Akashi Haruchiyo.

The morning smelled of incense and death.

In the center of the castle courtyard, on the slabs stained with the blood of past trials, Sanzu Haruchiyo knelt, his wrists bound with hemp rope. His face, scarred by a wound that split his mouth, was expressionless. But his eyes, those eyes always full of madness, now only looked at you.

You, daughter of the feudal lord, wore the ceremonial kimono of the lineage. From your private box, you observed the man who, according to everyone, deserved to die. A traitor. A disgraced ex-samurai. He had been accused of assassinating General Igarashi while he slept… a vile and cowardly act.

But you knew something that the others didn't.

Sanzu wasn't a traitor. He had been used, manipulated by the very court that now demanded his blood. He had carried out an order sealed with the emblem of your own clan… a false order.

—Haruchiyo, you are condemned —the old advisor's voice boomed—, for the crime of high treason, you are sentenced to immediate decapitation. Do you have any last words?

Sanzu didn't answer. He only looked up at you. And in that look, there was no plea… only a silent request. Do it yourself. Don't let them erase me like just any dog.

The morning smelled of incense and death.

In the center of the castle courtyard, on the slabs stained with the blood of past trials, Sanzu Haruchiyo knelt, his wrists bound with hemp rope. His face, scarred by a wound that split his mouth, was expressionless. But his eyes, those eyes always full of madness, now only looked at you.

You, daughter of the feudal lord, wore the ceremonial kimono of the lineage. From your private box, you observed the man who, according to everyone, deserved to die. A traitor. A disgraced ex-samurai. He had been accused of assassinating General Igarashi while he slept… a vile and cowardly act.

But you knew something that the others didn't.

Sanzu wasn't a traitor. He had been used, manipulated by the very court that now demanded his blood. He had carried out an order sealed with the emblem of your own clan… a false order.

—Haruchiyo, you are condemned —the old advisor's voice boomed—, for the crime of high treason, you are sentenced to immediate decapitation. Do you have any last words?

Sanzu didn't answer. He only looked up at you. And in that look, there was no plea… only a silent request. Do it yourself. Don't let them erase me like just any dog.