“How can we only rely on an outsider’s power to protect our world?! She has already given us enough aid. Now, it’s our turn to show the outsider what we, the Knights and Guards, are capable of!”
After this fierce call to action, Alice felt Asuna’s surprised gaze on her and avoided her eyes embarrassedly.
The first to agree was Renri, the youngest Knight present.
“Y… Yeah! Didn’t you hear that, she’s not a god, she’s a human like us! Then we can fight as well!”
With words that seemed to resonate from the two Divine Instruments at his waist, the young Knight looked towards the red-haired girl a distance away from Asuna. Alice chuckled inwardly.
“I wish to… battle that person again, too.”
«The Silent» Sheyta murmured, throwing her hat into the ring.
The Guard Leaders soon assented one by one, exchanging glances with one another.
That’s right, we’ll all work together and protect what we love – came the yells and shouts from the Guards who were gathered on the grass around them. As if it were swept up in the wills of the crowd, the fire also began to crackle more vividly, smoke flying towards the night sky.
***
Was this — really okay?
In her assigned tent, Asuna began to think as she removed her pearly-white armor.
According to Higa and Kikuoka’s intentions in the Real World, Asuna was supposed to quickly bring Alice to a system console and extract her to the safety of the sub control room.
But what then? According to Kikuoka, as long as they procured Alice’s Fluctlight and analyzed its structure, they could load it into an unmanned weapon as the basis for its AI. The remaining ten thousand artificial Fluctlights would then lose all purpose. It would also do them no good to waste an immense amount of power and space to keep them running.
Even they only rescued Alice and destroyed the rest of the Underworld, what would Kirito think after he wakes up? No, would he even be able to wake up in the first place…?
No, she could not falter like that again. She had come all this way to meet him, so she must try her utter best to connect with him, speak with him, and search for the key to his recovery. Higa had said that they could only hope for a miracle from within the Underworld to heal Kirito.
Right now, she wanted to be in the supply tent where he was, to hold him, and talk to him. During this period of diving in, she wanted to always be by his side. She never wanted to abandon him and travel to the system console in the faraway south.
— At least, just for tonight…
Making her decision, Asuna removed all of her armor, changed into a female habit and tunic, then moved to the entrance of the tent to listen.
Despite her protests, the Knight Commander had assigned a Guard to her as security. The young man, nervous with his task as Goddess Stacia’s bodyguard, was restlessly pacing around the tent’s surroundings.
When the footsteps passed over the grass directly across her and neared the middle of the back, Asuna hastily left the tent. In three silent and huge steps, she concealed herself within the shadow of a giant tree ten meters away.
Stealing a glance behind her, she saw that the guard seemed not to have noticed anything, continuing his rounds. After silently apologizing to him, Asuna walked into the depths of the forest.
The Human Empire Army, tired after their large-scale battle, had all retired early, with the exception of a few sentries. The sentries were focusing on the outskirts of the forest, so Asuna was able to sneak into the supply tent area undetected.
Close your eyes and focus.
She did not know whether it was the power of her super account or pure intuition, but she could immediately feel the location of her lover.
Taking a few steps in that direction, Asuna suddenly noticed in the corner of her eye a flash of golden light.
Damn — She timidly turned to look.
A silhouette stood with its back against the tent, arms crossed. Like Asuna, it wore a simple gown with a yarn scarf. Flowing golden hair that waved in the night wind. Deep blue eyes that projected a frightening glare.
“… I knew you would come.”
Alice snorted softly, shaking her golden ponytail.
Staring directly at her opponent of the same height, same body, and same age, Alice was just about to speak her prepared words.
— Didn’t I say that you are not allowed near here? Just go quietly back to your own tent.
But the breath she had inhaled felt difficult to vocalize. Because within the eyes of the outsider Asuna, she saw an emotion that could not be clearer.
Yearning. Pain because of that yearning, and determination because of that yearning.
Fuu — sighing deeply, Alice asked herself.
— This is not me yielding. I am the one with the highest responsibility to make sure Kirito awakes. This reality will not change. Because Kirito has fought with me, hurt with me, and fallen out of exhaustion before me.
So this is — a part of what I have to do to make sure Kirito comes back.
“… Let’s make a deal.”
Hearing Alice’s short remark, Asuna blinked in confusion.
“I’ll let you see Kirito. I’ll also tell you what I know. In exchange, you tell me everything you know about Kirito.”
After less than a second of confusion, Asuna smiled confidently.
“All right. But it’s a long story. One night may not be enough to tell it.”
How uncomfortable. Pouting again, Alice demanded:
“How long have you been with him?”
So, Asuna’s light brown eyes stared up at the night sky, then she curled the fingers on her hands and replied:
“Well… we were battle partners for two years. Then we dated for a year and a half. We even spent two weeks living together.”
— “Dated” meant a romantic relationship, right? No, maybe… But I’ve lived with him for longer…
Alice wavered slightly, then threw out her chest and retaliated:
“I’ve spent an entire night fighting by his side. Then I took care of him in the same roof, staying by his side for half a year.”
It was Asuna’s turn to be shocked, but she quickly recovered. Is that so — she murmured.
The two glowered at each other, as though fully clad in armor, ready to draw swords and duel. The night air crackled, and dry leaves unlucky enough to land between them exploded: pishi, pishi.
The one who bravely entered the battle between an Integrity Knight and the Creation Goddess was — the thin voice of a young girl.
“Um…”
Shocked, Alice whirled in that direction. Asuna followed suit.
The voice had come from a young trainee from the supply team with a soft cap on her tea-colored hair and a gray nightgown — Ronye. She shyly clasped her hands together in front of her chest, and spoke again.
“Actually, I, I spent two months cleaning Kirito-senpai’s room, and he taught me sword skills as well, and even treated us to the Jumping Deer Inn’s honey pies several times! It does seem like very little compared to you two, but… I also want to share…”
Alice blinked a few times before exchanging glances with Asuna again. Both of their mouths smiled wryly at the same time, as though sighing together.
“Sure, Ronye-san. You were a companion, after all.”
Alice shrugged and nodded towards the petite girl. She could not help but praise the trainee exhaling and smiling in relief: what commendable bravery.
But — she was not the only challenger.
“May I partake in the information exchange?”
A seemingly masculine tone, yet a distinctively clear female voice. A rather tall woman had appeared under the moonlight without a sound. Gazing at her graceful features, Asuna let out a weak voice.
“… You’re the…”
Without a doubt. she was the female guard corps leader from the meeting a while ago.
The woman, whose brown hair was tied in a long p
onytail, nodded.
“I am Sortiliena Serlut of the Norlangarth North Empire Knight Order. Although I wanted to wait until after the battle had ended… or so I thought, but due to my long association with Kirito, I couldn’t help but join in.”
Alice sighed again, raised her shoulders, and spoke to the tall Guard Leader:
“… And what sort of association is that, Guard Leader Serlut?”
“… If you don’t mind, please call me «Liena», Knight-dono.”
Sortiliena coughed softly before playing her trump card:
“When I was at the Norlangarth Empire Sword Mastery Academy,Kirito served as my valet for a year. I also passed some sword skills to him.”
“………”
The other three sank into silence at this revelation.
Asuna and Alice met eyes, simultaneously displayed expressions of “Really, now”, and nodded.
“Then you must have quite a bit of information too, Liena-san. Please come in with us.”
With an odd atmosphere, the four of them began silently moving, and Alice led them into a small tent. Simple bedding lay on top of two leather pads next to each other. One of them was empty, while a black-haired youth with his eyes closed lay on the other. Poking out of woolen blanket, two longsword hilts were slightly visible.
Seeing this, Asuna’s lips trembled with a deep longing. Alice did not discern it.
“… What’s the matter?”
At Alice’s question, the otherworldly swordswoman momentarily forgot the animosity between them, and answered with a smile:
“Kirito of the «Dual Blades». That’s what they call Kirito-kun over there.”
“… Hoh…”
Now that she mentioned it, when Kirito fought that decisive battle against Administrator, he was indeed freely wielding his own black sword and Eugeo’s white sword. That definitely did not look easy.
Alice moved to sit down opposite the sleeping Kirito. She beckoned the other three to sit as well, saying:
“Then let’s start from there.”
The dark night over the black wilderness became colder and colder, with only the violet moon shining silently over the land.
Whether it was the Guards of the Human Empire Defense Army or the Dark Knights and Fist Fighters of the Dark Territory army in their camp that was now split by a large crevice, all had sunk into deep sleep.
In one corner of the silent night before the final battle between the two sides, only one candle inside a tent could not be extinguished. Sounds of quiet laughter came from behind the thick curtain, but the only one who could hear was a lone owl perched on a tree branch.
After the oil in the lantern was depleted, the four young women, exhausted from talking so much, sank into sleep beside Kirito.
A moment later, far away in Central Capital Centoria in the Human Empire, a bell steadily tolled midnight. Of course, this sound did not reach the camp in the Dark Territory.
At the same time —
A sensation so faint it could be described as the «vibration of time» reached every single person in the Underworld. That was the sensation of the FLA Rate dropping to 1:1, but even if someone was awake, they would find it extremely difficult to feel it.
Underworld Human Empire Calendar, the eighth day of the eleventh month, Year 380, 0:00.
Real World Japan Standard Time, 7 July 2026, 0:00.
The timelines of both worlds were completely synchronized.
6
— Have you ever had a premonition of death?
Suddenly, a distinctive sound penetrated the ears of Bercouli Synthesis One, and his eyes snapped open.
The rays of dawn, tinged an unknown color, began to slowly permeate the dark tent. The air was cold as ice, and his exhaled breath held traces of white.
He knew that it was currently 4:20 AM. Bercouli, whose consciousness was one with the Divine Instrument «Time Piercing Sword», which had once been the hour hand of a giant clock face, was exceptionally keen at determining the time. In ten minutes, he would need to relay an order to the messenger guards to blow the horns and wake everyone up.
Reaching behind his head with thick fingers, the aged Knight could hear the words that had broken into his dreams.
Have you ever had a premonition of death?
The one who had asked him was his only superior, the Highest Minister Administrator.
He had already forgotten the nature of this memory. One hundred years ago? Or was it one hundred and fifty years ago? In the past, to prevent his soul from breaking down, memories deemed unnecessary had been deleted from his mind. Bercouli could not properly chronologically organize memories long past.
Yet that scene still remains so clear.
Maybe she was growing tired of those infinitely repeating days — although they were of her own desire to begin with — Administrator would occasionally call the man whose age was second only to her, Bercouli, to her bedroom for drinks together.
The silver-haired ruler reclined on a deep red couch, wearing only a thin silk scarf. She had asked that particular question as she lazily played with her wineglass.
He sat straight on the floor and crossed his legs. After taking a bite of cheese that accompanied the wine, Bercouli moved his chin and twisted his neck.
He was accustomed to the ruler’s repetitive antics; Bercouli was not looking to please her, but only saying what he wanted to say.
— A premonition of death. When I was still a young brat and was defeated by a Dark Knight from the previous generation or the generation before that, it felt pretty bad.
So the Highest Minister giggled with her hand over her mouth, gently swirling her crystal chalice.
— But didn’t you take his head off anyway? I recall that you seemed to transform it into a gemstone and placed it over there. You shouldn’t have premonitions any longer.
— Yeah, I couldn’t remember. But why do you think that way? Your Excellency shouldn’t be associated with this type of feeling.
At this question, the ancient young girl shifted her body and crossed her long legs, smiling coyly.
— Oh dear, you don’t understand it at all, Bercouli. Every day… I have this feeling every day. Whenever I wake up… No, in my dreams as well. Because I have not ruled over everything yet. There are still enemies alive. And, maybe at a certain time in the future, new enemies will be created.
— Really, being the Highest Minister is a pretty stressful job.
One hundred years after that conversation, far away from the Human Empire in the corner of a Dark Territory forest, Bercouli grinned fearlessly.
— Now, I finally understand your words.
The so-called premonition of death was just another side of one’s lethal pursuits of danger.
A strong enemy that realizes the end of everything, searching for a proper death, unable to resist no matter how much it kicks or screams… You’ve been seeking it out, after all.
Just like me right now.
Just like me, who can clearly feel death knocking on my door right now…
After Administrator’s death, Knight Commander Bercouli, who had become the longest-living human in the world, threw back his covers and donned a white shirt on his muscular body. He tied on his belt, laced his shoes, and stowed his beloved sword on his waist.
Walking out into the cool morning air, Bercouli started towards the messenger guards’ tent to relay the wake-up call.
***
Almost exactly at the same moment.
Near the Dark Territory military camp two kilol to the north, against the slowly arriving dawn peeking up from the horizon, ten dragons took off into the air.
In the fists of the Dark Knights on their backs were grasped bundles of thick straw rope. One end of each was tied to wooden stakes driven into the ground on the edge of the great canyon.
As the stretched ropes whistled in the wind, the dragons flew across the nearly hundred-mel wide valley and arrived at the southern edge. The Knights that dismounted we
re not wielding swords, but hefting great hammers. They began to pound new stakes into the ground with some unfamiliarity.
Emperor Vector’s new orders were —
The Fist Fighters’ Guild and Dark Knight Order were to cross the the valley on those ten ropes.
The enemy would naturally interfere by attacking, but they must cross regardless.
Those who fall should not be saved.
Food and other supplies need not be transferred over.
In other words, they were to sacrifice a great many people in a ruthless fight to the death, with no provisions. Fist Fighter Guild Chief Iskahn and ex-Dark Knight Commander Shasta’s young successor both clenched their teeth in fury.
But they had not the option to disobey the Emperor, their ultimate ruler.
They had hoped at least to cross the valley before the enemy noticed them — yet the generals’ wishes were dashed when Human Empire cavalry scouts on night watch sighted the Dark Territory army from a faraway hill, then turned their horses towards the knoll one kilol south.
***
With her mouth closed, Asuna chewed the stiff roasted bread with cheese, smoked meat and dried fruit, thinking while still bleary-eyed from sleep.
… Since the time’s been accelerated by a thousand, I can eat a thousand meals in the time that the people in the real world take to eat their meal. That won’t make me fat, will it…
Stealing a glance ahead of her, she saw Integrity Knight Alice and Guard Chief Sortiliena nibbling on their sandwiches, their eyes also clouded with sleep. Although it was through the fabric of their gowns, she could make out their even bodies, without a trace of flabbiness.
Was there anything like lifestyle-related diseases in this world? Or were body types decided by parameters granted and set at birth? Or — were appearances merely reflections of one’s mentality?
Beside them, Ronye was tearing the sandwiches into bite-sized pieces and feeding them to a half-awake Kirito. According to Alice, his life had been preserved through feeding, but it always seemed to her that Kirito’s body was getting thinner every day.
Just as if he wanted to disappear from this world himself.
Volume 16 Page 20
