10 minutes of conversation passed. Opinions were heard, information was examined, options were given and hypotheses were thought of. Even after thinking a lot about the case, they couldn't choose between refusing and accepting the proposal.
So, in fact, there was only one option left for them to try: Negotiate.
If there's one thing Pietro knows how to do very well, it's negotiating. He may not be the best at many other things, but at this activity he considers himself to be especially good. Especially when he's the one with the decision-making power in his hands.
After arming himself with various information and options that might be useful, he headed back to his space on the stage. Returning to position himself in front of Helena, he felt it was time to start doing his real work.
Looking directly at Helena and with the same calm and confident voice as before, he began to speak:
"Before announcing my decision, I would like to say a few words of thanks. I was rude not to do this as soon as I introduced myself at the beginning, but I take advantage of everyone's moment of focus to give a well-deserved thank you. First of all, I thank Miss Helena, for mediating the decisions taken. It would be a great torment to have to explain my opinions to 90 different representatives. Even more stressful would be having to hear the opinion of 90 different people individually. So I thank you for your effort."
Finishing talking directly to Helena, he then turned to the audience and looking at no one in particular he began to speak again with the same tone of voice:
"I also want to thank all the envoys who have chosen to cede their authority and voice to their respective representatives. I know it may be questionable, but we have to prioritize agility in the process and avoid confusion and turmoil in it. Finally, I extend my thanks to the representatives of each delegation who chose to bear the brunt of each decision. Without someone to lead we would just be a big crowd thirsting for justice in a cramped room."
Pietro finished speaking towards the audience, not before looking at the representatives of the 5 delegations appreciatively and gratefully. But after returning to focus on Helena, he changed his voice to a more serious and intense tone and spoke:
"Unfortunately, Babel will not be able to fully accept the conditions that have been set to reformulate the complaint as per my suggestion… But we will also not fully deny and dismiss Princess Celeste's goodwill so rudely. Therefore, I propose that we reformulate the conditions to encompass the next 3 trials."
It was a reasonable decision, no one in the hall was confident that Babel would accept the conditions. Even for a crime with so many victims, compensation would not reach such proportions. Furthermore, it would be unreasonable to accept these conditions without investigating the other crimes committed in Svalbard.
In fact, the next 3 days of the trial would be used to decide the crimes that would be tried. It would be a waste of time and strategic resources to make 4 different trades. Furthermore, Pietro could increase the intimidation that the negotiations would impose on the other delegations.
If by chance he gave Svalbard an advantage in negotiations, he would have several reasons to excuse his generosity. For example, the Kingdom of Svalbard often has advantages in international negotiations. Another example would be that the Kingdom of Svalbar suffered the most from the crimes of Apollo Kairis.
And there were other reasons that Pietro could use as an excuse to withhold similar generosity in the coming days of the trial. Which he hopes will be the case on the day of the Wallbur incident trial.
Helena didn't understand all the nuances that Pietro's proposal was showing. She just thought it would be a great way to save everyone time. At the same time, she also realized that the assuagement of Apollo's crimes was yet to come.
Helena didn't know if she should be angry knowing that Babel would continue with his current tactic for the next few days. She knew she couldn't contest it if that happened, and if it was possible to contest it, she probably wouldn't have the necessary resources.
Everyone in the room was waiting for her decision. If it was just for her, she wouldn't even accept the reformulation of the allegations. But as she had much more at stake, she decided to accept the proposal. But first, she needed to check something, for that she spoke with a slightly dejected voice:
"I believe there is no reason for this to happen unless Babel thinks there will be inconsistencies in the other allegations. Say, Investigations Manager, will there be new cases similar to today's? And if so, how much does Babel intend to push its intentions on this court?"
With the questions directed directly at him, Pietro was a little taken aback. Not only him, everyone in the audience was also alarmed by these questions. They had a tone of threat and suspicion against Babel representatives.
However, Pietro soon recovered from his surprise and returned to show a slight smile. Knowing that Helena was becoming emotionally involved with the trial, he decided to use the situation to her advantage.
He then began to speak in a soft and innocent tone:
"General at Arms, I am only an intermediary between the intentions of the Tower of Babel and the delegations of the 5 powers. I don't make plans, I just follow orders and carry them out. But if it is to ease your concerns, the Tower of Babel does not intend to meddle with this trial any further than necessary."
He paused and looked away from Helena. Now focusing on Apollo, who was sitting on the chair, unconscious and with his head hanging in front of his body. Looking at the state Apollo is in, Pietro really got sad and spoke in a bitter voice:
"At times I think that Babel is severely punishing Lord Apollo, as a father punishes his son. Other times I think that Lord Apollo really has become corrupted and is destined to fall into oblivion. I think many present here have far more heinous and malevolent opinions, I blame no one for that."
He stopped staring at where Apollo was standing and started looking at the audience. And in a downcast voice, but with a hint of enthusiasm and expectation he began to speak:
"But my master Lady Ivanov's opinion is unlike any other I've heard. She thinks that Lord Apollo is like a Phoenix. That when they are old and without energy, they suffer in silence and rest until their last breaths come, then burn themselves with a fire so hot it can melt metals."
Saying those words, he stopped talking to the crowd and turned back to face Helena. With eyes shining with emotion and with a voice burning with enthusiasm, Pietro began to speak:
"After burning to ashes, these magnificent creatures rise again as a new creature. Young and glowing with so much vitality, they need nothing more than courage to start their new lives. And that is what Lady Ivanov believes will happen to Lord Apollo…"
With a pause, Pietro let the mood now so fervent and alarming subside. Meanwhile, he took the opportunity to look at everyone in the audience. Hoping to see the different reactions, he started looking vaguely at the people he thought were important.
After a few moments, the atmosphere calmed down and Pietro took the opportunity to resume his speech. Now with a calm and methodical voice, he faced Helena and said:
"Babel shares Lady Ivanov's mindset, and wants to help in this very difficult time for Lord Apollo. If only to do so, Babel would have to step aside and let Lord Apollo suffer the consequences of his arrogance and banal carelessness."
His words aroused complex feelings in the audience. Some understood his words as a warning or a threat, others thought his words were a premonition. But for Helena, those words were a reminder.
A reminder that the admirable man who was her master could redeem himself and somehow return to his splendor. But at the same time she realized that these feelings would hurt her more than the other way around.
Pietro continued to speak:
"The answer to your hidden question is no, Lady Helena. Babel does not intend to force its intentions on this court and subvert the decisions that will be made. Babel just wants to guide the punishments so they aren't too harmful to his 'son'."
Helena managed to suppress the dangerous feelings just in time to make her final decision. And after accepting Pietro's answer, she confirmed his opinion:
"I will believe your words, Lord Pietro. And trusting your intentions and consequently the intentions of the Tower of Babel, I now give my verdict on your proposal."
She glanced over to where Celeste was sitting and again asked for her confirmation with her gaze. Soon, a nod was seen and Helena knew she could continue with her line:
"I will accept the postponement of negotiations until all allegations of crimes committed by Apollo in the territory of the Kingdom of Svalbard are questioned and investigated. So, starting today, we will be in intermittent negotiations until the 4th day of the trial, when the final decision will be given on Princess Celeste's recasting of the allegations. Until then, representatives of the Tower of Babel must present their reformulation proposals as usual. As mediator and coordinator, I will be in charge of negotiating the terms and adjudicating the agreement between the parties."
Helena decided to take a break so that everyone could discern and understand her decision. But then she continued to speak:
"With this decision. I bring to an end the 1st day of the trial of Apollo Kairis. Tomorrow, at the same time, we will start the second day and all representatives of the delegations must attend."
She was rushed to finish speaking and leave the stage, managing to be the first to leave the hall. In her haste, she took the time to pay attention to the retreating audience. Least of all did she pay attention to how Apollo was carried off the stage by the two guards.
She just wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible. Those feelings of guilt and remorse were gnawing at her and made her question her own situation. She just wanted to go to her hotel room and take a freezing shower. And so she did...