Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 2 (section)

=== I ===
It was generally believed that the main appeal of a pirate’s feast, though somewhat vulgar, lay in it being cheerful and lively. However, once it strayed from that path, alcohol was consumed gloomily, and nothing followed but heavy, morose conversation.

“I never imagined Duke Ariabert would meet such an end.”

“It would have been one thing if he had died in battle.”

“But the possibility of assassination was even being considered.”

There was nothing to distinguish these conversations from those of ordinary law-abiding citizens. The dining room of the ''Honest Old Man Junior'', the flagship of the Blaze Flag Army, felt half like a haunted mansion.

“Clanner Ajman is truly a terrifying man.”

“Terrifying? I don’t see it that way. What a petty bastard. When he saw there was no chance of winning in a fair fight, he resorted to the cheap tactic of assassination. And he even used a child to do it.”

“I agree with Hyulick. I thought he would be a more dignified ruler, but he’s unexpectedly small-minded.”

Doctor Lee shook his head.

“Miranda, that is exactly what makes the Clanner terrifying. To be seen as petty, despised, or hated—he doesn’t give any of that a second thought. He eliminated the strongest enemy commander with absolute ruthlessness and efficiency. There is no one more frightening than a person who possesses the power to achieve their goals without regard for their reputation or the means used.”

He placed his small mug of dark beer upon the table.

“Today, Duke Ariabert was murdered using such a method. Tomorrow, there is no way to predict who will be killed or how. Those associated with Tytania must feel as though they are constantly on edge.”

“In short, it is a reign of terror. If Duke Idris decides to strike first to prevent being struck himself, I shall find myself reconsidering my opinion of that arrogant nobleman.”

Doctor Lee gazed at the foam clinging to the rim of his mug.

“Do you know what the greatest happiness in life is? Ah, let me clarify, it is not being able to eat a superb omelette every day. That lacks too much universality.”

Having been outmanoeuvred, Hyulick exhaled a breath heavy with the scent of alcohol.

“I suppose ‘it depends on the person’ won’t suffice as an answer?”

“It is nothing short of a miracle that I have not given up on you. For almost all human beings, the greatest happiness is the ability to always make the best possible choice.”

Mahdi let out an eerie laugh.

“Isn’t that what they call a pipe dream? It is no easy task to choose the best bank based on interest rates and customer service.”

“I sympathise with you Mahdi, but in the end, you chose this path yourself.”

Miranda spoke with irony as she picked up the stack of papers resting on the table. It was the latest news output from the general-purpose computer.

“The Clanner has rescinded the decree, then.”

“… Anything goes, it seems. It will hold no weight, neither legally nor morally.”

“It holds weight precisely because it is Tytania.”

“… To dispatch an envoy and present such favourable terms, only to kill Duke Ariabert the very next moment…”

Fan Hyulick excelled above all others in unconventional tactics, yet his political views and ideologies were utterly mediocre—though he himself described them as “sound”. Consequently, regarding Clanner Ajman’s assassination of Ariabert, he felt nothing but pure loathing.

Doctor Lee flicked the side of his tankard with his fingertip.

“This is merely the alcohol speaking, so there is no need to take it seriously, but what do you think, Hyulick? If you find the Clanner distasteful, why not simply side with Duke Jouslain?”

To side with Duke Jouslain.

It had never even crossed his mind. Or perhaps, in the depths of his subconscious, such a thought had been writhing. To begin with, he had never harboured any ill will towards Jouslain Tytania personally. Well, the same went for the late Ariabert Tytania, but as someone being pursued by the Tytania as a whole, he was not in a position to give such matters serious thought. Had that moment finally arrived, then? Doctor Lee had said it was merely the alcohol talking, but…

“No, but wait a minute. Even if we were inclined to do so, would they even accept it? Even if we say we are siding with Duke Jouslain, the ones he is actually leading are Duke Ariabert’s men.”

“You did well noticing that.”

“Of course I noticed! I’ve fought him three times, after all.”

“You came out on top with two wins and one loss. That’s quite an achievement.”

“Hmph, it was more like a sneak attack.”

“No need to disparage yourself. Duke Ariabert accepted his defeats with grace, and it would actually be quite rude to him to belittle yourself. I doubt they hate the Clanner any less than they hate you.”

“If they had challenged him to a fair fight, it might have been one thing, but this was an assassination. And using a child to do it, no less. They must have thought that removing Duke Ariabert would sap their will to fight. But, unfortunately for them…”

“It was a textbook example of backfiring.”

“Honestly, out of every thousand, every ten thousand people, all would think the same. The Clanner truly did something stupid.”

“Was it stupid?”

“Should I use a more refined term like ‘foolish’, Doctor?”

“It is not a matter of phrasing. It is a matter of motive.”

“Motive…?”

“To go so far as to commit an act that everyone would deem foolish. It isn’t simply Duke Ariabert’s subordinates who must find it distasteful, but even Duke Idris himself.”

Doctor Lee took on a pensive expression.

“Sometimes, I find myself thinking this: the Clanner might be intentionally creating circumstances disadvantageous to Tytania.”

“No way.”

“When you look at it that way, many things start to make sense.”

“Do they? It might seem so if you only look at his outward actions, but what would his motives be? Why would the Sovereign of Tytania engage in deeds that undermine his own power?”

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Don’t get defensive. You’re the one who always insists that there can be no conclusion without evidence.”

When Hyulick provoked him, Doctor Lee responded with a laugh, though the gloominess had significantly diminished.

“It seems my beer has gone lukewarm. I haven’t even taken a sip yet. Would anyone like it? Now then, Hyulick, I haven’t reached a conclusion just yet. So, let me ask you this: if Duke Jouslain were to resort to the most extreme measures, to what extent do you think we would have a chance at victory?”

“Extreme measures?”

“A full-scale offensive with all available forces, an assault on Uraniborg.”

“An assault on Uraniborg? Like urban warfare!?”

A hint of a scream tinged Mahdi’s voice. Miranda chimed in as well:

“The number of civilian casualties would be enormous. No, even before that, I cannot imagine Duke Jouslain would even consider such a thing. It annoys me to say it, but he’s a man with common sense.”

“How many troops can Uraniborg’s side deploy for urban warfare?”

When Hyulick asked that question, Miranda pulled out a dedicated tablet.

“If we only count the mobile infantry specialised in ground combat, it would be around one hundred thousand. They likely never anticipated being invaded. If they mobilise the fleet’s crew, it might be ten times that amount.”

“And Jouslain’s side?”

“Well, their side is also at a maximum of one hundred thousand. I cannot quite gauge the extent of their amphibious assault capabilities.”

“If they were to settle this in outer space, strictly outside of Uraniborg…”

As Hyulick carefully chose his words while deep in thought, Mahdi interrupted him:

“From Duke Jouslain’s perspective, a withdrawal strategy might make sense.”

“Hmm, and what would he do after retreating?”

“He could establish a base in some suitable planetary nation, resupply his food and energy, refit the fleet, and start anew.”

“It remains to be seen which side time will favour. Besides, what would he do if the forces from Uraniborg pursued them during their retreat?”

“That is precisely the point.”

Mahdi casually pulled the tankard placed before Doctor Lee towards himself.

“So? Do you want to know?”

“I can tell that you are eager to speak.”

“Well, if you have an idea, I suppose I could listen.”

Mahdi did not seem to mind the passive atmosphere.

“In short, he can counterattack as they pursue. He can advance in an inverted V-formation, then, at the opportune moment, turn around all at once. And this time, encircle the forces of Uraniborg in a V-shape and annihilate them. What do you think?”