to end his own life.

Gladly, he thought, for I cannot stand my shame.

Without raising his head, he listened as lord Sakuraichi spoke. He did so without turning around. “It is so, Muji. You have failed me. And perhaps you should pay the consequences of your actions. You have injured your honor in my eyes.”

He could barely stand to hear the words.

It doesn’t even have to be a sword. I’ll hurl myself off a cliff, he thought. Or I will kamikaze.

The daimyō turned around to face the shamed samurai. He could hear his lord’s boots moving in the right way. As a highly skilled warrior, his sense of hearing was also acute.

“Look at me, Muji. I said look at me.”

The Masked Demon, no longer masked, looked upon his daimyō. “I will obey any command, my lord!”

“I do not doubt this. And,” he said, his words about to pronounce ultimate judgment. “I command you to live.”

“What?”

“You will not die, Muji,” Ujio said. “There will be no seppuku for you.”

“But, my lord… I have failed you.”

“Yes.”

“I must die—“

“No, you must live and regain your honor another way.”

“But, I—“

“Will go on fighting, Muji. You must. Had my plans gone smoothly this night, I may have asked you to die. But not tonight. I need you. Mikuma needs you.”

“I…”

What can I say?

“I… will do as you say, my lord daimyō!” His words came out in a deep growl, a promise. “I will not fail you!”