Editing Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 8 (section)

=== IV ===
Amidst the immense chaos both inside and outside Uraniborg, Viscount Balamy Tytania piloted a single-seat reconnaissance plane<ref name="ftn31">“Single-seat reconnaissance plane” (単座式偵察機) is pronounced “mini cyprus”.</ref> back to the space battleship ''Austra''. On the way, he had faced death no fewer than half a dozen times. Once he was finally brought into the battleship’s hangar, he made his way towards the bridge.

“Bal, Bal, are you alright!?”

Voices of joy made the very air dance, and a small figure leapt towards Balamy like a bullet. Balamy smiled as he caught Princess Lydia in his arms.

“I am deeply sorry for causing you such worry. I have managed to somehow return.”

“Bal, what about Duke Jouslain and Francia?”

It was a question he had braced himself for, one he had resigned himself to. Even so, he could not dispel the dark clouds swirling within his heart.

“I am so sorry. I cannot confirm whether they are alive or dead. I have returned alone, in complete shame. I am prepared for your reprimand.”

Princess Lydia pulled herself away from Balamy just enough to look up at her knight. Her clear eyes held no trace of reproach.

“I was wondering what I would do if none of the three of you came back. It is not your fault at all, Bal. You did well to return. I am glad.”

Though she said she was happy, her small eyes overflowed with tears.

“You needn’t worry about Duke Jouslain or Francia. There is no way those two could die.”

“Princess…”

“Because, it’s true, isn’t it? Those two are much more reliable than you, Bal.”

Princess Lydia attempted to smile but failed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“When I am much older, before I become Queen, I will go and search for them. If they are alive, I will surely find them. The universe is such a small place, after all.”

The coexistence of her childish tears and such grand words was entirely characteristic of the Princess. Balamy was struck by a sincerity so pure it astonished even him, and he offered his handkerchief to the Princess’ small hand.

“What about you, Bal?”

“I cannot leave the fleet in its current state. I shall contact Uraniborg, organise the assessment of our losses, and once everything is settled, I will disband them. After that, I shall leave matters in the hands of Count Elman and the other surviving nobles.”

“I see. But what do you intend to do after that?”

“Naturally, I shall escort you back to your motherland<ref name="ftn32">Here, “motherland” (母国) is pronounced “Elbing”.</ref>, Princess. After that, most wretchedly, I shall have no place to return to. Would you grant me permission to remain in Elbing for a while?”

“Very well, I permit it.”

The Princess wiped away her tears, blew her nose vigorously, and then folded the handkerchief with an embarrassed air.

“When the time comes, I wish to accompany you on your journey to search for Duke Jouslain and Lady Francia. Would that be acceptable?”

“I permit that too!”

Princess Lydia’s voice, so full of vitality, brightened Balamy’s heart. He felt as though he might be able to walk the long, dark path ahead of him with his head held high.

As if suddenly remembering something, Princess Lydia asked a question.

“By the way, what became of the Clanner and Duke Idris?”

“Both are dead.”

In truth, he had not actually witnessed their deaths. However, just before leaving Uraniborg, he had heard rumours flying faster than light. There was no doubt that the Clanner’s death was by Jouslain’s hand, and Balamy felt a sense of congratulation that he had finally avenged Ariabert. He had achieved something remarkable considering that he had lost his sight.

As for Idris’ death, there was nothing to do but let his imagination run wild, but he had no choice but to assume it was at the hands of the Clanner. Depending on how the situation had shifted, it might even have been Balamy himself who ended up killing Idris. He felt a complex mix of emotions, but when he recalled the gruesome sight of Idris with his arm torn away, sympathy ultimately emerged as the final victor.

Captain Edna Fredericks appeared before the Princess and Balamy to celebrate their safety. Balamy provided a brief explanation of the situation.

“So, Captain, what will you do now?”

“Unlike Her Highness and Your Lordship Grace Balamy, I have no one left to search for. I possess no skills beyond those of a soldier, so even if Tytania’s fleet is downsized, I intend to remain.”

“Before that, could you escort the Princess and me to the Kingdom of Elbing?”

“Of course.”

Princess Lydia spoke up unexpectedly:

“Captain Fredericks!”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for everything.”

As Princess Lydia gave a small bow, Balamy followed suit with a Tytania-style salute.

“You are too kind.”

For the first time, tears welled in Captain Edna Fredericks’ eyes.



Just before the space battleship ''Austra'' departed for the Kingdom of Elbing, a notification was broadcast from Uraniborg to the entire fleet.

“His Clanner Highness Ajman has passed away. Fighting in the name of the Clanner no longer holds meaning. Both forces are to cease hostilities immediately and remain on standby until further orders. I repeat, His Clanner Highness Ajman has…”

Both friend and foe were left in a state of stunned disbelief, powerless to react, yet one after another, they ceased fire in accordance with the announcement. Thus, the “Uraniborg Incident” was formally brought to a close.

On planet Ementhal, Kafir, Tyron, and Bargash, as well as on distant frontier planets and interstellar liners, this transmission sent shockwaves through the populace, striking tens of billions of voices and the many billions of ears that followed.

“Did they say the Clanner has died?”

“That’s what they said, indeed.”

“How can this be! Then what will become of the future of Tytania?”

“Someone else will become the next Clanner. It is not as if the choice lies with you or me, so there is no use worrying about it.”

“I suppose so… At any rate, the fighting seems to be over, and it looks as though we survived.”

“Let’s go home. We shall eat and sleep, and when we wake tomorrow morning, our usual lives will have returned. Can you stand?”

“If you will lead the way.”

While such gentle and sweet conversation was being exchanged, there also existed, naturally, arguments so unpleasant that even a malicious cat and a brutish dog would turn their faces away.

“Don’t be ridiculous! There is still a whole week left until the payment deadline. Re-read the contract. Or are you unable to read?”

“I shall return your words to you. Isn’t it written that in the event of an unavoidable emergency, the deadline may be moved forward by mutual agreement? We are currently in such a situation.”

“As if anyone would agree to that! If you want your money, come and see me in court!”

Vulgar disputes were breaking out everywhere, but among the crew of the second-hand spacecraft ''Honest Old Man Junior'', the only sounds were cries of sorrow.

“Oh, my beloved platinum ingots… please forgive me for leaving you behind.”

“I’ll tell you now, Mahdi, no matter how much you love those ingots, you have no legal right to possess them anywhere in human society. Just make do with your rucksack’s share. Now that I look at you, isn’t a wad of cash practically spilling out of your pocket?”

Alan Mahdi was perhaps the only person in the universe who had gained direct financial profit from the Clanner’s death. However, he could not simply rejoice in his one-in-tens-of-billions stroke of luck. He was suffering the pangs of a conscience that had left behind platinum ingots that seemed to scream, “Take us with you!”

While he allowed himself to lament to his heart’s content, the others remained gathered around the coffee table.

“What became of Ajman’s wife and children?”

“Their fates are unknown.”

“In that case, if his son survives and comes of age, he might seek to avenge his father.”

“It won’t stop there. He might aim to restore the Tytania and re-establish dominion over the universe as the legitimate Clanner heir.”

Hyulick grimaced at the utter wretchedness of the decaffeinated coffee.

“Now, hold on. Isn’t that exactly what Ajman himself wanted to do?”

“It is the height of irony. Yes, that was exactly what Ajman craved. A young man lost amongst the common folk, who is suddenly told one day, ‘You are the child of a king,’ and sets out to reclaim a kingdom.”

“What, so it’s a classic tale of a displaced prince? You mean to say Ajman simply wanted to be the hero of a fairy tale?”

As Miranda spoke in exasperation, Doctor Lee placed his coffee cup back on the table.

“Simply put, that’s exactly it. He had everything. Everything, except for what he actually needed.”

Behind that presence, that dignity, and that imposing physique, behind those heavy and arrogant words and deeds, what had been nurtured in silence, unknown to anyone, was nothing more than a mental degeneration born of resentment and self-righteousness.

“Perhaps Ajman pushed himself past his limits, continuing to play the part of the perfect Clanner. The oppression turned inwards and crushed him. Perhaps it is healthier to be like Mahdi, someone whose true intentions are obvious just by looking at them.”

“Why do you have to use me as an example?”

“Because you’re easy to understand.”

They were waiting for departure clearance at the civilian spaceport of Uraniborg. When legal permission was not forthcoming, they intended to resort to their usual tricks, but they could not force the issue while the spaceport was overflowing with people and supplies.

“So, how has His Imperial Majesty of Vardana taken the news of Clanner Ajman’s death? Having been bullied so relentlessly until now, he must be overjoyed.”

“They say he has lost all sense of restraint.”

“It seems he has been greatly liberated from his mental burdens. Even though it doesn’t concern us personally, it is worth celebrating.”

Because they were in a crowded rest area, they were making an effort not to raise their voices.

“But I wonder if the Vardana Empire can survive without Tytania.”

“That’s none of our concern. Or would you like to get involved with it, Miranda?”

“I’ll pass,” replied instantly the Princess. “One should not attempt things that are beyond their station. One year of experience was more than enough.”

“A wise decision.”

“I shall simply think of it as having had an interesting, long dream and return to my former life. Though, perhaps this current state is actually the dream itself.”

“So, in the end, what Tytania brought was an era of two hundred years of thoughtlessness?”

“Future generations might say it was a surprisingly happy era.”

“That depends entirely on how one defines happiness.”

The name of their ship was announced. Departure had been authorised. A group of men and women, wearing expressions of weary anticipation, began to leave the rest area.

“I wonder what future generations will call this coming era, Doctor?”

“I wonder.”

Doctor Lee pinched his chin with his fingertips.

“Perhaps it will be called ‘Zamana Masafent<ref name="ftn33">The expression used here (大空位時代) refers to the Great Interregnum, a period where the Holy Roman Empire didn't have a reigning emperor. However, it is pronounced as “Zamana Masafent” which is a period of Ethiopian history where, similarly, there was no centralised power.</ref>’.”

This implied that an era that was not a ‘vacancy<ref name="ftn34">“Great Interregnum” in Japanese is literally written “Period of Great Vacancy”.</ref>’ would one day arrive. Despite having said it himself, Doctor Lee felt a sense of doubt. Tytania had been too vast. So vast that she was beyond human control. So vast that, unless one were a madman, she could not be ruled alone.

A universe without Tytania. A world of chaos without order.

Unless there were long-lived beings exceeding two hundred years of age, all of humanity, possessing the capacity for thought, would be cast into an unknown dimension. The era in which one could find peace of mind by shifting responsibility onto others would vanish in a startlingly short period of time.

Just what, in the end, had Tytania been?

How should one live from this moment forward?

“And ultimately, everyone will arrive at a similar conclusion. That humanity must continue to live even without the existence of Tytania, and that, in fact, we are capable of doing so.”

“Is that your conclusion, Doctor?”

“It’s not a conclusion. It’s a prediction.”

After a group of men and women departed, another group occupied the vacated table. They looked exhausted from the very start as they ordered their drinks.