’It can’t be money that Rubik is after, so then what is it?’
Jason narrowed his eyes at Rubik, and he turned when he heard the purple mist hovering over the First Seat speak.
"I believe that ample time has been given to the floor for proper questioning, so this section of the trial will now come to a close. Usually, at moments like this, the council will retreat to consider the perspective of both parties before reconvening to cast their vote, but from what I can see, it appears that there is no need to delay the vote till later since everyone already has an idea of who they are in support of. As with all other trials, each member of the council, other than myself, will hold one vote, and the side with more votes will stand."
Jason was a little surprised when he heard that the First Seat wasn’t getting any votes. Was that normal? Why would the creature with the highest authority in this world not get a say in its affairs?
[The First Seat of the council is a position that acts as overseer and leader for the council. Since C’thlyanu does not interact with the mortals in the Primordial Expanse beyond these council meetings, he decided that it would be better if voting were left only to the other heads of the Primordial Domains. It is only on very serious matters like a disagreement between council members or a war between worlds that C’thlyanu will choose to get involved.]
’What a strange creature.’
Jason frowned when he was done reading the system’s messages, and he looked back up and listened as C’thlyanu continued to give his speech before the voting began. Beside Jason, Riyala’s hands were shaking, and she joined them together in front of her to try to make them stop. Jason put his hand on Riyala’s back supportively, and he nodded seriously to tell her to calm down. No matter what happens here, they had already done their best, so there was no need to worry. Riyala smiled back at Jason, and they both looked back up when C’thlyanu finally finished his speech. It was now time for the council to vote, and Jason remained calm as the loud voice of the announcer from earlier spoke up once again.
[For the case of Rubik against the inhabitants of Earth and Radagan. The representatives of the governed worlds have argued that their actions did not affect the economic or political landscape of the other world and, therefore, cannot be seen as a violation of the treaty. All those in favour, please raise your hand.]
A number of hands rose up, and Jason’s brow rose as he saw someone he didn’t expect to vote for him.
[And all those against.]
A number of hands rose again, and Jason turned to look at the council member to his left with wide eyes as the announcer spoke with finality.
[The votes have been cast, and therefore the case is decided. The actions of the people of Earth and Radagan have been decided to be a direct violation of the Primordial Treaty, and therefore, they are required by Primordial Law to pay reparations to the Primordial Overlord governing their domain for their actions. The trial has come to an end.]
A curse came from someone at the side, and Jason recognised it as Agiel’s annoyed voice! Riyala put her hands over her face and let out a shuddering breath as she felt a great sadness fill her heart, and Jason could hear the other audience members from Earth and Radagan exclaiming at different volumes. But Jason didn’t even focus on any of that. His eyes were completely stuck on two people seated to his left. Jason had already fully expected Hesabeth to be against him in this meeting. With the way she had asked him questions and undermined Riyala’s answers, it was obvious that she didn’t fully believe what they were claiming. But the votes cast were something that Jason didn’t expect at all! The council members who had voted for Jason’s cause were Farlow, Baron Skarr, Kalum, and, surprisingly, Hesabeth, while the five who voted against Jason were Rubik, Val’kat, Rak’hael, T’arigan, and the last person that Jason expected to stand against him, Lamina!
Jason’s eyes were fixed on Lamina in a heavy gaze that threatened to burn her alive, and Jason felt his anger growing even more when he saw her smile at him. Jason knew that Lamina’s vote was what had really mattered here! There were nine members of the council, and four members had already shown that they were against Jason, so Jason didn’t expect to get their vote! But Jason thought that he could at least count on Lamina to vote for his cause! If Jason had gotten Lamina’s vote, then things would have gone in his favour instead of against!
But Jason was also surprised that Hesabeth had voted for him, and he was even more surprised when Hesabeth sneered at Lamina and spoke up in a disgusted voice.
"I see you are still as conniving as you have always been. Putting up an act, only to turn around and show support for those robots. As a member of the exalted Vympir, you should be ashamed of yourself, false Queen."
"I have every right to vote for whomever I please. And you hold no justification to claim me a false Queen. I am the rightful ruler of the Vympir, and that is why I sit upon this throne."
Hesabeth let out a barking laughter in amusement, and she smiled at Lamina while pointing her fan at her.
"How long did it take you to convince yourself of that? You are not the Progeny of Gillian, and you do not carry her spark within you. You are nothing but a pretender, an opportunist, and a liar. And that is all you will ever be."
"How dare you!?"
DOOM!
Lamina stood from her seat with fury painted over her face! But the moment she did, the entire Hall seemed to shake as an earthquake rocked the Stone Catacombs! The entire world rippled with power, and everyone in the room immediately turned to Lamina with a warning in their eyes! The people there knew that Lamina was not the one who had caused the earthquake! Even if Hesabeth hadn’t moved a muscle and she was still smiling like normal, the mere fact that Lamina had the intent to try and hurt her had caused Hesabeth’s Primordial Bias to kick in, and the Primordial Expanse itself had shaken the entire Stone Catacombs as a warning! If Lamina hadn’t stopped, then this entire world might have ended up being destroyed by the Primordial Expanse!
Lamina took in a deep breath when she felt the ground under her feet shaking, and C’thlyanu spoke up.
"Queen Lamina, I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t initiate the death of billions with your anger."
Lamina squeezed her hand into a fist, and she huffed as she sat back down and turned away. Hesabeth let out a disappointed sigh, and she looked down at Jason with pitying eyes.
"I have done what I can for you, Jason Marc of Earth. Even though you lost this trial due to the actions of the False Queen, I want to commend your steadfastness, intelligence, and audacity. You both have stood as worthy representatives of your worlds, and you have presented facts and data that would put most researchers to shame. Do not hang your head in defeat. You may have lost on this day, but you have gained the respect of one such as myself, and that in itself is a victory all on its own. Until the time when you are fortunate enough to meet me again, I hope you will continue to live up to my expectations."
Hesabeth finally stood and walked away from her throne, and Jason let out a calm sigh as he turned away from her.