Editing Tytania:Volume 2 Chapter 1 (section)

=== III ===
After some ten agenda items and matters had been dealt with at the conference table, and following a short break, the most important motion of the day was tabled. It concerned Fan Hyulick, who had now become a major public enemy of Tytania.

For those who harboured hostility or antipathy towards Tytania, the name Fan Hyulick had come to carry considerable weight. Regardless of one’s personal feelings, this fact could not be ignored. It appeared that once a person has achieved great renown, they must bear that burden and tread a path somewhat different from their original intentions.

From Jouslain’s perspective, Fan Hyulick seemed less like a brazen rebel and more like a bewildered novice actor. The reality might be different, but looking at his career, this is what came to mind, and Jouslain couldn’t help but have a wry smile as he felt some faint sympathy. Of course, this was not an opinion he would voice aloud.

Ironically, under these circumstances, Tytania was also suffering the consequences. Whatever the sequence of events, it remained a fact that Fan Hyulick murdered a member of the Tytania clan, and for the sake of its prestige and honour Tytania had no choice but to arrest and execute him. If one would dare put it this way, all for the sake of one mere person, Count Arses Tytania.

Although Arses himself had voiced his discontent while alive, his character was not recognised as having any value whatsoever within the Tytania clan. Even an incompetent could be liked by others, and there were capable individuals who were disliked. Arses happened to be neither, and the only person who mourned his untimely demise was his mother.

For the supporters of Tytania, Arses’ death in itself was of no consequence. What mattered was the fact that his death had been imposed upon him by others. Those bearing the Tytania surname must have their lives and deaths determined solely by others bearing the same surname. It was that very pride that proved that Tytania was the sovereign ruler of the entire universe. This pride was to be strictly upheld. No matter the cost.

Zarlisch, having been granted the floor, leaned his massive frame halfway across the conference table as he petitioned the Clanner. He requested to be appointed the person in charge of executing Fan Hyulick, the man who had killed his younger brother.

“Lord Zarlisch, your wish is perfectly reasonable. You have a good reason to take this matter more seriously than anyone else.”

Hearing Clanner Ajman’s response, Zarlisch’s eyes sparkled.

“Then, may I be entrusted with the life or death of that lawless scoundrel, Fan Hyulick?”

“Well, it is most gratifying when hope leads to enthusiasm, but that does not necessarily guarantee success. Unfortunately, excessive zeal tends to render one’s abilities ineffective.”

Although Clanner Ajman’s voice was not exactly venomous, it lacked warmth. His almost inorganic coldness was by no means the product of personal malice, yet Zarlisch could not help but break out in a cold sweat. The vast expanse of skin covering the burly man’s body had hardened with tension.

“Your Clanner Highness’ concerns are entirely justified, but I, though unworthy, pride myself on being more suited to this task than any of the other lords. The sin of allowing that unscrupulous traitor Fan Hyulick act as he pleased lies with my brother’s inaction and incompetence. I therefore humbly request that you allow me, as his elder brother, to atone for his sin.”

“It is indeed a misfortune for this Fan Hyulick to be regarded as a direct enemy of the peerlessly valiant Lord Zarlisch.”

The Clanner’s voice flowed gently through the sea of silence in which the dukes sat. Even when disguised as a mere jest, his remarks often carried grave implications, so they could not react carelessly.

“It is inevitable that Fan Hyulick and his followers will be wiped out. Lord Zarlisch, there is nothing wrong with you taking on that task, but…”

“Is there truly no possibility whatsoever of welcoming him into the ranks of Tytania, Your Highness?”

It was Ariabert who voiced this opinion, but he was immediately met with opposition.

“It is too late to bring this up now. He has already rejected the hand of friendship extended by Tytania, and has even gone so far as to murder a man bearing the Tytania surname and title. If we were to seek reconciliation at this late stage, the authority of Tytania would be called into question.”

Idris’ tone had grown fierce, as if scorched by fire.

“Fan Hyulick must be made to atone for his crimes. There is no other option. Talents of the calibre of Fan Hyulick can surely be found in abundance as long as we look for them. There is no reason to put his talents to use if at the expense of Tytania’s authority.”

Rather, on this occasion, in order to further strengthen Tytania’s unity and to demonstrate Tytania’s resolve to the outside world, Fan Hyulick’s faction should be thoroughly hunted down and subjected to severe punishment. That was the gist of Idris’ argument. He excelled in passionate oratory, even more than Ariabert or Zarlisch, and although the was youngest, he appeared to be leading the proceedings.

Jouslain silently watched this scene unfold.

''“He is even stiffer than Balamy.”''

Just as Princess Lydia had remarked, Idris’ sharp edges were all too evident. If he could channel that fiery spirit and ambition, and embrace them with a mature character, might Idris not naturally become a figure of such calibre as to rule all of Tytania? Such were Jouslain’s thoughts, though there was no guarantee that his judgement of character was completely accurate.

''“Mayhap Idris would have been happier had he not been born into Tytania’s ruling class.”'' sometimes thought Jouslain.

It was neither a paradox nor irony. Whenever he encountered Idris’ intense drive for self-improvement and competitive spirit, he couldn’t help but feel this way.

Had Idris been born into an obscure family, he would have thrown himself into Tytania’s affairs as his ambition dictated, achieved remarkable feats, raced up the ladder of success, and felt a deep sense of fulfilment in the process. With every step he climbed, he would undoubtedly have set his sights even higher, fuelling his vitality.

However, Idris was born into the main line of the Tytania clan, a house of great prestige, and was already one of the Four Dukes. Above him only stood the throne of the Landless Clanner, the supreme leader of the Tytania clan. Naturally, Idris had to think, act, plot and strive with that as his goal. It was probably Idris’ karma<ref name="ftn3">“Fate” (業) pronounced “karma”.</ref> that he could not find fulfilment in the approach taken by Ariabert of calmly and steadily fulfilling one’s duties and doing one’s utmost within the current circumstances.

Jouslain didn’t believe that Idris possessed the talent and calibre he boasted of. But of course, Idris was not incompetent, and he possessed sufficient ability to have rise from nothing and become the sovereign of a star-spanning nation. A few days ago, he failed in his mission to use Count Arses Tytania as a decoy to wipe out Fan Hyulick’s faction. However, this had been a mere tactical blunder at the regional level, and there would be plenty of opportunities to make up for that lost ground in the future. The scale of the underlying power he has accumulated is simply on a different level to that of Fan Hyulick, who would be plunged to the brink of ruin were he to suffer a single defeat.

It would be no surprise if Idris were to become Tytania’s next Clanner. However, should that happen, the atmosphere in Tytania would become stifling, and it would become a truly difficult place for someone like Jouslain to live in.

The Clanner’s gaze turned towards Jouslain. Glancing at the young duke who was tapping the tabletop silently with the back of his hand as he pondered, the Clanner addressed him in a voice laced with a hint of sarcasm:

“What are your thoughts, Lord Jouslain?”

Idris’ pride that was stung by those words. Jouslain had been silent for some time now. One should simply leave those who wished to remain silent to their own devices. Yet, the Clanner was specifically seeking his opinion; was it because he held Jouslain in high regard? Idris could not help but wonder. The Clanner’s gaze flitted towards Idris’ expression for just a fraction of a second.

In that brief moment, Jouslain brought his thoughts back to the reality of the situation, withdrew his hands from the table and sat up straight. In this instance, there was no need to say much, nor did Jouslain have any intention of doing so. He understood the Clanner’s intentions and saw no reason to object to them. And, while feeling a touch of shame at his own insight, he replied:

“I concur with Lord Zarlisch’s proposal. I believe that amongst all of us, Lord Zarlisch is the most suitable for this task.”

With this, Jouslain had provided the desired response to Zarlisch’s prior proposal. It would, as the saying goes, mean that he had “gained a favour”. Yet, that was but a trivial matter.

For Jouslain, it was the true intent behind the Clanner’s expressionless nod that was truly frightening. By entrusting the matter of Fan Hyulick to Zarlisch, the Clanner had reduced it to the Zarlisch family’s private affair. This meant that, should the situation change in the future, he could set aside Zarlisch and form an alliance with Fan Hyulick. Of course, should Zarlisch succeed in eliminating Fan Hyulick, this would remove a future formidable enemy, and would not result in a negative outcome for Tytania.

With the matter of Fan Hyulick settled, the discussion moved on to the next agenda item. Emperor Harsha&nbsp;VI of Vardana, whose ministers had been purged, was, naturally, deeply shaken and spending his days in anxiety. The question was what to do, since the situation could not simply be left unaddressed. When once more asked for his opinion, Jouslain replied:

“I believe it would be best to present a gift and appease His Majesty Harsha&nbsp;VI to some extent. After all, it was the rebellious ministers who were purged. We ought to demonstrate that Tytania harbours no ill will towards the Emperor.”

“You want to curry favour with the Emperor?” immediately interjected Idris with a blunt expression of doubt.

Jouslain countered once more:

“No need to put it in such terms. We are simply reassuring Harsha&nbsp;VI. If His Imperial Majesty’s position and state of mind are stable, there will be less scope for ambitious individuals to act recklessly. If the Vardana Imperial House is of even the slightest use to Tytania, I believe it is only natural to treat it accordingly.”

Tytania had never disregarded formality and had always observed the proper etiquette towards the Vardana Imperial House. Legally speaking, Tytania submitted herself to being a vassal of the Emperor of Vardana, and since she had accepted this position, it was only proper to observe the courtesies that came with it. If others regarded this as hypocrisy, if was their prerogative. Indeed, it was undoubtedly hypocrisy.

“I endorse Lord Jouslain’s proposal. As far as Tytania is concerned, we have no intention of seeking a confrontation with the Vardana Imperial House.”

Clanner Ajman delivered his verdict, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm as he continued:

“There are many who criticise Tytania, but stinginess has never once been cited as a reason. We shall present His Majesty Harsha&nbsp;VI with a generous gift. When the opportunity arises.”

“Will money and gifts truly console the Emperor’s heart?”

Ariabert voiced his common-sense opinion, but Clanner Ajman laughed heartily and dismissed his concern.

“That is a matter for the Emperor’s own mind. Even if he finds no solace, that is a matter for him to resolve. It is none of our concern.”