There was a nonchalant expression in Jason’s eyes as he stared up at Rak’hael, and Rak’hael could feel her irritation growing the longer she saw it! It was obvious that Jason was not concerned about her complaint for some reason, and Rak’hael turned back to Lamina as Lamina spoke up.
"So now you are a master in Vympir physiology, Rak’hael? I did not know you had become an expert in interworld race research. With your extensive knowledge, I’m sure you could even become a teacher in one of those fancy magic academies of yours."
Rak’hael’s frown deepened even more, and the expression on her face literally dared Lamaina to say anything else! The academies that Lamina was talking about were a series of magic schools that Rak’hael had opened across her domain. Unlike Rubik, who did not involve himself in the affairs of the worlds in his domain, there were many other members of the council who took charge and made sure that some of the more impressive worlds in their domain were well taken care of by either funding them with money, resources, or personnel! And Rak’hael’s belief was that any magical world required a magical academy, and she had made it her personal mission to open at least one academy on every single world in her domain!
"You would be wise to watch your mouth."
Rak’hael glared at Lamina as she said this, and Lamina just smiled before she spoke again.
"Yes, it is true that I am the subordinate of that man. Jason Marc is my Dead Apostle. But it is also true that Jason Marc has relinquished authority over his seat as a Dead Apostle as well as leadership of Nox. Jason Marc belongs to Earth, and he is a member of the sixth domain, so he is not interested in the affairs of the eighth domain. If you believe that I will show him favoritism simply because he is my Dead Apostle, then you are free to believe so. But you see, he is not even my preferred candidate."
Shockingly, Lamina raised her paper once she said that last part, and everyone was stunned to see that it was true! Lamina hadn’t written Jason’s name on the paper! Instead, Lamaina had voted for Diane! Rak’hael’s brow furrowed in shock, and some other council members murmured quietly when they saw what Lamina did! It was normally against the rules for any council member to expose their chosen candidate during the voting, but by doing this, Lamina had literally shown that she was not going to be taking Jason’s side simply because he was her Dead Apostle, and she had defeated Rak’hael’s argument at its very foundation!
"Please refrain from exposing your chosen candidates in such a manner. There are rules that must be followed."
C’thlyanu finally had to speak up after he saw that things were getting out of control, and he looked over at Rak’hael as he continued:
"I understand your concern, Rak’hael, and I am sure many other council members mirror your sentiments. But I have confirmed myself that Lamaina still holds enough autonomy over her actions and decisions in order to serve as the ruler of Nox. And so long as she is ruler of Nox, then she reserves the right to serve as a member of this council."
Rak’hael clicked her tongue in irritation once she heard this, and she turned away, and Lamina nodded her head to C’thlyanu thankfully as she leaned back in her seat once again. But over at the spectators’ area, Jason still had that expressionless look in his eyes, and his gaze was locked on the floating mass of purple gas that represented C’thlyanu! Jason knew that he had already put a lot of plans into place to make sure that Lamina’s position on the council would not be questioned! One of the things that Jason had done was to tell Lamina not to vote for him just now to make sure nobody thought she was under his control, and if that didn’t work, Jason had already prepared about five other things to help change people’s minds! But all of Jason’s plans turned out to be unneeded because of that one speech from C’thlyanu! And even though Jason was happy about the fact that they didn’t have to do anything else to convince the council, Jason was still a little skeptical about what C’thlyanu’s end goal truly was, because Jason knew better than anyone else that C’thlyanu was lying!
C’thlyanu did not look into Lamaina’s mind, and he did not confirm any autonomy! Lamina might look like she was in total control of herself, but all of that was just an act, and the truth was that she was following Jason’s every order to the letter! Jason was the one who told her to act like she was against him! Jason was the one who told her to continue ruling Nox, and Jason was the one who told her to remain on the council! Right now, Jason literally had Lamina’s life in his hands! And by covering for him, Jason knew that C’thlyanu was also aware of just how much control Jason had over Lamina! But for some reason, rather than taking Lamina off the council, C’thlyanu was actually helping them!
Jason really didn’t know what to think about C’thlyanu anymore. Jason remembered that it was also C’thlyanu who had warned Gina about the Machina all those months ago, and that meant that C’thlyanu probably knew that there was something wrong with Rubik before anyone else! Was C’thlyanu really on Jason’s side? Or did C’thlyanu have some ulterior motive that he was working towards? Jason needed to find out!
Jason hummed as he felt someone’s eyes on the side of his head, and he glanced to the side to see Diane staring at him with a heavy gaze! But there was a small smirk on her face, and Jason could tell that Diane was feeling smug about the fact that she already had Lamina’s vote. Jason just scoffed calmly and turned away! Diane and every other candidate had already fallen into Jason’s web, and they would have no idea about it until it was already too late!
But now that things had settled down in the hall once more, the Council finally cast their votes, and the paper that they used to vote vanished from in front of them before the loud booming voice from before echoed through the room once again.
[The First votes have been cast, and this is the result: Vagart Blunde, the King of the Lizardmen tribe of Parital, has received one vote. Jaen Trush, the Head of the Northern Solstice Alliance Magical Academy, has received one vote. Diane Ralkikov, Queen of Bengari, has received three votes. And Jason Marc, the Undying King, has received three votes. The council member, C’thlyanu, has refrained from casting any votes in order to remain neutral. The council will now deliberate on the matter.]
"What is the meaning of this!?"
Diane was suddenly on her feet when she heard how many votes Jason had received! Diane couldn’t believe this! Diane knew that she was one of the most honored members of the Primordial Expanse! She had fought in wars that would have ended entire worlds, and she had killed enough men on the battlefield to fill oceans with their blood! And yet, the council did not even deem her fit enough to be voted for over some newcomer that barely had a single legend to his name! The mere fact that Diane had to share the top position with someone like Jason grated on her nerves in a way that she never thought it would! It was an insult to everything she had done!