Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 7 (section)

=== I ===
On the 15<sup>th</sup> of April at 18:00, the two Dukes Ariabert and Jouslain finally reunited. While this was intended to be a private affair, it resulted in something of historical significance. Amidst the shocking event known as the “Great Schism” of the Tytania Clan, the two titans of the rebellion against Clanner Ajman ended up holding a meeting.

“Let those two meet in Bargash. You can be certain they’ll be plotting something.”

It was Idris who had shouted those words, but regardless of his true intentions, he ended up seeing his prophecy fulfilled. Although Ariabert and Jouslain had not met specifically to conspire, it was never likely that their meeting would consist of nothing more than idle chatter.

Leaving Princess Lydia and the others on the flagship, Jouslain headed directly from the central spaceport to the hospital where Ariabert lay, accompanied only by Balamy. Jouslain had heard that Ariabert’s recovery was progressing well and that he would be discharged safely within April.

After leaving Balamy to wait in the lobby, Jouslain entered the patient’s room alone. The doctor limited the visiting time to one hour before withdrawing to the adjacent room, allowing the two dukes to exchange greetings after their long absence. One sat propped up halfway in bed, while the other took a seat in an armless chair.

“I was relieved to hear that your recovery is going smoothly. How is the situation in Bargash?”

“It is what one might call a false peace. Fan Hyulick and the others are quiet. I suppose they are simply enjoying their afternoon naps.”

“When they awaken from those peaceful dreams, they will surely be bewildered. The more robust their strategic plans, the more bewildered they shall be.”

Tytania ruled the cosmos. Meanwhile, the modest forces led by Fan Hyulick stood in defiance. The framework that everyone had envisioned collapsed within these few dozen days, and Fan Hyulick’s victory beneath the sea remained buried within the strata of history, unknown to many. Now, hundreds of billions of sensory organs focused their attention on every single movement of the two dukes.

As far as Ariabert was concerned, it was a fact that he had failed to subjugate Fan Hyulick’s faction, and he had to take responsibility in some form. It was also true that he had sustained severe injuries that would take three months to fully heal, and his health was far too poor to wield his dictatorial powers in Bargash. Furthermore, it was certain that Idris would pursue him to demand accountability. Since he was unable to return to Uraniborg to offer lengthy explanations, Ariabert had no choice but to resign.

From that point on, the rapid escalation of events exceeded even Ariabert’s predictions; however, rather than a lack of foresight on his part, it would be more accurate to say that the situation itself had become irrational. Everything was accelerating. Or perhaps Clanner Ajman, himself cornered, had been forced into a sudden decision—provided the Clanner was indeed the true mastermind.

“There is nothing to be done about the defeat. It was my own blunder, for I temporarily lost sight of the bigger picture and grew too impatient to restore my personal honour.”

These were the terms in which Ariabert described his defeat.

“Even if I were to remain in the position of Commander-in-Chief, I would eventually find myself defeated by Fan Hyulick once more. I simply felt the need to take a step back and view the situation from a broader perspective…”

Ariabert cast his gaze toward his bedside. A vase overflowed with carnations in blue, white, and red. In the background, the sky was visible through the window, deepening into twilight with each passing moment, as the light of the fixed stars retreated and the points of light from other stars increased in both number and intensity.

“Tytania is an invisible rope. She binds not only our bodies but our hearts as well. I found myself wondering if it might be possible to break free from her.”

The shackles of Tytania weighed heavily even upon the dukes, who enjoyed privileges by virtue of the veneration they received from others. Though they had been raised under the values that ran through the very history of Tytania and were ostensibly adults, there were times when they were struck with horror by the reflection of themselves in the eyes of others. Once doubt took root, they could no longer remain content in their noble ignorance.

As a result, it might be said that Ariabert had struck first against the Clanner. Yet, whether that was something for Ariabert to rejoice in, Jouslain could not be certain. He did not believe that the Clanner, having been outmanoeuvred, would have accepted such a state of affairs with grace.

“It was perhaps for the best that you were injured, Lord Ariabert. It saved you from being summoned to Uraniborg.”

“In exchange, I was dragged into your troubles, Lord Jouslain. It was quite a nuisance.”

Ariabert uttered a rather clumsy joke<ref name="ftn30">“Joke” (冗談) is pronounced “joke”.</ref>. It was not merely Balamy who was an exception; generally speaking, the Tytania nobility lacked a great talent for wit.

“That is why I wished to hear the truth from you, Lord Jouslain. What on earth happened?”

In response to the natural question, Jouslain readjusted himself in his chair and began to recount the circumstances at Uraniborg following Ariabert’s resignation.

Rebellions of a suppressible scale were beneficial for strengthening a ruling regime. This had been a political law since the era of ancient city-states, and there were numerous instances where powerful figures had even been driven into rebellion for that very purpose. Was the current incident one such example? While harbouring such thoughts, Jouslain nonetheless stated his position to Ariabert:

“Just to be clear, I had absolutely no involvement in this so-called attempted assassination of His Clanner Highness. In fact, I even doubt that the incident ever took place. As far as the actual facts go, all that exists is the official announcement made by Lord Idris.”

Although Jouslain did not explicitly say that he distrusted Idris’ words, his meaning was perfectly understood. Ariabert attempted to summarise the situation.

“So Lord Jouslain, are you saying that Lord Idris set a trap for you?”

“No, I cannot say that for certain. I cannot say whether Lord Idris framed me or if he was merely an accomplice or an accessory.”

“…”

“Personally, I suspect it was the latter. Lord Idris will likely take offence, but no matter how many conspiracies he weaves on his own, I do not believe His Clanner Highness would ever be led astray by them.”

It was a harsh assessment, but few would have disagreed. Ariabert gave a nod of affirmation, picked up a fragment of a note left by the bedside, and read it aloud in a low voice.

“His Clanner Highness was targeted and wounded, though his life is not in danger. The perpetrator was shot dead on the spot, and Lord Jouslain’s name remains associated with the crime as the one who ordered it.”

Ariabert allowed himself a small smile.

“It is a most convenient tale. Should His Clanner Highness pass away, regardless of the truth, the masses would drift away from Idris. At this moment, it is Idris who needs His Clanner Highness the most in the entire universe.”

Jouslain noticed that Ariabert had removed the title of “Lord” from Idris’ name, but he made no mention of it.

As the conversation shifted to the circumstances of his departure from Uraniborg and turned to the female captain of the ''Austra'', Ariabert interjected:

“Edna is a highly skilled captain.”

Under Jouslain’s gaze, Ariabert realised that he had addressed Captain Edna Fredericks by her given name. Ariabert looked back at Jouslain’s face and admitted it dispassionately: he had been involved with Edna romantically.

This was the first instance in which Jouslain had become aware of one of Ariabert’s romantic entanglements. Ariabert was not the type of man to flaunt his many affairs as if they were medals of honour.

“Surely, Lord Ariabert, you were not attracted to her solely for her prowess as a captain?”

“Of course, she wasn’t a captain when we first met. It was ten years ago now.”

Judging by conversations such as this, Ariabert appeared to be a man whose sense of humour was perhaps even more clumsy than Balamy’s.

“Are you currently broken up?”

“We didn’t break up explicitly. She has her military duties and her own life, and we simply drifted apart over time.”

Ariabert shook his head and offered a smile, but a faint shadow crossed his handsome features. When Jouslain remained silent, Ariabert added:

“Besides, she is not the sort of woman who would be swayed by Tytania’s authority. I had no intention of using my position to bind her. That is the gist of it.”

Nodding, Jouslain changed the subject. The appointment of Edna Fredericks as the captain of Jouslain’s flagship. She was one who refused to obey orders she didn’t agree with and resolutely carried out her initial assignment as the one in charge of Jouslain’s flagship. Jouslain could not help but dwell on it. He wondered if someone had calculated this move.

Since their opponent was none other than Clanner Ajman, he could not afford to ignore even the slightest flickering of a shadow. However, for the time being, Jouslain felt he should present the facts to Ariabert rather than his suspicions.

“In any case, much to my regret, I have been accused of the capital crime of attempted assassination of the Clanner. Naturally, as this is a false charge, I have no intention of submitting easily. I intend to fight to protect my own life, honour, and rights. Regardless of who my opponent may be.”

Jouslain made his declaration very quietly, then finished his explanation.