Alhaitham could hardly be blamed for feeling a lingering fear. He had gone to the desert at Yucheng's instruction; Lumine and Paimon had even received guidance from Yucheng, who had specifically told them to work with him and Cyno; Dehya also owed Yucheng a favor because of Dunyarzad, and now even Nilou said she was fulfilling a promise to Yucheng.
After this string of arrangements, if Alhaitham still failed to realize something was strange, he would not have been Alhaitham.
Throughout the entire affair, Alhaitham had felt as though someone behind him had been watching him all along, treating him as a pawn and making him act according to their plans, step by step. It made him extremely uncomfortable.
Just what did that Inazuma Regent hope to gain from this incident? Could it really be as I guessed before: that he simply wanted to use us to bring down the Akademiya sages who discriminated against Inazuma? Wouldn't that be taking far too roundabout a route?
The perceptive Lumine noticed Alhaitham's expression turn very grave and asked in confusion, "Alhaitham, what's wrong? Why do you look so troubled?"
Nilou thought her show of nerves had made Alhaitham worried. After all, she would be violating the ban on art in full public view outside the Akademiya's gates. If she failed to keep her promise and ruined their entire plan, the consequences would be unimaginable.
So Nilou hurriedly assured him, "Mr. Alhaitham, please don't worry. I'll definitely help, and I'll ask everyone at the Grand Bazaar to help too!"
Alhaitham came back to his senses. Looking at everyone gathered before him, he very much wanted to call off his plan on the spot. But now all the preparations were complete, and Rahman and his men had paid a tremendous price to enter the