Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 8 (section)

=== II ===
“My, my, His Lordship Count Elman Tytania. I am truly honoured that you have deigned to visit such a grubby place.”

Doctor Lee welcomed the guest from Tytania with great ceremony. Ever since the attempted kidnapping last year, the two had served as the vital link between their respective factions. However, while Count Elman’s status was officially recognised by Clanner Ajman, Doctor Lee did not act with the unanimous support of the Anti-Tytania Faction. He invited the Count into the salon and gave instructions to the women.

“Serve His Lordship some tea. Use the most expensive blend we have.”

The latter half of the dialogue spoke eloquently of the financial state of Fan Hyulick’s faction. Count Elman must have thought it was quite vulgar to judge the quality of tea by its price, yet it was the hallmark of a true aristocrat to neither let it show on his face nor mention it with his lips.

Count Elman merely touched the served black tea to his lips for the sake of appearances, and after placing the cheap white porcelain saucer back down, he spoke with careful deliberation.

“It seems these past few days have brought much surprise to you both, in mass and in magnitude.”

“Indeed,” replied Doctor Lee, prompting the Count to mutter:

“It is a pity. Both Lord Ariabert and Lord Jouslain have personally distanced themselves from the position of the next Clanner of Tytania.”

“And what of Lord Idris?”

“Lord Idris lacks popular support. Normally, I would not consider him incompetent, but at present, nothing but his narrow-mindedness is apparent.”

“It is certainly extremely difficult for Lord Idris to face both A and J alone, without the backing of the Clanner’s authority.”

Count Elman did not respond directly. It was not that he disagreed with Doctor Lee’s opinion, but rather that he took issue with those vulgar abbreviations, A and J. After all, he was a nobleman of Tytania.

“Eventually, Lord Idris will surely desire to be officially recognised as the successor to His Clanner Highness…”

“Do you not possess such ambition yourself, Count?”

“That is preposterous.”

What appeared to be a wave of exhaustion was, in truth, the Count’s strained smile.

“I believe I am aware of my own capabilities. If I am fortunate, I might at least serve as the Chief Butler of Uraniborg—that is to say, the Clanner’s estate. In terms of rank, perhaps I could become Prime Minister of the Vardana Empire. But that is the limit. The position of Landless Clanner of Tytania is far too heavy for someone like me.”

“There are, however, precedents in history of those who went mad from bearing such a burden.”

Doctor Lee appeared to be enjoying himself. It was not that he delighted in tormenting Count Elman, but rather that he was enjoying the interplay between theory and fact in the manner of a scholar; however, it was perhaps his own misfortune that others did not perceive it as such.

“His Highness Ajman is formidable.”

That was Count Elman’s reply. The meaning hidden beneath the surface of his words was both profound and vast. Doctor Lee slightly narrowed his eyes, observing the expression of the Tytanian noble. Eventually, what he spoke of was not a result of his observation but a matter regarding something else entirely.

“Now then, I believe it is about time, Count. Shall we discuss the business that brought your noble self to such a wretched hovel?”

“I have been permitted to return to Uraniborg.”

“I presume I may offer my congratulations on that matter?”

“Regarding that…”

The Count adjusted not only his voice but also his entire posture.

“I wish to welcome your Blaze Flag Army heretic group to Uraniborg. I want to let all past grievances wash away and invite you as specialists in military technology. I promise sufficient compensation.”

Though he should have anticipated this, a silent wave of shock spread far beyond his expectations. Doctor Lee, who had accurately foreseen the turn of events, felt no particular pride in the fact itself.

“Count, you were supposed to be Lord Ariabert’s advisor. Have you fully reconciled yourself to that fact?”

“There is nothing to debate. My loyalty has always resided in Uraniborg with His Clanner Highness.”

“And what of our own safety? It would be the height of tragedy and absurdity if we were to make it to Uraniborg only to be arrested upon arrival and then face death by torture or execution.”

“I am a Tytanian. I would never resort to such despicable acts. I give you my word of honour.”

“Duchess Theresa Tytania is also a member of your important clan. Do you believe you can persuade her?”

Doctor Lee’s quiet question left Count Elman speechless.

“Her words and actions are governed by emotion. We are the ones who killed two of her sons. It is only natural that she hates us, but it would be problematic if that hatred manifested in actual harm.”

Doctor Lee’s argument was incredibly self-serving, yet at the same time, it was correct. Both Miranda and Mahdi nodded deeply in agreement.

They had not exactly agreed to proceed to Uraniborg, but it was only natural that they engage in a struggle over terms at the negotiating table. They could not afford to reduce their own options by rejecting the proposal outright. In Mahdi’s case especially, he harboured a financial grudge against Tytania. Even if the negotiations were to collapse, his true intention was likely to extort a significant sum before that happened.

Furthermore, Doctor Lee proceeded with another essential question.

“Above all else, what are the true intentions of His Clanner Highness Ajman?”

“I do not know.”

The clear-cut reply was simultaneously fraught with bitterness. The Count let out a heavy sigh, then took out a white silk handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead and neck.

“It is not merely that I do not know; no one else can know the will of His Clanner Highness. He is a truly unfathomable man, and the insight of an ordinary person is simply powerless against him.”

“I am in agreement on that point.”

With a solemn air, Doctor Lee expressed his academic agreement.

“I can certainly sense a tremendous energy of will, but its direction remains difficult to discern. It does not appear to be aimed simply at the maintenance of power, nor does he seem like a nihilist with a destructive bent. He is a man who never ceases to pique my academic interest.”

“To me, above all else, he is my liege. So, will you accept my proposal?”

“Personally, I am happy to accept. A scholar ought to be by the side of the finest subject of study. I would be most grateful if I could perform a living dissection of the mental world of Ajman Tytania.”

“Doctor, I do not believe myself to be such a narrow-minded man, but I must ask that you refrain from making remarks that are unnecessarily disrespectful toward His Clanner Highness.”

Count Elman made the request in a tone that made it clear he was suppressing his emotions.

“My apologies. I shall be more careful from now on.”

Doctor Lee’s honest reaction was something that should have been described as a tactical retreat. When subsequently pressed for a clear answer, he feigned deep thought.

“It is far too grave a matter for me to give an immediate response. I must ask for some time.”

After acting with such unnecessary deliberation, that was all Doctor Lee had to say.