章 55: A Funeral Pyre

And so, just before sunset, the villagers were gathered in the market square. It was the first time everyone had gathered together since before the battle, and now their numbers had been thinned quite substantially.

A large pyre had been constructed in the centre of the square as almost 70 bodies were placed individually on burnable beds, with their arms crossed peacefully. It was an impressive architectural feat, as every single body was visible to the mourners, creating a glorious pyramid of twigs and sticks.

"He's over here."

Masaatsu directed Gengyo, leading him toward the body of their comrade.

The body was dressed in a simple black kimono – possibly of higher quality than any he had worn in life, a testament to the respect Nakatane was showing toward the dead – and sat upon a bed of twigs, raising him up to the height of the young man's waist.