Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 738: He Is Still a Criminal

Although C’thlyanu had summoned this gathering several days prior, certain council members remained absent. Currently, four chairs stood vacant around the table. Besides Farlow’s spot, the sixth position formerly held by Rubik stayed empty, along with the seventh once occupied by Queen Hesbeath and the eighth by Queen Lamina. The remaining councilors sat in hushed stillness, their gazes fixed on those unoccupied seats, each grasping how their positions of influence were gradually eroding because of a single individual’s deeds.

"I assume Hesbeath and Lamina won’t be attending either."

Rak’hael growled with a frown, while T’arigan, holder of the tenth seat and chieftain of the dwarven folk, spat aside in frustration before grumbling.

"I always figured those women were far too flighty for real power. Lamina never merited a place here, and Hesbeath’s too risky with such authority. You’re dooming this council by allowing them among us."

T’arigan’s words rumbled out in a gravelly bass that lent him a rugged edge. Baron Skarr opened his mouth to chime in, yet C’thlyanu cut off further gripes by interjecting.

"I’d prefer we stick to the matters before us. With most of us here, any unanimous vote will hold firm. We’ll inform the absentees of our rulings later. First up, we must address the Rubik situation."

As soon as C’thlyanu uttered those words, a profound quiet enveloped the hall! No one dared utter a sound, for everyone recognized their colossal blunder! Failing to detect Rubik as a fraud for so long exposed their utter incompetence, leaving them clueless on how to proceed! Baron Skarr exhaled sharply and rumbled in a coarse tone.

"Our negligence was idiotic, and we can’t evade that blame. Rubik proved a grave error; thus, I propose routine checks on all council members. That’ll prevent repeats of this fiasco."

"That’s... a solid plan. I back it."

Rak’hael voiced agreement next to Baron Skarr, and the rest of the council nodded in unison. C’thlyanu murmured approval too, sealing it as their chosen path. He further decreed that every councilor contribute a set sum to the Machina for their world’s reconstruction, given the council’s partial culpability in the disaster—and with no dissent, it passed.

With that settled, they turned to a fresh concern.

"Now, how do we handle Jason Marc from Earth?"

C’thlyanu raised the crux of the issue at last, prompting another heavy hush to sweep the chamber before Val’kat, the squat green goblin leading his kin and claiming the fifth seat, leaned in and rasped.

"What’s there to debate on Jason Marc? We ought to honor him for his feats."

T’arigan bobbed his head from his perch and added.

"Aye, his deeds deserve praise, his power our esteem. Let’s grant him a fine prize."

Increasing numbers of councilors warmed to this view, but a cough echoed from the side, drawing all stares to Rak’hael in the second seat. She thrust forward, glaring at her peers with a scowl.

"Why honor a fugitive still branded by our laws?"

Shock rippled through the group, and C’thlyanu responded.

"Recall that Rubik was an imposter during Jason Marc’s judgment. Doesn’t that justify nullifying his Black Enigma label?"

"No, it doesn’t. It only demands a new trial for Jason. The impersonation alters zilch—Jason violated the Treaty, remaining a lawbreaker. His recent exploits served only himself and won’t erase his guilt! Jason Marc obliterated a whole world in revenge! Does that mean nothing? The Machina teeter on extinction because he targeted one foe! That’s no deed for rewards! What message do we send by pardoning him? We’d invite every outlaw and hunter to whitewash their slates by chasing crooks, sparking total chaos across the Primordial Expanse!"

Slam!

Rak’hael slammed her fist on the table in fury to drive her argument home, thickening the room’s stifling quiet as the others absorbed her words. All present sensed Rak’hael’s stance edged toward the extreme. Overturning Jason’s charges to free him would’ve been simple, thanks to exposing Rubik’s fraud—something no other councilor detected! Punishing Jason for a impostor’s acts defied logic!

Yet the councilors also saw Rak’hael’s logic rang true. Jason razed the Machina realm, slaughtering millions to slay one target. Could they truly commend that? Wouldn’t it breed far worse turmoil for their realms’ inhabitants down the line!?

"I disagree entirely."

A voice rang from the Hall of Fallen Heroes’ doorway, and heads swiveled to spot Queen Lamina, eighth-seat councilor and Vympir sovereign, striding in. Lamina shimmered in a sleek black gown baring hints of cleavage, its side slit flashing her endless legs while clinging to her curvaceous form! Yet observers instantly noted she wasn’t the poised figure from days back. Defeat cloaked her like one stripped of all she cherished. Dark rings shadowed her eyes, her hair wild and free! Despite efforts to compose herself, her world seemed to shatter around her!

"Lamina, we awaited you. Please, claim your place."

C’thlyanu welcomed her courteously and urged her to sit, but surprise hit when Lamina refused, instead ascending the central raised platform. Clasping her hands, she faced the council and declared.

"Blaming the Machina’s ruin solely on Lord Jason strikes me as unjust."

Silence gripped the Hall upon hearing Lamina dub Jason ’Lord’. Her peers knew her immense pride! She bowed to no one! Thus, hailing a former inferior as her ’lord’ set off alarms! Rak’hael’s glare sharpened with rage at Lamina’s words, poised to retort when C’thlyanu glided ahead and cut in.

"Why spare him blame, Lamina? Surely you know his deeds on Machina?"