Disturber shuffled his scroll. 'You have used magi for evil purposes, including twenty-three murders--''Self-defense!' Setne tried to spread his hands, but the ribbons restrained him.'--including one incident where you were to kill with magic,' Disturber said.Setne shrugged. 'That was self-defense for my employer.
In "The Serpent's Shadow" by Rick Riordan, the character Disturber confronts Setne about his misuse of magic. He accuses Setne of committing twenty-three murders, which Setne defends by claiming they were acts of self-defense. Despite his restraint with ribbons, Setne attempts to justify his actions to Disturber.
Setne's shrug indicates a nonchalant approach to the serious charges against him, suggesting a mindset focused on self-justification rather than remorse. The conflict reveals deeper themes of morality and accountability in the use of magical powers, highlighting the complexity of Setne's character and his motivations.
