Editing Tytania:Volume 2 Chapter 4 (section)

=== II ===
At the central spaceport of planet Bargash, some five dozen armed ships, their outer hulls bearing Tytania’s crest, were lined up bow to bow. Furthermore, warships were deployed in groups of one hundred in satellite orbit and in groups of one thousand at a point five hundred thousand kilometres from the planet. Zarlisch was serious. To anyone’s eyes, he was determined to crush his enemies.

“What on earth is going on? Is a war about to break out?”

The voice expressing this suspicion belonged to a middle-aged man who had alighted at the spaceport and settled into the back seat of a ground vehicle. He was dressed in a suit that, while lacking in individuality, was of refined quality.

“Milord Count, I’ve heard that Lord Zarlisch has mustered his forces in this sector,” replied the man in the front passenger seat.

“Lord Zarlisch, is it? That hothead certainly likes to make a big fuss of things.”

The man in the back seat let a hint of sarcasm play around his eyes and mouth. The ground vehicle began to move. The lights of the spaceport streaked past the windows in a band of light.

“Milord Count, you are speaking rather loudly.”

The man in the front passenger seat furrowed his brow and lowered his voice. He was a slender, somewhat nervous-looking young man in his early thirties, presumably a secretary of some sort.

“If anyone under Lord Zarlisch were to hear you, your position would be compromised. Please be careful.”

“Good heavens, am I not even allowed to speak my mind? Even though we both bear the name Tytania, there’s a world of difference between us.”

The man’s name was Elman Tytania; naturally, he was a nobleman holding the title of count. At the age of forty-two, he possessed some three dozen titles, including court adviser and royal counsellor to several countries, as well as honorary ambassador, foundation trustee and university councillor. Neither his appearance nor his talents or achievements had ever been particularly noteworthy. He was regarded as a harmless, unremarkable figure. This was not merely a matter of prejudice.

Count Elman Tytania could well be described as a man of an enviable and carefree status. Within the Tytania clan, he was neither of the main line nor a distant branch; having secured a moderate position and wealth, he lived a leisurely and self-sufficient life.

If one aspired to great power and high office, members of the Tytania clan were required to possess superior intellect, diligence and achievements compared to ordinary people; however, once removed from such competition, they needed not worry about going hungry and could lead a comfortable life while holding a number of honorary posts. Even Count Arses could have been considered thoroughly ordinary, and he would likely have avoided an untimely death had he not possessed that strangely distorted sense of aesthetics.

Among members of the Tytania clan who have stepped away from power, there were often those who achieved distinction in academic or artistic pursuits. A major factor in this was that, free from financial worries, they could devote themselves entirely to their favourite pastimes. Although Count Elman lacked creative talent himself, he ran several schools and foundations, and there were expectations that a number of talented individuals would emerge from them. This was not necessarily limited to artists or creators: there were also those who rise through the ranks of Tytanian organisations as technocrats skilled in practical affairs.

The following day, a seminar organised by the Locator Association was scheduled to take place, and it was Count Elman’s duty to deliver a congratulatory address at the opening ceremony. Tytania’s nobility was considered ideally suited to attending ceremonies and festivals to deliver congratulatory addresses. Even if these were merely formalities or empty rituals, as long as multiple groups and organisations coexisted within society, it was necessary to issue invitations and accept them; and since the formalities must be observed anyway, just as a vase requires flowers, it was deemed fitting for Tytania’s nobility to occupy the guests’ seats.

Among those holding the title of baron and managing to occupy a place at the very bottom of the aristocratic hierarchy, there were some who travelled the frontier, making an appearance even at minor ceremonies, and eked out a living on the fees and lodging they were offered. Tytania was a mighty and opulent world, but it was an inescapable reality that the blessings of the starlight grew fainter the further one strayed from the centre of power.

Count Elman Tytania spent his time in the ground vehicle in silence, but this did not last long. An incident occurred immediately after the ground vehicle had passed the halfway point between the spaceport and the city centre. Four ground vehicles, emerging from the depths of the night, surrounded the Count’s vehicle from all sides, pressing their bodies tightly against it.

The driver panicked and attempted to escape, but after a desperate struggle lasting about five minutes, he gave up resistance. The vehicle was forced to stop in a coniferous forest off the main road. When several figures armed with guns appeared, the secretary, his voice trembling, belatedly demanded to know who they were:

“Who are you, you knaves?!”

“Are you committing this act of insolence in full knowledge that I am Count Elman Tytania?”

Having been calmly pre-empted, the secretary was at a loss for words. Looking flustered, he cast a glance at his master in the back seat.

The count stood with his arms folded, observing the situation in silence. As one of the attackers, Doctor Lee, was about to speak, looking him straight in the face, the count calmly cut him off:

“I do not care for being ordered about or threatened. From the looks of it, you are younger than I am. Show due respect to your elders. If you do, I shall respond in kind.”

Upon hearing this, Doctor Lee scrutinised the count closely. The count’s demeanour was unhurried, his voice composed; he did not appear to be putting on a show of strength. As there was no time to spare for observation, Doctor Lee had to decide on his course of action within the space of a couple of moments. He holstered his incapacitating gas pistol, instructed his comrades to sheathe their weapons, and then respectfully asked the count to step out of the carriage.

Doctor Lee, Miranda, Pagès, Walenkov, Amzekar and four others made up the group that had ambushed the count. Their objective wasn’t to kill him. As part of Doctor Lee’s multifaceted parallel operations, they intended to kidnap Count Elman and hold him hostage, so hey could demand to exchange him for Fan Hyulick.

Upon hearing this, Count Elman gave a gentle chuckle.

“I’m afraid I hold no value as a hostage. I am indeed a count of Tytania, but there are like… nearly a hundred of my rank, I think? Do you really think Tytania would yield to blackmail over a mere one percent?”

“You are quite right.”

Doctor Lee could not help but be taken aback. Was Count Elman not a harmless and unremarkable man, one who never came anywhere near the centre of power in Tytania, and who, for that very reason, had never had his talents put to the test, content to remain a mere ordinary man in what was commonly termed a “dead-end” position? Yet the middle-aged man standing before Doctor Lee possessed a profound intellect beneath an air of natural dignity, and seemed to be a figure whose true nature was far from easy to fathom.

“Never mind that, there is a far more effective strategy. Why not make me your negotiator and let me have a word with Tytania’s leadership?”

This proposal took the attackers so completely by surprise that their only response was silence.

“Here’s the reason, and I realise it might seem abrupt, but…”

Count Elman’s explanation was as follows: If Count Elman were to establish contact with the anti-Tytania faction and build up a network of contacts now, it would create scope for diplomatic negotiations in the future. While there might be no immediate results, if this channel were to remain open for generations to come, it would provide both factions with a greater range of options in their political and military strategies as the times change. Should that come to pass, it would be a fortunate outcome for both sides; moreover, it would free him from the inactivity that had characterised his life thus far, allowing him to imbue the remainder of his life with meaning. Would you not consider it for a moment…?

“I understand your point. It is quite a sound argument.”

As far as Doctor Lee was concerned, this was the highest possible praise. It was only then that he revealed his true identity, introducing himself as “Doctor Lee of the Blaze Flag Army”. As a precaution, the others did not reveal their names.

“But, Count Elman, even if these are your intentions, what might the others in Tytania think? Duke Zarlisch, for instance, might brand you a traitor to your clan, an unforgivable betrayer. Are you making this proposal while taking that risk into account?’

“Lord Zarlisch isn’t the Clanner of Tytania. At least, not at the moment.”

It was a reply laden with implications. Doctor Lee ordered his thoughts, coursing through his neural circuits, to accelerate. Was Count Elman, by saying “at the moment” was in fact speaking of the future? This Tytania noble might intend to use the “channel of dialogue with the anti-Tytania faction” as a weapon to increase his personal power and establish a firm position for himself as a diplomat at the very heart of Tytania’s power structure.

“A ruling party without an opposition becomes corrupt and diminished. An enemy incapable of overthrowing Tytania is necessary to keep Tytania in check. That, in the end, will ensure Tytania’s longevity.”

“Is that your view, Count?”

“I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

At this point, Miranda interjected.

“So, in the end, everything exists for the sake of Tytania? How arrogant.”

“Indeed, it is arrogant,” nodded gravely the Count, “But that arrogance is underpinned by facts and truth. The truth goes without saying. As for the facts, lo and behold: Tytania is alive and well, and invincible.”

Count Elman laughed maliciously, and neither Doctor Lee nor Miranda could refute him.

It was true that Tytania had not asserted its dominance over the cosmos by military force alone. While the icy whip flashed several times, sweet nectar was scattered. Even towards the Interstellar City League, its greatest public enemy to date, it had never severed the channels of diplomacy and dialogue. Whether in peace or war, Tytania had continued to hold the reins of human society, increasing its allies and creating enemies as necessary. Did this mean it was now time to create enemies?

Amzekar gathered a bitter glob of saliva at the corner of his mouth.

“So we’re merely performing a sword dance on Tytania’s palm, are we? How pathetic.”

“The sword might well pierce that palm, though. When that happens, Tytania will fall. Count Elman, surely you are aware of that.”

Under Doctor Lee’s gaze, Count Elman showed no sign of being unsettled.

“Let me make this clear: I am a member of the Tytania clan. I will not plot against Tytania’s interests. I have neither the intention nor the obligation to do so. I believe this goes without saying.”

“Indeed.”

Responding briefly, Doctor Lee set his thoughts racing once more. Although the decision had already been made, there was something he wished to confirm, if possible.

“If I may be so bold as to speculate, it would appear, Count Elman, that you have certain ideas regarding the next Landless Clanner.”

Count Elman gave no reply, nor did Doctor Lee expect one. At that moment, they might well have been gazing into a mental mirror. Doctor Lee bowed silently, signalling his intention to accept Count Elman’s proposal. Thus, a most unexpected agreement was reached.