When the curtain of light faded, Floch stepped forward to check Zoe's breathing. Once he confirmed she was dead, he sighed in relief. That curtain of light had briefly made him fear that his lord would show mercy to this woman rumored to have some connection to him.
But his lord had proved worthy of Floch's faith in him. Even a woman he admired had still been destroyed by the Marshal. At that moment, everyone believed Chen Si had killed Zoe.
All of Zoe's wounds had healed, and she looked peaceful, yet she showed no signs of life. Only Chen Si could have done that.
"The last leader of the Marley Resistance Army, and the Special Operations Department's last Codename Agent, Dusk, has been killed by the Marshal! Dedicate Your Hearts!" Floch shouted.
"Dedicate Your Hearts!!" the soldiers shouted.
"Older Sister!!!" A heart-wrenching wail rang through the entire port, briefly drowning out the cries of "Dedicate Your Hearts." Everyone turned in astonishment.
Philia shoved Yasuo aside and rushed over to Chen Si, throwing herself into Zoe's arms. With trembling hands, she stroked her beloved older sister's face.
"What's going on... the friend of Director Ackerman's apprentice is Dusk's younger sister?"
"What on earth..."
The soldiers began murmuring among themselves.
"Shut up!" Hange snapped, hurrying to Philia's side.
"Philia..." Hange called softly. She did not know how to comfort her, nor did she know what right she had to offer comfort.
Philia pressed her face tightly against Zoe's. Each sob struck the hearts of the Survey Corps soldiers like a sword.
Sasha covered her face in guilt, while Jean and Connie turned away, unable to bear the sight.
Gradually, her tears ran dry. The cold touch of her loved one slowly chilled her heart as well.
Looking at the heartbroken Philia,