Emery, taken aback by the accusation of hiding his real name, reiterated that he had never intended to conceal his identity. His calm response reflected his genuine belief that this accusation was fabricated to serve the council's ulterior motives.
"I have nothing to hide. I never thought my real name would create such a problem, and I will be happy to clear this matter right away," Emery asserted, maintaining his composed demeanor.
However, his attempt to address the issue was swiftly interrupted by an elderly council member who recalled Emery's past. "Mister Emery, you might not recognize me, but I was there as one of the judges during your trial in this city. You were defending the murder of the Harlight noble, so forgive me if I think that your name has a certain negativity to this city."
