SAO 15 - Alicization Invading

by Reki Kawahara

  Tightly restraining her struggling limbs, mercilessly tightening his grip around her neck, Gabriel felt a surprise unlike what he felt before.

  Was this really a virtual world? No matter if it was the feeling of muscle and bone breaking that was felt by his left hand, or the frightening, painful smell that came from the bare skin, they all stimulated Gabriel’s five senses much more realistically than the real world.

  His body trembled unconsciously, and his left hand reflexively closed.

  With a muffled crunch, the cervical vertebrae of the unnamed woman were crushed.

  Then, Gabriel saw it.

  From the forehead of the woman with eyes tightly closed and teeth clenched — floated a prismatic glow.

  This, definitely was it — the Soul Cloud once he had seen when he took away Alicia’s life.

  In an instant, Gabriel opened his mouth wide, and sucked in every trace of the woman’s soul.

  The bitterness of fear, pain.

  The sourness of regret and melancholy.

  Following these, Gabriel’s tongue was soaked in the heavenly sweet nectar that could not be described with words.

  Behind his closed eyelids, a hazy scene was shining.

  Small children were playing in the front yard of an old two-story home. There were Humans, Goblins, and Ogres. As they looked over, bright smiles appeared on their faces, and they came running, arms wide open.

  That vision vanished, and was replaced with a certain topless man. A wide, thoroughly exercised chest, tenderly, powerfully embracing her.

  “I…love you… Your Excellency…”

  A tiny voice came, reverberated, and faded away.

  After all had disappeared, Gabriel still tightly hugged the woman’s body.

  Beautiful. How beautiful of an experience.

  Gabriel’s consciousness was largely shaken in ecstasy, but shards of logic attempted to find out the reason for this phenomenon.

  The Light Cube that held this deceased woman’s Fluctlight was connected with Gabriel’s Fluctlight through the STL. Therefore, after her Life, or Hit Points became zero, fragments of her released quantum data could abnormally flow to Gabriel through the network.

  But, that kind of theory already mattered nothing to Gabriel.

  He experienced once more the [phenomenon] that he had been chasing for his entire life. Gabriel extracted and tasted all traces of the woman’s last emotion — [love]. That was like a drop of nectar falling into a stark desert.

  More.

  More.

  More slaughter.

  Gabriel’s body threw back in a wide arc, and he let out a wordless guffaw.

  ***

  Ordering the ten generals and the core members of each legion to line up neatly again, Gabriel watched them with a satisfied look as they respectfully bowed down.

  Under his orders, they had completed preparations for the attack in two days. By the looks of it, maybe these Units were even more excellent than the fellows sitting on the floor of directors in GlowGen DS.

  Really, they should just be classified as [finished products]. The perfect ability to carry out orders, with added loyalty. As AIs piloting robots in war, what else would you need on top of that?

  Even so, it should not be forgotten that their loyalty was based on the bug lying in artificial Fluctlights that RATH had been eagerly trying to get rid of. It was only because the general principle [power dominates all] was carved into their souls that these ten people would obey the Emperor, Gabriel — no, Vector. But at the same time, it could also mean that as soon as Gabriel’s power was suspected, anyone could rebel at any moment.

  This suspicion had already come true.

  In the night two days ago, a female assassin sneaked into his bedroom.

  That woman planned to kill the Emperor, who had the highest authority. In her heart, there was a master with a status higher than Gabriel. Someone she called [Your Excellency] at her last moments. And that person, almost for certain, was one of the ten generals in sight.

  To her, against Emperor Vector, her own master was the mightier one. Then, the likelihood of the so-called “Your Excellency” not declaring his absolute loyalty to Gabriel was very high. If he took a Unit like this to battle, there would also be the likelihood of being betrayed.

  Therefore, the last task before they went to battle was to single out and dispose of [Your Excellency] from the ten people before him.

  At the same time, he could demonstrate the power of the Emperor to the remaining nine, forever carving the identity of the strongest into their Fluctlights.

  At this time, Gabriel Miller did not consider at all the probability of any of the ten Units before him catching him off guard — in other words, defeating him in a one-on-one fight. To him, the Underworld was no more than an extension of VR games, and was still under the set impression that all Units here were [NPCs].

  ***

  Dark Knight Commander Biksul Ul Shasta maintained his genuflected position, recalling his mentor’s words from twenty years ago, in the Dark Knight headquarters training field.

  “…My mentor’s mentor’s head was taken off and he died instantly. My mentor was then cut in the chest and died on the way back to the castle. But even though I lost an arm, I’m alive today. Well, that’s nothing to be proud of, though.”

  His mentor said this, sitting on the glossy black floor with his legs folded under his torso[4], as he showed his right arm stump sharply severed on the elbow to Shasta. The wound that was only bound with medicine and gauze seemed painful just by looking at it.

  The one who had gave him this injury about three days ago, was the eternal enemy of the Dark Knights, or the most powerful swordsman in the world, or the most ferocious monster — Integrity Knight Bercouli Synthesis One.

  “Do you know what this means, Biksul?”

  Twenty-year-old Biksul could only scratch his head in confusion. His mentor slid a hand under his clothes, closed his eyes, and continued softly:

  “We’re catching up, gradually.”

  “Catching up — to that person?”

  Young Shasta could not help mixing disbelief into his voice. Just three days ago, Bercouli had demonstrated his crushing swordsmanship. In the instant that his mentor’s arm flew high, spurting blood, the piercing feeling that chilled him to the bone like a pillar of ice still lingered today.

  “I’ll be 50 this year. Even so, I still don’t feel like I’m holding my sword in the best way, let alone swinging. I think, in five years to ten years’ time, that won’t change even after I die.”

  His mentor said quietly.

  “…That way, we short-lived people are unable to achieve what that immortal living for more than 200 years can do. Although it’s pretty embarrassing, even in the instant that our swords cross, I still kept it in mind. But after fleeing following a miserable defeat, I realized that this is wrong. All this time, my mentor and all the Knights in the past have endlessly challenged that man, but it wasn’t all in vain… Biksul, what is the strongest swordsmanship?”

  To this sudden question, Biksul answered reflexively:

  “A «Slash of Thoughtlessness».”

  “Very good. Through long years of training, you unify with your sword. One strike that you don’t think of how to cut, draw, or move would be the ultimate swordsmanship. My mentor taught me this, and I have taught you the same. But… Biksul, that’s not it. There’s something stronger. I’ve realized it since I’ve been cut by that monster.”

  A hint of excitement floated onto his mentor’s aged, wrinkled face. Shasta maintained his leg-folded seating position, leaned forward, and asked:

  “Something stronger… That is?”

  “The opposite of thoughtlessness. Firm confidence. It’s the power of will, Biksul.”

  Suddenly, his mentor stood up from the wooden floor, and waved his right arm stump vigorously.

  “You see. Back then, I sliced down with a right diagonal slash. It was exactly a thoughtless attack; the fa
stest I have ever swung my sword in my life. At that moment when I drew my sword, I already had the advantage.”

  “Yes… I thought so as well.”

  “But… But. Normally, my sword should’ve bounced off his defense, but he pressed my sword back, and this arm was sliced off… Can you believe it, Biksul; in that moment, his sword didn’t even touch mine!”

  Shasta kept silent, and shook his head dubiously.

  “H… How could this…”

  “It’s the truth. It was like… the very path of the sword, was completely altered by some unseen force. It’s not a spell, nor is it the Armament Full Control Art. We can only explain it like this: my Slash of Thoughtlessness was defeated by his willpower built up with two hundred years of hard training. Because he pictured where he wanted my sword to go so intensely, it became the unchanging truth!”

  Shasta was unable to immediately believe his mentor’s words.

  The power of will: something amorphous like that can defeat a real, heavy, rigid sword; no matter what, that can’t be real.

  It looked like that Shasta’s mentor expected this reaction. Suddenly regaining the formality in his sitting position, on the glossy black floor, he calmly ordered:

  “Okay, Biksul. I’ll teach you my last sword technique. — Cut me.”

  “What… What are you saying! It’s difficult for you to…”

  Have lived so long; Shasta could only swallow these words. Suddenly, his mentor’s eyes flashed with a strong light.

  “Since I managed to live on, there is even more necessity for you to cut me. Since I’ve been defeated by that man in one stroke, I’m no longer the strongest in your heart. As long as I live, you’re unable to battle that man on equal footing. Cut, no, kill me, and stand at the same height as him… Bercouli!!”

  His mentor finished and stood, holding his right arm stump as though he was gripping a sword.

  “Now, stand up! Draw your sword, Biksul!!”

  Biksul cut his mentor, and ended his life.

  At the same time, he realized with his body the meaning of his mentor’s words.

  The invisible sword that his mentor’s severed right hand held — the sword called [will], let out intense sparks as it crossed with Shasta’s sword, and marked an eternal wound on his face.

  His face stained with tears and blood, the young Shasta stood at the zenith that exceeded the «Slash of Thoughtlessness» — on the border of the «Slash of Incarnation».

  Time passed — Five years ago.

  Shasta finally challenged the archenemy of the Dark Knights, Integrity Knight Commander Bercouli. He was but 37 years old, but he felt that his sword had achieved the highest.

  His mentor had exchanged an arm for his life, but Shasta had no intention of returning defeated. Because Shasta had no apprentice as his successor. He did not want his young apprentice to have the executioner’s burden, and bear the destiny of having his life sliced away. He decided to put his life on the line, and sever the blood-stained cycle there and then.

  The sword called [will] that carried with it all determination and realization, during its first cross with Bercouli’s, was not deflected at all. But in that instant, Shasta already predicted his own loss. He did not think that he could reproduce a slash of such power.

  But, as they crossed swords, Bercouli laughed roughly:

  “Your swordsmanship isn’t bad. If you only have murderous intent, you will be unable to block my sword. Go back and think long and hard about the meaning behind my words, and return after five years, little boy.”

  Then the Integrity Knight Commander turned and left. But Shasta didn’t know why he was unable to swing his sword towards the Knight’s back, which looked full of openings.

  To understand the meaning behind Bercouli’s words, it took a very long time. But he finally understood what happened now, five years later. Then, if Shasta had swung his sword only with hatred and the intent to kill, he would have immediately been defeated. Although it was only one round, he was able to clash with him because he held a realization much heavier than murderous intent.

  That was — gratitude to the mentors who put their life on the line to pass on their knowledge, and a prayer for the young one who will become his successor.

  Therefore, after receiving news of the Highest Minister’s death, Shasta immediately decided to negotiate for peace. He was confident that, if the other party was Bercouli, he would definitely accept.

  For the same reason—

  This Emperor Vector, who suddenly descended on Obsidia and decided to wage war without saying anything else, must be cut to death by Shasta himself.

  Even as he kneeled and bowed his head, Shasta was shaping out the [Incarnation] that he must load his killing Slash with.

  This Emperor that left the Dark World for hundreds of years and suddenly revived was a young man with white skin and golden hair, similar to that of a Human World resident. His figure and looks were not necessarily charismatic.

  But, only his extraordinarily blue eyes revealed that the Emperor was not an ordinary man. Within those eyes was a [void]. A bottomless abyss sucking in all light. This man concealed a colossal and evil hunger.

  If his exercised Power of Incarnation was engulfed by the Emperor’s void, the blade would be unable to reach him.

  If that happened, Dark Knight Shasta would lose his life. But, his will would likely be succeeded by someone after him.

  His only regret was that he was unable to convey his determination as he did not see Lipia yesterday. She might be busy with preparation before the attack, or staying in her important [home].

  If he told her his intent to slay the Emperor, she would definitely not listen and beg to join him. It was better this way.

  Shasta slowly inhaled, building up.

  With his hand, he quietly touched the sword that was released from his belt and placed on the floor.

  He was about 15 Mel from the throne. He only had to take two steps to reach it.

  He must not let anyone notice. He must be thoughtless in drawing his sword.

  Purifying and contracting his Power of Incarnation to the limit, he injected it into his sword through his fingers. Then, he emptied his body.

  His left hand gripped the sword—

  Just then.

  The Emperor spoke nonchalantly with a sound as smooth and rigid as glass:

  “Just — last night, someone infiltrated my bedroom. With a short knife concealed in their hair.”

  A suppressed gasp wavered the air in the hall.

  In the line of the other nine Feudal Lords to Shasta’s left, someone softly held their breath, another let out a low moan from the depths of their throat, and another shrank back into their thick robes. A few among the officers in the back made sounds as well.

  Shasta was equally shocked. Maintaining his stance and style before slicing, he thought for an instant.

  Besides himself, there were others who came to the conclusion of eliminating the Emperor. Unfortunately, the fact that the Emperor was still alive showed that they had failed — but which of the nine people sent out the assassin?