Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 1 (section)

=== II ===
Acting on the orders of Duke Ariabert Tytania, the mobile units of the Vardana Empire’s army commenced a full-scale invasion at the exact moment the peace negotiations expired. It was a lightning strike that lacked both mercy and compromise, as described by those who noted there was “not a single second of hesitation”; yet, from Ariabert’s perspective, he had already granted a reprieve of one hundred and sixty-eight hours. Since there had been no progress in diplomatic negotiations during that time, he seemed to be aware that it was, in fact, the very fact that he had refrained from using force for one hundred and sixty-eight hours that demonstrated a lack of resolve.

Although he had obtained the consent of Clanner Ajman, Ariabert’s decision could not be deemed wrong. However, even if an action is suitable for both political and military strategy, it does not mean that an individual’s psychological circumstances simply vanish. Like a massive arrow released from an invisible bowstring, the Tytanian army surged forward, meeting no resistance at all even after an hour had passed.

“Surely, they do not intend to refrain from fighting.”

Ariabert avoided giving an oral response to Rear-admiral Paulsen’s doubt. No information had ever reached the Tytania high command suggesting that the Bargash government were adherents of non-resistance pacifism. There were countless instances where they had used force to pursue their national interests whenever necessary.

While the current unfriendly situation had arisen from the untimely death of Duke Zarlisch Tytania, it appeared that Bargash had ultimately lacked the time required to complete an anti-Tytania grand alliance. The concept of an encirclement of Tytania by the various international organisations was certainly an attractive one, yet everyone sought to avoid the role of standing at the forefront. Since each party wished to toast to their survival whilst shedding tears for the sacrifices of others, an anti-Tytania grand alliance could only ever exist as a subject for a vivid painting, unless their individual egos could be sublimated in some manner.

The Tytania forces pressed further forward. As the sun of Bargash cast an orange glow on the port side of their course, just under twenty thousand silver points of light raced through the dark interstellar space. The formation was an orthodox spindle formation, with Ariabert’s flagship, the ''Golden Sheep''<ref name="ftn1">“Gold sheep” (金羊) is pronounced “golden sheep”.</ref>, positioned near the very front. With only twenty-four cruisers and six battleships deployed ahead of it, it could be said that Ariabert was, quite literally, leading the vanguard.

On the 8<sup>th</sup> of January, at 03:30, the first flashes of combat erupted. An unmanned Bargash patrol satellite had been destroyed by the main cannon of the cruiser ''Snow Panther 6''<ref name="ftn2">“Snow panther” (雪豹) is pronounced “snow panther”.</ref>.

As he watched the white glare of the fusion reactor explosion on the bridge screens, Ariabert did not appear particularly uplifted. His focus was concentrated entirely on the impending decisive battle between the main fleets, so the destruction of a mere patrol satellite was not enough to unsettle him. Under the command of such a composed commander-in-chief, the Tytania forces charged towards planet Bargash, literally venturing into uncharted territory.

On the 8<sup>th</sup> of January, at 22:09, a cruiser approaching from the direction of the planet Bargash was detected. The cruiser, which had opened its communication circuits and flashed signals to ensure its discovery as it drew closer, was the vessel carrying Count Elman Tytania. Upon welcoming him to the flagship, Ariabert celebrated his safe return. Neither man spoke of the fact that Ariabert had commenced the full-scale invasion before Count Elman had returned. Both bore their respective responsibilities. That was all there was to it. Count Elman spoke:

“The Bargash government has stated they will make the utmost concessions for the sake of peace. They intend to enter negotiations with the aim of accepting all the peace terms presented by His Clanner Highness at the end of last year.”

“Including the right to vet the qualifications for the locators?”

“It is a difficult pill for them to swallow, but they are considering it.”

“Considering?!”

Ariabert gave a short laugh. To anyone’s eyes, he was by no means an “unpleasant man”, yet he was still capable of producing a laugh that was thoroughly Tytanian.

“I see no need for considering it any further.”

Ariabert did not particularly raise his voice, but the effect it had on Count Elman was as if a whip had lashed through the air and passed before his very eyes.

“Under normal circumstances, we should have entered into combat a week ago. The reason we waited until today was that I did not wish to abandon the possibility of a diplomatic resolution until the very end. It was precisely for that reason that I asked you to take such a risk, Count Elman.”

With a silent, expressionless face, Count Elman nodded.

“The entire responsibility for being forced into combat lies with the Bargash government. At such a late stage, what benefit is there in proposing a peace plan that consists of nothing but empty words? If there is any benefit at all, it is merely the one-sided advantage of the Bargash government buying time with dishonest intentions.”

“I wonder what profit the Bargash government stands to gain by merely buying time.”

Count Elman had posed the question with great courtesy, yet he was at least in part asking it to himself. This was true for Ariabert as well. Those who held authority within Tytania always needed to be prepared to prove their own competence. Should the Bargash government eventually succumb to the military might of Tytania, Count Elman would be the one to lead the practical operations of the peace conference, a role that any other person could just as easily fulfil. Having been granted a seat in a corner of the bridge, Count Elman declined the coffee offered to him and requested herbal tea instead. He then began to speak of the Bargash government’s response, as if merely engaging in casual conversation.

“They said that it was appalling to commence an attack before the peace negotiations had concluded. I can certainly understand how they might feel.”

“I shall listen to your grievances in due course. It is a pity, but diplomats must always clean up after boorish soldiers. I am glad I became a soldier instead.”

Ariabert’s joke was not even one ten-thousandth as clever as his military strategy. He changed the subject.

It concerned Fan Hyulick and the Blaze Flag Army. Though they were originally exiles, they were supposed to have been incorporated into the Bargash Regular Army. While they were not a significant military force, Count Elman believed he knew the reason Ariabert could not simply ignore them.

“Does it concern you, Lord Ariabert?”

“It does.”

With his malicious question answered so easily, Count Elman found himself exerting a minute effort to control his expression. The man who had inflicted Ariabert’s only defeat in his entire life was the exile Fan Hyulick. By the singular fact of having defeated Ariabert, the name Fan Hyulick had been etched into the memories of his contemporaries. It was a proper noun that should have been unpleasant to Ariabert many times over.

''“I see, Lord Ariabert. It appears that the breadth of your mind might be greater than that of Lord Idris. Lord Idris’ pride has always outweighed the virtue of straightforwardness…”''

Count Elman did not voice his inner thoughts. There was no guarantee that the time to revise those thoughts would never come. For the future was not merely a simple extension of the present, and the possibility for change was infinite.

“It is likely that Fan Hyulick’s faction is lying low somewhere on the planet, waiting for the storm to pass. I do not know anything more. At least, not for now.”

“If they are merely hiding, we need not fear. A famed sword is only useful if it is wielded. If left buried in the earth, it does nothing but rust.”

Ariabert gazed at the screen. Count Elman cleared his throat.

“This is merely my personal opinion, but the Bargash government may be intending to detain them, only to hand them over to us at the final moment to establish a peace built upon their sacrifice.”

“They are free to think what they wish, but we have no need to comply.”

An unpleasant tremor tainted Ariabert’s voice. His fastidiousness as a warrior made it impossible for him not to loathe such a solution. If he placed the highest value solely on the reduction of bloodshed, he would have chosen the path of a diplomat. There were plenty of things in this world that could not be resolved through military force. The duty imposed upon Ariabert’s office should have been to efficiently resolve matters that fell within the scope of what could be settled by arms.

As Count Elman took a sip of his second cup of herbal tea, a report from a reconnaissance officer reached Ariabert. A fleet numbering in the thousands was cruising at a ten o’clock position relative to the allied fleet. “Should we divert forces to engage them?” asked the officer.

“Unnecessary! It’s a diversion.”

Ariabert’s response was clear. Given the total strength of the Bargash army, a strategy designed to pincer the Tytania forces was simply impossible. It would have achieved nothing more than the dispersal of their already limited numbers, which ran contrary to the fundamental principles of troop deployment. He did not believe the Bargash leadership was so incompetent as to commit such a foolish error. If they were to act in such a manner, it would have been more likely that they were preserving their strength to await a better opportunity another day.

Another day? A bitter smile flickered at the corner of Ariabert’s lips. Did the Tytania central leadership truly believe that such a day would be granted to Bargash? Nothing but a fate of absolute subjugation awaited them. Or were they perhaps weaving some scheme that far exceeded the predictions of Ariabert and his men? It was a well-known fact that the military might of Bargash could not be considered an equal to that of Tytania. From Tytania’s perspective, the true essence of a lion lay in using its full strength even to hunt a mere rabbit; yet, to the rabbit, the match must have seemed unfair from the very beginning. It was only natural that they would attempt to trip the lion with cunning. Conversely, the lion must ensure that the rabbit would never be granted the opportunity to employ such guile.

Thus, on the 9<sup>th</sup> of January, at 16:40, the Tytania forces reached the orbital path of planet Bargash and secured complete air superiority. Not a single drop of blood was shed. Up to that point, at least.