Chapter 367
Although many of the elders were deeply dissatisfied, none of them dared argue with Rin.
The former City Lord was the pillar supporting Blazing Flame City.
His authority was unquestionable.
Rin swept a stern glance across the crowd before speaking again.
“You lot should apologize as well p>
The elders exchanged awkward looks before reluctantly stepping forward.
One after another, they offered formal apologies to Nina.
After a brief silence, Nina waved a hand dismissively.
“Forget it p>
Her expression softened slightly.
“The compensation I previously gave to Setan can still remain with your city p>
Since Rin and the others had sincerely admitted fault, she had no interest in continuing to press the matter.
Rin shook his head.
“No need p>
“We shouldn’t have accepted compensation in the first place p>
“The Blazing Flame Stone has benefited our people for generations. We have already received plenty from it p>
Nina crossed her arms.
“I said you can keep it p>
Her tone left little room for discussion.
“You protected the Blazing Flame Stone for many years. Whether you were its owners or not, your efforts deserve acknowledgment p>
“I don’t like taking advantage of others p>
Rin stared at her for a moment before finally chuckling.
“Very well p>
“If you insist p>
The elders secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At least they were not leaving empty-handed.
Some compensation was better than none.
Looking at Nina now, many of them felt increasingly embarrassed.
In truth, she had been far more reasonable than they had given her credit for.
The rude ones had been them.
Nina glanced around the gathering.
“So p>
“Does that mean the matter of the Blazing Flame Stone is settled p>
“Of course p>
Rin nodded without hesitation.
“Good p>
A faint smile appeared on Nina’s lips.
“Since that’s resolved, let’s discuss something else p>
Rin blinked.
“What else is there p>
Nina’s gaze slowly shifted toward the elders.
The warmth vanished from her expression.
“Everyone who proposed or supported sending Setan to the Ice Thunder Cavern p>
Her voice turned cold.
“Step forward p>
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Several elders exchanged nervous glances.
What was she planning?
A few guilty individuals quietly shuffled backward, hoping to disappear into the crowd.
Unfortunately, the icy look in Nina’s eyes made it painfully clear that she was not asking out of curiosity.
Rin frowned.
“Little female, why are you asking about that p>
In his mind, the punishment had already been carried out.
Setan had broken the rules.
Receiving punishment seemed natural.
Nina’s eyes narrowed.
“They accepted my compensation p>
Her voice was sharp as a blade.
“Then by what right did they continue punishing him p>
The suffering Setan endured would not be forgotten so easily.
Someone had to pay it back.
Rin’s eyebrows rose.
Was this female seeking justice for Setan?
Nearby, warmth surged through Setan’s chest.
His heart beat a little faster.
Was Nina avenging him?
Did that mean she cared about him, even if only a little?
The possibility alone filled him with secret joy.
Yian was equally stunned.
It was rare enough for a female to defend a male.
It was almost unheard of for one to go this far.
For the first time, he truly understood why Setan had fallen so deeply for her.
Perhaps he really had misjudged her from the beginning.
A trace of guilt surfaced.
His prejudice had blinded him.
Still, one question remained.
Why wouldn’t she become mates with Setan?
Unless p>
Maybe Setan had been telling the truth all along.
Maybe she simply hadn’t chosen him yet.
The thought suddenly seemed much more believable.
After all, Nina was extraordinary.
Nina took several steps forward.
The elders involuntarily retreated.
Her beautiful face had become frighteningly cold.
“What p>
“No one wants to admit it p>
A dangerous smile appeared.
“Then perhaps I should punish all of you together p>
The elders immediately understood her intentions.
Those who had not participated in the decision had no desire to suffer alongside the guilty.
Without hesitation, fingers began pointing.
“Him p>
“And him p>
“He supported it too p>
“One of the loudest voices was him p>
Mercy vanished instantly.
Everyone was eager to distance themselves from the target list.
After all, they had witnessed what happened to Freen.
No one wanted to share his fate.
The accused elders paled.
They wanted to defend themselves.
Unfortunately, no convincing excuses came to mind.
Under Nina’s pressure, the crowd naturally divided into two groups.
One group hurried behind Rin, eager to prove their innocence.
The other remained standing where they were, trembling with fear.
Several quickly began pleading for mercy.
“City Lord Setan did break the rules p>
“We weren’t punishing him without reason p>
“Yes, we were simply enforcing clan regulations p>
“You shouldn’t take your anger out on us p>
“Oh p>
Nina laughed softly.
The sound sent chills through the crowd.
“Is that so p>
Her gaze swept across them.
“Then remind me p>
“Wasn’t it you who imprisoned Setan so you could force him to reveal my location p>
“Weren’t you the same people planning to keep me here against my will p>
She remembered every face.
Every single one.
The elders immediately looked away.
Their guilt was obvious.
No one dared meet her eyes.
Realizing Nina would not be fooled, they turned toward Rin.
“Former City Lord, please help us p>
Rin didn’t move.
Some weeds were better removed.
Otherwise, they would continue poisoning Blazing Flame City from within.
Seeing that Rin refused to intervene, they turned toward Setan.
Unfortunately, Setan ignored them completely.
Despair spread across their faces.
Left with no alternatives, they returned to begging Nina.
“Honorable City Lord of Barbarian City, please forgive us p>
“We know we were wrong p>
“We’ll apologize to City Lord Setan p>
“We’ll kneel if necessary p>
“Please spare us p>
Only Nox remained silent.
He already knew forgiveness was impossible.
There was no point humiliating himself further.
Nina showed no intention of relenting.
Several enormous vines burst from the earth.
Before anyone could react, the guilty elders were wrapped up and dragged screaming toward the Ice Thunder Cavern.
With a flick of her wrist, she threw them inside.
“You kept Setan there for a certain amount of time p>
Her voice echoed through the cavern entrance.
“You’ll stay twice as long p>
Moments later, agonized screams erupted from deep within the cave.
The cries echoed endlessly against the stone walls.
No one dared object.
After settling the matter, Nina returned to Setan’s side.
“Let’s go back to the City Lord’s Manor p>
She looked at his still-pale face.
“You need proper treatment p>
Setan’s smile immediately brightened.
“Alright p>
The happiness in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Nina had avenged him.
For him.
The realization alone was enough to fill his heart with warmth.
As he took her hand, an overwhelming sense of contentment washed over him.
If possible, he never wanted to let go again.
Behind them, Odian and the others followed with expressions full of barely concealed jealousy.
Wonderful.
It looked like another lion was about to join the family.
Yian and the others followed as well.
Not far away, Maya watched their departing figures with obvious envy.
Bran sighed.
“Maya p>
“You should give up on Setan p>
He glanced toward Nina.
“That female is simply too extraordinary. You p>
Before he could finish, Maya interrupted him.
“Who is Setan p>
She blinked innocently.
“Do I know him p>
At this moment, her heart contained only one person.
Her Revered Beast.
As for Setan?
She had already forgotten all about him.
Without another word, she hurried after Nina and the others.
She was going to follow her idol.
Bran stood frozen.
This was his daughter?
Wasn’t she the same female who had declared earlier that she would marry no one but Setan and begged him to save the man?
How had her feelings disappeared so quickly?
Young love truly was a mystery.
Shaking his head helplessly, he followed after her.
Meanwhile, Nina and Setan returned together to the City Lord’s Manor.
And for the first time since arriving in Blazing Flame City, the tension surrounding them finally began to ease.