Inside a small, well-lit room, 6 people are comfortably seated in very luxurious chairs. Each of these people has a specially sized chair, all to provide the best comfort. Between them is a large round black table, on which there is a folder of documents for each person.
"I already knew that Babel would not give in so easily since I saw the team of representatives being led by Pietro Durvas. He loves to play with words and from what I am seeing in these documents, it is not only with words that he plays well."
A large, muscular man says these words after looking at the documents in the folder for a while. He has short white hair and is dressed in a dark red suit.
But what draws the most attention is its reddish skin and prominent canine teeth. His eyes are a light gray color with a perfectly square pupil. His voice is very jovial despite being very serious. He doesn't express displeasure in his voice, just a tiny hint of concern.
"But what really impresses me is knowing that the disciple was ordered to give a sentence to the master himself. Hahahahaha this is hilarious. Aura certainly knows what she does, she gives but she also takes. Who would have thought that The Protector would become The Fallen One. Hahaha"
Though these were words spoken with brutal sincerity and cruel amusement, no words were spoken to contradict them. There was then a few minutes of silence after the man's laughter. Right after everyone examined the document folder, Helena began to speak.
"I don't see how Babel would benefit from taking responsibility for such violent attacks, even if it was to spare Apollo Kairis. The Svalbard Kingdom and Wallbur, Astanium and Thanax Empires have submitted their petitions for generous reparations. If Babel decides to go through with this crazy plan, I'm afraid it won't have the money to support itself for another 15 years."
After such harsh words against her former master, Helena waited to hear the opinions of the other participants in the meeting. And then a petite woman with blue skin, tightly curled white hair and fragile features spoke in a sleepy manner in a calm and sweet voice.
"Although you cannot... forgive your master... after what happened... You should at least understand... how valuable he can be... You have to remember... that he created and trained a whole... generation of exceptional warriors... You are living proof of that..."
Before she could finish speaking, she closed her eyes and lowered her head. One of the two escorts accompanying her came to her side and touched a button on the arm of her chair.
The chair tilted back and the attendant adjusted the woman so that she could sleep more comfortably. No one in the meeting was surprised or confused by the situation. But then the other man sitting at the table began to speak.
"It's a shame that Princess Celeste didn't finish, she would certainly have great arguments. But we know more or less what direction she wanted to point. And I personally don't agree with the glorification of Lord Apollo, but even so I have to admit that he is a resource that anyone would want to have at all costs."
His voice was smooth and elegant, had a mature air that conveyed confidence and elegance. And her looks match her voice. Wearing elegant reading glasses, her golden eyes with an x-shaped pupil stand out.
A cyan dress shirt with a black blazer covered healthy white skin and a strong, well-built body. Her Fire Red hair was straight and long enough to reach her neck, but part of it was tied up in a bun.
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but before he could continue, a woman with ash black skin and pink hair styled in two big braids almost covering her big pointy ears, started talking in a playful, high-pitched voice.
"Well well well I think Lord Apollo must have gone mad because of Helena and the other bitches who pestered him whenever he had a moment to rest. HEHEHE I don't blame him, I would rather die than stay more than 20 hours side of her. hahaha"
Despite not being imposing like Helena, this woman had a cheerful voice, but that did not exude fear or remorse after saying such toxic things. On the contrary, she spoke as easily as if she were speaking to a close acquaintance.
Her playful and satirical voice matched her appearance. Her eyes were large and stood out in her well-rounded face with an almost black iris. She wears nothing more than a black and ash kimono, loose and exposing her shoulders with the slightest movement she makes.
On her skin it is possible to see golden tattoos of all kinds of magical beasts that go from the nape of her neck and a little of her face and spread as far as you can see on her body.
As if she was stabbed with a hot iron after hearing those words Helena slapped the table and stood up abruptly pushing the chair behind her and spoke angrily.
"Watch your words Elf, I won't tolerate that kind of comment again. And rest assured my halberd will show you no mercy, Annabell."
The two men sighed, as if they were about to see a show for the tenth time in a row.
"Hihihihi If I remember correctly, I won 37 times and you only 35."
The pink haired woman, Annabell, replied in a challenging tone as she was already used to doing. But Helena doesn't seem to notice and still gives in to the provocation.
"I should..."
But before Helena can continue the discussion, the only person of the six who hasn't spoken interrupts.
"This is a matter of the utmost importance and we must discuss it seriously, not like children. So Helena, please pull yourself together and Annabell beware of your inappropriate comments."
As soon as she finished speaking, seriousness returned to the room.
"We are not here to find out what the Council of 15 aims for in taking responsibility for Lord Kairis's crimes, nor are we here to find out why Lord Kairis committed them. We are here to decide punishments for the crimes and compensation for the harm done."
Unlike everyone else in the room, her voice had a hint of maturity and experience and of everyone else in the room, she was the only one who had hair all over her forearms and sharp claws.
Her green eyes with slit pupils along with a pair of stubby cat ears and her golden hair with black spots indicate her race.
"We know very well that Lord Kairis is of utmost importance to Babel. Even if his image is tarnished Lord Kairis is still an Emperor of Aura. Besides, with the exception of Celeste who is the first princess of the Kingdom of Svalbard, we are just princes and princesses far down the line of succession. We don't have the political power, let alone the support, to corner Babel and make big demands."
No one disagreed with his words, only grunts of agreement were heard. Seeing that everyone understood the situation, she continued:
"Daehyun, what do you think Pietro is planning?"
The red haired man took a few seconds to think deeply after being questioned. After a few seconds he looked directly at the light on the ceiling of the room, placed a hand on his chin and began to speak:
"We don't know why Lord Apollo committed these crimes. But there is speculation that he is suffering some kind of mental attack. We don't know for sure, but Lord Apollo is unstable and a danger to everyone. The right thing would be to give him regular doses of Mecatium and try to break the bond he has with Aura."
Everyone unconsciously got goosebumps at the thought of the process carried out in the punishment called bond breaking. It is a wicked punishment for all the blessed ones who committed serious crimes.
The stronger the blessed one is, the more tortuous and difficult it is to bear the break of bond. Most blessed above the rank of Aura Master die before the process is completed.
"Stop talking nonsense, bird bastard. We know this will never happen to Lord Apollo, but just your talking like that makes me want to put you in a pot and make a stew. Get to the point."
And surprisingly, the one who spoke out angrily against this thought was Annabell. She retorted with a hint of hatred and threat against the red haired man, Daehyun.
Everyone understood where the sudden explosion was coming from, so they decided not to interfere. Daehyun also expected this kind of reaction, so he just gave a smile of agreement to his words.
But just as he was going to continue his thought, Princess Celeste woke up and curiously continued what she was saying before falling asleep.
"He also made international agreements to facilitate... the circulation and trade global... of rare ores... Trafficking in sentient beings... beasts and divine creatures... was almost extinct because of... intense operations promoted by him... And Dragon Lord Akachi considers Lord Apollo as a son and nurtures a disproportionate affection for him..."
As she spoke, her companion came over to her chair and returned it to its normal position as she straightened Celeste's clothes before returning to her original position. After Celeste finished speaking she realized what happened and looked at Tigerwoman and asked:
"What have I missed Fianna?"