Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 4 (section)

=== III ===
“That’s quite a surprise. It’s the first time in my life I have received such a formal greeting. Now, please stand up, Baron.”

“I am a Baronet.”

“Very well, Baronet. Now, please, stand. I have noted your proper deference.”

Even Miranda lost her composure somewhat, and her usual manner of speaking became mixed with the formal, courtly tone she rarely ever used. Mahdi whispered to the Doctor:

“Hey, is that brat really Radmoth’s brother? I can hardly believe it.”

“He is really his brother. There is no reason to doubt it.”

“Maybe they should have their DNA retested. If I were the father, I’d be suspecting my wife of having an affair.”

Mahdi’s joke was quite ''risqué'', but whether by luck or misfortune, it did not reach Zelpha’s ears. Zelpha remained perfectly polite and bowed once more.

“With your permission, I shall stand.”

Rising with elegance, Zelpha cast a look of hostility towards those around him once more.

“Even so, please forgive my insolence, Your Highness, but why is someone of your high standing choosing to associate with such human scum?”

“Scum, he says,” remarked Pagès.

“Better than rubbish,” added Walenkov.

Miranda looked down at Zelpha’s serious face, her eyes clouded with a multitude of emotions and thoughts, but after letting out a small sigh, she pulled an S.F.<ref name="ftn10">S.F. is pronounced “simple phone”.</ref> from her inner pocket.

“Ah, darling, I’m sorry, but could you come down from the bridge for a moment? Yeah, I need you to meet with the Baronet.”

When Captain Casimir, who possessed the most virtuous appearance among the group, appeared still clad in his work suit, Zelpha stared at him with a bewildered gaze. As the Captain and Miranda exchanged an affectionate smile, Zelpha questioned them in a tone thick with suspicion.

“Who is this person?”

“He’s my husband.”

“Your husband… You mean, your esteemed spouse!?”

Zelpha’s eyes widened once again.

“Then, is he an Archduke or a Duke? I am…”

“No, he’s just a commoner. I’m sorry, but would you mind showing that photo to this boy?”

Miranda made the request with a hint of pain in her voice. Seeing his wife’s expression, Captain Casimir nodded as if in understanding, and then, towards the bewildered Zelpha who was watching them, he opened the S.F. screen. Zelpha was so stunned that he instinctively began to recoil half a step.

“What on earth has happened to him?”

“His vocal cords were destroyed.”

“…! Who could have done something so horrific!?”

“A Tytanian grunt.”

Zelpha’s expression stiffened. He shook his head in disbelief, his face sinking with a look of utter helplessness.

“I am sorry to have given you such a shock. But unfortunately, it is the truth. Well, I did ensure that person received his well-deserved punishment, though.”

“…”

“Listen, Baronet, Tytania possesses wealth and power so vast they are beyond description. Our enemies are those who are unable to wield that wealth and power correctly.”

Miranda leaned forward slightly to peer into Zelpha’s eyes.

“Everyone here is an outlaw, but tell me, what do you think of outlaws?”

“They are villains.”

“Why?”

“Because they break the law… Am I wrong?”

“You are not wrong. It is just that there are many kinds of villains.”

“Many kinds…?”

Zelpha was bewildered. Looking at him, it was difficult to believe that this boy was the perpetrator of the conspiracy to assassinate Ariabert.

“We break the law whenever we find it necessary. But, on the other hand, there are villains who actually create laws, and if you ask me, they are far more malicious.”

“For example… what kind of villains?”

“Well, for instance, they might create a law like this: ‘Anyone who criticises Tytania shall have their vocal cords destroyed. Those who carry out the punishment shall be rewarded.’”

“…”

“Or perhaps something like this: ‘From this day forward, Planet Caricar shall only trade with Tytania-affiliated companies. Should Caricar violate this law, Tytania shall launch a military attack. No responsibility shall be held, no matter how many people die’…”

Zelpha slumped his shoulders and looked down. It was as if several conflicting values were clashing within the boy’s body.

Nearly an hour later, Pagès returned from the restroom, looking strangely impressed.

“Who cleaned the toilets? When I went in, they were the cleanest they’ve ever been in the entire history of this ship!”

“It was His Lordship the Baronet.”

“Heh!? Now that is surprising. It seems even the nobility possesses unexpected talents.”

Miranda glanced back over her shoulder at Doctor Lee.

“It seems you have taken on quite an enormous responsibility. I wonder how one must handle that boy to achieve a good result.”

“It will allow me to write a book titled ''The Growth and Observational Records of a Certain Young Boy''.”

“Now, just a moment, Doctor.”

“Ah, my apologies. In all seriousness, this concerns the very future of a human being… But, Miranda, even if you find yourself becoming emotionally attached, please do not forget one thing. That boy is a Tytanian. And Tytania’ greater cause is what compelled a thirteen-year-old child to commit murder.”

“I think I understand. Well, I don’t believe it’s his fault.”

Miranda hated the Tytania collective with all her heart, but she did not harbour the desire to kill every single person that comprised it. Her life, both in the past and in the future, was meant to be spent ensuring that Tytania continued to exist, only to move about and thwart its tyranny.

“So, do you have a concrete plan for what we shall do next, Doctor?”

“I have something, at any rate.”

Doctor Lee adopted a self-important air.

“We have sent Hyulick to Duke Jouslain. He will certainly take an interest in Hyulick. I have instructed Hyulick to behave as discreetly as possible, but if a great catastrophe were to loom due to Radmoth’s lack of common sense—or rather, his lack of any sense at all—he will be forced to employ unconventional tactics, whether he likes it or not. If Jouslain and Hyulick can form an alliance, I believe they might be able to stand against the Clanner.”

It was time to eat. Bread, a soup of cabbage and ham, and an omelette were placed before Zelpha, who sat at the table looking uncomfortable.

As Zelpha tentatively took a bite of the omelette, an expression of surprise crossed his face. It was a simple omelette, containing nothing but potato and onion.

“This is delicious. I have never had an omelette this tasty before.”

Seraphine Coopers puffed out her chest with pride.

“Really? I’m glad. I have certainly become skilled at making omelettes. It was a necessity for taming a hopeless man.”

“A hopeless man?”

Zelpha paused with his fork, looking suspicious. Miranda laughed heartily.

“Sera, you shouldn’t be so conceited. The secret ingredient this time is the exquisite seasoning of hunger brought on by hard labour.”



While Baronet Zelpha Tytania was eating the most meagre yet most delicious omelette of his life, his eldest brother was being caught in a pincer movement of rage and impatience in the command centre of Uraniborg.

“Countess Theodora is not in her quarters.”

“What?”

“It appears she sensed the danger of arrest and fled to the general residential area.”

“Do you think this will end with her escaping?!”

At Idris’ fierce reprimand, the officer stood pale and motionless.

“Trace her whereabouts immediately. Dispatch every soldier and police officer at your disposal to find that woman. No, wait, not soldiers. We are still in the middle of combat. Use only the police. Broadcast that woman’s face prominently on all public monitors!”

The officer saluted, then quickly turned on his heel and exited. With every step, the colour returned to his face, and he found himself unable to suppress his expression of fury. What on earth was Duke Idris thinking? With the massive cannons of the ''Black Prince'' trained upon Uraniborg, he shouldn’t even care about a single woman!

“What is Duke Idris thinking!?”

Even at this late stage, the officer found himself using honorifics toward one of the Four Dukes. He was Tytanian to his very marrow. Nevertheless, he had begun to vaguely realise that the ultimate responsibility for these events rested with Clanner Ajman.

“I no longer understand… I cannot tell friend from foe.”

The officer who muttered these words contacted the police in the civilian residential district, but the moment he finished, a heavy flood of cold sweat broke out across his face. It was because he had realised that even the slightest thought that the Clanner bore the ultimate responsibility would be considered an act of treason.