Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 6 (section)

=== II ===
He had expected they might be shot on the spot or that the guards would be summoned. However, no matter how many steps they took, Jouslain and his companions were not obstructed. Perhaps the fact that they had walked rather than run had left Captain Slatina utterly perplexed.

In truth, Captain Slatina was also finding it difficult to distinguish friend from foe, much like the ordinary citizens and lower-ranking soldiers. Whose orders should he follow to fulfil his duty as a soldier? Who should he follow to ensure the safety of his own future and his family? Neither as a public figure nor as a private individual could he find the answer.

An excessively powerful organisation was collapsing within too short a period, and its flying shards were wounding people and forcing bloodshed. Such disorder and chaos were unprecedented in the history of Tytania, or perhaps even destined to be its last. During the Great Purge of the second Clanner, Nuri, much blood and many tears had been shed, but it had been carried out in an orderly fashion under Nuri’s cold calculation and ruthless judgement, and such chaos had not been brought about. Once Nuri declared the end of the purge, the daily lives of the citizens were swiftly restored.

Idris had idolised that Nuri, but the current situation was far from his ideal. The height of confusion and disorder was nothing short of hideous, and furthermore, the very heart of Tytania, which should have been in control, had become the greatest factor in the chaos due to the absence of a chain of command.

Yet, that very fact provided Idris with a way out. Had the functions of Tytania been operating normally, Idris would have been held in custody by the Clanners. As Zelpha had informed Ariabert and Jouslain, it might have resulted in something like a demotion or exile.

''“Not a chance.”''

Idris had abandoned any intention of relying on the authority of the Clanner. The Clanner had merely been exploiting Idris’ hostility towards Ariabert and Jouslain. For one who had stooped to becoming a mere lackey, the end was all too clear.

''“I shall strike first, before I am erased.”''

The fact that he had reached his decision with such surprising speed was likely because feelings of distrust and suspicion towards the Clanner had been accumulating within him unconsciously. Alternating between running and walking, he moved from the military district towards the residential area, approaching the Clanner’s manor with extreme efficiency. As he rounded a five-metre-high marble wall that boasted the grandeur of a bygone era, the two dukes found themselves face to face at point-blank range.

“Jouslain!”

“Idris!”

Both remained frozen for several seconds, their gazes clashing in shock. It was the third individual who first regained his composure. Balamy raised his charged particle gun, bracing it with his left hand, and took aim precisely at Idris. Noticing the movement, a sneer flashed across Idris’ face.

“Balamy, the little ''protégé'', huh? Still clinging to Jouslain’s side, are you? My, my, and with a band of rogue pirates as well? What a ridiculous axis of power.”

“And I am in a position to shoot you.”

Idris raised an eyebrow at Balamy’s sharp retort, but he did not launch a counterattack. To him, his only true equal as an enemy was Jouslain.

“Even so, what an outrageous coincidence. To run into you in a place like this… it feels almost too convenient.”

“It is a coincidence, but it was not an impossibly low probability.”

Jouslain had also regained his composure, responding to Idris in a subdued voice.

“Hmph. And what makes you so certain?”

“Because our objectives are likely the same. It is only natural that we would meet at our destination.”

“Our objective?”

Idris narrowed his eyes affectedly. Even noticing this, Jouslain spoke plainly.

“To kill the Clanner.”

Idris laughed without making a sound.

“You have finally spoken your true feelings. It is nothing less than a declaration of rebellion. You cannot complain if I shoot you dead right here.”

“At that moment, you will die as well.”

Having been pointedly ignored, Balamy spoke with a surge of youthful bravado. Hyulick remained consistently silent.

“Shall we kill each other here, then?” questioned Jouslain, his voice growing more composed. “I am sure the Clanner would be delighted. Or perhaps he would be disappointed. After all, what he expects is for us to kill one another right before his very eyes.”

“He worries about the strangest things. But where is our obligation to indulge the Clanner’s bad taste? If I were to pull the trigger here…”

“I should remind you, it is three against one.”

Balamy warned once more. An invisible straight line connected the muzzle of the gun to the centre of Idris’ chest.

“Always the noisy brat, I see.”

“Lord Idris, he is a fully grown man. He has my full trust. Underestimating him simply because he is younger is an act that will only come back to haunt you.”

It was Zelpha, who was even younger than Balamy, who had brought Ariabert—a man of superior status in every respect—to his death. Idris acknowledged his disadvantage, but he managed to suppress any sign of it in his expression or demeanour.

“I see. At this distance, it would be impossible to miss, even if he tried. In that case, I have a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“How about we do this,” Idris moistened his lower lip with the tip of his tongue. “The one who kills Ajman shall become the next Clanner. Until then, we shall act together and eliminate anyone who attempts to interfere. I believe it is a fair contract. What say you?”

“Even at this stage, you are still obsessed with the position of Clanner?”

“What is so bad about that?”

“I have no intention of judging the good or the bad about it.”

It was near one of the half-dozen service gates within the inner courtyard of the Clanner’s estate. Across the road, low-rise buildings housing the peripheral agencies of the government stood in a row, but the staff had long since fled, leaving no one to witness the strange confrontation unfolding in the street. On the road itself, several ground vehicles lay overturned and engulfed in flames. Light and shadow cascaded alternately from the canopy, creating an ethereal, surreal scene.

“Then let me ask you this: what have you been living for until now!?” bellowed Idris at last, his false armour scattered in invisible fragments as his passion and fury were laid bare. “You don’t want to do this, you don’t want to do that. Are you a child in his rebellious phase? What have you been living for all this time? What do you intend to live for from here on? Answer me!”

To his horror, Jouslain could not help but feel that Idris’ interrogation hit the mark. It was true; what had he actually wanted to achieve by living this far? He had performed his duties and responsibilities as a Tytania noble almost perfectly. He had never committed a failure worthy of reproach, and by his mid-twenties, he had secured the title of duke. He had done what needed to be done and achieved what required achievement. Yet, it had all been a matter of what “must be”.

“I do not believe I will survive this. I do not believe I can remain unharmed after killing the Clanner.”

“Ah, I see. You’ve got quite the resolve.”

“Therefore, Lord Idris, you may do as you please.”

“A defeat without a fight, then?”

“I suppose that is how it shall be.”

“I would like to say that is fine, but unfortunately, I cannot. I will not be satisfied until I have beaten you into the ground.”

“Before Ajman?”

“It is that very way of taking of yours that I abhor!”

Having only just turned twenty-five, Idris shouted, ignoring Balamy, who was even younger than him.

“Just because you were born two or three years earlier than me, who do you think you are! Mark my words: if we kill the Clanner, we will settle this once and for all.”

“Very well. Now, let us enter the Clanner’s manor quickly. It will be all over if we are seen by others.”

Two of the three held card keys capable of opening and closing all the gates of the Clanner’s manor. It was a privilege of being a duke. However, Jouslain’s key had already been deactivated. As Idris opened the gate, he silently let the other three pass through.

Moving further into a corner of the palace, they walked down a rarely used corridor, and upon turning a corner, they encountered a figure leaning weakly against the wall. Both parties were startled, but they quickly recognised one another.

“If it isn’t Count Elman.”

“Lord Jouslain… Thank goodness, I have finally encountered a sane human being. I was terrified that I might lose my mind. The attendants have all fled…”

Jouslain looked at Count Elman with a calm expression. Much like Captain Slatina, everyone was utterly exhausted.

“It might be best not to be too relieved, Count. It is strange of me to diagnose myself, but I certainly cannot say that I am sane.”

“Lo… Lord Jouslain,” gasped Count Elman. “I beg of you. Please, do something. You are the only one who can bring an end to this chaos.”