To Lan, the Marshal's movements were full of openings.
Perhaps it was because she had been gravely injured before and lost too much blood? Her movements had grown sluggish, and she could only talk to Lan about their shared past to lower the Aeon's guard.
After praising him, the Marshal seized the opportunity to press down on this clone's carotid artery.
Just as Lan had done when the Marshal was on the verge of breaking down, she swiftly, precisely, and ruthlessly pressed down on the vital point at his neck.
At best, it would cause unconsciousness. At worst, death.
Lan had not felt his own emotions in a long time. His thoughts were a tangled mess, and many things crossed his mind.
For instance, the contract Lan had mentioned to the Marshal while deliberately blurring its meaning.
He had not expected her to remember its terms so clearly even now.
Or the divine power he had willingly shared, only for her to ask him to take it back.
Even now, as emotions he could neither untangle nor identify filled his chest, he still could not make sense of it.
Lan gazed at the pale, faintly weary face before him and suddenly remembered what the Marshal had said.
She had said she found everything dull, that nothing in the world had any meaning.
Lan did not resist or struggle free. He remained as he was, allowing her to press down on that potentially fatal point.
As his consciousness blurred, he faintly heard her heave a deep sigh and say:
"Everything I just told you was true."
Soon, the sound of footsteps receded.
The Marshal seemed to have found a server. She said to him:
"Excuse me, could you call a doctor for me?"
Then Lan lost consciousness completely.
When he woke