Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 3 (section)

=== IV ===
“You’re certainly putting in the work, laddy.”

Hyulick could not help but let out an exasperated voice.

Even though Ariabert was gone, the professional soldiers who had been trained by him in life were being forced into a desperate struggle against Radmoth’s unprincipled, violent warfare. Their courageous attacks could not pierce the high-output energy shutters or the thick armour, resulting in nothing more than a vain shower of sparks. Before the single magical beast, the corpses of the wolves continued to pile up in heaps.

An indescribable feeling swirled within Hyulick’s heart. What would the situation be like now if the Blaze Flag Army had not expelled Radmoth in that capsule? Was the current devastation, with the ''Black Prince'' rampaging and crushing Jouslain’s army, not the direct result of the Blaze Flag Army irresponsibly releasing a beast like Radmoth?

When he thought of it that way, even Hyulick’s carefree nature could not shield him from a sense of guilt.

Once again, an explosion of light illuminated the screen, sending clouds of iridescent dust dancing through the air.

Even so, had they truly been deceived? Was Radmoth such a master actor that he could evade Doctor Lee’s icy, penetrating gaze?

“If that is the case, he as much as a rogue as Clanner Ajman… there is definitely something going on behind the scenes.”

Hyulick was harshly criticised for his “lack of professional skills”, and that was a deduction one could easily make. However, now was not the time to be investigating what was “behind the scenes”.

If things went wrong, the AJ Alliance forces would be annihilated by a single vessel. Within the body of the young man, whom both he himself and others acknowledged to be a hopeless case, something resembling a fighting spirit began to well up.

Inside the ''Austra'', the situation was a mere two and a half steps away from pure panic. Through the door, angry shouts and heavy footsteps raced past the VIP suite where Princess Lydia and Francia were secluded. Princess Lydia had been playing three-dimensional chess with commendable devotion, but she had suffered a series of losses due to her lack of concentration.

“Francia, what on earth is happening outside?”

“Please wait for a while, and trust in Lord Jouslain and Lord Balamy.”

“Of course I believe in them! That goes without saying,” cried out Princess Lydia.

The expression of genuine frustration on her face was not because she had lost consecutive games of chess.

“I am so sorry, Princess. If only I had been more observant, I might have been able to bring you some news…”

“There is no need for you to apologise, Francia. I am angry with myself. Why must I be such a child at a time as important as this?”

“It is not your responsibility, Princess. I am certain that a day will come when you shall protect Lord Jouslain and Lord Balamy.”

“I hope so… No, that is not right, Francia. If he needs my protection, then Lord Jouslain is surely doomed.”

The Princess pressed a button on the monitor. As she cycled through several channels, she spotted a man with carrot-coloured hair who looked rather restless.

“Could that be Fan Hyulick?”

“It is indeed, Princess.”

“Hmm. He doesn’t look particularly imposing.”

After critiquing him without hesitation, Princess Lydia looked towards Francia’s waist, as if she had only just noticed something.

“Francia, are you carrying a gun?”

“Yes, Princess, for I must protect you.”

“I’d like to try holding one myself.”

Francia felt conflicted, but she persuaded her skilfully.

“A ruler should never be seen carrying such a thing, Princess.”

“You were about to say it’s because I’m a child, weren’t you, Francia?”

“I would never suggest such a thing…”

“Well, no matter. Francia, I shall stay here and be a good girl, so go and peek at what is happening outside, and tell me later.”

The Princess’ tension seemed to have passed its saturation point, leaving her feeling sleepy. As the Princess sank deep into her armchair and closed her eyes, Francia covered the girl’s body with a blanket, offered a smile, and stood up. She quietly opened the door and peered out into the corridor.

Her soft expression sharpened, becoming as if possessed by another person. An unimaginable sight lay before her. Jouslain stood frozen. And behind him, the back of a soldier pressing a gun against him. An enemy soldier? No, it was not. Good heavens, wasn’t it a Tytanian soldier?

“D-Duke Jouslain.”

The soldier, sweating profusely, stammered out words that sounded like an excuse.

“If it were Duke Ariabert, I might be willing, but I owe you no debt that requires me to die for you. I am sorry, but I have no desire to die.”

He took a breath and then continued.

“I left my family behind at Uraniborg. You, however, have brought your beautiful mistress even to a place like this. Ah, humans are not equal, and the world is unjust. But surely, one should be given a chance to rectify it.”

Jouslain had come to check on Princess Lydia and Francia, but he found himself utterly helpless against this unforeseen catastrophe.

“It is a fitting end for someone as half-hearted as I. Very well, fire away.”

“No need to—”

The words “say it” were never spoken. The soldier, who had been aiming his heatgun, recoiled violently. After stumbling one or two steps like a drunkard, he collapsed to the floor. Standing behind the now-dead soldier was a beautiful young woman, clutching the ray gun with both hands, her face deathly pale.

“Francia! It was you…”

“Lord Jouslain, are you safe?…”

“You have saved my life.”

“I… I am so poor with guns, I could only aim for the centre of his back… I… I killed… a person…”

“Don’t say this, Francia. It was I who caused this soldier’s death.”

Jouslain embraced Francia’s shoulders as she stood there, clutching the gun in a daze.

Captain Edna Fredericks rushed to the scene, listened briefly to the situation, and bowed her head deeply, her face pale.

“I have no proper apology to offer. One of my own subordinates fell for the enemy’s sweet words and targeted Your Grace’s life. It was a shameful act, unworthy of a Tytania soldier. I shall accept whatever punishment you deem necessary.”

“No, Captain, it is not your responsibility.”

Jouslain waved his hand.

“This was brought about by my own inadequacy. No matter how massive the enemy vessel may be, I could not employ an effective tactic, nor could I even protect my own person. It is pathetic.”

“Your Grace, this is not a matter of tactics or anything of the sort. That was nothing short of an atrocity, and you must consider our response.”

“I understand, but regardless, Captain, you are not at fault. Do not punish yourself. Francia, you neither.”

Jouslain returned Francia to the VIP suite, where Princess Lydia lay sleeping. After ordering the other soldiers to clear away the dead and requesting a female medic for Francia, he hurried back to the bridge alongside Captain Fredericks.

“Wait! Advancing in tight formation is dangerous!”

Balamy was loudly rebuking the officers.

“If we maintain a half-hearted distance, our fire will fail to reach them, yet their bombardment will still hit us. We risk being slaughtered one-sidedly.”

The main guns of the ''Black Prince'' were a threat in their own right, both in their massive calibre and their immense range. If those main guns were to fire into a dense formation, the damage would be catastrophic. Furthermore, if the enemy commander had no regard for their own casualties, it would likely result in nothing less than unprecedented carnage.

“Mr&nbsp;Hyulick, could you let us hear your opinion?”

Upon hearing Jouslain’s words, Hyulick realised that he could no longer afford to be hesitant.

“In any case, the opponent is not a sensible foe. Even if we fight him head-on, our casualties will only increase. Let’s flee.”

“You mean, retreat?”

“I mean: we flee.”

“… I suppose that’s our only option?”

Jouslain glanced back at Balamy. Balamy was biting his lower lip. As a Tytanian noble, and given his personality, the very word “flee” was taboo. Hyulick, however, had no way of knowing such taboos.

“And what do you intend to do after we flee, Mr&nbsp;Hyulick?”

This time, Hyulick turned his gaze toward Jouslain.

“Please answer me, Mr&nbsp;Hyulick.”

“Well… we shall see how the enemy reacts. Whether he pursues us in earnest or feigns a pursuit only to switch to another tactic.”

“If it were you, would you not place an ambush in front of the fleeing enemy and strike them from both sides?”

Hyulick blinked at Balamy’s words.

“Indeed, if I had surplus troops, I would do just that. However, is Baron Radmoth the sort of man to resort to such underhanded tricks?”

Balamy shook his head immediately, and Jouslain muttered:

“Will the ''Black Prince'' continue the pursuit? Or will it remain near Uraniborg by itself?”

Radmoth’s actions were unpredictable. Jouslain and Hyulick both held their breath, waiting for the enemy’s reaction.