True, it's what he said, but I have rather serious doubts of his sincerity. False accusations bother him, and yet he not only killed someone, but let another die in his place. It makes that harder to believe. But it would also make the idea that he had done worse things than treason easier to believe.

[ He pauses and holds his hands in front of himself with a light sigh. There's a moment, however brief, where he seems to be watching Percy more than listening, but it's not really an intense gaze. It's more thoughtful, as if Hannibal were considering what bringing Percy down this path would mean for him. He's certain that he would never be the same.

But that was already true. He had already changed with Annabeth's murder. He would continue to do so. Outwardly, he projects that as concern, but inwardly... Hannibal is admittedly interested.

What sort of man would Percy become because of this?

The question is what makes the moment brief, and Hannibal continues. ]

He may know more than we do. A role, perhaps.