Editing Tytania:Volume 1 Chapter 7 (section)

=== II ===
The Four Dukes moved from the lounge to the formal conference room. Following proper form, they each placed their military caps on the table facing their seats.

While waiting for the arrival of Clanner Ajman, they conversed in low tones. Ariabert whispered to Jouslain. Talking about Arses’ blunder, he said, “Tytania’s fleet numbers 100,000 vessels and 10 million soldiers. Is there anyone who would dare oppose it?”

There was. Indeed, the courtiers of Vardana, the armed force that called itself the “Blaze Flag” fleet, and what happened a few days ago in Ementhal City. There were many who opposed Tytania. But it was only equivalent to the fact that even a strong person couldn’t avoid catching a cold or getting a cut on his fingertip.

Was it possible for the various forces hostile to Tytania to unite and form a unified army under a powerful leader to challenge Tytania? Even for Jouslain this was merely an interesting hypothesis to consider and not an immediate threat.

Eventually, in the presence of Clanner Ajman, the formal meeting began. Of course, the scandal concerning Count Arses was on the agenda, and the Four Dukes learned an extra piece of information from the Clanner. Apparently, the companions of the woman who had been killed by Count Arses’ carnivorous fish were heading to Ementhal to exact their revenge.

“Well then, Your Highness, are we to remain idle as observers?”

If Count Arses were the kind of person who’d let himself be assassinated by knaves, then so be it. It was a common argument in Tytania. Even when dealing with talented and promising individuals. If Count Arses were useless, the Clanner would be all the more inclined to be rid of him. However, the Clanner made a gesture to dismiss Idris’ question.

“I didn’t say that. A hostile action against a member of Tytania is a challenge to all of Tytania. Anyone is free to challenge us, but their arrogance must be punished, or it would undermine Tytania’s authority.”

The Clanner’s gaze swept across the faces of the Four Dukes and stopped upon Zarlisch. The muscular frame of the mighty Tytanian warrior, renowned for his prowess, stiffened as if he were transfixed.

“Duke Zarlisch, there is no end to your woes, is there?”

“I’m afraid not…”

“Never fear. Not even in Tytania does one need to share his brother’s sins and responsibilities as an adult. If anything, it is all those who bear the surname Tytania who should share them. In that sense, Lord Zarlisch, you are not the only one to whom this matter is of concern.”

Idris slightly shifted, looking somewhat uncomfortable, probably because his youthful ardour had been shut down. Looking at him from the corner of his eye, Clanner Ajman fell silent and flipped through the documents he held in his hand. He quietly flicked a few pages with his fingers, and his sight settled on one particular page, and, remaining in that posture, he declared:

“Concerning this matter, Count Arses has requested to leave planet Ementhal and remain in Uraniborg for the time being. I have no reason to refuse, so I will agree to it, but any of you gentlemen have any objections?”

Upon hearing his decision, expressions of displeasure fluctuated on the faces of the Four Dukes with differences reflecting their personalities. It was all too clear that Count Arses dreaded being the target of revenge and wanted to move to a safer place.

Among the four, Zarlisch in particular was infuriated, his broad shoulders trembling beneath his grey military uniform. Even though the Clanner had tried to console him, he was the one amongst them who shared the closest family ties with Arses, and it was a great humiliation for him to know that the same decadent blood as his brother was running through his own veins. He had objections but couldn’t voice them. He was not so insensitive as to not understand the Clanner’s intentions. The Clanner was planning on the fact that Count Arses would be attacked while en route to Uraniborg by those who sought revenge against him.

Once the formal meeting was concluded, Jouslain was summoned once more by the Clanner. He was in the Clanner’s private observation room. There, Jouslain would confirm the Clanner’s intentions.

“Well then, do you intend to appoint someone to eliminate the rebels if Count Arses were to be attacked?”

“Who do you have in mind?” answered the Clanner in the form of a question. Jouslain responded almost immediately:

“Among the Four Dukes, I would pick Lord Idris.”

“Hum…” The Clanner didn’t answer immediately. “Lord Jouslain, isn’t the initial trigger of Lord Arses’ woes the very person he was supposed to capture?”

“Yes. That Fan Hyulick. He had him in his grasp but let him escape, and that’s how things have turned out since then.”

“There seems to be some strange connection between that man and our clan.”

“Is is as you say…”

“But ultimately, it is just our paths intersecting briefly. A man who rejected Tytania’s offers must be eliminated with all our might, no matter how insignificant he is. Don’t you think so?”

“Yes…”

The floor they were standing on was made of layers of translucid ceramic that separated their atmosphere from the vacuum. Beyond that vacuum stood planet Ryutehi, the capital of the Vardana Empire, adorned in blue-green and white stripes.

True to its name, the Celestial City resided in the heavens, trampling from above the throne of the Emperor of Vardana, who ruled over the land. That spatial relationship was in essence a social one.

“By the way, Lord Jouslain, I would like to ask why you specifically recommended Lord Idris to protect Count Arses.”

Jouslain didn’t immediately answer, and Ajman’s eyes narrowed slightly as he glared at him with a gaze as sharp as the tip of a sword and pressed him further. Jouslain had no choice but to answer:

“Lord Idris, as commander of the Imperial Guard of the Vardana Empire, represents Tytania’s interests and keeps his eye on the anti-Tytania factions.”

“So?”

“If the Minister of Military Affairs, Marquis Estrade, harbours seditious intentions, he will see Idris’ absence as an opportunity.”

He didn’t believe that he would make an immediate move, but he would probably try to take contact with the courtiers and devise a plan to neutralise the Imperial Guard.

“Hum, so Lord Jouslain, you are claiming that Marquis Estraden, my half-brother, might act on ideas in line with the Vardanan courtiers?”

“…”

“How disappointing for my half-brother. To be perceived at the same level as those courtiers.”

“I’m not saying that Marquis Estrade himself will act. Rather, it is the courtiers who will act. They will interpret the situation to their own convenience. I have no doubt they will act rashly.”

Narrowing his eyes yet further as he concealed his expression, the Landless Clanner Ajman looked at Jouslain. Jouslain felt like his nerves were being scratched.

“I see, so these courtiers who lack foresight and scepticism might dance to our tune. But even if they dance to our tune, will my half-brother dance to theirs?”

Marquis Estrade Tytania wasn’t thoughtless. Even if the Vardanan courtiers tried to incite him to rebel against the Landless Clanner, he wouldn’t carelessly fall for such a scheme. The conversation shifted rapidly to how to deal with Marquis Estrade.

“I believe he would. May I explain my reasoning, Your Highness?”

“Hum, you may speak.”

Prompted by the Clanner, Jouslain replied:

First, regardless of Marquis Estrade’s reaction, if the courtiers incite him to rebel, it would give an excuse to purge them. Second, if Marquis Estrade attempts to conceal the fact that the courtiers had incited him to rebel, he could be held accountable for it. Third, if Marquis Estrade reports to the Clanner that the courtiers are trying to incite him to rebel, they can conclude that for the time being he has no intention to rebel. In any case, there was nothing to lose for Tytania. Except for the burden placed on Lord Idris.

Jouslain fell silent, and Clanner Ajman diverted his powerful gaze to the floor as he fell in thought. Jouslain, on the other hand, cast his gaze upwards and steadied his breathing to avoid being noticed.

“Very well, Lord Jouslain, I shall take your opinion into consideration.”

Clanner Ajman had made his decision in a short moment. Jouslain mechanically bowed. The grey hue of his own military uniform came into his field of vision.

“However, I believe that Marquis Estrade will resort to a fourth possibility.”

“A fourth possibility, you say?”

“I find it odd that you, Lord Jouslain, haven’t noticed it, but… well, never mind, there is no other course of action. You made a good analysis.”

Bowing once more to the Clanner, Jouslain realised why he found that princess from that small country so appealing. Her frankness was refreshing and devoid of any political calculation. For someone who needed to engage in conversations with the Clanner that were filled with calculations and suspicions, such frankness acted as a necessary mental antidote.

Jouslain reflected on his own life when he was 10 years old. Even back then, the mindset of being a part of the mainstream Tytania clan had been instilled into him. Loyalty to the Clanner. Being a valuable asset to the Clanner. Everything was for Tytania, even as a child. He had to not act rashly to avoid harming the clan. He could not talk without thinking. Thinking carefully. Thinking deeply and thoroughly before speaking. If he were to be rejected, his entire life and family would be over.

Jouslain seized the opportunity to make a request to the Clanner. It concerned the lively princess who came from the small and remote kingdom of Elbing.

Even the ever-so-meticulous Ajman had forgotten about her and tilted his head in confusion at Jouslain’s request. It went to show how insignificant the matter was to Tytania.

“Your Clanner Highness, if her country is unable to pay its debts…”

“Lord Jouslain, are you saying that you will take on that debt?”

“Depending on the circumstances, I might.”

“Lord Jouslain, you are quite the eccentric.”

The Landless Clanner faintly smiled. That smile wasn’t necessarily unwelcome, but to Jouslain, the smiles of the Clanner always weighed heavily.

“Lord Jouslain, no matter how I look at it, I think she is too young for your bedchamber, but if she happens to suit your tastes, then even as the clan leader, it isn’t my place to interfere. Isn’t the courage to persevere in love also a necessary quality for Tytania?”

Jouslain politely ignored the Clanner’s provocation and reported that he had listed a few ideas and sought the Clanner’s approval. First, he wanted to provide Princess Lydia with an education. Second, he wanted her to be placed under his protection. Furthermore, he wanted to take on the debts of the kingdom of Elbing in ten annual instalments so they could repay Tytania. And he would take all official duties concerning the kingdom of Elbing.

“In some 15 years, we might be able to introduce some new and good blood into Tytania. Keeping our bloodline confined can murk our lineage.”

Jouslain didn’t explicitly mention Count Arses as a prime example, but Clanner Ajman perfectly understood who he was alluding to. Or, to be more precise, he believed he did. From Jouslain’s perspective, he had succeeded in subtly influencing the Clanner’s thoughts. The self-loathing he felt that accompanied this success was an unavoidable side effect.

If the Clanner refused, the fate of that small frontier nation and its young princess would have been akin to a small spaceship coming too close to a black hole. He needed to obtain the Clanner’s approbation, even if it meant manipulating him.

“Very well, Lord Jouslain, I’ll let you deal with it.”

With the Clanner’s words, Jouslain felt true joy for the first time that day. To sum it up, he ended up with a country and a 10-year-old princess. Of course, no matter what others, Clanner included, might think, he didn’t choose this 10-year-old princess with romance in mind. He saw Princess Lydia as a future that he was unable to foresee for himself.