"I can agree that we don't have time to waste debating how to refute Pietro's claims, but I don't think we should give up easily in disputing the way in which the crimes of Apollo Kairis are being so explicitly downplayed."
Helena couldn't help but think that they were being negligent with this trial. She agrees that it's no use fighting Pietro in this situation, but she can't help feeling that Apollo won't be properly punished.
From her point of view, she seems to be the only one truly intent on seeking justice for the victims and relatives of the tragedies committed by Apollo. The others are just thinking about how to accumulate support and achievements through this trial.
Trying to justify herself with other words, she continued to speak in an irritated manner:
I can't help but think that we're discussing how to earn merits and forgetting what we're really aiming for. Do I have to remind you that we are not here to do a fundraiser for support and achievements? We are here because we want to show that even a Protector Hero and Aura Emperor must answer for his actions."
Still feeling wronged, Helena vented her opinion. But tension gripped the room and it was getting more and more suffocating. But still Helena was not intimidated and continued to speak:
"It would be disgraceful for Celeste as Crown Princess of Svalbard to withdraw without resistance from one of her denunciations. It would be even more disgraceful if that happened on day one. Furthermore, I find it a shame and a personal insult to my honor to give up something so easily. which I myself participated in and made efforts to achieve. Apollo Kairis must answer for his crimes, I will not give up on this, even if I have to defend the allegations myself…"
As Celeste was quoted, the tension did not reach even higher levels. But even so, the others in the room were offended by the comments Helena made. Although it didn't seem like it, everyone in the room knew all the details that had been released about Apollo's crimes.
They were exactly charged with seeking punishment and compensation for the tragedies that occurred. And they were prepared to go against their former teachers if that was what it took to get the results they wanted.
So it wouldn't be wrong to say that Helena's comments offended them and slighted the efforts they had made.
Annabel decided to respond to Helena's comments rather sarcastically. She leaned forward, her kimono exposing both shoulders, placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. In a low, high-pitched voice and a playful tone, she began to speak:
"Dear Helena, you need to know when to give up and accept defeat. Don't let your honor and moral ethics blind you to the circumstances, silly girl. We are in no position to demand anything, everything that Babel gives us in this trial, it will be profit in our situation. Your great sense of justice and honor may even be admirable and enviable to many, but..."
Her tone became less and less playful and her look went from quite innocent to a much more menacing look. But she continued to speak, this time in a cold and dry way, almost as if she were giving a warning:
"You are not among admirers, much less among fools obsessed with justice. Have you forgotten that we are people destined for greatness? You are among people who were born to be envied and admired. We are born and raised with the responsibility of being the best and nothing less than that is acceptable. We are held accountable for every mistake we make and every weakness we show..."
Her words were strong, and Annabel looked like she wanted to continue with her speech. But Fianna decided to put an end to the argument before it escalated any further. And with her calm and soothing tone, she interrupted Annabel and said:
"We don't need to argue about this matter now, Annabel. Helena knows our responsibilities very well, and she understands that we must always show good results. It was just another little ego attack from Helena."
With these words, Fianna managed to soften Annabel's intimidating aura. Although it was not an excuse, everyone knew that Helena is a person with a great sense of justice. And her ego prevents her from ignoring situations where injustice is practiced.
While Annabel returned to settle comfortably in the chair, Fianna continued her speech in the same tone, but this time directed at Helena:
"We know how much you're involved in this, Helena. We also know how embarrassing it would be for Celeste to suffer such a defeat without resisting. But we must do our best not to waste time. Besides, anything we try to resist won't work out that way. what we want. It can even make the situation worse. What we must do is survive today to fight tomorrow. We need weapons to win a war, and our weapons will be information."
Fianna finished her speech. But even so, Helena was not satisfied with the situation. And for her, they just wanted to ignore what was going on in exchange for the crumbs that Babel was offering.
For her, the intelligence-gathering plan was a good plan. But that doesn't mean that they should drop all the other plans and efforts that have been made so far. Especially when one of the plans would be to strongly defend the denouncements of crimes.
To make her indignation explicit to others, Helena spoke with an offended and hurt tone:
"What are you implying, Fianna? Am I to forget all the crimes that were committed? The pointless deaths that were taken away? The families destroyed??"
But it wasn't fianna who answered this time. Daehyun tried to explain the situation to Helena:
"None of us will demand anything of the kind from you, Helena…"
But he was interrupted by Helena before she could continue:
"Then explain it to me better Daehyun… Aren't you willing to give up the conviction of the crimes presented in exchange for even lesser crimes than the ones that were actually committed? We will decrease the crimes more and more until there are only minor convictions left when we really know the size of the tragedy that occurred? That's cutting 50 out of 100 and then cutting 25 out of 50."
Daehyun wasn't bothered by Helena's abrupt interruption. He just stopped and listened to what she had to say. Since he didn't want to cause any more disturbance in the room, he just waited for his turn to speak.
But before he could respond after being questioned by Helena, Emmanuel decided to end the discussion in a more direct way. He spoke seriously and forcefully:
"It's already clear that we have no means of fighting back, Helena. We have to be thankful that Babel offered a mitigation of the crimes rather than the complete innocence of Lord Kairis. So, pull yourself together and remember that you're here. only to coordinate and mediate our decisions and Babel's decisions."
Emmanuel's strong tone made it clear that he didn't want answers and that their decision was not going to be changed. But even so, Helena still tried one last time, with a low tone of voice and a little desperate, she said:
"Are you really going to give up like that? Even with such serious crimes? It seems like you really don't care about doing justice and preventing more crimes from happening."
Surprised by the lack of sense that Helena is showing, Emmanuel used an even stronger tone of voice than the previous one to give her a warning:
"Careful, Helena. You are among princes and princesses of the 5 world powers and we have very different priorities in this court. It is natural that you forget who we really are, after all we have shared more than a decade together. But our priority here is not it's about condemning the person that Lord Apollo has become, it's just about making sure the crimes he's committed have real consequences and punishments."
Helena was increasingly downcast with the harsh comments she received in response. Her expression darkened and her dismay was palpable. Her eyes began to get wet, almost crying with the repeated failures. She was discouraged and disappointed in everyone around her and too beaten down to continue her resistance.
In his place of reply, Daehyun decided to share an idea he had that could end the argument without either side losing. He began to speak with a serious tone but with a hint of doubt:
"As an alternative, I propose that we make a deal with Pietro for the Kingdom of Svalbard to assuage his accusations in exchange for more resources from Babel. I understand that winter is going to be very severe this year and Trinity and Graviton have started making big moves while Babel was focused on the Apollo Kairis situation. It would be very useful to have more presence of the Babel military forces around here. Also, we can get more financial support. What do you think, Helena? We will save time at the same time that Celeste doesn't lose so much morals."
As if it were the light at the end of the tunnel, Daehyun offered an alternative that Helena could use to stroke her ego and satiate her hunger for justice. And Helena understood that and waited to see what Celeste's response would be.
"I agree with the proposal… Is that okay Helena?"
Unsurprisingly, Celeste accepted the alternative Daehyun proposed. Seeing that this would be the best decision for everyone, Helena decided to conform this time. But at the very least, she would leave here knowing that she had contributed a little to the safety of people in the Kingdom of Svalbard.
"If Celeste has no problem accepting this alternative, I should be content too. I sincerely thank you for your idea, Daehyun. And I apologize to everyone… I know I can be really annoying because of my pursuit of justice, thank you all five for not giving up on me. But I leave my opinion of the crimes of Apollo kairis, we must make him pay."
After Helena finished speaking, Fianna responded and announced the end of the meeting:
"And we'll make him answer for his crimes, Helena. Our time for meeting is over for today, but tomorrow we can take a step closer to this goal. So… Everyone ready to go?"
Everyone got up from their chairs and began to exchange goodbyes before heading for the exit. Their escorts silently followed them out of the room. Leaving last, Helena closed the door before leaving the room.
After everyone in the room left, a small shadow in the corner of the room shivered and started to move. Somehow it turned into a little smoke and left the room through a small opening in the ceiling... No one noticed.