Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 2 (section)

=== II ===
“I don’t think it’s a bad plan, but it is far too technical. If a single error is made, the formation would collapse during his turn. Duke Jouslain would be the one who would end up being annihilated.”

“Well, it’s an apple pie in the sky<ref name="ftn4">This is an alteration of the Japanese expression “a picture of a rice cake” (something that looks nice and impressive but lacks any actual utility) to “a picture of an apple pie”.</ref>.”

Miranda agreed with Hyulick.

“If we could win every time just by moving according to the tactical computer’s calculations, human commanders would be unnecessary.”

“Exactly as Miranda says.”

Doctor Lee nodded. Computers could provide answers based on records and calculations. In other words, a tactic that ignores precedent is “unforeseen”, and therefore, a computer couldn’t respond to it.

“After all, we have a living specimen right here among us, do we not?”

The “specimen” ran his hands through his carrot-coloured hair and glared sullenly at the screen. Far beyond the five suns, a small cloud of light was swirling. It was the fleet of the AJ Alliance—now consisting of only J—encircling Uraniborg. How would he move if he were inside that cloud of light? Hyulick thought vaguely, his brain cells submerged in a pool of alcohol.

“In the end, Doctor, which side does a war of attrition actually disadvantage?”

“That is a good question, Miranda. What do you think yourself?”

“Honestly, you never give a straight answer. It is quite frustrating.”

“We have been acquainted for a long time. I want to hear your thoughts first.”

When Miranda looked towards her mute husband, Captain Casimir gave a laughing nod. Miranda shrugged and set her own mug down on the table with a thud.

“Men tend to flock together instantly, which makes them such a troublesome lot… But oh well. Right now, Uraniborg is besieged and isolated, but as long as the source of power and authority—that is, the Clanner—remains, they hold the advantage.”

Miranda turned her eyes towards the cloud of light as well.

“The method they used was utterly unfair, but regardless, Uraniborg managed to assassinate Duke Ariabert and eliminate their greatest threat, didn’t they? Even if Duke Jouslain opts for a war of attrition here, how will it appear to the eyes of others? It might only look like indecisiveness.”

The public and the media both craved a spectacular, decisive battle. At Miranda’s words, Doctor Lee nodded twice.

“Very well, Miranda. Then let us consider seriously. How to force a decisive battle?”



The interior of Uraniborg was thick with a sense of suffocation. Even more so than the civilians, the Tytania mobile infantry were preoccupied with rumours. It was hardly surprising, given that they were on a war footing yet had nothing to do for the time being.

“I want Tytania to survive,” a young voice whispered. “I mean, if Tytania disappears, where would we go? What would we even do?”

“There are plenty of places that need mercenaries.”

“If something were to happen to the upper management too…”

“We are already in the middle of it. What’s the point of using the subjunctive?”

“Don’t nitpick. Hmph, true, even in the midst of a crisis, the routine for the low-ranking grunts doesn’t change.”

The sounds of helmets and rifles clashing echoed. Silence would pass through only when a grim-faced NCO marched by, but it never lasted for more than a minute.

“Not all planets are self-sufficient. On my home world, all we can grow are sunflowers and cotton. With five hundred thousand people we’d all starve to death.”

“Why grow only sunflowers and cotton?”

“This is why dealing with the uneducated is such a nuisance. The soil in my home world is high in salt. Sunflowers and cotton are pretty good at absorbing salt, so they’re necessary for soil reclamation.”

“How am I supposed to know that? I’m just a city boy from Ementhal.”

Throughout the universe, conversations of all kinds, useful or useless, harmful or harmless, were being exchanged. The uncertainty of an invisible future made people loquacious.

“''Pax Tytaniana''” had brought peace and prosperity to all human society. It was a fact that, despite the boredom and the gap between the rich and the poor, peace and prosperity had continued in the aggregate for two centuries. Consequently, most people desired to maintain the ''status quo'' and feared change, but now that change appeared to be unavoidable, the prevailing sentiment was that they simply wished for the storm to pass quickly so that peace might be restored.



“You are handing Zelpha over!?” interrogated Balamy as if shouting.

Jouslain replied curtly:

“That is correct.”

“Unharmed?”

“Of course… it’s not as if I intended to hand him over with his ears or nose sliced off.”

Balamy let out a ragged breath.

“Stop making such terrible jokes.”

“Sorry.”

Balamy pursed his lips after receiving another brief answer, but to Francia, who stood beside him, it felt as though the sound of a click of his tongue had filled the room.

“In form, this would mean we are succumbing to Duke Idris’ intimidation.”

“Outward appearances matter not. I have absolutely no intention of making this matter public.”

Jouslain turned his entire body towards Balamy.

“The Clanner has forced us to handle not only the assassination of Ariabert but the disposal of the assassin as well. How we deal with Zelpha is our business.”

Jouslain tapped the armrest with his fingertips.

“That is why I shall hand that boy over to Idris. It is for both our sakes, rather than keeping him detained here.”

“But will Duke Ariabert’s men accept this? They are seething with hatred and a desire for vengeance.”

“They know who the true culprit is,” pointed out calmly Jouslain. “There is no point in punishing the tool rather than the true culprit. If we were to punish it, the only option would be an execution for murder. That would only serve to corner us. People will wonder if we are really going to execute a child.”

Francia placed her hand gently upon her master’s shoulder.

“If there is something you wish to say, then say it. It is not as if I believe my choice is the best one.”

Balamy steadied his breathing and his tone.

“Then, if I may, I was under the impression that you intended to use Zelpha’s life as a bargaining chip in your dealings with Duke Idris.”

“Naturally… that was my intention at first.”

“Then…”

“However, I was forced to abandon this idea. The ruler of Uraniborg is the Clanner, not Idris. The Clanner would never agree to such a deal. To the Clanner, Zelpha’s life is a trivial thing. You understand that, don’t you?”

Balamy understood. The very act of sending Zelpha into the jaws of death as an assassin spoke volumes of the Clanner’s cold, calculating will.

“I am sorry to have disappointed you, Lord Balamy, but at this moment, I have no means of shattering the Clanner’s icy resolve. Therefore, I intend to release the boy quickly. While I do not know the Clanner’s true intentions, for now, it will at least save me the trouble of looking after him.”

Balamy groaned.

“And what will become of Zelpha once he has returned safely?”

“Idris might hold an award ceremony or a party for him.”

Jouslain replied with a hint of boredom, and, almost unconsciously, placed his palm over Francia’s.

At present, he was nothing more than a mere cynic. A vital part of his very core had slipped out of place and wandered off. He had no right to be entrusted with tens or hundreds of thousands of lives. Though he had resolved to fight, if he were to fail, he would only lead Ariabert’s brave and elite soldiers to a hollow death. And if he were to win? While Ariabert was still alive, it had seemed as though there were more tasks to be accomplished after victory than there were stars in the sky, but now that his half-brother was gone, his ideas and visions had grown wings and flown away. “My plans have turned into pigeons<ref name="ftn5">“Pigeon” (鳩) is pronounced “pigeon”.</ref>”—it was quite laughable. He even went so far as to think that if he were to simply kneel before the Clanner, he might let him decide his fate for him.

In short, Jouslain had not yet recovered from Ariabert’s death. In a sense, it was only natural. Only six hours had passed since “that moment”. Nothing had been decided regarding Princess Lydia or Francia, either.

The tense voice of the communications officer pierced through Jouslain’s heart, which was on the verge of sinking into an infinite twilight.

“We have an incoming transmission from the Blaze Flag Army.”

Jouslain instinctively exchanged a glance with Balamy.