Tytania:Volume 5 Chapter 6

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Chapter 6 – Man and Man and Woman and Woman

I

The voice was not loud. It lacked strength, carried no sense of authority, and was not beautiful. Nevertheless, Count Elman Tytania received the polite voice of the Duchess Theresa.

“Is someone there?”

The voice seemed to carry the scent of alcohol and gastric acid.

“Are you awake, Duchess?”

A man’s respectful voice drifted through the haze of consciousness and reached her ears. She could not recall whose voice it was, but she knew it held no hostility.

“I wonder what on earth has happened to me.”

“It appears that you had indulged a bit too much in drink.”

“… Was that so?”

Who was it? Who could it be? She could not remember.

“It seems there is some sort of commotion outside.”

The place where Duchess Theresa Tytania awoke was far removed from the area destroyed by the Black Prince, but because almost the entire residential district of Uraniborg was gripped by unprecedented panic, the distant commotion drifted all the way into the depths of the palace.

The unpleasant, unmusical din caused Lady Theresa to knit her brows. She could not comprehend why desperation had taken the place of melody.

“It seems Baron Radmoth has caused some sort of incident, and the citizens are in an uproar. Even with the windows closed, it is quite like this.”

“Radmoth… Radmoth? Err…”

“He is the younger brother of His Grace Duke Idris.”

“Ah, Idris’ brother.”

A murky light flickered in Lady Theresa’s drunken eyes. Yes, Radmoth was indeed Idris’ younger brother. And who, she wondered, was Idris himself? She attempted to ask, but finding it too much effort, Lady Theresa let out a small yawn and drifted back into a cloud of heavy slumber.

Count Elman had steeled himself. Or rather, he had realised that the situation was beyond his control and understood there was no room left to forge his own future. He had lost his very reason for clinging to life. Both Tytania and the space pirates had abandoned him. The will to defy fate had vanished, leaving him with nothing but the modest hope of meeting his end without too much ugliness.

A heavy sigh escaped him. What meaning had his life truly held? As a Tytanian of noble rank, he had lived a life of abundance, acquiring both education and social grace and earning the respect of others. There were surely plenty who would have envied him. Yet, he had been nothing more than an existence merely drifting into the present upon the currents of the past, only to continue drifting toward the future.

If he were foolish, he could perhaps find satisfaction in that and live out his days in peace and safety. At the same time, the education and social skills he had acquired would vanish, leaving nothing behind, and others of his kind would simply lead the same sort of life.

As Idris ran towards the Clanner’s private chambers, he encountered a single chamberlain. Clad in a black tailcoat, the man held a tray bearing a scroll with great reverence.

“What is that?”

“An imperial decree has descended from His Majesty Harsha VI, Emperor of Vardana.”

It seemed this chamberlain was unaware of the circumstances behind Idris racing through the corridor.

“What does it say?”

“May I proceed with the reading?”

“Just do it, quickly!”

The chamberlain cleared his throat.

“Then, let us see… ‘I, Harsha Vardana, eighteenth Emperor and Sovereign of the Great, Mighty, and Beautiful Vardana Empire, do hereby’…”

“You needn’t read all that!”

“As you will. Err, ‘I hereby strip the individual known as Idris Tytania of all imperial offices and titles, and declare him a public enemy of the Empire’…”

The moment the chamberlain ceased his reading in astonishment, Idris reached out and snatched the decree. His hand, trembling with passion, tore the document apart. He then brought his foot down hard upon the decree as it lay slammed against the floor.

The chamberlain, who had already been on the verge of collapsing, lost all strength to stand simply from looking directly into Idris’ bloodshot eyes. He slumped to the floor and pressed his hands together before his face, as if pleading for his life.

“If I survive, the first thing I shall do is depose that unprincipled ruler and bring an end to the history of the Vardana Empire. You had better be prepared.”

Idris exhaled a breath like flame.

“Transmit this to the Emperor! It is a matter of only two or three hours. For now, he may cling to his throne all he likes. That throne is worth ten thousand times his own life. After all, it is crafted from diamonds and platinum.”

A fresh surge of rage lent him a new burst of speed, and Idris began to run once more. The chamberlain was not even worth killing; he was merely a waste of time.

At this moment, it seemed that nothing remained to obstruct the actions of Duke Idris Tytania.

Jouslain Tytania trotted ahead, accompanied by Balamy and Hyulick.

“How ironic,” he couldn’t help but think.

The ten million men and women residing in Uraniborg aside from the Tytania family, were subject to rigorous screening, even if they were considered commoners or ordinary citizens. Whether it was the owner of a street-side crêpe stall, a bartender in training, or a C-class operator on a cleaning robot team, they all ought to have enjoyed highly satisfying lives, harbouring an innocent sense of privilege. After all, they were inhabitants that were on the “very lap of His Clanner Highness” and the “centre of the universe”.

And now, they were rampaging, having cast aside all etiquette, manners, and morals, leaving nothing but their raw, primitive survival instincts. Jouslain could not bring himself to blame them. Two hundred years of peace and prosperity had weakened the human capacity to control one’s instincts. It was only natural.

Rough voices and the heavy thud of footsteps approached, prompting Jouslain and the others to crouch behind the holly hedge. They were guards belonging directly to the Clanner. It soon became clear, however, that they were not pursuing Jouslain’s group.

“Has Duke Idris still not been found?”

“Not yet, regrettably.”

“Keep searching. If he somehow manages to escape from Uraniborg, they’ll cut off our heads.”

The voices and footsteps hurried away into the distance.

Balamy tilted his head slightly.

“Why is Duke Idris being pursued by the guards?”

“Oh my, have the guards revolted, or has an order been issued to detain Idris…?”

“Only the Clanner could issue such an order.”

Excitement tinged Balamy’s voice.

“Is it possible that the Clanner and Duke Idris have had a falling out? Perhaps Duke Idris attempted to imprison the Clanner and failed…”

“It is possible. However, let us not jump to conclusions. Lord Balamy, the truth is, I do not have a grasp on the overall situation.”

Jouslain spoke his true feelings. Through Princess Lydia, he held trust in Balamy. Yet, he still felt a subtle psychological distance towards a youth nine years his junior. Could Balamy truly serve as a replacement for Ariabert?

Meanwhile, Balamy could not hide his astonishment. Although it had become very slight, given the various circumstances and emotions leading up to this moment, it could not be said that his estrangement from Jouslain had completely vanished. The thought that a confrontation might ultimately be unavoidable remained constantly stuck in the back of his mind.

“I see.”

Responding with extreme brevity, Balamy pressed his lips firmly together.

There was no time for idle daydreams. Having laboured so hard to successfully infiltrate Uraniborg, there was nothing to do but act. The three of them walked through the absurdly vast gardens of the Clanner’s estate without hesitation. That said, Hyulick was merely following behind the other two. Near a pavilion surrounded by roses, they encountered about ten guards.

“Y-Your Grace, Duke Jouslain!”

The captain of the guard’s voice trembled heavily. He appeared utterly exhausted, as if he were barely managing to maintain his professional composure amidst the limits of his physical and mental fatigue.

“You are Captain Slatina, if I recall correctly.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

A Tytanian noble could not serve their position if they failed to at least remember the name of the Clanner’s captain of the guard. Balamy suddenly launched into an interrogation.

“Where is His Clanner Highness? I must have an audience with him. Tell me.”

“His Highness is at the Clanner’s Manor—”

The captain trailed off, falling into an aghast silence. It seemed he had suddenly remembered that Jouslain and Balamy could not possibly be at Uraniborg. Pretending not to notice his change in demeanour, Jouslain questioned him.

“It seems you are searching for Idris. What has he done?”

“That’s…”

The captain of the guard hesitated, his expression turning to stone.

“I cannot answer that. It is top secret.”

“In other words, he has done something to displease the Clanner.”

“…”

“No, come to think of it, I had no right to ask such a question. I was stripped of my own title long ago. Now then, if you will excuse me.”

Jouslain deliberately turned his back on the captain and began to walk away, and Balamy followed suit.

“P-please, wait.”

Only Jouslain looked back over his shoulder; Balamy ignored him coldly.

“Why are you both here? And what is it you intend to do? Please, let us know.”

Jouslain suppressed a wry smile. He could tell the captain was utterly bewildered. He decided not to reply that it was “top secret”.

“It is none of your concern. Do not trouble yourself with it.”

“I-I cannot do that.”

“Is that so? Should you not return to your original mission? Why not focus your search on Idris?”

The captain opened his mouth but closed it without uttering a word.

“If you do that, it would be a great help to us. Well, I suppose Idris is likely trying to do something similar to me, though…”

Jouslain did not speak the latter half of his thought aloud.

II

He had expected they might be shot on the spot or that the guards would be summoned. However, no matter how many steps they took, Jouslain and his companions were not obstructed. Perhaps the fact that they had walked rather than run had left Captain Slatina utterly perplexed.

In truth, Captain Slatina was also finding it difficult to distinguish friend from foe, much like the ordinary citizens and lower-ranking soldiers. Whose orders should he follow to fulfil his duty as a soldier? Who should he follow to ensure the safety of his own future and his family? Neither as a public figure nor as a private individual could he find the answer.

An excessively powerful organisation was collapsing within too short a period, and its flying shards were wounding people and forcing bloodshed. Such disorder and chaos were unprecedented in the history of Tytania, or perhaps even destined to be its last. During the Great Purge of the second Clanner, Nuri, much blood and many tears had been shed, but it had been carried out in an orderly fashion under Nuri’s cold calculation and ruthless judgement, and such chaos had not been brought about. Once Nuri declared the end of the purge, the daily lives of the citizens were swiftly restored.

Idris had idolised that Nuri, but the current situation was far from his ideal. The height of confusion and disorder was nothing short of hideous, and furthermore, the very heart of Tytania, which should have been in control, had become the greatest factor in the chaos due to the absence of a chain of command.

Yet, that very fact provided Idris with a way out. Had the functions of Tytania been operating normally, Idris would have been held in custody by the Clanners. As Zelpha had informed Ariabert and Jouslain, it might have resulted in something like a demotion or exile.

“Not a chance.”

Idris had abandoned any intention of relying on the authority of the Clanner. The Clanner had merely been exploiting Idris’ hostility towards Ariabert and Jouslain. For one who had stooped to becoming a mere lackey, the end was all too clear.

“I shall strike first, before I am erased.”

The fact that he had reached his decision with such surprising speed was likely because feelings of distrust and suspicion towards the Clanner had been accumulating within him unconsciously. Alternating between running and walking, he moved from the military district towards the residential area, approaching the Clanner’s manor with extreme efficiency. As he rounded a five-metre-high marble wall that boasted the grandeur of a bygone era, the two dukes found themselves face to face at point-blank range.

“Jouslain!”

“Idris!”

Both remained frozen for several seconds, their gazes clashing in shock. It was the third individual who first regained his composure. Balamy raised his charged particle gun, bracing it with his left hand, and took aim precisely at Idris. Noticing the movement, a sneer flashed across Idris’ face.

“Balamy, the little protégé, huh? Still clinging to Jouslain’s side, are you? My, my, and with a band of rogue pirates as well? What a ridiculous axis of power.”

“And I am in a position to shoot you.”

Idris raised an eyebrow at Balamy’s sharp retort, but he did not launch a counterattack. To him, his only true equal as an enemy was Jouslain.

“Even so, what an outrageous coincidence. To run into you in a place like this… it feels almost too convenient.”

“It is a coincidence, but it was not an impossibly low probability.”

Jouslain had also regained his composure, responding to Idris in a subdued voice.

“Hmph. And what makes you so certain?”

“Because our objectives are likely the same. It is only natural that we would meet at our destination.”

“Our objective?”

Idris narrowed his eyes affectedly. Even noticing this, Jouslain spoke plainly.

“To kill the Clanner.”

Idris laughed without making a sound.

“You have finally spoken your true feelings. It is nothing less than a declaration of rebellion. You cannot complain if I shoot you dead right here.”

“At that moment, you will die as well.”

Having been pointedly ignored, Balamy spoke with a surge of youthful bravado. Hyulick remained consistently silent.

“Shall we kill each other here, then?” questioned Jouslain, his voice growing more composed. “I am sure the Clanner would be delighted. Or perhaps he would be disappointed. After all, what he expects is for us to kill one another right before his very eyes.”

“He worries about the strangest things. But where is our obligation to indulge the Clanner’s bad taste? If I were to pull the trigger here…”

“I should remind you, it is three against one.”

Balamy warned once more. An invisible straight line connected the muzzle of the gun to the centre of Idris’ chest.

“Always the noisy brat, I see.”

“Lord Idris, he is a fully grown man. He has my full trust. Underestimating him simply because he is younger is an act that will only come back to haunt you.”

It was Zelpha, who was even younger than Balamy, who had brought Ariabert—a man of superior status in every respect—to his death. Idris acknowledged his disadvantage, but he managed to suppress any sign of it in his expression or demeanour.

“I see. At this distance, it would be impossible to miss, even if he tried. In that case, I have a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“How about we do this,” Idris moistened his lower lip with the tip of his tongue. “The one who kills Ajman shall become the next Clanner. Until then, we shall act together and eliminate anyone who attempts to interfere. I believe it is a fair contract. What say you?”

“Even at this stage, you are still obsessed with the position of Clanner?”

“What is so bad about that?”

“I have no intention of judging the good or the bad about it.”

It was near one of the half-dozen service gates within the inner courtyard of the Clanner’s estate. Across the road, low-rise buildings housing the peripheral agencies of the government stood in a row, but the staff had long since fled, leaving no one to witness the strange confrontation unfolding in the street. On the road itself, several ground vehicles lay overturned and engulfed in flames. Light and shadow cascaded alternately from the canopy, creating an ethereal, surreal scene.

“Then let me ask you this: what have you been living for until now!?” bellowed Idris at last, his false armour scattered in invisible fragments as his passion and fury were laid bare. “You don’t want to do this, you don’t want to do that. Are you a child in his rebellious phase? What have you been living for all this time? What do you intend to live for from here on? Answer me!”

To his horror, Jouslain could not help but feel that Idris’ interrogation hit the mark. It was true; what had he actually wanted to achieve by living this far? He had performed his duties and responsibilities as a Tytania noble almost perfectly. He had never committed a failure worthy of reproach, and by his mid-twenties, he had secured the title of duke. He had done what needed to be done and achieved what required achievement. Yet, it had all been a matter of what “must be”.

“I do not believe I will survive this. I do not believe I can remain unharmed after killing the Clanner.”

“Ah, I see. You’ve got quite the resolve.”

“Therefore, Lord Idris, you may do as you please.”

“A defeat without a fight, then?”

“I suppose that is how it shall be.”

“I would like to say that is fine, but unfortunately, I cannot. I will not be satisfied until I have beaten you into the ground.”

“Before Ajman?”

“It is that very way of taking of yours that I abhor!”

Having only just turned twenty-five, Idris shouted, ignoring Balamy, who was even younger than him.

“Just because you were born two or three years earlier than me, who do you think you are! Mark my words: if we kill the Clanner, we will settle this once and for all.”

“Very well. Now, let us enter the Clanner’s manor quickly. It will be all over if we are seen by others.”

Two of the three held card keys capable of opening and closing all the gates of the Clanner’s manor. It was a privilege of being a duke. However, Jouslain’s key had already been deactivated. As Idris opened the gate, he silently let the other three pass through.

Moving further into a corner of the palace, they walked down a rarely used corridor, and upon turning a corner, they encountered a figure leaning weakly against the wall. Both parties were startled, but they quickly recognised one another.

“If it isn’t Count Elman.”

“Lord Jouslain… Thank goodness, I have finally encountered a sane human being. I was terrified that I might lose my mind. The attendants have all fled…”

Jouslain looked at Count Elman with a calm expression. Much like Captain Slatina, everyone was utterly exhausted.

“It might be best not to be too relieved, Count. It is strange of me to diagnose myself, but I certainly cannot say that I am sane.”

“Lo… Lord Jouslain,” gasped Count Elman. “I beg of you. Please, do something. You are the only one who can bring an end to this chaos.”

III

As Count Elman gripped his sleeve, Jouslain perhaps should have offered at least some token of comfort to the middle-aged noble. However, he simply could not bring himself to do so.

“Count Elman, if you will excuse me, I have no business with you.”

“Out of our way!”

Idris barked with arrogant bluntness. Count Elman stared back at Idris, his expression wiped clean, then looked at Jouslain once more before bowing his head.

“I shall do that. I apologise for disturbing you.”

“Wait a moment.”

It was not Count Elman’s behaviour that caused Jouslain to speak up instinctively. Rather, it was a foul odour seeping through the half-open door that had piqued Jouslain’s suspicion.

Idris noticed it too. Keeping his muzzle trained on Count Elman, he demanded:

“What is that smell? Who else is in that room?”

“That’s…”

Balamy spoke up, as if he had realised something.

“Surely, the Clanner isn’t in that room?”

Count Elman’s complexion changed because he had been taken aback by Balamy’s misunderstanding, but that only served to further mislead Idris. A fierce light ignited in both of his eyes.

“I see. So he was skulking around in a place like this? Hmph. How far the Clanner has fallen.”

“That is not it, Duke Idris. The one who is there is…”

“You’re in my way. Move!”

Idris grabbed Count Elman by the collar and shoved him away violently. Staggering back, Elman’s spine hit the wall, and he looked toward Jouslain and Balamy as if pleading for help, but at that moment, neither of them had any intention of adhering to etiquette or decency.

First, Idris stepped into the dark room with heavy strides, wielding a drawn charged-particle gun. Jouslain and Balamy followed him. Hyulick followed as well. In a panic, Count Elman followed them too.

“Has someone arrived…?”

A woman’s voice, quite unexpected, brought Idris to a halt. Jouslain raised a hand, and the lights automatically brightened, illuminating the room with the clarity of daytime. The furnishings were elegant and antique. Someone lay reclined upon a magnificent canopy bed.

“Duchess Theresa…?”

The three of them spoke aloud, while the fourth swallowed the words he was about to utter and instinctively took a step back. There was a good reason for that. For Fan Hyulick, who had murdered both of Lady Theresa’s sons, reuniting with the mother of Zarlisch and Arses was something he wished to avoid as much as possible.

Whether it was Jouslain or Idris, once they realised the Clanner was not in the room, they should have made a swift exit. Beyond having no business with Count Elman, they had no business with Lady Theresa either. Along with Balamy, all three of them disliked Lady Theresa, and they could not have cared less what happened to her. Nevertheless, as if drawn to the scent of death and decay, all three of them had gathered by the lady’s bedside.

“Why must there be such a fuss?” muttered Lady Theresa. “… Tytania is Tytania. Nothing has changed.”

Jouslain looked back at Count Elman.

“What is Lady Theresa’s condition?”

“You can see it for yourself. The toxins from the alcohol have spread to every organ in her body. It is only a matter of time before her heart stops due to severe alcoholism.”

“Come to think of it, she was a pitiable woman.”

“There is no use in dwelling on the past now. Or shall I avenge her sons here and now?”

Idris replied with cold indifference. Balamy remained silent, but he was sweating from the sheer horror of the moment, truly experiencing what one might call a “hair-raising” sensation. Was Theresa’s figure the wretched end of the “noble blood of Tytania” that had once been so full of glory and power?

Jouslain spoke once more:

“Count Elman.”

“Y-yes.”

“Please keep yourself hidden in a safe place. Before long, the time will come when your existence will matter.”

Count Elman struggled to grasp the meaning of the latter half of the sentence, but he decided to follow the advice in the first half without question. He did not want to die. He was not capable of combat. To reconcile these two propositions, there was no choice but to follow Jouslain’s suggestion. The only issue was the possibility that Uraniborg itself might vanish, regardless of where Count Elman chose to hide.

“How kind of you.”

Idris gave a thin smile. He had found an outlet for the negative emotions he had been brooding over in solitude. Because this was so evident, Jouslain did not take offence.

“We are all from the same Tytania Clan. It is better if he survives.”

“Is that all? You make it sound as if you are promising Count Elman a high position.”

“If you do not wish to see Count Elman placed in a position far beyond his station, then you must ensure your own survival.”

“It is a foregone conclusion that I shall survive,” spat out Idris, his voice more pointed than sharp.

Count Elman was no heavyweight. Certainly not when compared to the previous Clanners, nor to the members of the Council of Five Families held a year ago. But what was the problem with that? If the scale of Tytania shrank to a size that could be governed by Elman’s talent and capacity, and if it became stable, then that should be enough, shouldn’t it?

These were Jouslain’s thoughts on the matter. Balamy, who was far too young, looked at Jouslain with a bewildered expression, but Idris keenly perceived Jouslain’s mindset and let out a low, mocking laugh.

“So now that Ariabert is gone, it’s Count Elman’s turn?”

“…”

“He is a suspicious fellow. Why is it that your name or mine didn’t come up?”

“…”

“It would be far more natural that way. The position following Clanner is Duke, and even among those, you and I are the heads of the Five Families.”

“You may not know it, but I have neither the intention nor the right to become Clanner.”

Murderous intent infused Idris’ voice.

“Do you have no ambition? Or is it simply that you do not wish to bear the burden of responsibility and mission?”

“Interpret it however you wish.”

Without answering the question, Idris suddenly pressed the muzzle of his gun against Lady Theresa’s left temple and pulled the trigger. There was no time to intervene. Lady Theresa did not even suffer a final convulsion.

“What have you done, Idris!?”

“Tytanian nobles may be destined to die, but they are not permitted to rot while still living. Call me a murderer if you must.”

Silence was the only reply. Leaving Count Elman behind in a state of vacant shock, the four of them exited the room and its stench. Of the four, three offered a bow to the deceased at the doorway.

Before long, they emerged before the stairs leading to the upper floor. Six guards, their faces contorted with tension, levelled their guns at them.

“I cannot allow either of Your Graces to proceed any further.”

“By whose command?” questioned Idris with affectation, all while idly fiddling with his charged-particle gun.

“By the command of His Clanner Highness himself.”

“There was no need to ask.”

As Jouslain spoke, Idris glared at his opponent with white eyes, but he offered no verbal reply, merely ascending the first step with heavy, rhythmic footsteps. Remaining silent, Jouslain ascended the step as well. One more step.

While keeping their guns levelled at them, the soldiers appeared overwhelmed, casting pleading glances toward their superior officer.

“Both of you, stop right there!” shouted the officer, his voice drenched in cold sweat. “Otherwise, if I may be so bold, we shall be forced to restrain you by force!”

“Try it,” declared Idris with sheer bravado, and a bead of genuine sweat rolled down the officer’s forehead to his cheek.

“I—I am warning you. I have been granted permission to shoot. Please, value your lives!”

“A warning full of nothing but polite language lacks any real impact,” muttered Fan Hyulick.

He was positioned behind the two dukes, though not because he intended to use them as shields, but simply because of the width of the staircase that had placed him there.

“There is no way he will shoot,” declared Jouslain, though his tone was strange, possessing both a certain gloom and a striking clarity. “If the Clanner were to let him shoot us, it would be right before his very eyes. He would likely want to witness our deaths firsthand.”

“You are quite right. Guards, there is no need to follow the Clanner’s orders at this late stage. Do you not realise that almost everyone else in this palace has already fled?”

The guards were visibly shaken.

Countless contradictions and paradoxes had dulled Jouslain’s judgement. Yet, once they were resolved, the mist would clear, and a fragment of the truth would reveal itself. Once he reached the top of these stairs, Clanner Ajman would be waiting. Jouslain was certain of this. It was useless to ponder there what he could do or what Idris might do. He simply had to press on and ascend the stairs.

“Move aside. I must see His Clanner Highness.”

It was Jouslain who spoke, though Idris was the one who began walking first. Overwhelmed, the guards parted to the left and right without a word, allowing them to pass. Balamy followed and ascended as well, yet the guards remained unmoved. However, when Hyulick attempted to follow, a beam of light burst into rainbow colours at his feet.

Clinging to the staircase handrail, Hyulick narrowly avoided a fall.

“Why did you only shoot at me!?”

“I was obviously going to shoot at you. You aren’t a Tytanian noble, are you?”

“So you think it’s alright to shoot ordinary citizens, you bigot!”

“Ordinary citizens? I am appalled by what I hear. You’re a vermin who dared to oppose Tytania, and I shall dispose of you right here.”

As Hyulick attempted to retort further, it was not words that rained down upon him, but titanium bullets, accompanied by flashes of light and the roar of gunfire.

IV

The moment a single bullet blew back a lock of carrot-coloured hair, a chain reaction of fresh gunshots erupted. Screams and sprays of blood struck the floor as guards were thrown back and tumbled over. Several sets of footsteps rushed towards him, and a powerful hand gripped Hyulick’s wrist, pulling him to his feet.

“Are you alright, Hyulick?” asked the coolest and most detached voice in the universe.

Hyulick let out a heavy breath and shouted at the members of the Blaze Flag Army.

“You’re late! I almost died! What was even the point of that tracking device?”

“I had hoped you might perform a great feat that would defy my expectations. However, it seems that one cannot pour two litres of wine into a one-litre vessel, after all.”

“Fine, then. From now on, just call me ‘the one-litre man’.”

“Despite what he says, the Doctor was worried about your safety. That’s why, from the moment you all set off, he was figuring out a way to infiltrate Uraniborg.”

Miranda explained with a smile.

The more the situation descended into chaos, and the more disorder expanded, the more advantage the Blaze Flag Army would gain.

Amidst a swirling vortex of death and destruction, the Honest Old Man Junior approached Uraniborg, dodging cannon fire by veering left and right. When a flash of light surged from Uraniborg’s identification system, everyone thought it was the end, but the ship’s small size proved fortunate. In place of the Honest Old Man Junior, a heavy cruiser that was already half-destroyed and attempting to return to Uraniborg took the brunt of the energy barrages. Because it had been lurking in the shadows, the Blaze Flag Army was saved, though it remained unclear whether the ship that had served as their shield was a friend or a foe. Along with several other vessels, they surged into the harbour gate and made their insolent landing.

“The interior of this impregnable fortress is a palace of exquisite splendour. The security is surprisingly light. Such is the nature of the strongholds of the powerful since ancient times. You’ve heard of the term ‘Efang Palace’, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah, just shut it, I get it.”

It was Walenkov who responded to Hyulick.

“Once we’ve slipped inside, we can move at our own pace. After all, we’ve been Duke Idris’ guests once. I managed to observe the city quite thoroughly during that time.”

Pagès added to that remark:

“We’ve taken down the computer system used for controlling the city’s functions. Now, Uraniborg is no different from Babylon or Ur, or whatever old cities of mankind were named.”

“You certainly know some rare names.”

“What? I’m just repeating what I heard from the Doctor.”

Alternating between conversation and sprinting, pushing through crowds and winding through deserted back alleys, the group of pirates successfully infiltrated the Clanner’s manor.

“What happened to that boy, Zelpha?”

“My husband is with him, so there’s nothing to worry about. Out of all of us, my husband is the most sensible one.”

“The moment he married Miranda, he ceased to be a sensible man.”

“Did you say something, Mahdi!?”

As Mahdi pressed his hand to his mouth, Jouslain and Balamy appeared on the floor above. They seemed to have noticed the commotion downstairs. Idris was nowhere to be seen. He likely had no concern for Hyulick’s affairs.

What strange fellows, thought Jouslain. When it was just the two of them with Balamy, the atmosphere had been so thick with tension and resolve that it was almost suffocating, and yet, the moment members of the Blaze Flag Army joined them, an almost irreverently cheerful energy enveloped their surroundings. They were surely not immortal themselves, and yet, Jouslain wondered if they would meet their deaths with that same cheer. He felt an emotion akin to envy.

Balamy, on the other hand, held neither affection nor trust for the Blaze Flag Army.

“Do not follow us. Do whatever you like, whether it be looting or otherwise. Just do not get in our way.”

“We have no intention of getting in your way, Milord Viscount. We are merely here to support Hyulick. We are technically allies, after all.”

As Miranda responded, she hoisted a large hand cannon onto her shoulder, looking remarkably dependable. Balamy stared at her with a mixture of exasperation and admiration, but he soon averted his eyes.

“In that case, fine.”

It seemed he had been somewhat overwhelmed by the female pirate and was annoyed at his own reaction.

“Let us move on, Duke Jouslain.”

Balamy turned on his heel and began to walk away. This time, Jouslain found himself following the younger man. Mahdi clicked his tongue.

“Honestly, why must we risk our lives for the sake of these dukes?” replied Miranda with a wicked grin. “Just think about your bankbook, Mahdi. Every time the number of zeros increases, your happiness index goes up with it.”

“What does that have to do with our current situation?”

“What I mean is, once the new Clanner takes office, he’ll likely offer you a massive reward.”

“Hmph, and why should I believe that?”

“Then why did you come along? You could have easily stayed behind on the Honest Old Man Junior.”

Before Mahdi could respond, a volley of gunshots rang out, and bullets splintered against the marble floor. Quickly identifying the direction of the fire, Miranda ducked behind a statue and pulled the trigger of her hand cannon.

In truth, what Mahdi was planning was to plunder valuables from the Clanner’s manor. Between the gemstones, precious metals, and small works of art, the Clanner’s manor was meant to be the “greatest treasure trove of thieves in the universe”. Since he wasn’t stealing from the poor, Mahdi felt no pang of conscience.

“If the bathroom taps are made of gold, I’ll rip them right off and take them with me.”

That was precisely why Mahdi had arrived with a large rucksack on his back. It was light now because it was empty, but by the time he returned alive, it would likely weigh as much as a small child.

The blast of the hand cannon struck the surrounding air with a violent thud, and a thick streak of fire raced forward, blowing away a corner of the palace. Spirals of orange and grey erupted into the air. About ten newly arrived guards were hurled against the walls, their hands still clutching their weapons as they were sent flying.

“I was ordered by Duke Idris to set out from Uraniborg, and now I am pursuing that very same Duke. It’s an interesting life, isn’t it, Hyulick?”

“Thanks for the summary, Miranda.”

“It’s the life of a traitor, really.”

“Could you at least try to be less blunt about it?” grumbled Hyulick, averting his eyes from the human blood that had sprayed as far as the ceiling. “Doctor, say something.”

“Winner becomes king.”

“What on earth is that supposed to mean?”

“It is perhaps the greatest truth of life. Between the young nobles who went up to the upper floors and the Clanner likely waiting for them, which side will prevail, and which one will survive? This is the decisive moment for my thesis.”

As Hyulick genuinely wondered if Duchess Theresa might have been more sane than this man, the sound of gunfire rang out once again. The roar of the hand cannon had summoned more than thirty guards.

“Even so, why on earth do they not use an automated security system?”

“The mark of the upper class is to go out of one’s way to use humans for tasks that the poor would simply let machines handle. If her circumstances were different, Miranda too would likely be surrounded by thirty or fifty ladies-in-waiting.”

“It’s just not my style. I prefer to do what I can do for myself.”

“It is not just that. In practical terms, it creates employment. There is class discrimination, certainly, but that is a different matter altogether from slavery.”

Within the magnificent palace, the audacious group of space pirate terrorists known as the Blaze Flag Army continued their bloody rampage. Bullets and beams showered the area from all directions, but the counterattacks were so fierce that the dreamlike palace was transformed into a nightmarish skirmish. Overly ornate military uniforms lay scattered everywhere, serving as shrouds for the dead.

Finally, casualties began to fall among their own. Walenkov, who had been firing away with autorifles in both hands, suddenly tumbled as he attempted to dash from the hall towards the shelter of the stairs.

“Walenkov! Hey, what’s wrong!?”

“Ah, Pagès, having such a big body, it’s quite a disadvantage.”

Three holes had been pierced through Walenkov’s massive frame, and the flow of blood grew heavier with every passing second.

“Hold on, I’m going to get a doctor.”

“It’s no use. There’s no saving me.”

“Don’t go spouting lines like you’re some famous physician. Dying in a scene like this is for minor characters. It’s a cheap drama cliché.”

“The drama will carry on, so I’ll leave the rest to you… It’s fine. I never thought I’d die in such a magnificent… palace.”

His voice faltered, the bubbles of blood burst, and Walenkov ceased to move. The pirates surrounding him, having witnessed the boundary between life and death, paid their respects to the deceased in their own ways. Miranda closed his eyelids, and Doctor Lee placed the man’s favourite handgun upon his broad chest.

“We have to move. This place is far too exposed. If we are surrounded, we will all end up following Walenkov.”

Suppressing their sentimentality, the pirates resumed their frantic sprint. Bullets splintered against the marble floor, flashes of light scattered, and gunshots rang out in rapid succession. Led by Doctor Lee, the pirates scrambled into the cover of a building and some hedges. They were fortunate not to have suffered a second casualty.

“This is a story that no one has ever confirmed, but…” Doctor Lee looked around at the group. “There is an urban legend—or rather a space legend—that an ultimate weapon is passed down through the successive Clanners. We can’t laugh this off.”

“An ultimate weapon, eh?”

Miranda gave a sardonic laugh.

“Is it a massive bomb capable of blowing up a star? Sounds like something straight out of a children’s anime.”

“No, it is a small black box, about the size of one’s palm. And it has a red button on it.”

“And what happens when you press the button?”

There was a tone in Mahdi’s voice that seemed to be weighing the monetary value of this so-called “ultimate weapon”.

“Uraniborg will fall to the surface of the planet Vardana,” replied the Doctor with a quietness that felt entirely out of place. “The attitude control system of Uraniborg will be rendered useless.”

V

There was one individual who had managed to infiltrate Uraniborg far more stealthily than the boisterous members of the Blaze Flag Army. It was not a pirate or a veteran soldier, but a young woman.

Nineteen-year-old Francia Tytania, dressed in a form-fitting pair of overalls, leapt from the autocapsule and disappeared into the chaos of the crowd.

Even with the Tytania surname, she was neither a noble nor a public figure. There was no one there who could observe her beauty with any sense of composure. As the majority of the crowd surged towards the spaceport, Francia, running in the opposite direction, was frequently shoved, knocked aside, and showered with angry shouts. Although she was healthy, she was not particularly robust, and she had to pause many times to catch her breath and rest her feet, yet she never ceased her forward progress towards her destination.

“Lord Jouslain!”

Francia had wanted to cry out with enough force to empty her lungs, but she restrained herself. Even amidst such chaos, calling Jouslain’s name would undoubtedly draw the attention and suspicion of the crowd. In a state of such excitement and fear, she could not allow a vent for that energy to arise that might bring harm to Jouslain.

Francia steadied her breathing once more and ran with as much speed as possible, weaving through the crowd with fluid movements. Jouslain had infiltrated Uraniborg to confront Clanner Ajman. Naturally, he would be heading for the Clanner’s manor. Consequently, Francia set her destination for the Clanner’s manor as well. If this simple, straightforward principle of action proved to be incorrect, nothing but despair would remain for her.

With a modest privilege—a card permitted only to those bearing the Tytania surname—she managed to gain entry to the Clanner’s manor. In a wide corridor beneath a skylight, she encountered an obstruction. It was a noblewoman.

“Your face looks familiar.”

Countess Theodora’s gaze felt as though it were planting invisible needles into every part of Francia’s body. By this stage, Theodora was clad in a lavender dress that could only be described as extravagant.

“I remember now. You are Duke Jouslain’s mistress.”

“I’m his lady-in-waiting.”

“What is the use of dressing up your words at this late stage? What a foolish girl. In such an unseemly state, I don’t even need to ask what you’ve come here for…”

Since she had been told there was no need to ask, there was no need to answer. Prepared to fire her weapon should it become necessary, Francia stared back at Theodora. The Countess looked up towards the skylight.

“Don’t you ever wish to make those clusters of light that fill the universe your own?”

“I do not. They are of no use to me.”

“So, you are saying that all you require is the favour of Duke Jouslain?”

When Francia replied with silence, Theodora thrust the needles of her gaze and voice into her opponent.

“You have no right to claim the glorious name of Tytania. Even if one is a mere fringe member of the clan, even if one is born a woman, one must crave the greatest power, the highest status, and the greatest wealth. To seek the shortest path and devise the best strategy for that purpose is the divine destiny of a Tytanian. To be devoid of ambition is simply unacceptable.”

Theodora’s fierce tone disturbed her own breathing. In that brief moment, Francia retorted.

“And yet, you shall meet the worst possible consequences, Countess.”

Theodora’s sneer vanished, and as the hem of her dress rippled, she closed the distance towards Francia.

“Stop chirping such clever little remarks, girl. I cannot abide a woman of my own kind. If you had truly intended to do so, you had countless opportunities to manipulate Duke Jouslain from behind the scenes and seize actual power, yet you let them all pass you by.”

Any weaker woman would have cowered under her intensity. Francia, however, did not flinch.

“I do not intend to criticise your values, Countess. I am well aware that I cannot match your brilliance or strategy. Therefore, I ask that you grant me leniency for this small degree of independent action.”

A sneer once again graced Theodora’s lips.

“Always a retort. I wonder if this is Duke Jouslain’s influence. Unfortunately, I cannot grant such leniency. Should your meddling have even one in a million chance of making Duke Jouslain survive, it would be most unpleasant for me.”

“I know this is the height of rudeness, but I have no more time to continue this conversation. Please excuse me.”

As Francia bowed and prepared to walk away with haste, Theodora thrust her right hand into the waist of her dress. What she withdrew was a pistol with a black sheen. Reflexively, Francia pointed her charged particle gun at her. Neither of them fired.

The reason Theodora had hesitated was because the pistol in her hand was a model that fired gunpowder-based bullets. Naturally, such a weapon would produce a gunshot. The purpose of a gunshot is to alert others to danger and call for help. However, Theodora did not want anyone else to know she was confronting Francia. If others were to rush to the scene, they would, of course, find it suspicious that she was involved in such an encounter and wonder why she was holding a pistol.

Francia had surmised Theodora’s psychological state in an instant. Therefore, she acted without hesitation. She simply took off at full speed. Slighting past Theodora’s side, she moved away like a youthful doe.

“Wait!”

Theodora let out a furious cry. A mere girl, younger than herself and a mere-to-be relative with no title whatsoever, had disobeyed a command from a Countess of the highest order. It was a sin worthy of ten thousand deaths.

At that moment, Theodora had clearly lost her composure. It mattered not if the gunshot rang out and the guards came rushing to the scene. She could simply explain that she had retaliated because Francia had shot at her. Since the guards were also lacking in calm amidst the bewilderment and confusion, they should have had no leisure to doubt Theodora’s excuses.

Letting Francia escape right before her eyes, Theodora clicked her tongue at her own carelessness and drew a heat gun from the left side of her dress. Had she presented it first, she could have incinerated the brat to a rare or even a medium grade, but because she was right-handed, she had missed her chance.

Theodora had been taught, and had firmly believed, that fencing and marksmanship were as essential to a Tytania lady’s refinement as dancing, piano, or horse riding. Her exceptional nature lay in the fact that she never neglected such training. Had it come to a direct shootout, Theodora might have been able to bring not only Francia but even Jouslain and Fan Hyulick to their knees.

At that moment, a shift occurred in Theodora’s psyche. The sharp edge of the fury that had been directed at her suddenly veered away.

Duke Jouslain Tytania.

That insolent little girl had wandered into the Clanner estate seeking her master. In other words, Duke Jouslain was somewhere within this dinosaur-like massive palace. Once she had rushed to his side, she would burn them both to death together.

At the same time? No, the correct order would be to make Duke Jouslain prey to the intense heat before her very eyes and then proceed with the girl. It was the mercy of a noble to grant her a few seconds of overwhelming shock and sorrow.

For Theodora, who aimed to become the first female Clanner in Tytania’s history, Jouslain was an entity that had to be absolutely eliminated. She had no intention of dirtying her own hands to remove him. However, the situation had changed. She needed to deal with it flexibly and achieve results swiftly.

With a freezing smile upon her face, the Countess began to walk.

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