"Your story truly moved an old man's heart."
"What do you mean?" — asked Angelo with curiosity.
Lars smiled, his gaze gentle as ever.
"I used to think that someone like you never cares about the feelings of others. It seems… I was wrong."
Angelo tilted his head slightly, pondering the words.
"I can't say you were completely wrong. Overall… I am indeed indifferent to the feelings of others. I look at this world with apathy and disdain for anything that doesn't pique my interest."
He paused briefly and continued:
"But even those who despise this world… still find something — or someone — that stirs their hearts."
"You speak like a philosopher from Ancient Greece," — Lars smiled.
"Old man," — said Angelo, — "I've already answered your questions. Now I want answers to mine: why couldn't my genius strategist handle those five plebeians? He was more than capable."
Lars sighed.
"You're right: in terms of strength and skill, they were no match for him. If I were in your place, I would also find it hard to believe, but…"
He paused briefly.
"You know yourself that NPCs in Life Without End are special: they are emotionally akin to real people. When you vanished, Mika Prince did everything to find you, but to no avail. Over time, many of your subordinates noticed you had seemingly vanished into thin air and suggested Mika take your place. But he refused. He said that only his brother could be Emperor of Pelegon, and anyone who dared seize his throne would die by his hand."
Angelo listened. His face showed sadness and understanding for the one he had lost.
Lars continued without pause:
"At first, he held Istrabatia in an iron grip, easily quelling uprisings… But one day, Zogratis, the third person in the empire, conspired with five leaders and governors of four former capitals and drove a dagger into his back. Then they executed him together. His last words before dying were not a curse upon his enemies, but: "Brother, I will find you…" — and he fell lifeless."
On Angelo's cheek rolled the first tear of loss and regret.