Chapter 72: Sequela

Lucien was slowly roused from unconsciousness by a throbbing pain in his head. He groaned, his eyelids feeling heavy as he tried to open them. The world around him was a blur of colors and shapes, and he blinked a few times, trying to regain his focus.

"Ugh... my head," he mumbled, his voice hoarse. He attempted to move, but his body felt like it was encased in lead. Every muscle ached, and his limbs felt heavy and unresponsive.

"Hey, you've awakened," a woman's voice came from nearby. Lucien turned his head in the direction of the sound and saw a figure donned in a flowing white robe with a purple ribbon cinched around her waistline.

The woman had long, blonde flowing hair and a mature look on her face. Her features were quite unfamiliar to Lucien, and he couldn't place her among the people he had encountered before.