Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 6

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Chapter 6 – Breakup

I

The history of Tytania was no paragon of humanity or justice. Dark crimson pages of conspiracy, stratagem, murder, and destruction stretched on endlessly, such that anyone with a weak stomach would find it impossible to finish reading. Consequently, it was unlikely that the members of Tytania lacked immunity to intrigue; and yet, in SY 447, almost all of them were bewildered and lacking composure.

To put it another way, the reign of Clanner Ajman had appeared to be almost entirely stable and unshakeable until then. He was a man of advanced years, yet remained robust in both mind and body, and with the four dukes all in their twenties, the ruling structure led by the five current family representatives was generally regarded as something that would remain unchanged for at least the next quarter-century.

That certainty only began to falter upon the death of Duke Zarlisch Tytania, yet the Clanner and the three remaining dukes remained healthy. As long as someone emerged to fill Zarlisch’s seat, the existing structure should have continued without major incident. Rather, the system fell into dysfunction because the subconscious minds of those hoping for change began to surge together in a single direction.

However, that was a perspective that could only be grasped in hindsight; for those caught within the tide, even confirming one’s own footing was not an easy task. When Jouslain Tytania departed to lead a great army on campaign, he was not sent off to the raucous cheers of the masses.

The qualities required of a commander-in-chief leading a great army on a foreign campaign were not those of a combat genius. One had to manage a massive organisation, administer a multitude of people, grasp the individual personalities of mid-level field officers to ensure the right person was placed in the right role, mediate conflicting opinions, and unify the will of the troops toward a single objective. It was these qualities, more akin to those of a statesman, that were vital; and with regard to his broad vision, his sound sense of balance, or his commitment to fair personnel management, Jouslain inspired no anxiety in others.

At this time of year, Jouslain made no active effort to deny the rumours of a rift between himself and Idris. On the contrary, he sought to use them as a means of defence. His reasoning was that if everyone was aware of their political rivalry, even if Idris were to stage an incident and try to frame Jouslain for it, no one would readily believe it. Instead, people would likely assume that Idris had orchestrated some scheme to bring down a political opponent.

The crucial point was to spread the perception that Jouslain was the enemy of Idris alone. While this was a fact, making it common knowledge through propaganda held immense significance.

Naturally, such rumours reached the ears of Idris. Jouslain watched closely for how Idris might react, all while being preoccupied with the various administrative tasks immediately preceding his departure for the campaign; however, Idris showed no notable reaction. At first, Jouslain found this strange, but he would later look back on it with a wry smile:

“At that time, I couldn’t have grasped Idris’ true intentions. Because, in truth, Idris had no real intentions at all.”

It was certainly no exaggeration to say that, at that time, Idris had nothing but hesitations. While it appeared quite foolish to a third party from a later perspective, he had been psychologically cornered. As the surrounding situation reached its fruition, he found himself compelled to act.

First, he attempted to expel Jouslain from Uraniborg, and thanks to the personnel decision of Clanner Ajman and Jouslain’s own acceptance of it, it was achieved almost instantly. What, then, was left for Idris to do? While the ultimate goal was clear to Idris, he had not envisioned even a hundred percent of the process nor mastered every essential point; consequently, he found himself quite flustered as doors to hegemony opened before him one after another.

Whether his malice was directed at Jouslain or at the Clanner, it seemed likely he would succeed without much difficulty, but Idris was not so much of an optimist as to charge blindly forward. Rather, he appeared to maintain a defensive stance, as if intending to avoid providing any pretext until Jouslain actually departed for battle. Even so, he could not remain silent toward Jouslain, and he voiced a fierce objection to the announcement that Princess Lydia and Francia would accompany him on his campaign.

Jouslain responded without showing any sign of being unsettled.

“It is precisely because I have nothing to hide that I am allowing them to accompany me. If I had any ulterior motives, I would deliberately leave them behind to conceal them. His Clanner Highness should have already sanctioned this matter. Lord Idris, should we interpret your repeated objections as being directed at His Clanner Highness himself?”

In this regard, Jouslain was well-versed in Tytanian-style sophistry. It no longer mattered what Idris thought, but he felt the need to demonstrate to everyone else that there was sufficient justification for his actions. That was the very essence of politics—even if it could never truly be a high-level pursuit. Once the name of the Clanner was invoked, even Idris would find himself silenced.

How the silenced Idris would react was another matter entirely. Even if he himself did not explode, it seemed wise to keep a close watch on his brother, Radmoth. Jouslain ordered his guards to maintain strict vigilance, and he made no attempt to hide his intentions.

Regarding the finer details, Jouslain instructed both Princess Lydia and Francia to wear practical clothing, specifically requesting they wear trousers instead of skirts. He wanted them to be able to move instantly should anything happen. Jouslain himself, who had previously gone unarmed within Uraniborg, began to carry a handgun at his waist for self-defence. He chose a gunpowder-based pistol rather than a raygun or a charged particle gun because he valued the effect of the gunshot summoning in his guards.

Upon seeing Jouslain with a handgun at his side, one of the NCOs shrugged his shoulders.

“Whatever could have caused things to come to this? Was the relationship between Duke Jouslain and Duke Idris truly that serious? It feels as though we are on the very brink of battle.”

Francia relayed this remark to Jouslain. As Jouslain lightly tapped the handgun hanging from the waist of his grey military uniform, he soothed his lady-in-waiting:

“What? Both Idris and I are merely amusing ourselves with games of conspiracy. Francia, you need not worry. It is just that playing can sometimes lead to serious accidents, and losing one’s life to an accident would be quite tedious.”

Jouslain spoke with a faint trace of self-derision in his eyes. While it could be considered foolish to contend for power that was still held in the hands of others, he could not remain indifferent when his own life and the lives of those around him were at stake. He never revealed the true extent of his anxieties to the Clanner. He had already realised that doing so would be utterly pointless.

Jouslain was to board the battleship Austra, accompanied by three cruisers, ten destroyers, three gunboats, one space carrier equipped with high-speed patrol boats, and two lightly armed supply ships. It was a small group, “less than a fleet”.

“No matter how forceful Idris may be, he can hardly claim that I intend to incite a rebellion with such paltry military strength.”

Jouslain expressed a rather spiteful opinion that was difficult to describe as noble. The reason they were venturing to Bargash with such a small force was because a massive Tytania presence was already deployed there, because the route to the area was almost entirely under Tytania’s “space control”, and because he sought to prove to the world that he held no dissenting intentions.

At least three superficial reasons could be counted, yet there were underlying circumstances as well. Jouslain had laid several pieces in motion, but he did not possess absolute confidence in how many of those opening moves would ultimately bear fruit. Furthermore, he had to remind himself that, in this world, there were such things as going too far.

Under normal circumstances, since Princess Lydia was aboard, any harm brought to this ship would become a diplomatic crisis. It would mean making an enemy of the Kingdom of Elbing. However, even if the Kingdom of Elbing were to burn with nationalistic hostility, it was unlikely that Idris would feel even the slightest pang of concern.

Tytania had once bankrupted numerous nations, driven heads of state into exile and despair, and relegated entire countries to the annals of history. A mere entity like the Kingdom of Elbing should not have been within his sights. At the same time, Jouslain could not rely on physical aid from the Kingdom of Elbing should an emergency arise, nor did he have any intention of doing so.

Jouslain could not imagine under which banners the various forces of the universe would congregate in thirty days’ time, nor in what manner they would clash. It felt as though such things were not subject to intellectual prediction but rather to mystical prophecy. The most absurd possibility, of course, was that after all this heightened tension, it might end with nothing happening at all…

When Jouslain first met the captain of the Austra, he could not hide his slight surprise. She was one of the few female captains remaining in the entire Tytania military, numbering less than one hundred. Her name was Edna Fredericks; she was twenty-seven years of age, held the rank of captain, and was a true elite officer who had completed the special cadet course at the military academy.

Even in a line of men, her height could be described as average, her black hair cut short, and her dark eyes shone with an intensity akin to coal in an old-fashioned furnace. One could have called her a beauty, but aside from the brilliance in her eyes, she was merely a rather ordinary one. Of course, physical appearance was not a prerequisite for a capable and reliable soldier.

“I have received orders to escort Your Grace Jouslain to Bargash, and I consider it the highest honour. Though I lack great talent, I shall strive to fulfil this great responsibility and repay your trust.”

“I am counting on you, Captain.”

Jouslain’s response was brief. He himself, aside from his eyes which bore witness to the presence of a pale and profound intelligence, was hardly a Tytania-like beauty. Their meeting held no particular promise of what the future might hold.

By the 25^th of March, Jouslain had ensured the safety of Princess Lydia and Francia by having them board the Austra. He did not board the vessel himself until the 27^th, but this measure satisfied many. “Given Duke Jouslain’s position, it is only natural,” people whispered among themselves. Jouslain himself knew that this was, in truth, a flagrant blurring of the lines between public duty and private interest, but of course, there was no need for him to declare as much.

II

When Jouslain was appointed to Bargash, the individual ordered to assist him as a civil official was Donald Farah. He was the pre-eminent election specialist in Tytania.

As an expert in election strategy, Donald Farah likely would have wanted to say, “I am not suited for such a task. I decline,” concerning a duty that did not utilise his specialised skills. He would also have wished to avoid being branded as a member of either Jouslain’s or Idris’ faction.

No matter who became the sovereign of Tytania, Farah could continue to live as a technocrat possessing specialised skills. He remained loyal to the Clanner of Tytania and to his own duties, and he was under no obligation to be asked for anything more.

However, for Lord Jouslain, Bargash was uncharted territory, and it was only natural that he desired to receive lectures from someone well-versed in local affairs before his arrival. Farah belonged not to Jouslain personally, but to the Commander-in-Chief appointed by the Clanner. Accordingly, his attitude as an exemplary Tytanian official was that someone of his low standing was permitted not even to offer opinions, let alone dissent, but to simply receive orders with utmost humility.

Therefore, having attended the office of Clanner Ajman, he had intended to offer his greetings regarding his appointment to the important task ahead and depart immediately. However, upon receiving his greetings, Ajman did not tell him to leave but instead brought up an entirely unexpected subject.

“As you must have noticed, Farah, things have become somewhat turbulent in Uraniborg lately.”

“To my humble eyes, it appears that Your Clanner Highness’ majesty fills every corner of the realm…”

The Clanner completely ignored Farah’s clumsy flattery.

“That is because there are no mighty enemies outside our borders. It allows us to indulge in our internal strife as much as we please. A storm in a teacup, as they say.”

Farah thought that Tytania was a cup so vast it could swallow the entire universe. But he did not say it aloud, choosing instead to maintain an air of pure trepidation. However, he could not remain entrenched in silence forever. The Clanner had explicitly named Jouslain and Idris, and asked Farah which of them he believed was the most worthy candidate for becoming the next Clanner.

“Y-yes, quite so. If Lord Jouslain and Lord Idris were to contend for the position of Clanner in accordance with the electoral system, I believe that, despite my lack of talent, I might be of service to either of them.”

“That sounds just like you, Farah.”

The Clanner laughed, and Farah felt a wave of relief spread through his entire body. While he held confidence in his own significance within Tytania, there was no way he could afford to displease the Clanner. He thought to himself that his desperate efforts to devise a clever answer had been worth it.

However, Clanner Ajman did not attempt to release the capable technocrat just yet. At that moment, the Clanner had also dismissed his secretaries and attendants to another room, leaving him alone with Farah. This was not a welcome development for Farah. The supreme sovereign of Tytania was a man who imposed considerable mental exhaustion upon anyone in his presence.

“And what of Lord Ariabert?”

It was yet another difficult question. Farah was at a loss.

“I believe him to be an unparalleled commander. His unfortunate injury was a great pity…”

“In the struggle for the Clanner’s throne, do you believe Lord Ariabert might form an alliance with Lord Idris?”

“T-that is something far too complex for a simple man like myself to grasp.”

“Unlikely. Lord Ariabert will ally with Lord Jouslain. If that happens, Lord Idris will have no hope of victory, barring some extraordinary circumstance.”

“…”

When Farah fell silent once more, unable to offer even a formal response, the Clanner closed his mouth as well. In his silence, the Clanner pressed upon Farah with the weight of a colossal statue. It did not last long.

“However, unless he fights, Lord Idris shall never attain the supreme throne. He has to fight.”

The Clanner’s gaze, cold and brimming with power, pierced through Farah.

“Farah, it is not the strife between kin that is to be abhorred. It is a peace born of complacency that must be loathed. Tytania may perish, but she must not rot.”

Farah felt as though an invisible block of ice were sliding down his oesophagus towards his stomach. A dark flash of suspicion crossed his mind that the current, sharply intensified conflict between the two dukes, Jouslain and Idris, might have been incited by this very Clanner.

“Those two shall never reconcile. Since only one can sit upon the supreme throne, a final clash is inevitable.”

The Clanner’s detached tone terrified Farah.

“And the victor shall rebuild Tytania, earning him the title of restorer of the dynasty.”

Farah felt his heart race and sensed his perspiration increasing. Within the perfectly controlled artificial climate, his senses seemed to have lost all ability to distinguish between heat and cold.

“B-but, if the two dukes go to war, our immediate enemies may take advantage of the situation. Groups such as the Blaze Flag Army…”

He managed to force the trembling words from his throat.

“I never expected the likes of Fan Hyulick or the Blaze Flag Army to be a match for us in the first place. Their raison d’être becomes manifest only when Tytania fractures from within. The universe only begins to move when we see which of the two Tytania factions they choose to support.”

The Clanner laughed again.

“Do you understand, Farah?”

“Y-yes, Your Clanner Highness…”

“Very well. In short, the initiative in history always remains within the grasp of our Tytania. Individual personalities and deliberations are irrelevant. It does not matter who wins, so long as that person bears the name Tytania.”

Even if Jouslain and Idris were to engage in a mutual slaughter involving other powers, it would make no difference. Thus said the Clanner. There was a coldness to his words that felt like frost settling upon one’s very nerves.

“To His Clanner Highness, is everyone merely a piece on a chessboard?…”

Farah shuddered slightly. He himself was not even regarded as a chess piece by the Clanner. It was precisely because of this that the Clanner spoke to Farah regarding matters of a highly confidential nature. While Farah was indeed treated with favour, in essence, he was nothing more than highly accomplished livestock.

Who was that Clanner from several generations ago, who acted the part of an ancient hegemon by declaring, “If one is not of Tytania, one is not a human”? That was the very essence of the Landless Clanner mentality within Tytania. In much the same way that an ordinary citizen might confide a secret to a pet, Clanner Ajman had revealed a fragment of his true intentions to Farah, to a low-standing person like Farah. Naturally, Farah did not find it pleasant. Yet, he was also someone who knew that he would never, under any circumstances, divulge this fact to another.

The 27^th of March arrived. It was the day of Duke Jouslain Tytania’s departure for campaign. It was only natural that the departure ceremony was a modest affair, lacking the splendour seen during Ariabert’s departure.

Idris stood to the rear left of Clanner Ajman, unable to hide an expression that looked as though he had been chewing on raw herbs as he listened to Jouslain’s address.

“I pray that Your Clanner Highness remains in the utmost health. I shall do my utmost to ensure I do not bring shame to this great mission, and I shall return to you.”

“Indeed. Let us both strive to remain hale and hearty, Lord Jouslain. Bargash is a long way off. Take great care of yourself in all things.”

The Clanner is the greatest master in the universe, thought Jouslain. He utters insincere words with such absolute dignity. Clearing his expression, he bowed reverently and turned on his heel.

As he made his way towards the boarding ramp of his flagship, the Austra, Jouslain could not help but wonder. He wondered which of them was more unfortunate: himself, the one departing, or Idris, the one remaining.

III

The battleship Austra was a massive vessel, constructed according to the standard design of a fleet flagship. It contained various facilities, such as VIP suites, which, from a purely military standpoint, served only to hinder functionality; naturally, the existence of such spaces was achieved at the expense of other equipment. Since defensive systems and firepower could not be sacrificed, the burden fell upon the supply departments, making the accompaniment of supply ships an absolute necessity.

In the case of Jouslain Tytania, he was not granted even a moment of respite in the luxurious VIP suite. Scarcely three hours had passed since departing Uraniborg and entering normal space when catastrophe arrived.

A cluster of light points appeared in the space towards Uraniborg, behind Jouslain’s small fleet, and began approaching rapidly. It was a formation of some two hundred vessels of varying sizes. When the distance between the two parties reached one light-second, a communication signal was transmitted from the Austra.

“This is the flagship of Duke Jouslain Tytania, Commander-in-Chief of the Bargash Expeditionary Force. For what reason are you tailing us?”

“Cease all movement and shut down your engines immediately. This is the order of His Grace Duke Idris.”

“What is the reason for this order to stop?”

Captain Edna Fredericks demanded coldly. The reply from the pursuers was overbearing and lacked any substance whatsoever.

“Top-secret orders. Shut down your engines at once.”

“By whose orders? This vessel is under the command of His Grace the Duke Jouslain Tytania, Commander-in-Chief of the Bargash Expeditionary Force. I have no reason to take orders from anyone other than His Grace.”

Edna haughtily rejected the unreasonable command. It seemed Jouslain had been blessed with luck that went far beyond mere fortune. Had the Captain been the type to obey Idris’ orders so easily, Jouslain’s future would have been sealed.

From a corner of the bridge, Jouslain watched Edna as she stood in the centre of the floor.

“I have yet to receive His Clanner Highness’ order to relieve Lord Jouslain of his duties as Commander-in-Chief. Nor have I received any official report stating that Lord Idris is to serve as His Clanner Highness’ full proxy. Therefore, it is only natural that my obedience be directed toward Lord Jouslain.”

At that point, the pursuers finally seemed to have abandoned the idea of peaceful negotiations. Two hundred vessels deployed into formation on either side, delivering their final ultimatum.

“Halt your ships immediately! Otherwise, we shall open fire.”

“Oh my, the heights of lawlessness. Tytania striking at Tytania?”

Edna gave a short, derisive laugh.

“Surrendering without resistance is not a Tytanian custom. It is only natural that those unreasoning, lawless interlopers who initiate combat should face the consequences. I understand you have steeled yourselves for this, but are you really fine with this?”

As the level of danger rose rapidly, Jouslain’s interest in Edna Fredericks grew. He wondered whether this black-haired female officer was merely pedantic or simply bellicose.

“The gun ports are opening…!”

It was less of a report from the operator and more of a scream. Above Edna’s sharp, dark eyes, her brows arched steeply.

“Do not open our gun ports yet. It is merely a show of force. If we fire first, we provide them with an excuse.”

Suppressing the rising agitation among the gunnery officers, she turned back to face Jouslain. The coal in her furnace seemed to stare directly at him.

“Your Grace Jouslain, should they attack us, may I have permission to return fire? If your will is that we remain without resistance, I shall proceed accordingly.”

“I authorise you to return fire.”

The response was immediate, for she trusted Edna’s instincts in combat command.

“Thank you. Chief Pilot, turn port, forty degrees!”

Edna’s voice was sharp and tense, yet she remained undaunted.

After granting permission to counterattack, Jouslain sat in silence at the fleet commander’s seat, his arms folded. He understood that in a situation such as this, it would be useless and even harmful for him, someone unversed in actual combat command, to issue orders. What he needed to do was to trust the highly skilled specialists in the field and refrain from interfering with their actions. However, there was just one thing he wished to ask the expert’s opinion on.

“Do you believe they intend to launch a serious attack, Captain?”

“I believe they appear prepared to go all out at any moment.”

That was Edna’s reply.

“However, their objective does not seem to be killing Your Grace Jouslain but rather detaining you. As long as that remains the case, we should hold the advantage.”

“So, you mean if it comes to it, you shall fire without hesitation?”

“Precisely. Since Your Grace Jouslain has given me permission to do so.”

The moment Edna spoke with such certainty that half of the screen glowed pale. The operator’s voice, reporting the firing, grew shrill. A thin band of light shimmered across the screen, and the emerging points of light expanded rapidly, enveloping the entire display in achromatic hues.

The energy beam struck the surface of the armour but failed to penetrate, scattering in an iridescent spray of light. It was clearly being controlled to prevent total destruction. This is truly worthy of the name “Phoney Combat”, thought Jouslain to himself.

Edna ordered the return fire, and the exchange of beams continued for forty minutes. Eventually, the pursuers resorted to deploying space mines ahead of Jouslain and his group’s flight path. For the first time, Jouslain issued instructions to Edna. Jouslain’s small fleet, centred around the Austra, sent a transmission to the pursuers. They declared that they would abandon all resistance and accompany them to Uraniborg.

… Three hours passed, and Idris, who had been waiting at Uraniborg with growing anxiety, was struck with shock upon receiving the report that Jouslain had achieved a complete escape. According to the commanders of the fleet dispatched to arrest Jouslain, they had been outmanoeuvred by an extremely unscrupulous stratagem.

A mutiny broke out aboard the Austra, as “Loyalists” detained both Lord Jouslain and the ship’s captain. Upon receiving the news, Commodore Nostitz, who had boarded via shuttle to receive the Duke with all due respect, was captured by Lord Jouslain’s waiting subordinates and taken hostage. Helpless to intervene, the remaining ships could do nothing but watch the Austra depart.

“Do you think you can simply let them escape, you incompetents!” screamed Idris.

His emotions fluctuated violently, ascending from the heights of ecstasy to the depths of despair like a broken lift.

An extraordinary sight ought to have been awaiting him. A scene where Jouslain was brought to trial as a criminal, to be judged by Idris, something that would have been unimaginable a mere month ago. However, that vision receded into the distance, leaving Idris to face the reality of failure.

Would the Clanner despise Idris as an incompetent? Idris gripped his military cap tightly but barely managed to restrain himself before slamming it against the floor. If he were deemed not only incompetent but also lacking in self-control, there would be no hope of gaining the Clanner’s trust. Clenching the cap in his hand, Idris glared around at the officers.

“Under no circumstances are you to let Lord Jouslain and Lord Ariabert regroup. Deploy troops along the planned route, and ensure that Lord Jouslain is arrested.”

“Yes!” the officers responded with salutes, yet their expressions were far from “satisfied”. They were bewildered by the command to arrest Lord Jouslain, and the instruction to do so without killing him felt half-hearted. Should Lord Jouslain launch a unilateral counterattack, they faced the very real possibility of meeting their deaths with their hands tied.

The Tytanian officers were loyal to authority and orders, yet the sheer strangeness and inconsistency of the command itself were enough to leave them bewildered. That Jouslain, having just been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force and departed from Uraniborg, was now being denounced as an attempted assassin of the Clanner was not a circumstance that could be easily accepted. This suggested that Jouslain’s prior precautions had been effective. The officers could not help but suspect that some conspiracy lay hidden beneath the surface of these bizarre circumstances.

Idris went to the Clanner’s sickroom and, having no other choice, reported the situation. He and the Clanner were separated by a silk screen, which was studded with flecks of mica.

From beyond that screen, the voice of the Clanner, lying upon his bed, resonated heavily:

“If he escaped, it cannot be helped. Do not trouble yourself more than necessary and simply do as I say. It is your loyalty, Lord Idris, that I hold most dear.”

Idris felt relieved that he had not been met with a blast of criticism or a sharp reprimand. He ought to have scrutinised the Clanner’s words more closely. However, his relief had pushed suspicion aside, and he failed to realise that he had effectively become the Clanner’s mental slave and that the Clanner had stated as much explicitly.

Having managed to evade Idris’ pursuit for the time being, Jouslain moved away from Uraniborg, alternating between normal cruising and warp jumps. What should have been a magnificent voyage of conquest had, by now, become a journey of flight.

“I shall reschedule all scheduled warp jumps.”

Edna explained in a rhythmic tone. Every route leading to the planet Bargash was registered with the Tytania Navigation Centre. If they were caught in a concentrated barrage the very moment they warped back into normal space, they would be destroyed without even the opportunity to strike back.

“I leave it to you, Captain.”

Jouslain played his part as the idle superior, the type who simply said, “Do as you see fit.” He was already burdened with a vast array of concepts and plans that required his thought. He had no time to waste on the level of scheming that Idris was likely to initiate.

IV

Only a year ago, the power of Tytania had seemed absolute and immovable. However, power is, by its very nature, a palace built upon thin ice, possessing the inherent necessity of sinking under the weight of its own existence.

Eternal prosperity and permanent dominion are impossibilities when measured against the laws of the universe, yet humanity yearns for them. Successive rulers, obsessed with their own eternity and the permanence of their bloodline, purge meritorious officials, exile critics to remote outposts, burn books, and invade foreign lands in pursuit of glory. Perhaps it is this very desire for eternity that serves as the source of all political and systemic evil.

Even so, what exactly were the Clanner’s intentions?

Jouslain brooded so deeply that he felt a sharp pain at the very core of his mind. Whatever the Clanner intended, the execution seemed far too clumsy, and yet, even that might have been part of his plan.

“His Clanner Highness Ajman, the Landless Clanner of Tytania, has been wounded in a sniper attack. His life is not in immediate danger. The perpetrator was shot dead, and suspicions have arisen that Lord Jouslain was behind the attack.”

That confidential report, which sent shock-waves through the universe, raced unofficially through the Tytania communications network. Jouslain heard it as well.

“What a brilliantly crafted story.”

Jouslain could not help but give a wry smile. If Clanner Ajman had truly been assassinated, the impact would be too great. Having lost its core, Tytania would be torn into fragments, and dissidents from the outside might rise in unison, potentially causing the collapse of the Tytania administration. However, if it was merely an injury…

“The culprit is Lord Jouslain. Pursue him at once!”

Jouslain could easily imagine the expression on Idris’ face as he shouted this. Several of the obstacles standing between Idris and the throne had been removed almost in an instant. Idris must have been leaping with joy. It was certainly better to take this opportunity to oust both Ariabert and Jouslain from the competition at once, rather than pondering the true intentions of the Clanner or the full scope of the incident.

However, Idris should have gone even further than that. Instead of going through the trouble of arrests and interrogations, he should have simply blown up the ship along with everyone on board, without leaving room for argument. He could have made up any number of excuses later. Or perhaps he had intended to avoid the folly of murdering Jouslain only to have the responsibility thrust upon him.

For nearly two weeks, Jouslain’s modest fleet of twenty ships continued its flight, evading pursuit and interference from allies. It was on the tenth of April that the communications officer brought the news: “Reinforcements are coming!”

“Reinforcements!?”

Upon reflection, it was a strange way to put it. Jouslain was not fighting an external enemy. However, as the crew of the Austra, fleeing through space while evading pursuit by its “allies”, it was only natural that they would express it that way. For the people of Tytania, pursuing others was a familiar task, but being pursued and forced to flee imposed a heavy psychological burden. It was no wonder they rejoiced upon receiving the friendly communication.

Cheers erupted on the bridge. The uproar only finally subsided after Edna scolded them, warning, “Do not get carried away. What if this is a deception by enemy forces?” However, further communications were exchanged, confirming that a total of one thousand reinforcements, ranging from large to small vessels, had indeed arrived from Bargash.

Before long, a man in his early thirties appeared on the screen, wearing the grey Tytania uniform adorned with the epaulettes of a high-ranking officer. This officer, of medium height with a muscular build and sharp features, looked directly at Jouslain through the screen and offered a salute.

“I am Rear-admiral Zain Khan, arrived to welcome His Grace, the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, by order of Lord Ariabert.”

The cheers erupted once more. Once they finally subsided, Jouslain expressed his gratitude for the effort taken to meet him. There was an officer beside Rear-admiral Khan who appeared remarkably young, and Jouslain found his attention half-drawn to them.

When that far too young officer boarded the shuttle and arrived at the Austra, it was Princess Lydia who ran towards him with great joy.

“Bal, have you been well?”

“Yes, Princess, thanks to your kindness.”

The officer, Viscount Balamy Tytania, bowed. He had intended to be respectful, but to Princess Lydia’s eyes, he appeared to be putting on airs. The Princess criticised her friend with a disgruntled expression.

“You have always been such a stiff, Bal. Since you have finally managed to meet a friend, you should show your joy more naturally.”

In this instance, “always” referred to about a year ago. As Jouslain began to laugh, Balamy was rescued from his embarrassment and once again celebrated Jouslain’s safety.

Just before leaving Uraniborg, Jouslain had put various plans into motion, and one of them had proven successful. He had sent a secret communication to Balamy, who was on planet Tyron, advising him to travel to planet Bargash.

Rumours had reached Uraniborg that Balamy harboured ill intentions towards Idris. It was certain that Idris would come to hate him, and if Balamy were to be arrested on Tyron, for Jouslain there would be no saving him. Balamy followed those instructions and managed to make his escape in haste. After changing ships several times, he arrived at Bargash to meet Ariabert, eventually boarding that fleet to come and rendezvous with Jouslain and the others.

“To be honest, I wavered. I wondered whether I should go to save Lord Jouslain or abandon him to side with His Clanner Highness.”

“Were you planning to abandon me as well?”

Princess Lydia asked with a solemn expression. Her question pierced through Balamy’s attempt to hide behind a mask of feigned malice, leaving him with nothing to do but laugh. After all, he was the faithful knight of the young princess.

“No, I could not do that, which is why I rushed here like this. Since I have acted without receiving orders from Uraniborg, I can no longer permit myself to hesitate.”

In truth, three days after Balamy had departed Tyron on the passenger ship, an order had been sent from Uraniborg to Tyron, commanding that Balamy be taken into custody. It had been a matter of a split second.

“It seems His Grace Jouslain’s prophecy regarding future events has come true, then.”

“It was nothing special. I merely considered several possibilities.”

Jouslain shook his head slightly with a wry smile.

“When you stay in Uraniborg, you find yourself thinking about nothing but such things. That place is, after all, the Demon King’s castle.”

“I believe it is the very source of the authority that governs the universe.”

When Balamy voiced his objection with a somewhat naive air, Jouslain merely shrugged his shoulders.

“That authority is not the breath of God but the miasma of the Demon King. It is only because I reside in Uraniborg that I am able to perceive that.”

Balamy fell silent. He could not determine whether Jouslain’s remark was a profound truth or a mere joke, and if it were a joke, he knew he ought to respond with a witty retort of his own. The very fact that he was agonising over such a choice seemed to testify to the truth that Balamy was a young man who had always been far removed from humour or wit.

Regardless, Balamy had, for the time being, chosen to acquiesce to Jouslain. “But that doesn’t mean I intend to share life and death with Jouslain,” he tried to convince himself.

Princess Lydia would have laughed had she heard it, but Balamy harboured ambitions of becoming a villainous hero in an age of chaos. And it appeared that such an age was rapidly approaching. He asked Jouslain a question:

“How were you able to foresee today’s events? Would you care to tell me?”

A serious light shone in Balamy’s eyes. He sensed there was something to be learned from Jouslain’s way of thinking.

Jouslain replied, as if imparting a lesson:

“If he were to act while I was at Uraniborg, there was a risk I would thwart it. I had no intentions of letting such a conspiracy succeed without a struggle. The only logical timing would be immediately after my departure from Uraniborg.”

By doing so, Jouslain’s departure could be summarily branded as an escape and dealt with accordingly. It was exactly the sort of calculation Idris would have made. However, one could also say that the half-hearted, incomplete nature of such an “execution” was characteristically Idris.

“So, did Lord Idris not place much weight on Lord Ariabert?”

“Perhaps Idris thought that once I was dead, it would not be difficult to strike down an isolated Ariabert. Though in truth, it would be quite a difficult feat.”

Jouslain laughed sarcastically. Balamy tilted his head slightly.

“Even so, regardless of Lord Idris, it seems His Clanner Highness’ reaction was rather slow.”

“I am most grateful for it.”

Jouslain did not mean those words. Rather, it felt eerie. It seemed as though the Clanner’s delayed responses to each of Jouslain’s actions were all part of a calculated plan. Surely the Clanner must have known that only by uniting Ariabert and Jouslain could Tytania be shaken. If the Clanner had truly intended to move against the annihilation of the various dukes, Jouslain would have been arrested long ago, and Ariabert would have been left isolated on the frontier. Furthermore, the great army under Idris’ command would have already been marching towards Bargash. That was not what happened. The true intentions of the Clanner were truly impossible to fathom.

15^th of April, SY 447. Amidst the suspicion, anxiety, and unrest that gripped the cosmos, Duke Jouslain Tytania arrived on planet Bargash. Prior to this, his authority as Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force had already been suspended in the name of Clanner Ajman.

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