The terseness of Berkut's reply makes him think that he's worse off than he'll admit, but still fine enough. So he simply nods in acknowledgement. Then using Mikuniguro's bridle, Tonbokiri uses his help to stand.

At the young man's wistful statement, he smiles patiently.

"Yes, we could have. But it is good that we did not. Not only would we have failed the quest, but it would have been a pointless slaughter. Such creatures, while dangerous, are probably as much at the mercy of the forest as we are. We need not make their role worse than it already is, and we need not exceed the role given to us."