“I was lenient because Rose wasn’t hurt.”
Silence filled the room.
The General remained still, listening carefully, while Meleonora clenched her fists.
Lucian’s voice dropped lower.
“But the moment Rose got hurt, I realized something.”
His gaze snapped back to the General, sharp as a blade.
“I was too kind.”
A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
“If I had just killed those men instead of letting one of them live to send a message…” His fingers curled into a fist. “Maybe none of this would have happened.”
Meleonora’s breath hitched.
“That was my mistake.”
Lucian let out a slow exhale, eyes narrowing.
“The Silvit family dared to attack someone close to me. And you know why?”
His expression turned unreadable.
“Because they thought they could.”
His voice grew colder.
“They thought they had a chance to get away with it. That they could hurt her and still profit from it.”
Lucian raised a finger.
“That’s where they were wrong.”
His presence felt heavier, suffocating.
“Maybe because the Kane family has been too silent, the world thinks we’re weak. Maybe because no one knows who I really am, they thought they could take their chances.”
His sharp eyes flickered toward Meleonora.
“Just like how she doesn’t know, she dared to point a gun at me, stand against me like an equal.”
Meleonora flinched as Lucian suddenly pointed at her.
“If she knew better, I doubt she would’ve even dared to come here.”
His voice dripped with arrogance.
“If you want to stand against me, at least bring an army of 100,000 men, 1,000 tanks, and 200 jets.”
He let out a chuckle.
“Maybe then I’ll take you seriously.”
His gaze flickered toward Meleonora again.
“But having the confidence to stand before me with just a small pistol and a makeshift bomb vest?”
Lucian smirked, shaking his head.
“Dumbassssssss.”
The room froze.
Purple-haired man pressed his lips together, his cheeks puffing up as he tried desperately not to laugh.
Meleonora’s entire body stiffened.
“You… I will kill you.”
Her voice trembled with pure rage, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Never in her life had she been humiliated like this.
And by him of all people.
A spoiled, arrogant brat who would’ve been nothing if not for the silver spoon in his mouth.
How dare he talk down to her like this?
Her body shook with fury.
Sighhh…
The General let out a long, exhausted sigh, rubbing his temple.
Lucian exhaled sharply, his fingers curling into fists. His gaze, cold and unwavering, locked onto the General.
“Whatever.” His voice was steady, but there was an unsettling weight behind it. “I’m not doing this because I want to.”
A pause.
“I’m doing this to make an example out of them.”
His words echoed through the room, sending an eerie chill down everyone’s spine.
“So that everyone out there knows exactly what happens when they dare to lay a hand on someone dear to me.”
His eyes darkened.
“They need to understand no, they need to fear the consequences of crossing me.”
A cold smirk played on his lips.
“Their souls should tremble a thousand times before even thinking of going against me or anyone I care about.”
His voice grew softer, but somehow, it felt even more terrifying.
“The world will watch.”
Lucian lifted his gaze, his expression unreadable.
“And everyone will learn.”
The General exhaled slowly, a deep unease settling in his gut.
“Hey, hey, calm down, kid. You’re going to an extreme.” He leaned forward slightly, his tone trying to remain composed, but there was a flicker of discomfort in his eyes. “You don’t need to do this.”
Lucian chuckled, but there was no amusement in his voice.
“No, I do need to do this.”
His next words sent shivers down the General’s spine.
“I just wanted a peaceful life, but I guess…”
He sighed, almost mockingly.
“The Romans were right.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Si vis pacem, para bellum.”
“If you want peace, prepare for war.”
His words carried an ominous finality.
“Let me end this, and then… there will be peace.”
The General’s brows furrowed, his unease growing.
“Don’t do this. You will regret it.” His voice was firm. “Your family won’t like it. They might even hate you.”
He studied Lucian carefully. How did that cheerful, kind, and gentle boy turn into… this?
It felt wrong. It felt like history repeating itself.
The General clenched his fists, remembering the last time Lucian acted like this. A deep, unsettling memory that sent chills down his spine.
Lucian, however, remained indifferent.
“It doesn’t matter.” His tone was hollow. “It’s not like I haven’t seen them hate me before.”
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his expression, but it was gone in an instant.
“But even then…” His voice softened, yet somehow, it felt heavier than ever.
“Let me be a villain for the people I care about.”
He took a step forward, his aura suffocating.
“I was never meant to be a hero.”
Lucian exhaled deeply.
“From birth until now… I have always been a villain.”
His next words sent a ripple of silence through the room.
“And there is one difference between heroes and villains.”
He tilted his head slightly, his smirk sharp as a blade.
“Heroes can sacrifice their loved ones for the sake of the world.”
His eyes burned with a terrifying conviction.
“But I… will burn the world instead.”
Meleonora, who was already fuming at Lucian’s previous insults, suddenly laughed.
A dry, humorless laugh.
“He needs a damn doctor. I get it now.”
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Her body was shaking with rage, but there was something else beneath
The sheer arrogance of this man.
Lucian’s smirk didn’t waver.
“I swear, whoever stands in my way… whoever comes looking for me…”
His voice was eerily calm.
“I will kill them all.”
His confidence was absolute.
Not a single trace of doubt in his voice, in his eyes, in his stance.
Purple-haired man gulped.
“Is he bragging?”
That was the first thought in his mind.
But then… he hesitated.
Because Lucian wasn’t smiling like someone bluffing.
He meant it.
And for some reason, that realization made his skin crawl.
“This time, the world will know the real price of standing against me.”
Lucian extended his hands.
—–
