Han Cunningham

Han Cunningham (ハーン・カニンガム, Hān Kaningamu) is a supporting character in Suikoden II. Han is a Highland general and the former bearer of the Black Sword Rune. He was a close friend of Genkaku.

History
Han Cunningham was known as a hero who fought on the front lines for the Highland Kingdom. During the war between Highland the City-State of Jowston, he was a close friend and personal rival of Genkaku, who fought for the City-State forces, the two having come from the same village.

Around this time, the two friends would come across the split Rune of Beginning and Han would inherit the Black Sword Rune. Respecting each other's abilities, they would agree to the proposed duel between the two to end the war. Han, recognizing Genkaku's skill, wished to test himself against his friend.

However, their duel would end through Darell's conspiracy instead and Genkaku would fade away while Han was lauded as a Highland hero, his wish to duel Genkaku unfulfilled. Since then, he carried a darkness in his heart as he was lauded as a hero who won the war for Highland, but on false pretences.

As he grew older, Han was appointed Commander of the 2nd Highland Army and assigned to the defense of Highland's Imperial Capital, L'Renouille. As such, he did not see action in the Dunan Unification War until its last battle, when the city was besieged by a numerically superior New State Army.

After L'Renouille was breached, Han would make one final stand in L'Renouille Palace. He saw himself and Genkaku in the hero, who was Genkaku's adopted child, and Jowy Atreides, and so challenged the New State Army's leader to single combat both to protect the palace and to settle the score that he was never able to with Genkaku.

Defeated, Han would reminisce one last time about his days with Genkaku before passing away serenely, satisfied he was finally able to settle things with his friend and rival.