Once breakfast was over, Lykon stood up from the dining table. Her parents, engrossed in their meal, paid no attention.
"Sister, why the rush? Got an errand?" asked her blonde-haired brother, breaking the silence. Their parents looked at Lykon, their gazes piercing.
"I have an important mission today," she replied.
"What could be more important than family breakfast?" he chided. "Ah, yeah. I know," Lykon responded coldly.
Her brother chuckled, "I'm just messing with you. Go on and do what you have to do."
Surprised by his response, Lykon nodded and left the dining area.
As she walked through the spacious hallway, her reflection danced across the mirrors. Her steps were light and graceful.
Suddenly, a pitch-black hole appeared in her path, and without hesitation, Lykon stepped into the darkness.
Emerging from the portal, Lykon found herself in a crowd gathered for an execution. She overheard nearby gossip.
"The young master is really going to lose his head. Won't his family intervene?"
"Why bother? He caused his sister's death."
"But he's always been kind to us."
"Enough! It won't change anything for our Lord and Mistress."
Lykon's eyes flashed with disdain as she listened to the gossipers.
Hypocrites. Suddenly, a black shadow appeared beneath them— "Ah!" They disappeared into the darkness with startled cries.
Lykon sighed and turned her gaze back to the execution grounds, her eyes fixed on the prisoner.
At noon, a bell echoed throughout the kingdom, signaling the execution. Clad in a mask, Lykon's heart raced as the countdown began.
The prisoner's neck was in the guillotine's ring, the blade rushing towards him. Suddenly, Lykon emerged from the shadows.
With a swift motion, she drew her sword and sliced through the blade, stunning the crowd.
Murmurs erupted as the onlookers tried to comprehend Lykon's mysterious appearance.
"Who dares to defy the law?!" bellowed the Crowned Prince, taken aback.
Lykon remained silent, her gaze cold as she stared back at him.
Lucian's eyes widened in astonishment. He hadn't expected anyone to intervene. Sensing an opportunity, Lykon reached out—
With a swift motion, she grabbed Lucian and hurled him into the mysterious portal. "Waaah!" he cried as he disappeared into the darkness.
Drawing her sword, she faced the Crowned Prince with a defiant glare. The royal guards closed in around the prince. "KILL HER!" he roared.
The guards launched themselves at Lykon, swords raised. Chaos erupted as the crowd watched in disbelief.
Seizing the opportunity, Lykon opened a portal beneath the guards' feet. With startled cries, they tumbled into the darkness.
Lucian's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. Lykon's eyes widened slightly in surprise and frustration. "This idiot," she thought, "how did he escape my portal?"
The leader of the knights barked orders, drawing attention to Lucian.
Lykon swiftly opened another portal beneath the knights' feet. With startled cries, they tumbled into the darkness.
Lucian watched in astonishment as the knights disappeared, struggling to comprehend the surreal scene. "An Alice user?" he murmured. "But using Alice here is forbidden..."
Lykon approached him with an intense gaze. "That doesn't work for me," she replied cryptically.
Sensing danger, Lucian tried to step back, but a sword materialized behind him, piercing his heart.
"Ack?!" Lucian gasped, blood spilling from his lips. He staggered forward, collapsing to the ground.
"What... the... hell?" he choked out as darkness consumed him.
The Crowned Prince surveyed the chaos, his eyes narrowing at the unexpected turn of events.
***
He found himself surrounded by the fallen knights and three bewildered servant girls, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion.
His right-hand man approached, murmuring in a low voice, "They've escaped. It appears the girl in the mask possesses the ability to use Alice, despite the active Alice prohibitor."
The crown prince's brow furrowed in consternation as he processed the information. "Interesting," he mused, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Keep an eye on her. We can't afford any more surprises." With a decisive nod, he turned his attention back to the unfolding chaos, his mind already calculating his next move.