Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 3 (section)

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The state of stunned disbelief lasted only a moment. Duke Idris Tytania took a breath before glaring at his brother, who was overflowing with an eerie confidence.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“I thought you might say that.”

He appeared many times calmer than his elder brother. It was something Idris found difficult to believe.

“If you are sane, I shall have you detained for treason. Be prepared to face the death penalty.”

His brother ignored his words.

“It is a decree from the Clanner. Read it, and you’ll understand. It states that the command of the ''Black Prince'' and the accompanying fleet is entrusted to Baron Radmoth Tytania. That is what is written, is it not?”

The scroll containing the decree was tossed onto Idris’ lap.

“… Why…?”

Idris groaned, feeling as though he were falling into the depths of a dark well.

“Why, at the last minute, would you do something to obstruct my authority and responsibilities…? Radmoth, there is no way you could possibly command the ''Black Prince''!”

His younger brother responded arrogantly:

“Brother, don’t you understand the Clanner’s heart?”

“And you claim that you do?”

Idris replied to the question with a question, glaring at his brother’s face, only to recognise an impossible expression there. It was pity. An expression of composure, backed by the pride of a victor. Having ensured his elder brother tasted more than enough humiliation, Radmoth declared:

“I do.”

“Don’t speak such nonsense!”

“Think whatever you like. I don’t have time, so I am leaving. You can stay in the command room and enjoy the view at your leisure, brother.”

The scroll containing the decree fell to the floor, but Idris did not notice, and Radmoth did not care. After taking two or three steps, the younger brother came to a halt.

“Oh, let me tell you one thing. The reason you cannot understand the Clanner’s heart is because you try to think your way through it. I suspect Jouslain is much the same.”

“Such pretentious nonsense… Then explain to me exactly what you think you know and why.”

“Simple. The Clanner and I are much the same kind of person. Of course, the Clanner is more intelligent and, how shall I put it, possesses a greater talent for acting… but, well, perhaps it is merely a matter of our age difference.”

Every single word lashed at Idris like a whip, sealing his ability to retort. Radmoth picked up the decree that had fallen to the floor and rolled it up roughly.

“In any case, there is no use thinking. One must feel. Yes, one must feel, or one shall never truly understand.”

Leaving behind words that sounded like they belonged to some ancient mystic from millennia past, Radmoth strode out of the room. He left behind Idris, who trembled with passion as his hands gripped the command table, and a group of staff officers wearing pale, hollow expressions.



Aboard the ''Austra'', a truly bizarre ritual was about to unfold. Before long, the lawless brigands of the Blaze Flag Army were expected to board for negotiations. Prior to that, Jouslain spoke to his lady-in-waiting:

“Francia.”

“Yes?”

“Do not come to the bridge. Remain in the VIP lounge with Princess Lydia.”

“Ju…”

Francia started to speak but then bowed her head as if having changed her mind.

“Yes, I shall do exactly as you command.”

“Look after the Princess.”

“Yes, of course.”

This conversation stemmed from Jouslain’s inner conflict. It had been perfectly natural for Princess Lydia to accompany him aboard his flagship, the ''Austra'', until now. During Ariabert’s lifetime, this had even been considered the safer option, but he wondered what the future held. Would it not be safer to simply leave her in the hands of the Blaze Flag Army, alongside Zelpha?

He had considered such an idea for a time, but there was no way Princess Lydia would accept being separated from Jouslain and his men, and if she were to go into hiding somewhere aboard the ship, it would lead to nothing but immense trouble. Unlike with Zelpha, Jouslain could not evade his responsibility regarding the safety and future of Princess Lydia.

Thus, an exchange of personnel was carried out between Jouslain’s fleet and the Blaze Flag Army. A bridge could not be established between the ''Austra'' and the ''Honest Old Man Junior''. Their specifications differed too much. Consequently, four individuals, Doctor Lee, Fan Hyulick, Mahdi, and Walenkov, boarded the ''Austra'' via a shuttle. On the return journey, Zelpha took Hyulick’s place as the passenger on the shuttle.

The strange ceremony of exchange concluded without incident, leaving Zelpha unable to move within Walenkov’s massive grip. The strangeness of this exchange lay in the fact that, fundamentally, there had been no urgency, no political significance, and no necessity for Jouslain’s side to accept the opponent’s proposal. All of these factors would eventually lead to a change in the situation at a later date.

“That boy is steeped in Tytanian values from the tips of his hair to the ends of his toes.”

“It would appear so, Duke Jouslain.”

“Teach him that other values exist.”

“It is late for me to be saying this, but are you truly certain about this?”

Doctor Lee pressed for confirmation.

“To be honest, I lack confidence in my self-control regarding what I might do if that boy were within my reach. That said, I have no intention of sending him back to the Clanner for nothing. Let him train under you.”

“Understood.”

As Doctor Lee bowed, an out-of-place voice erupted from among his comrades.

“Damn it, give me back my savings! Unfreeze my account! Add interest, late fees, and compensation for emotional distress! I am absolutely furious!”

“And that one?”

“Ah, he’s a patient with a money-worshipping disease. He isn’t that violent, so do not worry.”

“As for causing any harm to Zelpha…”

“On that point, we shall take full responsibility.”

“Then I shall leave it to you.”

Jouslain and Doctor Lee found a shared sense of intense curiosity reflected in each other’s eyes.

“I would like to speak with you both further, but given the current circumstances…”

“As you wish. We shall take our leave now. Since there will surely be an opportunity to meet again, we shall look forward to it.”

“Quite so; we shall have to exchange guests between us, after all.”

“Guests? No, no, as long as that man is at least fed an omelette, I do not care how much you work him to the bone. Well then, farewell.”

The Blaze Flag Army departed, with one member different from those who had arrived. Left behind was a single man, burdened with both frustration and a sense of resignation. In terms of both age and build, he was not much different from Jouslain.

''So, this man is Fan Hyulick?''

Jouslain gazed at his opponent with utter composure. The mastermind behind the ingenious tactics that had defeated the late Ariabert on two occasions gave the impression of being nothing more than an ordinary commoner. One could easily imagine him swapped with a young man working a sausage stall on the streets of the Uraniborg residential district without any sense of incongruity. He was likely assessing Jouslain in his own mind as well.

“You are our guest. Please, make yourself at home.”

“I appreciate your hospitality.”

“Well, of course, this vessel is no cruise liner. There are certain limits to what you can do, but as long as you do not cause any disruption, you are free to do as you wish. Now then, shall I have you shown to your private quarters?”

“There is one thing I request, Duke Jouslain.”

Jouslain remained silent, waiting for Hyulick to continue.

“If it is at all possible, I would be honoured to pay my respects to the remains of Duke Ariabert. Would that be permissible?”

For the first time, Jouslain felt genuinely impressed by Fan Hyulick.

“Very well… Still, human relationships are strange things.”

After signalling for him to follow, Jouslain began to walk. He had expected that upon meeting Hyulick, a flood of things he wanted to know, to say, or to ask would overflow, and yet strangely, that did not happen.

Wherever they went, soldiers clad in Tytania military uniform saluted Jouslain with reverence while casting curious glances at Hyulick. Hyulick was grateful that he couldn’t notice any overt hostility or hatred. Conversely, it meant that people could kill one another even without such animosity.

Ariabert’s remains had been neatly prepared, looking “as if sleeping”, as the saying went. After Hyulick gazed upon his former enemy commander for a moment and offered a salute as respectful as possible, Jouslain bowed in tribute.

“I appreciate your courtesy.”

“… If I may be so bold, what of Duke Ariabert’s surviving family?”

There was a moment of silence.

“He has a brother.”

“I see. I have no right to say such a thing, but please convey my regards.”

“He will surely appreciate your courtesy as well. Now, shall we move on?”

The private room Hyulick was escorted to was intended for high-ranking officers. It felt almost presumptuous to compare it to his own quarters on the ''Honest Old Man Junior''. Internally, Hyulick felt a pang of sympathy for young Zelpha, who will likely be forced to endure much worse living conditions.