“Are you the one that disposed of Bald Brutes leader’s body?” asked Ray.

The thin old man answered, “Yes, Milord.”

“Bring me there.”

The old man paused. “Milord?”

Ray cast a flat glance at him. “Bring me to where you’ve disposed of the body.”

“Young lord ordered me to feed the body to the beasts, and I did so. I’m afraid even bones won’t be left of his body, Milord.”

“Did I ask you about that? Bring. Me. There,” Ray stressed. It stirred him to hear what might happen to Dada’s body. Eiran told the Bald Brutes that they could have Dada’s body as long as he got the map but, in fact, he had Dada’s body fed to the animals in rage right after he took Dada’s body.

Suddenly, the old man knelt down. “Forgive me, Milord. Please spare my life.”

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Ray frowned. He was impatient to see what left of Dada’s remains. He wanted to build a grave for Dada. But this old man was so annoying. “What’s the matter?”

“Milord, Dada had saved my daughter’s life, so…”

“So?”

The old man pressed his forehead to the ground and spat, “So I buried his body. I beg you, Milord, forgive me.”

“Hurry up. Bring me there.” Ray got excited.

Soon, the old man brought him to a desolate area. He pointed at the slight bulge on the plain land and said, “There.”

Ray gave a tight hug to the old man, leaving him baffled. “You can go now. And remember, you must not tell anyone about this.”

The old man nodded repeatedly and left.

Ray reached Dada’s grave and sat there, inhaling a deep breath. The cool breeze caressed his cheeks. The ground beneath him was warm. His hands reached Dada’s feet and began stroking gently.

Myriad emotions welled up in his heart. He had the urge to cry them out. But he became a man now, and a man wouldn’t cry. Also, he didn’t want to let Dada worry about him. So he assured, “Dada, don’t worry about me. You know, I am a man now. I can manage myself.”

He leaned down to kiss Dada’s feet. “Be at ease.”

He went to the head area and began digging slightly above. Then he took out Kein’s head and Geisha’s from the storage ring, and threw them into the pits.

He closed his eyes.

“Dada, don’t bother about things like vengeance. I’ll avenge you. All those guys who had a connection to your death — directly or indirectly — I’ll bury their heads here. So don’t worry. And don’t bother about your unfulfilled dream either. I’ll fulfill your dream.

“Leave everything to me. And rest in peace.

“Take care, Dada.”