Ghost of Yōtei: Echoes of Sekigahara takes Atsu into the Ashoro Foothills, where her journey with Nagato the Handsome leads to a series of encounters connected to the region’s troubled past.
A Buried Promise is one of the main tales in this storyline, with some exploration, a small environmental puzzle, and a flashback sequence that develops Atsu and Nagato’s shared history.
This guide covers how to complete A Buried Promise, where to find the food needed for the Black Buck, how to follow Nagato to the shrine, and what to watch out for along the way.
A Buried Promise: Quest Details
A Buried Promise follows the events of A Past and Present Battle. After Atsu and Nagato uncover more information about Saito’s activities, their investigation leads them toward Hunter’s Rest Shrine.
However, before they can continue, Nagato becomes distracted by a Black Buck, and Atsu must help the animal approach safely.
How to Complete A Buried Promise in Ghost of Yōtei
Step 1: Meet Nagato near Hunter’s Rest Shrine
After completing A Past and Present Battle, head toward Hunter’s Rest Shrine to continue the story. Nagato asks Atsu to meet him in the area as they prepare for their next move against Saito’s forces.
Follow the quest marker and stay close to Nagato as you approach the shrine.
During this section, he becomes distracted by a Black Buck, a deer-like animal that refuses to come closer while smoke from his kiseru pipe is nearby.
This triggers the next objective, which requires Atsu to find food for the animal.
Step 2: Find Food for the Black Buck
The Black Buck will not approach Nagato, so Atsu needs to collect food from the surrounding grove.
Look around the nearby vegetation for the food highlighted by the quest objective.
Collect the marked items before returning to the animal. You do not need to leave the mission area or travel to another part of Ashoro to complete this task.
Once you have gathered the required food, return to the Black Buck and interact with it to feed it. This completes the feeding objective and allows the story to continue.
Tip: If you cannot find the required food immediately, check the nearby grove rather than searching around the shrine itself. Keep an eye on the objective marker, which helps you locate the relevant items.
Step 3: Follow Nagato to the Shrine
After feeding the Black Buck, follow Nagato toward Hunter’s Rest Shrine. The route is not entirely straightforward, as the original path becomes inaccessible.
Instead of repeatedly trying to climb the blocked route, look for an alternate path around the obstacle. Follow the terrain and use the available climbing points to reach the next section.
Stay within the quest area and continue following Nagato once you find the alternate route.
This is a navigation challenge rather than a combat encounter, so you do not need to defeat a boss or clear an enemy camp to progress through this section.
Step 4: Complete the Sekigahara Memory Sequence
Once you reach the next part of the route with Nagato, continue through the story sequence.
A Buried Promise is part of the Echoes of Sekigahara expansion’s storytelling, which alternates between events in Ezo and memories of the Battle of Sekigahara.
Pay attention to the dialogue and flashback scenes, as they provide additional context for Atsu and Nagato’s relationship and their shared experiences during the battle.
There is also an optional opportunity involving a Golden Bird during this section.
If you encounter the bird in trouble, free it if you are working toward the Free Bird trophy.
This is an optional activity rather than a requirement for completing A Buried Promise itself.
Step 5: Finish A Buried Promise
After completing the shrine route and the associated story sequence, follow any remaining on-screen prompts to finish the tale.
A Buried Promise concludes with Atsu and Nagato preparing to deal with Saito’s gold, which is being held by the Vipers and the Black Guard near the entrance to the Ashoro Foothills.
The next main tale is Dream’s End, where Atsu and Nagato plan to attack the enemy camp and stop the gold from being transported out of the region.
A Buried Promise Rewards
A Buried Promise primarily advances the Echoes of Sekigahara main storyline. There is no equipment reward for this particular tale, so do not expect a specific armour set or weapon from completing it alone.
The important progression reward is access to Dream’s End, which continues the confrontation over Saito’s fortune.
You can also work toward the optional Free Bird trophy if you rescue the Golden Bird during the relevant encounter.
Tips for Completing A Buried Promise
Collect the food before returning to the Black Buck. This avoids unnecessary backtracking while the feeding objective is active.
Look for the alternate climbing route. The direct path toward the shrine is blocked, and searching for another way forward is part of the mission.
Stay with Nagato. Follow his route after feeding the animal instead of wandering away from the quest area.
Free the Golden Bird if you want the trophy. This optional encounter is worth completing if you are working toward the expansion’s trophies.
Prepare for the next mission. Dream’s End involves enemy camps, ranged combat, and a confrontation with the forces protecting Saito’s gold. Make sure your weapons and equipment are ready before moving on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does A Buried Promise start in Ghost of Yōtei?
A Buried Promise takes place near Hunter’s Rest Shrine in the Ashoro Foothills. It follows A Past and Present Battle in the Echoes of Sekigahara storyline.
How do you feed the Black Buck?
Collect the food marked in the nearby grove, return to the Black Buck, and interact with it to feed it. The animal will not approach Nagato while smoke from his kiseru is nearby.
How do you get past the blocked shrine path?
Look for an alternate climbing route around the blocked section. Continue following the terrain and the quest marker until you can rejoin Nagato.
Is freeing the Golden Bird required?
No. Freeing the Golden Bird is an optional activity associated with the Free Bird trophy. You can continue the main tale without completing this encounter.
What quest comes after A Buried Promise?
The next main tale is Dream’s End. Atsu and Nagato move against the Viper camp to stop Saito’s gold from leaving the Ashoro Foothills.
[…] Completing A Past and Present Battle advances the Echoes of Sekigahara storyline and leads into A Buried Promise. […]