Mei Terumi could tell at their very first glance that something was wrong with Lin Qing's mood.
But she did not say much. She shook the wine bottle in her hand, walked over, and sat beside Lin Qing.
She took out two wine glasses, and the two drank one glass after another without either of them speaking.
Fortunately, they had known each other for years and had long passed the stage where silence between them felt awkward.
If Lin Qing wanted to talk, Mei Terumi would listen and comfort him.
If Lin Qing did not want to talk, she would quietly keep him company.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Qing asked, "How many people died this time?"
Mei Terumi was not at all surprised that this was the first question Lin Qing asked. She said, "Eight hundred and twenty-four Kirigakure ninja, nine hundred and seventy-three soldiers from the Extermination Army, and one thousand three hundred and twenty-nine samurai under Oda Ieyasu."
A total of 3,126 people had died.
Compared to the casualties of the allied forces of the three nations, "only" a little over three thousand deaths could be considered a great victory.
But that was only from the perspective of the "history books."
Behind those 3,126 deaths were more than three thousand grieving families.
Lin Qing took a sip of wine.
"I'll make them pay."
Mei Terumi did not ask who "they" were, nor what price they would pay. She merely gazed quietly at Lin Qing's profile, just as she had on the night of the celebration after Yagura's tyranny had been overthrown.
That night, Mei Terumi had also sat beside Lin Qing, tilting her head as she watched him and listened to him say:
"I want to be with you and keep these 'lights' of happiness