Chronus was very still for a long moment, his age-shifting pausing at middle-aged. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
"Dead," he said, and there was genuine amusement in his voice. "The legendary nightmare assassin and also the only one I call my best friend is finally dead. Tell me—who was the one who managed what countless heroes and demon lords failed to accomplish?"
The messenger hesitated, and that hesitation told Chronus everything he needed to know before the words were even spoken.
"It was... Satou, my lord. Reports indicate he led a strike team that infiltrated the fortress, killed all of Merc Assault's forces, and personally executed the assassin himself."
The name hit Chronus like a physical blow.
Satou.
