Livia was feeling somewhat frustrated.
She had returned home alone, driven by her desire to watch a particular TV program. However, leaving her beloved (even though they were technically just an โother personโ) behind during their date felt like a waste.
With time still left until the TV show aired, she busied herself with preparing dinner and setting the table. But thenโฆ
Crash!
Her hand slipped, and she accidentally broke a plate.
โUgh,โ she sighed.
โGuess Iโll have to buy a new oneโฆโ
With that thought, Livia cleaned up the broken plate and opened the refrigerator.
As expected, she realized she had forgotten to buy milk.
โOops, no milk,โ she murmured, shoulders slumping in disappointment.
โGuess I need to go shopping.โ
โ
The supermarket was crowded.
Still, spending time shopping with her son, Kevin, was a rare and precious moment for Fleur. Despite the inconvenience, she felt surprisingly calm.
Kevin, on the other hand, looked thoroughly bored as he reluctantly accompanied her. Apparently, there was a TV special about his favorite exotic animals airing today, and he wanted to get home quickly.
Being at the supermarket wasnโt his idea of fun either.
โLetโs go, Mom,โ Kevin said, half-dragging Fleur out of the store, carrying half the groceries.
She smiled and followed him.
โฆTomorrow would be another busy day, but having her son by her side made Fleur feel like she could handle it.
.
.
.
โItโs Fleur Knight, isnโt it?โ
Was the absence of people in that place truly a coincidence?
A slender man stood before them.
There was clearly intention behind his appearance, and the fact that there was nobody else around was likely not by chance.
โMomโฆโ
Sensing the unsettling atmosphere, Fleur placed a hand on her sonโs shoulder and addressed the man in front of her.
โWho are you?โ
โLet me be blunt. Your power is needed โ youโre the last knight.โ
โโฆโ
โThis city operates on the premise that something must be sacrificed, hidden behind the neon glow. There are comrades here who fight together.โ
โYou know this, donโt you?โ
The man continued.
โEven now, someone is being sacrificed, serving as the source of light. Do you not think this reality is wrong?โ
She had a premonition.
Fleur could feel it.
The beginning of a story. Perhaps this was the beginning of everything, or maybe it was the end.
Soโฆ
โPervert alert!!!โ
With all her might, she shouted from her gut.
โIndecent exposure freak!!!โ
โNo, no, Iโm properlyโ darn it.โ
Footsteps approached.
Sensing it, the man who seemed to notice hastily turned and bolted.
A lone girl ran toward them.
โAre you okay?!โ
โY-yeah, there was a suspicious person. But they ran off that way.โ
โโฆGot it, Iโll contact the police just in case, okay?โ
The girl took out her phone and began making a call.
โMom?โ
With a worried expression, her son looked up at Fleur, and she gently stroked his head.
โItโs alright, Kevin.โ
Even if the world is calling for heroesโฆ
โฆI wonโt let you be a heroโs sacrifice.
โ
Finally allowed to leave the scene after explaining to the police, Livia muttered to herself.
โAbout that thing earlier, the sacred swordโฆ well, does it really matter?โ
She sighed, looking up at the sky.
Not a single cloud in sight in the starry sky, yet her heart remained heavy.
โItโs already nightโฆโ