Lucien, in contrast, was unmoved. His calm face softened only slightly as he let out a long sigh, his red hair falling gently around his face.
"I wanted to save them," he said quietly. "You think I didn't? But my hands…" His voice grew faint, heavy, tinged with something that almost sounded like regret. "…my hands were tied. They are still tied. Even now."
Max's chest heaved violently, his crimson aura raging like a sea of fire that could not be contained. Lucien's calm words only fanned the flames of his fury. His teeth ground together, his voice trembling as he roared,
"You are like a god to the people of this world! The strongest human in existence—and yet you do nothing! You sit here, idly, while countless lives are slaughtered! With your power, you could end this war. You could kill all the demons, wipe out the nulls, and bring peace to this world. So tell me—what's stopping you?!"
