Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 7 (section)

=== IV ===
On the 16<sup>th</sup> of April the following year, Ariabert and Jouslain met at the hospital once more to discuss their future strategy. One pressing issue was that they had to devise a just cause to justify armed resistance against Clanner Ajman.

Jouslain had a proposal in mind:

''“To strike down the conspirator at the side.”''<ref name="ftn31">Jouslain’s slogan doesn’t translate too well in English, but the expression “conspirer at the side” that he uses (君側の奸) refers to someone who curries a person’s favour while plotting against him in the shadows. Essentially, this slogan accuses Idris of having betrayed the Clanner and ruling in his name.</ref>

Upon hearing Jouslain’s words, Ariabert clapped his hands lightly.

“I see. So our target is Idris. If so, the cause is just. Even regarding your own situation, Lord Jouslain, none of the Clanner’s own words have been relayed to us. It is possible that Idris has been speaking as he pleases.”

“It will likely be deeply regrettable for Lord Idris, however.”

The AJ Alliance declared war with the aim of removing Idris. From that very moment, Idris became a political pawn. Should the AJ Alliance achieve a military victory and corner the Clanner, the Clanner might seek peace negotiations by sacrificing Idris. Conversely, should the Clanner’s forces emerge victorious, Ariabert and Jouslain would be removed from the stage of life itself, leaving only the echoes of Idris’ triumphal song.

“While I may feel pity for Idris being targeted, I also feel pity for us, forced into rebellion against our will. Whether we resist or submit, for the time being, we have no choice but to dance within the Clanner’s enormous palm.”

“In other words, even combined, the three dukes cannot match the Clanner alone.”

“That is precisely why he became the Clanner, bypassing his elder brother.”

Ajman’s elder brother was, in effect, Balamy’s late father, Estrade. Just moments before he could challenge his younger brother’s authority, he met an untimely death, and his surviving child now resided within Jouslain’s camp. It seemed that for two generations, father and son were destined never to find peace under Ajman’s rule.

It was a fact that bore repeating, but both Ariabert and Jouslain were Tytanians. They knew that, at this stage, seeking a peaceful resolution with empty hands would be futile. They had no choice but to defend themselves through force. It was not to say that it was right from a humanitarian point of view. However, that was the grim reality of the universe under Tytania’s dominion.

Ariabert made a proposal.

“How about a plan like this? We send a secret envoy to His Majesty Harsha&nbsp;VI of the Vardana Empire, obtain a secret decree, and have him command us to strike down the Clanner. At the very least, under the laws of the Vardana Empire, we would possess the righteous cause of a government army.”

“His Majesty Harsha&nbsp;VI would certainly rejoice. However, that would be all. The notion that he could punish Tytania exists only in his delusions.”

Furthermore, if they intended to use the receipt of the Emperor’s secret decree for political advantage, they would have to make it public. Once made public, the Clanner would likely pressure Harsha&nbsp;VI to annul the decree. Or, he might even take that opportunity to force his abdication.

Rather than that, they could simply announce that they would respect the Vardana court in general from now on. It would require effectively nothing from them, and it would improve Harsha&nbsp;VI’s impression of Jouslain and the others; furthermore, if they used that to pressure Harsha&nbsp;VI, it would only damage the reputation of the Uraniborg side.

“Furthermore, Count Elman shall return to Uraniborg. He must convey to His Clanner Highness that there is no discord between the two of us.”

This was not Jouslain’s true intention. In the first place, Jouslain did not actually believe that Count Elman would return to Uraniborg and sincerely defend Ariabert and him.

To put it plainly, Jouslain wanted to keep Count Elman away from their immediate circle. In Jouslain’s view, the man was entirely more trouble than he was worth. To use a more cynical expression, he had no utility. When fighting an unparalleled great enemy, one could not afford to have the ground dug out from under one’s feet. It was best to keep him at a distance, even if only out of respect. Fortunately, there was someone suitable to send him to Uraniborg. Commodore Nostitz, who had been taken prisoner by Jouslain.

Commodore Nostitz was extremely displeased in his state as a prisoner. Given his situation, this was only natural. Under normal circumstances, he was not the sort of man to fall for a trick<ref name="ftn32">“Trick” (詭計) is pronounced “trick”.</ref> involving a feigned surrender, but because his opponent was one of the four Dukes of Tytania, he had shown proper courtesy and approached the enemy ship of his own accord. Having had that courtesy betrayed, there was no way he could be anything but incensed.

He was subsequently released, and Jouslain requested that he escort Count Elman Tytania back to Uraniborg. Jouslain offered a polite apology for the previous discourtesy and, extending a hand for a handshake, told Commodore Nostitz that they should meet on the battlefield with honour. It was a piece of political theatre, performed with the full knowledge of Nostitz’s temperament. Nostitz was genuinely moved, and after pledging that he would undoubtedly escort Count Elman safely back to Uraniborg, he withdrew from Jouslain’s presence.

At this time, Jouslain acted with a single purpose, ensuring that he placed no restrictions on Count Elman’s movements until his departure. At the very least, Jouslain was far more unscrupulous than Commodore Nostitz.

While Ariabert was entrusted with military leadership and oversight, Jouslain devoted himself primarily to political and diplomatic manoeuvres. This began, first and foremost, with matters within Tytania itself. He had heard strange rumours regarding Farah, who had accompanied them from Uraniborg. It was Balamy who had gathered the information, reporting that Farah had been summoned by the Clanner and whispered something of great importance.

“Shall I question Farah, Your Grace?”

“It would be in vain. There is no guarantee that His Clanner Highness spoke the truth to Farah. Lord Balamy, His Highness is a man capable of intimidating others with words that do not reflect his true heart. Whatever Farah was told, I believe he was merely chosen unilaterally to throw us into confusion.”

Ultimately, a decision regarding Farah’s fate would have to be made. Of course, he would not be killed. Since they had effectively raised a rebellion against Uraniborg, Jouslain and Ariabert had to present an antithesis to the existing Tytania style of human governance. While ideals alone could never triumph over reality, it was more advantageous to establish a clear stance and direction. Even if they could not increase their allies, they at least wanted to reduce their enemies.

“Do you think we ought to devise some sort of strategy regarding Fan Hyulick?”

When Ariabert consulted him in this manner, Jouslain tilted his head slightly.

“No, let us leave Fan Hyulick alone. I believe he will seek contact with us eventually. As long as we do not close the door on him and remain ready to offer tea at any time, that will suffice.”

“Assuming he does approach us, can you predict when that might be?”

Upon being questioned again by Ariabert, Jouslain found himself reflecting.

“It is difficult to be certain with specific numbers. However, I can answer if I use a different phrasing.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, it will be around the time Lord Idris makes contact with them.”

Ariabert nodded at Jouslain’s response and gave a short laugh. There was no reason for Idris to feel superior to Ariabert regarding pure military talent. Furthermore, Clanner Ajman held immense expectations for Idris’ capabilities.

“The Clanner might even hire them as mercenaries by guaranteeing Fan Hyulick’s faction considerable favour. In fact, I would not be surprised if he were granted supreme command over the active combat units.”

Upon hearing Jouslain’s opinion, Ariabert formed what was, rather, a satisfied smile.

“That is interesting. Even if the banners under which we rally change, it means Fan Hyulick and I must still fight one another. I should like to aim for a single victory after two defeats.”

As he watched his maternal cousin’s smile, which conveyed a sense of both mental fortitude and flexibility, Jouslain was picturing a somewhat different scene in his mind. How would Fan Hyulick and the others choose their future paths?

On this day, the 20<sup>th</sup> of April, a decree was proclaimed in the name of Tytania’s Landless Clanner, Ajman, stripping Ariabert and Jouslain of all public offices and official rights, including their ducal titles. Of the four dukes who had stood together at Uraniborg one year prior, one had died, two had been exiled, and Idris was the only one who remained.

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