Editing Tytania:Volume 1 Chapter 7 (section)

=== IV ===
Once more, Jouslain Tytania was reminded about the limits of his imagination.

He looked at Balamy’s pale face on the screen while the latter recounted the events in a state of exhaustion, and he realised that the 18-year-old had exceeded the limits of his psychological endurance. After ordering him to rest, Jouslain immediately contacted Clanner Ajman.

The Minister of Military Affairs, Marquis Estrade, had died in a ridiculous fashion. But aside from his own disgrace, his death held great political significance. That significance was precisely what made Tytania Tytania.

Upon hearing Jouslain’s account, not even Clanner Ajman could completely maintain his composure. He lightly shook his head and exhaled, probably in reaction to learning that Marquis Estrade had died from falling down the stairs. It felt as if he were sharing Zarlisch’s feelings of shame for having such an unworthy younger brother, but he quickly straightened his posture.

“Well then, Lord Jouslain, what do you intend to do? Will you punish Lord Balamy for parricide?”

That question from the Landless Clanner stirred an unexpected emotion within Jouslain. It wasn’t hatred, but something extremely close. Did Ajman view the destinies of his own clan as nothing more than pawns in some intellectual game?

“Your Clanner Highness, the other day you said that the Minister of Military Affairs would take a fourth path. Had you already foreseen today’s events?”

When asked this question, Clanner Ajman subtly moved the muscles around his mouth.

“Lord Jouslain, I didn’t expect that you’d prioritise your own doubts over answering my question.”

“… My apologies.”

“Fair enough, I’m not exactly enjoying the situation either. This is a fifth scenario. What I had anticipated was that the Minister of Military Affairs would try to clear himself from treason charges by denouncing, arresting, or killing the Vardanan courtiers.”

Ajman’s reply was relatively long and almost perfect in its logical consistency, but right now it irritated Jouslain in an odd manner.

The Clanner added:

“To be more accurate, I should say that I was hoping for it.”

“Hoping for it? Do you mean the fact that the Minister of Military Affairs would be thwarted by his own son?”

“That’s another issue. I simply thought that someone with views on the throne should at the very least have that level of skill. Such as the decisiveness to punish courtiers in order to ensure his own safety as well as the interests of Tytania.”

The Clanner placed his fingers on the collar of his military uniform and pulled on it. It seemed to be an unconscious action.

“Well, it’s a roundabout way of doing things, but let’s return to my initial question. Lord Jouslain, what is your opinion about how to deal with Lord Balamy?”

“I disagree with publicly punishing Lord Balamy.”

The Clanner didn’t fly into a rage. He merely slightly lifted an eyebrow, looked at Jouslain, and ordered him to explain his reasoning. Steadying his breath, Jouslain began:

“First, if we accuse Lord Balamy of patricide, it will only result in the anti-Tytania faction, courtiers included, raising a toast. They will call Tytania a blood-cursed clan. Whether there is any merit to it or not…”

Jouslain slightly raised his voice in order to face the Clanner’s expression that was far too scathing to be mere sarcasm.

“… there is no need to allow them to utter such words. Secondly, although Lord Balamy made a mistake, he is a capable individual, and losing him would be a loss for Tytania. I request your wise consideration upon these two points.”

“A loss for Tytania?”

Ajman’s voice was not convinced, and dripping with sarcasm, but the Clanner didn’t press any further.

“Lord Jouslain, assuming I accept your opinion, what do you believe should be our course of action?”

“Marquis Estrade’s death is accidental. If we were to announce that he fell down the stairs because he lost his footing in his haste to inform Your Clanner Highness about the courtiers’ treasonous intentions…”

“We can then at least purge the courtiers? Well, fine. It won’t be a loss for Tytania. But the task of purging the courtiers while simultaneously keeping people quiet is best left to Balamy.”

A note of sternness was added to the Clanner’s voice.

“If he is unable to handle that much, then I’m afraid I won’t be able to accept your claim about Balamy being an essential asset for Tytania. Let Balamy handle it. I won’t compromise on that point.”

“As you wish,” muttered Jouslain. Extracting any more concessions from the Clanner would be impossible.

“Still, Lord Jouslain, you’re a wise man, and I don’t consider myself to be a fool either. For the two of us to make predictions and have our predictions overturned by a mere accident…”

A faint whisper of self-deprecation escaped from the Clanner’s lips.

“Human knowledge has its limits.”

Jouslain agreed with that realisation but didn’t voice it. He couldn’t manage to feel favourably disposed towards either the Clanner who had become so talkative and was treating him like his chaplain, or himself for accepting it. He couldn’t help but feel disgusted at his own proposal, which tried to anticipate the Clanner’s intentions and ended up cornering Marquis Estrade.

The next day, Idris came to say goodbye. After a few polite exchanges, Jouslain asked Idris how he planned to carry out his assigned task on a technical level.

“Will you set up a trap?”

“Of course I will,” replied Duke Idris with a defiant gaze that clearly signalled his intent to challenge him.

The sharpness of Idris, the youngest of the Four Dukes, was evident in his gaze.

“I intend to lay a trap that is not particularly original but effective nevertheless. The Clanner wishes to kill two birds with one stone. As a member of Tytania, I shall do my best to act in accordance with the Clanner’s wishes.”

Jouslain could guess what Idris was planning. He would pretend to guard Arses while actually creating an opportunity for Arses to be killed and then eliminate Fan Hyulick and his men. It wasn’t particularly original, but it wasn’t due to any lack of talent on Idris’ part, but rather to external circumstances.

From Idris’ perspective, being burdened with unnecessary clean-up work for the sake of the clan wasn’t any fun. Even if he succeeded, he wouldn’t receive much praise for it. As for failure, it was unlikely that Idris had even considered the possibility. But maybe Idris was taking on the opportunity to his advantage and solidifying his position. The psychology of a Tytanian leader in his early twenties was not an easy thing for others to analyse.

“In any case, take care of yourself. I wish you good fortune, Lord Idris.”

Jouslain extended his hand, somewhat formally, and Idris shook it even more curtly.

“I suppose I’ll accept your wishes. After all, I’m off to do a job I have no desire to do. I wonder who came up with that idea.”

Said Duke Idris with a cold and malicious tone. He then pulled his hand away from the handshake, lifted his shoulders in his grey uniform, and proudly walked away.