The sky was bright and cloudless as Arthur strolled into the bustling town square, the list of errands his mother gave him folded neatly in his pocket.
He pulled it out and read the first item, muttering to himself.
"Buy milk and eggs... Alright, let's get that out of the way."
He walked toward the farmer's market, a cozy stretch of wooden stalls lined along the cobblestone street, filled with the smell of fresh produce and baked bread.
Behind one of the stands, an old couple waved warmly at him, Mr. and Mrs. Happy, local vendors known for their organic goods and ever-present smiles.
"Well now, if it ain't young Arthur!"
Mr. Happy said, his voice gravelly but friendly.
"Come for your usual, sweetheart?"
Added Mrs. Happy, her hands already reaching for a basket of fresh eggs.
Arthur smiled politely and nodded.
"Yeah, just the usual. Milk and a dozen eggs, please."
The two elders nod and handed over the items, throwing in an extra apple tart for him with a wink.
"Thanks again. Mom says hi, by the way."
Arthur said, handing over the payment.
"Tell her to visit soon! We miss her already."
Mrs. Happy said with a fond laugh.
Arthur gave a final wave before moving on.
He checked the next item on the list and sighed lightly.
"Go to church... right."
He made his way to the town's modest chapel, a peaceful stone building with stained glass windows and ivy growing up its sides. Inside, the air was cool and quiet, the scent of old wood and incense lingering.
Arthur stepped up to the altar, knelt, and closed his eyes for a brief moment of silence.
Though he now knew that the God of this world was long dead, it felt wrong not to show respect.
Whether it was out of habit or something else, he placed his hands together.
"Thank you. For this life and everything else. I'll do what I can with it."
He whispered.
He stood up, brushed off his shorts, and walked out. He read the next errand.
"Help out at the soup kitchen…"
Not long after, Arthur arrived at the community center.
Inside the soup kitchen, a few volunteers greeted him with smiles.
He tied an apron around his waist, slipped a hairnet over his messy hair, and took his place behind the counter.
For the next hour or so, Arthur passed out bowls of hot soup, bread, and bottled water.
He offered small smiles, some warm words, and the occasional joke to lift spirits.
A few of the regulars even recognized him, giving him affectionate shoulder pats and calling him "that polite sword boy."
Sweating a little from the heat and the work, Arthur peeled off the apron once the rush slowed down and stepped outside for some fresh air.
He pulled out the list again.
"Next stop… orphanage."
The walk to the orphanage wasn't long.
The white building with the bright blue shutters was almost as familiar to him as his own home. Inside, the elderly caretaker, Miss Granny, greeted him with a wide smile and tired but sparkling eyes.
"Arthur, my dear boy! I didn't know you were visiting today."
She said, brushing flour off her apron.
He handed her an envelope.
"Just bringing by the donation from Mom. And a little extra from me."
Her smile widened.
"You and your mother are too kind."
Then came the sound of little feet thundering through the hallway.
"Big brother!"
"Arthur!"
A flood of children rushed into the room, hugging his legs and clinging to his arms.
He laughed as he dropped to his knees to play with them.
They pulled him into tag games, toy sword fights, and puzzles.
He stayed for nearly an hour, only leaving when Miss Granny reminded him that he probably had other things to do.
Once outside again, he checked the final task.
"Last one. Deliver a package."
The address led him to an odd little house at the end of a quiet street.
The place looked like something a rich guy bought and gave it to their poor friend and there was even a "Beware of Cameras" sign hanging on the door.
Arthur stepped up and knocked.
After a few seconds, the door creaked open to reveal a man in his twenties, pale-skinned, spiky white hair and bags under his eyes.
He wore a plain shirt that had seen better days and sweatpants with a suspicious stain on one knee.
"Delivery for… uh, Mr... Grey?"
Arthur said, holding out the small cardboard box.
The man blinked, yawned, and scratched his head.
"Oh, right, thanks. Been waiting on this."
He took the box and immediately tore the tape open.
Inside, nestled in foam, were a set of glowing gemstones that looked like Infinity Stones.
Arthur's eyes widened slightly.
"Uh… what... are those?"
The author looked up and shrugged.
"My package. Appreciate the delivery though. You didn't touch them, right?"
"Nope!"
Arthur stepped back quickly.
"Enjoy your… rocks."
The author waved lazily.
"Thanks again, kid. And if you start smelling colors, don't scratch you left testicle on Thursdays, okay?"
Arthur blinked.
"Wait. Wha-?"
The door shut.
"…Right."
Arthur muttered, turning on his heel and walking away at a faster pace.
"That guy's definitely an author. Or at least someone who read too many light novels."
Time passed and the sun starts to set.
Arthur walked down the quiet path leading home, a bag of groceries in one hand and the day's errands behind him.
He hummed softly, thinking about dinner, when he nearly bumped into someone standing still in the middle of the street.
"Ah... sorry about that."
Arthur said quickly, stepping around the figure.
The stranger said nothing, cloaked in black from head to toe, their face hidden beneath a wide hood.
Arthur walked on, but the moment passed left a chill in the air.
He slowed his pace and turned his head slightly, just to check.
No one was there.
He blinked, eyes scanning the dim alley and sidewalk.
Empty.
"…Weird."
He muttered under his breath before shrugging it off.
He turned back around and kept walking, unaware of the tiny fly buzzing softly behind him.
DxD
The front door creaked open as Arthur stepped inside and called out.
"Mom, I'm back."
He set the grocery bag down and reached for the light switch.
The moment the lights flicked on.
"Happy Birthday!"
Arthur blinked, stunned.
The living room had been completely transformed.
Streamers hung from the ceiling, a banner reading "Happy 11th Birthday!" stretched across the wall, and a small table had been set with a delicious-looking homemade cake surrounded by neatly prepared dishes.
His mother stood near the table, smiling warmly with her hands behind her back.
Arthur slowly glanced toward the nearby calendar on the wall.
"May 3rd."
His eyes widened a little.
He had completely forgotten.
Artoria chuckled softly as she stepped forward.
"I figured you'd forget, so I kept you busy with the errands."
She gently took his hand and guided him to the table.
"Come now, sit."
Arthur sat down, still speechless, as the cake with its softly flickering candles sat in front of him.
Artoria cleared her throat gently and began to sing.
"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday dear Arthur~ Happy birthday to you~"
As the song ended, she smiled.
"Well? Make a wish, sweetheart."
Arthur stared at the candles, expression unreadable.
"…Is something wrong?"
She asked gently.
He shook his head.
"No… this is perfect. It's just…"
He hesitated, then continued.
"I don't feel like I deserve all of this."
Without a word, Artoria sat beside him and placed a hand on his back.
"Arthur, I would go through anything to give you a reason to smile, because you are my son. And I love you with all my heart."
She spoke softly.
Arthur lowered his gaze, lips trembling slightly.
He didn't know when the tears started, but soon they were quietly trailing down his cheeks.
The emotion in his chest was heavy but warm.
Artoria pulled him into a gentle hug, one hand on his back, the other caressing his head.
Arthur buried his face into her shoulder and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"…Thank you so much, Mom"
He whispered shakily.
"I love you so much."
She smiled, holding him even closer.
"I know, sweetheart. I love you too."
Afterwards, Arthur leaned forward and gently blew out the candles on his cake, the flames flickering once before vanishing into soft trails of smoke.
Artoria smiled, brushing a few crumbs off the table.
"So… what did you wish for?"
Arthur just chuckled lightly and looked away with a grin.
"If I told you, it wouldn't come true."
She playfully rolled her eyes.
"Alright, keep your secrets."
But deep in his heart, Arthur's silent wish lingered.
(Please let my mom stay safe and happy. Always.)
The evening passed with laughter and soft chatter.
They shared slices of cake and warm food, and Artoria even brought out an old music player to let him pick songs while they eat.
Afterwards, she handed him a small box wrapped in deep blue paper.
Arthur blinked, surprised.
"You got me a gift, too?"
"Of course I did."
She said proudly.
He carefully opened it and found a small golden cross locket.
When he clicked it open, inside was a tiny photo of himself and Artoria sitting under the apple tree from their backyard.
He remembered that moment, she had taken that photo one afternoon after his embarrassing pose session.
Arthur smiled quietly as he held it close to his chest.
"Thank you, Mom."
Later that night, after the dishes were cleaned and the decorations taken down, Artoria guided him to his room.
She pulled the blanket over him and gently kissed his forehead.
"Goodnight, Arthur. I love you."
She whispered.
Arthur, eyes already half-closed, smiled up at her.
"I love you too, Mom."
She gave him one last look before quietly exiting the room and closing the door behind her.
Arthur curled under his blanket, holding the locket close.
A peaceful smile remained on his face as he drifted off to sleep.
(This really is… the best day ever.)
DxD
Far beyond their quiet home, in the depths of the nearby forest, a large group of cloaked figures slowly emerged from the shadows.
Their faces hidden, they moved in silence, precise, deliberate.
The leader stepped forward, cloak fluttering lightly in the night breeze.
His eyes gleamed beneath the hood.
"So Sirzechs' bitch was hiding here all along, and she has the gall to give birth to that disgusting hybrid."
He sneered, staring off toward the distant lights of the house.
He turned to the others, each one still and waiting for orders.
"Tonight… the ground will be stained with their inferior blood."
DxD
Hello readers!
I require more Power Stones to acquire more ideas.
Thank you everyone and see you later!