Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 6 (section)

=== II ===
When Jouslain was appointed to Bargash, the individual ordered to assist him as a civil official was Donald Farah. He was the pre-eminent election specialist in Tytania.

As an expert in election strategy, Donald Farah likely would have wanted to say, ''“I am not suited for such a task. I decline,”'' concerning a duty that did not utilise his specialised skills. He would also have wished to avoid being branded as a member of either Jouslain’s or Idris’ faction.

No matter who became the sovereign of Tytania, Farah could continue to live as a technocrat<ref name="ftn25">“Technocrat” (技術官僚) is pronounced “technocrat”.</ref> possessing specialised skills. He remained loyal to the Clanner of Tytania and to his own duties, and he was under no obligation to be asked for anything more.

However, for Lord Jouslain, Bargash was uncharted territory, and it was only natural that he desired to receive lectures from someone well-versed in local affairs before his arrival. Farah belonged not to Jouslain personally, but to the Commander-in-Chief appointed by the Clanner. Accordingly, his attitude as an exemplary Tytanian official was that someone of his low standing was permitted not even to offer opinions, let alone dissent, but to simply receive orders with utmost humility.

Therefore, having attended the office of Clanner Ajman, he had intended to offer his greetings regarding his appointment to the important task ahead and depart immediately. However, upon receiving his greetings, Ajman did not tell him to leave but instead brought up an entirely unexpected subject.

“As you must have noticed, Farah, things have become somewhat turbulent in Uraniborg lately.”

“To my humble eyes, it appears that Your Clanner Highness’ majesty fills every corner of the realm…”

The Clanner completely ignored Farah’s clumsy flattery.

“That is because there are no mighty enemies outside our borders. It allows us to indulge in our internal strife as much as we please. A storm in a teacup, as they say.”

Farah thought that Tytania was a cup so vast it could swallow the entire universe. But he did not say it aloud, choosing instead to maintain an air of pure trepidation. However, he could not remain entrenched in silence forever. The Clanner had explicitly named Jouslain and Idris, and asked Farah which of them he believed was the most worthy candidate for becoming the next Clanner.

“Y-yes, quite so. If Lord Jouslain and Lord Idris were to contend for the position of Clanner in accordance with the electoral system, I believe that, despite my lack of talent, I might be of service to either of them.”

“That sounds just like you, Farah.”

The Clanner laughed, and Farah felt a wave of relief spread through his entire body. While he held confidence in his own significance within Tytania, there was no way he could afford to displease the Clanner. He thought to himself that his desperate efforts to devise a clever answer had been worth it.

However, Clanner Ajman did not attempt to release the capable technocrat just yet. At that moment, the Clanner had also dismissed his secretaries and attendants to another room, leaving him alone with Farah. This was not a welcome development for Farah. The supreme sovereign of Tytania was a man who imposed considerable mental exhaustion upon anyone in his presence.

“And what of Lord Ariabert?”

It was yet another difficult question. Farah was at a loss.

“I believe him to be an unparalleled commander. His unfortunate injury was a great pity…”

“In the struggle for the Clanner’s throne, do you believe Lord Ariabert might form an alliance with Lord Idris?”

“T-that is something far too complex for a simple man like myself to grasp.”

“Unlikely. Lord Ariabert will ally with Lord Jouslain. If that happens, Lord Idris will have no hope of victory, barring some extraordinary circumstance.”

“…”

When Farah fell silent once more, unable to offer even a formal response, the Clanner closed his mouth as well. In his silence, the Clanner pressed upon Farah with the weight of a colossal statue. It did not last long.

“However, unless he fights, Lord Idris shall never attain the supreme throne. He has to fight.”

The Clanner’s gaze, cold and brimming with power, pierced through Farah.

“Farah, it is not the strife between kin that is to be abhorred. It is a peace born of complacency that must be loathed. Tytania may perish, but she must not rot.”

Farah felt as though an invisible block of ice were sliding down his oesophagus towards his stomach. A dark flash of suspicion crossed his mind that the current, sharply intensified conflict between the two dukes, Jouslain and Idris, might have been incited by this very Clanner.

“Those two shall never reconcile. Since only one can sit upon the supreme throne, a final clash is inevitable.”

The Clanner’s detached tone terrified Farah.

“And the victor shall rebuild Tytania, earning him the title of restorer of the dynasty.”

Farah felt his heart race and sensed his perspiration increasing. Within the perfectly controlled artificial climate, his senses seemed to have lost all ability to distinguish between heat and cold.

“B-but, if the two dukes go to war, our immediate enemies may take advantage of the situation. Groups such as the Blaze Flag Army…”

He managed to force the trembling words from his throat.

“I never expected the likes of Fan Hyulick or the Blaze Flag Army to be a match for us in the first place. Their ''raison d’être'' becomes manifest only when Tytania fractures from within. The universe only begins to move when we see which of the two Tytania factions they choose to support.”

The Clanner laughed again.

“Do you understand, Farah?”

“Y-yes, Your Clanner Highness…”

“Very well. In short, the initiative in history always remains within the grasp of our Tytania. Individual personalities and deliberations are irrelevant. It does not matter who wins, so long as that person bears the name Tytania.”

Even if Jouslain and Idris were to engage in a mutual slaughter involving other powers, it would make no difference. Thus said the Clanner. There was a coldness to his words that felt like frost settling upon one’s very nerves.

“To His Clanner Highness, is everyone merely a piece on a chessboard?…”

Farah shuddered slightly. He himself was not even regarded as a chess piece by the Clanner. It was precisely because of this that the Clanner spoke to Farah regarding matters of a highly confidential nature. While Farah was indeed treated with favour, in essence, he was nothing more than highly accomplished livestock.

Who was that Clanner from several generations ago, who acted the part of an ancient hegemon by declaring, ''“If one is not of Tytania, one is not a human”''? That was the very essence of the Landless Clanner mentality within Tytania. In much the same way that an ordinary citizen might confide a secret to a pet, Clanner Ajman had revealed a fragment of his true intentions to Farah, to a low-standing person like Farah. Naturally, Farah did not find it pleasant. Yet, he was also someone who knew that he would never, under any circumstances, divulge this fact to another.

The 27<sup>th</sup> of March arrived. It was the day of Duke Jouslain Tytania’s departure for campaign. It was only natural that the departure ceremony was a modest affair, lacking the splendour seen during Ariabert’s departure.

Idris stood to the rear left of Clanner Ajman, unable to hide an expression that looked as though he had been chewing on raw herbs as he listened to Jouslain’s address.

“I pray that Your Clanner Highness remains in the utmost health. I shall do my utmost to ensure I do not bring shame to this great mission, and I shall return to you.”

“Indeed. Let us both strive to remain hale and hearty, Lord Jouslain. Bargash is a long way off. Take great care of yourself in all things.”

''The Clanner is the greatest master in the universe'', thought Jouslain. ''He utters insincere words with such absolute dignity.'' Clearing his expression, he bowed reverently and turned on his heel.

As he made his way towards the boarding ramp of his flagship, the ''Austra'', Jouslain could not help but wonder. He wondered which of them was more unfortunate: himself, the one departing, or Idris, the one remaining.