[Ranmaru dips his head a little in acknowledgement. He cannot stop himself from smiling at such praise.]

My Lord honours me.

[Afterwards, Ranmaru straightens up to make his report. He has been through a lot since Orochi had first appeared, and often found himself unable to do a thing whilst others were lost.]

[Not once has he allowed himself to believe Nobunaga was lost to him, however.]

I have not seen your face since the snake demons arrived, and tore the lands up. Many of our allies perished in the chaos that resulted, and the fate of others remain uncertain.

[He drops to his knees then, bowing deeply. Ranmaru feels the need to make a point now.]

But I knew you were alive.