Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 1 (section)

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Whether the funeral was truly fitting for the deceased was something Duke Jouslain Tytania could not be certain of. He had ordered the funeral for Duke Ariabert Tytania, who had been both his half-brother and his cousin, but left the specific arrangements to the deceased’s subordinates. He sat in silence before the capsule containing the body.

Jouslain had lost his composure. His only solace was the awareness of this fact, yet he was merely barely keeping his head above the surface of reason to draw breath and was unable to save anyone. The cause was clear and singular, yet there were countless reasons why that single cause was able to devastate him so completely.

If one were to use extreme phrasing, it could be said that Ariabert’s death shook the whole of human society. Not only those directly involved in the “Uraniborg Incident”, but also the people who had been excited by the possibility of witnessing a moment in history changing through the media, lost their voices in shock. While it was entirely predictable that a commander might die in battle amidst the flames of war, the fact that a side on the verge of victory was assassinated during a temporary ceasefire exceeded the imagination of the general public.

In the name of the Landless Clanner Ajman, Tytania officially announced Duke Ariabert Tytania’s “sudden death”. The cause of death was declared to be an “unofficial execution”, which was a just punishment for the “outrageous act” of launching a military attack against Tytania’s headquarters. All questions and doubts were coldly ignored.

The Tytania-affiliated media—in other words, the vast majority of the press—attempted to justify this proclamation and work towards calming the situation, but it was impossible for viewers and readers to accept what the journalists themselves could not reconcile. It was certain, however, that Uraniborg had undermined its own credibility.

Within the military forces under Ariabert’s command, resentment and indignation swirled, overriding all other emotions. This was only natural.

“Damn it, who are we even fighting for?” spat out aimlessly in the air a man who appeared to be an NCO. “We were so close to victory. Just on the verge of achieving the great feat of capturing Uraniborg… How can something like this happen?”

Then, another man, likely a fellow NCO, snapped back with an even more fierce tone of anger.

“We were supposed to win? Don’t talk such nonsense! We had already won! It was Uraniborg that resorted to a cowardly ambush!”

That was no exaggeration. The majority of those fighting believed in the unprecedented situation: the victory of Ariabert’s army and the fall of Uraniborg. It should have been merely a matter of time. Yet, everything had been overturned in a single instant.

“I have never heard of such a foul method. So this is how Uraniborg operates!”

Ariabert’s death dealt an unprecedented shock to the Tytania troops. Could a commander of such renown be allowed to fall not in battle, but to assassination? And by a young boy claiming to be a peace envoy, no less. It was the complete antithesis of the word “fairness”.

“Duke Ariabert fell victim to a despicable conspiracy.”

This was the view held by the majority of the soldiers, while others argued,

“We’re the ones at fault for our own carelessness.”

Such opinions were almost non-existent.

There are countless examples of assassination being employed as a means when there is no chance of victory in a fair fight. However, Tytania had always fought openly once hostilities had commenced. While they had occasionally used rather forced pretexts for war and had sometimes crushed enemies without mercy or refused offers of peace, they had, at the very least, never offered a peace treaty only to assassinate their opponent.

“Death in battle would have been one thing.”

“But assassination is far too despicable.”

“And to use children, no less…”

In the end, those three points served to set the will to fight against Uraniborg ablaze. The officers of the Ariabert fleet naturally gathered together, quickly reached a consensus, and descended upon Duke Jouslain to demand an audience.

“We have fought with our lives on the line under His Grace Ariabert.”

“Ariabert fleet’s military record has remained untarnished by even a single blemish.”

“We are not cowards who would retreat without even seeking vengeance after having our commander murdered.”

“Justice for His Grace Ariabert!”

With flushed faces and eyes gleaming, they pressed Jouslain, their fists clenched. Jouslain gazed at them with a somewhat vacant expression. He had imagined this might happen, yet he had been unable to resolve how he should deal with them.

These were proud, battle-hardened subordinates who had achieved great feats under Ariabert’s service. Had Ajman perhaps anticipated this reaction from them?

He likely had. No, perhaps he had gone beyond anticipation and even expected it. Jouslain felt as though he had been cast into the darkness of a bottomless cavern.

“Your Grace Jouslain, we implore you to take command over us.”

“We shall follow you.”

“Give us your orders, please!”

“Command us to launch a general assault on Uraniborg!”

From senior officers in their later years to lieutenants barely into adulthood, they seemed poised to surround Jouslain, their faces openly displaying fury, sorrow, and a thirst for vengeance.

“Calm yourselves, gentlemen. I understand your sentiments well. However, I ask you to reconsider. To persist in an attack on Uraniborg at this moment would mean opposing Clanner Ajman and would make us nothing less than a rebel army.”

In terms of battlefield command capability and the trust of the soldiers, Jouslain was nowhere near the level of Ariabert. That was an undeniable fact, and Ariabert’s subordinates would likely have to rely solely on their own experience and execution at the tactical level.

“Even so, do you gentlemen truly intend to fight the forces of Uraniborg?”

“Yes, we do, Your Grace.”

Jouslain looked around at the assembly and posed his question with an air of unshakeable composure.

“Do you believe I am worthy of being your commander?”

“Your Grace, you were a comrade of the late Duke Ariabert. We have no hesitation in looking to you as our commander.”

“The late Duke Ariabert always spoke highly of your talents, Your Grace. Just as we followed him, we shall follow you.”

“I am grateful for your words, but…”

Jouslain felt the expectations of Ariabert’s subordinates swell around him like a wave of pressure. It was a torrent of emotion, so great that he could do nothing more than maintain his posture and keep his expression unchanged. To be swallowed by this would be dangerous. If Clanner Ajman had foreseen this situation, then even more treacherous pitfalls might be lying in wait.

“Gentlemen, I have a proposal to make. I ask that you discuss it amongst yourselves.”

The officers looked at one another. Jouslain continued:

“Once you have reached a conclusion, I shall abide by it. I only ask that you listen with an open mind.”

A middle-aged man stepped forward before Jouslain. It was a face Jouslain recognised. He saluted, introducing himself as Rear-admiral Mittendorf.

“In all likelihood, we have already reached a conclusion, but if Your Grace Jouslain says so, then we would be honoured to present it.”

“Please, do proceed.”

In an instant, silence dominated the room. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on Jouslain, waiting to hear what he was proposing.

“It is quite simple. Restrain me and use me as a hostage to offer your surrender to Uraniborg. Though I say restrain, there is no need to concern yourselves with whether I live or die. I shall use my own life to plead for your pardon. I shall ensure that no punishments are imposed and that your former positions are not forfeited.”

“Are you truly serious, Your Grace!?”

“Of course, I am serious. I do not care for jokes, and this is no joke.”

Rear-admiral Mittendorf looked at Jouslain, his confusion plain to see.

“You are suggesting that we surrender without further fighting…. If we do so, what then becomes of our honour, our cause?”

“The entire universe and all of humanity know how bravely you have fought and how brightly your names have shone. Who could possibly slander you for having surrendered? That is my proposal. What say you?”

“Whether others slander us or not is of no concern to me. However, what will become of the honour of the Ariabert Army? Our consciences will not permit us to surrender shamelessly, sacrificing Your Grace Jouslain, and act as though nothing had ever happened.”

“If you follow my proposal, only I will die. If we fight, tens of thousands more will fall. There is room for consideration.”

At that moment, Francia glanced at Jouslain’s profile. From the opposite side, Viscount Balamy Tytania stared at Jouslain as well. Jouslain remained facing forward, yet he felt their gazes piercing intensely into his left and right cheeks.

A single female officer stepped forward. She saluted while gazing intently at Jouslain, though prior to that, her eyes had been directed rather towards Francia. It was Captain Edna Fredericks.

“If I may be so bold as to offer my opinion, Your Ducal Grace Jouslain.”

“Nothing bold about it; let me hear you.”

“Then, if I may, Your Grace, we—no, I personally—desire to continue the battle against the forces of Uraniborg.”

Meeting Jouslain’s direct gaze head-on, Edna spoke with absolute clarity.

“To offer peace only to assassinate the opposing commander. We shall not bend our knees to an enemy that employs such despicable means. Please, allow us to deliver the righteous retribution these scoundrels deserve.”

A wave of whispers and glances erupted all at once. Like a breached levee, Jouslain was completely swallowed by the surging tide of combat spirit.

“I second Captain Fredericks!”

“I also agree. Fire upon Uraniborg!”

“Let justice be served to those villains!”