Editing Tytania:Volume 4 Chapter 1 (section)

=== V ===
For the four days leading up to the “subjugation” of the Kingdom of Elbing, the members of the Blaze Flag Army spent their days in a state of unrest.

Doctor Lee endeavoured to learn the state of the Kingdom of Elbing’s finances. Had he succeeded, he might have reached the truth in one fell swoop, but whether it was people or machines, the Tytania’s guard was too tight, and the Doctor’s efforts proved fruitless.

Hyulick had been escaping into a slovenly state of alcoholism.

Was this not a massive trap devised by Tytania?

The needles of suspicion repeatedly pricked at Hyulick’s brain cells; no matter what fine vintage he rolled across his tongue, it felt like nothing more than cheap swill.

Was it not a plan to lull the Anti-Tytania Faction into a false sense of security by feigning internal conflict? Yet, he could not fathom any reason for such a move.

Doubt stripped away its mantle of common sense and donned the garish, colourful costume of delusion, flitting erratically around the edges of Hyulick’s mind.

“In such a state, even if I were to make you the finest omelette, I doubt you would even be able to taste it.”

Seraphine Coopers spoke to him with sternness, but Hyulick merely slumped there, rubbing his stomach.

“Stop talking about omelettes and steaks. It makes my stomach acid boil.”

“I’m appalled. At this rate, eggs will start cracking in your dreams and wine will start flowing from your ears. What do you intend to do once the Tytania matter is settled?”

“I’ll open an omelette shop and live a humble life in some corner of the universe.”

“What a small-minded man.”

“Exactly. It’s not as if you didn’t know.”

Perhaps the reason she pushed away the glass, which was not yet empty, was that she felt at least a bit ashamed as she spoke.

The majority of all mankind never leave their home planet from birth until death. Much less would they be granted even a one-in-ten-thousand chance to lay eyes upon Uraniborg. Hyulick, too, was meant to have spent his life merely interacting with Tytania’s branch offices at most.

And yet, look at him now.

Seraphine’s palm began to stroke Hyulick’s back, albeit somewhat awkwardly. As she did, Hyulick found himself recalling the face of a girl he had once met, only to part ways with her against his will. If only he had acted differently back then…

The possibilities were endless. The thought brought on a headache. Before he knew it, his glass was empty. Hyulick rested both arms on the table and buried his face upon them.

Well, let it be. Or rather, it couldn’t be helped. No matter how large the scale became, it was merely an internal conflict within the Tytania Clan. The victor would go on to hold the clan’s true power and continue to dominate most of the universe. It was none of his concern.

Even on the journey to the Kingdom of Elbing, there was no certain way to predict what might happen next.



Idris Tytania had succeeded in mystifying the members of the Blaze Flag Army, but he had no leisure to enjoy it. The administrative tasks that required processing and the issues that required decisions were devouring his time like insects. For instance, they were as the follows:

“A voter turnout of 65.9%, is it?”

“It was approximately 2% higher than my prediction. I believe we may call this a success.”

“A success? It means that thirty-four out of every hundred people find even the simple act of pressing a voting button at home to be a burden. What is the point of granting voting rights to such people?”

Idris thought that it might be more efficient to dispatch talented administrators trained in Tytania and rotate them periodically.

“The political system is a matter of each planet’s autonomous choice. This has been the policy since the time of the first His Highness Neville, and I believe it holds its own significance.”

“Hm?”

“It is about making the inhabitants aware of two points: that they are sovereign in political matters and that they possess the freedom to implement that sovereignty through their own will.”

“Both are nothing more than illusions,” scoffed Idris.

“That is correct. However, whether they be illusions or fantasies, as long as they serve the interests of Tytania, I believe there is value in continuing democratic governance within certain states, however circuitous the path may be.”

“I see.”

Idris nodded and dismissed Donald Farah, but he was not truly convinced. On the contrary, he felt a surge of irritation as he perceived the emptiness within Farah’s highly plausible words. Farah was no statesman; he was nothing more than an election technician. That was precisely why he could serve as a mere cog in the machinery of an institution beneficial to Tytania.

That same Farah was currently stationed on the planet Bargash, where he ought to have been serving as Jouslain’s political aide. It was not that Idris cared about the movements of such a man, but had he been at Uraniborg, Idris could have burdened him with various trivial tasks. There were also those at Uraniborg who served only to increase Idris’ burdens. His younger brother Radmoth was one such person.

“Brother.”

“What is it this time?”

“If that Fan Hyulick ever tries to harm Tytania, I’ll kill him. You don’t mind, do you?”

''“Obviously not,”'' is what Idris did not reply, his cold gaze tinged with a trace of suspicion.

''“This guy intends to kill Hyulick without hesitation and then seize command of the fleet for himself, doesn’t he?”''

Though it was an appointment he had made himself, every time he looked at his brother’s face, he felt the seeds of anxiety beginning to grow.

“Your mission is strictly to monitor and restrain. You are only to watch and ensure that Hyulick and his faction do not act as they please. I will be the one to make the decision. Do not overstep your bounds.”

“Even if Hyulick shows overt signs of rebellion? He is not someone to be underestimated, is he? What will you do if he strikes first?”

Idris’ handsome mouth twisted subtly.

“Even if Hyulick turns his spear against us, every soldier is Tytania’s elite. Who would ever obey his orders?”

“Do you believe the soldiers will not follow Hyulick?”

“That is exactly what I am saying!”

When Idris spoke, his voice rising in intensity, he was met with an unexpected response.

“Then, in that event, whose orders are the soldiers to follow?”

“… What?”

“No need to glare at me, brother. I am merely raising a natural question as a military inspector.”

Instead of changing his expression, Idris shifted his posture, leaning his elbows on the desk to look down at his younger brother.

“Radmoth, you have become strangely pedantic.”

“I am not being pedantic. I am merely asking for the facts. Even if Hyulick does not betray us, he could still fall in battle. In that case, I suppose I would be the one to take command of the entire fleet.”

“You needn’t trouble yourself with such thoughts!”

At last, Idris bellowed. As he stood up from the desk, his gaze tilted slightly upwards. His brother had grown taller than him.

As his anger receded, a sense of helplessness overcame Idris. He wanted Radmoth to be a loyal and capable aide to his brother. Was it too much to ask for such a thing? Could he not, at least occasionally, do something worthy of praise?

“Every single one of them… every single one of them.”

Idris repeated the same words only to himself. To speak them aloud would be nothing more than to sow the seeds of trouble.

“I shall issue orders when necessary. Rather than preparing for contingencies, strive to ensure such situations never arise. Do that, and you shall be rewarded for your merit.”

With those words, Idris dismissed his brother.

Idris was exhausted, but he refused to admit it. Consequently, in the presence of others, he behaved with even greater purpose as the leader of Tytania. He was powerful, severe, and elegant.

That effort only served to exhaust Idris further. He was on the verge of falling into a vicious cycle. Had there been anyone perceptive enough to notice and point it out, Idris would likely have lost his reason.

He sat in a daze for several dozen seconds, but once he regained his senses, he clicked his tongue sharply and struck the desk hard with both hands.

He had to succeed his late father’s will and rule human society as the Clanner of Tytania. It had been his destiny since before he was born, and he had never once questioned his own life or his objectives. In that process, it was only natural that he should eliminate his enemies and rivals.

Zarlisch had already vanished. Only Ariabert and Jouslain remained. If they continued to stay, it would be Idris who would have to disappear. To Idris, the word “coexistence” existed only within the pages of a dictionary.
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