章 1223: General Marian

A sharp, jolting pain flared at the back of Enel's neck before everything went black. The sensation of cold stone beneath him greeted his return to consciousness, but what truly dragged him back was the stinging slap across his face.

"Wake up, brat," a calm yet commanding voice said as his vision cleared.

Sitting across from him in a chair was a woman. She was lean, almost wiry, but radiated an unmistakable authority that surpassed her stature. Her short blonde hair was cropped close to her head, and the numerous medals adorning her armor rivaled those of Commander Kael. Her piercing blue eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and disdain.

"Well, well," she said, leaning back casually, a smirk tugging at her lips. "So you're the brat. The one who broke an angel. And—" her tone turned sharper, dripping with venom, "the useless spawn of Allison. You know, I never liked her much. I doubt I'll like you even less."