If not for William's previous cooperation with them, they'd have suffered more severe backlash. Returning with even one tenth of the overall masters who activated the formation with their lives intact would be a blessing.
He now hoped for the Cardinals to uncover more of William's secrets, and then share these with him. Even if he didn't get anything in return, he knew he was about to get selected as one of the Cardinals soon enough. And when he'd be one of them, he'd get to learn the things he wanted to know.
"I believe you can get to the main base now," Arthur wanted now to send William away as fast as he could, "that young man is giving me a headache about his cursed friend. He is waiting back with his legion members. Let's go, I'll take you all towards the portal."
William wasn't dejected by such a change of attitude. He knew he got the better end of the stick out of this deal.