All had seen the thirty-five-year-old Clovis as a king in his prime. Light tan skin and short combed brown hair—the same eye color. Hardened experience came as stitches front and back, and one diagonally across his face. The latter would ache during renunions outside the city.

Clovis wore the same official uniform, albeit deep blue. Only Augustus bested him in service ribbon count. His cape flowed, walking from the east wing to the throne room. Haruto stepped out of the stage, confusing the crowd except his comrades. Sebastian tsked from afar, arms crossed.

Walking, Tokino and her daughter held his shoulder on the hallway. As usual, he smiled and thanked them. But his eyes returned the king’s daggers upon the doors. “What’s this about?” he barged in with heavy steps.

The king slowly turned form the view, unfazed and still aglare. “I don’t know, you tell me,” he looked back. “How well was your nap during your ride last night?”

Haruto figured he’d be disappointed at best and furious at worst. He was but a family than an archmage in his eyes. Clovis always found his off-duty motives as selfish. Every pardon, nothing in return. Fists clenched, he sighed with a calm heart. But excuses have gone long enough, he said aloud.

He walked to his throne and sat. “If you say you’ll ‘claim responsibility’ next time, I’ll never trust you again.”

Haruto shook his head. “No. Because I have many things to say against you right now.” He walked closer. “I’ve read the reports. If you’d implemented the more advanced security measures I’ve suggested for months, everyone would’ve known sooner.”

His nails splintered the throne’s arm rests, seething with clenched teeth. “And then what!?” he got off, eyes narrowed. “Could Augustus have won? Had our imperial mages stand by him, would the tables have turned? While your family go on vacation 24/7!

“You honestly think it’s easy to find 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, dealing with her own problems! Which side are you on, Haruto!? Your people or your fantasies?” He pointed sharply.

His heart now matched a rabbit’s. “First off,” he said softly. “leave my family out of this! And I’m indebted to our people! Why would I travel and learn from other cities? Hotel resorts? If Vetus became what I’ve envisioned, I’d never go out as much! You don’t even teach modern technology in our schools.

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

The king’s eyes sharpened to its peak. “You don’t understand, do you?” he walked closer. “Tradition, no tradition. Progress, no progress. This, that. None of it matters! Every day you’re here, 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!” He grabbed his coat tight. “Don’t ever think I’m a blind fool!”

Yukino gasped in shock, and she saw her mother unsheathe her sword. In a gust of wind, the rapier drew some red from the king’s neck. “Don’t… touch… him…” said Tokino, close to a whisper.

Clovis went halfway to his knees in sweat: a price of forgetting. Her magical pressure once made a forest giant kneel. He let go and swiped her sword away, annoyed. 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 have for my comrades.” He looked beyond the balcony, seeing Y-crested grebes migrate. The sun had shone golden.

Tokino slit her palm for her act, kneeling. “A million apologies, my king. But if I may, I’ve some doubts about your claims against my husband. There’s only so much respect I have for you, so I believe the feeling’s mutual.”

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

“If the situation that night was so dire before we came… why didn’t you fight alongside Augustus? Or dispatch your longtime friends into the fire?”

The last grebe flew away, and he sighed again. Turning, the daggers in his eyes had rested. “All of you know he’s more a father than my own.” He carressed his scarred nape. “I never doubted his strength, or his will. He was nothing like Haruto, always there when needed.

“I indeed wanted 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’d win.”

Clovis’ revelation had all eyes wide. Heart too heavy, he slowly walked toward his pride. “Haruto, no matter what you do, I only ever asked the bare minimum. Still, I have my limits.

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

“Leaders can save many days. Sometimes, they fail. But their trust is stronger than steel, even palladium. If you fail to secure that multiple times, could you ever hope to regain it?

“I’m their beloved king, yes. But they expect so much more from you than any of us combined. Ever since 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 rolled down Clovis, tall before the family. As always, his scarred, stern look had more tales beneath the lavish garb. A crownless leader known for his smile.

The golden rays remained, shining through the room. Tokino rubbed her daughter’s back, sobbing loudly. Haruto sulked and performed dogeza. “I’m deeply sorry, my king. If my ambitions caused all this, I’ll gladly resign from my status.” His hands clenched. “Please inform my successor tomorrow. If you wish, my family and I could leave in exile. As long as I’m around, they’ll always be safe.”

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

“W-What?” Haruto squinted. “What do you mean?”

“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?”

Clovis smiled faintly once more. “Their king, Harald Pompilius MXXV, allowd only 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… chances are chances. Be a hero than a leader? Go ahead. Greater things await you out there. If you’re too worried about us, I discourage it. Your replacement is more than enough.”

Haruto paused for two minutes. He badly wanted to say yes. But he worried about his family’s safety. He had the confidence and even arrogance to claim he’d always protect them. Alas, his gut echoed lowly. Their new life could spell immense tragedy, one that may never heal. Reluctance spiked with every second of thinking. He stuttered his words before the king, then he looked down.

“Papa, what’s your answer?” Yukino tugged his sleeve. “You’re taking too long.” She smiled, hands tied behind her back. Her eyes had nothing but pure optimism for her family’s future. Not one demon had plagued her thoughts.

Looking back, still silent, he nodded with closed eyes. Clovis hoped that was the case: a thousand agreements in one. He waved at their daughter as they exited.

In the hallway, Yukino finally showed a little fear . “Mama…” she sweated lightly, “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.” They hooked their pinkies together and giggled. Haruto couldn’t help but recall he and his wife’s vow last night.

The family stopped in their tracks outside the palace garden. Finishing the toast long ago, they stood before them like an army. But smiles came quicker, kneeling. Thanks and farewells went in unison, and some had teared up.

Augustus stepped forward. “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, hurting him slightly.

Next was Sebastian Hans, an Austrian reborn human and close friend. “Good to see you come so far, man. 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 at his last statement.

Drew sighed and smiled. “Your brothers and sisters will always send prayers, Haruto,” he shook his hands with both. “They’ll pray for your safety. And in battle, your success.”

The family’s driver waited for them behind the crowd. By the carriage door, they turned and bid farewell louder for everyone. In the palace balcony, Haruto saw the king wave. His lips shook, entering their ride. The pegasi whinnied toward the skies. The goldun sunset followed.

Yukino hummed and moved her legs to and fro. But she heard untimely waterworks to her left. “What’s wrong, Papa?” she cocked her head, seeing him cover his face with an arm.

He had sobbed softly, failing to supress it. “Oh, it’s nothing… It’s just that….”

Tokino giggled and smiled. “You really love them all. Don’t you, honey? If they didn’t feel the same way, we’d never have this chance, you know?” She held his hand.

“Yeah… I am so blessed….” He sobbed louder, eyes still covered.

Yukino smiled next and rubbed his back. “There, there.”

Hans went inside the throne room. He saw Clovis looking at the sky as their carriage flew further away. “Geez, man…” he said in a long breath. “Can’t imagine how you feel right now.”

“I regret nothing over my decision, Seb.” The king went past him. “Come, let us stroll outside. Then, you’ll have to meet with Haruto’s successor in haste. We can’t afford any more darkness.”

Hans followed from behind in the six hundred yard garden. “Something’s been bothering me about all this, Clovis.”

“What would that be?”

He sighed, eyes closed. “You never told him the real reason why you insisted us to step down. Nor did you tell that Vetus delegates are to be a team with Coelestis’ own.”

The king sighed longer. “Indeed I haven’t, Seb. If I did, Haruto would’ve rejected his lifetime chance.”

Hans had eyes of deep regret toward the horizon. Oh, Haruto. Sei bitte vorsichtig. Der Teufel wartet.