Editing Tytania:Volume 4 Chapter 8 (section)

=== III ===
The moment had finally arrived.

Everyone trembled with dread. The time had finally come for Clanner Ajman to appear before the public.

The media’s excitement reached a fever pitch all at once.

“Clanner Ajman is alive and well!”

“Fighting has ceased between the Uraniborg forces and the Ariabert-Jouslain allied forces!”

“A meeting regarding peace negotiations is set to take place at Uraniborg between the Clanner and the three dukes!”

“From this point on, an explanation regarding the terms of the peace will be provided by the Clanner himself…”

It was as if the interstellar communication circuit itself had descended into madness.

“My, it has certainly taken an unexpected turn, hasn’t it, military commentator Mr&nbsp;Peterhead?”

“Well, it is certainly within the realm of what can be expected,” replied the commentator, sounding exactly like a commentator.

“Clanner Ajman…”

Even Doctor Lee stared intently at the screen, muttering the words unconsciously. He even held back his blinks, as if not wanting to miss a single movement of the lips, a twitch of an eyebrow, or the angle of a gaze. Holding a bottle of dark beer in one hand, Fan Hyulick sat with his legs crossed in silence.

“Ah, damn it, if only I could interview him. My name would be etched in history!”

“There is no way you could interview him. Just standing before a Clanner would leave you drenched in cold sweat, unable to speak a word.”

Such a conversation was being exchanged in one corner of the media contingent, but the moment Clanner Ajman, who had appeared on the screen, opened his mouth, all conversation and monologue ceased instantly.

''“Of the tens of billions of all humankind, Ajman alone spoke”'' (K.&nbsp;K.&nbsp;Microft).

The contents of that speech would, in the days to follow, be replayed hundreds of millions of times.



Wounded, exhausted, and shrouded in the sense of defeat, the fleet returned to Uraniborg.

Forty thousand vessels had set out. Fewer than thirty thousand returned, of which eight thousand were heavily damaged and deemed unfit for redeployment within fifty days. Remarkably, ten thousand ships had returned almost entirely unscathed, yet this was not the result of heroic combat, but quite the opposite. They had become mere spectators, never engaging the enemy or even firing a single shot, left only to witness the disastrous defeat of their allies in stunned silence. Ariabert had perfectly neutralised the enemy’s numerical advantage.

The soldiers, disembarking from their ships, spoke to one another with hollow voices.

“Can you believe it? The enemy had twenty thousand; we had forty thousand. How on earth did we end up in such disgrace?”

“The thousand enemy ships weren’t even destroyed. I now certainly understand the meaning of the expression ‘one-sided’.”

“Where was Duke Idris, anyway? Where was our Commander-in-Chief?”

“At Uraniborg. They say he was holed up in the command centre the whole time.”

“He didn’t even deploy!? Then who was leading us on the front lines? It would have made more sense if His Clanner Highness was in the command centre, and Duke Idris was out there leading with the ''Black Prince''.”

“This was a case of letting a treasure waste<ref name="ftn45">“Leaving a treasure unpossessed” (宝の持ちぐされ) refers to possessing something extraordinarily valuable or an outstanding talent, and not use it and let it go to waste. Essentially, wasting a talent, keeping a possession unused, or “casting pearls before swine”.</ref>. We at the bottom can’t understand what the higher-ups are thinking.”

The gazes of the soldiers, some with arms in slings and others with bandages wrapped around their heads, were fixed upon a corner of the harbour. There, a pitch-black space battleship lay moored. Its form was grand and perfectly composed, its massive hull so immense it created the illusion of occupying half the harbour facilities, and its darkness seemed to swallow all colours. Yet, despite its overwhelming majesty, it never finally revealed its true splendour upon the battlefield.

It was only after the fighting had ended that the leaders of the enemies of Uraniborg felt the onset of exhaustion. Ariabert and Jouslain had sheathed the spears of victory, accepting the Clanner’s recommendation for a ceasefire.

This decision would lead a historian, a hundred years later, to remark:

''“Both Ariabert and Jouslain were capable and extraordinary, yet they did not measure up to Nuri.”'' (Lian Hoon Dao)

A single destroyer<ref name="ftn46">“Destroyer” (駆逐艦) is pronounced “destroyer”.</ref> set out from Uraniborg towards the battleship ''Austra''. The Clanner’s envoy was supposed to be aboard. Standing shoulder to shoulder as they watched the screen, Ariabert and Jouslain exchanged low whispers.

“His Clanner Highness did not mention the name of the envoy. Was that intentional?”

“It was intentional. He likely intends to take us by surprise in some way.”

“I haven’t the slightest idea who it might be. Perhaps Count Elman?”

“Something like that.”

They waited for a while, sipping on the tea Francia had brewed for them. Just as they were about to finish their cups, the communications officer contacted them, announcing the identity of the Clanner’s envoy.

“It is the younger brother of Duke Idris.”

“Radmoth!?”

Ariabert was stunned. He had not expected Idris himself to arrive, but he certainly had not expected that such a violent young man, a person entirely unacquainted with the concept of diplomacy, would be sent as an envoy. Did the Clanner truly intend to nullify the ceasefire?

“That is not the case.”

“Not the case? So, it is not Radmoth?”

“No.”

“Then who is it?”

When Jouslain questioned him sharply, the communications officer faltered, even though the matter was beyond his control.

“I… I was told it was Baronet Zelpha Tytania.”

“… Ah, indeed he is Idris’ youngest brother. But was he not only twelve or thirteen years old?”

“He will be arriving shortly.”

At that moment, Jouslain was seized by an ominous premonition. The thought even crossed his mind to refuse the special envoy entry to the ship and send him away. However, he could find no justification for such a blatant breach of protocol.

The two ships moored alongside one another, and the cylindrical passageways docked and opened. Zelpha stepped into the interior of the ''Austra''.

Zelpha came to a halt. Turning slowly to scan the crew, the young nobleman spoke with a dignified severity.

“Bear in mind that any discourteous behaviour towards His Clanner Highness’ envoy shall tarnish your master’s reputation in the eyes of the world. Do you understand?”

The crew, weapons at the ready, stood frozen in stunned silence.

“Escort me to Lord Ariabert and Lord Jouslain. Should there be any further insolence towards me, I shall deem it an act of disrespect toward His Clanner Highness himself!”

In a panic, the soldiers lowered their laser rifles and railguns. An officer stepped forward after an affected cough and addressed him with as much utmost reverence as he could muster.

“Your Lordship Baronet, we shall escort you, but we must insist on a physical inspection first.”

“A physical inspection? That is something a coward would demand.”

“You are free to refuse, but would that not mean failing in your great responsibility?”

“I understand. Very well, you have my permission. Proceed.”

Zelpha cast a contemptuous glance at the soldiers before straightening his spine once more and standing still.

“Pardon us.”

Overwhelmed by the young boy, the soldiers exchanged a few words amongst themselves, feeling a sense of irritation. A female soldier whispered, with the easy confidence of a victor:

“Ten years… no, I look forward to what he looks like in five years.”

Though he could not have possibly heard her, Zelpha cast a glance towards the female soldiers while undergoing the inspection, causing them to narrowly stifle their squeals. Perhaps it was the aftereffect of having survived a battle against twice their number. The inspection itself was conducted with great care, and it did not cause Zelpha any discomfort.

Before long, Zelpha proceeded alone into the depths of the corridor, leaving five or six attendants behind. Ariabert and Jouslain were waiting in the Audience Chamber.

“I am Baronet Zelpha Tytania, envoy sent by His Clanner Highness Ajman.”

Zelpha’s voice was still close to a boy soprano. The sight of a boy on the verge of voice breaking, desperately trying to maintain his dignity while looking up as if to glare at the two older men, invited a smile.

Zelpha raised his voice, as if refusing to be looked down upon.

“I have stated that I am His Clanner Highness’ envoy. Why, then, do you both not kneel in response?”

“Honoured Envoy, while you have a point, the two of us have already been stripped of our status as Tytanians,” replied calmly Ariabert.

A flush of crimson crept into Zelpha’s smooth cheeks.

“That point was explicitly stated in this imperial decree. If both Ariabert and Jouslain are upholding the etiquette expected of Tytanian nobility… then is it not only natural that an envoy acting as His Clanner Highness’ proxy should be afforded the same level of respect as His Clanner Highness himself until his mission is concluded? Am I wrong!?”

Ariabert and Jouslain acknowledged the logic. After exchanging glances, they dropped onto one knee in silence. Zelpha nodded, looking satisfied.

“You both may rise.”

With solemn expressions, the two young dukes stood up. Since it had come to this, there was no choice but to go along with the boy.

“I shall now deliver His Clanner Highness’ decree.” The boy read aloud, opening the archaic silk<ref name="ftn47">“Silk” (絹布) is pronounced “silk”.</ref> scroll he had brought with him. “All penalties<ref name="ftn48">“Punishment” (罰則) is pronounced “penalty”.</ref> imposed upon both Ariabert and Jouslain are hereby annulled. Both shall have their duchies restored and are permitted to rejoin the Clan Supreme Council… Henceforth, within the Tytania leadership, both Ariabert and Jouslain shall be delegated the authority of His Clanner Highness Ajman. That is to say, Ariabert shall be bestowed the title of Fleet Admiral of the Vardana Empire and shall assume command over both the Tytania forces and the Vardana Empire forces. Jouslain shall be granted the title of Prime Minister of the Vardana Empire, and shall hold full discretion over all domestic and foreign affairs, without requiring prior imperial permission. How do both of you respond?”

Ariabert and Jouslain suppressed their astonishment, attempting to mask their expressions as much as possible. After a short pause, Jouslain spoke:

“We are honoured by these words, but to speak frankly, this result far exceeds our expectations. It is difficult to believe that Duke Idris would accept such unilateral terms.”

“… As for Idris, I shall speak of him presently.”

Zelpha’s voice trembled, and a flame of anger ignited in both of his eyes. For a fleeting moment, he forgot his position as an envoy, and his resentment towards his brother became plain to see. However, Zelpha composed himself and resumed reading the imperial decree.

“Idris shall bear the primary responsibility for this recent civil war. His rank shall be demoted one grade to marquis, and he is ordered to an indefinite posting to the Tyron planetary mission.”