Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 739: I Wish To Resign

"And why can we not lay any blame on him, Lamina? Surely you know of the deeds he committed on Machina?"

Lamina drew a trembling breath, bracing herself for the step she was about to take. Deep down, she recognized this as the correct path. No way could she stand idle while her Lord faced mistreatment from the council when she held the power to act! Over the recent days, she had labored to rally the Vympirs of Nox and prepare everything for their Lord's arrival. Though she had once ruled their realm, circumstances had shifted, stripping her of that role. With Nox now sorted under her efforts, Lamina had arrived at the council to fully vindicate her Lord. She scanned the assembled council members perched above her, then declared.

"Lord Jason bears no blame for his deeds, as he lacked control over his actions amid the Machina Massacre. My former Progenitor, Gillian, had transformed him into a Changeling, forcing him to obey her commands without question. Everyone knows the effects of Vympir toxin on a mortal. Thus, responsibility for his acts cannot fall upon him."

T’arigan let out a thoughtful hum prior to responding.

"I get it, so yer claimin’ Gillian’s at fault? From the trial footage I viewed, Jason didn’t strike me as one to unleash such needless havoc, shockin’ me when reports said he slaughtered countless Machina. Killin’ just the soldiers would’ve made sense, but takin’ out civilians too left me baffled about what possessed him. We all sensed that power surge when Gillian awakened, makin’ this plausible. Lamina’s explanation clears Jason’s name."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the council as they pondered Lamina’s revelation, with many swaying back toward deeming Jason innocent. Rak’hael clenched her fist tightly, fixing Lamina with a fierce glare before demanding.

"What exactly are you demanding from us now, Lamina? Should the council strip away his criminal label and shower him with rewards?"

Lamina inhaled deeply, releasing the breath quietly before replying.

"Precisely that. But there’s more. During the Machina Massacre, Jason Marc slew Gillian, inheriting her Blood Oath. This establishes him as a Dead Apostle and a fresh Lord with potential to lead Nox’s Vympir race. Hence, I hereby resign from the Council of Nine and One, nominating Jason Marc as the ideal successor."

"THAT IS PREPOSTEROUS!"

Slam!

Rak’hael shot to her feet, her furious shout echoing the stunned wave that swept the chamber! All eyes turned on Lamina as if she’d sprouted an extra head, questioning what madness had seized her! Known for her arrogance and haughtiness, never yielding to anyone, her voluntary surrender of her seat stunned them utterly! Yet C’thlyanu alone remained unmoved, humming thoughtfully as he grasped Lamina’s predicament. Becoming a Vympir’s Changeling was a harsh destiny, and his long life taught him Lamina had no option. Jason was her Lord, binding her to serve his interests. C’thlyanu then interjected.

"I understand: by slaying Gillian, Jason Marc seized the primary Dead Apostle seat and assumed Progenitor status over her prior Changelings. Though you deem it unfit to outrank your Lord, I urge you to withdraw your resignation. Your presence strengthens this council, and you have vital contributions left to offer."

C’thlyanu addressed Lamina with empathy, prompting the council to grasp her stance, gazing down with traces of sympathy. Lamina fixed her eyes on the floor, fists clenching as tears welled up, but she suppressed them, breathed steadily, and nodded.

"I refuse to let anyone, not even this council, belittle my Lord. Thus, yielding my seat to him is just."

Rak’hael tsked irritably, shooting Lamina a venomous look as she retorted.

"You cannot mean this. Jason Marc is a criminal fugitive guilty of genocide unseen since the Period of Lawlessness, and you expect us to welcome him here!? Absolutely not!"

Rak’hael whirled toward C’thlyanu with a scowl, but he merely regarded her briefly before dismissing her words.

"Let not your personal grudges cloud your reason, Rak’hael."

"!"

Rak’hael’s eyes bulged in disbelief at C’thlyanu’s rebuke, reeling back as if struck! The astonishment faded swiftly into blazing rage! She could scarcely fathom C’thlyanu dredging her history now! Did he truly believe her opposition to Jason stemmed solely from his father’s deeds!? Fury surged within her, nearly overwhelming, propelling her to rise and proclaim loudly to the assembly!

"I declare today that entertaining this is an affront to my role here, my people, and our struggles for this peace! Granting Jason Marc a seat despite his crimes means I depart the Council of Nine and One, my domain renouncing the treaty for independence! I refuse to share power with a criminal!"

Rak’hael spun from the council, stepping through a portal and storming out in wrath! Her departure prompted Baron Skarr to tsk in frustration and mutter sharply.

"Entitled brat."

Silence blanketed the council chamber as all awaited C’thlyanu’s lead, and he sighed softly while weighing the matter. He acknowledged the validity in every point raised, yet no decision could avoid fracturing the council. Punishing Jason was impossible with the Overlord impersonated and his Machina offenses under duress, yet his crimes demanded consequence, not erasure. Preserving the council’s hard-won peace was paramount, so he announced.

"Rak’hael’s departure leaves us short of quorum for firm rulings. I propose we adjourn and reconvene once Farlow and Hesbeath complete their duties. Then, we shall determine Jason Marc’s fate."