Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 7 (section)

=== II ===
“You intend to fight His Clanner Highness…!?”

Ariabert’s voice trembled with dread. He was not a coward. No one within Tytania could cast such a slur upon him. Conversely, it meant that Clanner Ajman was the only person in the entire universe capable of striking such terror into Ariabert’s heart.

Jouslain gave a slight wave of his hand.

“Though I said ‘fight’, I don’t imply anything particularly heroic. I am no enlightened saint, so I shall simply struggle. That is all. However, since I refused to entrust my life to Lord Idris back then, it seems I have no choice but to keep struggling until my final breath.”

“It might be worth trying to explain yourself. Whether the other party accepts it is their concern. Ordinarily, I should be the one endeavouring to mediate, but given the current state of affairs…”

At that point, the doctor declared the need for examination and rest, and Jouslain left the infirmary for the time being.

Their second meeting took place after both had finished dinner, by which time night had already fully fallen.

“But why would the Clanner choose Idris as his successor? I cannot fathom it.”

Ariabert furrowed his well-shaped brows and muttered, almost as if to himself:

“Lord Jouslain, if you were to become the successor, I would have no objection. And even if it were Idris, I suppose it could not be helped. However, while I might obey, it would be difficult for me to truly accept it.”

“That is only natural.”

If one were to invert Ariabert’s psychology, it would reveal Jouslain’s. Idris was younger than both of them and inferior in both achievement and popularity. The Clanner must have been aware of this. Or perhaps, precisely because he was aware of it, he was attempting to bolster Idris’ power in order to balance the influence of the three dukes.

“Perhaps he has been considering this for decades.”

Jouslain entertained the speculation, yet he sought to avoid delving too deeply into the matter.

“However, it would be best to refrain for now. To pry into His Clanner Highness’ inner thoughts and fight within that labyrinth. We should merely respond to His Highness’ actions in a way that protects our own lives and pride.”

At that moment, Jouslain presented one of the most significant questions.

“Lord Ariabert, your subordinates surely swear their loyalty to you, do they not?”

“If the opponent were Idris, almost all of them would follow. But if the opponent becomes the Clanner, even half of them would be doubtful.”

“… That is precisely the problem,” murmured Jouslain, and Ariabert, in silence, tugged at the hem of his pyjamas.

Idris could not emerge victorious in the struggle for supremacy through his own strength alone. It was only by having the authority of the Clanner at his back that he could possibly oppose Ariabert and Jouslain.

Reflecting on this, Jouslain realised that he had been moving too hastily.

“In any event, Lord Ariabert, even if I were to go to war against the Clanner and Lord Idris, it pains me to involve you. I cannot allow myself to become a prisoner here, so I intend to depart from Bargash within the coming days.”

“A bit late for that, isn’t it?”

Ariabert gave a short laugh. His injuries had healed enough that he could laugh aloud.

“The situation where I could remain neutral is long a thing of the past. Lord Jouslain, I too have no choice but to fight alongside you. Or rather…”

Raising a hand, Ariabert silenced Jouslain’s opening remark.

“Lord Jouslain, it is not your responsibility. I was the one who clashed with Idris. There is no turning back now.”

… A full week before Jouslain had arrived at Bargash, Ariabert had received orders from Uraniborg to place him in detention as soon as Jouslain’s arrival was confirmed.

“I shall inform His Clanner Highness!”

Ariabert raised his voice toward the communication screen that had been brought into the sickroom.

“There are far too many questions regarding this matter from the very beginning. It is impossible that Lord Jouslain would attempt to harm His Clanner Highness. First, I request that you grant him a fair opportunity to defend himself.”

However, the figure that appeared on the grainy display of the communication screen was not the Clanner, but Idris. Ariabert demanded a direct meeting with the Clanner, but Idris brushed him off with disdain.

''“It is impossible for His Clanner Highness to meet with you. His Highness is, unfortunately, confined to his bed after being attacked by a band of lawless rioters. It is only natural that Lord Jouslain, who directed the violent acts of those rioters, should be held accountable.”''

“That is exactly why I am demanding you produce evidence. To defame Lord Jouslain, one of the four dukes, as an instigator of assassination without physical proof, and to plot his arrest, is that not an act that disregards both honour and human rights?”

''“If he has something to say, he would do well to speak it in the presence of the Clanner. Provided he has nothing to hide, that is. To abandon his own opportunity to defend himself and flee is tantamount to an admission of guilt. Lord Ariabert, should he attempt to evade justice by remaining in Bargash, I shall be forced to use force to hold you accountable for harbouring a criminal. I trust you are prepared for that.”''

“I suggest you moderate your braggadocio. Do you truly intend to compete with me, Ariabert, on the matter of military prowess?”

''“How amusing. You are the one boasting. A defeated general, beaten not once but twice by a mere wandering bandit like Fan Hyulick, dares to lecture me on the use of troops?!”''

Idris sneered. The conversation between the two dukes, which had been clashing like blades, ground to a halt. It took a span of time equivalent to light travelling three million kilometres before Ariabert opened his mouth once more.

“… You are not the one I lost to, Idris.”

Ariabert’s voice was low, yet it pierced through Idris with sharp precision.

“If you truly possess a talent for stratagems that surpasses that of Fan Hyulick, then prove it with facts. Bring forth an unprecedented, massive army and march upon me. I shall see you returned to Uraniborg, laid to rest in a gilded coffin, just as it is fitting for you!”

It must have been the most fervent oration of Ariabert’s life. A great volume of blood surged through the vessels in Idris’ face, and the cartilage in his throat bobbed.

Once he finally steadied his breathing, Idris forced a voice that was little more than a groan through the corner of his lips.

''“I shall take that as a declaration of war, then, Lord Ariabert.”''

“How else could you possibly interpret it? Don’t act so high and mighty, you idiot!”

The final words were delivered with an intensely provocative tone, lending a spark of spirited vitality to Ariabert’s face, which had often been described as lacking character. Idris’ eyes grew bloodshot. The capillaries had burst.

''“Just you wait. I’ll kill you!”''

Following that blunt outburst, the transmission was severed, and the screen of the interstellar communication terminal faded to a cloudy white…

“… And that is how it stands. Even if the Clanner were to forgive me, Idris never would. He would undoubtedly set out to kill me in earnest. It means I am left with no other choice.”

Exasperated, Jouslain gazed at his cousin of the same age.

“Lord Ariabert, I had no idea you possessed such a childish temperament. I thought of you as a much more mild-mannered and sensible man.”

“I thought so too. However, it seems I had only deceived myself. Perhaps I merely wished to become that but failed to truly become it.”

Ariabert’s reminiscence reached back into the past. A past shared by them both. Jouslain remained silent. He found himself unable to offer even a verbal response.

“Lord Jouslain, do you hate my mother?”

It was a question he had anticipated, yet he could manage no more than a simple, “No.” Ariabert appeared to have expected that very reaction. For he did not press him with a question like, “Are you certain?”

“It is only natural that I should be hated. But when I was a child, my mother said to me: ‘Never allow yourself to be hated by others, it is enough that you hate yourself’.”

Ariabert cast his gaze toward a corner of the ceiling.

“Then again, even from the perspective of her own son, my mother was a shrewd woman, so that might have been a kind of act as well. Well, regardless, it is in the past now. Since things have reached a breaking point, it would be best to focus on what lies ahead.”

Jouslain nodded in silence. He understood. He understood that when the interstellar communication from Idris was severed, Ariabert had severed a part of the mental wiring that had stretched back from the past.