Gina sent Ulyn away, and she spoke to Jason curiously.
’Babe, is everything really going to be fine? You don’t seem bothered by the arguments at all.’
Jason just hummed, and he said that things were going according to plan. Jason already knew that there would be other candidates who wanted the seat, and after taking into account the number of candidates, as well as the number of council members that could vote, Jason realised that the highest number of votes he would need in order to be the highest voted candidate was four votes. Jason already had four members of the council that he could count on for votes. Lamina was a hundred percent loyal to Jason, and Hesabeth had already promised to be on Jason’s side. Farlow owed Jason a debt of gratitude for what Jason’s family had done for his own, so Jason knew he could count on him, and since T’arigan was Farlow’s ally, Jason knew he could count on him as well.
But the only issue with having those four people vote for him was that even though it would give him the lead in votes, Lamina’s involvement would affect the council’s opinion of him. Jason needed the council to believe that Lamina could still think for herself, and that was why Jason settled for three votes rather than four. Jason already knew that something like this would happen since he literally orchestrated it, and now Jason just had to wait for the right time to show his final trump card.
By now, the council had already been arguing for more than ten minutes, and people’s opinions were starting to shift toward one candidate or another. Farlow had been one of the most vocal members during those arguments, and some of the other council members were actually stunned to see how much Farlow was advocating for Jason since they had always known Farlow to be one of the more silent members of the council! Both Farlow and Hesabeth had been arguing for a while against Rak’hael and Baron Skarr, but it wasn’t long before C’thlyanu finally intervened.
"I believe our arguments have gone on for long enough already. The members of the venerable council have spoken their minds, and I do not believe any more argument will change our opinions regarding our preferred candidates. Therefore, it is time for us to refer to the Primordial Treaty in order to ensure fairness and absolute impartiality with regard to choosing the right candidate. Article 45 Section 3 of the Primordial Treaty, which speaks about the council and its formation, states that in the event that a seat on the council is empty or forfeited, then another member of the race that once occupied that seat is allowed to take up the seat so long as the new member is no greater weaker than one rank below the rank of the previous wielder of the seat.
"But unfortunately, there are no members of the Machina race that fit this criteria, so we must move on to the next part of the treaty. Section 4 of the teh same Article within the Primordial Treaty states that in choosing a new member of a Primordial Domain to become the Overlord of said domain, there are three criteria to consider. Firstly, the candidate must possess power that puts them within the top 5% of creatures in their domain with regard to strength. Secondly, the candidate’s world must be, at minimum, a Rank III, and the candidate must occupy a position of extreme significance within their world. And thirdly, the candidate or their world must possess a fortune that places them within the top 10% of their domain with regard to finances.
"If these three criteria are met to a sufficient degree, and the candidate earns a majority vote from the seating members of the Venerable council, then that candidate will be granted the position as Overlord of their Domain."
’Here we go.’
Jason finally leaned forward when he heard this, and he watched as all council members became serious as well. This was what Jason had been waiting for all this time. Jason had already spoken to the system before coming here, and the system told him about these criteria for becoming the Overlord, and Jason knew that this was what they would ultimately use to decide between the top candidates. Firstly, Jason knew he didn’t have any problem when it came to strength.
"Well, if we’re talking about strength, then I believe it is obvious who is the best candidate amongst those gathered. Diane has proven herself on the battlefield many times, so there’s no need to doubt her power."
Baron Skarr spoke up with a nonchalant wave of his hand, but Hesabeth just scoffed when she heard this.
"You wish to contest Diane’s power against the Undying King? I understand that your preferred candidate is powerful; there is no denying that. But I assure you that she cannot survive should I attempt to take her life. Jason Marc not only managed to survive an assault from the world itself, but he did so after suffering poisoning from Queen Gillian’s toxin as well as a battle against the previous Overlord. If there is anyone in this room who can claim to be the most powerful in the Sixth Domain, then it is he."
Hesabeth’s words hung over the council members strongly, and they all glanced towards Jason with interest after hearing what Hesabeth had just said! Even though Hesabeth was the weakest member of this council, there was no one who hadn’t seen the sheer destruction she could cause using her Bias. The fact that Jason managed to survive an assault by the world itself definitely put him one step ahead of Diane!
DOON!
A great power suddenly pressed down on the Hall, and everyone tensed as they felt an impossible energy rolling off Diane in waves! The council members turned to Diane, and they saw her glaring up at Hesabeth in anger! Diane spoke in a low, growling voice that showed just how pissed she was at that moment.
"So you mean to tell me that you believe just because Jason Marc managed to run away for more than a minute, he is capable of holding a candle to my power? How laughable. I understand that you are a member of this council, but there are insults that I will not tolerate, not even from the likes of you!"
Diane’s power increased in intensity, and some of the council members actually felt a sweat go down their foreheads from the pressure! There was no denying that Diane was one of the most powerful people in this room, and she was obviously prepared to show just how powerful she was to everyone! Diane stood from her seat before she turned to Jason and pointed an angry finger at him while speaking through gritted teeth.
"I challenge you to a duel. If the council members are too blind to see what lies right in front of them, then it is only right that I show it to them through combat. Let us fight and prove once and for all who is the better between us both. Or are you terrified that I would expose the truth about you? If you refuse, then it will become obvious to everyone here that you are nothing but a fraud!"
Diane’s hand clenched around her sword hilt so tightly that her hands were literally bulging with veins, and she glared down at Jason as she waited for an answer! In truth, proving her strength wasn’t the only reason why Diane wanted to fight Jason!
Diane simply wanted to beat Jason to within an inch of his life!