Up on the stage, Jason had a small scowl on his face as he stared up at C’thlyanu. Jason didn’t like this at all, and Jason also thought that this punishment was unjust! Why the fuck should Jason have to pay a fine for something he proved that he already didn’t do!? It was like telling a man to pay child support for a child that wasn’t his just because he also slept with the woman! Jason felt like C’thlyanu’s decision was unjust, and he was about to say just that, but C’thlyanu released a tiny fraction of his power, and a wave of energy suddenly blasted across the room! Sexes was immediately thrown back into his seat, and the entire hall went silent as they stared at the head of the council with wide, terrified eyes. C’thlyanu spoke up with a booming voice that sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

"I would like to remind everyone present that this is a meeting of the Council of Nine and One, the highest authority in the known world, and you are nothing but spectators who were allowed to be present here because it is your right. We have never asked for your input or your opinions regarding the decisions made here, and although justified, your outbursts will not be tolerated. If you are incapable of controlling your emotions in order to show this council its proper respect, then I will have no choice but to have you removed."

C’thlyanu had spoken in a calm, almost friendly tone, but the sheer aura that surrounded him at that moment was terrifying enough to make every single spectator shut up immediately! Even Jason and Diane, who were TITAN Rank III’s could feel a strange tension coming over them! Jason knew that the cloud of gas present in this hall was only a fraction of C’thlyanu’s true power, and the energy that C’thlyanu had released was also a fraction of that fraction! So if only this much power was capable of making Jason feel so on edge, Jason could only imagine how much power C’thlyanu must wield in his true form!

’No wonder he hid his body away. It doesn’t matter how much he tries to suppress his power; there’s no way you can avoid terrifying the people around you when you’re this strong. I’m sure his very existence is seen as a danger to the world around him. So this is what it means to be a Celestial.’

Jason let out a calm sigh as he released the tension in his body, and he listened as C’thlyanu continued his speech.

"Now, as for the reason behind my decision. It has already been stated that Jason Marc was not in control of himself when the Massacre occurred. He was under the control of Gillian, someone whom he killed with his own hands. But his lack of control during that time does not mean we should ignore the actions committed against the Machina. The children who have been orphaned and the people who have lost their families need a way to recover, and that is why Jason will shoulder some responsibility for the displaced Machina. If there are any amongst the council who do not believe this punishment to be just or satisfactory, then please speak up now. But if it is satisfactory to all those in attendance, then I will ask that we put it to a vote." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The remaining members of the council were all silent at that moment. Both Sexes and Varon grit their teeth in anger as they realised that there wasn’t a single person who would speak out for them! In truth, Sexes and Varon were the only people who thought that C’thlyanu’s decision was unfair. Giving Jason a simple fine and a slap on the wrist was the right thing to do, but that doesn’t mean it would give the Machina any satisfaction at all! The Machina would feel like they had been overlooked and thrown aside, and many of them wouldn’t believe that they were given any justice! But even though people didn’t think this was fair, that doesn’t mean they were going to speak up for the Machina, and the reason for this was very simple. No one liked the Machina.

The Machina had been an irritation and a thorn in the side of many of the people present there. And even though the Machina were very powerful, they always hoarded resources, and they refused to make allies with the worlds around them. Why would anyone speak up for such a selfish world?

And since there was no one who spoke up, C’thlyanu accepted this as a total agreement from all members of the council, and he spoke up authoritatively.

"By the powers vested in me as the lord overseeing this council, I hereby place these punishments upon Jason Marc as recompense for his involvement in the Machina Massacre. Let it be known that the punishment placed upon Jason Marc by this council, if carried out with diligence, will absolve him of all crimes involving the Machina Massacre. All those in favour, raise your hand."

Nine hands went up in favour of C’thlyanu’s words, although Jason could easily see from Rak’hael’s frown that she was only agreeing because she didn’t see the point in arguing any more. If Rak’hael had her way, Jason knew he would have probably gotten more punishment than just a fine and a slap on the wrist. C’thlyanu hummed, and then he said.

"Since all are in favour, let the records show the facts. Now, let us move on to the next case."

Both Sexes and Varon immediately stood from the spectators’ area since they saw that there was nothing more they could do here. Jason could feel Sexes’ eyes glaring into him like lasers, but Jason didn’t even bother to turn around as the two men walked out of the hall. This wasn’t the last time Jason would be seeing them, so he would deal with them some other time! Jason simply let out a calm sigh as the official voice from before suddenly spoke up once again and echoed through the hall.

[The Case of the Machina Massacre has hereby been concluded. Next, the case of Jason Marc of the world PDM-235213-Alpha, also known as Earth and Queen Hesabeth of the world PDM-321243-Delta, also known as Minori, versus the Primordial State, shall now begin.]

Murmurs broke out in the hall once more when the moment people heard Hesabeth’s name. Many of the spectators looked up curiously as they wondered how the council was going to handle a case that involved someone as unique as the Prideful Queen!

"What sort of punishment do you think they’ll give her?"

"I think they’ll just let her off without any punishment."

"What the hell are you talking about? Didn’t you see the damage she caused to the world? I think she killed more than ten million people."

"Yeah, and so what? This is Queen Hesabeth we’re talking about. If she wanted, she could have ended the world in that fight. Do you really think the council will hand out any serious punishment to someone who could have us all killed if she gets too annoyed?"

The murmuring in the hall became even more intense after someone whispered this, and Jason did his best to ignore the voices of those behind him! Jason knew that they were right about how the council was going to handle Hesabeth, but Jason could only wonder if something like this had become so common that it was seen as a normal experience. Just how much damage has Hesabeth actually gotten away with in the past!?