Chapter 5: Chapter 4: New Beginnings

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. The hardened experience came as stitches front and back, and one diagonally across his face. The latter would ache during reunions 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 off the stage, confusing the crowd except for his comrades. Hans tsked from afar, arms crossed.

Walking, Tokino and her daughter held his shoulder in 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 turned from 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 selfish. Every pardon, nothing in return. Fists clenched, he sighed in a calm heart. But excuses have gone long enough, he said aloud.

He sat on his throne. “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 armrests, fuming with gritted teeth. “And then what!?” he got off, eyes narrowed. “Could Augustus have won? Had our imperial mages stood by him, would the tables have turned? While your family goes 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 sharp.

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 their 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! I’d never—”

Yukino gasped in shock, seeing her mother unsheathe her sword. With a gust of wind, the rapier drew red from the king’s neck. “Don’t… touch… him,” Tokino went 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 right now. 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 thousand apologies, my king. But if I may, I’ve some doubts about your claims against my husband. With only so much respect I have for you, I believe the feeling’s mutual.”

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

“If the crisis was so dire that night, 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 rested. “All of you know he’s more a father than my own.” He caressed 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. Of the strongest in Vetusian 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, then back to their secluded home. They want a leader.

“Leaders can save many days. Sometimes, they fail. But their trust is harder 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 haven’t 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. His scarred, stern look told more tales beneath the lavish garb, as always. A crownless leader who everyone knew to smile day and night.

***

The golden rays remained, shining through the room. Tokino rubbed her daughter’s back, sobbing loudly. Haruto sulked and performed dogeza. “A million apologies, my king. If my ambitions caused all this, I’d gladly resign.” 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 status here. Yes, you’ll leave our city, but not onto some backwater town. You’ll move to Coelestis: The City of Gods.”

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

“All of you now represent our City of Origins. Like me, Drew, and Hans before. But I told them to step down to protect our city once more. It demoted us from being archmages.”

“But… w-why my family?”

Clovis smiled, eyes lowered. “Their king chooses only a keystone city’s strongest three. Your family fits that bill 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’s 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, but 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 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 not one doubt you’ll surpass me one day.” He patted his shoulder, hurting him slightly.

Next was 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 remark.

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 to everyone. On the palace balcony, Haruto saw the king wave. His lips shook, entering their ride. The pegasi neighed toward the skies, and the golden 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 sobbed, failing to suppress his soft tone. “Oh, it’s nothing… It’s just that….”

Tokino giggled and smiled. “You really love them all. Don’t you, honey? We’d never have this chance if they didn’t feel the same.” 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, he would’ve rejected this lifetime opportunity.”

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

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