?"So, it is possible," Nick said.
Albert groaned in annoyance. "Theoretically, yes, but it's not practical. You can also say that a cockroach can become a Hero if it just so happens to be beside Specters all the time without getting killed or noticed."
"You can also say you can theoretically become humanity's first level nine Extractor, but that doesn't mean that it will actually happen."
"The chances of finding such a perfect and good dictator are insanely low. Mainly because such a person wouldn't even have a high chance of reaching such a high position."
"At some point, you need ruthlessness and flexible morals to advance," Albert said with a sigh.
"Having flexible morals is sadly an advantage in this world, and when everyone around you makes use of that advantage, you are at a disadvantage if you don't use it."
"However, making use of that advantage wouldn't make you much different from the others, in which case you wouldn't fit the criteria for this perfect dictator."
Albert noticed that Nick's expression didn't show any strong reactions.
It was almost like Nick wasn't even entertaining the arguments Albert presented.
"Albert," Nick said after a bit. "If we ignore the practicality and just think about a world with endless possibilities…"
Albert did his best to stop from rolling his eyes.
"If you had the power to change the fate of the city right now, would you do it?" Nick asked.
"Of course, I would," Albert said. "Many people would do that. Not everyone is solely focused on their own power."
Nick nodded. "What if you needed to do horrible things to change the city, but you are sure that you will succeed?"
"Nick, the ends don't justify the means," Albert said. "You can't just kill one person, save ten people, and say that you did a good thing."
Nick looked deeply into Albert's eyes.
"Maybe not," Nick said, "but let me ask you another question."
"You said that killing one person to save a hundred would be wrong, right?" Nick asked.
"Yes," Albert said.
Nick nodded.
"Now…"
"If put before this decision, what would the hundred people vote on?"
Albert looked a bit uncomfortable.
Then, he sighed.
"Obviously, they would want to save their own skin. There's no way that a hundred people would sacrifice themselves for one person of their own volition."
Nick didn't look away from Albert's eyes.
"Would they consider it moral that the single person dies for them?" he asked.
"Yes, but just because many people believe something doesn't make it true or right," Albert answered.
"So, most people are interested in their own survival, and if their survival is threatened, they would think that they were unjustly killed in the vast majority of cases. Is that about right?" Nick asked.
"Sadly," Albert answered. "Many people talk about how nice and helpful they are to their community, but as soon as their quality of life actually declines, all their words and opinions suddenly change."
"If it comes down to it, most humans will sacrifice many strangers to keep their own lives or to protect the lives of their loved ones."
Nick just kept looking at Albert.
"Then, doesn't it make sense that the survival of the majority would be the most moral thing?" Nick asked.
"No, because morality is objective," Albert said. "Things that are wrong are just plainly wrong."
Nick narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Are you telling me that a starving child in the Dregs or the Outer City isn't allowed to steal some food because stealing is wrong?" Nick asked.
Surprisingly, Albert's expression didn't change.
"That isn't relevant because the child needs to have someone taking care of them. It is not the child's responsibility to get the food. If the child starves, it's the fault of their guardian. If their guardian is dead, the city has to take care of the child, and if it dies, the city is at fault."
Some anger appeared in Nick's eyes.
"And if the city doesn't take care of the child? Do you want it to starve?" Nick asked.
"I don't want the child to starve," Albert said. "If it really needs the food to survive, it will steal the food. However, that doesn't mean that the child is without guilt."
"It could have chosen not to steal the food."
"And die?" Nick asked.
Albert shrugged.
Nick's eyes narrowed.
By now, he had gotten quite angry.
'Wasn't he the one talking about practicality earlier? And now, he wants a child to starve because it isn't allowed to steal.'
Nick looked at Albert.
'If he were the child, he wouldn't think like that.'
'I bet he would say that it would be absolutely okay for him to steal since the person he would be stealing from wasn't starving and that they didn't need this food to survive.'
Nick glanced around the cozy room.
Warmth.
The entire room spoke of warmth and calm.
It was the room of an old person who had come to terms with life and had accepted their position and situation.
"How much are you paying each month to keep living here?" Nick asked after a couple of seconds.
Albert's eyes narrowed. "This does not concern you. In fact, I don't think I want you inside my house anymore."
Nick looked at Albert.
"I wanted to help you, but instead of telling me what's going on with you, you're trying to posture your superior morality in front of me. You might not have said it clearly, but your intentions are obvious to me."
"You think I'm well off and that I ignore the blight of the common people."
"That might be true in your viewpoint, but I have earned all of this. I have worked my ass off for over 80 years for this!"
"Compared to others, I'm not constantly demanding more and more things. I'm not even eating any of the delicious and expensive food since I view it as a waste of time."
"There are way worse people out there, and compared to them, I'm a saint!"
"Don't forget that I helped you back then without expecting anything in return."
"And after I did that for you, you're suddenly talking to me like I'm some kind of monster."
Albert stood up.
"Get out of my house, and I don't want to see you again until I get an apology for your ungratefulness!"