Kal was expecting that answer. What comes as a surprise is the intensity, the passion the man uses to talk about it- he's always had a thing for details, Lex himself said he has a way of writing that draws the image into people's minds. He's pretty sure he'd have trouble describing the intensity the Emperor is conveying.

He looks at him, giving as good as he gets and standing straight with his hands in his waist, refusing to show any weakness as he processes what he says, studies it, decides a course of action.

Finally, he bows.

"I understand, and I respect it. I won't stop justice. But if you expect me to kill under that premise I'll have to protect you in my own way."