Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 1 (section)

=== IV ===
The death of Ariabert, who possessed absolute military prestige and widespread trust, sent shockwaves through human society. At a time when the allied forces of Ariabert and Jouslain were closing in on Uraniborg with greater momentum than anyone had anticipated, leaving observers breathless with fears that it might fall within days, the protagonist had made a sudden exit.

Zelpha had become a killer at the age of thirteen. Until then, his name had not been known to many, but as he became counted among the most famous individuals in the universe almost overnight, the media scrambled to uncover the boy’s profile.

A historian would later recount:

''“If Duke Idris had been the second-generation Clanner, Nuri, he would have launched an immediate, all-out assault to annihilate the enemy, even if his beloved brother were held captive. He certainly would have made the decision that even if his brother died, it was an unavoidable sacrifice.”''

“However, Duke Idris was unable to do so, as his attention was diverted by his brother’s safety. In the first place, the act of assassinating an enemy supreme commander holds no military significance, unless it is accompanied by an all-out offensive designed to trigger the collapse of the enemy forces.”

As an outside observer might remark, had Idris immediately ordered a major offensive, would he truly have been able to annihilate the AJ Alliance forces?

It was a biting irony, but in the sense that they were shaken by Ariabert’s death, the soldiers of Uraniborg were no different from Ariabert’s own men. Furthermore, in direct opposition to how Ariabert’s subordinates had strengthened their fighting spirit and unity through rage and a thirst for vengeance, the troops of the Uraniborg army had seen their morale decline amidst growing confusion. Although they felt a sense of relief at having temporarily averted the death looming before them, especially since it had been achieved through the very stratagem of Clanner Ajman himself.

''“No matter how you look at it, that was a dirty way to do things.”''

At least, that was the inner voice that hesitated to speak aloud. For the soldiers and officers who had believed in the “Great and Invincible Tytania,” it felt as though their pride and honour had been dragged through the mud. Furthermore, that mud had been hurled at them from above and behind, and they could find no way to voice any protest against the person who had thrown it. Clanner Ajman was, to them, no different from a living god.

''“Humans are emotional creatures.”''

It was a maxim with over five thousand years of history, and certainly, the masses were moved by emotion. Ariabert’s untimely death was so senseless that, following the initial shock, it gave rise to a simple, gnawing doubt: ''“Surely, this cannot be right”''. The official announcement from Uraniborg failed to satisfy the people.

The common citizens grew wary of those associated with Tytania, but in truth, the agitation among the Tytanians themselves was even greater than that of the populace. No matter who held the reins of Tytanian hegemony, there should have been no direct impact on the low-ranking soldiers or shopkeepers, yet certain “rumours” circulated.

“I hate to say it, but can Duke Jouslain really conquer Uraniborg?”

“He isn’t a soldier, is he? Though it’s in politics and diplomacy that he is pretty remarkable.”

“Still, it’s not as if he is a complete amateur, is it? I don’t remember it clearly, but I’m sure he defeated someone somewhere.”

“But come on, surely he only won by overwhelming them with far greater numbers?”

“Well, of course. Why would anyone go out of their way to fight with fewer troops than the enemy?”

“No, that’s my point. It won’t be like that this time. You’re thick, aren’t you?”

“What was that, you smooth-talker?!”

An electronic newspaper belonging to the Tytania Clan reported the following:

''“Duke Ariabert Tytania meets an untimely death during ceasefire negotiations.”''

While it appeared to merely report the facts in a detached manner, the writer’s true sentiment was revealed in the phrasing “during ceasefire negotiations.”

Due to the remarkable tactical superiority of the AJ Alliance forces, the state of human society had fallen into chaos, but rather than settling the matter, Clanner Ajman seemed only to have deepened it. Within that murky situation, time itself drifted by in a heavy, sluggish haze. Inside Uraniborg, low-voiced conversations flickered whenever three or more soldiers gathered:

“I thought for sure we might scatter in flight after losing such a respected commander.”

“But we didn’t surrender, nor did we even retreat.”

“It looks like we actually grew more united.”

“When you think about it, Duke Jouslain is still standing strong, after all.”

“However, compared to Duke Ariabert, his standing as a soldier was likely inferior. He’s a politician, after all.”

“So, what happens in the end?”

“It will be what it will be.”

Just then, the heavy, deliberate footfalls of a superior echoed, and the soldiers hurriedly fell silent.

This was the state of affairs three hours after the death of Duke Ariabert Tytania had been made public. Both the attackers and the defenders waited with bloodshot eyes and bodies taut with tension. Though none knew truly what they were waiting for.

In such a situation, perhaps the most fortunate of them all was Zarlisch, who passed away without witnessing the day’s tragedies for Tytania.

Duke Jouslain Tytania thought in a manner characteristic of himself, and a bitter smile etched itself upon his lips.

He, too, had been waiting. Just like the masses and the soldiers, he had been waiting for something. For the most part, it was something for which the responsibility for the decision lay with Jouslain himself. He believed he had made his decision. He was prepared to fight Clanner Ajman at the risk of his life. That resolve was set. However, strange as it was, he could not form a concrete judgement as to what must be done first to achieve it. There were more than a dozen options available to him, but he could not predict his opponent’s reaction. He almost wished the enemy would strike first. Yet, there was a limit to how long he could wait.

The person who provided the saving move was the very individual who had directly created the current situation. Zelpha. Having been granted an audience with Jouslain, the boy spoke bluntly the moment they met.

“I am not afraid of death.”

Jouslain responded with silence to Zelpha’s lofty voice. Observing that expression, a shadow of fear silently spread its wings across the young assassin’s face. The thirteen-year-old boy had managed to hide his fear of death from his opponent. It was a remarkable feat, yet it was also his limit. Faced with Jouslain’s cold gaze and flanked by soldiers on either side, the boy raised his voice:

“I am not afraid of death! Do you hear me?”

“… I am listening.”

“Then say something!”

“From the very beginning, I had no intention of killing you.”

Jouslain’s voice was, so to speak, a frozen flame. A wave of shuddering dread surged through Zelpha’s entire body.

“… What do you intend to do?”

He used every ounce of his strength to suppress the trembling in his voice.

“To kill Idris.”

Zelpha’s vision went dark. The shock had caused his field of vision to narrow. He staggered before Jouslain, but he did not even have the luxury of feeling ashamed of such an unsightly display.

“Don’t lay a hand on my brother! If you’re going to kill someone, kill me. I am the one who killed Ariabert!”

“So?”

“Kill me!”

“I refuse.”

Jouslain’s voice sent a shiver through even Viscount Balamy Tytania, who stood by his side.

“I will not kill you. You are not worth killing. You shall atone for the crime you have committed through the death of your brother. Live as long as you can, and carry the weight of your crime upon your shoulders until the day you die.”

“If you kill my brother, I’ll kill you! I swear, I will kill you!”

Jouslain responded to Zelpha’s scream with nothing but cold derision:

“Ah, we are certainly engaged in sophisticated conversation. Truly, this is Tytania! Strip away the status and the honour, and there is nothing that distinguishes this from the chatter of common criminals. And yet, it feels as though we are presiding over a summit to decide the fate of all mankind. However, there is a vacancy in this meeting.”

“A vacancy? What seat are you referring to?” asked Zelpha, drawn in by the thought.

Jouslain replied, a single corner of his lip curling upward:

“Conscience and morality.”

Before Zelpha could even decide how to react, Jouslain commanded the soldiers:

“Take him away at once. I have no time for idle chatter with a useless captive.”

“Jouslain! I will kill you, I swear it! I will make you regret this…!”

As Zelpha was led away, halfway dragged along, Balamy shrugged his shoulders, and Francia gazed at her master with a look of concern. Jouslain suppressed a bitter sigh within his throat.

He felt that it would be better to show leniency here. Should he kill Zelpha, the public sentiment would shift. It would provide the masses with the very reason they needed to turn against him, painting Jouslain as a cold and heartless man who murdered a thirteen-year-old boy.

“This ruthlessness and calculation are the true nature of Tytania. What is there to be ashamed of now that an outsider has discovered it? No, we never had the right to be ashamed in the first place.”

Jouslain shifted his gaze.

“Francia.”

“Yes?”

“Zelpha shall remain in custody for the time being. I have no intention of subjecting him to abuse, but Francia, you are not to go near him.”

Francia widened her eyes slightly as she gazed at her master.

“That boy has currently lost his reason. If he thinks too hard, there is no telling what he might do. If he were to kill himself with something like a fork, it would be one thing, but if he were to take you hostage, I would… be troubled.”

Francia bowed her head to her master, infusing the gesture with as much compassion as she could muster.

“I am honoured by your concern.”

“No, it is not that I am particularly worried about you, as you are a reliable person, but when dealing with an opponent whose actions are unpredictable, well, how shall I put it—it is always best to be cautious.”

Revealing a commonness that sat poorly with his illustrious record, Jouslain shifted his gaze once more toward Balamy. Since Balamy had been struggling to choose an appropriate expression for some time, he had simply erased all emotion from his face as much as possible. Jouslain ordered him to summon three of Ariabert’s primary aides.