Everyone present was intelligent and naturally understood that Nahida had curtailed their power as scholars. Still, they had no choice but to swallow their objections and accept it, and not merely because Lesser Lord Kusanali was Sumeru's deity.
Sumeru City's defenses were also far too weak, which had suddenly robbed these scholars of their sense of security.
They had always thought Sumeru City was impregnable, yet an Eremite band from the desert had breached it with ease. It was absurd!
Fortunately, Alhaitham had led the group this time. If one of those vicious Eremite bands from the desert that preyed on other criminals had breached Sumeru City, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Cyno had rebuffed Sahar to his face, leaving him looking slightly embarrassed. But he was not discouraged. Offending Cyno, whose influence was now at its peak, was clearly unwise.
He meekly apologized to Cyno. "My apologies, Lord Cyno. I acted rashly. Since the guards are now under your command, please order them to arrest Setaria and that foreign spy."
Cyno folded his arms and said bluntly, "I refuse!"
Just then, Alhaitham, who had been silent at the side for some time, stood up and said, "Everyone, allow me to clarify something. During the operation to rescue Lesser Lord Kusanali, I was only responsible for devising our plans. The greatest credit actually belongs to someone else. Without her secretly passing us intelligence on Azar, I could not have devised the right plan."
Everyone's heart involuntarily lurched at his words. They turned their heads in unison, their faces filled with astonishment. Secretly passing along intelligence on Azar-surely he did not mean Setaria?
Now everyone understood what had happened. No wonder Azar and his accomplices had all been brought to account, while Setaria, Azar's secretary, had been spared.
Realizing this,