Chapter LXXII

Summary

• The protagonist is attacked by an Anguis soldier, who is a tough opponent and holds a higher rank of Sextus.
• The protagonist manages to counter some attacks due to their past experiences in dealing with Septimii in the Theatre.
• Despite getting injured and pushed into a corner, the protagonist doesn't lose their will to fight.
• The Sextus, after succumbing to an attack by the protagonist, tries to kick the latter off the edge of the tower.
• Before he could, the Sextus falls over the edge, and a mysterious artefact called the "Heart of Jovan" falls out from his grasp.
• A woman named Emissa, who was unseen until then, reveals herself and explains that she saved the protagonist by attacking the Sextus.
• Emissa’s eyes turn from black (under the influence of Will) to their normal green, and seems shocked realizing the Sextus's real intent was to kill the protagonist.
• Emissa and the protagonist discuss a conspiracy where soldiers of the Anguis are trying to kill everybody, and they need to find Callidus.
• Emissa is devastated to realize her team might have fallen prey to the conspiracy and insists on examining the protagonist's injuries.
• Suddenly, Emissa demands the Heart of Jovan, uses her Will-influenced obsidian blade and abruptly stabs the protagonist in the stomach.
• While the protagonist falls from the tower, the Heart of Jovan is pulled back to him, leaving Emissa in confusion.
• Falling uncontrollably to the ground, the protagonist decides to give in, expecting survival to be impossible.