Editing Tytania:Volume 2 Chapter 8 (section)

=== II ===
“I had expected someone to be absent eventually, but I never thought the first one would be Lord Zarlisch.”

The Clanner’s voice resonated with a heavy tone. Five chairs stood at the table in the Supreme Council Chamber, one of which remained empty. Without speaking any further about the occupant of that empty seat, the Clanner changed the subject.

“The government of Bargash has requested negotiations. It is only natural that they wish to avoid all-out war with Tytania, but I would like to hear your opinions on this matter.”

“It is a little too late for that, isn’t it?” immediately replied Idris.

True to form for this spirited young man, his tone was relentless and sharp. Jouslain thought to himself that his attitude, completely dismissive of the Radmoth incident, remained as unchanging as ever.

Idris must be rejoicing inwardly, for one of the thick walls standing between him and the title of Clanner had been removed. Without getting his own hands dirty, Idris had managed to secure the sweet fruit of victory.

As he thought about this, Jouslain was overcome by a sense of self-loathing. While his insight into Idris’ psychology was likely correct, the very act of forming such an insight could hardly be described as a noble mental process.

“Lord Idris, do you wish to commence hostilities immediately?”

“Indeed.”

Idris’ argument was clear. He pointed out that this was a war of vengeance for Duke Zarlisch, and that the chances of victory would be high if they struck swiftly while the Bargash government was in disarray and had not yet completed its preparations for war. He argued that hostilities should commence as soon as possible.

Having heard Idris’ views, Clanner Ajman then sought Ariabert’s opinion. While Ariabert’s view was also in favour of going to war, it could be said that it was more cautious than Idris’.

“I believe that, in order to contain the unfriendly actions of Bargash within its own borders and prevent them from spreading to other nations, we cannot refrain from the use of force on this occasion. Should Your Clanner Highness issue the order, I, Ariabert, shall immediately draw up a draft war plan.”

“Hmm. Do you believe that there is no room for a non-military response?”

“No, I believe it will depend on how Bargash responds, but I think it would be wise, at the very least, to demonstrate our resolve not to shy away from the use of force.”

“How roundabout…!”

Idris spat out these words blatantly, and Ariabert reflexively shot him a sharp glance. At that delicate moment, Jouslain spoke up. His opinion was even more cautious than Ariabert’s, though this was by no means synonymous with advocating unconditional peace.

“I suggest we begin by making a formal request to the Bargash government. We should demand that they arrest Fan Hyulick and his followers and hand them over to us.”

“Do you think the Bargash government will agree to that demand?”

“If they do not, it will simply lead to all-out war. The Bargash government must do its utmost. Should they fail to do so, we may well use that as a ''casus belli''.”

“I suspect they will simply try to play for time,” interjected Idris.

Ariabert’s calm voice replied:

“We only need to set a deadline. That will give us time to make our own preparations for war.”

He straightened his posture and bowed to Clanner Ajman.

“In that event, I would humbly request that command of the army be entrusted to me.”

The Clanner nodded. There was one further issue. A matter pertaining not to diplomacy, but to domestic affairs.

“Does Lord Zarlisch have a child who might succeed him?”

It was a serious issue. Legally speaking, Zarlisch was unmarried and therefore had no legitimate heir. One of the five families of Tytania was missing, and his seat was vacant. Someone would have to fill the vacancy. Zarlisch had many mistresses, and several illegitimate children were still alive. Even if one of them were to be recognised as heir, it would be unthinkable to entrust the highest authority in Tytania to a child. Should a regent be appointed until the heir came of age, or should the seat be left vacant?

Suddenly, Jouslain recalled Balamy’s late father, Marquis Estrade. Had he been alive, he would likely have taken a seat on the Tytania’s Supreme Council, if only temporarily.

Father and son were rather unlucky. Even if this was merely a matter of the present circumstances, Jouslain could not help but think so. The funeral of Marquis Estrade had been conducted with the utmost simplicity; Balamy himself, as the chief mourner, had been so preoccupied with the purge at the Vardana court that he had been unable to devote himself fully to organising the funeral. Although Marquis Estrade was posthumously awarded the title of fleet admiral, this was nothing more than a formality.

The Clanner ordered Ariabert to draw up plans for an all-out war against Bargash, and adjourned the meeting for the time being. As they left the conference room and walked side by side down the corridor, Ariabert spoke quietly to Jouslain:

“Until just the other day, I could never have imagined that Lord Zarlisch’s massive figure would never appear before us again. Human life is truly fleeting.”

“There is nothing in this world that remains constant. The universe itself is destined to return to nothingness one day; human endeavours are hardly worth mentioning in comparison. Unless met with untimely death, we simply grow old and frail.”

Jouslain’s remark gave Ariabert a slight start.

“So, Lord Jouslain, do you believe it inevitable that Tytania will fall?”

“No, that is not what I mean, Lord Ariabert. If Tytania’s current state is the result of human endeavour, then so too are the conspiracies and actions of the anti-Tytania faction. At the very least, I do not believe Tytania need to lose to an opponent inferior to her in strength.”

Jouslain regretted his rashness. Had Idris heard his remarks, he would undoubtedly have denounced them as defeatist sympathies with the enemy that were unbecoming of a Tytanian noble. Although Ariabert was a man of integrity, and it would be rash to take that for granted and lose one’s caution.

Jouslain changed the subject.

“Duke Ariabert, if you were to lead your army into battle against Bargash, what are the prospects?”

“I believe I could win the battle itself. The problem is whether we can maintain the gains of that victory.”

The question was: having won the battle and forced the Bargash government to swear an alliance, what diplomatic benefits could be secured thereafter? The aim of the battle was not to destroy Bargash.

“Those who remain in Bargash will hardly be at ease either. Granite has been given a thankless task.”

Commander Granite, who had served as Duke Zarlisch’s ''aide-de-camp'', had transported his lord’s body to the Tytania branch in Bargash and reported his death to Uraniborg. A petition has been submitted in which he humbly accepted the Dukes’ judgement and offered to serve his sentence for having failed to protect Duke Zarlisch’s safety as his ''aide-de-camp''.

“How we treat Commander Granite will be a test of Tytania’s magnanimity. While it is only natural to hold him accountable, if the punishment is too severe, it will cause our staff to become timid. If they cease to offer advice for fear of punishment, it will not serve Tytania’s interests.”

On that point, Jouslain expressed his opinion clearly, and Ariabert supported him. Idris raised no objection, and so the Clanner issued an order for Granite to remain in Bargash for the time being to command the remnants of Zarlisch’s forces.

Should Tytania and Bargash actually plunge into all-out war, the Tytanian combat units under Granite’s command would find themselves in a rather delicate position. Tytania would have to utilise them as valuable assets in both its political and military strategies against Bargash. Both Ariabert and Jouslain were fully aware of this, and in that respect, they were by no means merely espousing a naive, lenient stance.