[ Man, it's... ridiculously familiar, hearing those words. ]

I've met and fought people who've only ever cared about themselves. They murdered people, lied, used people as tools... [ shifting to twist a strand of bangs ] And it wasn't until after the Phantom Thieves changed their heart, they snapped out of it.

[ His smile is grim. ]

During a single year, I saw the hearts of humanity; things are never black and white. Seemingly good people can do terrible things, just like seemingly terrible people can do good things.

[ It's as he says the last part, he's moving to sit up straight, eyes firmly resting on Ardyn. His tone shifts into something much more blunt. ]

You easily could have turned into some asshole who only cares about himself. Because he believes the entire universe owes him, after all the things it put him through. That's the kind of mindset I've seen plenty of... but it's clearly not the one you have.

[ A dismissive wave of his hand, albeit a gentle one... much like his expression. ]

So, my point stands. [ he is filled with Determination over this, for some reason ] Everyone has a dark side or maybe even a dark past... It doesn't make them a bad person, by default.