Strongest Necromancer System Chapter 794: The Trial Begins... Again

"Let me go, Varon! I can’t stand it! How dare he look at us after everything he’s done! I’ll kill this murderer!"

Sexes was seething with rage, desperate to break free and attack Jason, but Varon held on firmly, pulling Sexes back forcefully. Varon glimpsed a Faceless Keeper watching from the shadows to his left. He swiftly shoved Sexes back into his chair, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep him seated.

"Let me go!"

Sexes roared in fury, but Varon’s grip tightened, his gaze fixed on Sexes with irritation.

"Shut up and stay down! I will not let you be killed over this foolishness! Stand down right now!"

Sexes struggled against Varon for a few more moments, but Varon’s superior strength made his resistance futile. After a brief struggle, Sexes finally ceased his attempts to fight, clenching Varon’s cloak in his fist, his teeth gritted tightly. His eyes were squeezed shut, a desperate attempt to hold back tears as the memories of his people’s fate flooded his mind. Varon maintained his secure hold, his gaze finally shifting to the spot where the Faceless Keeper had been. Fortunately, the keeper had already vanished. Varon exhaled deeply, looking up at Jason, who remained beside them, observing with the same impassive expression. Varon spat out his next words with a profound sneer.

"What the hell do you want, you monster? Do you intend to stand there and boast about your atrocities? Go ahead and boast all you wish. We will not fall for your pathetic ploys."

Jason offered a calm hum in response to Varon’s words. He sent a mental command to the Phantom lurking in the shadows, instructing it to stand down. Five assassins were already positioned around Sexes, ready to strike him down immediately if he made any move towards Jason. Jason knew he wouldn’t face any repercussions, even if he killed Sexes, because Sexes would have been the aggressor. Varon, in fact, had saved Sexes’ life by restraining him.

Jason acknowledged that he hadn't played a significant role in the Machina massacre; the majority of the killings were executed by his Alter Ego alongside Gillian. Nevertheless, despite not being directly responsible for the massacre, Jason felt no concern for the Machina who had perished. The Machina had declared themselves his adversaries the moment they dispatched their armies against him, and Jason was not one to harbor sympathy for his enemies. While Jason was certain that if he had been in control of his own body, he would have spared the lives of the civilians, including the children, he hadn't been in control, placing those outcomes beyond his influence. At the very least, the Machina should be grateful that Jason managed to preserve the lives of their children!

Jason turned away from the two Machina with nonchalance, beginning his walk towards the elevated stage at the hall’s center. The high seats surrounding the stage were all unoccupied. Jason could hear the movement of people behind him as they proceeded to the spectators’ area, preparing for the trial’s commencement. Gina took Jason’s hand, squeezing it tightly. Jason responded with a small grin before turning as an authoritative voice resonated through the hall.

[We request everyone present to please take their seats. The Meeting of the Council of Nine and One is about to commence.]

The assembled beings promptly moved to their designated seats in the spectators’ area, with everyone carefully avoiding the section occupied by the Bengari women. Jason had one hand in his pocket, holding Gina’s hand with the other as he awaited the council’s arrival. The official voice, having ensured the spectators were seated and silence had fallen over the hall, began to announce the council members.

[The Great Council of Nine and One shall now convene for the proceedings. The tenth seat of the council, T’arigan, sovereign of the Dwarven race of Foragen. The ninth seat, King Kalum, ruler of Getrine. The eighth seat, Queen Lamina, ruler of the Vympire race of Nox. The seventh seat, Queen Hesabeth, ruler of the Minori. The sixth seat, High Elder Elara, spiritual leader of the Sylvani. The fifth seat, Val’kat the Conqueror, ruler of the goblin race of Yemen. The fourth seat, Baron Skarr, ruler of the Draconian race of Vulcan. The third seat, King Falum, ruler of the Elven race of Arandelle. The second seat, Queen Rak’hael, ruler of the Angelic race of Eden. And finally, the highest authority in the known world, and the Overlord presiding over the council, the Great Celestial of Order, C’thlyanu.]

As a voice proclaimed their names, the assembled council members emerged from shimmering magical circles that materialized upon their elevated seats. They then settled themselves, casting their gazes down upon Jason and Gina. With the council's appearance, both Jason and Gina shifted their attention towards Hesabeth. Gina offered a smile to the proud Queen, who, in response, unfurled her fan, concealing her mouth as she returned the smile. Jason's eyes, however, drifted to the conspicuously vacant sixth seat, and a vindictive grin began to form on his face. Yet, he was compelled to redirect his focus back to the remaining council members as C'thlyanu initiated the proceedings.

"Jason Marc, I surmise this may well constitute a new record for the sheer number of times an individual has stood before this council within such a limited period. You have certainly cultivated a considerable reputation over the past few months."

The peculiar aggregation of purple gas, serenely suspended upon its throne, addressed Jason. He saw no need to respond, content to simply await the swift conclusion of this affair. C'thlyanu perceived Jason's disinclination for discourse and eventually spoke once more.

"Very well, as the presiding member of the council, I hereby declare this trial to be officially open."

The resonant, formal intonation from earlier reverberated throughout the Hall anew.

[The matter concerning Jason Marc, hailing from the designated realm PDM-235213-Alpha, otherwise known as Earth, and his accompanying associate Gina Fey, also of said realm, versus the Primordial State, shall now commence.]

"Is the presence of your companion necessary? The alleged transgressions detailed herein pertain exclusively to yourself and thus should be of no consequence to her."

Jason turned slightly as one of the council members inquired. It was a dragonborn of regal bearing, his neck and cheek adorned with black scales, complemented by a lengthy tail and draconic wings. Jason identified him as Baron Skarr, the leader of the Draconian race from Vulcan. Hesabeth clicked her tongue from her position and regarded Baron Skarr with an irritated expression as she retorted,

"In what manner does her presence impact you? Perhaps your focus would be better served on the trial itself, rather than entertaining such unfounded objections."

"I am merely articulating that which is proper. This trial is convened to ascertain the appropriate measure of punishment for Jason Marc's transgressions. I fail to see the necessity for Gina Fey's attendance."

Hesabeth was poised to offer a further remark, but Jason intervened, his voice cutting through the air with a calm, commanding tone.

"She stays."

Merely two words, yet Jason uttered them with such unwavering conviction and absolute finality that a number of the council members actually blinked in astonishment.