Editing Tytania:Volume 2 Chapter 5 (section)

=== II ===
In days gone by, there had been a prediction that humanity, having ventured into space, might achieve an explosive spiritual evolution that would outpace the rate of scientific and technological progress. This prediction, imbued with mystical aspirations, proved to be wrong; humanity was no different spiritually from when it crawled across the surface of the Earth. Ambition boiled over, desires exploded, and hatred clashed. People felt anger and sorrow; they envied others, suspected their loved ones of changing their hearts, and agonised over whether their own talents were lacking. While anticipating their own ruin, they wallowed in carnal desires and wore themselves out with a thirst for power and wealth.

But why should that be a bad thing? Jouslain, as an observer of civilisation, history and humanity, was of this opinion.

After all, a group of saints, virtuous gentlemen and chaste women could hardly be of any interest as subjects for observation or criticism. To begin with, Jouslain could not believe that anyone incapable of hatred could truly love anything. This could well be interpreted as a rather scathing self-criticism. Jouslain had never harboured a deep hatred for others; conversely, he had never experienced a love so intense as to drive him mad. At least, not yet.

Where was Tytania heading, including himself? Nurturing this curiosity within his heart, Jouslain grew from a boy into a young man. Now a member of the Four Dukes, his power had grown to the point where he looked down upon the monarchs of other nations; yet while he devoted himself to strengthening and maintaining the Tytania regime, the habit of observing the workings of Tytania as a whole, including his own, with a cynical gaze had become second nature to him. Even if Jouslain were to have his body and mind consumed by a maddening love, his reason would undoubtedly scrutinise and analyse his own passions with a frosty detachment.

For the time being, however, it was enough for Jouslain to observe his relatives around him. If he was anything but ordinary, it may well have been because he was fully aware that he, too, was the subject of others’ observation.



Now, following his father’s sudden death, Viscount Balamy should have been in a position to succeed to his ancestral title and become the head of his marquisate. However, he was still only eighteen years of age, and, judging by past precedent, the Clanner would not grant him succession to the marquisate until he reached the age of twenty. Nevertheless, his inheritance of the estate would naturally be recognised.

Viscount Balamy’s late father, Estrade, had not been particularly greedy in seeking out financial interests, yet he left behind a vast fortune, the total value of which would likely exceed five times that which Theodora was to inherit. This would have to be divided amongst the deceased’s wife and four children, and further distributed to his officially recognised mistresses and their illegitimate children. The responsibility for administering this estate fell upon Balamy, the deceased’s legitimate son.

However, this did not mean that Balamy could manipulate the inheritance as he pleased to his own advantage. Should Balamy’s actions be found to be grossly unfair, those with grievances may appeal to the Clanner’s Court, and the matter of the inheritance will then be referred to the Clanner for a ruling. At this stage, Balamy’s reputation would already be in tatters; indeed, there have been past instances where, as a result of protracted disputes over the estate, a family line was outright abolished and its assets confiscated by the Clanner’s Court. While the Clanner’s ruling was, of course, expected to be fair, he was the holder of autocratic power and often opted for severity rather than conciliation.

Balamy was fully aware of this. Setting aside the question of power, he had no particular attachment to his assets, and at a time when he was seeking to consolidate his position within Tytania, he had no intention of expending his energy on futile private strife. He intended to grant a substantial share to those who desired it. As Balamy had not consulted Jouslain on this matter, Jouslain refrained from any unnecessary interference.

“Still, there are so many inheritance issues.”

Recalling Lady Theodora Tytania, Jouslain gave a faint, wry smile. Lord Idris had submitted a petition to Clanner Ajman requesting that her succession to the earldom be recognised.

Around the same time, several rumours had reached Jouslain. It was said that, prior to visiting him, Theodora had paid a call on Lord Ariabert to request his cooperation regarding her succession to the earldom. Jouslain did not find this surprising.

“Unless His Clanner Highness recognises my succession, my county will become extinct. I humbly request that Duke Ariabert lend his support.”

Although Theodora had argued as such,

“Provided the legally correct procedures have been followed, I have no reason to object. There is no need for me to concern myself with this,” is what Ariabert is reported of having responded to Theodora with the utmost solemnity.

This was something Jouslain could accept.

In such situations, Ariabert displayed a far more resolute and principled response than Jouslain. It was precisely because she realised this that Theodora, too, withdrew without making any political manoeuvres. Or perhaps Theodora had become disappointed in Ariabert and had come to look down on him; but that would mean she failed to understand Ariabert’s true worth.

Jouslain was summoned by Clanner Ajman and asked for his opinion regarding the inheritance of Countess Theodora Tytania.

“If a single night of intimacy was enough to secure herself the title of countess and the inheritance, then she certainly sold herself at a high price. One must say she was far wiser than those who sell themselves cheaply.”

Clanner Ajman’s voice carried his characteristic venom. Although he made no mention whatsoever of Zarlisch’s blunder, it was clear that he did not take kindly to it.

Jouslain replied as cautiously as possible, keeping his response to a minimum. As far as this matter was concerned, he had no particular views to put forward; he would leave it to the Clanner’s discretion.

“In that case, Lord Idris’ request will likely be granted. If the other three dukes have no valid arguments to put forward, there is no need to go out of my way to reject Lord Idris’ request. Is my line of thinking unreasonable, Lord Jouslain?”

“No, I consider it only natural.”

Jouslain could offer no other reply. The underlying circumstances were all too clear, but putting them into words would have served no purpose. Theodora had chosen an alliance with Idris, and in the course of that, a physical relationship had developed between them. That was all there was to it.

Given the current balance of power, it might appear that Theodora was dominated by Idris and has been forced into submission; yet, having chosen an alliance with Idris of her own free will, she will surely strive to build her own strength and endeavour to stand on equal footing with him, or even surpass him. Or would she be content with a modest position and influence? In any case, Theodora was an independent individual, and for the time being, there should have been no need for Jouslain to interfere.

Now, strictly speaking, the task of purging the anti-Tytania forces dwelling both within and outside the court of the Vardana Empire should have been entrusted to Idris. As commander of the Vardana Guard, he was responsible for monitoring both the Emperor and the court officials. A complete list of anti-Tytania factions had been drawn up, and arrangements were in place to capture and execute every single one of them the moment the Clanner’s orders were issued. However, the execution of this task was entrusted to Balamy, and Idris could not help but feel that his credit for the achievement had been stolen.

It was the Clanner’s appointment that appeased Idris’ discontent. The sudden death of Marquis Estrade had left the important post of Minister of Military Affairs of the Vardana Empire vacant, and it was Idris who filled that seat. At twenty-four years of age, he was the youngest Minister of Military Affairs in the history of the Vardana Empire, excluding members of the imperial family. Moreover, the great purge had forced the replacement of all the key cabinet ministers through death. Idris had thus succeeded in becoming the most powerful figure at the Vardana court.

Consequently, Idris had every reason to take great pride in his own splendour and glory. Although he was admittedly somewhat prickly in his manner, he was undoubtedly a young man of great talent; proactive in both thought and action, he possessed a drive befitting his youth far more than someone like Jouslain. In this respect, that a gifted young man should desire the power and influence befitting his talents, there was nothing in Idris’ way of life that others could justifiably criticise.

However, in the course of pursuing his own path, his sharply protruding edges inevitably caused harm to others. Such incidents occurred frequently, and it was only natural that those who had suffered as a result could harbour no goodwill towards Idris. Idris himself was not unaware of his sharp edges, but as far as he was concerned, they were also a powerful weapon. A gentle, contented way of life might be permissible for those of a rank lower than an count. But Idris was already a duke, standing in a position from which he could set his sights on the Clanner’s throne. Aiming for the heights was the only way of life permissible for him. At the very least, Idris believed this without a shadow of a doubt.

It appeared that Countess Theodora Tytania was, thanks to Idris’ recommendation, set to inherit the title of countess. By January of the following year, she would bear the title of countess. On one occasion when Theodora was a guest in Idris’ bedchamber, something which happened more than once, she whispered the following to him:

“Lord Idris, please do become the Clanner.”

“So you think that if I were to become the Clanner, it would benefit your life as well? You are welcome to believe that, but the future may not necessarily be on your side.”

The ice clinked in his glass, a sound that befitted the coldness and thinness of the smile playing on Idris’ lips.

The sweet words of a beautiful woman were pleasing to the ear, but Idris was not one to have his soul stolen by them. He did not grant women dignity equal to, or even greater than, his own. For him, the Goddess was the supreme authority of Tytania; flesh-and-blood women were, at best, mere objects for the satisfaction of his desires. At least, that had been the case until now. Consequently, the fact that Zarlisch could not resist his mother, or that Jouslain protected the princess of the Kingdom of Elbing, was nothing but a laughing matter to Idris.

Theodora gazed down from the sumptuous bed at Idris, clad in his robe and guzzling wine.

“Lord Idris, do you consider Duke Zarlisch a potential rival to the title of Clanner?”

“Zarlisch is valiant, but that’s all there is to him. In the Bronze Age, he might well have established a kingdom on Earth. But we are no longer in the Bronze Age.”

“What about Lord Ariabert?”

“Had he been born in an age of goodwill, he would surely be called a great ruler. But ever since humanity began to reign supreme over other living creatures, such an age of goodwill has never once existed.”

Theodora seemed intrigued by Idris’ scathing assessment. With a strange gleam in her eyes, she uttered the name of a third man:

“And what about Lord Jouslain, then?”

There was no immediate reply; Idris stirred the ice cubes in his glass, creating a frenzied clatter.

“Hmph! It seems you’re all strangely preoccupied with that man. But in truth, what remarkable feats has he actually accomplished that are worthy of astonishing others? I, for one, know of none.”

Pouring another cascade of amber liquid into his glass, Idris scorched his throat in a single gulp. Theodora brushed her dishevelled hair from her forehead with a finger and altered the tone of her voice ever so slightly:

“Lord Idris, you have bestowed upon me the title of countess. Naturally, I shall use my status and power for your sake.”

“I’d rather not be in your debt.”

Offering this matter-of-fact reply, Idris set his glass down on the table. Once this moment of pleasure was over, his duties as a public figure awaited him.