“If there’s a new emperor, there’s a new authority,” Lucian told Lydia. “If I make a proposal to Algard, I might not need to countersue at all. It’s a much more certain route than countersuing, which Cyril could simply delay until the facts on the ground favor him—namely, that he’s put into the ground and Denzel takes his place.”

  “Hmm.” Lydia tapped one nail against her teacup, her golden eyes watching him. “It’s certainly an idea, Lucy. I wish you luck,” she said.

  Her brevity didn’t entirely assure Lucian, but he’d conveyed what he needed to. Theobald would do the rest. She was unpredictable and arbitrary… but Theobald was unpredictable and just, so it’d probably balance out. He’d also caught Rowan up on the situation, and the ever-dependable man had agreed to help.

  “I’ll be off, then,” Lucian said, heading out.

  He was wearing a cloak, and he pulled his hood up as he exited the mother-in-law suite. Once outside, a great many of the monastics that’d come to Verne were waiting for him in similar cloaks. Aurelia was among them. She’d all but begged to come, and Lucian had obliged under the condition she didn’t stray far. Her presence could definitely be useful in persuading the monastics to choreograph with him.

  “Everyone here?” Lucian asked Brother Crane.

  “You have some sad people,” Crane said, looking back. “They’ve grown used to the comforts and luxuries of Verne. They’re almost disappointed to be returning.”

  Lucian looked between them. These people had been so steadfast. There was little that could be more comforting to him than their continued aid. He’d thought sparing Aurelia would be a persistent annoyance, but he’d be at a total loss right now without them. Honestly… without her, too. But then, perhaps he’d have made different choices without their help. It wasn’t worth speculating about.

  “Shall we go, then?” Lucian asked.

  He received his response in action rather than word as half of the monastics present shifted into the form of the divine beast. The other half clambered on the backs of those that’d shifted, Lucian and Aurelia among them. Then, this pack of holy beasts set off to the monastery, intent to arrive there in short order. Lucian felt the wind at his face, embracing it readily.

  ***

  Because of their chosen method of transportation, Lucian and the others arrived long before Cyril or a reply from Algard had arrived. That was by design—Lucian wanted to speak to the monastics and coordinate strategy. They had been low-key, and Lucian didn’t think they were seen by anyone. Even if they had been, identifying them was another matter. Lucian was only one cloaked figure among many.

  When the reunion began, people immediately swarmed Aurelia with happy cheers and tearful faces. Abbess Dorothea in particular wrapped her arms around Aurelia, smiling and crying at once. Aurelia looked overwhelmed, and a touch awkward, even. At the very least, she behaved differently than the last time she’d been here.

  Lucian stood awkwardly—and a little enviously frankly—before he heard something to his right. He looked in that direction moments before Cate tackled him at full speed. He’d grown enough he wasn’t even cast off balance. She’d donned a puffy white fur coat that, while lacking the elegance of the monastics’ own robes, made up for it in adorableness. They must’ve crafted that for her. Cate looked up at him with a smile that seemed brighter, somehow. But then, she’d always been bright, so perhaps it was his imagination.

  Then, Cate pulled away and grabbed his arm, pulling him with all her might.

  “I think she wants to show you something,” someone else said, and Lucian looked to see who he presumed to be the woman looking after Cate. “We’ve been looking after her well, Lucian. I think she knew you were coming. She made something for you.”

  Lucian followed, curious what this was about. She led him to a garden in the monastery. Denzel sat there, a crown of flowers on his head. His face was so stony that Lucian laughed at once.

  “Hahaha! Denzel? What are you doing?” Lucian asked.

  Denzel looked over and said morosely, “Pondering the absurdity of life.”

  Cate released Lucian, then grabbed one of three flower crowns on a bench in the garden. She walked up to him, then carefully placed it atop Lucian’s head. When it was done, she stepped back and admired her work with a glowing smile.

  “She’s coronated us both, it seems,” Denzel said. “Do I need to contend with a third claimant for the crown?”

  Lucian gave Cate a hug, then sat down beside Denzel. She joined them, staring with a smile.

  “I imagine the news reached here quickly enough?” Lucian asked Denzel.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Denzel nodded. “Yeah, we received it from the person you sent. You accelerated the mediation.”

  “I figured it’d be best if we got it out of the way as soon as possible. Not to mention I encountered a problem on the home front, so to speak.” Lucian sighed and leaned in. “Lydia threatened to betray me to Cyril if I didn’t announce my intent to win back the title of Duke of Villamar.”

  “By the heavens…” Denzel sighed. “Your family… gods.”

  “Tell me about it,” Lucian remarked, then glanced at his sister. “At least I have Cate.”

  “They’ve been taking good care of her. I saw as much myself,” Denzel said. “Indeed, I’m considering imitating you. I think my mother would like it here. Though, I don’t exactly have the same connection with these people as you do,” he finished with a shake of his head.

  Lucian looked at him. “If you really mean that, I can certainly put a word in. Although I think we should talk about the more pressing matter currently.”

  Laughter filled the garden, and Lucian and Denzel both looked to see Aurelia hunched over, watching them.

  “Hoo… look at you two,” she exhaled once she gained control over her laughter. “Sorry. It’s just… the contrast between your serious faces and the… heheh.” She wiped a tear away. Cate walked up to Aurelia, and the former prioress froze like a deer in headlights. “Oh. Hello.”

  Cate stared. She had a flower crown in her hand. Then, she reached up and put it on Aurelia.

  “Oh. Okay. Thank you,” Aurelia said, like she was terrified.

  Cate walked away and rejoined Lucian. Aurelia reached for the crown and grabbed it, and Lucian and Denzel both glared at her in deadly warning not to take it off. She caught their gazes and froze, then placed it atop her head again.

  “Just adjusting it,” she defended.

  “We should go coordinate things with Dorothea, I think,” Lucian said to Denzel. “Did you already tell her, or…?”

  “I did,” Denzel confirmed. “And she agreed immediately. But yes, details would be preferred. I don’t want to have to kill my brother, despite everything. Shall we go to her?”

  ***

  Over the following days waiting for Algard’s reply and arrival, Lucian worked alongside the monastics of Heavenwatch and Denzel to make a strategy to settle this succession without bloodshed. Frankly, Lucian wasn’t quite sure where this was going to go. Algard was a bit of a wildcard. In the end, people in the War of Four community hadn’t been able to make their minds up about whether or not he was an antihero or an outright villain. Lucian wasn’t sure, either. He died too soon.

  Beyond that, though, Lucian had opportunity to delve into what Aurelia had wrote regarding the transformation into a divine beast, and consult the monastery for any information that he felt was lacking. As ever, it felt as though there was something that he couldn’t wrap his head around. He recalled his brief little foray into the past when he’d taken the form of the True Divine Beast, but it wasn’t enough to emulate the transformation successfully. None of his manipulations of Formless Essence amounted to anything. He needed a smarter approach.

  When he asked others for advice, notably Dorothea…

  “You should rely upon Aurelia,” Dorothea insisted. “She may not be willing to admit it, but she’s the best teacher among us. There was a reason that I chose her as my prioress. She has the ability to explain things to people in a way that they could understand, almost without fail. It’s as though she knows what’s going on in the other person’s mind better than they do.”

  She wasn’t alone in recommending Aurelia to help. Ultimately, Lucian just needed a way to visualize this form of energy better. Perhaps he could rely upon Charlton for help? He wasn’t quite sure.

  The days that he spent in the monastery were a sweet relief from the tension that the trial had brought about. Aurelia did nothing alarming, sticking by his side without complaint and avoiding talking to the monastics alone. Cate, meanwhile, clung to him a great deal, but she also had fun with the monastics. She seemed to be enjoying her life here, and they enjoyed her.

  And then, after far too long of waiting…

  Lucian watched the gargantuan stone bridge leading to Heavenwatch.

  “Think it can hold that weight?” Lucian asked.

  Brother Crane stood beside Lucian, arms crossed. “I hope not.”

  Lucian looked at him oddly, then back to Prince Algard’s procession. Or… perhaps Emperor Algard would be more fitting. Denzel’s brother had brought a very formidable retinue to Heavenwatch. Lucian felt it was somewhat in contrast to the vibe of the place, but he supposed that wasn’t a bad thing. It’d remind him that this mediation was serious.

  More or less all of the high nobility of the Empire of Riverra were in Algard’s retinue. They’d forced the new emperor to the bargaining table, and now they just needed to ensure that an agreement could be reached that allowed Denzel and Algard to exist in harmony, as they weren’t inclined to do.

  Just then, one of the carriage doors flipped open. Algard alighted onto the stone bridge. Looking at him, Lucian reflected on what he knew. Algard fulfilled a highly specific niche in the War of Four community. The small female playerbase would post pining comments about him incessantly. In reality, that charisma didn’t feel lesser. He had a certain confidence to his step and a dangerous charm that Lucian could tangibly feel as he walked forward.

  Algard’s maroon eyes scanned all those watching, including Lucian. It lingered in his direction for a moment, then carried on until he found Denzel. Algard pointed at his little brother, a smile on his face. Then, he stopped and raised his left hand up. The procession stopped.

  “Denzel!” Algard shouted, his powerful voice echoing out across the peaks. “Come down and greet me, won’t you?”

  Lucian shifted on his feet, then looked to Denzel. It seemed they were getting into it right away.