"I can't always just think about myself..."
After experiencing so much, Lyra was no longer the naive girl who would feel down simply because Astrid outwardly tolerated certain imperial aristocratic customs of oppressing the common people.
To change this country, let alone the entire world, mere passion and good intentions were insufficient.
Had it been Lyra from her late teens, if she ever truly succeeded in ascending to Arcanist Mage status, her first instinct would undoubtedly have been to use her power to minimize troop casualties. She wouldn't have considered how such actions might ignite internal conflicts, resulting in even more civilian deaths.
"...Thinking only of myself?"
Hearing Lyra's words, Astrid narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice lifting a fraction with a tone of cautious inquiry.
"But you're merely seeking vengeance for your comrades, wanting to end the injustices of this world single-handedly."
"How is that selfish?"
