Editing Tytania:Volume 4 Chapter 1 (section)

=== III ===
“I order you to… No, I request of you to depart from Uraniborg immediately at the head of a mobile fleet and attack the Kingdom of Elbing.”

There was no dramatic reaction to Idris’ overbearing words. While Fan Hyulick was certainly taken by surprise, he was not shaken. Being an outsider to Tytania, he had no way of knowing the relationship between Jouslain and Princess Lydia. Consequently, he did not understand what Idris’ “request” meant strategically.

“The Elbing army shall be disbanded, and no maintenance of military force shall be permitted. As for the King of Elbing… well, what was his name again? I had no need to remember, so I do not, but he shall be forced to abdicate immediately. Elbing shall be granted only the freedom to choose between becoming a republic or a full protectorate.”

At that moment, Idris held a psychological advantage over both Fan Hyulick and Doctor Lee. Idris knew things that the Blaze Flag Army did not. Doctor Lee’s cunning and insight were also predicated upon having information.

''“Back then, it displeased me to see that fellow Jouslain siding with the Kingdom of Elbing. However, looking back now, he had exposed an unexpected weakness. There is nothing better to exploit.”''

Idris was able to fully savour the psychological state of self-satisfaction. However, he maintained a cold, detached expression throughout. Meanwhile, Hyulick and his companions were made to understand in an instant that they had reached a point where refusal was no longer an option.

There was, however, a lingering doubt. The Kingdom of Elbing was not a strategic cosmic stronghold like Bargash or Ementhal. Neither Hyulick nor Doctor Lee could fathom why someone would launch an attack against a mere backwater, impoverished planet like Elbing.

“Might we ask the reason for this attack?”

“That is none of your concern,” declared coldly Idris.

His intent was to remind them of their station; there was no need to reveal the true purpose behind the assault on Elbing.

“I shall leave the command of the fleet entirely in your hands. Your merits shall be justly rewarded. That alone should suffice.”

“What if…”

“What if?”

“What if the Kingdom of Elbing offers to surrender without a fight? Should we accept it?”

“No!”

Idris’ voice sounded as though he were almost relishing his own ruthlessness. Fan Hyulick realised that he had underestimated Idris, and he felt a rapid swell of anxiety rising within him. Was this man trying to involve them in some terrible atrocity? But just what kind of atrocity could it be?

“Whether Elbing chooses to surrender or to resist, no consideration is owed to their movements. Whatever they propose, ignore it and attack them.”

Doctor Lee, who had been observing Idris with more composure than Hyulick, spoke up:

“Are you suggesting we turn the entire planet of Elbing into a scorched wasteland?”

“If you are able to do so, yes.”

An eerie light shone in Idris’ eyes. Miranda began to move her large, yet well-proportioned body. Just before she could do anything, Doctor Lee stopped her indirectly with a voice that was far too calm:

“If that is your command, we shall comply.”

Doctor Lee once again rephrased Idris’ choice of the word “request” back into “command”.

“That will suffice. However, there is one more thing.”

Idris’ tone and expression did not change.

“I shall place my brother Radmoth by your side as a military supervisor.”

When Idris made that statement, the executives of the Blaze Flag Army tensed, thinking, ''“Here it comes.”'' The name Radmoth Tytania carried the omen of danger.

“Of course, this is not because I do not trust you as allies.”

Even if he trusted no one listening, Idris felt the need to say so.

“My brother is inexperienced and lacks both prudence and experience.”

That much was a fact.

“Therefore, I wish to have him accompany you on your campaign, to gain experience in actual combat, and to learn the true meaning of battle and command. It is a necessary step for my brother’s future, as well as for Tytania.”

“I understand the intent of your request. However, Your Grace Idris, why entrust this to us rather than doing it yourself?”

“With family, one inevitably becomes too lenient. With the senior officers of the old Tytania, hesitation would always come first. That would not benefit my brother. I want him to, well, undergo his training, so to speak, under your command.”

Idris seemed to be enjoying the mental image of how much Radmoth’s brutish fangs would perplex Hyulick.

“What say you? Will the gentlemen of the Blaze Flag Army accept my proposal?”

His words and actions were polite, yet beneath them lay something that struck terror into the hearts of men. Was this what it meant to be the true nobility among the Tytania aristocracy? Although it was only a superficial sensation, Fan Hyulick felt as though he had brushed against a core of absolute zero.

It was Doctor Lee who responded to Idris:

“I consider it the height of honour to have Your Ducal Grace’s trust.”

“Then, do I have your word?”

“We humbly accept your request.”

“Very well. It appears this has been a mutually beneficial discussion.”

As Idris looked satisfied, Doctor Lee continued:

“However, I do have one small request of my own.”

“And what might that be?”

“Would it be possible for me to be granted an audience with His Highness, the Landless Clanner Ajman?”

Idris knitted his well-shaped brows slightly. He had no intention of allowing Hyulick and the others to meet directly with the Clanner. He simply needed to choose his words carefully:

“His Highness is currently indisposed.”

“When might he be available?”

“That will be at His Highness’ own discretion. For the time being, I, Idris, was asked to handle all matters as His Highness’ proxy.”

“I understand.”

Doctor Lee withdrew quite readily. A glint of suspicion flashed in Idris’ eyes, but he, too, found dragging out the conversation to be a nuisance.

“The fleet’s organisation has already been completed, but I expect you and your men will need to make preparations as well. Set your departure for three days from now, and until then, have your rest.”

Upon leaving Idris’ room, Fan Hyulick and Doctor Lee looked at one another. An argument immediately broke out:

“What does Lord Idris stand to gain by bullying a small, backwater kingdom like Elbing?”

“Most likely nothing.”

“In that case…”

“Rather than a gain for Duke Idris, it is a loss for both Duke Ariabert and Duke Jouslain. This is how you should think of it. If Elbing were to be attacked, it would cause trouble for Duke Ariabert’s group.”

“Why would it cause trouble?”

“There are things even I do not understand.”

Normally, such a remark would be an expression of humility, but for some reason, it sounded boastful, likely due to Doctor Lee’s particular brand of “personal virtue”.

The colour remained flushed in Miranda’s face, and she showed no sign of retreating for a while. It was certain that she was enraged by Idris’ heartless order, but since Doctor Lee had engaged with it, she was now preoccupied with wondering what the tactician was planning.

The tactician exchanged hushed words with Hyulick and Seraphine. Then they continued from where they had left off:

“Even if Duke Idris is allied with Duchess Theresa Tytania, do they truly share such deep interests? To put it another way, what benefit would Duchess Theresa Tytania gain by playing along with Duke Idris’ drama?”

“… I can’t quite think of anything at the moment.”

“For the time being, I am in the same position.”

Doctor Lee shifted his gaze to look at Miranda. Miranda gave a shrug of her sturdy shoulders, let out a silent laugh, and turned back to Hyulick.

“Let’s set that matter aside for now. There is a more pressing and headache-inducing problem facing us immediately.”

“Are you referring to Baron Radmoth?”

“I am,” she curtly replied.

Alan Mahdi lowered his voice:

“It might be tolerable if he were merely monitoring us, but it is obvious he will try to meddle in our operations.”

“I don’t mind.”

“You don’t mind?”

Hyulick glared at him, but Doctor Lee responded with total composure:

“If we lose, we can always blame the Baron.”

“Do you intend to lose!?”

“Even if I intended to win, there is no guarantee that I will.”

“…”

“Or do you possess enough confidence to claim victory even if the opponent were Duke Ariabert? It is true that you have achieved two consecutive wins, but your good fortune is bound to run out soon enough.”

Hyulick groaned. Even so, this was undoubtedly a mild observation by Doctor Lee’s standards. Hyulick was well aware that both of his victories left room for the accusation that they were “cheap shots”. He repeatedly ran his fingers through his carrot-coloured hair. The guard standing along the corridor wall knitted his brows.

Fan Hyulick possessed a flaw that could prove fatal for a commander. Only two or three people in the entire universe were aware of it.

The flaw, which he himself was finally beginning to realise, was that he “never fought under a position of strength”.

Having defeated Duke Ariabert Tytania on two separate occasions, everyone had been dazzled by his brilliance, leading people to regard him as the greatest tactician in the universe. Rather than feeling full of confidence, Hyulick felt nothing but bewilderment and distress. At a glance, this might have made him appear to be a man of great humility, but that was certainly not the case; he simply loathed the idea of being crushed by the weight of such immense responsibility. He merely wished to live a leisurely, mundane life while enjoying his favourite omelettes. Even as an egoist, he was not a man of particularly great magnanimity.