Even as a powerful Replica, Creuset was not strong enough to match an elephant in strength without tools.
Although Creuset did carry a knife, the net's strength clearly surpassed that of his blade.
Cutting through this net would likely take more than a day.
In short, Creuset now realized he had no means of escape whatsoever—he had unwittingly walked into a dead end tailor-made for him.
His face turned ashen as he struggled to comprehend how his opponent had achieved this, all while fully grasping his own predicament.
"What a pity. Your World Annihilation Plan is doomed to fail before it even begins."
As these words were spoken, a small Mechanical Arm extended from a corner and effortlessly pulled off Creuset's mask.
Creuset was far from the weathered figure he would become in the future, yet the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were impossible to hide.
"A Replica."
Fred's voice carried a hint of amusement, though the mechanical tone lent it an unnerving edge.
While his actions might border on entrapment, Fred felt no psychological burden over it.
On the other end, faced with Fred's disdainful Synthesized Voice, Creuset's usually calm expression twisted into one of ferocity.
According to this mysterious voice, he had been created by the other party. And now, this very person was looking down on him, humiliating him instead of ending his life.
This realization stoked his rage like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"It was you! It was you who made me…"
A torrent of hatred, born from the truth he had just learned, surged in Creuset's eyes, sending a chill down Fred's spine.
He could understand the other's fury—to have one's life manipulated, to realize that one's despair had merely been a source of amusement for others.
Creuset had every reason to descend into madness.
And if this resentment were allowed to fester, Creuset would become the great villain of the future, threatening not only the world but also Fred's own family.
Fortunately, there was still time to set things right.
"Most people in this world are like that—ruled by their desires, knowing only what they choose to know, and endlessly harming others."
"We are merely carrying out our own Justice."
Fred's voice remained icy.
After speaking, even Fred felt as though he had taken on the role of a villain.
"Justice? The future? Hope?… Who the hell understands any of that!"
Even trapped in the net, Creuset struggled to his feet.
He paid no mind to the sharp mesh carving bloody, savage gashes across his body.
At this moment, blood poured from his wounds like a fountain, resembling a dying beast still fighting desperately to escape its fate.
Even his eyes burned with the madness of a cornered animal, making Fred instinctively shudder.
If he were to face Creuset in this state unarmed, victory would be impossible.
The idea of assassinating him single-handedly was nothing but absurdity.
The silence did not last long before Creuset spoke again.
"Your justice! Do those who died here understand it? Do those you killed understand it? Your so-called protection is merely playing self-righteous roles in this inevitably decaying script! Human desires only breed war, and war in turn gives birth to new hatred... This endless cycle is the only 'truth' of this world!"
"And humanity is destined for destruction!"
"..."
Fred did not respond, though he actually understood Creuset's words to some extent.
As Creuset himself said, people are inherently selfish—this is part of desire, and he too could not escape it. He was not a hero saving the world, nor was he a member of The Clan rebuilding the world's order; he was just an ordinary person.
He had felt pity for Creuset, but when he thought about how his family in the future would essentially die because of Creuset, Fred could not allow him to continue living, nor did he want to test whether Creuset could change.
Because he understood Creuset's mindset—the madness in his heart when facing death, which no one could resolve.
Unless he could devise a way to cure Creuset.
But he had already looked into genetics. Although he was only a beginner, it was enough for him to understand that curing a Clone was essentially impossible.
Durandal was a vivid example.
If it were possible to save him, it would have been done long ago.
If Ola's Rejuvenation Elixir were effective, Durandal would have already given it to Creuset or Rey.
Even if his Golden Finger could truly work miracles and overcome the limitations of Replicas, it would still take a long time.
He also needed to balance this world; he couldn't neglect it just because he might be able to save Creuset.
And now, his plan had already been realized. People often speak kindly when facing death, but Creuset was different. His intense resentment and the anger from just learning the truth, all tangled together, led him to utter these words.
On the other end, after a long-distance communication delay, the content of the communication was sent to Siegel's computer in the distance.
"Chairman Siegel, you have seen it."
"From his actions since arriving here, his demonstrated caution and physical fitness, along with his words just now."
"Creuset is full of danger."
Fred's voice, carrying a gravity not present before, reached the ears of the two.
And indeed, they had heard it.
The terror of this Creuset had been clearly revealed through his words just now.
Even Fred, who had been prepared, was shocked, let alone Siegel.
The ferocious expression on Creuset's face and his bloodied yet unusually bright eyes deeply unsettled Siegel at this moment.
He now internally agreed with Fred's words: Creuset was indeed someone who needed to be eliminated in advance.
Although this was indeed heartless, who could guarantee that such deep-seated hatred could be erased?
"Lacus, please step out for a moment."
Having made up his mind, Siegel lowered his gaze and spoke.
"...Alright."
Knowing her father had already made a decision, Lacus pondered for a moment before standing up.
Faced with Creuset's intense hatred and ferocious expression, it was impossible for Lacus not to be moved.
But she couldn't save him either. Locking him up would only allow him to slowly walk toward death in despair.
This was even more cruel than directly killing the other.
The only thing they could do was to prevent all future acts of creating such Replicas, ensuring this despair ended with Creuset.
Thinking this, Lacus clenched her small fists even tighter.
However, she did not delay her movements in the slightest, quickly following and leaving the room.
"Are you certain you want to kill the other?"
Only after waiting for his daughter to leave did Siegel finally confirm, as if seeking reassurance.