Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 4 (section)

=== I ===
Long ago, Nuri, the second-generation Tytania Landless Clanner, had looked upon the clan’s stronghold, Uraniborg, with cold disdain and called it:

''“A mere bauble floating in space.”''

About two hundred years had passed since then, and although the scale had diminished, both Dukes Ariabert Tytania and Jouslain Tytania would come to hold almost the same opinion regarding the super-dreadnought ''Black Prince''.

''“There is a limit to the usefulness of big guns. If the enemy escapes the range of the main battery, it is all for naught; and considering manoeuvrability, they act rather as a hindrance to tactical deployment.”''

Ariabert had said as much, and Jouslain repeated his cynical theory.

''“A wolf that has lost the thumb of its right paw would surely be beaten to death by fifty little lambs.”''

They argued that if certain functions were disabled, the massive ship would become entirely useless.

In truth, they were not alone in this sentiment. Even Zarlisch, who had placed the highest value on overwhelming crushing power, had said as much.

''“What matters is the crushing power of the fleet as a whole, not that of a single ship. What I need is my own courage and my own mastery of tactics.”''

While not merely mimicking the elders, Idris also voiced his sarcasm.

''“The crowds will surely rejoice during the victory parade. The larger the spectacle, the greater their joy.”''

The reason Idris, who had spoken in such a manner, attempted to board the “''Black Prince''” during this “Uraniborg Incident” was that he had been tactically cornered and sought to find a way out through the sheer crushing power of a single vessel. In the midst of such chaotic, swirling combat, Idris honestly had no certainty as to how effective that crushing power could actually be. However, now that things had come to this, he felt it necessary to manifest his resolve and determination as supreme commander through a tangible action.

Yet, despite their individual differences, their thoughts converged upon a single point. That point was “military rationality”, the goal of “minimising friendly casualties and maximising enemy losses”, and the question of what benefits victory would bring to Tytania.

Radmoth, however, was different. He undoubtedly intended to win, but his disregard for how much damage his own allies might suffer, crushing both the wheat and the chaff, was neither strategy nor tactics.

Radmoth had departed on the ''Black Prince'' with the permission of Clanner Ajman. Why Ajman had issued the order to Radmoth instead of Idris was a mystery. Even someone else than Idris would have found it difficult to comprehend.

Thus, what was the state of affairs? The fleet that was meant to defend the exterior of Uraniborg had now been almost entirely annihilated. Since one-third of them had been destroyed by the ''Black Prince'', the situation was nothing short of an absurdity.

“While we were away from Uraniborg fighting, that wretch Radmoth used the ''Black Prince'' to hold a sword to the very throat of Uraniborg. He set out as our ally, but he returned as our enemy!”

Balamy kicked the floor violently.

“I never imagined him to be so cunning! I was caught off guard.”

Jouslain crossed his arms lightly.

“Viscount Balamy, it was I who was careless. Not you. I, too, am far too naive. To think that a man of my standing could be toyed with by someone like Radmoth.”

Had Ariabert been alive, would things have turned out differently? No, since Ariabert was a true master of military strategy, he might have been just as caught off guard by Radmoth’s irrational behaviour as Jouslain was. However, in the battles to come against Radmoth, he would have surely made use of tactics that balanced both strength and flexibility.

Even so, one had to wonder if Radmoth truly understood the significance of his actions. Ironically, Jouslain and Idris were in complete agreement regarding their assessment of Radmoth. It was simply impossible for Radmoth to be involved in the selection of the next Clanner.

“Ariabert, Zarlisch, Idris, and I. Ultimately, all four of us were bound by the authority of the Clanner and the history of Tytania. We could not forget the weight of things such as honour and tradition. Radmoth, however, is different. He can trample over such things without a second thought.”

“… In other words, you are saying that Baron Radmoth is turning his sights against his own brother?”

There was yet another man here who held Radmoth in low regard. Though Fan Hyulick had been endeavouring to remain as quiet as possible, he had nevertheless found himself interjecting.

“This is not an outsiders’ business!”

It was Balamy who responded thus, but Jouslain continued, a bitter smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

“Correct. And quite possibly not the Clanner’s either.”

“Possibly?”

“I have no idea what is going on inside!”

Balamy spat the words out with irritation.

“Hmm, well, to tell you the truth, Duke Jouslain, I think it would be best if you were to become the next Clanner.”

Hyulick spoke even more unnecessarily.

“Duke Idris is not incompetent, but he is rather precarious. If you were to become the Clanner, the political situation would stabilise, and many people would support you… though I have no right to interfere in such matters.”

“I thought you might say that, but I have no intention of becoming the Clanner.”

“I expected as much, but if I may be so bold as to say, Duke Ariabert has already passed away.”

Balamy gasped and was about to say something, but upon seeing Jouslain’s face, he caught his breath once more. There was no sign of Jouslain reprimanding Hyulick’s unnecessary interjection, yet his expression was not one of composed dismissal either; he merely cast a shadowed glance their way.

“Idris is superior to me.”

“In what respect, may I ask? Would you care to tell me?”

“He loves Tytania.”

Jouslain turned his whole body around and directed a strange smile at Hyulick.

“Ever since I was a child, I felt a sense of displacement regarding the environment in which I was born and raised. Even after reaching adulthood, no matter how much I pondered why Tytania was so special or why others chose to follow my clan, I could never find a satisfactory answer. Gradually, I grew to loathe Tytania and found myself wanting to lead a life disconnected from it… No, that is not a tale worthy of your ears.”

Jouslain fell silent, and Hyulick offered only an ambiguous nod as he also fell quiet. However, Balamy, who loathed Radmoth thoroughly, not just from a strategic standpoint but also personally, would not remain silent:

“If the Clanner truly granted Radmoth command of the ''Black Prince'', it would be like arming a carnivore dinosaur with the Blue Dragon Sword<ref name="ftn9">青竜刀 is pronounced “blue dragon sword”. It was a legendary polearm wielded by the Chinese general Guan Yu.</ref>.”

“Do you believe the Clanner did such a thing?”

“Duke Idris held opposing feelings toward his two younger brothers. He doted upon Zelpha, but he loathed Radmoth from the bottom of his heart. I simply cannot believe that he would allow Radmoth to command the ''Black Prince''.”

Jouslain gave a small shrug.

“A younger brother rebelling against a cold elder brother—even so, this is excessive. It is certain, though, that Idris was not the one who granted command of the ''Black Prince''.”

As far as the screens could tell, the ''Black Prince'' appeared, ironically, to be defending Uraniborg from close range. In reality, however, it had placed Uraniborg entirely within its range, cutting off any possibility of long-distance reinforcement, and was effectively holding the entirety of Uraniborg hostage. Whether this would last for a long time remained to be seen, but at that moment, Radmoth was the one in control of space.

“The ''Black Prince'' is targeting Uraniborg right now. Even though the Clanner is stationed there.”

“Does he intend to blow the Clanner away along with it?”

“Returning kindness with cruelty. It is just like him.”

Balamy spat these words, sharing the same sentiment as Idris, with whom he shared a profound loathing for Radmoth.



About two light-seconds away, the ''Black Prince'' gazed down arrogantly from the heavens. Looking upon Uraniborg and the Vardana home planet situated below. It was a double act of rebellion, and had Emperor Harsha&nbsp;VI learned of the truth, he might have been driven to agony.

Seated in the commander-in-chief’s chair, Radmoth remained as motionless as a statue titled “Arrogance”, but he suddenly asked one of the officers for the time.

“Exactly thirty minutes have passed, sir.”

“Hmph. In that case, let us announce the hour with a small fanfare.”

Radmoth let a sinister smile creep across his face.

“Fire the secondary batteries at the canopy. Six guns, six rapid salvos.”

The officers froze.

“However, do not concentrate them on a single spot. Our objective is not to destroy the canopy. Instead, let us provide the commoners of Uraniborg with a magnificent firework display.”

“B-Baron, my Lord…”

“Don’t panic, you cowards. I told you it was a time signal. Keep the output to a minimum.”

A heavy, exhausted sigh rippled through the officers. It was unlikely that history would ever record a command centre so gloomy despite such advantageous circumstances.

“Six guns of the first secondary battery, aimed!”

“Fire!”

And so, the commoners of Uraniborg bore witness to a spectacle where six streaks of white light exploded overhead, sending fissures racing through three layers of the canopy.