Everyone saw the thirty-five-year-old Clovis as a king in his prime. He had every experience to back it up. Light tan skin and short combed brown hair—the same eye color.

Numerous stitch marks ran across his forearms, legs, and even diagonally on his face. No one dare question why out of sheer love and respect.

He wore the same official Vetus mage uniform, albeit deep blue. Only Augustus bested him in service ribbon count.

Clovis walked out of the balcony on the east wing and onto the throne room. Haruto stepped out of the stage, which confused Drew and the crowd. His family followed him to meet with the king.

“What’s this about?” His eyes slightly squinted.

“I don’t know, you tell me. How well was your nap during your ride last night?” With a glare, the king was disappointed at best—furious at worst.

Haruto figured he would react like this. Clovis always saw him as more of a family man than a dedicated archmage. He viewed his motives outside the city as very selfish. Now, he could tolerate his behavior no longer.

“If you tell me you’ll claim responsibility next time, I’ll never trust you again.” He walked to his throne.

He shook his head. “No, I won’t. Because I have a lot of things to say against you right now.” He walked closer. “I’ve read the reports. If you had implemented the more advanced security measures I’ve suggested for months, everyone would have known sooner.”

Clovis got off sitting in a fit of anger. “And then what!? Could Augustus have won? If he had imperial mages behind him, could the odds have turned in their favor? While your family does vacations 24/7!

“Do you honestly think it’s easy to find exceptional people like you in this part of the country? I appointed your successor just two days ago! While you were away, she couldn’t help us. She had her own problems to deal with. Which side are you on, Haruto! Your people or your fantasies?” He pointed sharply.

His eyes narrowed. “First off, leave them out of this! Secondly, I always put my people first! Why do you think I travel to learn more about other cities?

“If Vetus became what I envisioned, I wouldn’t travel as much! You won’t even teach modern technology in schools.

“I’ve signed countless bills, and you veto them 24/7! I don’t despise our traditions. But if casualties follow, I won’t turn a blind eye!” He held his chest. “I preach for progress, Clovis. And with that, our people will be much safer than they are now.”

The king grunted with clenched teeth. His glare remained. “You don’t understand, do you? Tradition, no tradition. Progress, no progress. This. That. None of it matters! Every day you’re in our city, none will ever feel the overbearing dread of their lives being at stake!

“The bottom line here is, Haruto… because of your reckless endeavors—Augustus and your comrades paid the price for it! Don’t you ever think I’m a damn fool!” Clovis grabbed his clothing with both hands.

Yukino gasped in shock, while Tokino did not take it lightly. She pointed her rapier at the king’s neck. “Don’t. Touch. Him.” She expressed tranquil fury.

Clovis felt the weight of her magical pressure–realizing she was the angriest in the room. He let go and swiped her weapon away in annoyance. Haruto wished both to calm down.

Clovis sighed. “If I were a vicious king, I would’ve executed you both on the spot. There’s only so much kindness I can show for my comrades.” He looked out a window and saw Y-crested grebes migrating.

Tokino sheathed her weapon and kneeled. “A million apologies, my king. But if I may, I have some doubts about your claims against my husband. There’s only so much respect I can show to you, so I believe the feeling’s mutual.”

“Go on…” he gave his consent, prompting her to stand up.

“If the situation that night was so dire before we came—how come you didn’t step into battle and fight alongside Augustus? Why didn’t you dispatch your longtime friends into the scene?”

The king sighed again. His contempt slowly faded. “All of you know I love Augustus like a father. I never doubted his strength—or his will. He was nothing like Haruto. When needed, he was always there.

“I originally intended to fight the monster when informed. But luck struck the city when you two came in the nick of time. I didn’t interfere—because I knew for sure you would win.”

Clovis’ revelation surprised the couple. Their eyes had widened. The saddened king turned to the husband. “Haruto… no matter what you do… I only ever asked the bare minimum. Even then, I have my limits.

“You’re the archmage. One of the strongest in Vetus’ history, in fact. When our people look up to you that much, consequences become unpayable. They don’t want a hero flying around the city to save everyone, then back to their secluded home. They want a leader.

“Leaders can save many days. Sometimes they fail. But their trust for you is stronger than steel. If you fail to secure that multiple times—could you ever hope to regain it? I may be their king, Haruto… But they expect so much more from you than any of us combined.

“Ever since you came to us a year ago, you never lost a battle. You’ve shown them just how strong you were. All they asked of you until then—was to be more reliable….” A single tear flowed out of Clovis’ eye as he stood tall before the Minagawa family. His scarred, stern face told many tales.

The Vetusian king’s words made Yukino sob. Tokino comforted her while Haruto’s face sulked. He performed dogeza in front. “I’m deeply sorry, my king. If my ambitions caused all this, I’ll gladly resign from my status. You can inform my successor tomorrow. If it’s not enough, my family and I could leave in exile. As long as I’m around, they’ll always be safe….”

Clovis dried his eyes with a thumb and sighed. “Stand up. You’re right for the wrong reasons. Yes, you will resign—but only from your current status in Vetus. You’re still an archmage. Yes, you will leave our city—but not onto some backwater town. You’ll move to Coelestis: The City of Gods.”

“W-What? What do you mean?” Haruto stood up with a raised eyebrow.

“All of you got chosen to be representatives of the City of Origins. Me, Drew, and Hans had this position before yours. It made us archmages, but I told them to step down to protect our city once more. As a result, they demoted us.”

“But… w-why my family?” His eyes squinted again.

He walked closer to the archmage. “Coelestis’ king, Harald Pompilius MXXV, only allows a keystone city’s three strongest mages for promotion. Your family fits the position like a glove. Augustus always turned down his offer. So, I can’t press him on these matters.

He held his shoulder. “Haruto… if you want to be a hero worth remembering, this is your chance. It’s also a chance for even greater things outside here. If you’re too worried about us, I discourage it. Your replacement is more than enough.” He smiled calmly.

Haruto paused for a long moment. He badly wanted to say yes. However, he worried about his family’s safety. He had the confidence—and even some arrogance to claim he could always protect them. Alas, he felt something in his gut.

Their new life could spell immense tragedy, one that would never heal. The more he thought about it, the more reluctant he became. He stuttered his words before the king until Yukino tugged his sleeve. “Papa, what’s your answer? You’re taking too long.”

His daughter’s eyes had nothing but pure optimism for her family’s future. To think demons did not plague her thoughts. Haruto agreed in the end, and his family went out of the throne room.

In the hallway, Yukino looked up. She sweated slightly. “Mama… you scared me back there. I thought you’d really—”

Tokino held her close. “I’m so sorry, honey… I can never let go of this, but I promise you I’ll do better.”

Haruto thought about their conversation briefly. He recalled the other promise he and his wife made the night before.

The family saw mages and civilians kneeling outside the palace. They said their thanks and farewells. Some began tearing up.

Augustus walked to the archmage with his cane. “Haruto… you and your family are Children of Athena like no other. I’ve no ounce of doubt that you’ll surpass me one day.” He patted his shoulder, which hurt him slightly.

Next was Sebastian Hans, an Austrian reborn human and close friend of Haruto. “Good to see you come so far, man. For you to represent us—like me before in the City of Gods—is never something to weep over. But most can’t help it. As your new life begins, you carry our pride forever till the end. Liebe Grüße an Deine Familie.”

More of the crowd cried over his last statement.

Drew stepped in. “Your brothers and sisters will always send prayers when they can, Haruto.” He shook his hands with both. “They’ll pray for your safety. And in battle, your success.”

The Minagawa family’s driver waited for them behind the crowd. As they went inside the carriage, they also bid farewell to their comrades and their people. Farther away, Haruto noticed the king on a balcony waving. It made him teary-eyed.

With all that, the pegasi flew into the sky for Coelestis. As golden sunset had followed.

Yukino noticed that her father covered his eyes with his arm. “What’s wrong, Papa?” She moved closer.

He began sobbing softly. “Oh, it’s nothing… It’s just that….”

Tokino giggled and smiled faintly. “You really love them all. Don’t you, honey? If they didn’t feel the same way for you, they wouldn’t give us this opportunity, you know?” She held his left hand.

“Yeah… I am so blessed….” He sobbed more with eyes still covered.

Yukino smiled as well and rubbed his back. “There, there….”

Hans went inside the throne room. He saw Clovis looking at the sky as the carriage flew further away.

“Geez, man. Can’t imagine how you feel right now.” He stood in front.

The king turned around. “I regret nothing over my decision, old friend. Come, let’s walk outside. Then, you’ll have to meet with Haruto’s replacement with haste. We can’t afford any more darkness.”

Hans walked from behind in the kilometer-wide garden. “Something’s been bothering me about all this, Clovis.”

“What would that be?” He looked back.

He sighed with closed eyes. “You never told him the real reason why you insisted us to step down. You also never told him that Vetus representatives are to be a team with Coelestis’.”

Clovis sighed as well. “Indeed I haven’t, Hans. If I did—Haruto would have rejected his lifetime chance.”

The mentioned Austrian had eyes of deep regret. “Oh, Haruto… Sei bitte vorsichtig. Der Teufel wartet….”