Chapter 158

　　Present day

　　"I formally renounce my claim to the throne." Argyle announced to the gathered crowd.

　　They met in the center pavilion erected between the two camps. Argyle and Augustus arrived together at first light, shocking the few Houses not aware of Tish`s betrayal.

　　Argyle`s camp had been in disarray when he couldn`t be found until they saw him walking out of Augustus` temporary manor.

　　Despite having removed his brother from the succession, Augustus looked displeased. His frowning face set the tone of the meeting, and he allowed Argyle to step forward and address those assembled first.

　　"The Empire needs peace and security, and I believe that by stepping back and supporting Augustus, I will be providing that." Argyle finished.

　　"And what about his crimes!? He destroyed Terra and murdered millions. We`ve all lost family members and friends in the conflict. His hands are covered in blood, and you`re just going to let him wash them clean?" Duke Mason shouted.

　　He was flushed red from anger. Despite how Argyle had forced him into the conflict by ransoming Amara, he hadn`t forgotten that it was Augustus who kidnapped her from Terra in the first place.

　　Mason could reason that Argyle had been backed into a corner, doing unsavoury things in the hope that he could bring Augustus to justice. But to simply give up and let the man become Emperor? What had it all been for?

　　"I believe Augustus is innocent. I`ve had time to assess and review all of the evidence, and I am convinced that my father, Aurelius, was the architect of the attack on Terra. A final act of violence that would force us to fight against each other in preparation for this storm` he was convinced was approaching." Argyle replied, and Augustus nodded at the words.

　　"I concur. There is too much coincidence, too many variables that align, pointing blame at both of us. It makes no sense in my eyes since I know I wasn`t involved. But, if a third party was hoping to capitalize on the destruction&then things become much clearer." Augustus added.

　　In the rear of the open-air pavilion, still wearing his Pilot Bodysuit from the night before, Kal frowned at the implication. Next to him, Mare noticed his expression and placed her hand gently on his arm to get his attention.

　　"What do you believe?" Mare asked quietly, careful not to interrupt the proceedings.

　　"You know him much better than I. How cruel and callous he can be when he wishes to attain a goal." Kal responded, and Mare nodded slightly.

　　Kal felt anger and hurt over the actions of the Emperor. His loyalty had been repaid with a destroyed homeland, and his people suffered while he was imprisoned. Now, it seemed that he may have been responsible for the deaths of tens of millions, the destruction of Terra and a war that has ripped through the galaxy.

　　Kal could never forgive him for nearly killing Mare and himself that day. They had barely escaped Terra. Regardless of the Emperor`s reasons, he had much to answer for.

　　"I wish it weren`t so, but in my heart, it makes more sense that Grandfather was behind this than Argyle or Augustus. But to what purpose?" Mare asked, not expecting Kal to have the answer.

　　"To fight against whatever the Titans are warning us of. Argyle said it himself: In one act, he militarized the Empire. Even though the two sides are at odds with one another, we have never been more ready to unleash violence upon the galaxy." Kal theorized.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　"Grandfather could have ordered us to prepare. He didn`t need to go this far." Mare replied with sadness and a tinge of anger. Her belief in her grandfather had been shaken after understanding all that he had put Kal through, and this revelation had done nothing to improve it.

　　"And answer our questions on why? Even the Emperor would need to explain about the enemy we are about to fight and how he has come to that knowledge. Perhaps the answer would have shaken the foundation of the Empire."

　　"What are we going to do?" Mare asked. She had tied herself to Caledon, and as its Duchess, she had a role in deciding its future.

　　"As long as Augustus honours Argyle`s promises, Caledon will bend the knee and declare for the new Emperor." Kal decided, and Mare agreed with the decision.

　　"But I am more worried about something else. If this was all Aurelius`s plot, did he truly die in the explosion on Terra, or is he watching from the shadows? Everything we accomplish here could amount to nothing if the Emperor is still alive." Kal whispered.

　　While they were speaking, Augustus addressed his plans for the future with the gathered houses.

　　"I will honour my pledges to the Houses. There will be no expansions or changes in territory, but other concessions may be discussed in recompense. There will be peace." Augustus spoke.

　　The meeting continued for hours, with Samuel representing Caledon in the discussions. The Ducal House of Caledon was formally recognized by Augustus as long as they renewed their pledge of loyalty to the Empire with him as its leader.

　　By the time the sun was beginning to set in the west, it seemed that a path forward was in sight. The conflict of the Succession War would end. There was still a final piece to be settled.

　　"What if Emperor Aurelius is still alive? If it is possible that he planned this entire thing, he could have escaped the devastation beforehand. What do you intend to do about it?" Duke Mason asked, his face frowning.

　　Amongst all the Ducal Houses, Havencroft and Grandster had always been the most loyal to the Emperor. To Mason, this was a betrayal on a level he thought unimaginable. Many of his family had been on Terra just a day before this happened!

　　Argyle and Augustus shared a look before the older brother responded.

　　"If he is still alive, then I believe I know where he would have gone. Duke and Duchess Caledon have shown us the answer. Their Titans revealed the coordinates to what we suspect is the location of the Envoys. Father would have taken shelter there, or they would know of his whereabouts and more details of the coming threat."

　　"I plan to lead an expedition there, using the Titans to open a path. They will be able to Jump the distance." Argyle explained, and the room erupted in conversation. Augustus followed up on the revelation.

　　"Titans of both sides will accompany him, along with adequate Starships and Mobile Suits, to assess and investigate this threat. Duke Caledon, Patrick of Grandster and Katherine of Havencroft will join Argyle from his faction, while the Earl of Praxis, Duchess Naice and Yanis Samira will accompany him from my side. You will work together, and may your cooperation bring a new era of collaboration between the Houses." Augustus finished.

　　"I promise that we will find the truth. About Aurelius` role in the attack, the Envoys and the threat that is approaching. There will be no more secrets between us." Argyle added.

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　　Kal sat in Atlas. The cockpit seat kept him in place as the Titan floated in space. Behind him was a fleet of a thousand Starships arrayed in rows. Bearing the symbols of all the houses, they were under orders by their new Emperor to travel to the coordinates revealed by the Titans and investigate.

　　With two hundred thousand Mobile Suits, the Starship crews and support staff, and led by six Titans, it was the greatest military force that had been assembled by humanity for a single operation. Even during the Rebellion the Titans hadn`t been used.

　　While the other seven remained in the Empire, it would be up to Argyle`s group to confront this threat and find the truth.

　　Kal let out a breath, feeling the connection between himself and Atlas thrum. Beside him, the other Titans waited patiently for the Jump to open. It would be up to Kal to create the portal, while the others would be the first through to clear the way and protect the fleet.

　　"Duke Caledon, you may proceed." Argyle ordered through the comm-link.

　　Kal reached out with his mind. Atlas raised its right hand, pointing at the empty space in front of it as undulations of energy and gravity distorted stars in front of it. A Portal formed, bigger than any that had ever been created before. Its size was incredible, able to swallow up an entire planet if used against one.

　　He could feel the strain. The Atlas was pushed to its very limits with this act.

　　"Quickly!" Kal ordered, and the Titans responded by moving into the Jump. Soon, a stream of starships was entering the vortex, travelling an unimaginable distance to the coordinates on the edge of their galaxy.

　　In the end, Kal was the last to enter, letting the portal collapse behind him.