(lefttoright)

TheIntegrityKnights
FirstArmy,drawyourweaponsandprepareforbattle!ViceCommander

Heaven
PiercingSwordFanatio
Itsallright,dontworry.FragrantOliveSwordAlice
IveletdownAlicesamasexpectationsFrostscaleWhipEldrie
GeneralDarkGodVector,huh.Commander

TimePiercingSwordBercouli

(lefttoright)
TheArmyInvadingtheHumanEmpire
Tramplethem.GiantTribalChiefSigrosig
I,Kuberisama,willbetakingyourhead.PlainsGoblinTribalChiefKuberi
TheRadiantMediumneedstobecapturedwithoutharmingahaironherhead.Emperor
DarkGodVector
LetsgosayhellotothoseIntegrityKnights!TenthChairoftheFistFightersGuildIskahn

IwilleliminatethefiveIntegrityKnightswithoutfail.HeadoftheDarkSorceressGuild
D.I.L.
Goddamnhumans!OrcTribalChiefRirupirin

(lefttoright)
Youbroughtaboutamiracleandsavedme.TraineeSwordswomanRonye
Staciasama?TraineeSwordswomanTiese
ItcantbeHey,isthisreal?DarkKnightVassago

PleasetakemetoKiritokun.CreationGoddessAsuna

Chapter18WaroftheUnderworld
WaroftheUnderworld
7thDayofthe11thMonthofHumanEmpireCalendar380
18:00
Solussafterglowdyedthegateisolatingthetwoworldsintheredofblood.

GreatEastGate.
Thehumongousstructure,builtatthehandsofgods,thatisolatedtheHumanEmpireandDark
Empireforoverthreehundredyearsstartedcrumblingawaythisverymoment.
TremorsthunderedthroughouttheworldlikeroarsfromsomeimmensebeastintheGreatGates
deaththroes,thelastofitseffectivelyinfiniteLifedrippingaway,whilethefivethousandinthe
HumanEmpireDefenseArmyandfiftythousandintheinvadingarmywatchedonwithoutaword.
ThosecrossedfromtheHumanEmpirescentralcapital,Centoria,intheeasttothelandof
darknesssimperialcapital,Obsidia,inthewestasdistant,ominousthunder,promptingallinthe
Underworldtopeeruptowardstheskies.
Secondspassed.
AcrackstreakedthroughthecoreoftheoverthreehundredmeltallGreatGate.Whitelightgushed
fromwithinandscorchedthesoldierslineduponboththeeastandwest.
Thefissurebranchedoutinfinitely,reachingtheendsoftheGreatGateinnotime,asthewhitelight
chasedafter,spreadingoutlikeamesh.Giantwordsinthesacredscripteruptedamongflamesupon
thegatestwosidesnext.Thereweremerelytwothroughoutthevastbattlegroundwhounderstood
themeaningbehindthewords,[FinalToleranceExperiment].
Itstartedjustaboutasthosewordsburntout.
TheGreatEastGatecrumbledfromthetop,releasingflashesoflightthatextendedtotheskies.

1
Uoohh

AnexcitedvoiceescapedfromVassagoCasalswhoseupperbodywentoverthecommandvehicles
rails.
Thisthefinalloadtest?ItputsevenHollywoodmoviestoshame.Shouldntwebetakingthis
videographytechnologyinsteadoftheAI,bro?Wewouldbebillionairesinnotimeifwestarta
VFXstudio.
Despitehavinghiseyesgluedtothegreatspectacleinthedistance,GabrielMillercoollypointedout
uponhearingthat.
Unfortunately,thissightcannotberecordedontoanymedium.Afterall,itsnotpolygonsthatform
everythinginthisworld.ItsagrandshowvisibleonlytothoseconnectedtotheSTL.
HalfoftheGreatEastGatehadalreadycrumbledintocountlesspiecesofrubble.Thoughthenoise
andtremorsweretremendous,themassiverocksallmeltedintolightrightbeforetheycrashedinto
theground.Judgingfromthat,itseemedtheremainsofthegatewouldnotendupasabarricade.
Gabrielstoodfromthethroneinstalledonthecommandvehiclesroofwithhisjetblackfurmantle
aflutterbeforewalkingtowardsalargeskullsetupbyoneoftheTenLordsofthelandofdarkness,
thechiefoftheDarkArtsUsersGuild,D.I.L.
Theskullplacedonasmalltablewasapparentlyanartifactcapableoftransmittingsound.Shesaid
thatbyspeakingintothismasterskull,hisvoicewouldbesenttotheslaveskullsinthegenerals
possession.ThoughinferiortotheStrykerCommandVehiclesmultichanneltransmissionsystem,it
wasfarmoreeffectivethansendinganarmyofmessengersforeverylittlecommand.
Lookingdownintotheskullsholloweyesockets,Gabrielletoutasombervoicesuitedtohisroleas
theDarkEmpiresemperorandVectorthegodofdarkness.

Warriorsofourlandofdarkness!Thetimeyouhaveawaitdhatharrived!Killallwholive!Pillage
allwithouthesitation!Trampleuponthemall!!
Warcriesburstforthfromallacrossthebattleformations,theirvolumeexceedingtheGreatGates
collapse.Thecountlessmachetesandpikesthrustupwardsshoneinthehueofbloodunderthe
settingsun.
ThefirstbatchoftheDarkTerritoryArmycomprisedfivethousandmountaingoblins,fivethousand
plainsgoblins,twothousandorcs,andathousandgiantsforatotalofthirteenthousand
units
.He
wouldfirsthavethemleadthechargeandobservetheenemyarmysreaction.
Swiftlyswinginghisraisedrighthanddowninfront,Gabrielgavehisfirstcommandasaplayerin
thiswargame.
Grouponebegintheassault!!

***

Theonewhoassumedcommandoverthefivethousandmountaingoblinsontherightflankofthe
goblinforcemakingupthefirstgroupofthefiftythousandstronginvadingarmywasitsnewchief
namedKosogi.Hewasoneofthesevensonsofthepreviouschief,Hagashi,whoincidentallydied
throughtheDarkGeneralShastasrebelliondrama.
Hagashiwasextoledasthemostcruelandgreedyevenamongthepastchiefs.NotonlydidKosogi
inheritastrongtendencyforthatdisposition,heonlyconcealedahighintelligenceunbecomingof
goblinsunderhishideousface.

Havingreachedtwentythisyear,Kosogihadbeenponderingoverwhythegoblinswereregardedas
theworstamongthefiveracesofthelandofdarknessthehumans,thegiants,theogres,theorcs,
andthegoblinsforoverfiveyears.
Certainly,thegoblinswerethesmallestamongthefiveracesandtheweakestphysicallytoo.
However,theyonceheldnumberstocompensateforthatdisadvantageandinfact,theyconducted
battlesagainsttheorcsandhumansonequaltermsduringtheancientageofbloodandiron.
Whentheraceseventuallyendedtheirwars,exhausted,thegoblinchief,too,gainedaseatintheTen
LordsAssembly,thehighestaggregationinthelandofdarkness,upontheconclusionofthefive
racespeacetreaty.However,thetreatywas,inreality,innowayfair.Boththemountainandplains
goblinsweregivennomorethanthewitheredwastelandsinthenorthastheirdominionandthere
wasnowherenearenoughagricultureorgametopreservetheLifeofawholeracetheirchildren
constantlystarvedandtheirelderlyrapidlydied.
Inshort,theyweredoneinbythechiefsoftheotherraces.
Inordertocurbthegoblinsgreateststrength,theirnumbers,theyforceduponthemavastbut
infertileland.Assuch,thegoblinshadtoexhaustallendstoevensurvivetothiscurrentdayand
couldnotfurthertheircivilization.Havingmaintainedtraininginstitutionsfortheirchildrento
practiceliketheblackiumswasimpossibletheywereinsteadsentdownriversonboatsinorderto
reducethemouthstofeed.Allwhileawareofthetreatmenttheirchildrenwouldreceiveinthelands
oftheotherraceswhentheyarrive.
Ifonlytheyhadfertilelandandsufficientresources,theirsoldierswouldnowholdnotthese
machetesandplatearmorcastedfromcrudeironbuttemperedsteelequipment.Theywouldhave
amassedLifefromamplefoodsuppliesandstudiedswordtechniquesandtactics.Theymighthave
evenacquiredthosedarkartsmonopolizedbytheblackiumseventually.

Iftheyhad,noonewouldclaimthegoblinstobeaninferiorrace.
Kosogisdeceasedfather,Hagashi,wasconstantlyhauntedbyhisangerandjealousytowardsthe
blackiums,buthelackedthebrainstothinkaboutwhathecoulddoaboutit.Hepossessedwisdom
enoughonlytohopetostaywithinEmperorVectorsthoughtsthroughmilitaryexploitsinthisgreat
war.
Whatfoolishness.Howcouldtheyhopetodistinguishthemselvesinbattle?Thatwasobviouswitha
lookatthearmysarrangement.
ItwaslikelysuggestedtotheemperorbythechiefoftheDarkArtsUsersGuild.Thatwomanmust
haveforcedthehonorastheshocktroopsuponthetwogoblinracestouseanddisposeofthem
fromthestart.Thegoblinswouldchargeinasthevanguardsandbepromptlycutdownbythose
devilsoflegend,theHumanEmpiresintegrityknights,beforeincineratedbyherascollateral
damagefromthesaferearwiththeintentiontorobthemoftheirmerits.
Howcouldhelether?
However,that,innoway,meantthattheycoulddisobeytheirorders.ThedescendedEmperorVector
wasnotdamagedbyevenahairafterimmersedinDarkGeneralShastasattackwhichinstantly
annihilatedthetwogoblinchiefsandtheheadoftheAssassinsGuild.Theemperorheldabsolute
strengthandthelawinthelandofdarknessdecreedthattheweakshallnotdisobeythestrong.
However,thatblackiumfemalewasdifferent.Kosogiwasnowoneofthetenlords,onequalfooting
asher.Hehadnodutytoobedientlyabidebyhermaliciousschemes.
Theordergiventothegoblinswastrulysimple.Theywouldpenetrateinwithachargeasthe
vanguardandannihilatetheenemyarmy.

Thatwasall.Therewasnothingaboutmaintainingthewarfrontuntiltheflamesfromtheartusers
pouredinfrombehind.Theyhadtheallowancetooutwitthatwoman.
KosogisecretlypasseddownadirectivetohistrustedcommandingofficersrightbeforetheGreat
Gatecrumbled.
Themomenttheslaveskullgiventohimclickedintomovementanddeliveredtheassaultorderfrom
theemperor,hestuckhishandunderhisarmorandpulledoutasmallballhepreparedprior.His
commandingofficersoughttobedoingthesameatthattimetoo.
TheclumpofrocksthatwasoncetheGreatEastGatecrumbledcompletelywitharoarandvanished
aslight.
Hespottedmultiplewatchfiresandtheglintofdazzlingweaponsandarmorfurtherintothevalley
thatopenedstraighton.
Thatwasthewhiteiumsdefensearmy.
Beyondthemwerelandssufficientlyfilledwithabundance,endlessresources,andmanpower,
enoughforthemountaingoblinstoregaintheirageofglory.
Howcouldhebecomesomediscardedstone?Heshallhavetheplainsgoblins,cursedwithachief
withoutbrainsyetagain,andtheorcs,whowereevenstupider,playthatrole.
Kosogigrippedtheballfirmlywithinhislefthandandthrustupthethickmountainknifeinhisright
ashescreamedinadeepvoice.
Allofyou,sticktogetherandcomewithme!!Chargeeeee!!

***


FirstUnit,drawyourswordsandpreparetoengage!Ascetics,prepareyourhealingartsand
incantations!
FanatioSynthesisTwosproudvoicepiercedthroughthetwilight,inherroleastheintegrityknight
servingasthedeputyheadfortheHumanEmpireDefenseArmy.
Jyariin!!
Thechorusofswordsslippingfromtheirscabbardsrangthroughthevalley.Theirwatch
fires,whosenumbersweresuppressed,imbuedtheirsteelbladeswitharedgleam.
AthunderousnoisefinallyapproachedfrombeyondthecollapsedGreatEastGatewiththeground
practicallyrumblingfromit.
Thegoblinsshortpace.Theorcstepidpace.Thegiantsfootsteps,whichsoundedlikehammers
slammedintotheground,mixedinandoverlappedatoptheirwarcries.Thehowlofthemassive
beastknownaswaryetunknowntoallhumans.
Ittookeverythingtheyhadforthemerethreehundredguardslinedupindefensivelinestwohundred
melfromtheGreatGatetostandtheirground.Itwouldnothavebeenstrangefortheirfilesto
collapsebeforeevencrossingswordsonceandtoscatterinconfusion.Thiswasthefirstexperience
allofthoseguardshadinabattlewiththeirlivesatstake,letalonewithwar.
Whatkeptthemstandingattheirpostwerethebacksofthreeintegrityknightsstandingalonein
intervalsatthefrontmostline.
InchargeofholdingtheleftflankwastheFrostScaleWhip,EldrieSynthesisThirtyone.
InthemiddlewastheHeavenPiercingSwordwhoalsoservedastheforcescommander,Fanatio
SynthesisTwo.

AndtherightflankwasprotectedbytheConflagrantFlameBow,DeusolbertSynthesisSeven.
Thethreeknightscladinfullbodyarmorwhichwouldglitterbeautifullyeveninthedepthsof
darknessstoodfirmlyonthegroundwitheachoftheirtwofeetandawaitedtheenemytroops
withoutevenatwitch.
Fearandfrightwerepresentevenwithintheknightschests.Theymighthaveexperienceinreal
battlesunliketheguards,butmostofthosewerenomorethanonetoonecombatwithdarkknights.
Noonehadexperiencedfightingagainstaforcethismassive:notDeputyKnightCommander
Fanatio,notevenIntegrityKnightCommanderBercouliSynthesisOnewhocommandedthesecond
unitintherear.
Totopthingsoff,theruleroftheHumanEmpire,thehighestministeroftheAxiomChurch,
Administrator,wasnomore.
Theabsolutejusticethatservedasthesymbolofthechurch,too,hadlonggonemissing.
Theknightsstoodonthisbattleground,trustingintheironelastbelief.Ironicallyenough,itwasone
particularemotionthatshouldhavebeendestroyedthroughtheSynthesisRitualonceperformed
onthem.

DeusolbertSynthesisSevenawaitedtheenemyarmywithhischestboldlypuffedupwhilegently
strokingtheagedringfittedontheringfingerofhislefthand,holdingontotheConflagrantFlame
Bow,withhisrighthandfingers.
Rankingamongtheoldestintegrityknights,hehadprotectedtheorderintheHumanEmpires
northernregionforoverahundredyears.

HedroveawayinvadersfromtheDarkTerritoryintheirattemptstocrossthemountainrangeatthe
edge,exterminatedlargemagicalbeastswithinhisbaseofoperations,andoccasionallytookin
criminalswhocommittedtaboos.Hehadceasedthinkingaboutthereasonsforhisresponsibilities
sincelongago.BelievingwithoutdoubtthathewasaknightsummonedfromtheCelestialWorld,he
heldnotevenadropofinterestintheactivitiesofthehumanslivingonthesurface.
WhatconfusedDeusolbertattimeswerethosemysteriousdreamsthatwouldpayhimavisitat
daybreakwithoutfail.
Asmallhandsopaleitseemedseethrough.Thelightshiningfromasimplesilverringonitsring
finger.
Thathandwouldstrokehishair,touchhischeeks,andsoftlyshakehisshoulders.
Hewouldhearagentlewhisper.
Wakeup,dear.Itsmorning
Deusolberttoldnooneaboutthosedreams.HethoughttheChiefElderwoulderasethemwithhis
artsuponhearingofthem.Hedidnotwanttolosethosedreams.Afterall,theringshiningonthat
smallhandinhisdreamshadthesamedesignastheonehehadonhisleftringfingersincehewoke
upasaknight.
WerethosememoriesfromtheCelestialWorld?Ifhefulfilledhismissionasaknightinthislower
realmandgainedpermissiontoreturnabove,couldhemeetwiththeownerofthathandandvoice
oncemore?
Deusolberthidthatquestionorhopedeepinhisheartforthelongesttime.
However,somethinghappenedduringthatsevereshocksentthroughouttheCentralCathedralhalfa
yearago.

Deusolbert,whofoughtwiththetwoyouthsrebellingagainstthechurch,lostdespiteresortingtohis
armamentfullcontrolart.Theblackhairedyouth,whobrokethroughtheConflagrantFlameBow
withaswordtechniquehewitnessedforthefirsttime,spokeofsomethinghefoundhardtobelieve.
TheintegrityknightswerenotsummonedfromtheCelestialWorld.Theyweremerecommonfolk
bornintheHumanEmpire,trainedtobecomeknightswiththeirmemoriessealed.
Thehighestminister,Administrator,thesupremegood,theabsoluteorder,andpersonificationof
perfectjusticecouldnotpossiblybeinvolvedindeceivingalloftheknights.However,thoseyouths
repelledDeputyKnightCommanderFanatio,KnightCommanderBercouli,andChiefElder
Chudelkin,reachedthetopflooroftheCentralCathedral,anddefeatedevenAdministratorherself.A
partyofmererebelscouldnotholdsuchmightintheirswords.
Hefranklyknewfromthestart,eversincehefirstfoughtthem.Theirstraightswordstrokes
possessednotevenatraceoffalsehoodordeception.
Thatthenmeanttheownerofthatsmallhandinhisdreams,too,wasnotfromtheCelestialWorld
butahumanbornonthesurface.
Deusolbertdidsomethingforthefirsttimesincehebecameaknightthemomentherealizedthat
truth.Heembracedtheringonhislefthandtohischestastearsflowedfromhistwoeyes.
Afterall,unliketheintegrityknights,thelivesofthepeopleintheHumanEmpirewereextinguished
withinseventyyearsatmost.Inotherwords,Deusolbertunderstoodhewouldnevermeetagainthe
onewhocalledhim,dear.
Yetstill,herespondedtoKnightCommanderBercoulispleaandadvancedontowherethedecisive
battlewouldtakeplace.

Toprotecttheworldwherehelivedwiththeownerofthatsmallhand,regardlessofhowfarinthe
pastitwas.
Thatwastosay,whatgaveIntegrityKnightDeusolbertSynthesisSeventhestrengthtostandhis
groundwithoutbudgingbeforethegreatforcefromthelandofdarknesswasthestrengthfromthat
oneemotionheshouldhavegottenridoflove.
Andunknowntohim,KnightFanatioandKnightEldrie,too,stoodtheretofightalongsidehimfor
theirrespectivelovedones.
Deusolbertseparatedhisrighthandfromtheringandgraspedfoursteelarrowsatoncefromthe
giganticquiversetonthegroundbyhisside.
Hearrangedthemcarefullyontohisdivineinstrument,theConflagrantFlameBow,thathewielded
horizontally.
Hewasnearlydonewiththeincantationforhisarmamentfullcontrolart.FanatioandEldriewould
stillrestrainfromdoingso,butDeusolbertssecrettechniquecouldnotdisplayitsmightwhenit
becamearuckus.WiththeresolvetoexpendhalfofhisbelovedbowsLife,theintegrityknight
suckedinadeepbreathandutteredthefinalphrase.

Enhancearmament!

Crimson.
Thehumongousflamesfromthegreatcopperbowdyedtheinvaderswhoreachedtwohundredmel
awayinabrilliantred.
Thefourarrowsnockedonthebowstringshonetoo,immersedwithindeepcrimsonflames.

IamIntegrityKnightDeusolbertSynthesisSeven!Allwhostandbeforeme,youshallburnaway,
leavingnotevenyourbones!!
Thoughitdidnotremainwithinhisownmemories,heoncenamedhimselfsimilarlywhentakingin
asinglegirlfromasmallvillageinthenorthernregioneightyearsago.However,withhisthicksteel
masknowremoved,hisvoicerangout,accentuatedandsonorous.
Theknightsfingersreleasedthetautbowstringdrawntoitslimit.
Zudoo!!
Fourstreaksofflamesshotforthinaradialformationwiththatroar.

ThefirstvictimsofwhatwouldbelaterknownastheWaroftheUnderworldweretheplains
goblinsoldierswhochargedinfromtheleftsideofthevalley.
Thenewchiefoftheplainsgoblins,Shibori,hadneitherwisdomnorschemesonthelevelofthe
mountaingoblinsnewchief,Kosogi,andwasayouthwhocouldboastonlyabouthisconstitution
andstrength.Assuch,hewentupagainstanintegrityknight,possessingoverwhelmingmighteven
whenalone,absolutelyunpreparedandsimplyorderedhisfivethousandsoldiersintoatactless
charge.
Deusolbertsfourflamearrowspiercedintothetightlypackedplainsgoblinarmyfromthefront,
achievingtheirmaximumpotential.Awholefortytwoinfantrygoblinswereinstantlyincineratedin
thatfirststrikeandsentthesurroundingsoldiersintoafinedisarray.However,astheirchargewas
undisciplinedfromtheverystart,mostofthemachetewieldingsoldiersthirstingforbloodtreadover
theirtorchedkindredandcontinuedtheirdisorderedrush,pushingtheirfalteringcomradesaside.
DeusolbertnockedanotherfourarrowsontohisConflagrantFlameBowinresponse.
Insteadofspreadingouthisrange,heshotthemwhilestillbundledup.

Thegrand,conflagrantspearimpacteduponthedirectmiddleoftheirranksandbroughtfortha
tremendousexplosion.Manysoldierswereblownawayamidstthescatteredshrillscreams.The
casualtiesexceededfifty,butstill,theplainsgoblinschargedon.
Naturally,theywould.Twothousandorcsandathousandgiantsfollowedafterthetwogoblinraces
whokeptpacewitheachotherandstoppingwouldbeequivalenttogettingstompeduponbythem,
severaltimestheirsize,momentsafter.
Whiletheplainsgoblinslackedatangibleplanlikethenewchiefofthemountaingoblins,Kosogi,
theyheldangerandresentmentagainstthescornandoppressiontheyfacedastheweakestrace.And
thatemotionwasredirectedtowardstheirhatredtowardsthepeopleoftheHumanEmpire,who
wouldeventuallybecomeslavesunderthem,namedwhiteiumsintheirtongue.
Raisingthebrusquebattleaxeheheldwithhistwoarms,farmoremuscularthantheaveragegoblin,
ChiefShiboriletoutasavagescream.
Allofyou!Killthatarcherfirst!Surroundhim,cuthim,smashhim!!
Orarara!!Kill!!Kill!!Kill!!
Thatbattlecryresoundedthroughoutthefivethousandsoldiers.

Deusolberttookontheimposingangerandbloodthirstwithoutawordasheletloosehisthirdvolley
offirearrows.Thenumberofgoblinscharredtocindersexceededfiftyyetagain,buttheenemy
forceschargedon.
HestoredawaytheConflagrantFlameBowsflamesasthedistancebetweenthemreachedfiftymel
andswitchedovertonormalshooting.Takingsteelarrowsoutfromthequiverataferociouspace,he

firedblindlywithoutanyparticulartarget.Eacharrowpiercedthroughthreegoblins,ortwoatthe
veryminimum.
GuardsranforwardfromDeusolbertssideswiththeirswordsdrawn.
ProtectMasterKnight!Dontlettheirbladesreachhim!!
Theonewhoyelledthatwasayoungguardcommanderstillattheageoftwentyorso.Heputthe
large,twohandedsword,withwhichhehadwentthroughintensivetraining,beforehimself.
However,itsedgetrembled,justalittle.
Deusolbertthoughttoaskthemtoretreatandtonotoverextend.Heheldnoconfidencethatthe
youngguardscouldendurearealbattleawashwithbloodyet,insprit,intechnique,andinbody,
despiteexperiencingtheknightsstrictguidance.
However,hesuckedhisbreathinbeforegivingadeepshoutinstead.
Myapologies.Illleavetheleftandrighttoyou.
Leaveittous!!
Theguardcommandershowedadistinctgrin.
Secondspassed.
Andtheshrillnoisemadewhentheplainsgoblinsoldiersmachetescollidedwiththelongswordsof
theinterceptingguardsrangoutforthefirsttime.

***

Severalsecondsbeforethat.
Inthemiddleofthegorge,DeputyKnightCommanderFanatioSynthesisTwowasawaitingthe
enemyarmyinaposturethatcouldbeconsideredonlyoddbythecommonknowledgeinthisworld.
Shewasstandingwithherfeetfarapartandtheleftofherbodyforward.Herrighthand,alignedto
hershouldersheight,wasgrippingtightlyontothehiltofherdivineinstrument,theHeavenPiercing
Sword.However,herswordwasheldhorizontallyinareversegripwithitsbottomendsupportedby
herspaulder.
Meanwhile,herlefthandwasstretchedoutforward,herpalmsupportingtheHeavenPiercing
Swordsblade.IfGabrielorVassagoweretowitnessthisscene,theywouldlikelycometothesame
thought.Simplysaidshewaslikeasniperwitharifleattheready.
Thatcouldbesaidtobetrueinasense.Fanatiodrewtherushingenemyarmyinforaslongas
possiblewhilescoutingoutthemosteffectivepoint.
ThoughDeusolbertsConflagrantFlameBowcouldadjustthebroadnessofitsarrowfiring,the
HeavenPiercingSwordcouldonlyshootasinglenarrowbeamoflight.Assuch,navelyfiringitinto
themassiveenemyarmywouldhardlydomuch.
SheshouldaimforthecommandersomewherewithintheenemyarmyanyoftheDarkEmpires
TenLords.
TheDarkTerritoryleditsforcesthroughpowerandfear.Theaveragesoldierspledgedabsolute
obediencetowardstheircommandersandtheywouldfightonuntiltheirendasorderedregardlessof
anydevelopment.Butturningthataround,itmeanttheywouldloseallleadershipwiththedefeatof
theircommander.
We,too,wereonceso.

Fanatioembracedthatintense,fleetingthought.
Thenewsthatthehighestminister,Administrator,hadpassedawaybrokedowntheOrderofthe
IntegrityKnightsinasinglenight.ItwasBercouliswordsthatallowedtheknightsatthepeakof
chaostoregainthemselves.
Wasourmission,ourpurposetolive,toobeythehighestministerandchiefeldersorders?
No.WelivetoprotectthoselivingintheHumanEmpire.
Aslongaswehavetheintenttoprotect,wewillremainknightsuntilweperish.
Inreality,notalloftheintegrityknightshadunderstoodandabidedbytheknightcommander.The
knightsassembledonthisbattlefieldnumberedlessthantwenty.
However,theyallheldthewilltofightuntilthebitterendeveniftheyaloneremained.Thesame
likelywentforthefivethousandguardswhohastenedhere,thisplaceofdeath.Thatwasthedecisive
differencebetweentheDarkTerritoryforcesandthem.
Fanatiobroughtherbareface,strippedfromitssilvermask,towardshercherishedswordsguardand
caughtfirmlyontotheenemyarmywithherwidenedeyes.
Thegoblinunitcharginginasthegroundrumbledwasalreadynarrowingthedistancebetweenthem
toahundredmel.Deusolberthadstartedhisassaultfromherrightwithhisarmamentfullcontrolart
andexplosivesflameslitupthetwilightinredtwiceorthrice.
Itwasinthatbriefradiance
ThatFanatiofinallyfoundhertarget.
Hugeshadowsinthemiddlechasedafterthegoblinforcesintheadvancepartyasthoughurging
themon.Theywerethegiants,boastingbodiesseveraltimesthesizeofhumans.Theoneleading

themhadatremendousframeaheadtallerthantheresthewasunmistakablySigrosig,oneofthe
TenLords,achiefshehadcaughtsightofoncebefore.
Thegiantswereaproud,orperhapsterriblyhaughty,race.Theymeasuredsuperioritybasedonlyby
thesizeoftheirbodies,anditseemedthatinside,theylookeddownevenonthetruerulersofthe
landofdarkness,thedarkskinnedhumans.
Thatmeanttakingdownthetribesleaderwithasinglestrikebeforethewartrulybeganwouldcause
agreatdisturbanceindeed.
Fanatiotookinadeepbreath,heldit,andwhispered.

Enhancearmament.

Whitelight,brightasSolus,engulfedtheHeavenPiercingSwordsbladeasalownoisevibrated.
Sheaccuratelyseized,withthepathitskeenedgetraced,Sigrosigwhoraninfromthatdistantpoint
andshoutedoutsharply.
Piercethroughlight!!
Zubaaaa!!
TheairshookasadazzlingheatrayconvergedfromthemightofSoluspenetrated
throughthebattlefield.


***

Itbegan
IntegrityKnightRenriSynthesisTwentysevenlistenedtothecontinuingsoundsofexplosionsfrom
farawaywhilemurmuringsowithasigh.
RenriwasoneofthesevenhighrankingknightschargedwiththedutyofdefendingtheHuman
Empire.Inotherwords,hecouldbesaidtopersonallyholdmorethanjustalittleofthedefense
armysentirewarability.
However,henowcrouched,hugginghisknees,notatthefrontoftheDefenseArmySecondUnits
leftflankwhereheoriginallywasbutfarbehind,inacornerofthedimtentusedforstoresand
provisions.
Hehadfled.
Afterrunningawayintheflusterseveraltensofminutesagoimmediatelybeforethebattlebegan,he
snuckintoanemptytentandhadbeensilencinghisbreathandprickinguphisearseversince.
Thereasonhebehavedsowasbasedinthatsamemotiveheparticipatedinthedefensearmyfor.
Afailure.
Judgedsobythehighestminister,Administrator,Renrihaddonenoworkofsignificanceasan
integrityknightandspentawholefiveyearsincryostasis.Despitethrowinghimselfontothis
battlefieldinordertooverturnthatdishonor,hehadlostagainsthisfearintheveryend.

Thoughthememorieshadbeenerasedfromhim,Renriwasonceayouthtermedasagenius
swordsman,unmatchedbyall,intheSouthacroithSouthEmpire.AdvancingtoCentralCapital
Centoriaattheyoungageofthirteen,hebrilliantlyachievedvictoryintheFourEmpiresUnity
Tournamentthefollowingyearandwaspromotedtoanintegrityknight.
EvenafterlosingallofhismemoriesuntilthenduetotheSynthesisRitualandawakeningasa
knight,hedisplayedaweinspiringtalentwiththesword.Climbinguptherankstobecomeahigh
rankingknightatanexceptionalspeed,hewaspersonallygrantedadivineinstrumentbythehighest
minister.
ThetreasureddivineinstrumentsintheCentralCathedralwerenotbestowedbythehighest
ministersortheknightswhims.Itwas,infact,theopposite,withthedivineinstrumentchoosingits
user.Viaacertainsortofresonancebetweentheknightssoulandthedivineinstrumentsmemories.
TheresonancebetweenRenriandhisdivineinstrument,apairofthrowingknives,theTwinEdged
Wings,wasstrongindeed.
However,unbelievably,hehadneverinvokedit.Hehadneverinvokedtheproofofthehighranking
knights,thearmamentfullcontrolart,evenonce.
ThatwassufficientforthehighestministertoloseherinterestinRenri.WithAliceSynthesisThirty
becominganintegrityknightafterhim,hismeaningofexistencewaspushedfurtherintoobscuration
inlightofheroverwhelmingtalent.
ItwouldhavebeenunfairtolaythatblameonRenri.Afterall,Alicestalentpropelledherstraightup
tothethirdpositionintheknightorderandwasworthyofthestrongestandoldestdivineinstrument,
theFragrantOliveSword.Still,Renriwasbrandedasafailureinrealityandforcedintoalong
slumber.

Themomenthewasturnedintoanicesculpturebythechiefelders
deepfreeze
art,whatcame
intohismindwasacrushingsenseoflacking.
HelackedsomethingimportanttohimselfthatwaswhyhecouldnotcontroltheTwinEdged
Wingsdespitetheirresonance.
Renriwokeonceagainafteralongtimehadpassed.
ItwasexactlyamidstthatrebellionincidentthatmadetheCentralCathedraltremor.Withthe
residentknightsdefeated,includingevenKnightCommanderBercouli,andthefateofAlice,their
trumpcard,unclear,ChiefElderChudelkinfounditfittohavehimthawed.
However,Renrididnotfulfilhisdutythistimeaswell.ChudelkinandHighestMinister
Administratorfellbeforehefullyawakenedandallhiseyescaught,uponhimregaininghis
movement,wastheOrderoftheIntegrityKnightsinastateofutmostdisorder.
Therequesttoparticipateinthefutilemissiontofaceoffagainstthelargescaleinvasionfromthe
landofdarknesscamefromBercouli,whoassumedcommand,inthehighestministersstead.
Renrifeltthehighrankingknightswhoresponded,suchasFanatio,Deusolbert,orAlice,shoneall
thebrighterdespitehavingexperienceddefeat.
Hethoughthemightunderstandifhewentwiththem.Hethoughthemightunderstandwhathe
lacked.Whyhisdivineinstrumentwouldnotanswertohim.
Coweringinthecornerofthathall,Renritimidlystoodupandraisedhishand.Bercouliplacedhis
largehandonRenrisshoulderwithafirmnodandsaidonlyasinglelinetohim.Thathewouldbe
countingonhim.
Despitethat.

Thepressurehefeltinhisfirstbattlefield,orhisfirstactualbattle,rather,surpassedwhatheexpected
byfar.Thebloodthirstandlustofthescramblingforcesofdarknessseparatedbyawholethousand
melsurgedtowardshimasascorchedstenchofsteelandRenrifledbeforeheknewit.
Stand.Ihavetoreturntomypost.IfIdontfightnow,Iwillremainafailureforever.
Hemusthaverebukedhimselfso,timeandtimeagain,inthetenthehadsnuckinto.
However,heavytremorsandferociouswarcriesreportedthestartofthebattlewhilehistwohands
stillremainedwrappedabouthisknees.
Itstarted
Renrimurmuredoncemore.
Thepairofthrowingknivesequippedonbothsidesofhiswaistseemedtowaverasthough
condemningtheirmaster.
Buthecouldnotreturnnow.Whatexpressioncouldhemaketostandbeforetheknightcommander
andthoseguardswhohadplacedtheirtrustinhimonceagain?
NothingwillchangeevenifImthere.Ahighrankingknightincapableofthearmamentfull
controlartwouldjustbeabotherinstead.
Thoughtsthatsoundedlikeexcuseswentthroughhismindandheburiedhisfacedeeperinbetween
hisknees.
ItwasthenthatasoftvoicereachedRenrifromthetentsentrance,sendingajoltthroughhisentire
body.
Tiez,howabouthere?

Renricoweredwithfright,utterlyunlikeaknight,wonderingiftheyweresearchingforhim,but
heardanothervoiceimmediatelyafter.Bothvoicesseemtobelongtoyounggirls.
Yes,thistentlookslikeitlldo,Ronye.Letshidesenpaiinhereandguardtheentrance.

***

Thegiantschief,Sigrosig,wasalegendarywarriorwithabronzebeardandunkempthair,abrawny
appearance,andastaturethesizeofahillcoveredalloverwithcountlessgashes.
They,thegiants,weretheveryoneswiththepurestinterpretationoftheDarkTerritorysonlylaw,
thestrongshallrule.Witheachofthemsievedthrougheverypossiblemeansofcomparingtheir
might,skill,andgutsforasfarastheycouldremember,theirhierarchywasdecidedinamanner
stricterthantheOrderoftheDarkKnights.Thoughthegiantsdomainswerethehighplainsinthe
westregionoftheDarkTerritory,thevariouskindsoflargeanimalsandmagicalbeaststhatoughtto
bespawningthereinabundancewereconstantlydepleted.Thegiantshadthoroughlyhuntedthem
downastargetsfortheirritesofpassage.
Whydidtheygothatfarintheirpursuitforstrength?
Iftheyhadnot,theirsouls,theirfluctlights,wouldbreak.
ThefourdemihumanracesintheDarkTerritorywereterriblywarpedexistences,withthesoul
prototypeconfinedwithinfleshnotthatofhumans.Amentalsafetywasnecessaryinordertoguard
againstthebreakdownofonespsyche.
Forexample,thegoblinsanchorthemselvesbyconvertingtheinferioritycomplextowardshumans,
bornfromtheirsmallstature,intothestrengthoftheirresentmentandhatred.

Thegiants,ontheotherhand,holdbackthedistortionofthembeinghumanyetnotthrough
developingasuperioritycomplexoverhumans.
Eachandeverygiantwouldneverloseagainstahumaninoneversusonecombatatleast.That
servedasthefoundationsoftheirmentality,anabsoluterule.Thatwasespeciallywhytheyimposed
suchexcessiveritesofpassageontheiryouth,pullingupeachindividualspriorityevenifitmeant
reducingtheirracesnumbers.
Assuch
Thethousandgiantwarriorscalledtothisbattlefield,contrarytotheirtaciturnnature,seethedwithan
intensewilltofight.Tothem,bornintothetimesaftertheancientageofbloodandiron,this
wouldbethefirstlargescalebattletheyexperience.
Theraceschief,Sigrosig,thoughtinallseriousness.
Thattheywouldmassacretheentireenemyarmywiththeinitialchargeandendthewar.
TheywouldgrantnochancetostepforwardtothosedeterminedbyEmperorVectorasthearmys
mainforce:theOrderoftheDarkKnights,theDarkArtsUsersGuild,andthePugilistsGuild.By
attainingvictorywithoutthem,thegiantswouldbevalidatedasthetrulysuperiorrace.
Whentheslaveskullgiventohimrattleditsjaw,resoundingtheemperorsordertocharge,Sigrosig
felttheoldscarscarvedalloverhisbodyriseinheat.Hethoughtitproofthatmightofthose
innumerablelargemagicalbeastshehadtornapartwithhisbarehandshadtransferredintohim.
Tramplethem!!
Histhunderingcommandconsistedofasingleline.

Thatwasenough.Swingingupthegiganticwarhammerinhisrighthandandmakingtheground
tremblealongsidethereliable,bravewarriorsaroundhim,Sigrosigbeganhisassault.
ThesoldiersoftheHumanEmpirewerepackedtightlyintothevalleyinfront.
Tothethreeandahalfmeltallgiants,theywereweaklingsnotmuchdifferentfromthegoblins.The
swordstheywearweresmallerthaneventheteethofanewbornrockscaledragon.
Theywouldcrush,punt,andtearaparteverylastoneofthem.
ThecircuitcarryingSigrosigssuperioritycomplexgrewredhotandscatteredsparksofpleasure.His
rectangularchinwarpedandexposedabrutalsmile.
Inthatmoment.
Aforeignsensationthatwas,however,notallunfamiliarranuphisspine.
Cold.Numbing.Likebeingpiercedthroughwithneedlesofice.
Hehadtastedthissensationalong,longtimeago.IntheFledgingValleynotfarfromhisvillage.
Hisfirsttrial.Whenhewenttostealsnappingbirdseggs,inthatmomentthemotherswoopeddown
fromabove
Sigrosigcontinuedhischargeevenashewidenedhistwoeyesandsearchedfortheoriginofthat
sensation.
Hesawasmall,smallhumanatthefrontoftheHumanEmpireranks,intheexactmiddleofthe
gorge.Longhairwithaslenderbody.Afemaleaknightadornedinglisteningsilverarmor.
HesawadragonknightoftheHumanEmpiresoaringbeyondthemountainrangeattheedgejust
oncebefore.Hehadthoughttocrushthatknightuponlanding,buttheknightflewawayintothe
mountainrangeaftercirclingtwo,threetimesinthesky.

Thatbunchwasworthless.
Nonetheless.Inthatfemaleknightsblackeyes.
Sigrosigvividlyfeltthegazefromtheknightdespitetheirdistanceapartexceedingthreehundred
mel.Thefearorfright,whichshouldhavebeenpresent,weremissing,makinguplessthanevena
speckofsaltwouldafterfallinginalargekettleofhotwater.
Instead,ithadthecoolnessofascertainingandtargetingonesprey.
Hunt,him?
Tohunthim,Sigrosig,thegiantschiefandthus,themightiestwarrioramongtheDarkEmpiresfive
races?
Hgg
Ashrillshriek,unsuitedtohisgrimexpression,leakedoutfromthedepthsofhisthroat.
Strengthlefthistwolegsandthelargehammerinhisrighthandgrewterriblyheavy.Sigrosigs
posturecrumbledashestumbledover.
Aninstant.
Zubaaa!!
Arayofdazzlinglightshotoutfromtheswordthefemaleknightproppedupwiththat
buzzunlikeanysoundhehadheardbefore.Itstabbedthroughtherightsideofthechestofthegiant
runningrightinfrontofSigrosigwithoutanyresistance.
IfSigrosighadnottumbled,thatlightwouldhaveblownawayhisheartnext.
Instead,thewhitelightvaporizedpartofthegiantchiefsdisheveledredhairandhisrightear
decoratedwithhispreysteeth.

Piercingthroughanothertwoofhisalliesrunningbehind,itdissipatedintospecksoflight,leaving
behindthosefatalwounds.
SigrosigsconsciousnesscouldhardlyregisterthethreegiantswholostalloftheirLifeinaninstant
andfelllikelogs.Eventheintensepainburningattherightofhisheadwasstabbedlikesometiny
insectbeforethehumongousemotionassaultinghim.
Thatwas,inshort,terror.
Sigrosigshamefullycontinuedsittingonhisbacksideashisjawchatteredinhistrembling.
EvenwhenhewitnessedtheupheavalduringDarkGeneralShastasrebellion,whilehewas
surprised,therewasnofear.TheonesShastakilledafterturningintothatblacktornadowereno
morethanafeebleassassinandthosegoblins.ThoughhehadtoadmitEmperorVectorspower,he
hadnoissuethereashewasnohumanbutagodofold.
Yetwhyhadthatmerefemaleknightinspiredsuchfrightinhimself?
Sigrosigcouldhardlybeartobeparalyzedinfearfromamerehumanashisopponent.
NoNo,no,no
Smokerosefromhisburnthairasthegiantchiefmoaned.
Impossible.Hecouldnotbefrightened.Whitefireworksshotoffdeepinhismindasintensepainran
throughittheharderhefretted.Hismouthandtongueconvulsedrapidly,spewingoutuninterrupted
wordsthatcameoutasstrangenoises.
Nononono,kill,kill,killkellkeldell,delldelldelldelldeldel.

Inthisinstant,thecoretheselfimageofhimselfasthestrongestrootedfirmlyinthemiddleof
Sigrosigsfluctlightalongwiththissituationwherehewasparalyzedinfearinducedunavoidable
conflicts,bringingonthecollapseoflightquantumcircuitswithinhislightcube.
Thegiantstwoeyesreleasedcrimsonlight.
Dell,dell,de
Whilethewarriorsofthegiantracewatchedoninshockfromallaround,Sigrosigsprangupwith
force.
Swingingabouthisgiganticwarhammerasthoughitwasatinytwig,herestartedhischargewith
tremendousvigor.
Sendingthoseofthesameraceinfrontflyingtotheleftandright,hecaughtupwiththevanguard
goblinforcebeforelong.Moistnoisesandshrillscreamscontinuouslywelledupfromhisfeetupon
himpushingonwithoutanyattempttoletdownonhismomentum,butthegiantnolongerperceived
thosewithhisconsciousnessbreakingapart.
Thecommandtokillthatfemaleknightaloneresoundedthroughthecoreofhisheadlikeabroken
bell.

***

Intheend,thechiefsoftheplainsgoblinsandofthegiantsunderestimatedtheexistencesknownas
integrityknights.

However,thechiefofthemountaingoblins,Kosogi,wholedtheinvadingarmysvanguardsright
flankwasdifferent.Hehadpaidahighpricetostudythetremendousmilitarymighttheintegrity
knightspossessednotlongago.
Theexcavationoftheburiedcaveatthenorthernendofthemountainrangeattheedgeandthe
invasionofRulidVillage,bythatlargeforceofgoblinsandorcs,wereplannedbyKosogi.Though
hestayedputatObsidiaPalacehimself,hehadgrantedtroopstothreeofhisbrotherswhomhe
sharedbloodwith,instigatedthoseoftheorcrace,andcarriedouttheinvasionstrategy.
However,itendedasatragedy.Thefewsoldierswhobarelyescapedaliveunanimouslycriedout
unbelievablestoriesinfrontofKosogiwhowasastonishedovertheinformationthattheforcewas
utterlyannihilated,hisbrotherskilledinbattle.
Accordingtothem,thejointinvasionforceofovertwohundredgoblinsandorcsweremadetoflee
byasinglehumanknightandaflyingdragon.
Howeverhardhefoundthattobelieve,Kosogiwasnofooltoabandonfornothingalessonlearntat
thecostofmanysacrifices.Hedecidedtoneveragaincommitthefoolishnessofchallengingthe
integrityknightsoftheHumanEmpiretoafrontalassault.
However,inthisparticularmajorinvasion,theroleorderedofthemountaingoblinsbyEmperor
Vectorwaspreciselythat.
Thedarkartsuserschief,D.I.L.mustbewellawareofthosedreadfulintegrityknights.Thatwould
beexactlywhysheofferedthisstrategyuptotheemperor.Touseupthegoblins,orcs,andgiants
andcreateadisorderedmeleeinthevalleybeforereducingthemalltoashesalongwiththeintegrity
knights.

TheycouldonlyobeywhiletheemperorapprovedofD.splan.Kosogirackedhisbrainsoverthree
daysandnights.Howcouldhecarryouttheorderforatactlesschargewhileescapingfromthejaws
ofdeathformedbytheintegrityknightsinfrontandthedarkartsusersbehind.
Theintelligentschemehefinallyworkedouttooktheformofthosesmallgreyballsdistributedtohis
subordinates.
Havingchargedoverthevalleythemomenttheemperorissuedhisorder,Kosogidiscoveredatall
integrityknightcladinglitteringarmorfarinfront.
ThoughthatwasnotAliceSynthesisThirtywhodestroyedtheinvasionforceinRulidVillagebut
herdisciple,EldrieSynthesisThirtyone,Kosogicouldnotdistinguishbetweenthem.Eitherway,
theyweredemonsscatteringdeathwithoutmercytothegoblinrace.
Rightthrowthem!!
Kosogiissuedanewcommandthemomenttheyarrivedfiftymelfromtheknights.
Atthesametime,hecrushedfirmlythesmallballheldinhisownlefthand.
Smallflamesleakedoutfromthecrackedballwithcracklingnoises.Ofcourse,itwasnosortof
gunpowder.Underworld,asitcurrentlywas,hadnoobjectsonthatlevelofcivilization.
Simultaneously,itwasnothermalelementgeneratedbyarts.Insertedwithintheballsweresmall
beetlesknownasFirestarterBeetleswhichlivedsolelyatthevolcanoatthenorthernendofthe
landofdarkness,aholygroundforthemountaingoblins.Theywouldscatterblazinghotflamesand
burnoneshandsifcrushedonaccident.
Thegreyballenvelopingthefirestarterbeetleswerefromthenorthaswell,itwasformedbydrying
akindofmossoutinthesun,kneadingthepowdermade,anddryingitoncemore.Asitletouta
largequantityofsmokeonceignited,itwasoriginallyusedasasignal.However,throughthe

techniqueofconcentratingliketheAssassinsGuild,Kosogihadamplifiedtheobjectseffectbytens
oftimes.
Asaresult
ThemossballsthrownbyKosogiandhissubordinatesasonebecamewhatcouldbeconsideredas
impressivesmokegrenades.Ignitedbythefirestarterbeetles,theballsspewedoutdensesmokethat
hidawayevenonesownnoseandshroudedtheentirenorthernhalfofthevalleystretchingouteast
andwest.
Noteventhegoblinswiththeirexcellentnightvisioncouldfightproperlywithinthissmoke.
However,Kosogisschemewasnottodefeattheenemiesbyslippingintothesmoke.Immediately
beforedivingintothedensesmokescreen,heshoutedouthisthirdcommand.
Allofyou,ruuuunn!!
Returningthemountainknifetohisbackatonce,helandedbothhandsontotheground.Withtheir
smallstatures,goblinsreachednohigherthanhumanskneeswhenscramblingonallfours.The
smokewasfaintclosertothegroundwiththeenemysoldierspositionsbarelyvisible.
ThefivethousandmountaingoblinsoldierswithKosogi,theirchief,completelyignoredEldrieand
theguardsandslippedpast,runningonfartherintothevalley.
Theemperorsordersweremerelytochargeintotheenemyarmy.Itdidnotspecifywhichpartto
target.Kosogisetupaplantopassbytheenemysmainforce,especiallytheintegrityknights,
withoutengagingthemandtoassailtheirreinforcementunitsbehind.
Bysneakinginbeyondthefrontlines,theywouldavoidthecombinedattackfromthedarkartsusers
andorcarchersthatwouldeventuallyraindownfrombehind.Theywouldreturnaboutandfinishoff

theintegrityknightsandguardsaftertheflamesandarrowsdealthemadevastatingblow,orsimply
fleeoffintotheendlessHumanEmpireotherwise.
Thus,amongthethreeopeningsofhostilitiesinthehundredmelwidevalley,thenorthsidealone
advancedwithoutbloodshed.
JustaboutasthesecondunitofguardsintheHumanEmpireDefenseArmystationedbehindEldrie
finallynoticedthedisappearanceofthehighrankingintegrityknightcommandingthem,Renri
SynthesisTwentyseven.

***

ThefirstcasualtyfromtheDefenseArmywastheelderlyguardstrugglingbyDeusolberts
immediatesideattherightflankofwherethefirstunithelddownthefrontline.
Hedidnotmanagetostopthehandaxesthrownbythegoblinswithhisshield.
HewasalowernoblethathadlongcommandedaplatoonintheWesdarathWestEmpiresimperial
guards.Thoughhecertainlyhadskillwiththesword,hecouldnothelpbuttoapproachthe
undisputabledescentofhisLifeandtheaxethatdugdeepintohiswrinkledneckdealthima
completelyfatalwound.Noteventhehealingartshurriedlyrecitedbytheasceticspartyonstandby
behindcouldmakeupforthatdamage.
Deusolberthadpausedhisrandomfiringimmediatelyandperformedahighrankinghealingarton
thefallenoldguard.However,theguardshookhisheadandshoutedoutwhilevehementlyvomiting
blood.

Youmustnot!!Thisis,truly,thisoldmanssacredtaskandLifeesteemedknight,Itrustyou
withourhome
Amomentlater,theoldguardpassedawaywithwhatwasleftofhislifeforcereleasedasspace
resources.
Deusolbertbitdownhardandshotatthegoblinwhohadhurledthathandaxewiththeblazefromthe
ConflagrantFlameBowpoweredbytheoldguardslife.

TheguardsoftheDefenseArmycontinuedfallingafterthat,too,sporadicallyyetwithoutend.Tens
ofthosenumbersamongthedemihumanslosttheirlivesaswell,obeyingthecommandfortheir
ruthlesschargetotheveryend.
MuchofthefloodofLiferesourcesdispersedthroughoutthebattlefieldroseasspecksoflight
Far,intotheskiesabovethegorge.
Whereasingleflyingdragonhoveredunderthecoverofnight.
Spiralingastheycoalescedtowardstheintegrityknight,cladingoldenarmor,standingatopitsback.

***

Hehadneitherthetimenorspacetohidehimself.
Renricurleduphisbackwithinthedarknessinacornerofthesuppliestentandawaitedthe
approachingsilhouettewithhisarmsaroundhisknees.

Theroundholeforsunlightfaintlyshoneupongirlswhoseemedtobefifteenorsixteenyearsold.
Onehadvividredhairwhiletheothershairwasadeepbrown.Theyworelightarmorabovethe
greytunicandskirtthatappearedpartofsomeacademysuniform.Slender,straightswordshungat
theleftoftheirwaists.Heheldnorecollectionoftheirfaces,buttheywerelikelyguardsfromthe
commonfolkratherthanknights,judgingfromtheirequipmentgrade.
Whatseemedoutofplacewasthemetallicchairpushedbythedarkbrownhairedgirl.A
blackhairedyouthsatuponthechair,furnishedwithfourwheelsinsteadoflegs,withhisheadhung
down.Renriseyesweredrawntowardshisface.
Approximatelytwenty?Notonlywashisframehorriblythin,hisrightarmwasalsomissingfrom
wherehisshoulderended.Hecouldonlyconsiderhimweakerthanthegirlsfromasingleglance.
However,Renriunderstoodatoncethatthetwolongswordsheldtightlybytheyoungmansleft
armcommandingtremendouspresencedespitetheirsheathsweredivineinstruments,possibly
rankedhigherthantheTwinEdgedWings.
Howcoulditbe?Evenifheignoredhowhewassanctionedtoownthose,itstillrequiredphysical
strengthonthelevelofintegrityknightstohavethemononeslaplikethat.However,theyouthwho
blanklystaredintospacecouldhardlypossesssuchstrength.
HethoughttothatpointbeforeitseemedthegirlsnoticedRenricoweringinthedarkness,freezing
upafterdrawingsharpbreaths.
Ittooksurprisinglylittletimebeforetheredhairedgirlreachedouttowardsherswordsgripwith
herrighthand.
Renrispokehoarselybeforeshedrew.
Imnotyourenemysorryforfrighteningyou.MindifIstand?Illshowyoumyhands.

Goon.
Waitinguntilthegirlstifflyresponded,Renrigentlyrose.Aftertakingone,twostepsforwardwith
bothhandsraised,theafterglowfromtheroofsholelituphisarmorofthehighestgradeanthe
divineinstrumentonbothsidesofhiswaist.Thegirlcurtlygulpedandstraightenedupinahurry.
Theirrighthandslefttheswordhandleandchair,andformedasignofrespectbeforetheirleft
breasts.
Esesteemedknight!Weareterriblysorry!
Renrishookhisheadandinterruptedtheredhairedgirlwhocontinuedherapologieswithapale
face.
Noitwasmyfaultforstartlingyou.Besides,Imnolongeranintegrityknight
Thoughthelatterhalfbarelyevenmadeitasawhisper,thegirlsblinkedwithpuzzledlooks.Their
confusioncameasnosurprise.Thewhitemantlehangingaroundhisbackandthecrossjoinedwitha
ring,theAxiomChurchscrest,shininginthemiddleofhisbreastplateservedasdefiniteproofofhis
statusasanintegrityknight.
Renriplacedhisrightfingersatthecrest,asthoughtohideitwhileexposingthetruthwithhis
twistedmouthinselfdepreciation.
Ileftmystationandfledearlier.Thefightinghadalreadybegunatthefrontmostline.Itmustbe
chaosattheunitundermycommandaboutnow.Theremustbecausalitiestoo.Anddespitethat,I
cantmovefromherehowcouldIbeconsideredaknight?
Hebitdownhardonhislipswhileglancingupwards.
Hesawhimselfinthewidelyopenedeyes,inthecolorsofautumn,belongingtotheredhairedgirl.

Greyhairhangingdownslightlyfromtheforehead.Thoseroundcheeks.Andtwofeminineeyes
withlonglashes,lackingallknightlyfortitudeAfailureofaknight,confinedeternallyatfifteen
yearsold.
Itwaswhenhequicklyavertedhiseyesfromthosefeatureshedespised.
Theredhairedgirlcoveredhermouthwithahandasthoughassailedbysomenewcausefor
surprise.
?
Renrifrownedinsuspicionbeforethegirlavertedhereyesthistimeandshookherheadslightly.
IImsorry.Its,nothing
Takingtheplaceoftheredhairedgirlwhocontinuedlookingdown,thegirlwithdarkbrownhair
whokeptsilentuntilnowsteppedforwardandstatedhernamewithafaintyetfirmvoice.
Weapologizefornotintroducingourselvesearlier.Webelongtothesupplyunit,IamNovice
TraineeRonyeArabelandthisisNoviceTraineeTiezShtolienen.AndthisisElite
SwordsmanintrainingKirito.
Kirito.
Renriletoutasoftvoicefromtheimmenseshockofhearingthatname.
Heknewhim.WashenotoneofthemeretworebelswhocutthroughtheCentralCathedralhalfa
yearago?HewastheveryonewhoRenriwasthawedtointercept,theonewhohemissedouton
engagingduetohislateawakening.
Thatmeantthisskinnyswordsmanwastheonewhodefeatedthehighestminister,Administrator?
Wasthatmissingrightarmarelicfrombattle?

Renridrewhisrightfootback,feelingapressurethathecoulddonothingaboutfromtheyouthwho
keptquietwithahollowexpression.Showingnosignshenoticedthatmovement,thesmallgirlwho
seemedtobenamedRonyecontinuedinatonetingedwithresolve.
ErmIhavenoopinionregardingyourcircumstances,esteemedknight.Whilewedobelongtothe
DefenseArmy,we,too,remainhereinthebackwithoutengagingatthefrontlines.Thatsaid,that
iscurrentlyourresponsibility.WearetaskedtoprotectthismanatallcostfromKnightAlice
Alice.AliceSynthesisThirty.
Theyoungprodigiousknight,astarkcontrastofRenrionallfronts.Sheshouldbepreparingforthe
DefenseArmyssecretplanevenatthecurrentmoment,alargescalearttohaltthefrontlinesonher
own.
AsthoughcorneringRenri,tormentedbyanemotionthatmadehimfeelevensmaller,Novice
TraineeArabeladdedtoherwordswithadesperatelook.
Esteemedknight,IdoapologizeifIamoversteppingmyboundsbutcouldyoupossiblylendusa
hand?Tobehonest,thetwoofuscanhardlyevendefeatasinglegoblin.Wemustwemustkeep
Kiritosenpaisafe!
RenrisquintedagainstthedazzlinglightinRonyeseyes.
Hethoughtitalightthatbelongedonlytothosewhohadcarvedtheirmissionontotheirheart,those
determinedtoaccomplishtheirmissionevenifitmeantcastingtheirlivesaway.
WherehadIleftminebehind,whenevenanovicetraineegirl,yettograduatefromschool,hasit?
OrperhapsIhadlackedmineeversinceIfirstwokeupasanintegrityknightinthisHuman
Empire?
Renriheardadryvoicetricklefromhisownmouth.

YoushouldbefinehereIthink.HisExcellency,KnightCommanderBercouli,istheone
commandingtheDefenseArmySecondUnitandifanythinggetspasthisguard,thatsequivalentto
theendoftheHumanEmpireanyway.Itllendupthesamenomatterwhereyourun.Iplantosit
hereuntilthebattleends.Iwontgetinyourwayifyouintendtostayanywhereclose
Withhiswordsfadingoffintohissoundlessbreathing,Renriwentback,deeperintothetent,andsat
downwithathud.
Itwasaboutthen
ThatsmokeshellsthrownbyKosogi,thechiefofthemountaingoblins,andtherestblewupatthe
leftflankofthefrontmostlineswhereIntegrityKnightEldrieawaited.Takingadvantageofthe
dense,risingfumes,afloodofgoblinsbeganslippingpastthedefenselinelikewaterthroughcoarse
fabric.
NeitherRenrinortwofemalenovicetraineescouldhavepossiblyknownthattheiraimwasprecisely
theannihilationofthesupplyunitattheHumanEmpireDefenseArmysrearmost.

***

Theprogressiontowardsdestructionadvancedrapidlyforthecollectionoflightquantumsthatmade
upthatsoul,thatfluctlight,belongingtoSigrosig,thechiefofthegiants.
However,asthecollapsecausedheavydamageonlytocertainpartsratherthanitasawhole,there
wasadelaybeforehisfluctlightceasedfunctioning.Ontheotherhand,thatphenomenoninduceda
particularsideeffect.

WiththehatredandbloodthirstSigrosighaddirectedtowardsthehumansfordecadesreleasedallat
once,theyoverflowedfromhisfluctlightandreachedeventhelightcubestoringDeputyKnight
CommanderFanatiossoulthroughtheMainVisualizerregulatingtheLightCubeCluster.
Directcontrolofphenomenaviaimagination.Thepowertermedincarnationbytheintegrity
knightsrobbedthefreedomofmovementfromFanatiosbodydespiteherlengthyexperience.
Chargingforthwithhishumongousframeofalmostfourmelwithterriblevigor,thegiantchief
swungthelargehammerheldinhisrighthanduphigh.

Whywonttheymove!?
Fanatiothoughttobeatsomesenseintohertwolegsthatrefusedtolistentoher,butshecouldnot
evenballherhandsintofiststodoso.
Evenwiththegiantchiefasheropponent,thedeputycommanderoftheOrderoftheIntegrity
Knightswouldneverfreezeupwithamereglare.
Shetoldherselfso,butstill,herbodyseemedfrozeninhershootingstancewithherrightkneeonthe
ground.
DuringaboutwithKnightCommanderBercouli,shecouldnotgainanygroundwithhersword
preparedshewentthroughsuchanexperience.However,thiswasutterlydifferentfromthatheavy
yetsomehowtenderpresencethatemanatedfromtheknightcommanderandenvelopedher.Pain,
likeleatherbeltscoveredinironthornswrappedoverheroneafteranother,tormentedherentire
being.
Thegiantchief,Sigrosig,bellowedoutastrangeyellashekickedthegoblinsandorcswhoshould
havebeenhisalliesasideandchargedcloser.Cuttingthedistancedownbelowfifteenmel.

Hewouldbenochallengeinaoneversusonethatwashowitshouldhavebeen.
AmongthetenlordsintheDarkEmpire,Fanatioacknowledgedonlythemightoftheleaderofthe
OrderoftheDarkKnights,Shasta.Inapriorbout,herhelmetunfortunatelycrackedattheendofan
intensebattleexceedingthirtyminutesandshetastedhumiliationwhenShastadrewhisswordback
afterseeingFanatiosbareface.
However,sheneverconsidereddefeatevenatthattime.Shewasunderastrictrestrictionfrom
Bercouliregardingtheusageofthearmamentfullcontrolartwhenfightingagainstdarkknights.
Hence,sheshouldnotbefallingbehindanyoneelse.Theverythoughtoffreezingupfromamere
glarewaspreposterous.
Thatsaid,thephenomenonthatexceededFanatiosunderstandingwasdrawingcloserbeforeher
eyes,momentbymoment.
Itwouldnoteventaketensecondsbeforethatgiganticironhammerswingsdownuponher.Shehad
tostandupandfixherswordstanceatonce.Ifshecouldinterceptitwithaslash,theHeaven
PiercingSword,adistinguisheddivineinstrument,wouldneverlosetothatcoarseironhammeron
Sigrosig.
Despitethat,shecouldnotstand.UnseenshacklesboundFanatioandthegiantchief,adarkred
gleamseethinginhistwoeyes,approachedbeforehereyes
Humankilldeldelde
Spoutingascreamthatsoundednolongerintelligibleashisironhammerroareddown.
YourExcellency.
Fanatioquietlymutteredwithherimmobilizedmouth.


DakiraSynthesisTwentytwo,alowrankingknight,hadofferedeverythingtoasolepersonever
sinceawakeningasaknight..
Nottotheruler,thehighestminister,Administrator.Neitherwasittotheleaderoftheknightorder,
Bercouli.
ItwastoDeputyCommanderFanatioandnooneelse.Dakirawasstronglydrawnbyherrelentless
intensityandtheanguishsheconcealed.
Thatemotioncouldbenootherthanlove,goingbytheHumanEmpiresstandards.
However,Dakirasealedallemotionsawayduetoavarietyofreasonsandservedasafacelessand
namelessmemberoftheunitdirectlyunderFanatio,theFourOscillationBlades.Beingbyherside
alonemadeDakirafeelmorefortunatethaneverhopedfor.
TheFourOscillationBladeswere,bynomeans,someeliteunitamongthelowrankingknights.
Fanatiohadgatheredthoselackingpower,judgedtobeatriskifassignedtothefrontlinesontheir
own,andhadthemlearncombinationtechniquestoraisetheirsurvivalrate,creatingasocalledunit
ofleftovers.
Assuch,theygarneredlowevaluationsfromthehighestministerandchiefelder,andinactualfact,
they,theFourOscillationBlades,allcommittedtheheavyblunderofsufferingheavyinjuriesagainst
thetwostudentswordsmenfromthecommonfolkinthatrebellionhalfayearago.Butwhathurt
DakiramuchmorewashowtheyfailedtoprotectFanatio.Thetimespentonthebedinthewardwas
filledwithincessantthoughtsofhowitwouldhavebeenbettertodiebackthen.
However,FanatiospokekindlyinsteadofharshlytowardsDakiraaftertheinjurieshealed.

Withthesilvermaskthatshehadnevertakenoffinpublicremoved,thedeputyknightcommander
showedabeautifulsmileandslappedallfouroftheirshouldersinturnasshespoke.
I,too,wassavedbytherebelsrightbeforemydeath.Gentlemen,youhavenothingtobeashamed
of.Rather,thatwasagoodfight.IhadneverseenafinercoordinationoftheEncirclingBladed
OscillationDance.
Dakirasmindwasmadeup,then,astearsranunderthathelmet.
Tonotallowanyharmtobefallthevenerateddeputyknightcommanderthenexttime.
Andthiswasthatverynexttime.
Regardlessoftheorderstostaystationeduntilfurthercommands,Dakiraleaptoutfromtheranksthe
instantuponfeelingabnormalityinFanatiosstate.
TherewereovertwentymeluntilFanatio,onherknee,andthegiantchiefswingingahumongous
ironhammerdownontoherfromoverhead.
Coveringthatdistanceintimewasnotviablewiththephysicalabilityofalowrankingknight.
However,DakiradashedonasablurredstreakoflightandjumpedbeforeFanatio,interceptingthe
ironhammerroaringdownwithatwohandedgreatsword.
Theresultantnoise,shakingtheearth,flaredoutalongsideaflashtingedwithred.
ThoughDakirasgreatswordwasfarsharperthantheguardsweaponscouldhopetobe,itcouldnot
comparetothehighrankingknightsdivineinstrumentsintermsofpriority.Ontheotherhand,
Sigrosigsironhammerhaditspriorityraisedtoaterriblelevelthroughthepowerofincarnation
frombloodthirststreamingintoit.

Theskirmishcollapsedinamerehalfsecondandnumerouscracksranthroughthegreatswords
blade.Ittookanotherinstantbeforetheswordshatteredintofleetingshaftsoflight.Dakirathrewthe
handleawayatonceandinterceptedthefallinghumongousironhammerwithbarehands.
Multipledullnoisesechoingthroughoutthebody.
Botharmsbreakinginnumerousplacesfromthewristtotheupperarm.
Visionhurlingintowhitenessfrompain.Freshbloodspurtingfrombetweenarmorjoints,staining
thehelmetssurface.
Kuhhoooh!!
Withteethclenched,Dakiramoldedthescreamstrugglingtoescapeintostrengthandcaughttheiron
hammer,beyondthosetwohandscapacitytosupport,frombelowwiththathelmet.
Thesteelcrossedmaskshatteredwithoutresistanceandunpleasantnoisescouldbeheardcoming
fromDakirasneck,back,andtwoknees.Thepainsurgingthroughoutasscorchingflamesdipped
everythingvisibleintoadeepcrimson.
However,thelowerrankingknight,DakiraSynthesisTwentytwo,didnotfall.
Fanatiowasrightbehind.Thisdetestableweaponmustnotbeswungdown.
Iwillprotecther.Thistime,forsure.
E.eaaaaaahh!!
AshrillyellrangoutfromDakirasthroat,freedfromthecrossedmasksvoicemorphingfunction.
TheblooddrippingfromtheinjuriesalloverenvelopedDakiraasbluishwhiteflames.

Gatheringatthosebrokenarms,theflamesburstasdazzlingexplosions.Theironhammershotback,
blownovertenmelawayaccompaniedbySigrosigshugeframe.
Dakiraslowlycollapsedwhilelisteningtotheheavyquakefromthegiantfalling.
Dakira!!
Ashout,almostascream,shotinfrompointblankrange.
Aah,Fanatiosamacalledoutmyname.
Howmanyyearshasitbeen?
Dakirasmiledwhilecrumblingintothearmsextendedfromthedeputyknightcommanderasher
short,strawcoloredpigtailsandfreckledcheekslaidexposedwiththelossofherhelmet.
DakirawasbornandraisedinasmallvillagebesidetheseainSouthacroithSouthEmpire.Her
parentswerepoor,holdingnofamilynameandfishingforaliving,butthegirlblessedwiththe
strengthofamangrewuphealthilywhilehelpingoutwithherparentswork.
Thatgirlcommittedatabooattheageofsixteen.Shefellinlovewithherclosefriendofthesame
genderwhowasayearolder.
Ofcourse,sheneverfounditinherselftoconfess.Unabletodealwithhersuffering,Dakirasought
penancefromGoddessStaciainanemptychurchaltarlateatnight.However,asthealtarwas
connectedtotheCentralCathedralsautomatedeldersmechanism,Dakirawasdetectedtohave
violatedatabooandwasbroughttotheAxiomChurch,becominganintegrityknightwithallofher
memoriespilfered.
Thoughshecouldnotrememberhernameanylonger,theoldergirlDakirahadlovedresembled
DeputyKnightCommanderFanatioalittle.

Atpeace,DakiralookedonwithherdimlyblurredvisionasFanatiosbeautifulfeaturescrumpled
andtearstrickledfromherlongeyelashes.
Thevenerateddeputyknightcommanderiscryingforme.
Shecouldthinkofnothingthatcouldmakeherhappier.Shehadaccomplishedwhatshesetouttodo
attheendofthoselong,painfuldaysandallthatremainedasdeathapproachedwassatisfaction.
Dakiradontdie!!Illtendtoyouthismoment!!
Aheartrendingvoicerangoutatherearsoncemore.
Dakiraurgedherbrokenlefthandupwardswiththelastofherstrengthandwithhertrembling
fingertips,gentlywipedawaythedropsalongFanatioscheeks.
Grinning,Dakiraformedthosethoughtsshehadalwayskepthiddendeepinherchestintoawhisper.
FanatiosamaIshallforeveradoreyou
Inthatmoment,IntegrityKnightDakirasynthesisTwentytwosLifereacheditscompleteend.
Thefirstfatalityfromtheknightorderloweredhereyelidsforalleternity.

WhatWhathadIbeendoing?!!
Fanatioscreamedinherchestasshehuggedthesmallbodycoveredinwoundstightly.
Thegiantchief,Sigrosig,whotriedtostandupwasreflectedwithinhervisionwarpedwithtears
alongwiththeremainingthreemembersoftheFourOscillationBladesfiercelychargingforward
inresponse.

Dakira.Jeis.Hobren.Giro.Shehadplacedthemdirectlyunderhertotrainthemupandtoprotect
them.Thoughshegavethemonlystrictwords,theywerehercherishedyoungersiblings.Despite
that,shewasprotectedinstead,withoneoftheirlivesevensacrificed
Unforgivable!!
ThatwordwasdirectedatSigrosigaswellasherownself.
Shewouldallownomorecasualties.Shewouldprotectthosethreetotheend,forDakirassakeas
well.
ThatresolvebecameapowerofincarnationfromloveandradiatedfromFanatiossoulwithan
intensitysurpassingtheabnormalbloodthirstseethingfromSigrosig.
Theicythorns,bindingherentirebody,thawedinaninstant.
LayingdownDakirascorpse,FanatiostoodupstraightastheHeavenPiercingSwordnoiselessly
floatedfromthegroundintoherrighthand.
BeforeherwasthesceneofJeis,Hobren,andGiroknockedawaywithasingleswipeofSigrosigs
leftarmaftertheyleaptforwardwiththeirgreatswordsraised.
Thecrimsonlightresidingwithinthegiantstwoeyesseemedoftheflamesinthedemonworldfar
undertheearth.Eventhesurroundinggoblinsandorcsoldiershadceasedtheirapproach,seemingly
afraid.
KeekeelKeelllll!!
Anabnormalscreamroaredfromthegiantwhosluggishlystoodup.However,therewasnolonger
evenasmidgenofsurpriseorfearwithinFanatioschest.
Smoothlypointedstraighttowardstheskybyherrighthand,theHeavenPiercingSword

Gainedacoatingofpurewhitelightwithadullrumble.Thatdazzlingradiancestretchedonforover
fivemelfromtheswordstipandremainedassuch.
Humankeeeelllll!!
Swingingtheironhammerwithbothhands,SigrosigjumpedatFanatio.
Return,untotheearth.
Fanatiocarelesslyswungdownwiththatmurmur.Havingextendedseveraltimesitspreviouslength,
thebladeoflightdrewawhitestreakthroughtheairasitstrucktheironhammersbluntsurface.
Acrispnoiseechoedwiththegiganticweapondividingintotwo.Burntredfromthecrosssection,
themeltedironsplashedallover.
ThehugeswordoflightcameintocontactwithSigrosigsheadjustlikethatslicingdownintothe
groundwithoutitsmomentumevenwaning.
ThegiantsbehindandtheguardsoftheHumanEmpiredescendedintosilenceatthatscenethe
legendarywarrior,boastingoftheworldslargestbody,wasseveredintohalveswhilestillairborne.
Fanatioraisedthebladeoflightoverherheadwithasatisfyingsoundfromthetwolumpsofflesh,
fallingwithadampnoise,andshoutedoutloud.
FirstUnit,middle,forward!!Repeltheenemies!!

***

ThewavesofattacksfromtheneverendingstreamofplainsgoblinssankDeusolbertinto
impatience.

Therewasnochancehewouldbedefeatedorevenchallengedbysomeaveragegoblinsoldierin
oneversusonecombat,nomatterhowmanytimesthatwasrepeated.Themountainofcorpsesburnt
bytheflamesfromthearrowsheshotearlierservedasactualproofofthat.
However,hecouldnottakeonalloftheenemytroopsaloneastheycameasawide,horizontalwave.
HecouldonlyleavemostofthoseonthesidestotheguardsfromtheDefenseArmy.
Intermsofindividualexpertise,theguardssurpassedtheenemytroopsbyasignificantgap.Their
swordtechniques,polishedthroughhalfayearofstricttraining,werecertainlyfasterandsharper
thanthegoblinswhoreliedontheirstrengthinswingingtheirmachetes.Butthatstrengthdifference
wasfarlesssurethantheoverwhelminggapbetweenanintegrityknightandgoblinsoldiers.Itwould
betoughtoovercomethosenumbers,severaltimestheirown,withpurelyskill.
Deusolbertkeenlyfeltthedesiretosharewithalloftheguardsthegreatstrengthhisbodywas
endowedwith.Butnaturally,therewasnoartcapableofthat.
Theguardsunderhimlosttheirlivesoneafteranother,onejumpeduponbymultiplegoblins,
anothercollapsingfromexhaustion.DeusolbertfeltasthoughhisownLifewasshavedawayeach
timeheheardtheirshrieksechothroughthebattlefield.
Sothiswaswar?
Itwasutterlydifferentfromtheoldfights:sweepingupintrudersonthegroundwhileatopaflying
dragonoraoneversusoneduelwithadarkknight.Itwasanuglywarofattritionwitheachmoment
certaintoaddtothenumberofcasualties.
Theprideoftheintegrityknightsservednopurposeonthisbattlefield.
Wasitnotyet?Wastheorderfortheunittoretreatnotgivenyet?

Eventheknowledgeofhowmuchtimehadpassedsincethestartofthebattleescapedhim.
Deusolbertcutthroughtheadvancingenemysoldierswiththelongswordinhisrighthandand
randomlyshotwiththeConflagrantFlameBowwheneverhecould.Withhiscalmlostwithouthis
notice,hefailedtonoticethestrangemovementstakenbyasliceoftheenemytroops.

Thenewchiefoftheplaingoblins,Shibori,wasfarmoreofafoolthanthemountaingoblinschief,
Kosogithesamewentforhiscruelnature.
Shiborirecognizedtheintegrityknightsleadingtheenemytroopsasnomorethanlargemagical
beasts.Hemadelightofthem,thinkingthatnomatterhowstrongtheywere,theywerejustone
whiteiumontheirown,doomedafterbeingsurrounded.
However,hefoundtheintegrityknightstobemuchmoretroublesomethanmagicalbeastsafterthe
fightingbegan,barelyslippingfromtheirencirclementsdespitehowmanychargedforth.Tenwould
beblownawaywiththeexplosionfromasinglefirearrowandevennormalarrowsflewtrue,toa
horrifyingextent,towardstheirheadsandhearts.
Nowthen,whattodo?
TheconclusionShiborireachedaftersomethinkingcouldnothavebeenanymoresimpleorcruel.
Hewouldcontinuehavinghissoldierschargeforwarduntiltheenemyknightsarrowsranout.
Thatsaid,thesoldierssentaheadwithoutaplanwereinnomoodtosimplygowithit,naturally
enough.TherewasafairamountwithintelligencesurpassingShiboriandthoughtheywentwithhis
orders,theycontrivedwhatevergimmickstheycould.
Theybeganliftingupcorpsesfromtheirfallencomradesandhidingintheirshadowsorstayingafair
distancefromtheknightwhilestrafingleftandright.


Deusolbertshouldhaveseenthroughsuchanaiveplanatonceifhehadhisusualtemperament.
However,thescreamsfromtheguardswhosestrengthleftthemshavedawayathiscalmwithouthis
notice.Thegoblinsbenefitedfromhowthewarstartedateveningaswell.
Theenemywastakingawfullylongtofall.
BythetimeDeusolbertnoticedthat,hisstockofmorethanenoughironarrowswasnearly
exhausted.

Goood,good,lookslikehesfinallyoutofarrows.
Shiboriscrapedthenapeofhisneckwiththebacksofthetwomachetesagainsthisshouldersashe
snickered.
Thetragicdisplayofthecountlesscorpsesofhisrace,too,failedtoinstigatemuchinfluenceonhis
mind.Heinheritedthattenacityfromhisancestorswhohadlivedthroughtheoldageofbloodand
ironwhichcouldhavebeennomoreappalling.
Itappearedawholethirdofhisalliesweredonein,buttherestillremainedoverthreethousand
soldiers.Iftheyobtainedplentifulmeatandlandafterinvadingthewhiteiumslands,theycould
replenishtheirracealltheyliked.
However,theyhadtoproducesignificantresultstoexpandtheirterritories.Theywouldfirsthaveto
takecareofthatintegrityknightinredarmor.
Alright,letsgo,allofyou.Surroundthatarcheranddraghimdown.Illtakehisneckoffmyself.

Shiboriinstructedthoseformingabarricadearoundhimself,hiscloseaideswhowerebothbrawny
andboorish,andslowlysteppedforward.

Islippedup
Deusolbertletoutadeepgroan.
Hehadfinallyrealizedthoseenemieserraticallymovingthroughthedarknessandthosescarecrows
improvisedfromraisedcorpses.
Afterbringingdownthosemanipulatingthescarecrowsbyaimingatthefeetratherthantheheart,
therighthandsearchedthroughthelargequiverbehindandgraspedonlyafruitlessemptiness.
Withoutarrows,theConflagrantFlameBow,adivineinstrument,wasnodifferentfromaplain
longbow.Thoughitwaspossibletoproducearrowsfrommetallicelementswithsacredarts,that
techniquecouldonlybeusedinaoneversusonewherehehadthechancetorecitetheart.Inthe
firstplace,almostallofthespacesacredenergyshouldhavebeenabsorbedbytheintegrityknight
standingbyinthesky,leavingtheatmospheredry.
GrindinghisteethashehungtheConflagrantFlameBowonhisleftshoulderbyitsstring,
Deusolbertdrewthelongswordfromhiswaistoncemore.Itwasinthatprecisemomentthathe
spottedapartyrapidlyapproachingthroughthedarknessfrominfront,withsizesratherlargefor
goblins.Theiroutfitsdifferedfromthesmallfryhefacedoffuntilnow.Theirchesttoaroundtheir
hipswascoveredinplatearmorandrivetedleatherbeltswrappedabouttheirbrawnyarms.They
heldthick,largehatchetsthatseemedfittoseverevencowsintheirrighthands.
Deusolbertconfirmedanothergoblinapproachingfrombehindthosesevenwithaframethat
exceededevenorcsintermsofheight.

Judgingfromthecastironarmorshiningwithblackluster,thetwolargehatchetshangingfromhis
hands,andthevivid,decorativefeathersswayingonhishead,hefiguredtherewasnomistakethat
hewasthearmyscommander.
ThegoblingeneralstwoeyesshiningredunderhisbulgingbrowcollidedwithDeusolbertspairof
eyesandthesurroundingaircreakedinthatinstant.Theswordsandmachetesstrikingagainsteach
otherwithoutpauseonthefrontlinesgraduallypeteredoutandcametoaneventualstop.Boththe
guardsandthegoblinsgaineddistancefromeachotherwithoutfurtherwordsandwatchedthetwo
generalsconfrontationwithheldbreaths.
Deusolbertheldbackthenumerousapproachingguardswithhislefthand.Brandishingtheswordin
hisrighthandwithoutlettingdownhisguard,hequestionedinadeepandseasonedyetdistinct
voice.
YouareoneofthetenlordsoftheDarkEmpirethegoblinschief,huh?
Thatsme.
Thelargegoblinrespondedwithhisyellowedteethshowing.
Chiefoftheplainsgoblins,thatsShiborisamatoyou.
Deusolbertsteadiedhisbreathing,roughfromthelong,fiercebattlewhilegazingstraighttowardsthe
enemygeneral.
IfIdefeatthisgeneralandthoseclosetohim,thegoblinarmywouldloseitswilltofight,evenfor
amoment.Ifwetaketheinitiativeandpushthelinesback,wewouldaccomplishourroleasthe
vanguards.
EvenifhecouldnotusehisConflagrantFlameBow.

Evenifitwaseightonone,hecouldonlyaimforacertainvictorynow.Hewouldprovetheintegrity
knightsstrength,saidtocomparabletoathousand,hereandnow.
Iamtheintegrityknight,DeusolbertSynthesis
Shiborisvulgarcrycuthissonorousvoiceshortashetriedtostatehisname.
Holdthere,whocaresaboutsomeiumsname?!Youremeat,meatstuckonthatheadIllbe
taking!!Gettoitallofyou,gethim!!
Uuraaaaaahh!!
Deusolberttookonthesevenelitegoblinsjumpingforwardwithbrutalwarcriesonhisown.
Theyshouldhavesimplycontinuedthatboorishwariftheylackedtheprideofswordsmenso.
Proposingthisshameofaduelwasjust
Ridiculous!!
Beforepickingupthewhip,thespear,orthebow,everyintegrityknightwasanexperienced
swordsman.
NotevenasinglebeingtherecouldperceivethemotionofDeusolbertraisingthelongswordinhis
righthandoverheadandswingingitdown.
Theslashatgodspeeddrewadimlywhitestreakoflight.Afaintnoiserangoutasthelargehatchet
raisedbytheleadinggoblinwassplitintotwo.
Thatwasamomentbeforethatgoblinwascutintotwofromthecrownofhisheadtohisstomach,
freshbloodgushingouteverywhere.However,theknightwasgonebeforethatsprayreached.
Deusolbertcarriedouthisnextattack,havingmovedtothesecondbeforethefirstevennoticedhis
owndeath.

ItwasnotsomeconsecutiveswordtechniquelikethoseofKnightFanatioortherebelshehadonce
foughtagainst.Thosewererepeatedsingleslashesintheoldstyleofswordtechniquesexecutedfrom
thetraditionalstance.However,Deusolbertsskillwaspolishedthroughanearinfinitenumberof
monthsandyears,toapracticallydivinelevel.Onlytheupperranksamongthedarkknightsand
pugilistscouldreactagainstthatsinglestrike.
Inactualfact,thesecond,cutfromtheleftatnearlythesametimeasthefirst,hadperishedwithhis
platearmorseveredalongwithhisheartbythetimehebeganswingingdownhislargehatchet.
Theoverwhelmingpowerdifferencewasevidentineveryoneseyes.
However,theelitegoblinsshowednohesitation.ChiefShibori,too,wasasuperiorbeingthat
inspiredfearinthemandtheydidnotevenconsideropposinghiscommand.
TwowhocircledaroundfromDeusolbertsside,bathedinthebloodspraysfromtheirownrace,
assailedhimfromboththeleftandright.
Theexperiencedknightshowednoteventheleastpanicandfirstcutintotheleftgoblinfrombelow
anddrewthatintoanarcintotherightgoblinfromabove.Thesingleimmediatemotionthatended
theenemiesonbothsideswastrulyonthelevelofdivinity.
Threeremainedno,fourifthegeneralwascountedtoo.
Wouldtheycomeallatonceoroneafteranother?
Avoidingthespurtsofblackishredbloodwithajumpback,Deusolbertpreparedhisnextattack.
Thefifthnaivelyslashedathimfromtheleftofhisvision.Hesawnolightreflectedoffbladesfrom
anyotherdirection.
Nuhn!

Heslicedhorizontallywiththeswordonhisleftwiththatcurtyell.Thetipcutasilverarcandsank
intotheenemysright.
BothofDeusolbertseyesopenedwideinthatmoment.
Alargehatchethadstabbedthroughtheenemygoblinschestfrombehind,rightashehadslashed,
andflewtowardshim.
Themassivebladescatteredallaroundthefreshbloodfromitsstillbreathingcomradeasitclosedin
towardsDeusolbertsthroat.
Hecouldneitherdodgenorblockitwithhissword.
Havingjudgedsoinaninstant,theleftforearmheraisedcollidedwiththetipofthatlargehatchet,
producingdulllight.
Anumbing,intensepain.Thoughhehadsomehowenduredwithhisreddishcoppergauntlet,the
blowspreadthroughhisbonesfromhisflesh.
Kuoohh!!
Blowingthroughhissurprisewithashout,Deusolbertforcedtheenemysbladetoglanceoff
towardstheleft.Acrackingnoiserangthroughouthisbody,informinghimofthebrokenbonesin
hisleftarm.
Thatwasnomorethanasinglearm!!
Withtheslashstoppedwithhismusteredupspirit,Deusolbertchargedstraightinjustlikethat.
Stabbingthroughthesacrificedfifthsstomach,hisswordreachedtheoverlappedsixthsbody.
However,thefeedbackwasshallow.
Hehadtoquicklywithdrawhissword,gainsomedistance,andlinkthatintohisnextattack.

Deusolbertpulledtheswordoutatonce,sweatrisingontohisbrowwithouthisnotice.
Thefifthslumpedover,dead,andbeyondthat,hesaw
Thesixthandsevenththrowingtheirlargehatchetsawayandleapingathimwiththeirarmsspread
outataheightequaltocrawlacrosstheground.
AndthereexistednostancefitforattackinganenemyinthatpositionwithinDeusolbertsstyle.
Fallingintoamomentaryrigidness,theknightstwolegsweregrabbedsimultaneouslybythetwo
goblins.Incapableofdealingwiththeirdreadfulphysicalstrength,Deusolbertfellontohisback.
HistwowidenedeyesperceivedShibori,theenemygeneral,jumpingforwardwithhislargeframe
andtwobattleaxesbrandishedwhileshowingabrutaljoy.
Insuchaplace,againstgoblins?
ItsimpossibleforI,Deusolbert,anintegrityknight,tofacedefeathere.
Impossible.
Thatthoughtcouldprovetobeadangerouspoisonforonesmentalstatethemorestubbornonewas.
ThoughheremainedabovefallingintoaberserkstatelikeSigrosig,Deusolbertsmotioncametoa
completestopwithinhisnumbedconsciousness.
Theknightcouldonlywatchonasthelethalbladeloomedcloserbeforeheheard
Ascream,hoarsefromexhaustionbutvaliantallthesame.
Esteemedknight!!

Asingleguardchargedtowardstheenemygeneralandhisfiendishfeatures.Thatwasthatyoung
guardcommander.Thatyounglingwhosenamehehadnotevenheardyetraisedthegreatswordhis
twohandsheldupandcarriedoutaslashfromabovewithallhehad.
Inresponse,theenemygeneralswungthebattleaxeinhislefthandasthoughitwasabother.
Gagiin!!
Adull,shrillmetallicnoiserangout.
Thoughitpaledwhencomparedtotheenemygeneral,theguardcommanderhadalargebuildand
woreheavyarmor,butwasblownawaylikeapaperdoll,rollingtwo,threetimesacrosstheground.
Thatphysicalstrengthoverthrewthegapbetweentheirtechnique,speed,andequipmentalltoo
easily.
Thetwoeyesofthedemihumanshoneredandnarrowed.Releasingthemurderousauraofabeasts,
heleaptandswunguptheaxeinhisrighthandasthoughtoputanendtotheguardcommanderwho
hadyettostandup.
No.
Icannotallowanyfurthercasualtiesasaknight,andastheircommander!
ThemomentarythoughtstabbedintoDeusolbertsstiffmentalstatelikeaboltoflightning.
Therewasnotenoughtimetoshakehislegsfreefromthetwoelitegoblinsbindingthem,standup,
andmovebeforetheguardcommander.Throwingtheswordinhisrighthandwouldonlyserveto
delaythesameconclusionbyseconds.
Beforehecouldconsiderwhattoevendo,histwohandsswungalmostautomaticallycarryingout
whathehadneverthoughtofprior.

Nockingthelongswordinhisrighthandasareplacementforanarrowontothebowstringofthe
ConflagrantFlameBowhewieldedhorizontally,hefiercelytuggedatit.
Theheavyresistancefeltasthoughhewaspullingonaropefastenedtothegreatearth.Theintense
painpracticallywipedhisconsciousnessblankfromtheroots.
However,Deusolbertletagroanescapeamidsthisclenchedteethandpulledittoitsverylimit.
Takingupaposturetofire,heyelled.
Come,flames!!
Thedivineinstrumentrespondedtoitsownerswillevenwithoutrecitingitsart.
Theenergyfromtheflamesemittingfromalloverthebowsurpassedallpreviousmanifestationsof
hisarmamentfullcontrolart.
Thoughthelongswordnockedontothebowcouldnotcomparetoadivineinstrument,itwasa
namedgoodproducedpersonallybythehighestminister.Itpossessedapriorityonanentirely
differentlevelfromthemassproducedsteelarrows.Thesacredenergycontainedwithinitsblade
transformedintoflameswithoutmoderation.
ThefullbodyarmoronDeusolbert,withitssupposedresistancetowardsheat,turnedredhotatonce.
Thetwogoblinsclingingontohislegsletoutshrieksasflamesstartedspoutingoutfromtheireyes
andmouths,burningthem,beforetheycouldreactaccordingly.
Theenemygeneral,turningbackuponnoticingtheabnormality,widenedbotheyesfromsurprise
andangerashetriedtohurltheaxeinhisrighthand.
However,thatwastooslow
Burndowntoashes!!

Shoutingso,Deusolbertreleasedthebowstring.Shotforthwitharoar,thelongswordflappedits
crimson,blazingwingsasitsoaredstraight.ItappearedjustliketheConflagrantFlameBows
originalselfthephoenixthatlivedintheoldestvolcanoofthesouthempire.
Graahh!!
Theenemygeneralletoutagroanashecrossedthetwolargeaxesbeforehisbody.Thephoenixclad
inflamesstrucktheheartofthatforaninstant.
Thelarge,pigironaxesvaporizedalltooquicklywithahiss.
Andtheirowner,Shiborithechiefoftheplainsgoblins,skippedthroughtheusualprocessesof
combustion,immediatelyturningintoblackcharcoalHecrumbledintopiecesrightafterand
vanishedwithoutatrace.
Havingwitnessedtheirgeneralshorrifyingdeath,thegoblinsoldiersturnedaroundatonceand
beganfleeing.However,overthreehundredsoldierscouldnotescapethephoenixsinfernoand
disappearedintocinders.

***

ThedistressbothFanatiointhefirstunit,middle,andDeusolbertintherightflankwentthrough.
Instructingthesecondunitintherear,thecommanderoftheHumanEmpireDefenseArmy,Bercouli
SynthesisOne,clearlyknewofthoseaswellasthechaostheleftflankunderEldriescommand
experiencedfromthatsmokescreen.
However,hedidnottakeevenasinglestep.

Thefirstreasonwashistrustintheknightsandguardsbroughtupunderhispersonalcare.The
secondreasonwashowtheHumanEmpirecouldnotsendoutitsseconduniteither,withthemain
forceoftheenemysgroundtroops,theOrderoftheDarkKnightsandthePugilistsGuild,yetto
makeamove.
Andthethirdreasonwasthepossibilityofasurpriseattack,somethinghecouldnothelpbutworry
for,withhisknowledgeoftheDarkTerritorybeyondeveryones.
Orinotherwords,theenemysmightinaerialwarfare.
Inthisworldwheretheartforflightdidnotexistsavefortheonerecordedinthe
index
only
HighestMinisterAdministratorcouldcalloutandwaslostforeverwithherdeath,tobespecificthe
fewdragonknightsamongtheOrderoftheIntegrityKnightsandtheOrderoftheDarkKnights
possessedexceptionalwarpotential.Freelysoaringthroughtheskiesbeyondthereachofswords,
theycouldrazeinfantrywiththeknightsartsandthedragonsheatrays.
However,theycouldnotberashlyletoutontothewarfrontduetothatvalueoftheirs.Iftheysent
theirsoutbeforetheenemyandanyfellfromtheoffchanceofanartorarrowfromtheground,they
wouldbeladenedwithatremendousdisadvantagefromthatverypoint.
Assuch,BercouliretainedallflyingdragonsasidefromAmayori,riddenbyAlice,intherearof
thebattlefieldandtrustedintheenemytodothesame.Hence,thesurpriseattackhefrettedover
wouldnotcomefromdragonknights.
Asidefromthem,theforcesofdarknessheldanaerialforcethattheymonopolized.
Theywererepulsive,wingedmonsterstermed
minions
.Createdfromclayandothermaterialsby
darkartsusers,theypossessednointelligenceandcouldunderstandonlycertainbasicorders.

Intruth,BercoulihadheardfromAlicethatthehighestministerhadcreatedandresearchedinto
thosesame
minions
insecret.However,itseemedeventhehighestministerhesitatedindeployingthe
repulsive
minions
astheyweretotheAxiomChurch.Hecouldonlyfeelitapitythatshehadnot
changedtheirappearancesintosomethingfittingintimebeforeshedeparted,buttherewasnousein
cryingoverspilledmilk.
Duetothosereasons,Bercoulifeltitnecessarytopreparefor
minions
launchingsurpriseattacks
fromtheskies.Andinthissituationwiththeflyingdragonsheldbackandtheasceticsunittiedup
withhealing,hewastheonlyoptionleftforaerialdefenseoveravastarea.
Tobeaccurate,thedivineinstrumentBercouliheld,theTimePiercingSword,wastheonlyoption.
Bercoulifocusedentirelyonhismindwhilestandingfirminthemiddleofthesecondunitwithboth
handsagainstthepommelofhispreciousswordinitsscabbard.
Hecouldconstantlysensethedifficultbattlesthethreeintegrityknightsandtheguardsofthefirst
unitwentthrough.
However,hecouldnottakeevenasinglestep.
Afterall,Bercoulihadalreadyactivatedthearmamentfullcontrolartforhischerishedsword.
AhumongousclockmountedontheCentralCathedralinanagelongpasthadinformedtheresidents
ofCentralCapitalCentoriaofthetime.Itsminutehandandhourhandwerereforgedintoadivine
instrument,theTimePiercingSword.Thepoweritconcealedwastocutthefuture.Thepower
behindaslashwouldremaininthetrajectorywheretheswordwasswungandanyonewhotouched
thatwouldbecut,atechniquethatwasjustasexceptional.
JustbeforetheGreatEastGatecollapsed,Bercoulistraddledtheknightdragon,Hoshigami,and
createdagiganticslashingspacespanningahundredmelinwidth,twohundredmelinlength,and

ahundredandfiftymelinheightrightbeforetheGreatGate.Swinginghisswordtimeaftertime
withsubtleverticalandhorizontalmovements,hedrewoutafinemeshintheemptyair.Thetotal
numberofslashesexceededthreehundred.
Maintainingthoseincarnationbladesonsuchascaleforovertensofminuteswasafirstfor
Bercouli,thepracticallyimmortalbeingwhohadlivedforoverthreehundredyears,aswell.The
techniquewasmadepossibleonlybyseparatinghisconsciousnessfromhisfleshandconcentrating
solelyonhismentalstate.HehadleftcommandofthefirstunittoFanatioforthisoneandonly
reason.
Hurryifyourecoming,comequick.
ThatearnestwishremainedwithBercoulidespitehavingreachedarealmdetachedfromneedless
impatience.Puttingasidehismentalexhaustion,overhalfoftheTimePiercingSwordssacred
energywasalreadyconsumed.Hecouldnotdispelthearmamentfullcontrolartforthemomentand
repeattheact.Ifhefailedtoannihilatetheenemys
minions
andtheyassaultedAlice,preparinga
largescaleartintheskyabovethefirstunit,theywouldlosetheironeandonlyhope.
Come,quick.

***

ThoughRenriSynthesisTwentysevenwhoabandonedhispostwastheonestuckwiththemost
pessimisticstateofmindamongthesevenhighrankingknightsgatheredattheGreatEastGate,
EldrieSynthesisThirtyone,too,wasupagainstthewalldespitehowheshouldhavemuchmore
experienceinactualbattles.

ThatemotiondifferedfromwhatDakiraoftheFourOscillationBladesheldforFanatio,that
honestlove.HewantedtoofferallofhimselftoserveunderAlice,yetatthesametime,he
experiencedthecontradictorydesiretoplaceherunderhisprotectionashissenior.
Alicewasreputedasthegreatestgeniusinthechurchshistoryeversinceheawokeasanintegrity
knight.Shepossessedatalentatthesacredartsfarsurpassingtheasceticsandpriests,waschosenas
theowneroftheoldestdivineinstrument,theFragrantOliveSwordwithitsalternatename,the
EternalImmortality,whichhadrejectedallresonancewithotherknights,andevenhadthegiftto
takeinallofKnightCommanderBercoulistechniques.
Shecouldbeseenonlyasayounggirlontheoutside,buttomostoftheknights,Alicewaslikea
lonestarinthenorthernskies,distantfromallelse.Thecircumstanceshadalsospurredtherumors
thatshewouldsucceedthehighestminister,Administrator.
Assuch,Eldrie,too,madenoefforttoapproachAliceafterawakeningasaknight.Itcouldevenbe
saidheactivelyavoidedher.
ThoughhismemoriesintheHumanEmpirewerestolenthroughtheSynthesisRitual,Eldriewas
theeldestsonofEschdolWoolsburg,thegreatestcommanderinchiefofNorlangarthNorthEmpire
andafirstclassnoble.Inaddition,inYear380oftheHumanEmpireCalendar,hewasthefirst
representativeswordsmanfromthenorthempireandthechampionoftheFourEmpiresUnity
Tournament.Evenafterbecominganintegrityknight,hisinnateprideandconceitasanoble
remained.
Tothatpersonalityofhis,Alicesexistenceasaknightfarsuperiortohimdespitebeingyoungand
female,andherpositionasKnightCommanderBercoulisonlydiscipleshouldhavebroughthim
discomfortandneveraffection.
However,ithappenedlateatnightsometimeaftershebecameaknight.

EldriespottedanutterlyunexpectedaspecttoAlicebyaccident.
Delvingdeepintherosegardeninabidforsomesecretswordtraining,hesawAlice,dressedin
simplesleepwear,throwingherselfdownbeforeacoarsegravemarkerandsobbing.Thenameonthe
gravemarker,amerecrosscarvedfromplainwood,wasthatofanoldflyingdragonwhoseLife
wentdryseveraldayspriorthemotherdragonwhogavebirthtoAlicesknightdragon,
Amayori,andEldriesknightdragon,Takiguri.
Theymightbehighlyvaluedfortheirwarpotential,butstill,theyweremeredragons.Wasshenot
justalower,keptbeast?Whatreasonwasthereforagraveandthatgrieving?
ThatwaswhatEldriethoughtthen.
However,whenhetriedtoturnasideandsnicker,hewasshockeduponnoticingsomethinghot
wellingfromhisowneyes.
Alice,cryingasshemournedforthedeceasedmotherdragon.Hestilldidnotknowwhythathad
madehisheartquiverhardenoughtohaveittearapart.However,Eldriecouldonlystandstill,
unabletoevenwipehistears,asherealized.Thatgraceful,fleetingfigurewasthetrueAlice
SynthesisThirty.
Eversincethatday,thealoofKnightAliceappearedcompletelydifferentwhenreflectedinEldries
eyes.Hesawherasacrystalflower,capableofwithstandinganydraughtwithherheadfirmlyheld
highyetclosetoshatteringatanymoment
Hewantedtoprotecther.Hewantedtoguardthatgirlfromanytormenting,coldwind.
ThatemotioninEldriegrewonlystrongerdaybyday.Still,histhoughtsofprotectingweretoo
impertinent.AlicestalentssurpassedEldriesbeitinartsorthesword.
TheonlypossibilityhehadleftwashisdesiretoreceiveAlicesguidanceasherdisciple.

Fromthen,Eldrielivedwhileholdingontoasingledesire.Tohavehismaster,Alice,recognizehim
asaswordsmanandasaman.
Thatgoalwasdifficultorevenimpossible.Withthetruestrengthofthatgeniusknight,Alice,ata
levelrecognizedbyevenKnightCommanderBercouli,Eldrieszealous,desperatetrainingwasmore
tokeephispatiencestrongratherthantocatchuptoher.
Atthesametime,hemadegreateffortstodrawhismasterssmileout,byeventheslightestbit,with
conversationsoverallsortsoftopics,mealstogether,andapompousmannerofspeechthatjustcame
tohimthoughthatwas,infact,aresurgenceofhispersonalityfrombeforebecominganintegrity
knight.
Itwasaroundthosedayswhenhiseffortbegantobearfruit,withhisskillwiththeswordgrowing
andhimsucceedinginhavinghismasterslipformanextremelyfaintsmile.
Thecathedralwasassailedbythelargestincidentinthechurchshistory.
Itshouldhavebeenstandarddutyatthestart.Certainly,themajorcrime,murder,committedby
thetwoswordsmenintrainingwashorrifying,butstill,accidentsinvolvingdisputeswithbloodshed,
theaccumulationofunfortunatecircumstances,didhappenthroughoutthevastHumanEmpireat
times.Inreality,hefeltpracticallynodangerorenmityfromthestudentswhenhesawthembrought
tothecathedral.Hethoughtthemnomorethanutterlydejectedyouthsfromthecommonfolk.
Thatwaswhy,whenhismaster,Alice,shutthemawayinthecathedralsundergroundjailand
orderedattheendofhercontemplation
[Guardtheexittotheundergroundjailforanightjustincase.]

Eldriewassomewhatastonished.Andhetookupthedutywiththethoughtthatkeepingvigilin
therosegardenwasniceonceinawhile,butfeltagreatshockwhenthecriminaldidescapejustas
theeasternskiesbegantoturnwhite.
Admiringhismastersinsight,Eldriestoodbeforethemtoaccomplishhisroleandyetofallthings
tohappen,hehadtoloseandhehadnoexcusestodenythat.Hefacedoffagainstcommonerswith
tornchainsasweaponsandheevenmadeuseoftherecollectionreleaseartforhisdivineinstrument,
FrostScaleWhip.
Truly,hecouldonlyadmithisdefeat.Intheend,thosetwobrokethroughtheupperrankingknight,
Deusolbert,DeputyKnightCommanderFanatio,hismaster,Alice,andevenKnightCommander
Bercouli,andendedupevendefeatingHighestMinisterAdministrator.Alicehadclearlymentioned
aswell,intheloghouseatthatmeagernorthvillagehedidnotknowthenameof,infrontofoneof
thosecriminals.Thathewasthestrongestswordsmanwhosurpassedeventheintegrityknights.
Hedidnotfeelregretoverlosingtothatblackhairedyouthintermsofmightwiththesword.
Thatwasnotithewasnottheonethosethoughtshurt.
Theonetoreleasehismaster,Alice,fromtheicegardenthatconfinedherheartwasnothimbutthat
youth.Eldriesheartjoltedatthatrealization.
HoursbeforetheGreatEastGatecollapsed,hismaster,Alice,spokewithagentlesmilehehadnever
seenevenonceinthepast.
[Ihadcontinueddownthatbleakjourneytoreachtodayonlywithyoursupport.Thankyou,Eldrie.]
Orsoshesaid.
Eldrieresolvedhimselfwithtearsofgratitudewhenheheardthosewords.Hewouldshowhow
muchAlicesguidancehadhelpeddevelophimselfonthisbattlefield,attheveryleast.

ThatstrongdeterminationlentstrengthtoEldrieasthepowerofincarnationanddrovehimintoa
corneratthesametime.
Evenifthemountaingoblinarmyhadwagedanormalwarontheleftflankofthefirstunitheled,
EldriewouldshowferocityinnowayinferiortoDeusolbertattherightflank.
However,inreality,themountaingoblinscameupwiththeunexpectedstrategyofcompletely
robbingtheleftflankforcewithadensesmokescreenandslippingpasttheirfeettoassailtherear.
Hewasdoneinbygoblins.HeshowedthatshamefulsighttoAlice,watchingonfromthesky.
ThatimpatiencerobbedthecapabilityforcomposedjudgementsfromEldrie.Herecklesslylooked
aboutinthedensesmokethatconcealedevenhisownnosefromhisvisionandthoughttogive
instructionstotheguards.Buthenoticedintimeatleast,somehow,thatanordertoattackinthis
statewouldendinfriendlyfireandyetcouldthinkofnomeanstogetridofthesmoke.
Eldriecouldonlystandstockstill,dishevelinghislightpurplehairandchewingonhislipshard
enoughforhisbloodtoflow.

2
Heey,youknow,theleftdoesntlooksoincontrol.
AsFizel,herpartner,reportedtotheircommanderinasomewhatcarefreevoice,Linelnoddedas
wellasherpigtailswavered.However,noreplycamefromtheircommander.Sheshiftedhersight
forwardwhilethinkingabouthowshebarelyspoke.
FizelSynthesisTwentyeightandLinelSynthesisTwentynine,apprenticeknights,werestationedat
thefrontofthesecondunitsrightflankoftheHumanEmpireDefenseArmy.Despitetheruckusat

thefirstunitsrightflankpositionedahundredmelinfront,noenemyhadpenetratedthedefense
line.Itseemedtheseniorhighrankingknight,Deusolbert,wasmakingquiteaneffort.
ThecenterofthefirstunitthatDeputyKnightCommanderFanatiowasentrustedwith,too,heldits
positionforthetimebeing.ThoughLinelandFizeltreatedherlikeaneldersisterandanatural
enemyofsorts,theycouldnotdenyhermight.Thattensefeelingshegaveoffpreviously,too,had
mostlyvanishedaftersheshedthatironmaskandrevealedherbareface.
Whatworriedher,asexpected,wastheleftflankofthefirstunit.
EldrieSynthesisThirtyone,whotookupcommand,wasanewcomerwhoawokemerelyseven
monthsagoandthoughhisabilitiesrecentlyimprovedsignificantly,thesudden,majorrolemight
havebeenalittletooheavyforhim.Hedidcommandthefrontlinesbyhisownwish,butitfeltlike
itwouldhavebeenbettertoleaveittotheotherseniorknightsinstead
Sheponderedoverthosethoughtsasshepicturedthestationsforeachknightinherhead.
Thehighrankingknightsgatheredonthisbattlefieldnumberedmerelyseven.
ThefirstunithadEldrieontheleft,DeputyCommanderFanatiointhemiddle,andDeusolbertonthe
right.
ThesecondunithadtheyoungRenriontheleft,KnightCommanderBercouliinthemiddle,andthe
silentfemaleknightontheright.
Andthelastposition,inthesky,wastakenbyAliceSynthesisThirty.
Theleftisacauseforconcernnomatterhowyoulookatit,isntit
Fizelwastheonetocurtlynodherheadinstead,thistime,toLinelsmutterings.Infact,thesituation
attheleftflankhadbeenstrangesinceminutesago.Therewerenosignsofinjuries,butcountless
disorderlycriescouldbeheardfromacrossthetroopsinthemiddle.Whatappearedtobethick

smoke,darkerthaneventhedarknessatthebottomofthevalley,couldbeseenlingeringthereafter
squintinghard.
IntheoffchancetheyslippedthroughEldrieinthefirstunit,thesecondunitcommandedbythe
youngRenrishouldstillholdthembackoratleast,theyshould.
Willthatkidreallybeokaay?
NoddingtoFizelswords,Lineldrewherheadclosertoherpartnerbeforewhispering.
IdidnotsayanythingbecauseIfiguredEsteemedUncleBercouliwouldhavesomethinginmind,
buttheleftandrightflanksofthesecondunitreallyshouldhavebeenswapped.Imnotsureatall
aboutliningupEldrywithRenry.
Fizelloweredhervoiceevenfurtheratthatandreplied.
Ithoughtaboutitandall,butdearunclesprobablythinkingaboutmakingusfightaslittleas
possible,dontyouthink?
Aah
Comingtoanunderstanding,Linelwatchedasaslenderfigurequietlystoodupashortdistance
away.
Thethinarmorwasinmattegrey,ararechoiceamongtheintegrityknights.Herhair,darkgreyas
well,wasseparatedneatlyatthemiddleofherpalebrowandtiedupatthebackofherhead.She
appearedaroundtwentyyearsoldwithsingleeyelidsonhereyes,narrowedinarefinedmanner,and
norougeonherlips.
ShewasnamedSchetaSynthesisTwelve.HeraliasseemedtobeSilent,buttheoriginsforthat
wereunknown.However,attheveryleast,FizelandLinelunderstoodwellenoughthatthisknight

wasnowhereasharmlessasshelooked.Thisknightwasdangerous.Theyhadnodesiretoeven
remainnearherwhenshedrawstherapierattheleftofthewaist.
KnightCommanderBercoulimusthavethoughtofhavingSchetaavoidbattleaswell,thussetting
herbehindtheseniorDeusolbertinsteadoftheyoungEldrie.Inotherwords,ifthatarchercontinued
toholdhisground,Linelandtherestwouldseenoaction.
Thathardlyconstitutedavalidreason,but
Excuseme,Schetasama.
Linelspoketotheirtaciturncommanderoncemore.Sheshotaglanceatthem,soshevoicedoutthe
restofwords.
Maywegotakealookattherear?
Theknightsslenderrighteyebrowmovedjusttwomilliceatthat.Asshefeltaquestioningwhy
fromthat,sherepliedinahurry.
Erm,well,wearealittleconcerned
Hereyebrowmovedonceagain.Itmustbeaskingoverwhat.Heranswermadeherhesitateand
shestruggledbeforeshesomehowgotoutthewords.
Ermmthatpersonwhoshouldbetogetherwiththesupplyunit.TherebelKirito.
Fizelnoddedwithslightmotionsfromthesideatthat.
Inthatgreatturmoilsevenmonthsago,FizelandLinelfoughtagainsttherebels,KiritoandEugeo,
ontheCentralCathedralsgrandstaircase.Tobeaccurate,theyparalyzedthemwithconcealed,
venomousswordsinasurpriseattackanddraggedthembeforethedeputyknightcommanderbefore
tryingtobeheadthem.

Itshouldhavebeeneasy.However,thatrebel,Kirito,hadrecitedthedetoxificationartwithoutthem
noticing,stoletheirswords,andparalyzedthemintheend.
WhenKiritoswungthevenomousswordsdowntowardsLinelandFizel,collapsedontheground,
theydidnotfeelanyfearinparticular.Theysimplysighedandfeltslightregret,missingoutonthe
opportunitytoadvancetobeingrealintegrityknightsfromapprentices.Thinkingthatitwouldbe
niceifKiritokilledthemskillfullyinacleanandrelativelypainlessmanner,inotherwordsLinel
awaitedthemomentherLifewouldbesevered.
However,Kiritodidnotkillthepair.Thevenomousswordsstoodstabbedinthefloorandheturned
hisbacktothem,standingagainstDeputyKnightCommanderFanatio.Andheachievedvictoryin
thatunwinnablebattlewithwoundsalloverhisbody.
FizelandLinelcouldstillclearlyrecallthewordsKiritospartner,therebel,Eugeo,gavethemright
beforetheyleft.
FanatioandKiritoarethatstrongbecausetheyhavetheirsacredinstrumentsandarmamentfull
controlartsthatmightbewhatthetwoofyouthought,beingwhoyouare,butthatswrong.Those
twoaremuch,muchstronger.Theycouldfightonevenwhenhurtthatbadlynotthroughtheirskills
orweaponsbutthroughtheirheartandmind.
Tobehonest,shedidnottrulyunderstandthemeaningbehindthosewordsevenaftertheseseven
monthspassed.
However,itwasrealitythattherebels,KiritoandEugeo,defeatedevenHighestMinister
Administrator.Inexchange,EugeolosthislifeandKiritolosthisheartandanarm.
Whatdidthetworebelsseekastheyfought?Whatstrengthdidtheygainfromtheirheartsand
minds?

ItwasinpursuitofthatthatFizelandLinelparticipatedintheHumanEmpireDefenseArmyand
cameallthewaytothefarawayGreatEastGate.

Theanswersremainedobscure.However,anunfamiliarsensationwentthroughLinelschestwhen
shesawKirito,atopthewheelchairpushedbyKnightAlice,appearingonthebattlefield.Shecould
notdeterminewhatshefeltandthoughtthenafirstforher.
Theapprenticeknights,LinelSynthesisTwentyeightandFizelSynthesisTwentynine,werebornin
theCentralCathedral.ThoughtheyhadheardtheirparentswereamongtheasceticsoftheAxiom
Church,theyrecalledneithertheirnamesnorfaces.
Theirparentswereorderedbythehighestminister,Administrator,toprocreateandtosendthebabies
toacertainestablishmentinthetower.Thoughtherewereagrandtotalofthirtyinthatestablishment
fromthesamebackground,theonlyoneslivingonnowwereLinelandFizel.Alloftheother
twentyeightcouldnotenduretheresurrectionsacredartexperimentsconductedbythehighest
ministeranddied.
FizelandLinellivedononlybecauseoftheirwholeheartedresearchintogoodmethodsofdying
thatplacedtheirfleshandspiritunderleastburden.Thepairstabbedeachotherintheheartas
ordered,died,andwereresurrectedbysacredarts.Bythetimethehighestministergaveuponher
experiments,eachofthemhadalreadygottentheknackofkillingtheotherwhilecausingnearlyno
pain.
Strength,tothepair,referredtoeffectivetechniquesformurder.Iftheopponentprovedstronger,
theywouldpromptlyflee.Flee,andtrain,tosurpassandtokillagainwhengivenanopportunity.By
thatlogic,therewasnoreasontotakeoninjurieswhilestandingagainstsomeonestronger.Theyhad
alwaysthoughtso.
Therebels,KiritoandEugeo,appearedtobeonlyasskilledasthelowerrankingknightswhen
judgingfromtheircombatcapabilitiesalone.However,thepairfoughtagainstthathighestminister,
abandoninganarmandalife,andtriumphed.

Forwhatcause?
Andthus,whathadthatpairtogain?
TheywantedtoaskKiritouponmeetingagainwithhim,butIntegrityKnightAlicewasconstantly
byhissideandtheyfoundnoopportunitytocomeintocontactwithhim.Thoughtheydidnotknow
iftheycouldholdaconversationwithhiminhiscurrentstate,itwouldbeabotherifhediedoff
beforetheycouldtry.Thesupplyunitbehindoughttoremainsafeaslongasthesecondunithold,
butthatchaosontheleftflankwasdefinitelyofworry.
AndastheycouldnotpossiblyexplainallofthattoScheta,theactingcommanderhere,thepair
restlesslywaitedforapproval.
Theknight,Silent,glancedtowardstheleftflankwithhergreyeyesandpointedtowardstherear
withherlefthandafterapproximatelytwosecondsofthought.
Eherm,ssowecango?
AsSchetanoddedwithoutaword,shehastilymadeasimplifiedknightssalutewithFizel.
Thankyouverymuch,wewillbebackimmediatelyafterconfirmingtheirsafety!
Turningabout,theybeganrunningbythesideoftheranks.
Thankyouverymuch,huh.Shehadneversaidthat,noteventotheesteemedhighestminister.
Linelseyesmetwithherpartnerandtheyexchangedcynicalsmilesbeforesheacceleratedfurther.

***

IntegrityKnightRenriSynthesisTwentyseven,abouttoputhisarmsaroundhiskneesoncemore,
drewinasharpbreathdeepinthesuppliestentafterseveralshoutsreachedhisearsfromsurprisingly
closeby.
Coulditbe?Hecouldnotbelievetheenemyarmycouldhavebrokenthroughthevalleysdefense
linessoquickly.Onlytensofminuteshadpassedsincebattlebegan.
ItwasjustduetohimbeingworkedupthathecouldhearthosefarawaynoisessoclearlyRenri
convincedhimself.
However,thereactionsfromthetwogirlswhohadtakenrefugeinthesametenttoldhimthathedid
notmisheartheapproachingsoldiervoices.
Nowaytheyrealreadythisfarback?
TheredhairedtraineenamedTiezShtolienenflickedherfaceupandrushedtothetentsentrance.
Liftingthedrapes,sheascertainedtheoutside.Herwhisperingresoundedimmediatelyafter,inatone
ofincreasinganxiety.
Theressmoke!
ThetraineecalledRonyeArabel,too,tensedupatthat.
EhTiez,istherefiretoo!?
No,theresjustthisoddlycoloredsmokestreaminginNo,wait.Inthesmokethereareall
thosepeople
ThewordsfromTiez,peepingoutsidethroughthegapsinthedrapes,stoppedasthoughabsorbed
bythethickcotton.
Renristrainedhisearsonceagaininthetensesilence,gettingontohisfeet.

Thecrieshadvanishedsometimeago.However,hesensedsomeoneapproachingbeyondthat
stillness.Heheardgradual,dampfootsteps.
Withoutwarning,Tiezretreatedtothemiddleofthetentwithuncertainsteps.Hershudderingright
handreachedouttowardsherleftwaist.
Ithappenedthen,whenRenrirealizedshewastryingtodrawhersword.
Baff!
Thedrapesattheentrancetoreastheywerepulledapartwithoutcare.
Theoutsidewasmiredinduskwithouthimknowingandthetorcheslightquiveredaloneinapale
red.Ahumanoidsilhouettestoodinsilenceagainstthatbackdrop.Despiteitssmallframeand
hunchedback,itstwoarmswereabnormallymuscularandgrippedontoacoarsemachetethat
appearedasthoughcutoutfromsheetmetal.
ThestenchmixedintotheairblowinginfromtheentrancestungRenrisnose.
TraineeShtolienendrewherswordasitssheathclatteredandTraineeArabelshoutedinalowvoice
frombesidethewheelchair.
Agoblin!?
Theintruderwithbizarrefeaturesrespondedinahoarsevoice,scratchyinsomeplaces.
Ohohwhiteiumgirlstrophiesforme
Tiezslowlysteppedbackatthesheerrawnessofhisdesires.
Whilehewasahighrankingintegrityknight,thiswasRenrisfirsttimewitnessingademihuman
fromtheDarkTerritory.Hehadbeendealtwith,bybeingfrozen,beforehewasgrantedaflying
dragontoflytothemountainrangeattheedge.
Thiswascompletelydifferent.

Renrithoughtabsentmindedly.
Hethoughthehadlearntsufficientlyregardingthefourdemihumanracesfromthelecturesgivenby
theseniorknightsandthewrittenmaterialinthecathedral.However,thegoblinheimagined,taking
onanappearancelikethatofthemischievousfairiesfromnurserytales,resembledthisrepulsive
organismstandingamereeightmelawayinnoway.
ThegoblinlumberedastepforwardinRenrisviewasheshiveredtothetipsofhisfingers,unableto
evenmove.Hisdirtiedplatearmorshonedullylikescales.
Tiezturnedthelongswordheldinhertwohandstowardsthegoblin,butitspointwobbledasher
kneesquivereduncontrollably.Didthatsoftclatteringcomefromthegirlsteeth?
TiTiez
AfeeblevoiceleakedoutfromRonyesthroat.ShehidthewheelchairKiritosatuponbeforeher
backandheldontoherswordsgripwithherrighthand,butherlegs,too,wereshaking.
Hehadtostand.
Hehadtostand,drawtheTwinEdgedWingsfromhiswaist,andfightagainstthegoblinsoldier.
Despitethosethoughts,Renrisbodyrejectedanynotiontomoveasthoughpetrified.Theenemy
wasnomorethanasingledemihumansoldier.Thehighrankingknights,capableofmatchinga
thousand,shouldhavebeenbestowedenoughpowertoachievevictoryevenwhenupagainsta
thousandofthesegoblins.
Gufhyoulooktasty
Thegoblinlickedhislipsashisviscousdrooldrippedinstrings.
Babackoff!Ifyoudont!

ThewarningTiezdesperatelywrungoutservednopurposeexcepttostimulatethegoblinsappetite.
Withasmugsmile,thedemihumantookanotherstepforward,hismachetebrandished.Then
Thump.
Thatstalenoiserangoutinthetent.
Thegoblinsoldierstwoyelloweyesopenedwidelyinconfusionashelookeddownathisown
chest.
Sharp,smoothmetalsprungfromthecoarseplatearmor.Itwaswetwithdropsoffreshblooda
swordspointedtip.Somebeinghadstabbedpreciselyintothedemihumansheartfrombehind.
Whatis,thisthing?
Thosebecamethegoblinsoldiersfinalwords.Strengthlefthisbrawnyframeandhecrumbledonto
thetentsfloorinexhaustion.
Standingbeyondhimandhalfaheadshorterthanthetwofemaletraineeswasasmallswordswoman,
orperhapsafemaleascetic.Herdark,reddishbrownhairwasbraidedandsheworeasilver
breastplateatopblackasceticclothing.Theswordsheheldinherrighthandwasrathershort,fitting
herphysique.Despitehowshecouldstillbelabelledachildasaccordingtoheragedespitehow
shehadjustkilledthathorrifyingdemihumansoldier,heradorablefaceshowednotevenahintof
fear.
Afterseeingthatmuchinadaze,Renrinoticedatlast.
Thisgirlwasneitheraswordswomannoranascetic.

Shewasaknight.AnapprenticeintegrityknightwithanameofLinelSynthesisTwentyeightifhe
recalledright.Thegirlwashalfofthedreadfultwins:theonewhomurderedtheprevious
twentyeighthknightinamatchandstoletheposition.
LinelsexpressionshowednoreactionevenwhenshesawthefoolishsightofRenrisinkingontothe
ground.AfterconfirmingthesafetyofthetwotraineesandKirito,onthewheelchair,shespunabout.
Anotherapprenticeknightappearedatthetentsentranceimmediatelyafter.Hershorthairwasin
samehueasLinelsandFizelSynthesisTwentyninewhisperedtoherpartnerinasoftvoice.
Nel,Itookcareofallofthegoblinsnearby,buttheyrestillcoming.Maybebesttomove.
Nn,okay,Zel.
Havingnodded,Linelcaughttheobstructinggoblincorpseonthefloorneartheentrancewiththetip
ofherrightfootandrolleditsomewherelesstroublesome.Thenearlackofspilledbloodwaslikely
duetothespeedandprecisionofthatonestrikefrombehind.
Turningaround,shecalledouttothetraineeswhoappearedincapableofspeaking.
IamLinelandthisisFizel.Thetwoofusareapprenticeknights.
YYes,weveseenyouduringpractice.Wearetrainees,TiezShtolienenandRonyeArabel.
ThankThankyouverymuchforsavingus.
TiezstatedhernamewithavoicethatstilltrembledandRonyebowedaswell.Linelshruggedher
shouldersinaprecociousfashionatthat.
Itsstillupintheairwhetheryoullliveornot.Itlookslikemorethanahundredgoblinsslipped
throughthedefenselineswhiletheleftflanksofthefirstandsecondunitsarecoveredina
smokescreen.

LinelwentquietforamomentthereandfinallylookedstraightatRenri.
Hergreyeyestingedwithvioletnarrowed.
Whatcouldyoubedoinghereastheesteemedknightwhoissupposedtobetakingcommandofthe
secondunitsleftflank?Thoseunderyouaremovingaboutinconfusionunderthesmokescreen,you
know?
Avertinghisfaceasthoughtoescapefromtheapprenticeknightssight,Renrirepliedsoftly.
Itsnothingtodowiththetwoofyou.Pleasetakethosetwoandtheillonetosomewheresafe.
RenrifeltvividlyachangeinLinelspresenceinthatmoment.
Acold,murderousaura,unfittingforachild,brushedagainsthischeek.Theswordstainedwith
goblinbloodshoneorangeinthetorcheslight.
Wasshethinkingtokillhimlikeshedidtotheprevioustwentyeighth?
Thenthatwouldbealltothat.Itwasamistakeinthefirstplacetohurlhim,afailureofaknightwho
shouldhavebeenfrozenforever,intoarealbattlefield.Hecouldnotpossiblyreturntothesecond
unitnowandtherewasnoplaceforhimevenifhefledbacktothecathedral.Thoughshewasan
apprentice,anexecutionbyLinelwhoheldanumberasaknightwouldbeafittingendforsucha
coward.
Renriturnedhisfaceawayasheawaitedthebladeofcondemnation.
Butwhatheheardwasasoftwhisperratherthanapproachingfootsteps.
Youareaterriblecoward,butyoumusthavesomestrengthifyouresupposedtobeahigh
rankingknight.Thankthatswordsmanyoucalledill.

WhatdidshemeanthatthoughtcameandheraisedhisfaceonlyafterLinelsasceticclothing
spunabout.
Trainees,come,andbringKiritowithyou.
WentLinelsinstructions.
Nel,theyrehere!Therereeightno,ten!
BeforeFizelsvoiceoverlappedthem.Certainly,thereweremultiplesetsoffootstepsapproaching
fromtheeast.
Turningabout,LinelquicklyinstructedTiezandRonyewhostoodfrozen.
Itakebackthatorder,standbyforawhile.Wewilltakecareofthegoblins.
Weweunderstand,esteemedknight.
TieznoddedandLinelleftthetent,asthoughslidingaway,andvanishedalongsideFizel.Cries
fromthegoblinsgoing,Theretheyare!Iumchildren!camestraightawayasthefootstepsleft.
Theymusthaveplannedtodrawthemawaybeforeengaging.
Standingagainsttenwholegoblinswithoutfearrequiredcouragebeyondwhatonewouldexpect
fromapprentices.However,thosetwoheldstrengthworthyofthat.
Strength.
LineljudgedRenriasacowardbutstillsaidhemusthavesomestrength.Andthatheshouldthank
therebel,Kirito,whoshouldhaveoriginallybeentheirenemy.
Hedidnotunderstandthemeaningbehindthosewordsandhedoubtedtherewasevenatraceof
strengthinsidehimself.Afterall,hecouldnotevenbringhimselftostandevenwithanenemy
soldierwithinsight.

Renrilookeddownwards,unabletoevenmusterthecouragetoconfirmtheexpressionsRonyeand
Tiezhad.
However,thatlastedonlyseconds.Astraightlinetorethroughthethick,wovenfabriconRenris
immediateleft,separatingthetentsinsidefromtheoutside.Thatwasreasonenoughforhimtoget
upandleapbackwards,ratherthancowerashedid.
Standingontheothersideofthetornfabricwasagoblinsoldiershorterinstaturethantheoneearlier
butcladinarmorthatseemedofsomewhathighquality.Thoughmadefromleather,itwastailored
skillfullyandevendyedblack.JudgingfromhowhehidfromLinelandtherestsnotice,hewas
apparentlyascoutthatexcelledincovertoperations.
Renriunconsciouslyreachedouttowardsthethrowingknivesonhiswaist.Buthecouldnotdraw
them.Likewhenhesawthefirstgoblin,thefearseepingfromthedepthsofhisstomachnumbedhis
frigidfingertips.
Renriwasmostlyunawareofithimself,butthesourceofthatfeardidnotstemfromseeinga
demihumansoldierupcloseforthefirsttime.
Itwasfeartowardsfighting.Tobespecific,hefearedthedeathmatchthatengagingagoblinwould
leadto.
Hefearedgettingkilled.Thatsaid,hefearedkillingevenmore.
SetsoffootstepsreachedRenrisfrozenears.TheymustbefromaunitdifferentfromtheoneLinel
andFizeldrewaway.Therereallyweremorethantenortwentygoblinswhoslippedpastthedefense
lines.
PerhapshavingseenthroughRenrisfearashestoodfrozen,thescoutgrinnedandturnedtowards
TiezandRonye.ThetwofemaletraineeshidKiritoonthewheelchairbehindthemselvesandfirmly

brandishedtheirswordsoncemore.However,despairflashedontotheirfacesrightafter.Numerous
shadowsapproachedthroughthesmokehangingbehindthescout.
ThescoutreadiedthescythelikeweaponinhisrighthandandsidledtowardsTiezandRonye.
Stopstopthere!Wewillcutyouifyoucomeanycloser!
Theredhairedgirlshoutedboldly.Butthatvoicewasfaintlyhoarseandquivered.

Thegoblinshortenedthedistanceinsilence.Thelackofpointlessbanter,unlikethenormalsoldier
fromearlier,indicatedhimtobehigherupamongthesoldiers,withmoretraining.Still,Tiezheld
hergroundandheldherswordaloftwithanexpressiondisplayingherreadinesstodie.
Youcantdoit,run.
Hewantedtosayso.ButRenrismouthdidnotmove.Hisbody,no,hissoulrejectedtheoptionto
fighteveninthissituation.
Itwasthen
Aweak,creakingnoisereachedRenrisears.
Heflickedhissightalonetowardstheright.
Theblackhairedyouthlookingdownwardswithanemptyexpression,stillpowerlesslysittingonthe
wheelchairinthetentsmurkydepths.Thenoisecamefromhislefthand.Bloodvesselsshowedup
onthehandhuggingthetwoswords,rousinghisjoints,displayingthetremendouspowerwithin
them.
Asthoughresentingthelackofarighthandtodrawthoseblades.

You
Renriwhisperedwithaninaudiblevoice.
Youwishtoprotectthosetwo?Despitebeingunabletostand,todrawyoursword,ortoevenspeak?
Outofnowhere,henoticed.
ThestrengthLinelandFizelmentionedbeforetheyleft.Thatmustrefertoneitherswordsmanship,
norarts,nordivineinstruments,noreventhearmamentfullcontrolart.
Itwasthatmeagerpowereveryone,bothintegrityknightsandthecommonfolk,possessedfromthe
start,yetlostsightofalltooeasily.
Courage.
Renrisrighthandslowlybeganmoving.HisstillnumbedfingertipsbrushedagainsttheTwin
EdgedWingsonhiswaist.Sensationreturnedtohishandsinthatinstant.Hisdivineinstrument
seemedtospeaktohim.
ThegoblinscarelesslyswungthatbrutalscytheuptowardsTiez.
Then
Thesharpnoiseoftheairbeingslicedapartechoedasabluishwhitelightilluminatedthemurky
insidesofthetent.
Thelightsprungupwards,tracinganarcfromRenrishand,grazingthetentsroofasitdived.It
turneduponpassingthroughthegoblinsbodyandsettledbetweentheindexandmiddlefingersof
Renrisoutstretchedrighthand.
Ghhi?

Thegoblinmoanedasthoughdoubtingwhathadoccurred.Alightredlinedrewacrossthemiddleof
hisfacewithoutasound.
Immediatelyafter,thetophalfofthegoblinsfaceslidoutofplaceandfellontothegroundwitha
dampnoise.
Thedivineinstrument,TwinEdgedWings,wasasetofextremelythin,steelthrowingknivesbent
inthemiddle.
Theknivesofapproximatelyfortycenlonghadnogriptoholdthemby.Bothsidesendedinsharp
tipsandtheywerethrownbyplacingthatbetweenonesfingers.Theedgesthatflewwhilerevolving
athighspeedscouldfreelychangetheirtrajectoryandwouldreturntotheirownershandsbefore
receivedbetweenonestwofingersagain.
Inotherwords,evennormalusagerequiredalevelofconcentrationincomparabletothatofswords.
Hecouldeasilylosehisfingersifhisfocuswasdisturbedbytheslightestbitandhefailedtoreceive
thereturningedges.
HisevidentcontroloversuchaweaponcouldbesaidtobeproofenoughofRenriscapabilities.
However,hehimselfwasabsolutelyunawareofthat.Hisspiritlanguishedatthefeelingofinferiority
fromhisincapabilitytoactivatethearmamentfullcontrolart.
Assuch,Renrihadnotactuallybecomeanymorereadyforbattledespitehavingkilledthegoblin
withasinglestroke.
Renrirepeatedhisshallowbreathingwhilefocusedonthecoldsteelfaintlyquivering,whirlingtoa
stopatthetipofhisextendedrighthand.Hekilled,hehadfinallykilledthosewordsalone
resoundedinhismindtimeandtimeagain.
Esteemedknight.

Tiezwastheonetobreakthesilence.Tearslightlystainedhereyesintheshadeofautumnasthe
traineespokeinawhisper.
Thankyouverymuch.Youdidsaveus,intheend.
WarmthspreadthroughRenrischest,icywithfear,fromthosewords.Thatsaid,hedidnothavethe
timetorespond.Multipleshadowscamedirectlyatthemfrombeyondthesmokescreen.Their
numberswerelikelybeyondten.
Impossible.Icantfightanylonger.Itwasscaryenoughevenagainstthatonegoblin.
Themeagercouragehegatheredfromallofhimselfscatteredandvanished.
Hisbreathinggrewshallow.Strengthlefthislegs.
Hiseyesswam,seekingapathofescape,andweredrawntothetwolongswordsheldinthe
blackhairedyouthsonearm.
Oneamongthem,theswordadornedwithadetailedroseinlayonitsgrip,letoutafeeblelightinthe
dimdarkness.Thebluelight,faintyetsomehowwarm,pulsatedjustlikeaheart.Theicydread
envelopinghisentirebodygraduallythawed.
Afterdrawinginalltheairhischestcouldhold,Renrispoke.
ThetwoofyoushouldstayhereandprotectKiritosan.
Yyes!
TiezandRonyerepliedwithspirit.Replyingwithalightnod,Renrileftthetentfromwherethe
scouttorethrough.ThetwogoblinsleadingtheapproachingenemysoldiersnoticedRenriandbared
theirfangs.
Aflashcamefromhisrighthandandabluishwhiteradianceranthroughtheair.

Thethrowingknifereturnedtohisfingersjustastheirtwoheadsfell.However,Renrishiftedhis
sightwithoutmakingsureofthatandletloosetheknifeonhisleftwaisttowardsanewtarget.
Anothertwogoblinshadtheirlifecutawayastheycrumbled.
NewtroopssurroundedRenriwhohaddealtwithfourgoblinsinmerelyfourseconds.
Itsaknight
Thegeneralshead!
Kill!Kill!!
Bathedinthosesavagevoices,Renriranforwardinordertodrawtheenemiesawayfromthetent
behind.Thegoblinsarmorrattledastheychasedafter.
Theorderlylinesofsuppliestentscametoaneventualend.Onhisimmediateleftwasacliffwall
thatroseverticallyandadensesmokescreenobstructingthefrontwithgoblinsgushingoutfrom
there,oneafteranother.Andbehindhimwerethetenchasinghim.
Havingjumpedintohisowndoom,Renristoppedhisfeetandstretchedhistwohandsgraspingonto
thetwothrowingknivestowardstheleftandrightbeforeshouting.
MynameisRenri!Theintegrityknight,RenriSynthesisTwentyseven!!Ifyouwishforthis
head,thencomeatmereadytosetyourlifeaside!
Thegoblinsrespondedwithferociousroarsatthatspeechthattookallofhiscourage.
TheirmachetesswungupasoneandRenriletlooseboththrowingknivesconcurrently,targeting
themwholeaptinfrombothends.
Theknifeinhisrighthandtowardstheright.Theknifeinhislefthandtowardstheleft.Thetwo
soaringedgestracedarcsastheyinterceptedthefrontmostgoblins.

Headslefttheirbodies,dismemberedoneafteranother,beforefallingontotheground.Theirbodies
fellforward,delayed,asdarkfreshbloodspurtfromthem.
Renricaughtthetworeturningknivesnotbyholdingthembetweenhisfingersbutbyhookingthem
aroundhisindexfingers.Spinningthemathighspeedsinordertomaintaintheirmomentum,he
threwthemoncemorewithoutpause.
Theexactsamescenerepeateditselfyetagain.Anaivecomparisonofhisnormalattacksagainst
DeusolbertsConflagrantFlameBowandFanatiosHeavenPiercingSwordintermsofmight
wouldprobablyresultinhisvictory.TheedgesoftheTwinEdgedWingswerethinnerthanpaper
andastheyspunatextremespeeds,theycutthroughinadequatearmorasthoughtheywerenot
present.
Thetwoconsecutivethrowsdownedovertenandeventhegoblinswhoknewnofearhadtheirvigor
dampened,spookedbythedisconcertingmannerofdeathoftheirallies.
IcandothisIfheheldonforalittlelonger,backupshouldcomefromthefrontlineswherethe
smokescreenwasfading.
Renrihelddowntheterrorfromthegenocidehecommittedashetookathirdthrow.
However,whatarrivedathisearswasthenoiseoftwigsfellbyahatchetratherthanthepriorcutting
noises.
Kakiiin!
Ashrillsoundofimpact.
ThetwoknivesreturnedsomehowdespitehowtheircourseswereviolentlyalteredandRenrireached
outasfarashecouldwithbothhandstoretrievethem.Deprivedofthecomposureneededtorisk
hookingitagainsthisfingers,henarrowlybroughtthelethalknivestoastop.

Histwowidelyopenedeyescaughtsightofafigure,asinglegoblin,languidlyappearingfrom
beyondthesmokescreen.
Large.
HisheightdidnotdiffermuchfromRenriwhosebodywasatthephysicalageoffifteen.However,
thebulgingmusclescoveringhisentirebodyandtheburningmurderousauraemanatingfromhis
pairofyelloweyeswerewhollydifferentfromtheothergoblins.Heworerivetedleatherarmor,
perhapsforthesakeofmobilityasitappearedlight,andamassivehatchetdangledfromhisright
hand.
Youretheirgeneral?
Renriaskedinasoftvoice.
Yer.Chiefofthemountaingoblins,Kosogi.
Thegoblinrepliedcalmlyandslowlylookedabout.
Ahah,thatsonegranddisplayyouputoninkillingthem.Tothinktherewasanintegrityknight
leftbehindallthewaybackhere.Ididntexpectthatatall.
Itwasnotjusthisphysique,buthismannerofspeech,too,completelydifferedfromtheother
goblins.Despitepossessinganintense,seethingbloodthirst,hishighintelligenceheldthatdown.
Notthatitmatters.HeonlygotluckyanddeflectedtheTwinEdgedWingsonce,thatwont
happenagain.
Renricrossedhisarmsbeforehimselfandshouted.
Yourwarwillendhere!!
Hethrewthemasfastashecould,withallhehad.

Therightedgesoareddownatanangleastheleftgrazedthegroundasitsprangupwards,accurately
flyingtowardsKosogisneck.Still.
Onceagain,allthatrangoutwasashrill,clearmetallicnoise.
Theenemygeneral,Kosogi,shiftedthehatchetquicklyenoughforittoturnintoagreyblurand
splendidlywardedoffthesimultaneousattackfromleftandright.
Hebarelycaughtthedeflectedthrowingknives.
Why!?TheTwinEdgedWingsshouldbeenoughtoslicethroughthatgoblinsweapon!
Shocked,RenrissightwasdrawnintowardsKosogishatchet.
Thoughitsmakewascoarselikethemachetesthegoblinsoldiershadequipped,thetintofitsblade
differed.Thatwasnotaproductofprimitivecasting.Ithadasharpbladewithhighpriority,forged
overmuchtimewithtemperedsteel.
PerhapshavingseenthroughRenrisastonishment,Kosogibroughtthehatchetbeforehisfaceashe
grinned.
This?Itsaprototype,butitsquitewelldone,right?Therewasbloodspiltinordertostealthe
materialsandmethodsfromtheOrderoftheDarkKnights.Butyouseethatsnottheonlyreason
whyyourattacksarebeingblocked,knightkid.
Thenhowaboutthis?!
Heswungbothhandsstraightup.Thethrowingknivesthatsoaredintothedarknightskiesvanished
fromtheenemyssightanddrewagreatarcastheyassailedfrombehind.Deflectingthiswouldbe
!!

Hisconvictionimmediatelyfellapart.ThegoblinchiefnamedKosogiswungthehatchetbehindand
deflectedtheknivestravellingatextremespeedswithoutevenlooking,ofallthings.
Renrifailedtoperfectlycatchthereturningknives,wobblingunsteadily,andsufferedacutonthe
middlefingerofhislefthand.However,thesituationgavehimnotimetoevenfeelthatpain.
Theyrelight,kid.Andthatnoisetoo.
KosogisshortlinescoveredeverysingleoneoftheTwinEdgedWingsweaknesses.
Theweightofeachthrowingknifewasunbelievablylightforaweaponconsideredadivine
instrument.Thatwasonlynaturalgivenitspursuitforonlysharpnessandrotationalenergy,butasa
result,itcouldnotcutdownbyforceanyopponentwithadefenseofsufficientprioritytohandleits
velocity.
Inaddition,theknivesthatspunathighspeedsastheyflewexhibitedadistinctivenoiseasthey
slicedthroughtheair.Itwaswithintherealmofpossibilityforsomeonewhohadtrainedtheir
hearingtopredictthetrajectories.
RenrishudderedatKosogisintellect,seeingthroughthatmuchafterwatchinghisattacksonlythose
fewtimes.Tothinkagoblin,acrude,inferiordemihumancould
Andthatsjustagoblinyourfacesspeaking,kid.
Showingagrinthatappearedsomewhatdepressed,Kosogiwhispered.
Butinmycase,Iwouldliketosaythis.Youresupposedtobesomegreatesteemedknight,right?
SomeintegrityknightcapableoffacingagainstathousandthatswhatIheard,butlookslikeits
differentforyou?Thatswhyyourehidingallthewaybackhere,arentyou?
Yeah,thatsit.

Itwashismistakeinthefirstplacetomakelightoftheenemybeforehimselfassomegoblin.
Understandingthat,Renriabandonedhisbluffandnodded.
Imafailureofaknight.Butstillmakenomistake.Imthefailurehere,notthis.
Hebroughtthesilveredgesheldbetweenhisfingersinbothhandsbeforehisface.
TheTwinEdgedWingsweaknesses.Theonemethodtoriditofthemwouldbetheintegrity
knightssecretart,thearmamentfullcontrolart.
Thisdivineinstrumentwassaidtobeonceapairofdivinebirdswhohadrespectivelylosttheirleft
andrightwings.Unabletoflywithasinglewing,theyjoinedtogetherandsoaredhigherthananyof
theotherbirdscouldgoandflewonforclosetoaneternity.
Thatlegendgavebirthtoasmall,stingingwounddeepinRenrisheartwithouthisownnotice.
TheonehecherishedinthosememoriesrobbedfromhimthroughtheSynthesisRitual.
ThechildhoodfriendhecrossedswordsagainstinthefinalmatchoftheFourEmpiresUnity
Tournamentandstolethelifeofbyaccidentattheendofthatbattlesurpassingallother.
HeandRenriweretrulyapairofbirds.Theyhadcompetedagainsteachotherforasfarbackasthey
couldrecallandevenaftermovingtothecentralcapitalfromtheirvillage,theybrokethroughall
trialswhilerelyingoneachotherformentalsupport,reachingthatultimatestage.
Buttheirwingsbrokethere.
Evenwithhismemoriessealedandhimturnedintoanintegrityknight,thegiganticsenseoflossin
Renrisheartremainedunfilled.Havinglostthecouragetotakeuptheswordtofightandthejoyof
connecting,hearttoheart,withanother,Renricouldnotpossiblyhavecalledawakethosetwodivine
birdssoaringwiththeirwingsjoined.

But.
Thatblackhairedyouthhemetonthisbattlefieldwhohadsufferedmorethananyoneelseandthe
twoswordsheheldinhisarm.
ThewarmthlightemanatingfromoneofthosespoketoRenriinamutevoice.
Thingsexistedinthisworldthatremainedevenafteroneslifecametoanend.
Thosewerememories.Recollections.
Connectionsbetweenheartsallowedforoneslifetobesucceededbyanother,andyetanother.
Withoutend,aslongastheworldcontinuedon.
Renriavertedhissightfromthegoblingeneral,approachingwithanexpressioncertainofvictory,
andgentlyloweredhiseyelids.
Theyoungknightappearedasthoughhehadgivenoneverythingbeforehisbodyletlooseanabrupt
tempestofhisspiritasaswordsman.Histwoeyesflickeredopen.Histwoarms,grippingontothe
twometalknives,intersectedasthoughtoconcealthebottomhalfofhisface.
Fly,TwinWings!!
Thosearmsswipedhorizontallyalongwiththatshout.Thetwosoaringstreaksoflighttracedasteep
arcandassailedKosogifromtherightandleft.
Youcankeeptryingbutitsuseless!!
Thegoblinchiefbrandishedhishatchetanddeflectedthethrowingkniveswithallhisstrength.
Shrill,metallicnoiseaccompaniedcrimsonsparks.Thetwoknivesbouncedawayalltooeasily,but
theytookoffbackintotheskieswithoutfallingontotheground.Justliketwonestledbirds,they
drewahelixastheyintertwined,joiningevercloser.

Itwasthen,whentheknivescametogether.

Releaserecollection!!

Ratherthanthearmamentfullcontrolart,Renricriedoutloudthephraseforthetruesecretart
surpassingit,therecollectionreleaseart.
Apurewhiteradianceilluminatedthevalley.
Thetwofacingmetalknivesunitedattheirapexeswithinthelightandbecameone.
Revolvinggently,theknifethathadnowbecomeacrossglitteredbluishlikeadistantstarinthe
nightsky.Thedivineinstrument,theTwinEdgedWings,released.
Renrislowlyreachedhisrighthandtowardshisotherself,stillreleasinglightfromfarabove.
Beautiful.
Justlikemetogetherwith
Hegripped,tightly,therighthandthathehadraisedsohigh.
Thecrossedknifebeganrotatingwithtremendousforce.Thenoiseofitcuttingthroughtheairgrew
steeplybeforeeventuallydisappearingasitexceededtheaudiblespectrum.
Renrileisurelyswungdownthatrighthand.
TheTwinEdgedWingsslidthroughspacesoundlesslyasadiscoflighttowardsthegoblin.
Itsnouse!!
Roaring,KosogislashedthehatchetattheTwinEdgedWingsassaultfromtheskyaboveinabidto
knockitdown.

However,itoccurredamomentbeforethethicksteelwentupagainsttheultrathinknife.Thedivine
instrumentrapidlyaltereditspriortrajectoryandleaptverticallyforamomentbeforeaccelerating
downwardsoncemoreafterthehatchetswipedthroughemptyair.
Khh.
Itwasadry,quietnoise.
AbluishwhitestreaksurgedthroughthemiddleofKosogisfigure,trainedtotheextremes,inthe
verynextinstant.
Gaaahh!!
KosogileaptatRenriwithasavageroar.Buttherighthalfofhisbodyfellbehindtheleft.Herana
steportwobeforehisbodyseparatedfully,crashingtowardstherightandleft.

Onthevergeofhisdeath,Kosogiponderedonthecauseofhisdefeatwithhisexcellentintellect.
Goingbyhispreconceptions,itwouldmeanthatpuny,buddingknighthidbloodthirstanddesires
greaterthanhim.However,nomatterhowhardhestaredwithhisdividedvision,hecoulddiscernno
bloodthirstatallontheknightschildlikeface.
Then,whathadIlostto?
Thoughthedesiretoknowoverwhelmedhim,thatwasbutamomentbeforecompletedarkness
engulfedhisvision.

UponreceivingthereturningTwinEdgedWingswithbothhands,theyseparatedwithoutasound
andreturnedtohowtheywere.
Renrisilentlystaredatthetwoknivesunstainedbyevenadropofblood.
Itwasnotasifhissealedmemoriescamebacktohim.Inthefirstplace,Renrihadnonotionthathis
memoriesweresealed.
Yetstill,Renriaffirmedtheremnantsofmemories,sparseastheywere,ofanotherpersonwhomhis
hearthadjoinedwithonce.Hethoughtthatsufficientfornow.
Aftershuttinghiseyesforamoment,heflickedhisheadupwardsinrealization.Thereshouldhave
beenmanygoblinsoldierswaitingbehindtheenemygeneral,Kosogi.Yetitwasstrangelyquiet.
Focusinghiseyesbeyondthefinallyclearingsmokescreen,Renrinoticedcountlesscorpsesheaped
uponeachother.Theywereallthoseoftheenemytroopswhoshouldhavebeenstillaliveminutes
ago.Surprisetookhimashewonderedwhocouldhavedoneit.
Yourelookingalittlemorelikeaknightnow,arentyou?

Hearingthatvoice,heflusteredlyturnedhisbodyabout.Thepersontrottinginfromhisrightwasthe
apprenticeknight,FizelSynthesisTwentyeight.LinelSynthesisTwentyninewaspresentbesideher
too.Itmusthavebeenthispairwhotookcareoftheremainingenemytroops.
Hestoodstockstill,notknowinghowtoreply,andLinel,withherhairinpigtails,snortedbefore
carryingoutanembellishedknightsalute.
EsteemedHighRankingKnight,weawaityourorders.
Thatmusthavebeenpartsarcasm,butitwasstillbetterthanscorn.Renriclearedhisthroatbefore
askingofthepair.
AreTiezandtheotherssafe?
Yep.Theyjoinedupwiththesupplyunit.
AsFizelnodded,heletoutarelievedsighandnodded.
Whatabouttheenemysoldierswhogotpast?
Wetookcareofallofthem.
Linelrepliedthistime.
ThenIllreturntomyunit,soitwouldbeforthebestifthetwoofyoudidthesame.
Okaay.Understood.
Afterseeingofftheapprenticeknightswhoturnedaboutwithabsolutelynosignofexhaustionfrom
thecombatandrushedoff,heturnedhiseyestowardstherowsoftentsbehindoncemore.
Thankyou.

Expressinghisgratitudeinhishearttothetwofemaletraineesandthatyoungswordsman,Renri
SynthesisTwentyseventhehighrankingintegrityknightbeganrunningtowardstheeasttojoinup
withtheleftflankofthesecondunit.

3
AtthebackoftheDarkTerritoryssecondarmy,stationedroughlyfivehundredmelfromthevalley
wherethefiercebattlescontinued.
Atallwomaninarevealingoutfitstoodonthesecondfloorofafourwheeledcarriage,luxurious
enoughevenifinferiortoEmperorVectorsearthdragonwarvehicle,withherarmsfolded.Shewas
oneoftheTenLordsoftheDarkEmpire,headoftheDarkArtsUsersGuild,D.I.L.
Theblackclothedmessengerartsuserwaitingathersidelookedupathermasterasshereportedina
lowvoice.
Sigrosigdono,Shiboridono,andKosogidonohaveallbeenlostinthebattle.
D.slipscurvedinthatinstantandshespatout.
Ugh,howuselessIsupposethatsasfarasthosestupiddemihumanscouldgo.
Shetookaglanceatthenecklacedanglingonhercaptivatingbreasts.Withtwelvepreciousstonesset
onthesilvercircle,itwasatreasureddivineinstrumentthattoldthetimethroughtheirfluctuating
hues.Thesixoclockstonelitorangeandthesevenoclockstonewasstilldark.Inotherwords,only
ameretwentyminutesorsohadpassedsincethebattlebeganatsixintheevening.
Havethoseintegrityknightspositionsbeenuncovered?

Sheasked,makingnoefforttohideherirritation,andthemessengerartsuserchantedashortartand
listenedtotheartuserslurkingonthebattlefieldbeforereplying.
Wehavevisualsightonthreeatthefrontmostlines.Wehavefoundtwointherear,butconfirming
theirpositionswillstillrequiretime.
Stillfive?Orperhapstheirnumbersaresimplyfew?Still,wemustbesuretoslaughterthose
five
D.mutteredtoherselfwitharuthlessexpression,farfromthecoquettishbehaviorsheputupbefore
theemperor,andgaveanorderafterslightthought.
Fine,releasetheminions.Makethecommands
Squinting,shejudgedthedistancetothecollapsedGreatGateandthewarfrontbeyonditbefore
continuing.
flysevenhundredmel,descendontoground,andunrestrainedannihilation.
Ibelievethedemihumanforcesatthefrontmostlinewillbeswallowedupwiththatdistance?
Thatsofnoissue.
Shedecidedinanapatheticmanner.
Thefemalemessengerartsuser,too,showednoemotionandnoddedwithanunderstoodbefore
askingagain.
Howmanyshallwesend?Wecurrentlyhaveatotalofeighthundredincubatedandallavailable
here.
Hmm,letssee

D.tookseveralmoremomentsasshepondered.
Shefeltminions,requiringmanyresourcesandmuchtimeintheirproduction,tobefarmore
importantthanthosegoblinsintermsoffightingstrength.Thoughshewantedtoexerciseprudence
whereverpossible,theemperorwouldcertainlybedispleasedifD.sproposalto[annihilatethe
enemysmainforcethroughaconcentratedvolleyofartsfrombehind]weretofail.
Alleighthundred.
Acruelsmilemadeitswayontothoselipsthatissuedthatorder.
D.hidanambition.Toachievevictoryinthisbattleandobtainthatradiantmediumperson,and
thus,tosucceedthepositionofemperorfromDarkGodVectorwhohadreturnedtotheearthlyrealm
forabsoluteruleovertheentireUnderworld.
Upontakingthethrone,shecouldcreatethousands,tensofthousandsofminionsifshesowished.
Hergreatestobstacle,theDarkGeneralShasta,hadalreadydiedandtheonlyoneswithpower
remainingwerethemerchants,interestedonlyinmoney,andthepugilists,interestedonlyinbattle.
Therealizationofherambitioncouldbesaidtobeimminent.
Shewouldsucceedinsubjugatingtheentireworld,afeatunaccomplishedbyeventhathalfgod,
halfhumanHighestMinisterAdministrator,andgetherhandsonthatartforeternalLifesaidtobe
concealedatthestrongholdoftheAxiomChurch.
Perpetualyouthandimmortality.Everlastingbeauty.
SweetshudderscrepttheirwayupD.sback.Herscarlettonguedabbedatherlipspaintedblue.
ItwasaboutthenwhentheordersfromthemessengerartsuserdispersedthroughtheDarkArts
UsersGuildatthefrontlinesandthosepitchblackgolems,manifestationsofdarknessgivenwings,
flewoffasone.

Asthelightfromthetorchesshoneuponherglossyskin,theeighthundredminionsroseandflew
straightthroughthegorgeascommanded.

***

Theyrehere.
AwidegrincarveditselfonKnightCommanderBercoulislipsthathavebeenpursedlikesome
sculpturesincethebattlebegan.
Hesensedmanyaviatingsoldiersintrudingtherangeofthearmamentfullcontrolarthemaintained
intheskiesrightbeforetheGreatGate.
Thosewerenotflyingdragonswithdarkknightsastride.Theyappearedtobethoseminions,coldas
mudanddevoidofsoul.
However,itwastoosoontoinvokeit.Hewouldpulltheminionsreleasedbytheenemyinuntilthey
wereallswallowedwithinhisslashingspace.
BercouliskeensenseshadalreadyperceivedthetoughbattlesFanatioandDeusolbertwentthrough,
aswellashowRenriawakenedevenifhehadfledtemporarily.
Withthethreegeneralsoftheinvadingarmysvanguarddefeated,therewasnoworrytheywould
losetheirholdonthebattleline.Next,ifonlytheseventhhighrankingknightonstandbyinthesky
weretorendertheenemyslongrangeartsfutilebyexhaustingeverylastbitofthespacesacred
energy,theunhurtsecondunitoftheDefenseArmywouldbecapableofinterceptingtheenemys
mainforce,theOrderoftheDarkKnightsandthePugilistsGuild.

Bercoulihadpredictedhistrueroletoarriveafterthat.
Itwasnottofight,onetoone,againsthisarchrivalofmanyyears,DarkGeneralShasta.
BercoulihadalreadysensedShastasabsencefromtheenemysmainforce.Theimmensespirithe
feltvanishingfarintheeastdaysagothatmusthavebeenthatmasterswordsmansfinalmoment.
Asthemostseniorintegrityknight,havinglivedthroughpracticallycountlessyearsandmonths,
BercoulinolongergrievedandmournedforthoseboundbyLife.Still,thedeathofShasta,theone
hehopedcapableofreconcilingthelandofdarknessandHumanEmpirewithoutbloodshed,filled
himwithchagrinandnothingelse.
Withthingsastheywere,hewouldsimplyhavetocutdowntheonewhoendedShastaslife,the
ownerofthispresencethatfeltlikeafrigidemptinessthatunknownenemysupremecommander
likelyleadingtheDarkTerritoryarmybyhisownhandstoavengehisdeath.
Orperhapshisownlifewouldendthere,Bercoulithought.
Still,henolongerfeltevenafragmentofattachmenttowardslife.
Hewouldsimplydiewhenthetimecame.
BercoulihadthoughtthatincarnationreleasedbythatlowerrankingknightunderFanatioonthe
vergeofdeathtobeadmirable,andfeltslightenvyfromittoo.
Butnaturally,thiswasnotimeforsuch.
Theslashingareahad,atlast,devouredeverysingleoneoftheswarmofminionstearingthroughthe
darkskiesaboveastheyadvanced.
Bercoulistwoeyesflashedopenandgentlyswunguphischerishedsword,theTimePiercing
Sword,thatwasthrustintheground.

Cut!!
Heslashedtheemptyairwithitsnakedbladewiththatbriefshout.
Atthat,endlessdazzlingwhiteraysoflightjoinedtogetherastheytracedoutathreedimensional
gridintheskybeyond.
Followingagrand,bizarrecacophonyofdeathcries,darknessrainedupontheheadsoftheenemy
demihumanforceslikeawaterfall.Theweakpoisonintheminionsbloodspurredontheconfusion
amongtheforcesthathadlosttheirgenerals.

***

OminouspremonitionsseizedD.rightassheheardafaintlystartledringinthemessengerartsusers
voicewhichhadpersistedinitsutterlackofemotionthusfar.Onlytoberealizedasecondlater.
Lamentably,YourExcellencyitappearstheeighthundredminionshavebeenallannihilated
beforetheylanded.
Wha
Shelostherwords.
Theshatteringnoisefollowingthatwasashriekfromtheexpensivecrystalcupstruckagainstthe
carriagesflooring.
Howcoulditbe?!Ihadneverheardofanyforcecapableofartsonthisscaleamongtheenemy!
Inthefirstplace,itwouldbenearimpossibletomassacreeighthundredminionswithonlyarts.As
theywerelargelyproducedwithclay,theyheldhighresistanceagainstthermalandcryogenicarts.A

slashfromasharpbladewouldbemosteffective,buttheinfantryunitsswordscouldneverreach
theminionsintheair.
Theenemyhasyettoreleasetheirflyingdragons?
D.asked,somehowbringingherrageundercontrol.Themessengerartsuserconfirmedwithher
headstilllowered.
Yes.Wehaveyettoconfirmevenasingleflyingdragonatthecurrentmoment.
Inthatcaseitsthat?Thetrumpcardbelongingtothoseintegrityknightsthearmamentfull
controlart.Stilltothinkitscapableof
Sayingnomore,shegrindedherbaredcanineteethtogether.
LikeDarkGeneralShasta,D.,too,hadattemptedtocollectinformationregardingthesecretarts
concealedbytheintegrityknights.However,itwasnearimpossibletowitnesssomeprecedenton
suchascale.Shecouldexplainitwithnothingmorethanthesynergybetweenthedivineinstrument
andtheknightsownstrength.
Thatsaid,usingtheirweaponsinsuchawayshouldconsumemuchoftheirLife.Continuoususage
shouldntbe
ItwaswhenD.mutteredsoasherthoughtswhirledaboutatfullspeed.
Havinglistenedtoareportfromthefrontlines,themessengerartsusersheadshotupandshe
conveyeditwithavoicethathadregainedsomeofitsstrength.
YourExcellency,thetracingofthetwointegrityknightsintherearhasbeencompleted.Intotal,we
havethefivetargetswithinsight.
Good.

Nodding,shegaveitmorethought.
Themostuncertainelementwaswhethertosendinthesecondmainforceofthearmy,theOrderof
theDarkKnightsandthePugilistsGuildinordertofurtherdebilitatetheenemysarmamentfull
controlart.Anotherchoicewouldbetoinvoketheirtrumpcard,theDarkArtsUsersGuildnowand
tosettlethewarinoneblow.
ItwasinD.soriginalcharactertobewary,tocarefullyworkoutaplanandtoeliminateanyobstacle
beforeputtingitintoaction.
However,theunexpectedlossofhereighthundredtreasuredminionsinaninstantdroveherintoan
unconsciousuneasiness.
Fillingupanewcrystalcupwithadarkpurplewine,D.spoketoherself.
Iamcalm.Thisisthetimeforthefirstgraspatglory.
Raisingthecupthatshehaddrankdownallatonce,D.I.L.loudlyordered.
MoveoutalloftheogresarcherforcesandtheDarkArtsUsersGuild!Enterthegorgeandbegin
recitingtheWideareaIncinerationProjectilesart!!

***

Kurururu
Thevoiceproducedfromherthroatwasshrillandsoundedsomehowforlorn.Theflyingdragon,
Amayori,encouragedhermaster.
IntegrityKnightAliceforcedamildsmileontoherlipsandwhispered.

Iamfine,thereisnoneedtoworry.
However,shewas,inactualfact,notfineintheleast.Hervisionstrangelydistorted,herbreath
rough,andherlimbsicycold.Itwouldnotbeoddforhertofallunconsciousinthenextmoment.
Thecompressed,enormousart,possiblyexplodingatanymoment,thatshehadcontinuouslychanted
forimmediatelyafterthebattlebeganwasnotwhatexhaustedAliceso.
Itwaswhatservedasthesourceofsacredenergythatartconsumed:thecountlessdeaths.
Knights.Guards.Ascetics.Thedread,grief,anddespairfromtheinstantbeforetheydisappeared
tormentedAlicewithoutpause.
Once,AlicewouldhavepaidnonoticetothelivesanddeathsoftheHumanEmpirescommonfolk,
letalonethosefromtheDarkTerritory.
ShehadlivedinRulidforhalfayear,understandingthepreciousnessofthevillagersmodestyet
earnestlives,andrecognizedthemassomethingworthyofprotection,butthatwasnocausefor
thinkingthesameofthoselivingintheDarkEmpire.Inreality,Alicehadannihilatedthegangof
goblinsandorcswhoassaultedRulidameretendaysagowithouttheslightesthesitation.
Thedarkforceswereheartlessinvaders,anenemytobedestroyedwithoutmercy.
SheacceptedthatwithoutdoubtuntilsheassumedthisdutyBercouliassignedherto.
However.
Howcoulditbe?
ThesacredenergybornfromtheLifeofbotharmiesfallensoldiersinthebattlefieldbelowwereof
theexactsamenaturebeitfromahumanoftheHumanEmpireorademihuman.Theywereall
warm,pristine,andwithoutanymeansatalltodistinguishtheirformerselves.

PonderingonthereasonsforthatthrewAliceintogreatturmoil.Whatif,whatiftheHuman
Empiresinhabitantsandthelandofdarknesssmonsterseffectivelypossessedthesamesoul,
differingonlyinwhethertheywerebornonthissideofthemountainrangeorthat?
Why,exactly,weretheyfightingagainstus?
Kirito.Ifonlyyouwerearound
Youmighthavefoundsomeotherwayshestifledthosewordswithoutverbalizingthem.Shehadto
focusontheartnow.
Inthewarcouncilbeforebattlebegan,AliceexpressedherdoubtstoDeputyKnightCommander
Fanatio.Onwhocouldbetheonecapableofusinganartenormousenoughtoexhaustthevastgorge
ofitsspacesacredenergy.
FanatiolookedstraighttowardsAliceatthatandanswered.
Thatwouldbeyou,AliceSynthesisThirty.
Youmaynothavenoticed,butyourcurrentstrengthexceedsthatofintegrityknights.Youshould
becapableofitasyouarenow.Thetruepowerofthegods,tosplittheskiesandteartheearth
asunder.
Shethoughtsheexpectedtoomuchofherselfthen.Still,atthesametime,shefeltthatshehadto
accomplishthisroleevenifitmeantherlifeinexchange.Thatitwasherresponsibilityastheone
whopointedaswordatthehighestministerandsodrasticallyalteredtheAxiomChurchsruling
structure.
Alicethoughtnofurtherandfocusedsolelyongatheringthesacredenergyreleasedinthegorgeand
convertingthatintotheart.

However,Alicefelttightinherheartandshecoulddonothingaboutitasscreamsincessantly
echoedthroughthegorge.
Die.Dying.Fathersbrotherssistersandchildren.
Hurry.
Alicemurmuredintoherheart.
Shewishedforthattimetoarriveevenasecondearlier.Thetimetoendthistragedybygiving
birthtodeathsfaroutnumberingthecurrenthorrendouscount

***

Thejumbledforcesofmountaingoblins,plainsgoblins,andgiantsdemihumansmakingupthefirst
unitoftheinvaderswereastepbeforegoingonastampede.
Thethreechiefshadalldiedinbattle.Inotherwords,theknightsleadingtheenemyarmywere
strongerthananyoneamongthedemihumanforces.Thestrongshallrulethatwastheoneand
onlylawengravedontothesoulsoftheDarkTerritorysinhabitants.
Ifthisbattlebelongedonlytothedemihumans,thesoldierswouldhaveallsurrenderedassoonas
theircommanderwasdefeated.
Whatnarrowlypreventedthatsituationwasthepresenceofthegodofdarkness,EmperorVector,
whohaddescendedintotheDarkTerritory.TheemperorwasstrongerthananyoneamongtheTen
LordsanditwasstillunknowniftheknightsoftheHumanEmpirewerestronger.

Hence,thedemihumanscouldonlyfollowtheirinitialorderandcontinuewiththemomentum,
earnestlyswingingtheirbladesagainsttheHumanEmpireDefenseArmy.
Utilizingtheminutesgainedfromtheirdesperatecombat,theDarkTerritoryarmystrumpcard,their
longrangemilitaryforce:theogresarcherforcesandD.sDarkArtsUsersGuildadvancedtoa
positionbarelybeforethecrumbledGreatGate.
Theplanwastohavethethreethousandstrongogreunitreadytheirmassivecrossbowsinfrontand
thedarkartsusers,alsothreethousandstrong,chanttheiroffensiveartsbehind.Theoneassuming
overallcommandwasnottheogrechief,Fulgrr,butanadeptartsuserclosetoD.
Thatartsuserlistenedtothecommandscominginfromtherearandnoddedoncebeforeshouting.
Ogreunit,readyyourcrossbow!Artsunit,beginchantingfortheWideareaIncineration
Projectilesceremony!!Spotters,beginchantingthemarkingartfortheenemyintegrityknights
coordinates!!
WideareaIncinerationProjectilesreferredtoalargescaleannihilationartdesignedbyD.I.L.forthe
sakeofthisplan.Convertingallofthespacedarknessenergyfillingthebattlefieldintothermal
elements,theywouldthenachievefiringitatlongdistancesbyaffixingthemontotheogresarrows.
Asitconsumednodarknessenergythroughtransformationphraseslikebirdshapeorarrow
shape,theoutputshouldfarexceedtheirexpectations.Itwasthemightiestoffensiveartinhistory,
absentfromtheageofbloodandironandpossiblenowonlybecausetheracesfoughttogether
underEmperorVector.
Inaddition,D.hadpreparedacarefulplantomakeuseofartsusersexcellinginaerialelementalarts
asspotters,creatingwindpathsforconcentratedfireontheenemyarmysmainforce,theintegrity
knights.Ifalloftheincinerationarrowsimpacteduponasinglepoint,itshouldresultinanattackof
extremeprioritythatnoteventhatHighestMinisterAdministratorcouldguardagainstperfectly.

ThatwastheexactsituationthattheSageCardinaloncefeared,thestrengthofmanyoverwhelming
thestrengthofone.

***

Amayoriletoutyetanotherlowgrowl.
However,thistimewasonetowarn,withasharproarmixedin.
Alicemusteredherwill,takingbackherconsciousnessthathadbeguntofade,andstaredhard
towardsthetwilightfarinfront.
Theyarehere!!
Freshtroopsapproachedatacontrolled,steadypacefrombeyondthedemihumanforcesstill
brawlingwiththeDefenseArmy.Shecouldseenometallicglint.Theywerelikelythelongranged
attackunittheDarkTerritorysDarkArtsUsersGuild.
TheyweretheonesKnightCommanderBercouliwasmostvigilanttowards,thosewhoheld
sufficientdestructivepowertosweepawaytheHumanEmpireDefenseArmyinonestrike.
However,thesamecouldbesaidofKnightAlice.
Alicehadbeenchantingforalargescaleart.ItwasconceptualizedafterhearingofDeputy
CommanderFanatiosbattleagainstKirito,whatmightbecalledareflectedlightamplificationart.
Withthemassofspacesacredenergy,sourcedfromthecountlessliveslosttothefighting,asabase,
Alicefirstchangedtheshapeofcrystalelementsandcreatedagiganticglassballmeasuringthree
melacross.

Next,shecreatedathickmetalfilmwithmetallicelementsandshieldedtheentireglassball.
Theproductwasasealedmirror.PlacingthatontothefittinggapbetweenAmayoriswingsonher
back,shepushedbothhandsontoitssmooth,curvedsurface,andsealedinluminouselements
generatedfromtheconstantlyproducedspacesacredenergy.
Elementpreservation.
Thatwasabasicyetultimatetechniquethatmanyhighrankingartusersrackedtheirmindsover
sinceancienttimes.
Withoutconstantlyfixingonesmindontothem,generatedelementslikethermal,cryogenic,and
aerialelementswoulddriftabouttheareaontheirownvolitionandeventuallyvanish,scatteringas
hotorcoldair.Simultaneously,therewasanupperlimittothenumberofelementsmaintained,fixed
totheterminalstheartsuserpossessed:thenumberoffingersontheirtwohands.
ChiefElderChudelkinusedhisuniquephysiquetostandupsidedownwithhisheadaloneandmade
thetoesonhistwofeetintoterminalsaswelltomaintaintwentyelements.Furthermore,Highest
MinisterAdministratorturnedhersilverhairintoterminalsthroughsometechnique,allowingherto
concurrentlyhandleoverahundredelements.
Thatsaid,Alicecouldemulateneitherofthosetechniques.Tobeginwith,tenorevenahundred
wouldnotsufficeforthissituation.Theenemydarkartsusersnumberedthreethousandevenif
theyeachmaintainedfiveelementsonaverage,theirtotalwouldactuallyexceedfifteenthousand.
Hence,Aliceexploredmeanstomaintaintheproducedelementswithouttheneedtofocusonthem.
Whatfirstcametomindwastosetthemintosomevessel.Thatsaid,thestandardelementsfor
offensivearts,thermalandcryogenic,wouldinstantlydisappearuponcomingintocontactwithsome
material,heatingituporcoolingitdown.

However,anideacametoAlicewhensheheardabouthowKiritohadreflectedthelightfrom
Fanatiosdivineinstrument,theHeavenPiercingSword,withamirrorcreatedfromjustmetallic
andcrystalelementsinthefightonthecathedralsfiftiethfloor.
Iflightdidnomorethanreboundupontouchingamirrorshewouldonlyhavetoproduceafully
sealedmirror.
Andifsheweretogenerateluminouselementswithinit.
Itcould,theoretically,maintainaninfinitenumberofluminouselementsuntilthemirrorsLife
expired.

***

Thecrossbow,drawntotheirlimits,bythebrawnyogrearcherscreakedastheywerepointed
towardsthedimsky.
Inordertoignitetheinnumerousarrowheads,gleamingdully,thethreethousanddarkartsusersheld
theirhandsuphighastheyrecitedtheopeningphraseasone.

Systemcall!!

Theincantationconsistingonlyoffemalevoicescouldbecalledonlyachorusofdeath.Intoxicated
bytheimmensepoweritwastobe,theartsuserssangthenextphrase.

Generatethermalelement!!

Faintredparticlesflickeredastheylitupontheirlithefingers

Yetitwasbutaninstantbeforetheyturneddull,extinguishingafterlettingoutamodestpuffof
smoke.
Theadeptartsusercommandingtheunitcouldnotimmediatelyunderstandwhathadhappenedand
recitedtheincantationsoncemore.Buttheresultremainedthesame.
Surpriseovercameherwhilebewilderedvoicesfromhersubordinatesreachedherears.
Wecannotcreatethethermalelements!
WecannotinitiatetheWideareaIncinerationProjectilesceremonyatthisrate!
Shescannedthesurroundingsinpursuitofthecauseofthephenomenonandhercloseaidenearby
timidlyopenedhermouthtospeak.
CCommandershouldntitbeduetoalackofspacedarknessenergy?
HHowcouldthatpossiblybe?!!
Thecommandershoutedoutinshock.Shepointedatthefrontlinesinthedistancewiththelefthand
onwhichsheworenumerousrings.
Doyounothearthosescreams!?Dontyouseethosehumansanddemihumansdying?!Justwhere
doyouthinkalloftheirlivescouldhavevanishedoffto?!!
Noonehadananswertothatquestion.Theogrearchers,too,grewirritatedwiththecommandtofire
delayandcouldsimplycontinuetokeeptheircrossbowsdrawn.

***

Thetimehadarrived.
Aliceshuthereyesforamomentandprayed.
Shewouldpersonallyshoulderthesinofrobbingmanyoftheirlivesforthesakeofone.
ThesilverspherewithadiameterofthreemelonAmayorissturdybackhaditspressureraisedtoits
maximum.Pullingawaythetwohandsincontactwithit,shedrewherswordfromtheleftofher
waist.
Bloom,flowers!
Enhancearmament!

Hersonorousshoutdividedthebladeofherdivineinstrument,theFragrantOliveSword,in
countlesssmallorbs.Maneuveringthegoldenyellowswarm,sheinstructedtheknightdragon.
Amayori,loweryourhead!
Followingherorders,theflyingdragoninclinedforward.Thesilverspherequietlyrolledand
tumbledoffthedragonsheadintotheairafteronerevolution.Carefullycatchingitwiththesmall
orbs,sheadjustedituntilacertainpointonthesilverspherewasdirecteddiagonallydownwards.
Alignmentset.
Drawinginabreath,shewhispered.

Burstelement.

Anincantationfartooshortandplainforanartholdingsuchterrifyingpower.
Thesilver,reflectivespherewasmadewithonespotthinneronpurpose.
Focusingtheimmenselightandheatfromthecountlessexplodingluminouselementsontothatone
point,thesilverfilmandglassliquefiedintoacrimsonred

Lettingthemlooseintotheworldoutsidewithashrillexplosion.
Fanatiostoodinadaze,lookinguptowardsthatfromtheground,whileshethoughtabouthowit
mustholdamightthousandsoftimesstrongerthanthelightrayproducedbytheHeavenPiercing
Swordsarmamentfullcontrolart.
TheguardsandknightsasidefromherweresimplyawedbywhattheybelievedwasSolussmight.
Thepurewhitepillarmeasuringfivemelwidefellupontheearthfromtheskieswithextremespeed
andstabbedinbetweenthedemihumanforces.Itthenmadeitswayfartherintothegorgeasthough
nudgedgently
Aroaringsymphonyofseveralthousandbellsrangoutasthewavesofheatandlightgrewto
encompasstheentirewidthofthegorge.Itbecameatoweringpillaroffireimmediatelyafter,
practicallytouchingthemountainrangeattheedge,anddyedthenightskiesred.


***

D.chuckleduponseeingtheabsurdexplosionsalmostcloseenoughforherhandstoreach,inbelief
thatitwastheresultofherownstrategy.
However,theheatwavesurgingforwardsatherfourwheeledcarriagefromthegorgewipedthat
smileoff.
Theburnt,charredwindbroughthertidings.Thescreamsofthedemihumanunitsandthedarkarts
usersD.personallyraisedastheyperished.
ThemessengerartsuserreportedhoarselyasD.stoodinsilence.
Duetotheunknowndeficiencyofspacedarknessenergy,wewereunabletosetoffthe
WideareaIncinerationProjectilesceremonyimmediatelyafter,theunidentifiedlargescale
attacklaunchedbytheenemyforcesappearstohavewipedoutninetypercentofthedemihuman
units,seventypercentoftheogrearchers,andalsooverthirtypercentofthedarkartsusers
units
Unknowndeficiency?
D.sframetrembled,boilingoverwithangeratlast,assheexclaimed.
Weclearlyknowwhy!Itsthatridiculousartthatsuckedupeverylastdropofspacedarkness
energyinthegorge!!StillIcantbelieveit,anartonsuchascaleisimpossibleformethe
deceasedhighestministermustbetheonlyonecapableofit!!Sotellme,whowastheonebehind
it!?

Despiteherrant,naturallyenough,therewerenoanswerstobehad.
Howcouldshefindawayoutofthissituationorrather,howshouldshereportthistoEmperor
Vector?TheoneboastingthegreatestintellectamongallintheDarkEmpire,D.I.L.,coulddono
morethanbreatheraggedly.

***

Assailedbytherecoilfromfiringthatexceptionallygreatartandthetragediesbornfromit,Alice
returnedtheFragrantOliveSwordtoitsscabbardimmediatelybeforecollapsingontoAmayoris
back.
Theflyingdragongentlyaccepteditsmasterbeforetracingslowspiralsasitdescendedontothe
frontmostlinesoftheHumanDefenseArmy.
ThefirstonetorushinwasDeputyKnightCommanderFanatio.Reachingoutbotharms,shecaught
Alicewhoslippedoffherdragon.
Thatartanddisplayofincarnationwasmagnificent,Alice.
Somehowraisinghereyelidsatthattrulytouchedvoice,Alicesawthegorgewithitssurfacestill
burningredaswellastheshadowsoftheenemysurvivorsfleeinginafrenzy.Shecouldhardlyfind
anycorpses.Theymusthavebeendisintegratedbytheinitialrayoflightorblownapartwithouta
tracebythefollowingexplosions.
Shecouldnotbringherselftofeelanyprideoverthefartooruthlessdestruction.

Still,cheerssurgedinlikeatidalwavesfromthesurroundingguardsstraightaway.Theyeventually
streamedtogetherandturnedintocriesoftriumphastheycontinued.
WhilelisteningtothecheersfortheOrderoftheIntegrityKnightsandtheAxiomChurch,Alice
finallyletoutachokedbreathandliftedherbodywhichwassupportedbyFanatio.Thedeputy
knightcommandershowedatiredsmileandgaveadeepnod.
Theenemyhasretreated.Youhaveledustovictory.
Respondingtothosewordswithasmileaswell,Alicestiffenedherexpressionandspoke.
Fanatiodono,thewarhasyettoend.Pleasepreventthefreshsacredenergyfromtheearlierart
frombeingreusedbytheenemyandspendthemonhealingarts.
Thatstruetheystilldohavetheirmainforces,theOrderoftheDarkKnightsandthePugilists
Guildatthepeakoftheirhealth.
Theblackhairedbeautynoddedandraisedhervoicewithatraceoffatiguethatevenshecouldnot
hide.
Good,allwhocanmove,retreattothesecondunitandbringthewoundedalong!Ifyourefromthe
asceticsunitorevenaguardwithknowledgeofhealingarts,treatthewoundedwithallyouhave
untilthespaceenergyrunsout!Donottakeyoureyesofftheenemyforcesmovements!
Herconciseordersresoundedandtheguardsswiftlygotstarted.Thestartingphraseforsacredarts
couldberepeatedlyheardfrombehind.
IwillreporttoHisExcellency,theknightcommander.CanIentrustthisplaceunderyou?
AlicenoddedandFanatioshowedanothersmilebeforeleaving,halfrunning.Aspeopleleft,Alice
wasleftaloneatthefrontmostlineswithAmayori.

Havingsentoffthedeputyknightcommander,Alicetookseveralstepsandscratchedtheunderside
ofhercherisheddragonschinwhileshegentlywhispered.
Youhavedoneagreatjob,too,Amayori.Itmusthavebeentiringstayingstillinthatoneplace.Be
suretoeatupafteryoureturntoyourbedding.
Theflyingdragonpurredhappily,flittedupasitbeatitswings,andglidedtowardsitspeersallthe
wayintherear.
Nowthen,timetogotothewoundedsaid.Alicetookastepwiththatinmind.
Master.
ThelowvoicebelongedtoKnightEldrie.
WhatAlicesawwhensheturnedabouttocommendheronlydisciplewastheyouthsgrimfigure
despitehisusualunrestrainedandslickself.
Theswordinhisrighthandandthewhipinhislefthandweredyedredandblackwiththecopious
bloodcoatingthem.Thatwasnotall.Hissilverarmorandonceglossylightpurplecurlyhairwerein
aterriblestate,too,fromthebloodofhisvictims.Justhowdidthebattlegotoreducehimtosucha
condition?
EhEldrie!Areyouunharmed!?
Sheaskedwithherbreathheldandtheknightslowlyconcurredwithasomewhatemptyexpression.
Yes,Ihavenotsufferedanyheavyinjuries.StillIshouldhavejustthrownthislifeawayin
battle
Whatareyousaying?Youhaveamissiontoleadtheguardsuntilthiswarends
Ididnotcompletethatmission.

Theyoungintegrityknightmutteredinacrackedvoice.

Alicecouldnothaveknown,butafterthesmokescreentacticmadeEldrieletthemountaingoblins
throughthedefensiveline,ittookseveralwholeminutesoffutileeffortatclearingitwithoutarts
beforehefinallycouldleadtheguardstochaseafterthegoblinsassaultingtherear.
Thatsaid,bythen,thechiefofthemountaingoblins,Kosogi,wasalreadydefeatedbyIntegrity
KnightRenri,mostlybrandedasafailureofaknight.Deprivedevenofachancetoregainhishonor,
Eldrielosthiscoolandmassacredeverylastoneofthefleeinggoblinsbeforelookingupatthe
godlikeartlaunchedbyhismaster,Alice,fromabove.
Ihavebetrayedyourexpectations,Alicesama
ReturningtheFrostScaleWhiptohiswaist,Eldriegrabbedhisownfacewithhislefthand.
HowcanIthisfoolishpatheticdisgracefulpersonbeaknight?!
Andhowcouldhe[protecthismaster]?
Thepowerofthatart,comparabletonaturaldisasters.Theyweretoofarapart.Ineverysense.
Sheneverdidneedhim.Hismaster,thatprodigiousknight,neverneededsomehalfwitlikehimself.
Hehadnothingheexcelledit,beitswordsmanship,artsproficiency,orthefullcontrolartandhis
foolishnessinhavingabunchofgoblinsoutwithimwasinfulldisplay.
Toeventhinkhecouldobtainhismastersheartherlovewithsuchasorrysightsuchathought
wouldbeaninsult.
Ihavenorighttonamemyselfasyourdisciple,Alicesama!
Eldriescreamedinagony.


Youyouhavedonewell!
Alicesomehowgotthatouthermouthdespiteherbewilderment.
JustwhathadhappenedtoEldrie?Thoughtherewasmoderateconfusionatthefrontlines,hadhenot
keptthecasualtiescausedbytheenemylow?
Youarenecessarytome,theDefenseArmy,andthepeopleoftheHumanEmpiretoo.Whydoyou
insultyourselfso?
Despiteaskinginatoneasgentleasshecouldmuster,thedepressioninEldrieseyesremained.The
blotchesofsplitbloodonhischeeksquiveredastheknightmumbledatamuffledvolume.
NecessaryDoyoumean,formypower?Ordo
Hecouldnotfinishhiswords.
Anabrupt,bizarregrowlshooktheairandbothAliceandEldriesimultaneouslyturnedtolook.
Fgrrrr
Adamp,throatynoisereminiscentofamenacingwolf.Aliceopenedhereyeswidelyandfocused
themonthedarknessfartherintothegorge.
Spotsthroughoutthevalleywerestillilluminatedbythesmolderingflamesandahumongous
shadowweaklystoodupthere.
Itwasnohuman.Itslegsbentatapeculiarangleitsbackwasstrangelyslenderitsbrawnyupper
bodyleanedforward.Theheadatopofthemallwas,simplyput,thatofawolf.Ithadtobea
demihumanfromtheDarkTerritory,onefromtheogrerace.

ThoughAliceswiftlystretchedherrighthandtowardsherpreciousswordsgrip,sheimmediately
noticedthefoewasunarmed.Andthatwasputtingitlightlyasthelefthalfofitsfigurewasterribly
charredwiththinsmokerisingfromit.Itmusthavesufferedthoseheavyburnsfromthewhitehot
lightray.Still,whyhaditnotretreatedlikeitssurvivingcomrades?
Sheconfirmedthesituationinthearea:theguardswerestillallbackattherear,leavingAliceand
Eldriealone.Alicequestionedinasharptonewhilekeepingvigilantagainsttheogresactions.
YoumustnothavemuchLiferemaining.Whyareyoustandingthereunarmed?
Thedemihumanrepliedthatwithananguishedgrowl.
GrrIamtheogrechief,Fulgrr
Themannerinwhichhestatedhisnamemadehislongtonguehangoutwhilepantingexhaustedly.
Aliceputstrengthintothehandholdingontothegrip.Ifhewastheogrechief,thatmadehimoneof
theTenLordsintheDarkEmpire,ageneralfortheenemyforces.Inthatcase,didhereallycomefor
anattackwiththelastofhisstrength?
However,theogrecontinuedwithsurprisinglywords.
Saw,you.That,lightartlaunchedby,you.Thatpower,thatfigure.you,radiantmedium.
Grryou,bringwar,end.Ogre,return,grasslands
Whatwasitsaying?
Radiantmedium?Thewarwouldend?
Alicegleanednomeaningfromitatallstill,herintuitiontoldhertheinformationshereceivedwas
important.Shehadtoquestionmore.Justwhowasthisradiantmedium?Andwherewashetobring
it?

However,theogrehaltedthere.
Damnyouyouhavenorighttospeak,youbeast!!
Eldriewastheonewhoscreamed.Raisingthebloodyswordinhisrighthanduphigh,hetriedtocut
straightdownattheogrechief.
Thatbladeneverdidswingdown,however.
AlicewhopracticallyteleportedforwardhadEldriesswordgraspedbetweenthefingersonherright
handandstoppedtheslashwithallherstrength.
MaMaster,why!?
Thoughherdiscipleletthosewordsescape,goinglimpontohisknees,shehadnotimetoreply.
Aliceletgooftheswordbeforeslowlyapproachingthestanding,stillogre.
Acloserlookshowedthatthedemihumanswoundswerenotjustheavybutfatal.Hewascharred
blackfromhisleftarmtohischestandhislefteyeballhadturnedamuddledwhite.Thoughshe
judgedhimtobeinabefuddledstate,shestilltookcautionasshecontinuedherquestioning.
Indeed,Iamtheradiantmedium.Now,wherewillyoutakeme?Whoistheoneaskingforme?
rrrr
Theogresintacteyeshonewithadulllight.Hissaliva,mixedwithblood,trickleddownhislong
tongue.
EmperorVectorsaid.Wantonly,radiantmedium.Anywish,grantedfor,onewhocaught
medium.OgresreturngrasslandsRaisehorsesbirdslive
EmperorVector.

ThenameofthegodofdarknesspasseddownevenintheHumanEmpireslegends.Hadsucha
beingdescendedontotheDarkTerritory?Hadthatgodstartedthewarinordertoobtainthisradiant
medium?
Alicemadeanoteoftheinformationreceivedinhermindassheturnedalookofpityonthe
demihumanbeforehereyes.
Therawstenchofcravingthegoblinsemittedwasnearlyabsentfromthiswarriorwiththeheadofa
wolf.Hewassimplymadetoparticipateinthewarandtodrawhisbowasorderedonlytohave
mostofhisraceperishwithoutfiringasingleshot.
Doyoubearnogrudgetowardsme?Iamtheonewhohadmassacredyourpeople.
Alicecouldnothelpbutaskdespitelackinganyreasontodoso.
Theogresreplywasplain.
Thestrongneedtoshoulderthatstrength.I,tooshoulderthechiefsrole.Socatch,you,
bringto!
Grrrooohhh!!
Abrutalroarsuddenlybellowedfromtheogresmouth.
HismuscularrightarmreachedoutforAlicefasterthantheeyescouldfollow.
Clink.
ThatbriefringcamefromtheFragrantOliveSwordsscabbard.Havingdrawnherswordseveral
timesquickerthantheogre,Alicecutoncebeforereturningittoitsscabbard.
Thedemihumanshugeframecametoanimmediatestop.

AndthatbodyslowlysankontotheearthasAlicetookastepback.Astraightscarshowedonits
brawnychestfromwhichthelastofitsLifestreamedawayasfleetinglight.
Aliceheldherrighthandtowardstheproudwolfheadedwarriorscorpse.Fromtheflittingsacred
energyreleased,shegeneratednumerousaerialelements.
Mayyoursoul,atleast,reachthegrasslands
Alicewavedherrighthandandthegreenlightsoaredtowardstheeasternskiesasawhirlwind.

4
ThegazefromEmperorVector,downtowardsher,frightenedD.tothedepthsofherheartwhileshe
prostratedherselfonthedragonmilitaryvehicle,herforeheadagainstitsfloor.
Therewasnoangerintheemperorsicecoloredeyes.HeseemedtomeasureD.sworthwithoutany
inputfromhispersonalemotions.Howwouldtheemperortreatonehejudgedincompetentand
uselesssheshooktohercore,merelyimaginingit.
Abriefquestioneventuallycameinadeep,fluentvoice.
Hmm.Thatistosay,yourplanfailedandathousanddarkartsusersdiedduetotheenemytaking
theinitiativetoabsorbandconsumethespacedarknessenergyisthatcorrect?
Yeyes!
D.liftedherfacebytheslightestandanswered.
Thatispreciselythecase,YourMajesty.Ihavenotreceivedanyintelligencethattheenemyarmy
stillretainsanartsuserofsuchcaliberdespitethehighestministersabsence,so

Istherenomeansofreplenishingdarknessenergy?
InterruptingD.sdesperateexcuses,theemperorpursuedacountermeasure.However,D.couldonly
shakeherheadatthataswell.
Ununfortunatelyreplenishingtheamountofspacedarknessenergynecessarytoannihilatethe
enemyintegrityknightswouldrequireplentifulpowerfromtheearthandsun,butbotharelacking
fromthebattlefield.ThetreasuryinObsidiaPalacedoeshavemineralssavedwhichcouldbe
convertedtodarknessenergy,butwewouldneedseveraldaysinordertoretrieve
Isee.
Theemperorcasuallynoddedandturnedhissharpfeaturestowardsthedistantgorge.
FromwhatIcansee,however,thereisnovegetationonthislandandthesunhasalreadyset.
Whereisthisenergysourceyouplannedtoutilizeforthatlargescaleartceremony?
Despitehowthegod,Vector,thesupposedoriginatorofthedarknessarts,hadenquiredaboutthe
basictheorybehindthem,thefearoccupiedtoomuchofhermindforhertopayattentiontoit.
Desperatelyseekingfornothingmorethanmeanstosecureselfpreservation,thefemaleartsuser
earnestlyspoke.
Yes,itisabattlefield,afterallthebloodandliveslostbythedemihumansandenemysoldiers
changetodarknessenergyandpermeatestheatmosphere.
Hmmmm.
D.stiffenedupentirelywiththeemperorrisingfromtheprovisionalthrone.
Tap,tap
theblackleatherbootsdrewcloser.Fearsqueezedherinnards.

ComingtoastoponthedirectleftofD.,frozen,theemperorsfurmantledancedinthenightwindas
hemutteredsoftly.
Bloodandlives?

***

Radiantmedium?
Takingbigbitesfromflatbreadmixedwithdiceddriedfruitsandberries,KnightCommander
Bercoulissinewychinmovedashespokeinamuffledtone.
Makinguseofthetemporaryceasefire,rationsweredistributedtotheDefenseArmysoldiersbythe
supplyunitwithgreathaste.Thehealingofthewoundedwasalmostcompleteandthankstothe
integrityknights,andtheirstatusashighrankingartsusers,eventhoseontheirdeathbedwereupand
sippingattheirsoups.
However,thedeceasednaturallyhadnopathofreturn.Amongthefirstunitofovertwothousand
people,closetoahundredfiftyguardsandasinglelowerrankingknighthadlosttheirlives.
Alicenoddedtowardstheknightcommandersittingontheothersideofafoldingtable.
Yes.ThoughIdonotrecallsuchanamefromanyofthehistorybooks,itappearstobecertainthat
theenemycommanderispersistentlysearchingforthatperson.
Commanderthegodofdarkness,Vector,huh?
PouringsiralwaterintothecupleftinfrontofthegroaningBercouli,DeputyCommanderFanatio
spoke.

Itshardtobelievetherevivalofagod?
Theresthat.Butwell,itsconvincing.Youfeltthatforeignincarnationcoveringtheenemysmain
force,too,didntyou?
Yescertainly,IdidfeelasthoughIwasbeingpulledintosomechill
ItsthefirsttimetheGreatEastGatecollapsedsincethecreationoftheworld.Anythingcanhappen
now,maybeweshouldbepreparingourselvesforthat.Butstilllilmiss.
HisforcefuleyescaughttightlyontoAlice.
LetssayDarkGodVectorhaddescendedontotheDarkTerritoryandheslookingfortheradiant
mediumwhohappenstobeyou,lilmiss.Thatquestionhereis,howwillthataffectthiswar
huh?
Indeed.
Thatwaswhatitboileddowntointheend.EvenifVectorwouldbesatisfiedwiththemediuminhis
hands,theotherdarkraceswouldnotstopuntiltheyhaddevouredtheHumanEmpire.Theystillhad
todefendthisgorgetotheveryend.
However,oneotherphraseremainedstuckonAlicesmind.

WorldEndAltar
.
ThewordsspokenbythegodfromtheoutsideworldwhoKiritoconversedwithviathecrystal
paneontheCentralCathedralstopfloorafterthatfiercebattle.
HeadfortheWorldEndAltar.
Straightsouthafteryouexittheeasternlargegate.

ItmightbepossibletoresurrectKiritosheartifshewentthere.Still,evenifshewishedtogo,she
couldnotabandonthedefenseattheGreatGate.
Butwhatiftheychasedafterher?
WhatifVectorandhisarmychasedafterAlicealone,leavingthroughtheGreatGate,inpursuitof
theradiantmedium?
WoulditnotbuytimeforstrengtheningtheDefenseArmybyhavingtheenemyarmydepartfrom
theHumanEmpire?
ConcealingthematterabouttheAltarwhichwasfartoouncertain,Alicedeclaredtothesupreme
commanderoftheDefenseArmyinafirmtone.
EsteemedUncleno,YourExcellency,Bercouli.Iwillbreakthroughtheenemycampaloneand
headfortheremoteregionsoftheDarkTerritory.Iftheenemyleaderseeksthisradiantmedium,
heshouldpursuemewithasizablenumberoftroops.Afterthereisareasonableamountofdistance
betweentheirdividedarmies,pleaselaunchacounterattackonwhatremainsoftheenemyarmyand
eliminatethem.

***

EmperorVectorspokewithadryvoicedevoidofallemotion.
D.I.L.Wouldthreethousandsuffice?
Yes?

Notunderstandingthemeaningbehindthosewords,D.onceagainraisedherface.Theemperors
sideprofilewasglazedovertotheextentofevenappearinggentle,buthispaleblueeyeslooked
downuponthetroopswithafrigidlook.
Vectorsmouthmovedagain.
WhatIasked,isthattogainsufficientdarknessenergyforthatlargescaleartsceremonyto
eliminatetheintegrityknights
ThefollowingwordsmadeeventheruthlessD.openhertwoeyeswidelyinastonishment.
Wouldexpendingthreethousandsofthoseorcsoldierliveswehaveinreservesuffice?
Achillcreptuphertwolegs.Withanintensesensationofdread.
ThosewarpedintosweetintoxicationastheyseepedintoD.smind.
Theywouldsuffice.
D.whisperedwithherforeheadunconsciouslyagainsttheemperorsboots.
Yes,theywouldcertainlysuffice,YourMajesty.Ishallraiseourcollectivestrengthandputona
displaywiththetwothousandartsusersremainingmyDarkArtsUsersGuildshallshowcasethe
greatest,strongestartinhistory,aterrifyingartnoonehadeverwitnessedbefore

***

WhetherintheHumanEmpireortheDarkEmpire,thenamesofitsinhabitantsheldnoliteral
meaninginthelanguagestheyuse.

ThisoriginatedfromhowthefourRathresearchersraisingtheinitialartificialfluctlightsdecidedto
givetheirchildrenandgrandchildrennamesin
katakana
typicaloffantasysettingswithoutmuch
thought.
Withthosefourdead(loggedout),thefluctlightscouldonlygivebirthtoandraisechildrenontheir
ownvolition.Whatperplexedthemthenwastheinconsistentsystemofnaming.
Reluctantly,thefirstparentsgavetheirchildrennamessimilartotheirown,formedfrom
combinationsofsounds.However,astimeorthegenerationspassed,rulesemergedfornamingand
theyevolvedintoasortofnamingconventionuniquetotheUnderworld.
Inshorttheyplacedwishesfortheirchildrensfuturesintothecombinationsofthosecharacters,
from
a
()to
n
()andtheirvariations,whichweregivenmeaning.
Tostateanexample,thevowelsrepresentedsincerity.Zealforthe
k
sounds.Witforthe
s
s.Vitality
forthe
t
s.Benevolenceforthe
n
s.Beautyforthe
r
sandsoon
*
.Forinstance,Eugeocontains
thetraitsofbeinggentle,workingfast,andhonesty.Tiezwasnamedasawishforhertobe
energetic,helpful,andtalentedatmilitaryarts.Ronyewasanameprayingforhertobelovely,
richofheart,andearnest.
ThenamingconventionwasmostlysharedbythedemihumansoftheDarkTerritorytoo.For
example,Sigrosigwasagreedyname,hopingforalacrity,bravery,fearless,andalacritywith
braveryonceagain.Thegoblinraceswiththeirspeedofreproducingwereanexception,oftenusing
conjunctiveformsofverbssuchasKosogiandShibori
*
.Meanwhile,thedistinguishedfamilies
amongthedarkartsusersconsidertheconventionsasapracticeoftheinferiorcastesandhavea
traditionofusingtheinitialsaloneofancientDarknessScript.
Nowthen

Thefinalonestilllivingamongthefivegeneralsleadingthedemihumanraceswastheorcchief.
HisnamewasRirupirin.
Rirupirinwas,accordingtoDarkGeneralShasta,knowntoholdanintensegrudgeagainsthumans
whichmadehimasmuchofanobstacletohinderingpeacewiththeHumanEmpireasthedarkarts
usersleaderandthegoblinschiefs.
However,thatnaturewascertainlynothinghehadfrombirth.
Hecameintohisworldasthechildofaninfluentialandpowerfulorcfamilyandwaspraisedtobe
themostbeautifulbabyinthehistoryoftherace.Thenamegavetohimcontainedthe
r
soundfor
beautythrice,rarelyseenamongtheorcs.
Rirupirinwasraisedbeautifulbothoutsideandinsidebyhisparentswishes.Hewasblessedwith
talentattheartofwaraswellandallhadexpectationsofhimasthenextchiefandoneday,he
accompaniedthecurrentchiefthenout,fromthesoutheasternlakesandmarshesoftheorcsforthe
firsttime,toObsidiaPalace.
Adornedwithasetofgorgeousarmorandasword,hebenthisbackwithprideasheenteredthe
townnearthepalaceonlytowitnesshumanswiththeirslenderbodies,glossyhair,andlovely
facialfeatures.
Rirupirinwentthrougharealizationthatbrokedownhisentirecognizance.Hisbeautyhadtobe
quantifiedbyaffixingitwith,asanorc.Andthattheorcswerebelittledasthemostunsightlyrace
intheDarkEmpire.
Stout,roundbelliesstumpylimbsalarge,flatnosebeady,sunkeneyesanddroopyears.
Amongtheorcsgivensuchfeatures,Rirupirinwassaidtobebeautifulashepossessedaface
somewhatsimilartothehumans.

Rirupirinssoulwasdriventothevergeofcollapseuponthatrealization.Hecouldonlyclingontoa
certainstrongemotioninordertomaintainhismentalstate.
Thatwas,animosity.Someday,hewoulddefinitelyoverthrowthehumanrace,makingthemall
slavesandcrushingeverylastoneoftheireyestopreventthemfromturningtheirsneersontheorcs
Rirupirinbecametheorcchiefwhileveilingthatgruesomedetermination.
Hence,hecertainlydidnothavesomeinnateinclinationtowardscrueltylikeKosogi.Hishostility
towardsthehumanscouldbeviewedasamajorinferioritycomplexandheruledoverhispeople
withunchangingbenevolence.

Datdatisgoingtoofar!!
Rirupirinunconsciouslyshoutedwhentheordersfromtheemperorarrived.
Theorcshadalreadypitchedinathousandsoldierstoserveasareserveforceforthefirstunitand
theywerealllost.Thinkingabouthowtheywereordered,outsideofhiscommand,bythosegoblins
andgiantstofightanddiewasenoughtomakehischesttighten,letalonethisnew,coldblooded
orderhandeddown.
Hewastocontributethreethousandsacrificesasafoundationforthedarkartsusesoffensivearts.
Itwastobeadeathdevoidofhonorasawarriororevendignityasanintelligentbeing.Theywereto
bejustmeatnodifferentfromthoseyaksbroughtbythetransportunitasedibles.
Wegameheretobight!Ngottopayforyourmistakeswibowlives!
Rirupirinprotestedinastrained,shrillvoice.

However,theleaderofthedarkartsusers,D.,whostoodwithherarmscrossedlookeddownonthe
orcchiefwithcoldeyesasshearrogantlydeclared.
Thisisanedictfromtheemperor!!
Theorcchieffeltsomethinggetstuckinhisthroat.
HehadwitnessedEmperorVectorsstrengthduringthedarkgeneralsinsurgencymorethanhehad
caredto.HisoverwhelmingstrengthfarexceededthatoftheTenLords.
Thestrongmustbeobeyed.ThatwastheabsolutelawoftheDarkEmpire.
Stillstill.
Rirupirinstoodstillashistwofirmlyballedupfiststrembled.
Itwasthenwhenavoice,harmoniousforanorc,camefrombehind.
Chief.Wemustobeytheemperorsorders.
Heturnedbackinsurpriseandtheonestandingthere,withaslenderbodyanddainty,longears,was
afemaleofhisrace.ShewasborninadistinguishedfamilyrelatedtoRirupirinsandtheyhadoften
playedtogetherintheirchildhood.
Revealingaplacidsmileonherlips,shecontinued.
Iandthreethousandothersoldierswillgladlyofferowlives.Fortheemperorandowrace.

Renderedspeechless,Rirupirincoulddonomorethangrindingdownonhislongfangsasthoughto
crushthem.Thefemaleorctookastepforwardandwhisperedinahushedtone.

Riru.Ibelieve.Thecelestialworldinvitesngotonlythehumansbutthesoulsofusorcstoo.We
billmeetagain,someday,there.
Youwouldnotneedtosacrificeyourlifetoo,hewantedtosay.However,heknewitwouldtakefar
toomuchtimeforthethreethousandsoldierstoacceptthatunreasonablecommandwithoutthenoble
ladyknight,whotheyexaltedmoreinasense,sharingtheirfate.
Rirupirinopenedhisfist,heldthenobleladyknightshand,andmoaned.
Imsorry,RenforgivemeImsorry
D.I.L.spokewithoutmercywhileturninganunpleasantlookdownonthepair.
Youaretohavethreethousandtroopsinacloselypackedformationahundredmelfromthegorge
withinfiveminutes.Thatisall!
Theorcchiefglaredatthedarkartsuser,turningawayandleaving,witheyesshortofflaringup.
Whydidtheorcsalonehavetosufferthistreatment?Itwastheumpteentimethatquestionhad
swirledinhischest,butthistime,too,wasfruitless.
Thethreethousandmarchingtotheirdeathbeds,formedinorderlyfiles,appearedeventriumphant.
Ontheotherhand,softweepingandoutragedvoicespermeateddeepwithintheotherseven
thousandsoftheirraceseeingthemoff.
Thethreethousandorcsledbythenobleladyknightastrideanarmoredboarboldlypassedbetween
theencampmentsfortheOrderoftheDarkKnightsandthePugilistsGuild,formingasquareashort
distancefromtheentrancetothegorge.
Thetwothousanddarkartsuserswhowerenotengulfedwithintheearliergrandexplosions
ominouslyshowedup,asthoughinwait,andsurroundedtheformation.

Theatmospheretrembled,accompanyinganincantationthatstarteduphorriblydissonantandgrating
ontheears,perhapsreflectiveoftheartshideousnature.
Ahaah
Rirupirinletescapeahoarsemoan.Theorcsoldiershadsuddenlydistortedinanguishandcollapsed
ontotheground.
White,fleetinglightparticleswasbeingdrawnoutfromtheirwrithingformswithoutpause.Turning
intoblack,viscoussludgeastheygatheredattheartsusershands,theygraduallytransfiguredinto
whatresembledbizarresnakes.
TheshrieksfromthethreethousandsoldiersarrivedatRirupirinsearscrispandvivid.Alongwitha
unitedcrymixedin.
LonglivetheOrcs.GlorytotheOrcs.
Thesoldiersbodiesburstapartinsuccessionimmediatelyafter.Theirbloodandfleshscatteredas
thelightleavingthemgrewinintensitybeforestolenbytheartsusersallatonce.
Rirupirinwasonhiskneeswhenhenoticed,hisrightfiststrikingtheground.Theoverflowingtears
spreadoutoverbothsidesofhislargenoseandaudiblyfellontotheblackgravel.
Freshbloodleftthenobleladyknight,dressedinornatearmor,likecrimsonflowersinthemiddleof
hiswarpedvision.
Renju!
Itwasinthemomenthewrungthatnamefromhisthroatthatthenobleladyknightslowlyfelltothe
earth,outofhissight.
Rirupirinsgrittedfangstoreintohislipsasbloodtrickledfromhisownmouthaswell.

Damnedhumans.
Damnedhumans!
Thosedamnedhumans!!
Thescreamsofangerandhatredrattlingthecoreofhismind,curiouslyenough,inflictedagreatpain
athisrighteyeeachtimetheycame.


***

Tensofminutespassed.
AttheHumanEmpireDefenseArmysheadquarters,theguardsdividedintotwowereexchanging
handshakesandhugs,vowingtheywouldmeetagain.
AcceptingIntegrityKnightAlicesproclamation,KnightCommanderBercouliaddedanother
compromise.
ThatwastohaveAlice,thedecoyradiantmediumforluringawaytheenemyarmy,accompanied
byhalfofthetroops.Ofcourse,Alicevehementlyopposeditandrequestedforindependentaction,
buttheknightcommanderwouldhearnoneofit.
Thererestillmanyintheenemyarmy.Youwontbeluringmanyofthemawayonyourown.
Wellonlysucceedinbreakingthemupiftherereenoughofusrunningwithyou.
Shecouldsaynothingtorefutethat.Itcertainlywouldbetooarroganttoassertthatshecouldlure
theentireenemyarmyawaybasedsolelyonthatvagueinformationmentionedbytheogrechief.
Besides,AliceplannedtohaveKiritoridewithheronAmayorisback.Shewasnotfullyconfident
shecouldcontinueprotectinghimwhileservingasadecoyalone.Anaccompanyingforcewouldbe
hearteninginthataspectatleast.
BercoulihadanothersurpriseforeveryoneafterdecidingtosplituptheDefenseArmy.
He,thesupremecommanderandknightcommander,wouldpersonallyjointhedecoyunit.

Withregardstothat,Fanatio,whowasassignedtocommandtheunitstayingback,raisedvehement
oppositionalongwithDeusolbert.
Youvedoneenough,haventyou?Lemmefightalittle.
FanatiorefutedwiththecornersofhereyesraisedwhenBercoulisaidthatinanadmonishingtone.
Whoareyoutospeakwhenyoucantevenfoldyourownchangeofclotheswithoutmebyyour
side?!!
Thatincitedmuchjeeringfromtheknightsandguards.Bercoulishowedacynicalsmile,drewcloser
toFanatiosears,andwhisperedsomethingwiththedeputycommanderavertingherface
downwardsandbackingoff,surprisinglyenough.
AsforDeusolbert,hereluctantlyrelinquishedaswellafterhavingtheevidentfactthathehadranout
ofarrowsfromthebattleearlierpointedout.Supplyunitswerecurrentlyheadingtowardsthenearest
towntorestock,butthatwouldeasilytakemorethananhourortwo.
Worryandconcernwereonfulldisplayonthesoldiersfaces,regardlessofwhethertheywerefrom
thedepartingorremainingunit.Itwashonestlyunclearwhichwasinmoredanger.Onlythe
godsno,onlythegodofdarknessandthesupremecommanderoftheenemyarmy,Vector,knew
howmanywouldpursuethedecoyunitandhowmanywouldcontinuetheassaultinthegorge.
Thoseincludedinthedecoyunitfinishedtheirpreparationsbeforelong:thefourhighranking
knights,Bercouli,Alice,Renri,Scheta,andtheirflyingdragons,acompanyofguardsnumberinga
thousand,acompanyofasceticsnumberingtwohundred,andasupplycompanycomprisingoffifty.
Eldrieinsistedonbeingaddedtothedecoyunithimself,buthereluctantlybackedoffafterafierce
remonstrationfromAlice.Theapprenticeknights,LinelandFizel,threwatantrumaswell,buteven

theycouldonlygiveinaftertheknightcommandertoldthemthathewouldbecountingonthemfor
therest.
Eightfastcoaches,eachdrawnbyfourhorses,werereadiedforthetransportofmaterials.Kiritoand
hiswheelchairalongwiththetwofemaletraineesshouldberidingononeofthose.
AlicehesitatedmuchoverwhethertoallowTiezandRonyetofollowornot.However,someone
hadtocareforKiritoandthoughshedidnotknowwhathadhappened,Renri,ahighrankingknight,
sworetoprotectthegirlsevenatthecostofhislife.
Tobehonest,AlicehadfewmemoriesregardingKnightRenri.However,shefeltnodeceitfromthe
determinationvisibleonhisadolescentfaceandtheformidablegleamonthedivineinstrument,the
TwinEdgedWings,equippedonbothsidesofhiswaist.
Bercoulisflyingdragon,Hoshigami,beganitsdignifiedgroundrunandtheguardsletouthushed
cheers.
AlicegrippedAmayorisreinsandawaitedthetimefortakeoffasshesentaglancetowardsEldrie
sendingthemoffonfromtheground.
Shewasbotheredoverhowherperpetuallytalkativedisciplewasunusuallyquietwhilethey
preparedforthesortie.However,beforeshecouldsendanywordshisway,Hoshigamisoftlytook
offandAliceturnedtowardsthefrontinaflusterbeforegentlykickingAmayorisside.Herbeloved
dragonliftedoffafterapowerfulgroundrun,followedbyRenrisknightdragon,Kazenui,and
Schetasknightdragon,Yoiyobi.
Bercouli,whohadtakenaslowlead,turnedaboutandshouted.

Right,wellhittheenemysmainforcewiththedragonsheatraysallatonceaswegetoutofthe
gorge!Theyshouldnthaveanymeansforlongrangedattacksnow,sojustbeonyourguardforthe
dragonknights!
Theyrespondedtotheknightcommandersinstructionswithasharpyes.
Thesoundoftheguardscharginginonhorsebackorfootchasedafterthemfromrightbehind.The
fourhighrankingknightshadtoshakeupthebattlefieldontheirownuntilthoseguardsandthe
coachesleftthegorge,turningsouthtowardstherightandgainedsufficientdistancefromthem.
Countlesstorcheswerevisiblebeforethemintheconfined,darkgorge.
Theywerereallymanyofthem.Despitethemanydefeated,itappearedtheenemywasstillalmost
thirtythousandstrong.
Thatsaid,theirmainmilitarystrengthshouldbewiththedarkknightsandpugilists.Bothunits
focusedonclosequarterscombatandpossessednooffensiveeffectiveagainstintegrityknights
mountedonflyingdragons.
No.
What,wasthat?
Thatdeep,meanderingrecitation,muchlikeacurse,thatcamefrombelowthenoiseofthewind.
Acoordinatedchantingofarts!?
Thatwouldberidiculous,thiszoneshouldnolongerhavethesacredenergyleftforalargescaleart!!
Alicerejectedherowninstincts.
However,justasshedidso,Bercouliwhoflewrightinfrontofherspatout,Thosebastardswhat
havetheydone?!!


***

Aah.
Whatpower!!
Theleaderofthedarkartsusers,D.I.L.raisedherhandstowardstheskyasherentirebodyshivered
insweetecstasy.
Hadanyotherartsuserinhistoryexperiencedaspacechargedwithsuchconcentrateddarkness
energy?
NothinginthisworldheldpriorityashighasandpoweraspureasintelligentLife.Itdidnotmatter
evenifitcamefromthosevulgar,repulsiveorcslives.Ifthisviscositywaspreciouswine,agedfora
hundredyears,thenthedarknessenergyprovidedbythesunandearthwouldbeplainwater.
TheenergymeantforWideareaIncinerationProjectilesearlierwere,intheend,meredregsleft
fromthelivesexpendedonthebattlefield.However,awholethreethousandliveswereconverted
explicitlytodarknessenergy,hereandnow,forthisart.
Everyartsuser,fromDeetotheothertwothousands,hadbothoftheirarmsextendedasnumerous
grotesquesnakeswithcountlesslegs,eachseeminglyappearingfromclottingblackmist,coiled
aboutthem.
Thesewereartificialorganisms,Lifeeaters,createdfromumbraelements.Nocorporealobject
couldguardagainstthem,notevenswordsorarmorofthehighestpriority.Theconversionefficiency
fordarknessenergywasinferiortothatforoffensiveflames,buteverythingchangedwithasource
thisabundant.

Deehadchosenthisartasrevengefortheenemyslightpillarthatburntathousandofher
precioussubordinatestodeath.Eventhescreamsoftheorcsoldiers,writhingastheydyed,sounded
pleasanttoherearsnow.
GoodbepreparedtolaunchtheDeathCurseWormsart!!
Deesshoutrangoutand
Shespottedfourdragonknightscharginginfromthegorge,asthoughtheyhadlosttheirminds,with
herowntwoeyes.
Themomentaryshocksoonchangedintoelation.Shecouldtidyuptheenemysgreatestforce,the
integrityknightsandtheirflyingdragons,allatonceasthingsastheywere.
Standyourground!!Letthemapproach!!NonotyetNow,letthemloooooose!!
Zwaaaaaaaa!!
Thecountlessblacksnakessetoffinstraightcoursestowardstheenemyknights,scattering
vibrationsthatseemedtospreadpurefear.

***

Therealizationthattheenemysoffensivearthadbecomeanimmense,pressingwaveofabsolute
darknessshutdownnotonlytheordinaryguardsmindsforseveralsecondsbutthehighranking
integrityknightstoo.

Itwasanumbraelementalartwithanextremelyhighpriority,likelysurpassingtheluminous
elementalartreleasedbyAliceearlier.ArangedhexthatdirectlyinflicteddamageononesLifeand
couldnotbedefendedagainstthroughphysicalmeans.
Themysteryofhowtheyhadinvokedtheumbraelementalart,withitslowsacredenergy
conversionefficiency,onsuchascaleanddensitydespitetheinadequacyofenergyintheareawas
seenthroughonlybyKnightCommanderBercouli.
Butnotevenhecouldgiveimmediatecountermeasuresagainstit.
Thereweremanyaspectstooffensivearts:the
element
theywerebasedon,theirdensity,range,
speed,direction,andsoon.
Hence,defendingrequiredeitheroffsettingorcounteringthoseattributes.Instantlychoosingand
carryingoutasuitablecountermeasurecouldbesaidtobepartofbeingahighrankingartsuser.
Beingcapableofimmediatelyselectingandcarryingoutasuitablecountermeasure,suchas
extinguishingathermalartwithcryogenicelements,scatteringdecoysagainstahomingart,or
quicklyavoidinganartgoingstraight,couldbesaidtobearequirementforbecomingahighranking
artsuser.
However,thiscasewasanexception.
Theenemysoffensivewastoofarbeyondthenorm.
Onlytheluminouselementcouldoffsettheumbraelement.However,luminouselementsalsohada
lowconversionefficiencyanditwaseffectivelyimpossibletogenerateenoughtodispelacurseon
thatscale.Fanatiosrecollectionreleaseattackwouldmostcertainlypiercethroughtheenemysart
withoutissue,buttheHeavenPiercingSwordslightwasfartoonarrowandshewasabsentfromthis
decoyunittobeginwith.

Turn!!Climb!!
Bercoulicouldonlyshoutthose.
Thefourflyingdragonsturnedaboutastheytracedoutaspiralandheadedstraightfortheskies
abovethegorge.
Theswarmofsnakes,too,adjustedtheirdirectionwithanunpleasantbuzz.
However.
No!!
Bercoulishoutedoncemore.
Thewormsontheirtailwerelessthanhalfofthemall.Theremainingwentstraightfortheguards
andsupplyunitrushingovertheground.
!!
Lettingoutasharpgasp,KnightAlicehadherknightdragonrollandswoopdown.Shetwisted
towardsthebeginningofthedarknessartcreepingevercloserbelowandrushedforwardheadlong.
Shaa!!
ShedrewtheFragrantOliveSwordasthatdistinctsoundrangfromitsscabbard.Abright
goldenradianceimmediatelysweptoveritsblade.
Lilmiss!!No,thatwontwork!!
Bercoulidesperatelytriedtoholdbackhisbeloveddisciple.
TheFragrantOliveSwordsarmamentfullcontrolartexhibitedoverwhelmingpowerinafightof
oneversusmany,butitwasmetallicelementallikethesword.Itcouldnotcutthroughthenearly
incorporealhex.

Alice,too,knewthatalltoowell.However,shecouldnotpossiblybringherselftosimplywatchas
theguardswereattacked.
Ithappenedthen.
Afifthflyingdragonrushedinfromdeeperinthevalleywiththemomentumofashootingstar.
Takiguri.
Theknightdragonbelongingtothehighrankingknight,EldrieSynthesisThirtyone.

***

Eldrierepeatedasinglewordoverandoveragaininhismindashegrippedontothedragonsreins.
Protect.
Hismaster.Alice.Hehadtoprotectthepersonhepledgedhisswordandsworehisdevotionto,no
matterthecost.
Yetatthesametime,hecouldhearavoicemockingthatdeterminationjustasloudly.
Howwouldyouprotecther?Whenyouaresopowerless?Whenyouarebutafool,stillwantingyour
mastersattentionandfeelingsdespiteyourcapabilitiesfallingfarbehindher?
Eldriewasstillafledglingwhenitbecametobeinganintegrityknightandwhatsupportedhisblade
wasthefierce,singlemindedwilltoserveAlice.Thatwashowhebecameahighrankingknight,but
thatalsoamplifiedthebacklashhefeltwheneverhisheartwavered.
IhaveneitherthestrengthtoprotectMasterAlicenortherighttostandatherside.

Hisstrengthfellrapidlyasthatthoughtadhereditselftohim.ThoughhehadleaptontoTakiguriand
chasedafterthedecoyunit,havingsensedanominouspremonition,hehadnoideawhatcouldhe
evendo.
Withthingsastheywere,hemightaswelllayhislifedownonthislandwithhismaster.
Flyinginresignedtodeath,Eldriethoughtheheardsomethingandloweredhiseyesdowntowards
theground.
Theguardscompanywasthereindisarrayafternoticingtheloomingdarkart.Behindthemwerethe
supplycompanycoacheswiththeirrowsmisalignedaswell.
Aquietbluelightflickeredthroughthecanopyoveroneofthem.
Amysteriousvoicespokeintohismind.

Foryourdetermination.
Foryourdesiretoprotect.
Youactuallywantnothinginreturn,dontyou?
Loveisnottobesoughtout.Yousimplydoit:love,withallyouhave,withoutend.Dontyou?

Aah
WherewasIlooking?
Ilackedstrength?Icouldnthaveherhearttomyself?SoIcouldntprotecther?
WhatapettymanIam

AndtothinkAlicesamaisthere,tryingtosavetheentireHumanEmpire.

EldriesnappedTakigurisreinswithhisrighthandandshouted.
Go!!
Perhapssensinghismasterswill,thedragonflappeditswingsstronglyandacceleratedallatonce.
EldrieheardAlicesvoice,herattemptstostophim,astheypassedbywithAmayoridescending.
Still,heshowednosignofslowingdownandclimbedsteeplytowardsthedeadlyfloodofsnakes.
Hislefthandremovedawhipofwhitesilverfromhiswaist.
Theoriginofthedivineinstrument,FrostScaleWhip,wasagiganticsnakesaidtobedivinefrom
themountainousareaoftheeasternempire.Releasingitsmemoriesincreaseditsrangebyseveral
timesandallowedforitstrajectorytobefreelychanged.
Thatsaid,thatpowerheldalmostnopurposeagainstthatartclassifiedasahex.
Still,Eldrieprayedhardwithanunshakableconviction.
Oh,snake!!
Oh,ancientsnake!
Ifyoulordovertheserpents,thenhowaboutyoudevourthatswarmofmereworms!!

Releaserecollection!!

TheFrostScaleWhipletoutadazzlingsilverlightasitperceivedhisboomingvoice.
Thewhipdividedendlesslywithinthebrilliance.Turningintohundredsofstreaksoflight,they
struckatthesnakesdyedindarkness.

Thelighthadtransformedintoglitteringsnakesbeforeanyonenoticed.Swarmingoutinaradial
formationfromEldrieslefthand,theyopeneduptheirgleamingjawsofsharpfangsandbitatthe
snakesofdeath.
Zobuu!
Thesnakestornintoinfinitesimalpieceswiththatnoisereturnedtoumbraelementsand
scattered.
Theswarmassailingtheguardsaswellastheswarmpursingtheflyingdragonsintheskyabove
turnedaroundasthoughrecognizingthattheglowingsnakesmustbeprioritizedfirst.
Ittooknotimeforthesnakestocoilaboutthecountlessworms.Theirhexestracedacrossthe
snakesbodiesandfloodedtowardstheirsource.
Eldriehadmadeuseoftheonlyaspecttotheenemysartthatcouldbeinterferedwithhere,their
automatichomingattribute,andfocusedalloftheircapacityuponhimself.
Alicesama.

Hesmiledandloweredhiseyelids.
Whilethedarknessswallowedtheknightwholeinthenextinstant.
IntegrityKnightEldrieSynthesissnumericalLifewhichwasslightlymorethanfivethousand
Turnedtonegativefiftythousandimmediately.
Eldriesfigurecrumbledandscatteredfromthechestdownasthoughhewasblownapart.

***

Eldrie!!!
Alicescreamed.
Heroneandonlydisciplewhohadaccompaniedherthroughthoseshortyetmemorabledaysslipped
fromhisflyingdragonsback,havinglostoverhalfofhisflesh.
GettingAmayoritorollaboutthrice,Alicedoveintothevestigesofthedissipatingwormsandgrasp
Eldriesrighthandwithherextendedlefthand.Herbreathchokedupathowlighthewaswhenshe
pulledhimclose,butstill,sheboreitwithherteethclenchedandhadherdragonclimb.
Takigurifollowedrightbytheirside,perhapsoutofconcernforhisowner.Aliceshoutedoncemore
atopthedragonskeepinginpace.
Eldrie!!Openopenyoureyes!!Iwillnotallowit,youmustnotleavemebehindinaplacelike
this!!
Eldriesbluishwhiteeyelidsquiveredslightly,witheverythingbelowhischestlost.

Beneathhisbarelyraisedeyelashes,hiseyes,tingedvioletandstillfaintlyfilledwithlight,looked
uponAlice.
Masteryoursafetyputsme
Yesyes,ofcourseIamsafe,thankstoyou!!HadInotsaidbeforethatIneedyou?!!
Hervisionsuddenlyturneddistorted.DropsofwaterfelluponEldriescheeks,oneafteranother.
Unawaretheywereherowntears,Alicehuggedherdiscipleclose.
Anearinaudiblevoicerippledatherears.
Alicesamatherearemany,manymorepeoplewhoneedyou.IambutanobodyToeven
thinkIcouldhaveyoufor
Iwillgiveyouanythingyouwishfor!!Socomebacktome!!Areyounotmydisciple?!!
Ihavereceivedenough.
Alicesensedtheinsubstantialweightinherarmsfadingrapidly,leavingher,withthatsatisfied
whisper.
Eldrie!!Eldrie!!
Onefinalmurmurgentlyoverlappedherweepingcries.
DontcryMother
AndthesoulbelongingtoIntegrityKnightEldrieSynthesisThirtyone,alsoknownasEldrie
Woolsburg,lefttheUnderworldforever.

Alicespreciousdiscipleturnedintolight,asthoughthosefewsecondsshemanagedtoconverse
withhimwasamiracle,anddispersedintothenightairwhileAlicewatchedonwithdampeyes.
Eldrievanishedbeforelong,leavingnotevenafragmentofarmorbehind.TheFrostScaleWhiphe
hadgrippedinhislefthandquietlyfellontoAmayorisback.Perhapsrecognizingthedeathofhis
master,Takiguriwhoflewattheirsideletoutananguishedhowl.
Alicetookinadeepbreathofthefaintfragranceofrosesdriftingaboutbeforepullingherface
upwards.
Thisiswar.
Thatwaswhyitwouldbeabsurdtobearagrudge,nomatterwhatsortofoffensivetheenemy
executed,nomatterwhatcasualtieswereproducedasaresult.Infact,Aliceherselfhadrobbeda
hordeofenemytroopsoftheirlivesmeretensofminutesagowithanenormousartthatcouldbe
onlytermedmerciless.
Thus.
Thisanger.Thissorrow.Eveniftheybecamestrength,eveniftheybroughtaboutaslaughter
surpassingthem
Surely,youmustbeprepared!!
DrawingtheFragrantOliveSwordwithadistinctnoise,Aliceshouted.
Amayori!Takiguri!Advanceatfullspeed!!
Theflyingdragonsshackledbybindingartswouldneverfollowcombatordersfromanyoneaside
fromtheirdesignatedownernormally.

However,thetwodragonsiblingsroaredoutferocioushowlstogetherandflappedtheirwingsas
theybegantheironslaught.TheDarkTerritory,theashenearthcontinuinginfinitelybeyondthe
gorge,drewclosebeforelong.
Incitedbyablazingwrath,Alicesblueeyesswiftlydeterminedthedistributionamongtheenemys
mainforces.
RoughlyfivehundredmeltotheleftfromthegorgesexitwastheOrderoftheDarkKnightscladin
uniformgoldenarmorsnumberingapproximatelyfivethousand.
OntheleftwasthePugilistsGuild,brawnyfiguresstrappedinleatherbelts,numberingfive
thousandaswell.Theseweretheenemysmainforce.
Deployedintheirrearweretheorcandgoblininfantry,likelyreservetroops,andanextensive
transportunit.Theenemyssupremecommander,DarkGodVector,shouldbeamongthem.
Andintheveryfront,crowdedbetweenthedarkknightsandpugilistswasagroupclothedinblack.
Them.Theywerethedarkartsuserswholaunchedthatlargescalehexearlier.Theirnumberswere
approximatelytwothousand.Thosewhonoticedtheapproachingflyingdragonsscrambledtoescape
withoutconcernfortheirpeers.
Youwillnotescape!!
Aliceorderedthedragonswithaboomingshout.
Aimfortheirrearnow,fire!!
Thedragonsiblingsimmediatelybenttheirnecksandopenedtheirjawswidely.Theirwhitefangs
shonecrimsonagainsttheflamesfillingtheirmouths.

Zubaa
thetwoheatraysthatswiftlytorethroughtheairsidebysidedroveintotheretreatingdark
artsuserspath.
Explosionsshooktheearth.Flameserupted.Theengulfedsilhouetteswereflungaboutliketree
leaves.
Withtheirpathofretreatsealedbyflames,theartsuserslostallorderandgatheredtogether.
AliceraisedtheFragrantOliveSworduphigh.Itsbladereleasedabrightgoldenlightmoredazzling
thanthesun.

Enhancearmament!

Theswordseparatedintohundredsoffragmentswithacrisp,metallicsound.Everysingleone
reflectedAliceswill,gainingsharpnessbeyondanyprior.

***

Ridiculous.
Impossible!!
Theleaderofthedarkartsusers,D.I.L.,screamedinherheadwhilelookinguptowardsthedragon
knightrushinginfromthegorgelikeanarrow.
TheDeathCurseWormsartchantedbytwothousandartsuserswiththesacrificeofthreethousand
orcliveshadassailedtheenemyarmywithmorepowerthanexpected.Theyshouldhavemorethan
enoughprioritytodevournotjusteverylastoneofthoseintegrityknightsbutthegroundtroopsas
well.

Andyet,forsomereason,theartthatshouldhavefedonalloftheirLifefocusedonameresingle
knightanddissipatedaftercarryingoutthathorriblewasteofanoverkill.
TheDeathCurseWormsweredrawntowardslifeformswithhigherLife.Inotherwords,instantly
creatinganartificialbeingonparwithsomelegendarymagicalbeast,surpassinghumansandeven
flyingdragons,couldandwouldberequiredtointentionallylurethemaway,butitwouldbe
impossibletocreatethatwithashortart.Thisconclusionwentagainstlogic.Therewasnorhymeor
reasontoit.
HowcouldtherebeapowerthatI,theleaderoftheDarkArtsUsersGuild,theheartoftheentire
worldsintelligence,notknowabout?!!
D.grindedherteethasshescreamedsoundlessly.
Still,itwasrealitythattheenemyarmywasrestartingtheirchargewithonlyonesacrifice,surging
towardsthemeretwothousanddarkartsusersleftwiththemomentumofragingwaves.
Retreat!!Allartsusers,retreat!!
D.screechedwithastrainedvoice.
However,tworaysofflamescrossedaboveinthenextmomentanddroveinmerelysometensmel
behind.
Theflamesroaredastheyerupted,swallowinguptensofherscreechingsubordinates.Theheat
wavessurgedontowardsthesecondfloorofthecarriagewhereD.stoodandsingedtheblackhair
shewassoproudof.
Eek

Screaming,D.practicallyrolleddownthecarriage.Ridingonitwouldbelikepaintingatargeton
herself.
Blendingwithhersubordinates,D.triedtofleebeforeaglaringgoldenlightshoneintohervision.
Inhersight,naturallydrawnupwards,shesawtheswordofanintegrityknightastrideaflying
dragonsplitintocountlessspecksoflight.
Shevividlysensedeachofthosespeckspossessingahorrifyinglevelofpriority.Itwasclear
whatever
element
shegeneratedfromthesparsedarknessenergydriftingaboutwouldbeunableto
defendagainstthem.
Damn,damnit,howcanIletthatkillme!!
Inaplacelikethis?!!Imtheonewhowillruleoverthisworld!!
Raisingthecornersofhereyeswiththefaceofanenrageddeity,D.swunghertwohandswithher
fingersbentliketalonsandthrustthemintothebackoftwoartsusersrunninginfront.
Hersharpclawsrippedthroughtheirsoftskin,diggingintotheirflesh.Theshaftsshegrippedonto
werenootherthantheartsusersspines.
GyaaDD.sama!?
Wha!?PPleasestop
Payingnoattentiontohersubordinatesbeggingshrieks,thehighestrankeddarkartsuserletout
sinisterlaughterassherecitedthestartingphraseforanart.
Thewordsthatfollowedwereatruecurse.
Transfiguration.Anaccursed,secretarttotransformalivingbeingsflesh,poweredbytheirLife.

Squelch.
Bloodandfleshscatteredasthetwoyoung,healthybodiesdissolvedintoindefiniteshapes.Eachof
themcoveredD.,crouchingontheground,withoutleavingasinglegapandhardenedup,becoming
anelasticdefensivefilmthathadoncelived.
Thatwasamomentbeforeatempestofgoldendeathblanketedtheentireland.

***

Alicehardenedherheartandshutawaythemanyscreamsreachingherears.
Shewouldnotpermitthatarttobeeverusedagain.Shewouldeliminatethoseartsusersandthe
invocationforitfromthisland.
Eachtimesheswipedthegripgleamingwithlightinherrighthand,thesharppetalsfollowedsuit
andmoweddowntheenemyshelookeddownupon.Thedarkartsuserswearingnometallicarmor
hadtheirbodiespiercedthroughwithoutresistanceandfell.
Alicemaintainedtherecollectionreleasestateuntilshewassureshehadannihilatedoverninety
percentoftheartsusersunitestimatedattwothousand.HerswordsLifehadconsiderablyfallen,but
shehadnoregretsoverthat.
Thougharoundtwohundredartsusershadfledwithouteventakingalookattheheapsoftheir
comradescorpses,AlicerestoredtheFragrantOliveSwordtoitsoriginalstateinsteadofgiving
pursuit.

ShehadseenaroundtenknightstakeoffontheirflyingdragonsfromtherearofwheretheOrderof
theDarkKnightswasbasedattheleftofhersight.
Thoughshethoughttheywouldengageherstraightaway,theenemydragonknightssimplytookup
formationintheairwithoutattempttoshortenthegapbetweenthem.Sheimmediatelyknewwhy.
Bercouliandtheresthadchasedafterherfrombehind.
Lilmiss,dontgooverboard!
Alicesomehowrespondedtotheknightcommanderwhospokethemomentheovertookher,perhaps
outofconcernoverEldriesdeath.
YesIamfine,esteemedUncle.Pleaseescortthegroundunits.Iwillfulfilmyroleasthedecoy.
Rightbutdontgotoofar!
Bercoulishoutedandturnedhiseyestowardstheenemydragonknights.CommandingTakiguriby
hersidetostayhovering,AlicehadAmayorislowlyclimbandadvance.
Shecouldsomehowsensetheattentionfocusedonherfromthedarkknights,thepugilists,theorcs
andgoblinsandsomebeingwithanenormouspresenceinaplacewhereshecouldnotquitelocate.
Shecouldhearsoftroarsfromtheguardsandsupplycompaniesbehindwhohadfinallyleftthe
gorgeandturnedtowardsthesouth,fleeingatfullspeed.
Aliceshoutedloudenoughtoerasethenoisetheymadeastheymove.
Hervoice,amplifiedbyincarnation,resoundedvividlythroughoutalldirections.
MynameisAlice!!IamIntegrityKnightAliceSynthesisThirty!!Theonewhoservesthewillof
thethreegoddessesprotectingtheHumanEmpire,theRadiantMedium!!
Itwasaproclamationwithoutanyfoundationatall,amerebluff.

Still,theentireenemyarmystirredinthenextmoment.ThestrongdesiretocaptureAlicereached
outtowardsherfromthelandliketentacles.Itappearedtheenemyactuallydiddesirethisradiant
mediumasmuchasorperhapsevenmorethantheywantedtotrampletheHumanEmpire.
Didittrulyrefertoher,orwassheonlyassumingthename?
Alicefeltthatirrelevant.Sheonlyneededhalfoftheenemiestochaseafterherself.Itwouldhave
beenfineaslongasdrawingtheenemyawayfromthelandandearningtherestsometimeallowed
hertoinheritthewishesofEldrie,Dakira,andthemanylostguards.
Resolveyourselftobecrushedbymyholymightifyoudarestandbeforeme!!

***

Ohh
Theemperorofthelandofdarkness,DarkGodVector,andalsothehunterofsouls,GabrielMiller,
stoodfromhisthronebeforelettingadeeputteranceescape.
Ohh.
Gabrielhadfeltnothingatallfromhowthatattackexpendingthreethousandorc
units
had
apparentlyfailedorevenhowthemajorityoftheartsuser
units
wereannihilated.However,shudders
werecertainlygoingthroughhisfrigidsoulatthisonemoment.
Aquietvoicecamefromhispalelipsthatformedasmile.
AliceAlicia

Gabrielstwoeyescapturedindetailtheyoungfemaleknightcladingolden,gleamingarmoratopa
dragoninthedistantnightsky.
Straight,flowinggoldenlocks.Fair,paleskin.Perfectlyclearblueeyesliketheskiesintheheartof
winter.
Thatfigurematchedexactlywiththeexquisitegrownupappearanceofthegirlhefirstlaidhandson,
AliciaKlingerman,inGabrielsconsciousness.ItwasafactinGabrielsmind,thatAliciassoulthat
hehadfailedtocapturebackthenhadappearedoncemoreinthisvirtualworld.
Thistime,forsure.
Thistime,hewouldcaptureitwiththesehands.Hewouldobtainthelightcubethatgirlsfluctlight
wassavedonandsavorittohisheartscontent.
Focusinghisgaze,likeablueflame,upontheknightasshepulledonthedragonsreinsandflewoff
intothesouthernnightskies,Gabrielspokesoftlyandfeverishlyintothecommandskull.
Allunits,prepareformovement.TurnsouthwiththePugilistsGuildleading,followedrespectively
byfilescomprisedfromtheOrderoftheDarkKnights,thedemihumans,andthesupplyunits.
Capturethatknight,theradiantmedium,unhurt.IshallgrantruleovertheentireHumanEmpireto
thecommanderofwhicheverunitcapturesher.

Chapter19TheRadiantMedium
SeventhDayoftheEleventhMonthoftheHumanEmpireCalendar,380
20:00

1
TheDarkArmyhadjustbeguntomove,kickingupahugedustcloudbehind.Thedustcloud
begantocolortheskyoftheDarkTerritory,alreadydottedwithblinking,bloodredstars,adeep
shadeofgray.
PeeringintothesimpletelescopegeneratedwithCrystalElements,KnightCommanderBercouli
lookedupandmumbledsoftly:
ThisisastonishingSeemslikethatsocalledDarkGodVectorhashisheartsetonyou,lil
miss.Theentirearmyiscomingafteryou.
Weshouldbehappy,Isuppose.Atleastthisismuchbetterthanbeingignored.
AlicemutteredassheswallowedhernervousnessalongwithsomelukewarmSiralWater.
IntheunexploredonlytothoseoftheHumanEmpire,ofcourseDarkTerritorywilderness,
onasmallhillaboutfivekilolsouthfromthevalley,theDefenseArmydecoydivisionwas
havingtheirfirstshortbreak.
TheGuardswereveryexcited.
SinceanIntegrityKnighthadsacrificedhimselftonullifyalargescaleartthathadplunged
everyoneintotheabyssofdespair,theywerealldeterminedonceagain,believingthatthey
shouldtreasuretheirgivenchance.
Meanwhile,however,AlicewasstillunabletoaccepttherealityofEldriesdeath.

AlthoughithadnotbeenlongsincetheyfirstmetintheCentralCathedral,muchhadhappened.
RecommendingthatAlicetrysomewineorsnackswhenhediscoveredthemtellingherbad
jokesfromtimetotimetherehadnotbeenaquietdaywithEldrie.
Shehadoftenpuzzledoverwhetherthisyoungmanwasheretolearnswordsmanshipandarts,
orjusttobetroublesome.Butnow,sheunderstood.SheunderstoodhowmuchEldriehadbeen
fillingherheartwithlevity.
ThesethingsjustseemedsonormalthatItookhispresenceforgranted.WhyamIjust
realizinghowprecioushewaswhenhesnothereanymore?
AsshegazedtowardstheMountainRangeattheEdgethatspannedthenorthwesternsky,she
gentlytouchedthecoiledwhipstrappedtothebackofherwaist.Shecouldnowwellunderstand
whyKiritowouldnotwanttorelinquishEugeossword.
AsthoughhewerewaitingforAlicetoopenhereyesagain,theKnightCommandersaid:
AboutthecurrentstrategyBasically,untilallfourIntegrityKnightsinthisdecoydivisionare
fallen,wellkeepdrawingtheenemyawayandshavingthemoff.Areyouokaywiththat?
AlicevehementlynoddedtotheKnightCommander,whostoodbesidethetallestboulderonthe
topmostpartofthehill.
ThisishowIseethesituation:weveeliminatedhalfoftheinvadingarmyoffiftythousandand
havealmostwipedoutthemosttroublesomeDarkSorceresses.Wereleftwithwearingouttheir
mainforcestosomeextent,whicharetheDarkKnightsandtheFistFightersandalso
defeatingDarkGodVector.Onceweachievethese,theremainderoftheenemywouldbevery
likelytoagreewithapeacetreaty.Whatdoyouthinkaboutthat?

Hmmthelastproblemis,whosgonnabetheonetoheadoverthere.IfthatShastakidsstill
around
So,theDarkGeneralisreallyAreyoucertainaboutthat,Ojisama?
HewasnttherewhenItookaglanceawhileago.NotonlyShasta,buthisapprentice,the
femaleknightwhofoughtyouoncewasntthereeither,lilmiss.
Hesighedroughly.AliceknewthatBercoulisecretlyhadgreatexpectationsoftheDarkGeneral
andhisapprentice.
Shakinghisheadslightly,theoldestKnightmutteredinalowvoice.
NowwecanonlyhopethattheDarkKnightwhotookoverShastasplacewouldbehappyto
passonhiswill.Notverylikely,though
Notverylikely?
Nope.ThosewholiveinthisDarkTerritorydonthaveanywrittenlawsliketheTabooIndex.
Theresonlyanunwrittenruleorderingthemtoobeythestrong.Andunfortunately,the
IncarnationofDarkGodVectorisoverwhelmingAnoviceyoungsterobviouslywontbe
powerfulenoughtoresist
Indeed,whenshedeclaredherownidentityinfrontoftheenemyawhileago,aterrifyingly
cold,bottomlessdarkenergyhadreachedoutfromthecoreoftheirformation,andsheclearly
feltitstickingtoher.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadthissortoffeelingsinceawakeningasan
IntegrityKnight.IfoneweretosaytheIncarnationofHighestMinisterAdministratorresembled
cracklingboltsoflightning,whatshehadfeltwouldbepitchblackemptiness.

Shewasgettinggoosebumpsjustthinkingaboutit.Calmingherself,Alicenodded.
IseeIdontexpectmanypeopletodisobeyagod,anyway.
Rightaftershesaidso,theKnightCommanderchuckledandslappedAlicesback.
Eventhoughyousaythat,lilmiss,you,KiritoandEugeo,youthreeappearedoverthereinthe
HumanEmpire.Letshopetherearefellowswithgutsoverhereaswell.
Justthen,hearingvigorouslyflappingwings,thetwolookedup.
Renrisdragon,Kazenui,wasdescendingtotheground.Theyoungknightdexterouslyleaptoff
beforethedragonsclawseventouchedtheearth.HejoggedovertoBercouliandurgentwords
begantotumblefromhismouth.
CommanderYourHighness,report!Thereisanareaofshrubberyaboutonekilolsouththat
wouldbesuitableforanambushontheenemy.
Great.Goodworkonthescouting.LetmepreparetomovetheentiredivisionYourdragon
shouldbeprettytired,sogogivehimasmuchfoodandwaterashewants.
Roger!
BercouliwatchedasRenriquicklysalutedinaKnightlyfashion,andhisshortsilhouettebegan
pullingaway.AlicesuddenlynoticedthattherewasasmileontheKnightCommandersface.
Ojisama?

Atherinquiry,Bercouliscratchedhischinforamoment,asthoughhewerealittleshy,and
shrugged.
Well,uhTheSynthesisRitualcreatesIntegrityKnightsbysnatchingtheirmemoriesaway
andsuspendingtheirLife,andthatsabsolutelyunforgivable.Butatthesametime,Ijustthink
itsalilbitsadthattherewontbeanymorefreshKnightslikethatyoungman.
Alicethoughtforamoment,thenasimilarsmilespreadacrossherface:
NoonecanbecomeanIntegrityKnightwithoutalteringtheirmemoriesandfreezingtheirLife?
Idontbelievethatstrue,Ojisama.
HerrighthandgentlystrokedtheFrostscaleWhiponcemore.
Evenifeveryoneofusweredefeated,Imcertainthatoursoulsourwillshallbepassedonto
someoneelse.
***
Allright,itsfinallyourturn!!
Bashinghisrightfistintohisleftpalmwitha
pashii
,theyoungchiefoftheFistFighterGuild,
Iskahn,yelledwithvigor.
IvebeensittingandwaitingherefortoolongsinceIfeltthebattleheatingupnearby.
TheterrifyingpillaroflighthadburntawaytheDemihumantroops,theSorceresseshadcreated
acreepyswarmofworms,andEmperorVectorhaddemandedfortheRadiantMediumso

persistentlythatheevengaveoutamysteriouscommand.Yetthesedidnothavetheslightest
effectonIskahnsfightingspirit.
Hisworldwasdividedintotwo:hisownbodyandeverythingelse.Iskahnwascompletely
uninterestedinanythingotherthantrainingtoimprovehisbody.Inhismind,evenifhebecame
thetargetoflargescaleartslikethosehehadjustseen,hehadabsoluteconfidenceinrepelling
everysingleoneofthemusingonlyhisfistsandspirit.
TheFistFightertiedbeltsontohisnaked,musculartorsoburnttoareddishcoppercolor,
wearingonlyshortsandsandals.Heturnedtothefivethousandpowerfullybuiltmenand
womenastheirleader,andtotheDarkKnightsfollowingthem.Theyhadhardlybegunmoving
forfiveminutes,butalready,therewasanearlythousandmelgapbetweentheFistFightersand
theDarkKnights.
TheKnightsareridingonhorsesbuttheyrejusttooslow,asusual!
AhulkingmanstayedbyIskahnsside,tallerthanhimbymorethanahead.Rightafterhearing
hisinsult,themansrockhardfacesmiledwryly.
Thatsinevitable,
Champion
.
AddressingthecurrentlystrongestFistFighterinDarkTongue,thehulkingmancontinued.
Theyandtheirhorsesarewearingarmorasheavyasthemselves.
Completelyuseless,though!

Concludingthusly,Iskahnfacedfrontagain.Shapinghisrighthandintoatube,hequicklyputit
againsthisrighteye.
Atthecenteroftheflameiris,hispupilenlarged.
Oh,theHumanEmpireguyshavestartedtomoveaswell.Seemsliketheyrenotcomingthis
way.Theyrestilltryingtorunaway?
Heclickedhistongue.
Thoughtheylookedasdimasthestarsabovethem,Iskahncouldperfectlycapturetheenemys
activityfivethousandmelaway.Hethoughtforamoment,thensaid:
Hey,Dampe.TheEmperorscommandwastochaseafterherandcaptureher,right?
Seemslikeit.
Right
Herubbedhisnosewithhisrightindexfinger,thengrinnedwithconfidence.
Letsspeedupforalittlewhile.TeamRabbit,tothefront!!
FiercecriesofOH!bothhighinpitchandtensionimmediatelyansweredthesummon.
TheteamcomingoutfromthearmyinneatformationwereahundredslenderFightersthat
said,theirmuscleswereasfirmasawhipandperfectlybalancedinvolume.Alloftheirheads
werewrappedwithwhitestrapsofdecorativerope.

LetsgosayhellotothosesocalledIntegrityKnights!Getready!!
OH!
MartialDance,stepseventeen,GO!!
Iskahnsrighthandfiercelypunchedtheairandhisfeetviolentlystompedthegroundashe
shouted.
HistrustedaideDampeandthehundredmenofTeamRabbitwereperformingtheexactsame
actioninperfectsynchronization.
Zun,zat,zunzat.
Ooh,rah,oohrah.
Astherhythmicstepsandunitedcrycontinued,beadsofsweatbegantoglowonIskahnscurled
copperhair,andhishealthydarkskintookonaredtinge.Thesamehappenedtohis
subordinates.
Afterthestepsendedinoneverylongminute,onehundredandtwoFightersstoppedtheir
movements,steambillowingfromtheirbodies.
No,notonlythat.Theirskinseemedtobeglowingslightlyredinthedarkness.
FistFighters.
Atribethat,forhundredsofyears,hadexploredthetruenatureofonesphysicalbody.

Boththeswordsmenandthesorceressesconsideredthesummitofallartstobeinterruptinga
targetwithIncarnation.Inotherwords,overwritingexternaleventswithimagination.
However,FistFightersthoughttheoppositestrengtheningtheirownbodieswithIncarnation.
Surpassingtheiroriginallimits,theywouldstrengthentheirnakedbodieswithdefensiveforce
strongerthansteel,andwieldtheirfistswithattackingpowerenoughtocrushboulders.
And,ofcourse,theywouldtraintheirlegstorunfasterthanhorses,whilebarefoot.
OOOOOH,RAAAAAH!!
Withapowerfulroar,Iskahnkickedthegroundandbegansprintingforth.Dampefollowed
alongwiththeotherhundredFightersinhotpursuit.
Theairbehindthemwassplitapartthegroundshookfuriously.
***
!?
InordertokeepclosewiththeGuardswhohadstartedmovingtotheshrubberysuitableforan
ambush,Alicewalkedafewsteps,thenlookedbackasshesoonfeltsomethingstrange.
Somethingiscoming.
Andtheyrefast.
Whenshelookedclosely,shecouldseeaclusterofahundredmenbulgingoutoftheslowly
approachingenemyarmy,andclosingthegapataterrifyingspeed.Theywereevenfasterthan
thehorsebackridersrunningwithalltheirmight.Forasecond,AlicethoughttheywereDragon

Knights,butsoonrealizedthatthereweretoomanyofthem,andthattheywereactuallymoving
ontheground.
SeemstobetheFistFighters.
Bercoulimutteredbesideher.
Theyare?
Shehadheardthatnamebefore,butthiswasherfirsttimewitnessingthemwithherowneyes.
ThiswasbecausetheoneswhousuallyappearedattheMountainRangeattheEdgeweremainly
Goblins,Orcs,andrarely,DarkKnights.TheFistFightershadneverevenattemptedtoinvade
theHumanEmpire.
Evenso,havingtheadvantageofaverylonglife,itseemedthattheoldestIntegrityKnighthad
experiencebattlingtheFistFighters.Hecontinuedsomewhatnervously.
Theyreapaintodealwith.Usuallyaswordsgonnahurtbarefists,buttheyllkeeprejecting
that.
Huh?Reject?
Theresnowayanyonecanrejectbeingcut
,Alicethought.ButBercoulishruggedandsaid:
YoullknowwhatImeanwhenyoufightthem.Betterforustohandlethemtogether,lilmiss.

Aliceswallowedhard.Bercoulijustclaimedthathecouldnothandlethembyhimselftheymust
beextremelypowerfulopponents.
However,whattheKnightCommandersaidnextdestroyedherpainstakingconcentrationand
spirit.
And,bytheway,lilmissYourenotokaywithstrippingdown,areyou?
Haah!?
Instinctively,shecrossedherarmsinfrontofherchestandsqueezedoutasharpvoice.
Whwhatareyoutalkingabout?!OfcourseIdontlikestrippingdown!!
No,IdontmeanthatWell,IdomeanthatIjustwannatellyouthatarmorandclothesare
uselessagainsttheirfists,andtheymayholdyouback,so
Aftersayingthosepointlesswordsashescratchedhischin,theKnightCommandershookhis
headasiftosay,Suityourself.
Anyway,ifyouregonnafightinthat,getyourArmamentFullControlArtready.
OOkay.
Anxietytrickleddownherspineagain.Asitseemed,theenemyteamwascomposedofarounda
hundredmen.IfsheneededtoutilizethefullpoweroftheFragrantOliveSwordagainstsucha
smallteam,theyweredefinitelynoteasyopponents.
However,therewasoneproblem.

Whenshehadreleasedthereflectionconcealedbeamart,andduringherbattleagainstthe
DarkSorceresses,shehadtwiceusedtheArmamentFullControlArt,consumingalargeportion
oftheFragrantOliveSwordsLifeintheprocess.Shecouldstilluseitfornormalslashing
withoutfail,butsheworriedoverhowmuchlongeritcouldremaininitssplitformattack.
ThesameappliedtotheKnightCommandersTimePiercingSword.Fromaratherclose
distance,Alicehadwatchedhimperformthestunningwiderangedattackthathadinstantly
eliminatedhundredsofMinions.Itcouldbesaidthatbothoftheirbelovedswordsneededrestin
theirsheathsovernight.
Butwithintheirtensofsecondsofconversation,theenemyteamofFistFightershadalready
closedintoadistancefromwhereAlicecouldbegintomakeouttheirmasculinephysiques.She
couldnotletthemgetanyclosertotheGuards,whowerestillpreparingtheambush.
Alicebitherlip,noddedtotheKnightCommander,andwasabouttoslidedowntherockyslope
tothenorth.
Rightbeforethat,however,atimidfemalevoicecalledtothem.
Illgo.
Alicespunaroundinshockbesideher,Bercouliseyeswidenedaswell.
Theonewhohadbeenstandingtherewithouttheirknowledge,wasoneofthefourIntegrity
KnightsjoiningthedecoydivisiontheoneotherthanBercouli,AliceandRenri.

Shewastallandslender,cladindrabgrayarmor.Herhair,alsogray,waspartedsocrisplythatit
lookedartificiallyplasteredtoherhead,endinginatightponytail.Herfacewasrefreshingly
clean,butshowednotashredofemotion.Shewasprobablyaroundtwenty,likeAlice.
HernamewasSheytaSynthesisTwelve.
TheDivineInstrumentstrappedtoherwaistwastheBlackLilySword.
However,shewasseldomreferredtoassuch.Whenevertheyhappenedtomentionherin
conversation,theKnightsaddressedherbyanothernickname.
TheSilent.
AlicewasnotshockedbecauseshehadvolunteeredtobattletheFistFighters.
ShewasshockedbecausethiswasliterallythefirsttimesheheardthevoiceofTheSilent
Sheyta.
***
Leapingoverditchesandsmallriverswithease,blastingbouldersoutoftheirwaywithsingle
kicks,Iskahn,DampeandtheotherhundredFistFighterscontinuedtheirferocioussprint.
Inafewmoments,Illfinallybeabletofightthesesocalleddemons,IntegrityKnights.
Bursting
withanticipation,theyoungFightersrevealeddisturbinggrins.
Infact,IskahnhadbeencompletelydispassionatetowardstheIntegrityKnightsoftheHuman
Empireuntilhereceivedthecalltoarms.Hehadlookeduponthemwithcontempt,underthe
impressionthattheyweremerelyruffianswhohidbehindarmorandswords.AmongallHumans

intheDarkTerritory,therewasonlyoneDarkKnightwhomhehadrespectedasatruefighter:
thedeceasedDarkGeneralShasta.
Butwhilehewasmeditatingashestoodbyfortheordertoattack,hehadsensedtheIntegrity
Knightsfightingspiritandaggressiveenergy,andthatwassomething.
Atleasttheyarentjust
relyingontheirhighclassweapons,
hethought.
Theremustbeimpressivelytrainedbodiesbeneaththearmorandswords.
Withheightenedexpectations,Iskahncouldntbemoreexcitedaboutfightingthemfisttofist.
So.
WhenhefinallysightedaKnightinfrontofthehillwheretheenemyarmyhadstoppedminutes
ago,theFistFighterchiefsmouthdroppedopen,dumbstruckbyherstandingfigure.
Howthin.
Sheseemedtobeawoman,somaybeherlackofamuscularbuildwasinevitableevenso,she
waswaytoothin.Althoughshewascladinmetallicarmor,shestilllookedmorefragilethanany
ofIskahnsfemaleFighters.Herarmorlessbodywouldonlybeaboutasmuscularasa
Sorceresss.Eventhelongswordhangingfromherwaistlookedlikearoastingspit.
Signalingwithhisrighthandforhissubordinatestostop,Iskahnskiddedtoahalt,kickingupa
dustcloud.Raisinghiseyebrowsthatwerecurledupattheendlikeaflame,heopenedhis
mouth.
Whoreyou?Whatthehellareyoudoinhere?

Slightlyshakingherlong,straightgrayhair,thefemaleKnighttiltedherhead.Shelookedas
thoughshewerethinkingofwhattosayorrather,ponderingwhethershewantedtoanswer
thequestions.
Herbrows,eyes,nose,andmouthlookedasthoughtheyhadbeensculptedwithasharpknife.
Withoutashredofemotiononhercleanface,thefemaleKnightspokequietly:
Imheretostopyou.
Iskahnexhaledalargeamountofairfromhisnoseandmouthnooneknewwhetherhewas
laughingorupset,butintheendhejustshrugged.

You
cantevenstopalittlekid.Oh,IknowYoureaKnightgoodatarts,eh?
Therewasanotherawkwardlylongsilencebeforesheanswered.
Artsarenotmystrength.
Irritatedbyhisenemysbelittlingattitude,Iskahnsaid:Well,whatever,andcalledoutoneof
hissubordinates.Yotte,fighther.
HereIcome!!
AratherdiminutivefemaleFighterleaptoutoftheformationwithavigorousreply.Despitethat,
shewasstillseveraltimessturdierthanthefemaleKnight.Flexingherstiffmusclesanddarting
toandfro,sherevealedasavageleerthatwascompletelydifferentfromheropponent.
HAAH!

Fromfivemelaway,thefemaleFighterpunchedtheair,generatingwindthatrustledthefemale
Knightshair.
Eventhen,therewasnotanounceoffightingspiritontheKnightsslenderface.Instead,she
lookedconfusedandwhisperedsoftly.
Justone?
Thatsmyline,youskeleton!
Curlingherthicklips,Yotteshouted.
AfterIteachyoualesson,Imgonnastufflotsandlotsofdriedmeatintoyourtinylittlemouth
beforeIfinishyouoff!Justpulloutyourswordalready!!
WithafaceasthoughsayingSoyouhavenothingmoretosay,thefemaleKnightgrippedthe
handleonherleftwaist.
Shiyuran
.Catchingsightoftheeffortlesslydrawnblade
whatthefuck!?
Iskahn,whohadbackedoffandcrossedhisarms,shoutedinstinctively.
Thinwasaninsufficientdescription.Thescabbardalreadylookedlikearoastingspit,butthe
bladeinsideitwasjustacenwide,likeachildsfinger.Theswordwasmatteblackandthinas
paperjustbeingabletoseeitwasdifficultunderthestarrynightsky.Howfragile.
Yottesfaceflushedredwithanger.

Ygottabekiddinme
Performingashortmartialdance,orrather,batteringtheearthwithherfeet,thefemaleFighter
chargedstraightandquicklyclosedthedistancebetweenherandtheKnight.
EventoIskahn,thatwasquiteanimpressivesprint.TeamRabbitoftheFistFightersGuild
were,unliketheirname,elitesthatwerenotonlyagile,butskilledprecisionfighters.
Bibat!
Splittingtheair,Yottelashedout.
Unabletoavoidthecloserangeattack,thefemaleKnightdefendedwithherpaperthinsword.
Theresoundingnoisewaspiercinglyhigh,asifcreatedbyacollisionoftwometalobjects.
Blindinggoldensparksshotout.
Immediatelyafter.
Theneedlelikeswordwaseasilybent.
Iskahnsmiled.AnormalswordwouldnevercuttheskinofaFistFighter.
ThechildrenbornasFistFighterswerethrownintothetrainingfacilityassoonastheybecame
fiveyearsofage.Theirveryfirsttrainingwassnappingacastironknifewithonepunch.
Astheymatured,castironwouldbereplacedwithwroughtiron,andkniveswouldbereplaced
withlongswords.Notonlydidtheyhavetosplitthem,theyhadtowithstandslashesfromthe
weaponswithoutanyprotection.Throughtheirtraining,theadolescentswereconfidentthat

bladeswerenothingtobeafraidof.
Iaminvulnerabletoblades.
Thatbeliefinotherwords,
Incarnation,turnedtheirbodiesintosteel.
Astheguildchief,Iskahncouldstopaneedle2cenindiameterwithhiseyeball.
AlthoughYotte,anormalFighter,hadnottrainedherIncarnationtothisextent,shewasoneof
thetengroupleadersinTeamRabbit.Herfistdidnotlosetoanysword.
Especiallynotthatpitifullythinone.
AlloftheFistFightershadoneimageintheirheads:thehorriblybentblackneedlewouldsnap
withanembarrassingcrack,andafistwouldsinkintothefemaleKnightsface.
Thew
.
Astrangesound,likeawhipslicingtheair.
Yottefroze,herfisthoveringintheair.ThepunchbarelygrazedthefemaleKnightsright
cheek,andtheKnightshandliftedup.
Iskahncouldnotseetheblackbladeclearlyfromhisposition.

Whatthehell?Thatsaprettylargetargettomiss.
Thechiefcursed.
EvenifYottewinsthisbattle,shellhavetostarthertrainingalloveragainin
thearenasthirdclasswaitingroom.Nomatterhowtoughonesfistis,itsuselessifitdoesnt
hittheoppone
Yottesclenchedfistsilentlysplitapartbetweenhermiddleandringfinger.

Wh
InfrontofthestunnedIskahn,thefissurecontinuedfromYotteswristtoherelbow,throughher
upperlimb,andpassingthroughhershoulder.
Perfectlydisplayingacrosssectionprecisetothebone,musclesandeventhethinnestblood
vessels,theouterpartofYottesrightarmdroppedontotheground.Onlyafterdidblooderuptin
multiplejets,formingacrimsonmist.
GHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Utteringanearsplittingshriek,Yottecollapsedtotheground,cradlingherrightarm.
ThefemaleKnightretractedherarm,andbreathedasmallsigh.
BackduringherlifeintheCentralCathedral,TheSilentSheytaseldomspoke.Thiswasnot
duetointroversion,norbecauseshehatedeveryoneelse.
JusttoavoidattentionfromotherIntegrityKnightsshesuppressedherownexistence,hoping
thatnoonewouldchallengehertoanysparringmatches.
Ifsheweretocrossswordswithanyone,evenifithadbeenKnightCommanderBercouli,
she
possiblycouldhavekilledheropponent
.
Fearingthatthismighthappen,shehadkeptsilentinthehundredyearslivingintheCathedral.
Evenifshespoke,herfamiliarcaretakerandtheelevatingdiskoperatorgirlweretheonlyones
shewouldtalkto.

Sheytawasentirelyaswordsman,synthesizedafterwinningtheFourEmpiresUnity
Tournament.
However,therecordsofthatyearstournamentwerecompletelyerased.Thereasonwasthat,in
atournamentthatappraisedtheprincipleofmercyasonesbestquality,bloodhadbeenshed:
Sheytahadbrutallymurderedeverysingleoneofheropponents.
ThehighrankingIntegrityKnightSheytaSynthesisTwelve,inacertainsense,sharedasimilar
mindsetwiththechiefoftheFistFightersguild,Iskahn.
Iskahnthoughtonlyaboutbeatingupsomethingorsomeone,whileSheytawasinterestedin
nothingbutslicingthingsinhalf.Despitethat,fromthebottomofherheart,shehadnever,ever
enjoyedit.
Shewouldjustcut.Whetheritbehumanorobject,whenshewasconfrontedwithsomething,
Sheytacouldalreadyseeitscrosssectionslicedclean.Wheneverthathappened,shewasnever
abletostopherselffromrealizingit.Ifheropponentwereawoodenpracticedummy,shecould
evencleanlyseveritwithherhand.
Sheytahadalwayssuppressedhercuthungrynatureassomethingsinister.
ThefirsttoperceivethisdeeplyhiddenimpulseinherheartwastheHighestMinister
Administrator.
Fortwohundredyears,AdministratorhadbeenattemptingtodeducetheSpacialSacredEnergy
Theory,whichwasnowcommonknowledgetoeverylearnerofarts.
WhiletheHighestMinisterwasstillresearching,shebecamedeeplyobsessedwiththelastand
largestwarintheDarkTerritorythatputtheAgeofBloodandIrontoanend.

Administratorwasconcernedthatitwouldbesuchawastefornoonetocollectthevirtually
infiniteSacredEnergythathadbeenreleasedfromthefiercebattlebetweenthefiveDark
Territoryraces,whichtookplaceinthewildernessbetweentheHumanEmpireandtheImperial
CapitalObsidia.
Despitethat,shehadbeencarefultonevervisittheDarkTerritoryherself.Instead,shehad
summonedKnightSheyta.TheHighestMinisterhadwhisperedtoSheyta,whohadalready
earnedthemoniker,TheSilent:
Journeytherealoneandlookforsomethinginthebattlefield.Ademonicbeast,orsomething
ofthesortunharmedbythewarwouldbebestifyoucanfindone.Ifnot,anylargeanimalwill
do.Abirdoraninsectatleast.JustfindmeanythingthatsengorgedwithSpacialSacred
Energy.
Bringittome,andfromit,IwillfashionaDivineInstrumentforyou.
AswordwiththehighestPriority,aswordthatcansliceanythinginhalfHowaboutthat?
Sheytacouldnotresistthetemptation.AnIntegrityKnightcouldnotdisobeyanorderfromthe
HighestMinisteranyway,butshe,withouttakingadragontogetovertheMountainRangeatthe
Edge,trekkingthousandsofkiloldeepintothelandofash,arrivedatthebattlefieldthatstankof
blood.
Therewerenomovingcreatureswherethefiveraceshadstrainedtheirlimitstokilleachother.
Notevenamouseoracrowhadsurvived,letaloneabeast.
ButSheytadidnotgivein.
Aswordthatcansliceanythinginhalf.
Thephrasehadcapturedher
heart,leavingherunabletothinkofanythingelse.

Attheendofherthreedaysearch
Shefinallyfoundoneloneblacklily,wobblingflimsilyinthewind.
Thatsmallflowerwastheonlyobjectthathadsurvivedthevastbattlefield,chargedwithSpacial
SacredEnergy.
TheHighestMinisterAdministratorgeneratedanextremelyslimswordoutoftheflowerthat
Sheytabroughtback,andbestowedituponherwiththenameBlackLilySword.
Ayearlater,afterkillinganIntegrityKnightinaduel,shewasputintohibernationatherown
request.
Sheytadidnotknowwhethershesighedoutofsympathyorintoxicationwhenshecutthefemale
FistFightersfist.
Cometothinkofit,shealsodidnotunderstandwhyshehadvolunteeredtenminutesagoto
defendthisplace,speakingtotheKnightCommanderandbreakinghersilence.Rather,shewas
unawareofanymotivationtojointheDefenseArmyhalfayearago,volunteeringherselfwhile
alloftheKnightswereinvited.
IsitbecauseIhopetoprotecttheHumanEmpire,liketheotherKnights?
OrisitsimplybecauseIwanttocut?
Oritwantsmetocut?
Well,itdoesntmatteranymore.Thesituationiswhatitis,andtheresnowaytostopthesword
anymore.Letsjusthopethattherewontbetoomanylivestaken.

Sheytacalmlyraisedherhead,andglancedattheterrifiedFistFighterswhohadfrozentothe
spot.
Withoutatraceofhesitationorfear,thegrayKnightgrippedherslender,pitchblacksword,and
slashedheadontowardsthehundredFistFighters.
***
Whatanincredibleperformance.
AtAliceshoarsecomment,Bercoulimutteredinalowvoice.
RightLetmetellyousomethingthatyoushouldnttellanyoneelse.Halfayearago,whileI
waswakingherupfromher
deepfreeze
,Iwasactuallykindofscared.
Ineverknew.IneverknewthatSheytadonohasbeensoadept
Beneaththehill,thebattlebetweenonehundredFistFightersandIntegrityKnightSheyta
unfolded.Tobeprecise,itwasaonesidedmassacre.
Whenevera
thew
camefromtheextremelythinandmalleablesword,thelimbsofthe
surroundingenemieswouldimmediatelyseparatefromtheirbodiesandhittheground.
Whileimpressed,Alicewasslightlyconcernedaboutsomethingthatsheshouldhavefeltfrom
Sheytasslimframe.
ShecouldnotfeelSheytasmurderousintentatall.Notonlythat,shecouldnotevenfeelashred
ofhostility.

Ifso,thenhowissheablefightsoferociously?
Dontthinkaboutit.EventhoughIvebeenwatchingherformorethanahundredyears,Istill
understandnothingabouther.Nothing.TheKnightCommanderwhisperedandturnedaround.
Wecanleavethistoher.Themainenemyarmyshouldbearrivingverysoonwehaveto
prepareforthecounterattackoverthere.
Okay.
Noddingandlookingawayfromthebattlebelowher,Alicefollowedhim.
***
AboutathousandkilolsouthfromBercouliandAlice,whowerewalkingdownthehill,thegray,
roughwildernessfinallycametoanend,wheresomeirregularlyshapedshrubberygrewinthe
area.Themainformationofthedecoydivisionwasconcealedamongthem.
TheyconsistedofonethousandGuards,twohundredAscetics,andasupplyteamoffiftypeople.
TheyhadtofacethefivethousandFistFighterswithsuchasmallforce.
IntegrityKnightRenrihadorderedtheGuardsandtheAsceticstohideintheplantsshadows,
dividingthemintotwentyteams.Thesupplyteamwagonhadcarvedfreshgroovesintotheonly
narrowpaththatstretchedthroughtheentirewoodedarea.Theplanwastoperformapincer
attackastheenemyfollowedtherutsintodeepenoughwoods.
RenrihadalreadyheardfromtheKnightCommanderthattheirswordswouldbeineffectiveon
FistFighters,andhehadheardabouttheirweaknessaswell.

FistFighterswerenotgoodatdefendingthemselvesagainstSacredArts.
Inthenorthernwildernesswherenotevenmosscouldgrow,therewassimplynotenoughSacred
Energytodeployanyhighpoweredarts,buttheairshouldbethickerintheshrubbery.The
Asceticshidingbehindtheleaveswouldambushtheenemytogether,thenretreattothesouth
whileprotectedbytheGuards.Fromtheabove,fiveDragonswouldtorchtheenemywiththeir
flamebreathinthemidstofthechaos.
Preparedforaquickretreat,Renristationedtheeightsupplyteamwagonsatthesouthernmost
partoftheshrubberyarea.Hedeterminedthat,thefurtherawayfromthefrontline,thesaferthey
wouldbe.
However,justasRenriwasdevotinghismindtopreparingtheambush,thefiveGuards,who
werestationsaroundthewagonsjustincasesomethinghappened,silentlydied,oneafter
another,withoututteringsomuchasawhimper.

Itsentirebodycladinglosslessblackmetallicarmorthatwasfittedwithademonichorned
helmet,ashadowmovedsoundlessly.
Beforehim,aGuardoftheHumanEmpireDefenseArmylookedleftandright,alert.Hedid
not,however,lookbehindhimatall,becausetheotherGuardsshouldhavebeenwatchingthat
space.
Theshadowenteredhisblindspot,approachingasifitweregliding.Alongswordwasequipped
onitswaist,butitdidnotdraw.Instead,itcasuallyraisedthetinydaggerinitsrighthand.

Itstretcheditsleftarmlikeablacksnake,blockingtheGuardsmouthandnose.
Atthesametime,itsrighthandflashed,slittinghisexposedthroatinastraightline.
Incompletesilence,hisLifewasdrained.RightaftertheGuardsbodysuddenlylostitsstrength,
theblackshadowpusheditunderthenearestbush.
Behindtheblackveilthatcovereditsface,abarelyaudiblevoiceslippedout.

Five,dooown.

Theshadowgiggled.
ThiswasnottheAncientSacredTongue.
ThisshadowwasactuallyoneofthethreerealworldpeopleintheUnderworld.He,Vassago
Casals,wastheadjutantunderGabrielMiller,whoposedasEmperorVector.
Aboutanhourago,Vassagowasswigginghisredwinestraightfromthebottleforthe
umpteenthtime.Meanwhile,hecaughtsightofthelargescaleart,whichendedwithapathetic
failureforhisside,andfinallysaidsomethingthatsoundedlikeadvice.
Hey,bro.Howboutwestopdependingonthoseguysandtrymovingabitbyourselves?
GabrielrolledhiseyesatVassago,raisedhisblondeyebrowsandreplied.
Okay,thenyoucanmakethemove.

TheinstructionsthatfollowedwerenottoinvadethevalleythattheHumanEmpireArmywas
protecting,buttotravelsomewherefarawayfromthebattlefield,farsouth,inthemiddleof
nowhere.
WhentheenemyeradicatedtheDemihumantroopswithalaserbeamlikethoseinscifimovies,
GabrielhadalreadypredictedthatpartoftheenemywouldbeselectedtoentertheDark
Territory.
ButwhenVassagoheardthis,hequestionedwhyhehadtospecificallymovesouthinsteadof
north.HearingthereplyLook,theresmorespacethatway,hecouldnthelpbutbeevenmore
doubtful.Butsincetheenemydidactuallycome,hecouldonlyadmithismistakeandgetto
work.
NomatterhowstrongtheHumanEmpireunitswere,theywoulddefinitelystopiftheylostallof
theirfoodsupply.InordertocontinuehisKillingTime,whichwashisfirstsinceDivinginto
thisworld,hegazedintothedarkwoods.
Veryquickly,hefoundwagonscamouflagedwithbranchesandleaves.
Lickinghislipsunderthemask,theassassinbeganmovingagain.
Then,somethingmovedbehindawagon.Hestoppedabruptlyandpressedhimselfagainstatree.
Afairskinnedyounggirlwithteacoloredhair,whichwasnotafaceoftheDarkTerritory,stuck
herheadoutoftheroof.Perhapsshehadsensedsomething,asshewaslookingaroundwitha
nervousexpression.

AsVassagostayedstill,itdidnottakelongforthegirltostepcarefullyoutofthecart.She
whisperedsomethingtosomeoneinthewagon,andfinallybegantowalkslowly.
Wearingminimaldefensiveequipmentontopofgrayclothesthatlookedlikeahighschool
uniform,thegirlwasheadingstraighttoVassagoshidingplace.
Resistingthetemptationtowhistle,theassassingrippedhisbloodsoakeddaggertightlyinhis
rightfist.
***
DOOOONT
ForcedtowatchhisFighters,whomhehadpainstakinglytrained,effortlesslydefeatednearby,
Iskahnscreamedinangerasherecoveredfromshock.
GETTOOCOCKY,YOUBIIIIITCH!!
Kickingontogroundhardenoughtoproduceagiantcrack,hefiercelycharged.
Flameseruptedonhistautrightfistasthoughtheywerethescorchingfuryitself.
HepunchedstraightattheneckofthegrayIntegrityKnight.Sparksflewfromhisfist,creatinga
blazingtailintheairalongitspath.
Atthatmoment,theKnighthadjustfinishedaslashwiththeswordinherrighthandshetriedto
blockIskahnspunchwithhergauntletedlefthand.

Tomypunchallarmorisnomorethanpaper!!

ThestrikeengorgedwithIncarnationcollidedintothefemaleKnightspalmblindingsparks
burstinalldirections.
Immediately,thegraygauntletshatteredwithadeafeningcrack,andthearmorpiecesfromher
armtohershoulderwereshreddedandblownaway.
Countlesscutscrossedthesmooth,whiteskinoftheexposedleftarmdropletsofbloodflew
intotheairlikegrainsofsand.However,surprisingly,hedidnotfeelanybonesbreaking.
Eventhoughitshouldbeexcruciatinglypainful,thefemaleKnightonlyfrownedslightly,her
righthandflashinghersuperslimswordwhileherlefthandgraspedIskahnsrightfist.
Kiiin!
Ahighmetallicnoiseresonated,andsparksburstagainfromtheFistFighterselbow.
ThesourceofFistFightersstrengthwastheconfidenceofbeinginvulnerabletoallblades.In
ordertoobtainthatconfidence,theywrappedtheirbodiesonlywithbelts,exposingtheirskin.
Themomenttheyfellbackonanykindofdefensiveequipment,aFistFightersIncarnation
wouldbeweakened.
Therefore,Iskahnwastryingtodeflecttheblackbladethatwasabouttocutthroughhisright
arm,justwithhisdetermination.
But.
Thedensefrigiditythatalmostsankintohisskinwascompletelydifferentfromwhathehadfelt
fromanyothersword,evenhavingtakenslashesfromthemwithbareskin.

Thispaperthinswordwasnotjustcold,hardsteelitrepresentedwill.Insteadofadesirefor
victory,itwassimplyathirstfordivision.
Sensingthis,Iskahnreflexivelypunchedwithhisleftfist.
Po!
Shatteringtheair,thepunchpiercedthespacewherethefemaleKnighthadbeenaninstant
ago.
Thatwasimpressivelyagile,butshedidnotcompletelyevadethestrike:thepunchgrazedher
graychestplate.AstheKnightjumpedoutoftheway,herchestplateshatteredjustlikeher
gauntlethad.
ButIskahnwasnotuninjuredeither.
Onhisinnerelbow,atthepointthathadmetthebladeforlessthanasecond,therewasavery
shallowcut.Atinydropletofbloodslowlybeadedoutfromitscenter.Onlyadropyetadrop
nonetheless.
Lickingthebloodaway,theyoungFistFightersavagelygrinned.
Hey,bitch.Yourequitedifferentinsidefromwhatyoulooklikeontheoutside,huh.
ThegrayfemaleKnightandrepliedwithsomethingcompletelyirrelevant.
Ishouldbeolderthanyou
Huh?Yougotthatright.IntegrityKnightslikeyouaremonstersthatdontgetoldfordecades,
right?What,youwantmetocallyougranny?


Belowhereyes,thefemaleKnightscleanfacejerked,butsoonshereturnedtodispassion.
Iforgiveyou.Youareveryhard.IcanbarelyseewhereIcanslice.
TskWhatthehellareyoutalkingabout?
Iskahncluckedhistongue,feelinghisspiritweakenedfromheroffbeatattitude.However,ashe
lookedaroundattheFistFightersontheground,herecoveredhisanger.
Twentyofthemofthem,menorwomen,weremoaning,theirarmsorlegshavingbeencutfrom
theirbodiesbytheslimsword.Themostunforgivablethingwas,notonlydidthefemaleKnight
harmhissubordinates,shewasapparentlymercifultothembysparingtheirlives.Noneofthe
injuredhadlosttheirheads.Withherskillsandthesharpnessofthesword,theKnightcould
easilyhavemadethatextrastrokeifshewished.
Soyoutreatuslikewooddummiesforyourfuckingswordpractice.UnforgivableIm
gonnabeatyoutoapulp!!
Zun,zat,zun!!
TheremainingactiveFightersfollowedthequickstepsoftheMartialDance.Fiercewarcries
overlappedwiththeirstampingontheground.
Ooh,rah,oorarah.Ooh,rah,oorarah.
Astheystompedandvibratedtheair,theFistFightersintensifiedtheirIncarnation.Dropsof
sweatfliedofffromtheircopperskin,transformingintoflying,blazingsparks.

TheIntegrityKnightdidnotmove,asifshewerewaitingforIskahntoreachhismaximumstate.

Thatsright.
TheFistFighterchampionstoppedhisstepsflamesroaredfromhisreddishgoldencurlyhair,
andblindinglighteffusedfrombothofhishands.
ThefemaleKnight,ashisopponent,waspersistentlycalm.Inherrighthand,thepitchblack
superslimswordwasgivingoffafreezingenergy.
HeeeereIcome,youBIIIIIIIIITCH!!
Settingtheairablazewitha
pow
,Iskahninstantlyclosedthedistancebetweentheminastraight
line.
ThefemaleKnighteffortlesslyswungtheswordinherrighthand.
Thew
.
JustbeforethefineblacklinetouchedIskahnsshoulder
Fasterthantheswordthatswungearlierthanhim,ablowfromtheFistFighterstruckthefemale
Knightsleftleg.Notapunch,butakick.Hisrightfootshotup,hittingthegraylegguard
directlywithhistoes.
Withastonishingreflexes,theKnightstoppedherswordandleanedforward,avoidingafall,but
theleftlegguardwasinstantlyshattered.Theskirtaroundherwaistwastornhertonedyetslim
legswereexposed.

DontthinkFistFighterscanonlypunch!!
Grinningconfidently,Iskahnbeganahighkickwithhisleftleg.
ThefemaleKnightturnedherwrist,tryingtoparrythekickwithhersword.
Theinstantthatthebladeandthelegclashed,adeafeningcrackwasaccompaniedbyashower
ofblazingsparks.TheFistFighterChiefpulledhistonedleftlegback,feelingasharppain,and
suddenlythrusthisrightfistforward.
Bathedincrimsonflames,thestrikehittheKnightschestplatesquarelyinthemiddle.
Kaboom!
Analmightyexplosionpropelledthetwoofthemawayfromeachother.Iskahn
backflippedinmidairandlandedontheground.
Hisleftlegstabbedwithpainagain.Heglancedatit.
Onhisrockhardshinthatcouldeasilybendasteelbar,afreshcutcarvedastraightline.Dark
redbloodflowedoutatonce,drippingontotheblackground.
Snickeringatthissmallscratch,heobservedtheenemy.
ThefemaleKnightmanagedtowithstandthisaswell,butshepressedherlefthandontoher
chestandcoughedafewtimes.Herchestplate,alreadydamaged,hadshatteredcompletelyher
righthandgauntletandthegrayclothingcoveringherchestsweretheonlythingsleftonher
upperbody.Therewasnotmuchleftonherlowerbodyeither:onlyatornskirtandherrightshin
guard.

ExclusivetothosebornintheHumanEmpire,hersnowwhiteskinseemedtogloweveninthe
darkness.Seeingthis,Iskahnsneered:
Nowyoulookmorelikeafighter,buttherejustarentenoughmuscles.Goeatandtrainmore,
bitch.
TheFistFightersaroundjeeredather,buttheKnightcalmlytoreoffahangingpieceofcloth
fromherleftshoulderandraisedtheswordinherrighthand.
Thew.
Butyouvebecomeabitsofterjustnow.
THEFUCKDIDYOUSAY?
Hisnostrilsflaredandhebaredhiscanineteeth.
Eventhoughhewasbluffingwithhisexpression,Iskahnfeltthathisbreathshadbecomeslightly
quicker.
Theresnowaymyspiritwoulddecreasejustbyseeingsomeuncoveredlimbs.Thewomenover
hereshowmuchmoreoftheirskineveryday,onlyafreshtraineekidwouldhesitatejustby
seeingthat.
ThewholeworldismadeoutofopponentsthatImustbeatupwithmytoughbody,evenifitsa
foreignwomanwhosslimenoughthatthewindcouldbendherbones,whoseskinisshining
white.
TheresnoturningbackImgonnashowyouallIvegot!!
Howlinglikeawolf,IskahnjabbedhisindexfingeratthefemaleKnight:

Soshowmeyoursaswell,bitch!!Dontgivemethatfuckingsleepyface!!
Ashesaidso,theKnightlookedconfusedagain,andtouchedherowncheeksandthemiddleof
herforeheadwithherlefthand.Changinghereyebrowsangleintoaslightlyfiercerlook,she
said:
Bringitonplease.
Yeah,bringiton.
IllbethinkingnonsenseagainifIfollowherpace.
Iskahninhaleddeeply,gatheredpowerinhisstomach,andviolentlybentover.
Puttinghisleftfisttohiswaist,andpointinghisrightfistathisopponent,henoisilyexhaledthe
air.Asherepeatedtheroughbreathing,hispartedlegsbegantoglowred,drawingpowerfrom
theground.Theenergychanneledthroughhisbodyandgatheredathisfist.
Crimsonblazingflamesgraduallyshoneyellow,andeventuallyturnedbluishwhite.
NowIskahnsrightfistwasatatemperaturesohighthatitcouldalmostburntheair,making
high,sharpnoises.
ThefemaleKnightfacedhimsideways,extendedherlefthandtothefrontwithherthumband
fingersneatlylinedup,andswungthefineswordinherrighthandbehindher.Herarmsaligned
inastraightline,givingafeelofstrengthlikeacatapultpreparedtolaunchwithfullpower.
ThetensioninIskahnwassoimmensethathefeltlikehewasalreadysplitintohalf,fromthe
headallthewaydowntothestomach.Andyethegrinnedexcitedly.


Shesthefirstonetoburnmeupthismuch.
Bothofthemmovedattheexactsamemoment.
TheKnightssworddrewapitchblackcrescentcurveintheair.
TheFistFightersfistbecameabluishwhitecomet.Attheinstantthattheycollided,powerful
shockwavesexplodedoutward,crackingthegroundontheirway.TheremainingFistFighters
surroundingthetwowereirresistiblyblownbackwards.
Theswordandthefistwereonlymeetingatthesizeofaneedlestip,yettheywerebattling
intensely.Surpassingitslimit,thecompressedpowershotforthintoabeamoflight,bursting
intothenightsky.

WithSheytascombatskills,shecouldhavedefeatedheropponentwithoutthiskindofstupid
competitionofbrutestrength.
Slightlysurprisingtoher,theintensityoftheyoungFistFightersIncarnationwasatthelevelof
ahighrankingKnight.Evenso,heconcentratedallofhisIncarnationathisfistashecharged,
andotherpartsofhisbodyactuallylookedrathersofttoSheyta.Itseemedthatshecouldhave
evadedthestraightpunchandcuthisheadoffrightaway.
Sheyta,however,didnotchoosetodothatinstead,shecounteredtheopponentswhiteblue
glowingfistheadon.Therewasnorationaletothisdecisionshewassimplyfollowingherbody
andhersword.

Sheytawasratherconfusedbyherself.Sinceahundredyearsago,shehadalreadyrealizedthat
shehadnoneofaKnightsappraisedmentalqualities,suchasprideornobility.Shewouldcut
becauseshewantedto,andthatwasallshedesired.
Itshouldmeanthesamewhensliceisreplacedwithkill.Onlywhenshehadbeenassigned
withthemissionofsecuringtheMountainRangeattheEdge,Sheytacouldreleasehertrueself.
ShehadendedcountlesslivesofDarkKnightsorGoblinsbymercilesslycuttingtheirnecks.
Shehadbeensuppressinghernatureassomethingsinister,somuch,infact,thatshewascalled
TheSilent,butwhydidshenotchoosetokillinthisparticularbattle?Sheytawasdeeply
puzzled.
Buteventhatwasjusttoomuchtothinkabout.
Now,atthismoment,therewasonlyherself,theBlackLilySwordandthefistinfrontofher.

Itssohard.CanIcutitinhalf?

Thisisfun.
IskahnsawthethinandalmostcolorlesslipsoftheenemyKnightslightlywidening,asmileon
herface.
Andhehadalreadyunderstoodthatthesmilewasnotadisgracetohimnorthefight.
Thereasonwasthathehadtheexactsamekindofsmileonhisface.
SoyoureoneoftheelegantHumanEmpireresidentsbornwithsuchadelicatefigure,but
werethesamekindofpeople,huh.

Click
.Asmallvibrationcouldbefeltfromwithinhisfist.
Iskahnrealizedthatthenoisewasnotbecauseofanycracksontheopponentsblacksword,but
itcamefromthefracturingbonesofhisownfist.
Nogood.Eventhisdoesntgetthrough,huh.
But,well,thatshowitis.
Ifhisfisthadbeencompletelycut,forsuretheblack,slimswordwouldcuthisentirebodyin
halfaswell.Eventhoughheexpectedforsucharesult,Iskahnfeltnofear.
Imnotgoingtomeet
suchagreatopponentlikeherforasecondtime.Ifso,well,thisisntsuchadumbwaytodie.
Rightatthemomentwhenhethoughtso,andwasabouttoclosehiseyesforalongnap.
Thepressureaddedontohisfistslightlyweakened.
Compressedatonepointtoitslimit,thepressurereleasedallatonce,blowingIskahnandthe
Knightawayfromeachotherasiftheyweremereleaves.Hesuddenlynoticedwhyhis
opponentsIncarnationhadweakened.Alargesilhouettehadtriedtoslipinbetweenthetwo.
Sittingupontheground,Iskahnyelledatthehugemanwhofelldownashedid.
Dampe,youbastard!!Lookatwhatthefuckyouvedone!!
Timesup,
Champion
.
Thevicechiefsaid,slightlyopeninghiseyesthatwereusuallyalmostclosed.Hestoodup,
raisedhismuscularrightarm,andpointedittothenorth.

AsIskahnturnedhiseyestothesamedirection,hecouldseethatthemainarmyoftheFist
FightersandtheDarkKnightsbehindhadcomesoclosetooneanotherthattheycouldrecognize
eachother.
Right,asthechiefofthearmy,Ishouldntbetooobsessedwithaprivatebattlewhen
anarmyscalebattlesbeginninganyway.But
Cluckinghistonguelikemad,hespunaround.Behindthefloatingdust,theenemyKnightthat
hadlostalmostallofherequipmentandclothesslidherslimswordbackintoitsscabbard,as
thoughshedidnotcareatall.

Hey,bitch!Dontthinkyouvewonlikethis!!
TheyoungFistFighterscreamed,forgettingthathehadjustbeenpreparinghismindfordeath.
Swayinghergrayhair,theKnightflickedherheadtolookatIskahn,andtiltedherheadasifshe
weresearchingfortherightwordstosay.
Umm,that,bitchthingCouldyoupleasestopthat?
LookInthissituation,Idontknowhowyouregonnarunawa
Atthatmoment,astronggustofwindsuddenlyblewfromthesouth.TheFistFighters
surroundingherlookedtowardsitasone.
Iskahnblinkedunconsciously.Inhissight,aKnightstretchedherarmuphigh,andagigantic
monsterquicklydescended.ItsgrayscalestwinkledlikestarsthismustbeaDragon.
AstheKnightgrabbedontoaleg,theDragonroseintotheskyatonce.
Heyyou!Tellmeyourfuckingnamebeforeyourunaway!!
Intertwinedwiththenoiseofthevigorouslyflappingwings,amildvoicecamedown.
Imnotrunningaway.ImSheytaSynthesisTwelve.
HestoodupwithDampepullinghishandIskahnwatchedtheDragonssilhouettevanishinginto
thenocturnedarkness,andcluckedhistongueagain.

Ifhewereallowed,hewouldlovetofightthatstrongopponentagainafterayearofintense
training,sincehisrealizedthathehadalottoimproveon.
However,Iskahnwasmatureenoughtoknowthathispersonaldesirewouldbenothinginfront
ofthewarstrategy.
OncehisteamrendezvousedwiththeFistFightermainarmy,theywouldhavetocrushthe
enemiestogetherwiththeDarkKnights.Theremightnotbeachanceforthemtofightagain.
IfonlyIcouldobtaintheRadiantMedium

Afteramoment,Iskahncluckedhistongueforathirdtime,thistimetohimselfforhavingsucha
thought.

WhataretardIam.BeggingtheEmperortosavethelifeofthatfemaleKnightasareward?
Myentiretribewillbefuriousatme.
Pullinghimselfoutofthethoughts,Iskahnwenttothesubordinatethatheldajarofmedicine,in
ordertocurehisleftleg.

2
Thatsright.
Justcomeerelikethat.
Vassagothoughtashesavoredthepleasureoftheambush,likeapieceofcandyinhismouth.

Myhidingisperfect.
Thoughthemetallicarmorhadsomedrawbacks,hewasstillabletomelt
intotheshadowoftheshrubbery.
Theblackhairedgirlwascautiouslysurveillinghersurroundings,buthereyesmerelypassed
throughthebushthatVassagowashidingbehind.7metersleft5meters

Good.Feelsreallygood.Ivemissedthissomuch.
Approachingwithin3meters,thegirlsuddenlyturnedtoherrightandwalkedtowardswhere
Vassagohadconcealedthebodies.
Hecouldhavewaitedforhertocomecloser,but,well,thatwouldntchangemuch.
Vassagoslidfromthedarknessindeadsilenceandlungedatthegirlfrombehind,thrustingforth
hislefthand.Mufflinghermouthandslicingcleanlyacrosshernervouslytautthroatwithhis
dagger
HisanticipationwassorealisticthatVassagocouldnotimmediatelyreacttothebladeflashing
rightbeforehiseyes.
Whoa!
Ashehurriedlybackedoff,thetipofthebladewhistledunderhischeek,wherehisbareskinwas
exposed.
Thegirl,whohadseemednottonoticehimatall,suddenlyunsheathedherswordfromherleft
waistandslashedtowardshimwithouteventurningaround.Thatwasoneawesomecounter.
Hadhesteppedforwardjustalittlemore,histhroatwouldhavebeencleavedintwo.

Spinningaround,thegirlheldherswordproperly.Hecouldseenosurpriseinhersapphireeyes,
thoughtheyrevealedfearandhostility.Vassagocouldnthelpbutadmitthathishidingwasseen
throughveryquickly.
Twirlingthedaggerinhisrighthand,heopenedhismouth.

Hey,baby.

HesuddenlyrememberedthatEnglishwouldntwork,andswitchedtoJapanesethatsounded
almostnative.
Howdyouknow,littlegirl?
Thegirlrepliedcoldlywhilegrippinghersword,fullyalert.
Mysenpaitoldme:dontjustrelyonyoureyesfeelwithyourentirebody.
Ssenpaaai?
Asheblinkedinconfusion,Vassagofeltthestingofsomeancientmemory.
Imustveheardthat
somewhere
Butbeforehecouldformanysubstantialthought,thegirltookadeepbreathandletouta
deafeningscream.
Enemy!!Theresanenemy!!
Hecluckedhistongue,andretractedhisshortknifebacktotherightofhiswaist.

Well,guessthatstheendofthegame.
Vassagothrewuphisleftarmwithanexaggeratedmotionandshoutedaswell.
GuysGettowork!!
Thistime,thegirlseyeswidenedingenuineshock.
FromwithintheshrubberytensofmetersbehindVassago,therecamethescufflingofrustling
branchesitwascreatedbythethirtylightlyarmoredscoutsselectedfromthemainDarkKnight
armyrisingtotheirfeet,oneafteranother.
Asecondgirljumpingoffthewagon,alongwiththetenorsoGuardsdashingfromthenorthin
responsetothegirlswarning,wereequallydumbstruck.
***
WhTheenemysattheback!?Andtheresaboutthirtypeople!?
IntegrityKnightRenrirepeatedloudly,hardlybelievingthedistresscallfromthesupplyteam.
ThisisbadThisisbad!
Ifthewagonswereassaultedandthesupplieswereburntordestroyed,theentirearmywould
grindtoahalt.Notonlythat,therewerethreepeopleoverthere:twotraineegirlswhohadsworn
ontheirlivestodefendit,andalsoayoungman.

Ihavetosendthemarescueteamofahundred,no,twohundredmen.ButifIsplitthemain
armyevenfurther,theymightlosetotheenemiesapproachingfromthenorth.Bythen,they
wouldimmediatelylosetotheenemysoverwhelmingnumber.
Wait,maybeourambushplanhasalreadybeenexposed?Ifithas,thenshouldIhavetheentire
armyretreatfurthersouth,andwaitforanotherchance?
Unabletocomeupwithaproperconclusion,Renristoodstill.Then,aroughvoiceenteredhis
ears.
Ineverthoughtthattheywouldvepredictedusgoingsouthandlaidanambushhereaheadof
us
KnightCommanderBercouliandAlicehadjustreturnedfromthenorthernhillakilolaway.
Renriviewedthembothaspossessingstrengththattoweredfarintothecloudsabove,butno
longercouldhedetectevenasliverofcalmontheirfaces,andespeciallynotforAlice.She
lookedasthoughshewerereadytoflyforthesupplyteamatonce.
LookingtothenorthoverBercoulisshoulder,behindthehillyarea,Renricouldalmostclearly
seethegiantdustcloudoftheapproachingarmy.
TheKnightCommanderclosedhiseyesforamoment,thenquicklyrevealedhisbluishgray
gaze,andboomed:
Renri,tellthemainarmytobackoff.Lilmiss,gettothesupplyteamrightnow.Illholdoff
theenemiescomingfromthenorth.

But,how,exactly?Therearemorethanfivethousandsoldiers,Ojisama!Anddidntyousay
thatswordsdontworkagainstthem
Dontworry,Illfindaway.Justgo!!Lilmissno,Alice,youweretheonewhodecideda
fighttothedeathuntilourverylastwarriorfalls!!
Leavingthosewordswithher,Bercouliimmediatelyturnedtothenorth.
Hisrighthand,roughasthegnarledtrunkofatree,slowlydrewtheTimePiercingSwordfrom
hisleftwaist.
Bytheagedbladesfadinggleam,onecouldclearlytellthattheswordonlypossesseda
minisculeamountofLifeleft.
***
Sparkswerethrownthreetimesintothedarkness.
Thegirlwithteacoloredhair,whowasseeingVassagoforthefirsttime,parriedallofhis
strikes.
Vassagohadevenusedacomboskill.Therefore,whentheswordflewfromthegirlshandon
thethirdstrikeandstabbedintoanearbytree,theassassincouldnthelpbutwhistleappraisingly.
Evenso,thedarkhairedgirlreadiedherfists,butVassagodroppedherwithasweepofhisleg.
Landinghardonherback,thegirlletoutapainedgasp.
Ronye!!

Aredhairedgirlappearedfromthewagonshrieking,sherushedover.
Grippingthedaggerinhisrighthand,Vassagopresseditstipagainstthethroatofthegirl
apparentlynamedRonye,inordertorestraintheredhairedgirl.Asthoughstruckbyfear,her
slimlegsstoppedcold.
KekKekek.
Amuffledcackleslippedoutfromhismask.

Thisisit.Thisisthefeeling.
Thisisthejoyofplayingwithsomeoneslifeandrelationshipswithablade.ThisiswhyIjust
cantstopplayerkilling.
Iwontkillher,aslongasyoustandandwatchrightthere.
Whisperingtotheredhairedgirl,hecrouchednexttothegirlcalledRonye.
Behindhim,aboutthirtybloodthirstysoldierswereinchingcloser,stepbystep.
TearsoffearandhumiliationbeadedwithinRonyeseyes.Herfiercedeterminationsankintothe
depthsofdespair,and
?
Suddenly,RonyeseyesshiftedfocusfromVassagosfacetothesky.
Somethingwasreflectedinherwateryiris.


Light.
Milkywhite,radiantparticlesdescended,slowly,gently,softly,likesnow.
Asaweirdshiverrandownhisspine,Vassagoslowlyliftedhishead.
Thenightskywaspitchblack.Thestarswerebloodred.
Insuchabackground,therefloatedasmallsilhouetteandyetitspresencewasludicrously
huge.

Thatsaperson.Awoman.
Sheworeabreastplategleamingwithashineakintothatofapearl.Hergauntletsandboots
wereofthesamesheen.
Herlongskirtwassewedtogetherwithcountlesssmallpiecesofcloth,flutteringlikewings.Her
hairflyinginthewindwasinfreshchestnutcolor
Staciasama.
Ronyemurmuredfrombelow.
ThesewordsdidnotreachVassagosears.Theinstanthehadcaughtaglimpseofthewomans
facedescendingfromthesky,theassassinhadleapttohisfeetasthoughhewerebeingyanked
upwards.
FreedfromVassagosgrasp,Ronyeimmediatelybackedawaytowheretheredhairedgirlwas,
buthedidnotevenbothertolook.

Thesilhouettefloatingintheairstretchedoutherrightarm.
Shegentlysweptherdelicatehandacross.
Laa

Resemblingachorusofthousandsofangels,anoverpoweringharmonyshooktheworld.
SpectrumsofpolychromaticlightswallowedVassago.
Thegroundbeneathhisfeetvanished.
Ashefellintotheinfinitedarkness,Vassagothrustbothhandsupwards,tryingtograbontothe
tinysilhouette.
Fuckinreally?Cmon,fuckinreally?
Atremblingvoiceslippedfromhismouth.
Thatface.
Thathair.
Thatatmosphere.
IsntthatTheFlashfromKoB?
***

TheKnightCommanderBercoulistoodstillasheraisedhisbelovedsword.
Beforehim,thereyawnedanenormouschasmintheearth,overahundredmelwide.Hegazed
fartowardsthehorizontohisleftandright,buttherewasnoendtobeseen.Thedepthwas
unpredictablebitsofrockhereandtheredroppedintotheabyss,yetnosignofimpactagainst
thebottomreachedhisears.
Tensofsecondsago,thisriftintheearthdidnotexist.
Fromthesky,variegatedraysofcolorhadpoureddownwithagrandioseharmony,andasthey
touchedtheground,itbegantofracture.
Thereisabsolutelynowaytotriggersuchagroundbreakingchange,notwithonethousand
Ascetics,orevententhousandAscetics.PerhapsnoteventheHighestMinisterAdministrator
herself.
ThisisthepowerofaGod,aholyact.
FollowingDarkGodVector,anotherGodisdescendingtothemortalworld.
Bercoulithoughtwithrespectandfear,buthesoondismissedthatnotion.
Ontheothersideofthechasm,thefivethousandFistFighterswerestandingstockstill,
thunderstruck.
IfaGodwasdeterminedtohelptheHumanEmpire,possessingtherighttofreelymanipulatethe
livesanddeathsofhumans,theycouldhavesplitthegrounddirectlyundertheFistFighters,

mercilesslyplungingthemtothedepthsbelow.Thiscrack,however,wascreatedwithasafety
margininmind,enoughforalloftheFistFightersrunningatfulltilttostop.
Fromthis,theKnightCommanderdetectedasenseofhesitationtowardswipingoutamultitude
oflives.
Inotherwords,thiswasdoneaccordingtohumanwill.

3
Faster.
Faster,quicklygetmetotheground,towhereKiritokunis.
YuukiAsunahadloggedintotheUnderworldwithSuperAccount01,TheGoddessof
CreationStacia.Protectedbythefallcushioningmechaniconlyavailableonthefirstlogin,
sherepeatedherloversnameinhermind.
Almostanhourhadpassedsinceanunknownarmedgrouphadstormedtheindependentmarine
biologyresearchmegafloat,theOceanTurtle.
Illgo,AsunahaddeclaredtoKikuokaSeijirouandcompany,andFullDivedusingSoul
TranslatorNo.5.HigaTakerulocatedherinsertioncoordinates,whichshouldhavebeenright
abovewhereKiritowasnow.Whenshelanded,herloverwoulddefinitelybewaitingtherefor
her.

Accompanyinghernearlyinsaneyearning,astabbingpainrackedAsunashead.Shegrimaced
onreflex,resistingthediscomfort.
Shehadbeenwarnedaboutthesideeffectsthatwouldoccurwithusageoftheunlimited
landscapealterationability,theadministrativeauthoritygiventotheStaciaaccount.The
areasMnemonicDatawasabsurdlylargeasthedatainstantlytransferredrepeatedlybetween
AsunasSTLandtheMainVisualizer,whichstoredthedataoftheentireUnderworld,her
Fluctlightwouldoverload.
AsRATHschiefengineer,Higahadstrictlytoldhernottorecklesslychangethelandscapetoo
muchtostopwhenevershefeltaheadache.
BelowherwereathousandmenfromtheHumanEmpire,andtwoenormouscrowdsfromthe
DarkTerritorythatwereapproachingthemfromboththenorthandsouth.Assoonasshe
realizedthat,despitetheadvice,shehadimmediatelychantedthecommands.
Sheputtheclusterfromthenorthtoahaltbyopeningalong,widevalleyinfrontofthem.But
forthethirtymendrawingnearthelocationwhereKiritomightbe,shehadnochoicebutto
erasethegroundtheywerestandingon.
Theyareallhumanbeingswithrealsouls.TheyarethetruebottomupAIsthatKiritohas
strivedfortwoyearsinthisworldtoprotect.
PerhapsthissharppainistheirintensefearandgrudgefloodingintotheSTL.
Evenso,Asunaclosedhereyestightly,thenopenedthemwideandfreedherselfofher
hesitation.

Herprioritieshadbeendeterminedforyears.
ForKiritoKirigayaKazuto,shewouldcommitanysin.Shewouldacceptalldeserved
punishment.
Atlonglast,thedescentcametoanendintensofsecondsthateachfeltlikeaneternitythetips
ofherpearlybootstouchedtheblackearth.
Shewasinawoodedareafilledwithtwistedbushes.Withoutamoon,therewereonly
ominouslyshimmeringredstars,faintlyshiningdownfromthenightsky.
Asunashooktheremainingheadacheawayandstraightenedherback.Rightnexttoherfeet,a
dark,deepholeopenedintheground,intowhichshehadplungedanarmoredknightlikeDark
Territoryman.Itwouldberatherdangeroustoleaveitthere,butshehaddifficultyhandlingthe
landscapeagaininasuchashorttime.
Sheheardtheneighofahorsenearbylookinginthatdirection,sherealizedthatafewlarge
wagonswerestandingbehindthebushes,seeminglyhiding.
Where?Whereareyou,Kirito?
JustasAsunawasdesperatetothepointofnearlycryingouthisname,atremblingvoicecalled
toher.
Staciasama?
Sheturnedherheadaround,andsawtwogirlsleaningagainsteachotherastheystood.They
werebothwearinggrayjumperskirts,justlikeschooluniforms.

Theirfaceswerealittlestrange.TheydidnotlookJapanese,northeydidtheylookWestern.
Theirskinweresmoothandcreamcoloredthegirlontherighthadhairinmapleleafred,and
thegirlonthelefthadhairinadarkcoffeebrown.
Twotimewornlongswordshungfromtheirbelts.
Theredhairedgirlopenedhermouthslightly,andasmallvoiceslippedoutoncemore.
AreyouGod?
PerfectJapanese,yetherintonationwasverysubtlyforeign.Thus,Asunafeltshehadglimpsed
theUnderworldsthreehundredyearindependenthistory.
Kikuokasan,Higasan,lookatwhatyouvecreated.
ToRath,thismightonlybeasimulation,butthisentireworldandthepeoplelivinghere,are
genuinelyalive.
NoSorry,Imnotagod,Asunaansweredasshegentlyshookherhead.
Thegirlwithdarkbrownhairwrungherhands.But,but,shewhispered.Youvekindlysaved
mylifewithamiracle.YouvesavedallofusfromthosescarysoldiersfromtheDark
TerritoryYouvesavedtheGuards,theAsceticsandKiritosenpai.
Whensheheardthatname,Asunagasped,andaviolenttwingeshotthroughherheart.
Shestraightenedherbodythatalmostlostbalance,andfinallysqueezedoutafeeblevoice,her
lipstrembling.

IIjustcameheretomeethim,KiritoPleasetellmeWhereishe?Letmemeethim
TakemetoKirito,please.
Fightingbackhertears,Asunabegged.Thedumbstruckgirlseyeswidened,finallyexchanged
looks,andnodded.
Yes.Pleasefollowus.
Thesurroundingswordsmencladinuniformarmorformedanopencircle,staringatherfroma
distanceAsunawalkedthroughitscenterasthegirlsshowedhertheway.
Shewastakentothebackofawagon.Athick,canvaslikecurtainwashangingfromtheroof,
andshecouldnotseeinside.
Kiritosenpaiisinsi
Withoutwaitingfortheredhairedgirltofinish,Asunapushedthecurtainsasidewithbothhands
andjumpedontothedeck.Shestumbledassheadvanced.
Hangingfromtheroofofthecabin,asmalllanternthrewdimlightontostacksofwoodenboxes
andbarrels.Sheslippedthroughthetinyspacebetweenthem,gettingdeeperanddeeperintothe
wagon.
Suddenly,shewashitbyanostalgicsmell,aswarmasthesun,asrefreshingasaslightbreeze
overgrasslandsandforests.
SilverylightreflectedintoAsunaseyes,whichadjustedtothedarkness.
Itwascomingfromawheelchairmadeofametalframeandpiecesofwood.

Inthechair,therewasafigureinblack,sittingspiritlessly,itsbodysagginglikeashadow.
Gh.
Overwhelmedbyastormofemotion,Asunawasstruckdumb.Eventhoughshehadenvisioneda
multitudeofscenarios,thewordsfortheirreunionbecamestuckinherthroat.
NowlyingintheSTLNo.4ontheOceanTurtleintherealworld,theoneshelovedmostwas
there,intheformofhissoul.
Hurt,damaged,butcertainlyalive.
BackwhenKiritometmeagaininthehospitalinTokorozawa,whenIdidntwakeupeven
thoughIwasreleasedfromthedeathgameSAO,Kiritomusthavesufferedthesamepain,and
wasasdeterminedasIamnow.

Itsmyturn.Illdefinitelysaveyou,nomatterthecost.
Softlyexhalingherstuckbreath,Asunawhispered:
Kiritokun.
Therightarmwasmissingfromhisemaciatedbody.Huggingtheblackandwhiteswords,his
leftarmjerkedwhenAsunasvoiceresonated.
Hisfacestareddownwards,andhiseyeswereemptybothtrembledintinyspasms.
Uh

Abroken,hoarsevoiceslidfromhisparchedlips.
UhAaaaAahh
Taka,taka.
Thewheelchairwasshaking.Hisleftarmstiffened,andtendonspuffeduponhis
neck.
Twotracksoftearssliddownhisbowedfaceanddroppedontothescabbardsinhisarms.
KiritokunEnough,thatsenough!!Asunashouted.
Shekneeled,andgentlybuttightly,huggedherlover.Fromherowneyes,shealsofeltwarm
liquidgushingoutwithoutend.

Seeingeachotheroncemore,curingKiritossoul,hisconsciousnesswouldreturn
Itwouldbealieifshesaidshehadnothopedso.
However,AsunaunderstoodthatthedamagedealttoKiritosFluctlightwasdeep.Kiritos
Fluctlightcore,orselfimage,hadbeendestroyed.Aslongastheydidnotreconstructit
somehow,nomatterhowmuchinputhewasexposedto,hecouldnotarticulateaproperoutput.
Higasvoiceresoundedinhermind.
ItseemsthathehassomeaccomplicesImeancomrades.TheyreartificialFluctlights,of
course.AndmostofhiscomradesdiedwhentheyfoughttheChurch,sointheendheseverely
blamedhimselfwhenhesucceededincontactingus.Inotherwords,heattackedhisown
Fluctlight.
Desolation,regretanddespairhadcutabottomlessholeintoKiritosheart.

Evenifthatholewereinfiniteemptiness,Iwillfillitup.IfIcantmanagethatbymyself,Ill
enlistthehelpofthosewhoconnectedtheirheartswithyou.Therejustisntanylossthatcant
bereplacedwithlove.
Asunafeltherdeterminationreplenish:shewouldnotletKiritofeelanysorrowagain,nota
shredofit.

Iwillprotectthisworld,whichKiritolovedandlivedin.Illprotectitfromthemysterious
attackersandevenfromRATH.
AfterhuggingKiritotightlyforonelasttime,Asunastoodupstraight.

Shespunaroundandastearsfloweddownhercheeks,shesmiledatthetwoobservinggirls.
Thankyou.YoutwohavebeenprotectingKirito,haventyou?
Thedarkbrownhairedgirlnoddedhumbly,andrepliedwithaquestioninatremblingvoice:
Excuseme,mayIhaveyourname,please?IfyourenotStaciasama,thenwhoareyou?
MynameisAsuna.Imahumanlikeyou.AndjustlikeKirito,Icomefromtheoutside
worldforthesamepurpose.

4
AllIcansayisImrathersurprised.
Onthesecondflooroftheimperialthronecarriage,besideGabrielwhooverlookedthesudden
crackintheground,cameavoicethatseemedquiterelaxed.
Heturnedtowardsthevoiceandsaw,poppingupfromoneofthevarioushatchesinthedeck,
theburlyfaceofamiddleagedman.HerecalledthatthiswasLengil,theheadoftheMerchants
Guild.Lengiljoinedhislongsleevesandperformedasinceresalute.
WhileheseemedtobeoneofthefewremainingGeneralUnits,thismandidnotseemlikehe
possessedanynotablefightingprowess.Whatwasthematter?Gabrielraisedaneyebrowin
acknowledgement.Lengilglancedleftandright,buthisbodyremainedfacingGabriel.Hesaw
thatVassagowasnotaround,butdidnotsayanythingelseandsalutedoncemore.

YourMajesty.ThemoonwillrisesoonIftherearenofurtherorderstobeexecuted
accordingly,Ihumblyrequestthatthetroopsbeallowedtorestanddine.
Okay.
Hepeeredintotheblack,gapingchasmagain.
Thescoutsthathadbeensenttoreportonitssizehadnotyetreturned.Inotherwords,it
wouldntbejustafewmel.Andbythelooksofit,itseemedthataholeofthisdepthwasnotone
thatcouldbeeasilyfilledinwithrawcivilianmanpower.
Predictingthattheenemyarmyhadmanagedtoinfiltratethesouthernparts,whereVassagoand
hissubordinateswere,therewasnowanextremelyhighchancethattheywouldallbeeliminated
iftheydidnothing.ButevenifVassagohimselfweretodiehere,hewouldstillawakeninthe
realworld.
NowhehadtousetheflyingUnits.ButtheDarkKnightsonlyhadtendragons.Hedidnotknow
thenumberoftripsitwouldtaketotransporttwentythousandfootsoldiers.
Ormaybeitwaspossiblewithmagic.ButaccordingtotheDarkSorceresseshehadconsulted,
creatingasufficientbridgefortheentirearmytocrosswasnotpossible.Iftheywereallas
powerfulastheirleaderD.I.L,maybe,withmoreDemihumansacrificesButreportstoldthat
D.I.L.hadbeenvaporizedinbattlebyanenemyKnightscounterattack.
Forsomeonefullofambition,youleftthebattlesoquickly.
Gabrielthoughtwithatwingeofregret.Butattheendoftheday,anAIwasmerelyapieceona
chessboard,andherexistencedisappearedfromhismind.

Inotherwords
Thatyawningchasmwassomethingthatupsettedthegamebalanceofthisworld.Thisworld
hadnothingthatneithertheHumanEmpireAInorDarkTerritoryAIwereincapableoffixing.
Ifthatwerethecase,thislikelyinvolvedinterferencefromtherealworld.Somebodyfrom
RATH,probablyahigherup,hadloggedinwithasuperaccountlikehim.
Theymightevenhavethesamegoal.RetrieveAlice,thenejecttotherealworldthrougha
systemconsole.
Althoughthingsweregettingtroublesome,atthispoint,hecouldonlyplanaccordingly.
Orratherthingsweregettingmoreinteresting.
ThecornersofGabrielsmouthliftedintheslightestofsmirks.Afteritdisappeared,heturnedto
Lengil.
Verywell.Wewillsetupcampheretonight.Feedthetroopswelltomorrowwillbeabusy
day.
Yes,sire.YourMajestysbenevolenceistrulyhumbling.
Payinghisrespectsoncemore,theMerchantsGuildchiefleftinhighspirits.
***
FromthesameworldasKiritosenpai?

Thetwogirlsaskedinunison,theirredandblueeyesround.
Ththatmeanstheworldofthegods?ThethreegodswhocreatedthisworldtheKingdom
intheskythatthegodswhogoverntheElements,andtheangelsresidein?
No.
Asunashookherhead.
Itisaworldoutsideofthisone,butdefinitelynotoneofthegods.BecauseLookat
Kiritokun,doyouguysthinkhelookslikeagodoranangel?
Thegirlslookedtowardsthewheelchairagain,exchangedlooks,thenbothstifledgiggles.They
hastilyadjustedtheirexpressions,andnodded.
YesYesRight,thereshouldntbeanygodswhoescapefromtheacademyinthemiddleof
thenighttobuysnacksright?
Hearingtheredhairedgirlswords,itwasAsunasturntogape.Really,hewasstilllikethat
eveninthisworld.Speechlessandelated,Asunafelttearsonhercheeksoncemore.
Sheblinkedrapidlyandnodded
Right
.Then,thegirlwithteacoloredhairasked:
UhUm,thisoutsideworldWhatsitlike?
Asunathoughtforamoment,thenreplied:
Itsalongstory.Idliketotellittothepersoninchargeofeverythinghere.Couldyouplease
takemetothem?

OOkay.Understood.
Thegirlsagreednervously.Asunapreparedtofollowthemtothebackofthelargecaravan,then
stoppedtolookbackatKiritoagain.
Onhisbowedface,driedteartrackswerestillvisible.
Itsallrightnow,itsallrightnow,Kiritokun.Youcanleavetheresttome
Asunasaidsoftlyinherheart,tightlygrippinghislefthand.Thensheturned,slippedpasta
crate,andjumpedoffthebackofthewagon.
Justasherwhiteshoestouchedtheground
Goldenlightappearedbeforeher.
Theglintofaswordblade.
Beforeshecouldreact,herbodymovedoninstinct.Herrighthandlungedfortherapierather
leftwaist.
Kyariin!
Thesoundofmetalagainstmetalshatteredthedarksilenceofthewoods.
Whileshehadmanagedtodeflectthestrike,theunexpectedlypowerfulimpacthadnumbedher
entirerightarm.Whataheavysword.

Scatteredsparksfromthecollisionwhitenedacrosshervision.Shecouldbarelydiscernthepath
ofasecondinstantaneousattack.
Unblockablewithasinglestrike.
Immediatelymakingthatjudgment,Asunachargedatheropponentandlaunchedasuccessionof
rapidstabs.
Herthirdjabfinallytoparrytheincomingstrike.Switchingtotheoffense,Asunafinallycaught
aglimpseoftheattackersfeatures.
Shegaspedinshock.
Anastonishinglybeautifulknightwithsnowwhiteskin,roughlythesameageasshewas,was
glaringatAsuna.Hersapphireeyesemanatedananimositythatseemedtocracklelike
electricity.
Hergoldenhair,seeminglyfashionedfromtheelementitself,billowedintheair.Herhefty
armorandsmoothlongswordbothgleamedaflaxenyellow.
Fromadistance,thegirlslookedon,eyeswide.Finally,theymanagedweakcries.
Knightsama,pleasestop!!
Sheisnotanenemy,Alicesama!!
Alice!
Hearingthisname,Asunawasstunnedagain.

Thiselegantswordswomanbeforeher,wieldingaweapontheweightofaboulderwasthe
worldsfirsttrueBottomUpAI,thehighlyadaptiveartificialintelligence,ALICE?Shewasthe
goalofProjectAlicization,andwhatRATHandtheinvadersboththirstedforthecenterof
everything.
ButwhywasAliceattackingher?
Tryingherbesttoblockthegoldenblade,justasAsunawasthinkingofwhattosay,avoiceakin
tothemusicofafamousviolinistflaredfromAlicescherrycoloredlips.
Whoareyou?!WhatdoyouwantwithKirito?!
Assoonassheheardthosewords.
Asunatossedeverythingaside,feelingacertainemotionwellupinsideher.Specifically,itwasa
suddenfury.
Herreflexiveretortonlyaddedfueltothefire.
Why?Becausehes
mine
!!
Grittingherpearlywhiteteeth,Aliceyelled:
Whatdidyousay?!Youbarbarian!!
Thetwoswordsseparatedwithashowerofsparksinalldirections.

Thegoldenhairedswordswoman,deftlyleaptaway,thenimmediatelylungedforwardwitha
viciousupperslash.Butthistime,Asunastoodherground,andherrighthandlauncheda
familiarcomboattack.
Withinthenighttimeforest,agiganticcrescentmooncollidedwithstreaksofcomets,emittinga
blindingflash.
TheimpactblewthroughAsunaselbowstraighttohershoulder,knockingthewindandtongue
outofhermouth.ShewasonlyabletomatchheropponentbecauseofhersuperaccountStacias
rapierRadiantLight,aGMitemthatpossessedahigherprioritythanthatofAlicesgolden
longsword.
Theirweaponsmetagain,butaminisculegapformedbetweenthem.
Adeepmasculinevoicebrokethesilence.
Ah,thesceneryhereisexcellent.Twoblossomingflowers.Ah,whatasight.Whatasight.
Apairofstrongarmsappearedfromwherepreviouslytherewasnothing,theirfingersgently
grippingthemiddleofAliceandAsunasswords.
?!
Asifitweresandwichedbetweenavise,theswordwasimmovable.Thearmseffortlesslylifted
bothswordsalongwiththespeechlessAsunaandAlice,gentlyseparatedthetwofighting
swordswomen,thenplacedthembackontheground.
Standingtherewasahugemanwholookedmorethanfortyyearsold.

Ontopofwhatlookedlikeakimono,heworedefensivegearofthelowestgrade.Whetheritwas
theironcoloredlongswordhangingfromhiswaistorthearmsextendingfromhissleeves,both
werecarvedwithamyriadofscars.Heperfectlyfittedthedescriptionofahero.
Assoonasthemanappeared,Alicepuffeduphercheeksandbegantoprotestasthoughshewas
suddenlyyounger:
Whystopme,Ojisan!Thispersoncouldverywellbeaspyfortheenemy
Idontthinkso.Thisyoungladyhelpedmeescapefromthejawsofdeath.Ibelievethesame
happenedforyouall?
Thelatterquestionwasdirectedtowardsthewideeyedgirlsingrayuniformswhostoodtothe
side.
Bothofthemnoddedfuriously,andspokeinthinvoices.
YYes,HonorableKnightCommander.Thatwomansavedus.
Shejust,withawaveofherhand,senttheenemysoldiersintotheabyssItwas,simplya
miracle.
ThemanwhohadbeenaddressedastheKnightCommanderglancedatthelargecrevicethat
Asunahadcreated,thenputhishandonAlicesshoulderandexplained:
Isawittoo.Multicoloredlightcamedownfromthesky,andthegroundsplitintoahundred
melcrack.EventheFistFightersGuildcouldntgetaway,andtheypanicked.Factis,this
youngladysavedusjustasourarmywasonthevergeofdefeat.Thisisntthetimetofight.


Goldenlongswordinhand,AlicecontinuedstaringsuspiciouslyatAsuna.
ThenwhatOjisanwantstosayis,thispersonisneitheraspyfortheenemy,nor
impersonatingadivinefigure,andshestherealGoddessStacia?
Asunabitherlipinsilence.IfthisKnightCommander,themanseeminglyatthetop,wereto
regardherasagod,thingswouldbecomeverymessy.
Fortunatelyforher,themanschiseledmouthslackenedabit,andhereplied.
Probablynot.IfshereallywereaGoddess,shewouldbeanexistencefarcolderandcrueler
thantheeventheHighestMinister.Like,mercilesslyendingthelivesofthosemurderouswild
menandall?
Alicehadnoretorttothat.Herhostilityunchanged,sheflashedaflamingglareatAsunaand
placedherswordbackinitsscabbardwitha
shakin
!
Asunaalsohadmanyquestions.
Whatwasthatfor?WhatareyoutoKiritokun?
Butwithadeep
breathshecouldfinallytake,shesuppressedheranger.
AsunasmissionwastobringAlicetotheWorldEndAltaratthesouthernmostpartofthe
Underworld,andejectherLightCubefromtheLightCubeCluster.
Inotherwords,shehadtoconvincethisgirl,whodidnotmixwellwithheratall,toleavethe
HumanEmpireArmy.Thisdefinitelywasnotthetimetofight.
Sheathingherweapon,AsunaspoketotheKnightCommander:

YesYoureright.ImnotagoddessImahumanlikeyouall.However,Idohavesome
knowledgeofyoursituation.ThatsbecauseIamahumanwhohascomefromoutsidethis
world.
Outside,huh
TheKnightCommanderstrokedhischinstubble,thensmiledcrudely.
Incontrast,Aliceseyeswenthugeandshedemandedshrilly:
Fromoutside?!Then,areyoufromwhereKiritocamefrom?
Asunawasastonished.ItappearedthatKiritohadalreadyexplainedsomethingsaboutthe
UnderworldtoAliceaswell.
TakingtheFluctlightAccelerationRateintoconsideration,Kiritohadnowremainedinthis
worldforthreeyears.Asunacouldnothelpbutwonderthathowmuchtimehehadspent
togetherwithAliceinthisworld.
ItseemedasthoughAlicewasthinkingthesamething.Beforeshecouldaskmorequestions,the
KnightCommanderstoppedherwithawaveofhishand.
WhatcomesnextisprobablyfortherestoftheKnightsandGuardstohear.Welltalkabout
thisovertea.Besides,theenemyarentgoingtomakeanymoremovestonight.
Isee.
Alicenodded,herfacestern.

Allright,itssettledCouldyouyoungladiesovertherehelpuspreparesometea,andgetme
someliquoraswell?Youladiesshouldhearthistoo.
OnreceivingtheKnightCommandersinstructions,theyounguniformedtraineesrepliedand
salutedrespectfully.
AsunawantedtoseeKiritoonceagainbeforesheleftthisplace,butbeforeshecouldmove,
Alicespiercingvoiceenteredherears.
Letmebeclear:fromnowon,nooneistoenterthatwagonwithoutmypermission.Ensuring
Kiritossafetyismyresponsibilityalone.
Thisistheworst.
Asunacalmedherbubblingemotions.
Sametoyou,stopcallingmyKiritokundirectlybyhisname
Whatdidyousay?!
No,nothing.
Hmph
,AliceandAsunaspunawayfromeachother,andfollowedtheKnightCommanders
retreatingshadow.
ThetwogirlsleftbehindTieseandRonyeexhaledsimultaneously.
Lookslikethingsaregoingtoberoughfromnowon.

Tiesesuddenlyraisedherhandsandsaidtoherfriend:
Comeon,wevegotwatertoboil!Right,whichwagonwastheliquorin?Comeon,Ronye!
Beforeshechasedaftertheredhairedgirl,Ronyemurmuredsomethingthatnooneelseheard.
Heshouldbe,mysenpai,too

5
Asunaheldtheteacupwithonehand,whilegazingatthecracklingbonfire.
Whatrealisticflames.
Theywerenoteveninthesamedimensionasthespecialeffectsflamesdepictedwiththe
renderingenginesinSAOandALO.Everysparkthatdancedupwhendrywoodcracked,the
thick,charredsmellfloatingintheair,andeventhewarmthshefeltonherfaceandhands,all
stimulatedAsunassensesmorerealisticallythanrealityitself.
Notjustthefire.Therigidityofthefoldingchairsseat,thesmoothfeelofthewoodencup,and
therich,soothingaromaoftheteaalongwiththetreesaroundthem,theirleavesrustlingcrisply
inthenightwind.
SinceenteringtheUnderworld,havingtodealwithendlessdrama,Asunahadbeenunableto
fullyexperiencethisworld.Assherevivedhersenses,shewastrulyimpressedbytheSTLs
MnemonicVisual.

ItseemedthatKirito,whohadbeenloggedinwithoutknowingthatthiswasavirtualworld,
musthavebecomewellexperiencedbeforerealizingthecircumstances.Afteralltherewas
notasingleNPCinthisworld.
Asunaturnedawayfromthebonfireandgazedtowardsthepeoplegatheredintheroundforest
clearing.Quickintroductionshadalreadybeenexchanged.
SittingtoherleftandhoggingwhatlookedlikeabottleofvintageliquorwasIntegrityKnight
CommanderBercouli.BesidehimwasIntegrityKnightAlice,dressedfullyingoldenarmor.
Againstthefiresorangeglow,hergoldenlocksdeepenedincolorAsunacouldnothelpbut
acknowledgeherstunningbeauty.
ToAlicesleftsatashiftlessyouthofaboutfifteenorsixteenyearsold,whoseemedtobean
IntegrityKnightofthehighestClass.HisnamewasRenri.
Furtherdown,aslenderfemaleKnightsatasquietlyasashadow.Hershiningnewarmor
seemednottofitheratall:fromtimetotime,sheeitherpulledonthestraps,orloosenedthem,
lookingjustlikeabeginnerinaVRMMO.ButwhenshewasintroducedasSheyta,inthesplit
secondthatAsunametherlong,narroweyes,acertainindescribableboldnessseemedtolay
within.
ToSheytasleft,acrossthebonfirefromAsuna,aroundtenpeople,addressedasGuardLeaders,
satsidebysideinarowofchairs.Amongthetough,hardenedfaces,therewasonefemale.
ToAsunasright,theyounguniformedgirlsfrombeforewerecurleduptogether,sittingas
quietlyandasfarawayaspossible.TheredhairedgirlnamedTieseandtheteacolorhairedgirl,
Ronye,appearedtobeyoungerstudentsfromtheacademythatKiritohadenrolledinhalfayear
ago.

Aftersizingupeachofthetenplusswordsmen,Asunawastouched.
Withoutdoubt,theywererealhumans.
Theirappearance,actions,andeventheirbreathswasabsolutelydevoidofartificiality.
Furthermore,thefactthatonlyoneartificialFluctlight,Alice,hadmanagedtobreakthrough
theirinabilitytodefylawandorder,wasquiteunbelievable.
ShenowcompletelyunderstoodKiritoswishtoprotecteachandeveryoneofthem.
Iwillinheritthatwill.
Asunasteeledherdetermination,thentookadeepbreath,andspoke:
Greetings,everyone.Ibelievethisisthefirsttimewevemet.MynameisAsuna.Imfromthe
outsideworld.

Whileithadonlybeeneightdayssinceherdeparture,Alicewasbeginningtomisstheshort,
idyllictimeshehadspentlivingreclusivelywithKiritointhebordervillageofRulid,whenshe
wouldoftenpushKiritoinhiswheelchairontheirwaytothenearbyfarm.
Surroundedbyawhitewoodfence,woollysheepwouldgrazenonchalantlyonthegreengrass,
andamongthem,thepurewhitelambswouldracearound,fullofenergy.
Alicecouldnothelpbutmarvelattheirblessedlives.Nothavingtoworryabouttheworld
outsidethatfence,peacefullylivingincaptivity,protectedbyhumans.

Sheneverexpectedthat
Thepeopleofthisworldwereleadinglivesexactlylikethosesheep.
ThatotherworldlygirlAsunaswordshaddealtanearthshatteringshocktoalloftheKnights
andGuardLeaders.EvenKnightCommanderBercouli,whilemaintaininghisusualrelaxed
expression,musthavebeenthoroughlyshakeninside.
AsunahadcalledtheworldwheretheHumanEmpireandDarkTerritoryexistedtogetherusing
awordintheSacredTongue:
Underworld
.Andoutsidenotgeographically,but
conceptuallywasastrangerealmtermedthe
RealWorld
.
Ofcourse,theGuardLeaderssuccessivelyraisedvariousquestionsaboutthatworld,which
seemednodifferentfromthelandofthegods.
Thevisitorreplied.ThepeoplelivingintheRealWorld,likethem,werehumanbeingswith
emotions,desires,andlimitedLife.
Andrightnow,atahighlyspecificlocationintheRealWorld,twopowerswerejostlingfor
controloftheUnderworld.
Asunaseemedtobeamessengerforoneofthem.HergoalwastoprotecttheUnderworld.
TheothersidesgoalwastoretrieveonesinglehumanfromtheUnderworld.Afterthat,they
wouldundertakethedestructionoftheentireworld,renderingeverythingtheyknewinto
absolutenothingness.
Hearingthosewords,theGuardLeadersbeganmakingarecklessracket.

WhatquelledthisdisturbancewasBercoulisthunderousbellow.
Isntitthesame?
Thethreehundredyearoldheropointedout.
BeyondtheHumanEmpirelies
theendlessDarkTerritory,withanarmyoftensofthousandsjustwaitingforachanceto
invade.Untiltoday,therehasnotbeenasingleonewhohassatdownandcarefullythought
aboutthisreality.Itsjustanextraworldoutsideofours,whatareyouafraidof?
Afterthisviolentreasoningwasconveyedthroughasteadyandreliablevoice,everyoneaccepted
itsview.BercouliturnedtoAsunaandasked:
Whoisthepersonthatyourenemiesarelooking
for?
TheoutsiderslightbrowneyesswiveledfromBercoulitoAlice.
Mme?
NotjustRenriTiese,RonyeandevenSheytarevealedexpressionsofshock.OnlyBercouli
noddedasthoughhewasexpectingsuchananswer.
AsIexpectedtheRadiantMedium
Asunadidnotunderstandwhatthatmeant.SheblinkedattheKnightCommander,thenturned
backtoanswer.
Wedonthavemuchtime.TopreventtheUnderworldfrombeingdestroyed,Alicehastocome
totheRealWorldwithme.IfAliceisnolongerhere,theenemywillstopinterferingwiththis
world
WWhatkindofjokeisthat?!

Aliceyelled,unabletorestrainherselfanyfurther.Sheleaptfromherchair,slappedher
chestplatewithherrighthand,andproclaimed,withincreasingintensity:
Askingmetoflee?!Toabandonthisworld,andabandoneveryonehere,andmycomradesin
theDefenseArmytofleetotheRealWorld?!Impossible!IamanIntegrityKnight!My
greatestandonlymissionistoprotecttheHumanEmpire!!
NowAsunaleapttoherfeet.Tossingherchestnuthairthatwasreminiscentofsilveroakacorns,
sheretortedwithavoicelikeasilverbell:
Allthemorereason!IftheenemyisnotfromtheDarkTerritory,butathieffromtheReal
World,andiftheyweretogetholdofyouanddragyououtofthisworld,everyoneherenot
justthem,eventheearth,thesky,everythingwillbedestroyed!Wedontevenknowwhenthe
enemywillattack!
Holdon,aboutthat,youreabitlateaboutthat,Asunasan.
TheKnightCommanderspokecalmly:
Theenemyyouspeakofarealreadyhere.
Uh
ToAsuna,whowassuddenlystruckdumb,theKnightCommandertookaslowsipofliquorand
continued:

Seemslikeeverythingsbeenrevealed.TheRadiantMedium.DarkGodVector,whos
chasingher.ThegodVectorwhosdirectinghistroopsrightnowmustbesomeonefromthe
RealWorldlikeyou.
DarkGod.
Asunawhispered,herfacepale.Shecontinuedwithsomeincomprehensiblewords:
IreallydidntthinkofthattheDarkTerritorysuperaccountactuallywasntlockedwitha
passwordoranything
ExExcuseme.
Breakingthebriefsilence,youngKnightRenritimidlyraisedhishand.
Seeingthateveryoneturnedtolookathim,theboyaskedsoftly,hisfacereddening:
Aboutthat,whatexactlyisaRadiantMedium?And,thethievesfromtheRealWorld?Why
dotheywantAlicedono?
Theonewhoansweredhisquestionwassomeonewhomeveryonethoughtwouldremainas
TheSilentduringthismeeting,thegrayKnightSheyta.
BecauseshebroketheSealoftheRightEye.
Alicejumpedatthat,momentarilyforgettingherindignation.Herhandunconsciouslymovedto
herrighteye,andsheasked:
YouYouknowaboutthat,Sheytadono?!How?!

ItstillhurtswheneverIthinkaboutit.Atthattime,tocutdownthestrongestthinginthe
worldtheinvincibleAxiomChurchitmusthavefeltgood.

TheKnightsandGuardLeadersfellintoathinsilence.Bercoulicoughedandpretendednotto
hearthat.
Ah,Ibelievethereareothersherewithsimilarexperiences.Iftheslightestsliverof
dissatisfactionorresistancewasheldagainsttheHighestMinisterspowerortheAxiom
Churchsauthoritativebody,onesrighteyeballwouldbegintoflashwithredlight,coupledwith
astabbingpain.Typically,whateverthoughtsonehadwouldbeforgottenduetotheexcruciating
discomfort.Butifonecontinuedtheseunstablethoughts,thepainwouldintensifywithoutend,
andtheirrightvisionwouldbedyedcompletelyredandeventually
Theirentirerighteyewouldexplode.
Alicewhispered,hermemoriesofthatdetestablemomentstillfresh.
ThenAlicedono
ToRenrishorrifiedvoice,Alicenoddedslowlyandcontinued,hervoicesoft.
IbattledSenateElderChudelkin,andtheHighestMinisterAdministrator.Tosummonthat
determination,Itemporarilylostmyrighteye.
ErmMayIask

AvoiceevensmallerthanRenrisrequestedanopportunitytopitchin,belongingtothegirl
RonyeoftheSupplyTeam,whohadbeenlisteningwideeyeduntilnow.
Eugeosenpaitoo,toprotectmewhenheswunghisswordforTieseandme,andcommitted
thecrimes,fromhisrighteyeBlood
Thatshouldbeitaswell.Alicenodded.Fightingcountlessbattlesasacivilian,defeatingeven
theKnightCommander,anddisplayingperfectIncarnationagainstAdministrator.Thatyoung
manwasdefinitelyabletosurpassthemereSealoftheRightEye.
Thatsright,duringthebattleonthetopmostflooroftheCathedral,Administratorseemedtosay
somethingabouttheSealoftheRightEyetoAlice.Wasit,
Code

eightseven?
WithoutwaitingforAlicetorecallAdministratorswords,Bercoulispokewhilerubbinghis
chin.
HmInotherwords,thoseenemiesarelookingforthosewhobroketheSealontheirown.
Asunasan,doyoupeopleoftheRealWorldhavethesameSealaswell?
No.
Afterhesitatingforamoment,thechestnuthairswungfromsidetoside.
Idonthaveanysuchexperience.MaybetheonlydifferencebetweenRealWorldpeopleand
Underworldpeopleiswhethertheycanbreaklawsorcommands.

Thatmeans,LilMissAliceisnowanexistenceexactlythesameasyouguys?Butdontyou
thinkthatsweird?Ifyourethesame,whydotheyhavesucharequest?Arentthereplentyof
peopleintheRealWorld?
Thats
Hesitatingmorethanshehadbefore,Asunafellsilent.
Butjustasshedislodgedherfrozenmemories,AlicesshoutinterruptedAsunaswords.
Thatsit!
Code871
!
Wringingherhands,shesaidfrantically:
TheHighestMinistercalledtheSealoftheRightEyeas
Code871
.Shesaiditwasaddedby
thatperson!Idontknowexactlywhatthatmeans,thoughItsnotSacredTongue,soitsthe
languageoftheRealWorld?!

Code

87

1
?
Asunarepeated,dumbfounded.Herbrowscreasedinsurprise.
DidsomeonefromRATHaddtheSeal?Butwouldntthatjustinterferewiththeir
purpose?
Shesatbackdown,thoughtforamoment,then
Shesuddenlylookedpetrified.Herpalepinklipstrembling,shesqueezedoutahoarsewhisper.

ButAlicedidnotunderstandwhatshesaid.
Damnit!TheresamoleinRATH!Ontheothersideofthiswall!

Asunawasdeeplyshaken.
Blindobedienceofahigherpower.Inordertoremovetheonlyflawinthejeweloftheartificial
Fluctlight,HigaTakeruandtheRATHtechnicianshadputinimmenseeffort.
ThiswasbecausethecurrentartificialFluctlightswereunabletoevaluatethemoralityorutility
ofcommandstheyweregiven.IftheywereloadedasAIontowarmachines,eveniftheir
commandsystemwashackedandtheywereorderedtoattackthetroopstheybelongedtoor
engageinindiscriminatemurderofcivilians,theywouldnotbeabletoevaluatetheircommands,
insteadchoosingtoexecutethemdirectly.Theyweredifferentfromtheregulationswithin
Westernarmies,whopossessedtheabilitytodefyorders.
Therefore,toengineerartificialintelligencethatwasabletobreakthroughthislimitation,RATH
undertooksimulatedexperimentsintheUnderworldthatspannedhundredsofyears.
However,iftheSealoftheRightEyeorCode871wasanapparatustopreventtheexperiment
fromexceeding,ifithadbeeninsertedbysomeoneunknownwithinRATH.
Thisattemptatdisruptionprobablyoriginatedfromadirectiveissuedbytheattackersonthe
OceanTurtle.

AndnowthismolewasstillabletomovefreelyintheuppershaftontheOceanTurtle.Ifhe
wantedto,hecouldevenslippasttheothertechniciansandenterSTLRoom2,whereKiritoand
Asunalaycompletelydefenseless.
Brushingawaythechillthanrandownherspine,Asunacontinuedtothink:
HeronlyoptionwastorunhercurrentCreationGoddessStaciasHPtozerotodeath,in
otherwords.Butifthathappened,shewouldnotbeabletologbackinwiththissuperaccount.
Withthesystemadministrationauthoritycommandscurrentlylocked,theywereunabletoreset
accountdata.
SincetheattackerswereusingDarkGodVector,anaccountofthesamelevel,hewas
undefeatablewithacivilianaccount.ToprotectAlice,andthenlogoutsafely,sheneededthis
accountnomatterwhat.
Whattodo?WhatshouldIdofirst?
Afterrackingherbrainsforasplitsecond,Asunainhaleddeeply,anddecided.
ShewouldprioritizetheUnderworld.Thisworldranataspeedonethousandtimesthatofthe
RealWorld.BeforethesmallestmovementhappenedintheRealWorld,theyshouldstillhave
sometime.
Inthistime,shehadtocomeupwithaplantoprotectAlicefromtheenemyledDarkTerritory
army,andextracthertotheRealWorld.Ifshefailedatthat,andAlicefellintoenemyhands,
thosepeoplewoulddestroyalloftheotherLightCubeswithouthesitationtosolidifytheirstatus
astheholdersofthesingletrueAI.TheywoulddestroytheUnderworld,whichKiritohadput
hislifeonthelinefor.

***
Fromthereportstheywerereceiving,itseemedthatYuukiAsunasjudgmenthadbeen
completelycorrect.
Butneitherher,norHigaTakeruandKikuokaSeijirouontheOceanTurtle,hadrealizedan
importanttruth.
EversinceGabrielMillerandVassagoCasalshadloggedin,theFLAratehadbeenslowly
decreasing.ThisoperationwasbeingperformedbyCritter,thetechnicianoftheattackingteam,
buttheonewhogavetheorderwasGabriel.
Inabouttwentyhours,armedJSDFpersonnelfromtheAegisdestroyerNagatowouldstorm
thefloatingstructure.Inthatsortofsituation,itwasunderstandablyinconceivabletoRATHthat
theattackingteamwouldlowertheAccelerationRateandthrottletheirownnecks.
Ofcourse,thereasonbehindtheirloweringoftheAccelerationRatewasbeyondanyones
imagination.
But
Inthisinstant,onlyonepersonhadseenthroughGabrielsmotive.
ConcealedinYuukiAsunasportableterminal,she,theworldsmostadvancedTopDown
artificialintelligence,stealthilyplannedassheflewthroughtheinternet.
***
Whatswrong?

Alicehadstoppedusinghonorificssometimeago.Hearingherwords,Asunasuddenlyraised
herheadandshookit.
NoItsnothing.Sorrytointerrupt.
Youdidntinterrupt,werestillwaitingforyourreply.
Alicesaidtestily.
So,doyouhaveanycluesaboutthenameCode871?
Yes.Iwasjustabouttoexplain.
Aliceretortedcoolly.EvenAsunaherselfwasperplexedatthis.
Asunacouldnotremembereverarguingwithanyone.Shewasongoodtermswithherfriends
Lisbeth,Silica,Leafa,Sinon,andevenwithherclassmatesinschool.
Speakingofwhich,whenwasthelasttimeshehadcontendedwithsomelikethis?Shethought
foramomentandnearlyburstoutlaughing.Withoutadoubt,thatpersonwouldbeKirito.
EversincetheyhadmetonthefirstfloorofAincradandsomehowstruckupaninterdependent
relationshiptobeginclearingthatdeathgame,AsunahadstaredatandshoutedinKiritosface
numeroustimes,occasionallyevengettingphysical.
Maybe,therewouldcomeatimewhenshecouldgetalongwiththisgirlnamedAlice.
No,thatsnotverylikely.

AsAsunathought,sheopenedhermouth:
Then,thepersonwhosetupwhatLilMissAlicecalledCode871,ortheSealofthe
RightEye,wassomeonefromtheRealWorldincahootswiththeenemy.
HmmWell,besidesdestroyingonesrighteye,isthereanotherwaytoremovethissocalled
Code?
AtBercoulisinquiry,theotherworldlygirlshookherheadapologetically.
Imsorry,IdontknoweitherIdontthinkthatitssomethingthatcanberemovedfrom
withintheUnderworld,Imafraid.
ListeningtoAsunasclearvoice,Alicefeltuneasy.
Ofcourse,herfirstimpressionofherwasterrible.AsunasuddenlygettingthatclosetoKirito
withoutexplanationleftherdeeplyvexed.Afterall,shewastheonewhohadprotectedand
caredforKiritoandhisinjuries.
Thenagain,thisgirlnamedAsuna,likeKirito,wasfromtheRealWorld.Judgingbyherwords
andactions,shemusthavehad
some
relationshipwithhimthere.Then,sinceshechasedhimto
anotherworld,sheatleasthadsomesayinthematter.
Wasthisthereasontoheranxiety?Shehadthoughtthatshewastheonlyoneinthisworldmost
obligatedandresponsibleforKirito,yetnowtheresuddenlycomessomeonetochallengethat?
OrwasithercompetitivespirittowardsAsunasfrighteningswordsmanship?

ThatwasAlicesfirsttimewitnessingastrikewithsuchludicrousspeed.Itwasaspeedthatnot
evenViceKnightCommanderFanatiocouldmatch.Itwasntmerelyacontinuousstrikeitfelt
morelikemultiplestabscomingatexactlythesametime.Iftheirswordshadbeenknocked
slightlyoffcourseuponhittingeachother,heropponentwouldlikelyhaverecoveredfaster.
Orwasit
BecauseAsunawassoextraordinarilybeautifulthatjustlookingathermadeyousigh?
Anexoticfacewithouteventheslightesttingeofausterity,asthoughitweretheembodimentof
thewordexquisiteitself.Thebonfirebrightlyilluminatedherwhiteskinandhersoft,
billowingchestnuthair,whichlookedtobetopqualitystrandsofsilkbraidedtogether.The
GuardLeaderseyesallrevealedintoxicatedgazesofadmiration.IfAsunahadcalledherself
GoddessStacia,theywouldhavebelievedherwithoutquestion.
Shewantedtoknow.
NotabouttheRealWorldorabouttheenemy,butaboutthisAsunaperson.Therelationship
betweenherandKirito.
Catchingherselffloatingwithinherownthoughts,Aliceregainedhersenses,strugglingto
concentrateandcatchupwiththeconversation.AsunacontinuedtotheKnightCommander:
TheenemyareafraidofthosewhohavebrokentheSealintheUnderworldinother
words,iftheirproverbialRadiantMediumshowsupandistakenawaybysomeexternal
force.BecausetheRadiantMediumintheRealWorldisactuallyanextremelyprecious
existence.

ThatswhatIdontunderstand.
KnightCommanderBercoulimuttered,twirlinghisbottleofliquor.
YourRadiantMedium,orLilMissAlice,shouldbeanexistenceequaltothatofaReal
Worldperson,shouldntshe?Ijustasked,whyaretheyyouallsostubbornaboutthis?Whether
itstheenemy,orAsunasan,whatexactlydoyouwantLilMissAlicetodoonceyoutakeher
away?
Um
Asunabitherlip.
Herlongeyelashesdroopedassheshowedapainedexpression.
Imsorry,butIcanttellyouyet.Because,IhopethatAlicesancancometoseeand
judgetheRealWorldwithherowneyes.ItsnotthekingdomoftheGods,norisitafantastical
utopia.Infact,itsfaruglieranddirtierthanthisworld.Ibelievethesameaboutthemotivesof
thepeopleafterAlicesan.Thatistosay,IbelieveshewouldnotforgivetheRealWorldandthe
peoplelivingthere.ButItsnotjustthat.Therearemanypeoplewhowishtoprotectthis
world.JustJustlikeKiritokun.
Alicesilentlylistenedtotheothergirlslong,difficultspeech.
Yetshefoundherselfsurprised,noddingslowly.
Okay.Iwontaskanymorequestionsfornow.
Sheslowlypartedherhands,andshrugged.

Nomatterwhat,ImnotgoingtodowhatIdontwanttodo.Besides,Ihaventdecidedtogo
yet.AlthoughIdowishtoseetheoutsideworld,thatsstillamatterwecandiscussafterwe
defeatDarkGodVectorandhisinvadingarmy,andestablishpeace.
AlicethoughtthatAsunawouldrebukefiercelyagain,butsheonlyhesitatedforamomentand
spokeslowly:
Yeah.SincethatDarkTerritoryarmyisbeingcontrolledbyaRealWorldperson,itwould
bequitedangerousforAlicesanandItoleaveonourown.Theenemyshouldhavethoughtof
thataswell.Illfightalongsideeveryone.PleaseleavethefightwithVectortome.
CheerswereheardfromtheGuardLeaders.Tothem,nomatterwhatsheherselfclaimed,Asuna
wasnodifferentfromGoddessStacia.Atleast,ifshehadthatearthshatteringsuperattack,it
wouldntmatteriftheenemyhadtwentythousandortwohundredthousandtroops.
TheKnightCommanderseemedtobeconsideringthesamething.Hecrossedhisarmsand
asked:
Allright,wellputasidethematteroftheRealWorldfornow.Backtotheproblemathand
Thatskillyouusedjustnow,Asunasan,canitbeusedinfinitely?
Imsorry,butthiswilldisappointyou.
Asunashruggedhershouldersandslowlyshookherhead.
Thatsortofpowerplacesgreatmentalstrainonitsuser.Iwouldbeabletowithstanditifit
weremerelydiscomfort,butifIuseitwithoutrestraint,Imaybeforciblyejectedtotheworldto

preservemymentalhealth.Ifthathappens,Icannevercomeback.Unfortunately,Icanonly
performlargescalegeographicalcommandsonceortwicemore.
Letdownbytheirexcessiveanticipation,thefacesaroundthebonfirelookeddisappointed.
Noticingthis,Alicesprangtoherfeetagain.
Howcanweonlyrelyonanoutsiderspowertoprotectourworld?!Shehasalreadygivenus
enoughaid.Now,itsourturntoshowtheoutsiderwhatwe,theKnightsandGuards,are
capableof!
Afterthisfiercecalltoaction,AlicefeltAsunassurprisedgazeonherandavoidedhereyes
embarrassedly.
ThefirsttoagreewasRenri,theyoungestKnightpresent.
YYeah!Didntyouhearthat,shesnotagod,shesahumanlikeus!Thenwecanfightas
well!
WithwordsthatseemedtoresonatefromthetwoDivineInstrumentsathiswaist,theyoung
KnightlookedtowardstheredhairedgirladistanceawayfromAsuna.Alicechuckledinwardly.
Iwishtobattlethatpersonagain,too.
TheSilentSheytamurmured,throwingherhatintothering.
TheGuardLeaderssoonassentedonebyone,exchangingglanceswithoneanother.

Thatsright,wellallworktogetherandprotectwhatwelove
cametheyellsandshoutsfrom
theGuardswhoweregatheredonthegrassaroundthem.Asifitweresweptupinthewillsof
thecrowd,thefirealsobegantocracklemorevividly,smokeflyingtowardsthenightsky.
***
Wasthisreallyokay?
Inherassignedtent,Asunabegantothinkassheremovedherpearlywhitearmor.
AccordingtoHigaandKikuokasintentionsintheRealWorld,Asunawassupposedtoquickly
bringAlicetoasystemconsoleandextracthertothesafetyofthesubcontrolroom.
Butwhatthen?AccordingtoKikuoka,aslongastheyprocuredAlicesFluctlightandanalyzed
itsstructure,theycouldloaditintoanunmannedweaponasthebasisforitsAI.Theremaining
tenthousandartificialFluctlightswouldthenloseallpurpose.Itwouldalsodothemnogoodto
wasteanimmenseamountofpowerandspacetokeepthemrunning.
EventheyonlyrescuedAliceanddestroyedtherestoftheUnderworld,whatwouldKiritothink
afterhewakesup?No,wouldheevenbeabletowakeupinthefirstplace?
No,shecouldnotfalterlikethatagain.Shehadcomeallthiswaytomeethim,soshemusttry
herutterbesttoconnectwithhim,speakwithhim,andsearchforthekeytohisrecovery.Higa
hadsaidthattheycouldonlyhopeforamiraclefromwithintheUnderworldtohealKirito.
Rightnow,shewantedtobeinthesupplytentwherehewas,toholdhim,andtalktohim.
Duringthisperiodofdivingin,shewantedtoalwaysbebyhisside.Sheneverwantedto
abandonhimandtraveltothesystemconsoleinthefarawaysouth.

Atleast,justfortonight
Makingherdecision,Asunaremovedallofherarmor,changedintoafemalehabitandtunic,
thenmovedtotheentranceofthetenttolisten.
Despiteherprotests,theKnightCommanderhadassignedaGuardtoherassecurity.Theyoung
man,nervouswithhistaskasGoddessStaciasbodyguard,wasrestlesslypacingaroundthe
tentssurroundings.
Whenthefootstepspassedoverthegrassdirectlyacrossherandnearedthemiddleoftheback,
Asunahastilyleftthetent.Inthreesilentandhugesteps,sheconcealedherselfwithinthe
shadowofagianttreetenmetersaway.
Stealingaglancebehindher,shesawthattheguardseemednottohavenoticedanything,
continuinghisrounds.Aftersilentlyapologizingtohim,Asunawalkedintothedepthsofthe
forest.
TheHumanEmpireArmy,tiredaftertheirlargescalebattle,hadallretiredearly,withthe
exceptionofafewsentries.Thesentrieswerefocusingontheoutskirtsoftheforest,soAsuna
wasabletosneakintothesupplytentareaundetected.
Closeyoureyesandfocus.
Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasthepowerofhersuperaccountorpureintuition,butshecould
immediatelyfeelthelocationofherlover.
Takingafewstepsinthatdirection,Asunasuddenlynoticedinthecornerofhereyeaflashof
goldenlight.

Damn
Shetimidlyturnedtolook.
Asilhouettestoodwithitsbackagainstthetent,armscrossed.LikeAsuna,itworeasimple
gownwithayarnscarf.Flowinggoldenhairthatwavedinthenightwind.Deepblueeyesthat
projectedafrighteningglare.
Iknewyouwouldcome.
Alicesnortedsoftly,shakinghergoldenponytail.
Staringdirectlyatheropponentofthesameheight,samebody,andsameage,Alicewasjust
abouttospeakherpreparedwords.

DidntIsaythatyouarenotallowednearhere?Justgoquietlybacktoyourowntent.
Butthebreathshehadinhaledfeltdifficulttovocalize.Becausewithintheeyesoftheoutsider
Asuna,shesawanemotionthatcouldnotbeclearer.
Yearning.Painbecauseofthatyearning,anddeterminationbecauseofthatyearning.
Fuu
sighingdeeply,Aliceaskedherself.
Thisisnotmeyielding.IamtheonewiththehighestresponsibilitytomakesureKirito
awakes.Thisrealitywillnotchange.BecauseKiritohasfoughtwithme,hurtwithme,andfallen
outofexhaustionbeforeme.
SothisisapartofwhatIhavetodotomakesureKiritocomesback.
Letsmakeadeal.

HearingAlicesshortremark,Asunablinkedinconfusion.
IllletyouseeKirito.IllalsotellyouwhatIknow.Inexchange,youtellmeeverythingyou
knowaboutKirito.
Afterlessthanasecondofconfusion,Asunasmiledconfidently.
Allright.Butitsalongstory.Onenightmaynotbeenoughtotellit.
Howuncomfortable.
Poutingagain,Alicedemanded:
Howlonghaveyoubeenwithhim?
So,Asunaslightbrowneyesstaredupatthenightsky,thenshecurledthefingersonherhands
andreplied:
Wellwewerebattlepartnersfortwoyears.Thenwedatedforayearandahalf.Weeven
spenttwoweekslivingtogether.
Datedmeantaromanticrelationship,right?No,maybeButIvelivedwithhimfor
longer
Alicewaveredslightly,thenthrewoutherchestandretaliated:
Ivespentanentirenightfightingbyhisside.ThenItookcareofhiminthesameroof,staying
byhissideforhalfayear.
ItwasAsunasturntobeshocked,butshequicklyrecovered.Isthatsoshemurmured.

Thetwogloweredateachother,asthoughfullycladinarmor,readytodrawswordsandduel.
Thenightaircrackled,anddryleavesunluckyenoughtolandbetweenthemexploded:
pishi,
pishi.
TheonewhobravelyenteredthebattlebetweenanIntegrityKnightandtheCreationGoddess
wasthethinvoiceofayounggirl.
Um
Shocked,Alicewhirledinthatdirection.Asunafollowedsuit.
Thevoicehadcomefromayoungtraineefromthesupplyteamwithasoftcaponher
teacoloredhairandagraynightgownRonye.Sheshylyclaspedherhandstogetherinfrontof
herchest,andspokeagain.
Actually,I,IspenttwomonthscleaningKiritosenpaisroom,andhetaughtmeswordskillsas
well,andeventreatedustotheJumpingDeerInnshoneypiesseveraltimes!Itdoesseemlike
verylittlecomparedtoyoutwo,butIalsowanttoshare
AliceblinkedafewtimesbeforeexchangingglanceswithAsunaagain.Bothoftheirmouths
smiledwrylyatthesametime,asthoughsighingtogether.
Sure,Ronyesan.Youwereacompanion,afterall.
Aliceshruggedandnoddedtowardsthepetitegirl.Shecouldnothelpbutpraisethetrainee
exhalingandsmilinginrelief:whatcommendablebravery.
Butshewasnottheonlychallenger.

MayIpartakeintheinformationexchange?
Aseeminglymasculinetone,yetadistinctivelyclearfemalevoice.Arathertallwomanhad
appearedunderthemoonlightwithoutasound.Gazingathergracefulfeatures,Asunaletouta
weakvoice.
Yourethe
Withoutadoubt.shewasthefemaleguardcorpsleaderfromthemeetingawhileago.
Thewoman,whosebrownhairwastiedinalongponytail,nodded.
IamSortilienaSerlutoftheNorlangarthNorthEmpireKnightOrder.AlthoughIwantedto
waituntilafterthebattlehadendedorsoIthought,butduetomylongassociationwithKirito,
Icouldnthelpbutjoinin.
Alicesighedagain,raisedhershoulders,andspoketothetallGuardLeader:
Andwhatsortofassociationisthat,GuardLeaderSerlut?
Ifyoudontmind,pleasecallmeLiena,Knightdono.
Sortilienacoughedsoftlybeforeplayinghertrumpcard:
WhenIwasattheNorlangarthEmpireSwordMasteryAcademy,Kiritoservedasmyvaletfora
year.Ialsopassedsomeswordskillstohim.

Theotherthreesankintosilenceatthisrevelation.

AsunaandAlicemeteyes,simultaneouslydisplayedexpressionsofReally,now,andnodded.
Thenyoumusthavequiteabitofinformationtoo,Lienasan.Pleasecomeinwithus.
Withanoddatmosphere,thefourofthembegansilentlymoving,andAliceledthemintoasmall
tent.Simplebeddinglayontopoftwoleatherpadsnexttoeachother.Oneofthemwasempty,
whileablackhairedyouthwithhiseyesclosedlayontheother.Pokingoutofwoolenblanket,
twolongswordhiltswereslightlyvisible.
Seeingthis,Asunaslipstrembledwithadeeplonging.Alicedidnotdiscernit.
Whatsthematter?
AtAlicesquestion,theotherworldlyswordswomanmomentarilyforgottheanimositybetween
them,andansweredwithasmile:
KiritooftheDualBlades.ThatswhattheycallKiritokunoverthere.
Hoh
Nowthatshementionedit,whenKiritofoughtthatdecisivebattleagainstAdministrator,hewas
indeedfreelywieldinghisownblackswordandEugeoswhitesword.Thatdefinitelydidnot
lookeasy.
AlicemovedtositdownoppositethesleepingKirito.Shebeckonedtheotherthreetositaswell,
saying:
Thenletsstartfromthere.


Thedarknightovertheblackwildernessbecamecolderandcolder,withonlythevioletmoon
shiningsilentlyovertheland.
WhetheritwastheGuardsoftheHumanEmpireDefenseArmyortheDarkKnightsandFist
FightersoftheDarkTerritoryarmyintheircampthatwasnowsplitbyalargecrevice,allhad
sunkintodeepsleep.
Inonecornerofthesilentnightbeforethefinalbattlebetweenthetwosides,onlyonecandle
insideatentcouldnotbeextinguished.Soundsofquietlaughtercamefrombehindthethick
curtain,buttheonlyonewhocouldhearwasaloneowlperchedonatreebranch.
Aftertheoilinthelanternwasdepleted,thefouryoungwomen,exhaustedfromtalkingso
much,sankintosleepbesideKirito.
Amomentlater,farawayinCentralCapitalCentoriaintheHumanEmpire,abellsteadilytolled
midnight.Ofcourse,thissounddidnotreachthecampintheDarkTerritory.
Atthesametime
Asensationsofaintitcouldbedescribedasthevibrationoftimereachedeverysingleperson
intheUnderworld.ThatwasthesensationoftheFLARatedroppingto1:1,butevensomeone
wereawake,theywouldfinditextremelydifficulttofeelit.
UnderworldHumanEmpireCalendar,theeighthdayoftheeleventhmonth,Year380,0:00.
RealWorldJapanStandardTime,7July2026,0:00.

Thetimelinesofbothworldswerecompletelysynchronized.

6
Haveyoueverhadapremonitionofdeath?
Suddenly,adistinctivesoundpenetratedtheearsofBercouliSynthesisOne,andhiseyes
snappedopen.
Theraysofdawn,tingedanunknowncolor,begantoslowlypermeatethedarktent.Theairwas
coldasice,andhisexhaledbreathheldtracesofwhite.
Heknewthatitwascurrently4:20AM.Bercouli,whoseconsciousnesswasonewiththeDivine
InstrumentTimePiercingSword,whichhadoncebeenthehourhandofagiantclockface,
wasexceptionallykeenatdeterminingthetime.Intenminutes,hewouldneedtorelayanorder
tothemessengerguardstoblowthehornsandwakeeveryoneup.
Reachingbehindhisheadwiththickfingers,theagedKnightcouldhearthewordsthathad
brokenintohisdreams.
Haveyoueverhadapremonitionofdeath?
Theonewhohadaskedhimwashisonlysuperior,theHighestMinisterAdministrator.
Hehadalreadyforgottenthenatureofthismemory.Onehundredyearsago?Orwasitone
hundredandfiftyyearsago?Inthepast,topreventhissoulfrombreakingdown,memories

deemedunnecessaryhadbeendeletedfromhismind.Bercoulicouldnotproperly
chronologicallyorganizememorieslongpast.
Yetthatscenestillremainssoclear.
Maybeshewasgrowingtiredofthoseinfinitelyrepeatingdaysalthoughtheywereofherown
desiretobeginwithAdministratorwouldoccasionallycallthemanwhoseagewassecond
onlytoher,Bercouli,toherbedroomfordrinkstogether.
Thesilverhairedrulerreclinedonadeepredcouch,wearingonlyathinsilkscarf.Shehad
askedthatparticularquestionasshelazilyplayedwithherwineglass.
Hesatstraightonthefloorandcrossedhislegs.Aftertakingabiteofcheesethataccompanied
thewine,Bercoulimovedhischinandtwistedhisneck.
HewasaccustomedtotherulersrepetitiveanticsBercouliwasnotlookingtopleaseher,but
onlysayingwhathewantedtosay.
Apremonitionofdeath.WhenIwasstillayoungbratandwasdefeatedbyaDarkKnight
fromthepreviousgenerationorthegenerationbeforethat,itfeltprettybad.
SotheHighestMinistergiggledwithherhandoverhermouth,gentlyswirlinghercrystal
chalice.
Butdidntyoutakehisheadoffanyway?Irecallthatyouseemedtotransformitintoa
gemstoneandplaceditoverthere.Youshouldnthavepremonitionsanylonger.

Yeah,Icouldntremember.Butwhydoyouthinkthatway?YourExcellencyshouldntbe
associatedwiththistypeoffeeling.
Atthisquestion,theancientyounggirlshiftedherbodyandcrossedherlonglegs,smilingcoyly.
Ohdear,youdontunderstanditatall,Bercouli.EverydayIhavethisfeelingeveryday.
WheneverIwakeupNo,inmydreamsaswell.BecauseIhavenotruledovereverythingyet.
Therearestillenemiesalive.And,maybeatacertaintimeinthefuture,newenemieswillbe
created.
Really,beingtheHighestMinisterisaprettystressfuljob.
Onehundredyearsafterthatconversation,farawayfromtheHumanEmpireinthecornerofa
DarkTerritoryforest,Bercouligrinnedfearlessly.
Now,Ifinallyunderstandyourwords.
Thesocalledpremonitionofdeathwasjustanothersideofoneslethalpursuitsofdanger.
Astrongenemythatrealizestheendofeverything,searchingforaproperdeath,unabletoresist
nomatterhowmuchitkicksorscreamsYouvebeenseekingitout,afterall.
Justlikemerightnow.
Justlikeme,whocanclearlyfeeldeathknockingonmydoorrightnow
AfterAdministratorsdeath,KnightCommanderBercouli,whohadbecomethelongestliving
humanintheworld,threwbackhiscoversanddonnedawhiteshirtonhismuscularbody.He
tiedonhisbelt,lacedhisshoes,andstowedhisbelovedswordonhiswaist.

Walkingoutintothecoolmorningair,Bercoulistartedtowardsthemessengerguardstentto
relaythewakeupcall.
***
Almostexactlyatthesamemoment.
NeartheDarkTerritorymilitarycamptwokiloltothenorth,againsttheslowlyarrivingdawn
peekingupfromthehorizon,tendragonstookoffintotheair.
InthefistsoftheDarkKnightsontheirbacksweregraspedbundlesofthickstrawrope.Oneend
ofeachwastiedtowoodenstakesdrivenintothegroundontheedgeofthegreatcanyon.
Asthestretchedropeswhistledinthewind,thedragonsflewacrossthenearlyhundredmelwide
valleyandarrivedatthesouthernedge.TheKnightsthatdismountedwerenotwieldingswords,
butheftinggreathammers.Theybegantopoundnewstakesintothegroundwithsome
unfamiliarity.
EmperorVectorsneworderswere
TheFistFightersGuildandDarkKnightOrderweretocrossthethevalleyonthosetenropes.
Theenemywouldnaturallyinterferebyattacking,buttheymustcrossregardless.
Thosewhofallshouldnotbesaved.
Foodandothersuppliesneednotbetransferredover.

Inotherwords,theyweretosacrificeagreatmanypeopleinaruthlessfighttothedeath,withno
provisions.FistFighterGuildChiefIskahnandexDarkKnightCommanderShastasyoung
successorbothclenchedtheirteethinfury.
ButtheyhadnottheoptiontodisobeytheEmperor,theirultimateruler.
Theyhadhopedatleasttocrossthevalleybeforetheenemynoticedthemyetthegenerals
wishesweredashedwhenHumanEmpirecavalryscoutsonnightwatchsightedtheDark
Territoryarmyfromafarawayhill,thenturnedtheirhorsestowardstheknollonekilolsouth.
***
Withhermouthclosed,Asunachewedthestiffroastedbreadwithcheese,smokedmeatand
driedfruit,thinkingwhilestillblearyeyedfromsleep.
Sincethetimesbeenacceleratedbyathousand,Icaneatathousandmealsinthetimethat
thepeopleintherealworldtaketoeattheirmeal.Thatwontmakemefat,willit
Stealingaglanceaheadofher,shesawIntegrityKnightAliceandGuardChiefSortiliena
nibblingontheirsandwiches,theireyesalsocloudedwithsleep.Althoughitwasthroughthe
fabricoftheirgowns,shecouldmakeouttheirevenbodies,withoutatraceofflabbiness.
Wasthereanythinglikelifestylerelateddiseasesinthisworld?Orwerebodytypesdecidedby
parametersgrantedandsetatbirth?Orwereappearancesmerelyreflectionsofones
mentality?

Besidethem,Ronyewastearingthesandwichesintobitesizedpiecesandfeedingthemtoa
halfawakeKirito.AccordingtoAlice,hislifehadbeenpreservedthroughfeeding,butitalways
seemedtoherthatKiritosbodywasgettingthinnereveryday.
Justasifhewantedtodisappearfromthisworldhimself.
Kiritosenpailooksalittlebetterthismorning.
Ronyesuddenlymurmured,asthoughshehadreadAsunasthoughts.
Andheseating,too.
Coulditbetheeffectoffourprettygirlssleepingbesidehim?
AsunacouldnothelpbutsmilecomplicatedlyatAlicesquip.
Lastnighthadeventuallybecomeasituationinwhichallfourofthemhadlaydownbeside
Kiritoandchatteddeepintothenight.Thefourofthemeachsharedtheirmemoriestogether
withKirito,buttheyhadfartoolittletime,andeventuallysurrenderedtothedemonofsleep.
Whatfeltlikeaninstantlater,thecallofthehornawokethem.Then,theydugintobreakfastthat
Ronyebroughtoverliketheywerenow,asAsunathoughtaboutherlover.
Kiritokundoesntchangewhereverheis.Hesthatkindtoeveryone,whichcauseshimtoo
muchofaburden,hurtinghimselfintheprocess.
Butthishastobeonesteptoofar.Actuallyputtingawholeworldonhisshouldersalone.You
neededtorelymoreonmeandotherpeople.Becauseeveryonelikesyouverymuch.

Ofcourse,Ilikeyouthemost.
Asunafeltherheartfillwithdeterminationoncemore.WhenKiritoawoke,shewouldtellhim
withasmile:
Dontworry,everythingsbeentakencareof.Whatyouwantedtoprotect,Iand
everyoneelsehaveprotected.
Asunaswillseemedtoinfecttheotherthreearoundher.Alice,RonyeandSortilienalooked
towardsherwithgazesnowfullyawake,andnoddedforcefully.
Then,thehornthatannouncedanenemyattackrangthroughoutthecampwithanurgentrhythm.
Withbreaddanglingfromhermouth,Aliceracedtohertent,slippedintoherarmor,grabbedthe
FragrantOliveSwordandsprintedbackout.
AftermeetingupwithAsuna,whowasalsopreparedforbattle,shesaidtoRonyeandTiese,
PleasetakecareofKirito,andleftforthenorthsideofthecamp.
Attheboundaryofthedarkforest,shesawthesilhouetteofBercouliwithhissword.After
receivingthecavalryscoutsreport,theKnightCommanderwatchedasAlice,Asuna,and,after
afewseconds,RenriandSheytaarrived,thengruntedwithaseriousexpression:
SoitseemsthattheenemytheRealWorldguysreallyhavetricksuptheirsleeve.Seemslike
EmperorVectorisprettymerciless.
WhathesaidnextevenmadeAlicebiteherlip.

Aforcefulcrossofahundredmelvalleymerelybythickropes.Ifyoufall,youdie.Atask
impossiblewithoutsteelyphysicalandmentalfortitude.Tobeabletousesuchastrategy,Vector
mustnotcareforthedetailsorrather,heviewsthelivesofhissoldiersasmerewastepaper.
Inthatcase,evenifonethirdoftheenemyperishedatthebridge,theirmainforceswerestill
nearlyseventhousandstrong.OnethousandHumanEmpiretroopstakingthemheadonhadno
hopeofvictory.
Theiroriginalstrategyofattackingwithartswhileconcealedintheforestwasnowimpossiblein
thelightofday.Shouldtheyretreatfurthersouthandwaitforanotheropportunitytoambush?
KnightCommanderBercouliswordsinterruptedAlicesconfusion.
Thisiswar.
Theancientheromutteredsoftly.Bulgesofmusclevisibleonhisthickneck,hecontinued:
PuttingasidetheoutsiderAsunasan,thisisntthetimetosympathizewiththeDarkTerritory.
Ifwewannalivewehavetotakethisopportunity.
Opportunityyousaid?
AtAlicessurprised,parrotedquestion,Bercoulirepliedwithaglintinhiseye.
Yes.KnightRenri.
Hisnamesuddenlybeingcalled,theyoungIntegrityKnightimmediatelystraightenedhisback.
YYes.

WhatsthefurthestrangeofyourDivineInstrumentstheTwinWingedBlades?
Yes.Normallythirtymel,butunderRecollectionRelease,aboutseventy,no,ahundredmel.
Verygood.ThennowwefourKnightswillstormthemainenemyforceinthevalley.Alice
andIwilllead,withSheytafocusingonprotectingRenri.RenriwillusehisDivineInstruments
tosevertheenemysropesatoneend.
Alicequietlygasped.
Sotheenemywoulddefinitelyprotecttheircrossingropeswiththeirlives.Evenifthey
blockedtheopeningwithahumanshield,thethrowingkniveswouldcurveintheirflight,sail
abovetheirheadsanddirectlyattacktheropes.AsBercoulisaid,thiswasamercilessstrategy.
ButtheyoungKnightonlyfifteenyearsofageslammedhisrighthandtotheleftsideofhis
chest,facefilledwithfirmresolve.
Yes,sir!
Then,TheSilentSheytasaidinalowvoice:
Leaveittome.Iwillprotecthim.
Afterwards,Asuna,whohadbeenpurposefullyleftoutbyBercouli,steppedforward.
Imcomingtoo.Themoredefenders,thebetter.
Aliceclosedhereyesforamoment,thensaidtoherselfsoftly:

AsthesituationstandsnowI,whoburnedtenthousandDemihumantroopstodeathwitha
giganticartandmurderedtwothousandDarkSorceresseswiththeArmamentFullControlArt,
amnolongerqualifiedtoseekanhonorablefight.
Now,Icanonlydrawmysword,andkilltheenemy.
Letshurry.
Noddingtoallfour,Alicelookedtowardstheknolltothenorth.Theblackridgelinewasalready
tingedwiththedeepredglowofdawn.
***
Hurryup!
Hurry,hurry!
Clenchingbothhisfists,FistFightersGuildChiefIskahnshoutedsilentlyfortheumpteenth
time.
Ontopofthetenthickropesstretchedacrosstheyawningvalley,theFistFightersandDark
Knightsdividedthemselvesupandbegantocross,onebyone.
Theyhadattemptedtocurltheirhandsandfeetaroundtheropesandinchacrosswhilehanging
upsidedown,butthesoldiers,havingneverexperiencedanykindoftraininginthatarea,moved
extremelyclumsily.Iftheyhadbeenallocatedtimetomakeanddistributesafetyharnessesfor
everyone,thatwouldhavebeenbeneficial,buttheEmperorhadgivennosuchquarter.

Furthermore,Iskahnsrequesttobethefirsttocrosshadbeeninstantlyrejected.Itappearedto
beanexplanationforlastnightsexpansionoforders,punishmentfortakingonlyasmall
numberofhissubordinatestoengagetheenemy.
Youallmustfollowmyordersalone
.The
Emperorsicecoldvoiceresoundedinhisears.
BeforeIskahn,whowasgrittinghisteethandstaringstraightahead,thefrontmostsubordinate
finallyreachedthemiddleoftheropebridge.
Hecouldseefromthisdistancethecopperredskinradiatingheatinthecoldmorningair,
dropletsofsweatreflectinglight.Whatanarduoustask.
Justthen.
Astronggustofwindblewthroughthevalley.
Pyoooo!
Theropescreakedinprotestandbegantoshakeleftandright.
AH!
Iskahnyelled,inspiteofhimself.Ahandfuloftribalsoldiers,theirpalmsdrippingwithsweat,
slippedofftheropeandplungeddownwards.
Beastlikeroarsshookthevalley.TheyoungChiefclenchedhisteeth.Thosewerenotscreamsof
terror.Thosewerebellowsofremorsefuldeaths,unabletobeaffordedanhonorableendonthe
battlefield,forcedtoplayacrobatics.
Afterthewindpassedby,atwofigurenumberofFistFightersandDarkKnightshadfalleninto
theunendingdarknessofthevalley.

Butthesoldiersbehindbravelycontinuedcrossing.Everythreemelanewsoldierwouldgrasp
therope.
Moregustsofwindoccasionally,unforgivinglytakingliveswiththemeverytime.Withouthim
noticing,Iskahnsclenchedfistsbeganflaringred.
Deathsinvain.
No,noteventhat.Theydidntevenleavebodiestobury.
AndthegoalthistimewasnotthewishofthefiveracesoftheLandofDarknessitwasmerely
theEmperorsdesireforawomancalledtheRadiantMedium.Hedidntknowhowto
apologizetothetribesmenlikethis.
Faster,faster.Everyonegetacross,beforesomeonegetsinthewayagain.
WhethertheyoungChiefswisheshadreachedhim,orwhethertheyhadmerelygrown
accustomedtohisactions,theoneinfrontincreasedhisspeedandfinallyarrivedattheother
side.Afteraboutfiveseconds,asecondonesteppedontofirmground.
Atthisrate,itwouldoptimisticallytakemorethananhourfortenthousandsoldierstocrossthe
valleyontenropebridges.Inthislongperiodoftime,theenemyhadnowayof
not
discovering
themhere.
Butnowhecouldonlyprayfortheirluckyoneintenthousandchance.
Thesunroseintheeasternskyatafrighteningspeed,throwingreddishlightontotheblack
ground.

Incontrast,thenumberofsoldierswhohadgottenacrossonlyincreasedataninfuriatinglyslow
pace.Moreandmorefellintothevalley,increasingfromfiftytoahundred,twohundred,and
justasthatnumberhitthreehundred.
Attheblackhorizonlineintheredsky,fivesilhouettesonhorsebackappeared.
Atthisdistance,evenIskahnwithhissuperhumanvisionwasunabletodiscernthefeaturesof
thehorsebackenemies.
OnlyfiveofthemScouts?Thentheresstilltimebeforetheenemyadjuststheirmovements.
Thatjudgment,orrather,hope,wasinstantlyshattered.
ThefiveKnightssuddenlychargedstraighttowardsthevalleywithalarmingspeed.Billowing
whitecloaks,multicoloredshiningarmor,andwhatstoodoutthemosttoIskahn,whowas
unabletodenywhathesawradiatingfromallfiveofthem,thick,powerfulfightingintentrising
fromthemlikesteam.
IntegrityKnights!Andfiveofthem!!
Enemyattack!!Defend!!Protecttheropesatallcosts!!
Iskahnyelled,notknowingwhetherhisvoicecouldevenreachtheothersideatthisdistance.
Seeminglyhearingtheorder,halfofthethreehundredorsosoldierswhohadsuccessfully
crossedthevalleysurroundedthewoodenstakesboundwithrope,formingacircular
arrangement.Therestpreparedtorepeltheattack.

TheenemyKnightsthatflewacrossnearlyathousandmelofwildernessfromthehillstothe
valleyleaptofftheirhorsessimultaneously,groupedtogether,andlungedtowardstheropeson
therightside.
Leadingthemwasahulkingmaninloosewhiteclothing.TohisrightwasafemaleKnightwith
shininggoldenhairandarmor.TohisleftwasafemaleKnightwithwhomIskahnhadfought
againstlastnight,namedSheyta.
SurroundedbythethreeofthemwasashortishKnight,andbehindhimseemedtobeanother,
buthecouldnotseeexactly.
Sweatflyingfromtheirnakedbodies,tensofFistFighterssprintedtowardsthem.
URAAAA!!
Withpowerfulscreams,fistsandfeetflewtowardstheKnights.
Flash,flashflash.
Numerous,instantaneousflashesoflight.
Showersofbloodplungedintotheskylikeareversewaterfall.Thehands,feetandheadsofthe
warriorswereeasilyslicedfromtheirbodies.
Then.
SilverlightthatshinedinitspathflewhighintotheairfrombehindthethreeKnights.
ItdrewacurvedpathabovetheFistFightersheadsintheredsunriseflyingstraighttowards
therightmostthickropewithagreatnumberofsoldiersstillfallenontopofit

NOOOOO!!
Iskahnskeenears,undisturbedbyhisownscreamofdespair,detectedthe
bzzp
ofasoftcutting
sound.
Theropesnappedback,dancingintheairlikeagreatsnake.
Tensofwarriorswereinstantlythrownoffandplungedbelow.
Asthissceneburnedintohiswideeyes,Iskahnfeltwordstumblefromhisnumbmouth:
Isthiswar?Canyoucallthiswar?
Behindhim,hisaideDampewasatacompletelossforwords.
Forcedtoplayacrobatics,hisfellowtribesmenwhowereunabletoevenstandinfrontofthe
enemy,devouredbyacrackintheground,haddefinitelynotenduredtheirgruelingtrainingto
meetsuchanend.
Howweretheytoexplainthistotheiragedparentsandsonsanddaughtersbackintheir
homeland?Theyhadnotdiedhonorablyinbattlebutdisappearedintothegroundwithouta
woundontheirbodies.Howwashetosaysuchathing?
Frozentothespot,Iskahnsearsrangwiththeregretfulshrieksofhisfighters.
Iwillavengeyouall.Sopleaseforgiveme.Forgiveme.
Evenashemurmuredinhisheart,Iskahnwasunabletoimmediatelypointthefingeratwhohe
shouldaccuse.

Facinganenemyseveraltimesmorethanthem,theenemyIntegrityKnightswerealreadygiving
ittheirall.Pleadingwiththemtostopuntilthelastpersoncrossedthevalleywasimpossible.On
thecontrary,theirboldnesstoseizetheopportunityandsendonlyfivepeopletoattackwas
impressive.
Thenwho?
Whoshouldpayforthesenselessdeathsofthewarriors?
Theircommander,whocanonlyclenchhisfistsandstandstilllikeafool?
Or
Suddenly,excruciatingpainthatshotacrosshisrighteyemadeIskahngrithisteeth.Bloodred
lightwobbledhisvision.Yetbeforehim,twomoreropessplitapart,dancingintheair.
***
Inaninstant,threeofthetenropebridgesweresevered.GabrielMillerwatchedfrombehindhis
owntroops,hischeekproppedonhishand.
Asexpected,intermsofAI,theHumanEmpireUnitsexcelledabitmore.No,justfrom
situationcontrol,hecouldseeagreatdisparitybetweenthem.Includinglastnightsfirstbattle,
theDarkTerritoryarmyhadthetablesturnedontheminaninstant,andsufferedpainful
counterattacks.Nomatterhowhethoughtaboutit,itdidnotseemlikeasimulationgamein
whichhefoughtagainsttheCPU.

TheresultsofthisgameinvolvedGabriellosingmorethan70percentofhisownUnits.Buthe
didnotfeelasliverofimpatience.
EvenashewatchedhundredsofmainforceUnitsgeteliminated,hewasmerelywaiting.
Waitingforthatmoment.
Atthistime,Critter,incontroloftheOceanTurtlemaincontrolroom,hadsuccessfully
decreasedtheFLArateto1:1,anactionthatsynchronizedtheirtimewiththatoftherealworld.
Theyhadspentthatmuchtimedoingsoinordertominimizetheimpactofdecreasingtherate
andtopreventtheRATHworkerwhohadloggedintotheUnderworldfromnoticing.
Atthesametime,viasatellitenetwork,hehadreleasedaURLontoalargescalevideogame
socialmediawebsiteintheUnitedStates.Thelinkpointedtoacertainpublicitywebsitethat
Critterhadquicklysetup.
Onthewebsite,asensationalfontaccompaniedwithbloodsplatterspecialeffectsdeclaredthe
following:
AnallnewVRMMOisnowopenforalimitedtimeclosedbeta.
TheworldsfirstkillingonlyPvPgameisborn.
Fullyhumanavatars.Nolevels,noethicallimits.
Userswhosawthesefierywordsmarveledatthesheeraudacityofthedevelopmentcompany,
yetrejoicedbeyondbelief.
AsofnowJuly2026,aspartofacounterterrorisminitiative,AmericanVRMMOshad
sufferedlegallimitations.EvenforindependentgamesdevelopedthroughuseofTheSeed

softwarepackage,ifithadnotbeenreviewedbyindustryratingboardsandhadaCodeofEthics
appliedtoit,runningitsserverswouldbeprohibitivelydifficult.
Therefore,activitiesofcrueltywerestrictlylimitedifoneinsistedonaddingdismemberment
content,thecharactersmustbesettoinsectoidfigures,likeInsectSite
1
.Theserestrictions,
worsethanthatofJapan,thebirthplaceofVRMMOs,frustratedplayersallovertheUS.Yet
now,amysteriousclosedbetaannouncementhassuddenlyappeared.
TheURLwasdistributedalloverthroughSNS,andpeopledownloaded,copied,andreuploaded
theconnectionclientwithfrighteningspeed.Inamerefourhours,thenumberofAmuSpheres
connectedtotheclientthatCritterhadcreatedbrokethirtythousandconnections.
Gabrielsgreatestplanthathewasunwillingtosacrificevaluablerealworldtimefor.
Thatis,handingovertheDarkKnightaccountsintheDarkTerritorytotheentireAmerican
VRMMOplayerbase,lettingthemconnecttotheUnderworldtodisplaytheirownfighting
strength.
NotevenKikuokaSeijirou,leaderofRATH,orthedesignerofUnderworldHigaTakerucould
evendreamofsuchanabsurdsituation.
ButtheunderlyingarchitectureofUnderworldmerelyutilizedTheSeedsstandardVRMMO
softwarepackage.Ifitwereagameworldmerelyexpressedthroughpolygons,anyonecouldlog
inaslongastheypossessedanAmuSphere,andcouldtouchObjectsorkillothercharacters.
Anditmadenodifferencewhatsoeverwhetherthekilledcharacterswererealworldpeopleor
Underworldpeople.

7
GabrielandCritterssecretplanwascompletelyoutoftheRATHtechniciansimaginations.
Ontheotherhand,eveniftheydiscoveredit,theyhadnowayofcuttingoffthesatellite
connectionwhenthemaincontrolroomwasoccupiedlikethis.
ButatthemomentCrittersentoutthesuspiciousURL,someonediscoveredthatpacket.
FromwithintheportableterminalthatYuukiAsunahadbroughtwithher,theTopDown
artificialintelligencethathadbeenobservingtheOceanTurtlesinternalstatusYui,accessed
theannouncementwebsiteandcorrectlyextrapolatedGabrielsgoal.
Shesearchedforawaytotransmitawarningtothephysicallylockedsubcontrolroom,but
Asunasterminalhadbeenleftinhercabin,andnomatterhowmuchshesoundedherringtone,
noonecouldhearit.
Asalastresort,YuicouldonlypullherconsciousnessbacktoJapanontheothersideofthe
PacificOcean,andcalledseveralportableterminalsatthesametime.
***
AsadaShino,ahighschoolgirlintherealworldandanelitesniperinthevirtualworld,was
jerkedawake,andjumpedoffherbedinherownapartment.

Herbedsideclockread3:00AM.Althoughshehadbeenawokenatatimelikethis,shewasnot
theleastbitdrowsy.ThereasonforthatwasthemelodysheheardwasKirigayaKazutos
ringtone.
WasitKirito,whohaddisappearedunconsciously,callingher?
Clumsilypressingontheterminalandputtingittoherear,sheheardthefranticvoiceofayoung
girl.
Sinonsan,itsYui!
EhYYui?
Ofcourse,sheknewKiritoandAsunasdaughtertheartificialintelligenceYui.Aweek
ago,whenshehadbeendiscussingKiritosdisappearancewithAsunaandtheothers,shehad
personallywitnessedYuishightechinformationprocessingabilitiesandemotionalexpressions.
But,tocallherdirectlybytelephonewascompletelyoutofherexpectationsShinowas
temporarilyspeechless.Aslightlyelectronic,sweetyeturgentvoicereachedherear:
Illexplainthedetailslater.Getreadytoleaveyourhouseandtakeataxi.Illsendthe
destinationandtheshortestroutetoyourterminal.First,IllwirethetaxifareintoSinonsans
electronicwallet.
Then,witha
charin
soundeffect,Shinosterminalnotifiedherofanonlinemoneytransfer.
HahTTaxi?Where?

ShinostoodasYuiinstructed,slippingherfootoutofhersleepwearandaskedwithaheavy
head.ButYuisnextwordsjoltedShinosconsciousnessawakelikeicewater.
Pleasehurry.PapaandMamaareindanger!!
***
DDanger?!OniichanandAsunasan?!
Ahighschoolstudentandswordswoman,alsoKirigayaKazutosyoungersister,Kirigaya
Suguhademandedasshebuttonedherpants.
Leafasan,youllwakeupAuntMidoriifyourethatloud.
Listeningtothecalmvoicefromtheterminal,Suguhahurriedlyclosedhermouth.
YeYeah.HeyThisismyfirsttimesneakingoutthislate
Veryregrettable,butnowtheresnotmuchtimetoexplainthereasonforyourexcursionto
obaasama.Justleaveamessageinyourhomeserverexplainingthatyouneededtoattendan
earlymorningclubactivity.
OOkay.WowYuisureisagreatstrategist.
Suguhaexclaimedasshefinisheddressing.Shedescendedthestairswithsoftsteps,and
extendedherhandtowardsthefrontdoorhandle.Althoughtheylivedinanancient
Japanesestylehouse,theironlinesecuritysystemstillranthroughoutthenight,butthealarm
lineseemedtohavebeensevered.

AfterKazutodisappeared,hermothercamehomeearlyeveryday.Feelingguiltyforherown
actions,Suguhaputherhandstogetherandapologizedbeforeleavingthroughtheentrance.
Imsorry,Mom.Iwilldefinitelysaveoniichan.
Afterreachingthemainroad,ataxiappearedbeforeher.ProbablyonethatYuihadreserved
online.AlthoughthedriverwasslightlysurprisedatSuguhasage,aftersheexplainedthather
relativeswereill,sheglancedatherterminalandsaid:
UmPleaseheadtoTokyoharbor.
SheprobablyshouldntbetoospecificandsayRoppongi.
2
***
HigaTakerufeltahalfeatenEnergyBarhithislegafterdroppingfromhisdesk,andsuddenly
openedhiseyes.
Afterblinkingforcefullyafewtimes,heconfirmedthetimeonthewallclock.Therewasstilla
whilebefore4:00AM,JapanStandardTime.Glancingbesidehim,hesawthattheRATH
technicianswatchingthesubcontrolroomallhadfatiguedexpressions.
ProfessorKoujiroRinkosathorizontallyononachairatthecontrolconsole,herheaddrooping
upanddownasshedriftedinandoutofsleep.LieutenantColonelKikuokawasnotasleep,but
histhinslitsforeyesstaringatthemainmonitorfrombehindhisblackframedglasseshaslost
theirusualsharpness.
Ontheotherhand,fourtechnicalcrewmembersweresprawledlikecorpsesonmattresseslaid
outbesidethewall.ConsideringthatanyDefenseOfficeramongtheSelfDefenseForcecould

beleakinginformation,Kikuokahadstationedthemtoguardthepressureresistantwallpartition
beneaththesubcontrolroom.
Sincetheyhadbeenattackedbyamysteriousparamilitarygroup,fourteenhourshadelapsed
orrather,finallypassedby.
TenhoursstillremainedbeforetheAegisdestroyerNagato,whichwasprotectingthemfroma
distanceorsoitwasoriginallywouldgivetheordertostormtheOceanTurtle.Underthis
situation,theirwaitwasdespairinglylong.Itwasevenmoresointhetimeaccelerated
Underworld.
TenhourshadpassedsinceYuukiAsunahaddivedinwithSuperAccount01.Calculating
accordingtotheinternalaccelerationrateofonethousandtimes,thatequatedtotenthousand
hoursoveroneyear.ButtherehadbeennonewsonwhetherhermissiontoprotectAlicehad
succeededorfailed.
IsitreallythatfarawayfromtheHumanEmpiretotheWorldEndAltar
Higamumbled,hismindconstructingamapoftheUnderworldthatresembledtheRATHlogo
Justthen.
Thetelephoneonthecontrolconsolebursttolifewithaearsplitting
pipipi,pipipi
.Higa
jumpedwithoutthinking.
KiKikusan,thephone.
Wonderingwhethersomethinghadhappeneddownstairs,henotifiedthecommander.

Alsostartledbythephone,afigureinaHawaiianshirtclamoredforthereceiver,hisclogs
slippingfromhisfeet.
Subcontrolroom,thisisKikuoka!
Althoughhisvoicewasslightlyhoarse,hestillmanagedaforcefulreply.Afteramoment,from
thereceivercamenotthevoiceofCaptainNakanishi,incommandoftheDefenseOfficers,
butthehesitantvoiceofayoungman.
Uh,um,thisistheSTLdevelopmentheadquartersofRATHRight?ImHirakioftheRATH
Roppongibranch
Hah?RRoppongi?
InregardstoKikuoka,thiswasanextremelyrare,slowvoicereservedforsituationscompletely
outsideofhisexpectations.ButHigawasthesame.
WhywouldtheRoppongibranchbecontactingthematthistime?Thetechnicianstherewere
completelyunawarethatRATHwasadisguisedbusinessventureoperatingongovernment
defensebudget,thatitsheadquarterswasbasednotonJapanesesoilbutintheOceanTurtle
floatingfaroutinthesouthPacificOcean,andthenameProjectAlicizationshouldbe
completelyforeigntothem.
Ofcourse,theywereevenmoreunlikelytoknowthatRATHwascurrentlyunderattackbya
mysteriousenemy.TheRoppongibranchwassetupentirelyforthedevelopmentofSTLrelated
technologies,merelyanoutsideinstitution.
RightSTL

Suddenly,afeelingofnoticingsomethingflewpastinHigasmind,butKikuokacoughedloudly
beforeHigacouldcatchit.
Ah,ahh,yes.IamKikuokaoftheSTLdevelopmentheadquarters.
Ah,hello,hello!Wevemetbefore.Longtimenosee,IamHiraki,honoredtobethe
developmentdirectorasyouappointedmehere!
Noneedforthiscorporatetalknow,justgettothepoint!!
Higascreamedsilently.Kikuokaputonthesameexpression,butthewordscomingoutofhis
moutheffusedafauxcorporateliketone.
Ah,greetingsandthankyouforyourhardwork,directorHiraki.Itsprettylateareyou
workingovertime?
No,itsjustthatImissedthelasttrainasIwasdrinking.Itsallthefaultoftheofficelocation.
Oh,Roppongi.Ah,donttellthehigherups,hehheh.
Youretalkingtoahigheruprightnow!The
highestup
!Nowjustspititout!!
WhetherHigaswillpowerhadachievedsomeeffectornot,Hirakistoppedhisnonsense,and
quicklychangedhistone.
Ahright,itslikethisWevegotaproblem,itssomethingstrange.Rightnow,
someonessuddenlycomeinfromtheoutsidewithoutanappointment
Fromtheoutside?Isitaclient?

No,itsgotnothingtodowiththatAlso,theylookkindoflikehighschoolgirls,andthere
aretwoofthem
HAH?!
KikuokaandHiga,alongwithProfessorKoujirowhohadstoodupatsometime,yelpedin
unison.
HighHighschoolgirls?
Yeah.Itriedtoturnthemaway,sincethiscompanyssecrecypolicyisverystringent,you
know.Butthethingstheyresaying,makesmethink
AtHirakismeanderingwords,evenHigarosetohisfeet,bothhandsonthecontrolconsole.
Oncemore,Kikuokaexertedhisadmirableironwillpower,andaskedsteadily:
So,whatexactlydidtheysay?
Irememberitwaslike,immediatelycontactKikuokaSeijirouattheRATHheadquarters,and
tellhim:confirmtheUnderworldFLAratenowThatswhattheysaid.
WhWhaaaat?!
Thetwomenyelpedinunisonagain.
Whywouldhighschoolgirlsfromoutsideknowthesewords?!Thesearenotwordsthatthose
whoarentfamiliarwithallofProjectAlicizationwouldknow.

Higa,hismouthhangingopen,exchangedlookswithKikuokaandautomaticallyturnedtowards
thecontrolconsole,hisfingerssailingonthekeyboard.
Onthepitchblackmonitor,thecurrenttimeaccelerationrateappeared.
x1.00.
GhOne?!Whendidthishappen?!
Higaturnedaway,breathinghard,asKikuokafranticallyshoutedintothemouthpiece.
NaName.Didthosetwogirlsmentiontheirnames?
Ah,yes.ThatwasfunnyTheydidntsoundliketheirrealnamesatall.Theytoldmetotell
KikuokasanthattheywereSinonandLeafa.TheylookedJapanese,though.
Clack
.
ThatdrynoisewasthesoundofthecloghangingonKikuokasrightfootfallingtothefloor.
***
OnlyaftertheautomaticlockonthedoortoRATHsRoppongibranchhadclickedopen,and
AsadaShinoandKirigayaSuguhahadtrottedin,didtheartificialintelligenceYuifeelslightly
calmer.
Inparticular,shebreathedasmall
hoh
ofrelief,andallocatedalargeportionofhercalculating
poweronanothertaskshewasrunningatthesametime.

Yuiestimatedthatachievinghergoalswouldcomewithagreatdealofdifficulty,becausethis
wassomethingthatshedefinitelycouldnotbringaboutonherown.
Butatthesametime,ifshefailed,theonessheheldmostdear,KiritoandAsuna,wouldbefaced
withgravedanger.
PullingherconsciousnessawayfromShinosportableterminal,Yuigazedwithroundeyesat
eachofthefourfairiesacrossfromher.
YuiandtheotherswerecurrentlywithintheVRMMORPGALfheimOnline,inKiritoand
AsunasvirtualcabinonFloor22ofNewAincrad.
BeforeYui,whohadtransformedintoaNavigationPixieandwasfloatingintheair,sittingon
thecouchwastheCaitSithplayerSilica,withtriangularearsandsmallfangs.
Besideher,withaheadofmetallicpinkhair,wasLisbeth,aLeprechaun.
Leaninghiswaistonatableaslightdistancefromthem,hisstandingredhairtiedinadrab
bandanna,wasKlein,aSalamander.Andbesidehimwasahugegrayskinnedmanwithhisarms
crossed,Agil,aGnome.
TheywerebattlewornVRMMOplayersoftenknownasSAOsurvivors,whohadlivedthrough
thedeathgameSwordArtOnline,andalsobestfriendsofKiritoandAsuna.Eventhoughit
wascurrentlyveryearlyinthemorning,assoonastheyreceivedYuiscall,theyhadquickly
loggedintoALO,andhadjustfinishedlisteningtoanupdateonthesituation.
Scratchinghisbandannawrappedhead,Kleinsnortedinanaturallycarefreevoiceasseriously
ashecould:

DammitThatidiotgotmixedupallbyhimselfinsomethinghugeagainavirtualworld
madebytheSelfDefenseForce,andarealartificialintelligenceAlicethatappearedthere?
Thatsbeyondtheboundaryofagamenow.
Thatsocalledartificialintelligence,isntjustanNPCinthegamebutanexistenceequalto
humanslikeus?
Lisbethasked.Yuiturnedtowardsherandnoddedforcefully.
Yes,thatiscorrect.HerstructuralprincipleiscompletelydifferentfromanexistingAIlike
myselfsheisarealsoul.KnowninternallyatRATHasArtificialFluctlights.
Andtheywanttoputthemintowarmachinesforuseinwar
WatchingYuiandthelittledragonPina,whowascurleduponherknee,Silicawrinkledher
brow.
Actually,RATHmeanttodisplayitasatechnologicalbaseforademonstrationofpowerBut
accordingtomyestimations,theattackerscurrentlyoccupyingtheOceanTurtlehaveamore
detailedplan.
AtYuiswords,Kleinmusedwithatroubledlook:
Whothehellarethey,thoseattackers.
Thereisa98percentchancethattheyareeitheraffiliatedwiththeUSmilitaryortheUS
intelligencedepartment.
USUSmilitary?!TheAmericanmilitary?!

YuinoddedtowardsLisbeth,whohadrecoiledinshock.
IfAlicefallsintothehandsoftheUSmilitary,thedaywhensheisloadedasAIontounmanned
weaponsandthrustintowarfarewilleventuallyarrive.PapaandMamaareprobablytryingto
stopthisfromhappeningasmuchastheycan.BecauseBecause
Suddenly,Yuibecameconfusedattheinconceivableeffectthatherownemotionaloutput
softwarewascreating.
Largedropletsofliquidrolleddownherface.
Tears.
Imcrying.But,why?
Asthoughherconfusionwasdrivenawayjustbeforegushingout,Yuitightlyclaspedhertiny
handsinfrontofherchestandcontinued:
Because,AliceistheproofthateversinceSAObegan,everysingleVRMMOworldandthe
manypeoplelivingwithinthemhaveexisted,andtheresultoftheconsumptionofrealresources.
Iampositive.TherealgoalofthecreationofTheSeedsoftwarepackageisthebirthofAlice.
Thefourplayerslistenedsilently.Yuistearsflowedunceasinglyasshecontinued:
Itisbecause,amongthecountlessworldsconnectedtogether,thelaughter,crying,sadness,
andloveofcountlesspeoplethelightoftheirsoulsarereflected,sothattruehumanitycanbe
bornintheUnderworld.AlicewasbornfromPapa,Mama,Leafasan,Kleinsan,Lisbethsan,
Silicasan,Agilsan,Sinonsanandthecradlewovenfrommanyotherpeoplessouls!

Yuialsoclosedhermouth,andnoonesaidanythingforawhile.

Yuiwasunabletodiscernthethoughtsandemotionscreatedintheconsciousnessesofthe
peoplearoundher.AnexistingAIthatwasmerelyaninformationaggregatepossessednoreal
emotionsatall,andwasthereforeunabletoprocessrealemotions.Therewasnoonewho
understoodthatbetterthanshedid.
Yes,thisstrongfeelingofwantingtoprotectKiritoandAsuna,andthepeopleshelovedonly
stemmedfromthemostbasiccodewrittenintohermentalhealthcounselingprogram.
Andwhatshesaidweremerelywordscomprisedofsimplelistsofinformation,leavingher
uncertainofhowmuchshecouldconveytohumanhearts.BeforethismeetingbeganYuihad
fearedthisverymomentsincetheinstantshehadflownfromtheOceanTurtlewithaheavy
mission.
SowhenshesawthetransparenttracksoftearssuddenlyflowfromLisbethseyes,Yui
experiencedrareshock.
YYeah.Everything,isconnected.Time,people,likerivers.
Silica,hereyeswet,alsorosetoherfeet,kneltinfrontofYuiandgentlyhuggedherwithboth
hands.
Dontworry,Yui.WellhelpKiritoandAsuna.Please,dontcryanymore.
Yup.Duntreauslikestrangers,Yuippe.TheresnowaywellabandonKirito.
3
Kleintuggedhisbandannadownwards,andagreedinacrackedvoice.Agilnoddedbesidehim,
anddeclaredinasolemnbaritone:

Westillowehimalot.Nowisthetimetorepaysomeofthat.
Everyone
HuggedbySilica,Yuicouldonlysqueezeoutoneword.
Becauseshecouldnotstoptheunknowntearsthathadstartedjustamomentago.
Thereshouldntbeanytimeleft.Istillhavealottosay.Intermsofmyactionprioritization,I
shouldbecalmlyrelayingtheinformation.Hasmyemotionalimitationcircuitbroken?
ButYuiwasoverruledbyacertaincodethatwasberatingherownentireexistence,andcould
onlyrepeatthesamewordsoverandoverasshesobbed.
Thankyou,everyoneThankyoueveryone
Afterafewminutes,Yuimanagedtofightbackhertearsandquicklyexplainedthecurrent
situationtothefourplayersandherestimationsofwhatwouldhappennext.
ThesituationwasthattheattackersandoccupiersoftheOceanTurtle,whereKiritoandAsuna
hadcreatedanannouncementwebsiteinhopesofrecruitingplayers.Itwasestimatedthat
playersluredbythiswebsitewouldbeginappearinginmassivenumbersintheUnderworld.
Kleinfurrowedhisbrowandspokeinaserioustone:
TherellbeatleastthirtythousandplayersdivinginfromtheUSmaybeevenahundred
thousandormoreTothem,KiritoandAsuna,alongwiththeHumanEmpirearmywithAlice
amongthem,aremerelyPvPtargets.

WhatifwewentandfollowedthethreadsonAmericanvideogamesocialmedia?Exposethe
experimentsandtheattack,andturnthemawayfromthisfakeclosedbetaHowaboutthat?
AtLisbethsdirectsuggestion,Yuigentlyshookherhead.
TherealityofthesituationisthatJapaneseandAmericantroopsareengagedinatopsecret
battle.Ifwearbitrarilyexposethat,itmayhavetheoppositeeffect.
Youropponentsarerealhumans,pleasedonotharmanyoneIfwewritesomethinglike
that,itsprobablygoingtocausemoretrouble,huh.
Silicamurmuredgloomily.
ThedeepsilencewasimmediatelyshatteredbyKleinsenergeticvoice.
Hey,letsfightfirewithfire,then!Thenumberofinternetshutinsherewillneverlosetothat
oftheUS.Letsmakeourownclosedbetawebsite,have,umRATHorwhatever,prepare
somemoreaccounts,andwellhavethirtytofortythousandpeopleinnotime!
But,theresoneverytroublesomeproblem.
Agilsaidshortly,hisloglikearmscrossed.
Whatproblemisthat?
Timedifference.ThetimenowinJapanisstill4:30AM,whichiswhenthesmallestnumberof
playersareonline.OntheotherhandintheUS,its12:30PMinLosAngeles,and3:30PMin
NewYork.Intermsofonlineplayernumbers,theothersidehaswaymoreofthem.

Hnnn
Kleinmoaned,asifhehadjustrealizedthis.
Yuinoddedforcefully,havingtheexactsameideafromthebeginning.
Agilsanisright.Ontopofthetimedifferenceproblem,wehavemuchfewerVRMMOplayers
hereinthefirstplace,sorecruitmentwillbeslower,whichmeansthatwewillprobablybe
unabletogatherupevententhousandpeople.Inotherwords,ifweuseaccountswiththesame
levelastheenemies,thechancesofusmatchingthemisveryslim.
But,thegodlevelaccountthatAsunaisusingisalreadygone,right?Theresnotimetotrain
ourlevelfromscratchlikeKiritoLookslikewecanonlychoosethestrongestonesoutofthe
accountsthatRATHpreparesanddoourbest
YuilookedtowardsLisbeth,whowasspeakingwithastiffexpressiononherface.
NoTherearestillmoreaccounts.Thereareaccountsthatarestrongerthanthedefault
accountstheenemyisusingintermsoflevelandequipment.
EhWhWhere?
Everyonehasthem.Theaccountsthateveryoneisloggedinwithrightnow.
Tothegaspingfourplayers,Yuibegantoexplainthecoredetailsofhermission.
Sheknewthatshewasabouttorequestofthemaludicroussacrificeinthefullestsenseofthe
phrase,sheneededthemtohandoveronehalfofthemselves.

Butatthesametime,Yuideeplybelievedthatthesepeoplewoulddefinitelyagree.
Accountconversion!AllofyouandmanyotherVRMMOplayerswillneedtoconvertthe
charactersraisedinnumerousworldsofTheSeed,andtransferthemintotheUnderworld!
(Tobecontinued)

Afterword
ThankyoutoeveryoneforreadingthesixteenthvolumeofSwordArtOnline,[Alicization
Exploding],publishedayearafterthepreviousone.
EversincethebattleintheCentralCathedralended,thestoryhasfinallyextendedfromthe
HumanEmpiretotheentireUnderworldImverysorryformakingeveryonewaitforsolong.
Inthisvolume,Asunafinallydescendsintothebattlefield,andseemslikesomefamiliar
charactersarejoiningthebattleaswell,sofromnowon,IhopeIcanrecoverthenormalpace
untiltheendofAlicizationarc.Afterbeingconstantlyprotectedsincethelastvolume,Kiritoshi
maymakeabigcomebackinthenextone.Ijustcanthelpfeelingso!
Thesubtitleof[Exploding]wasaddedtoreferencethevariousexplosionsandburststhat
occurredinthisvolume.Althoughthenameswerekindofshortatfirst,like[Beginning]and
[Turning],theyvebeengettinglongerandlongerrecently
4
,soIwanttoshortenthenext
volumesnameabit.Below,Illbediscussingtheplotofthisvolumeforabit.Thefirsthalfof
thisvolumeistitled[WaroftheUnderworld],anditgivesatasteofawarchroniclesince
variouscharactersareallfightinginamess.Becauseofthat,Iveshiftedthewritingstylefroma
limitedthirdpersonperspectivetothesocalledomniscientthirdpersonperspective.Please
forgivemeifyouwereconfusedbytheendlesslyappearinginformationthatshouldremain
unknowntothatpartscentralcharacter!

AlthoughIwanttodescribetheauthorssituation,lifehasbeenprettynormallikelasttime,so
therearentanytopicsworthmentioningIhaventbeenplayinganyMMORPGgames
properlythesefewyears.IdlovetostartsomethingnewyetIhaventdonethatsincelongago,
soIatleasttriedawesternopenworldRPGonthePS4,andwow,thatwasawesome.Themaps
toobig,therestoomuchfreedom,soafterwanderingaroundforawhileIforgotwhatwould
happenduringthemainquests.ImprettysurethatifIusedanHMD
5

andmotioncontrollersto
playthiskindofgame,Iwouldntbeabletoreturntotherealworld!Imalwaysdreamingthat
onedaySAOwillbecomelikethiskindofgame,butwhenIpleadedtoproducerFutamioverat
NamcoBandaiEntertainment,PleaseturntheentireUnderworldintosomethingthatyoucan
adventurearoundin!,Ionlygotastupefiedsmileinreturn.
Lastly,someroutinewordsofthanks.Toabecsan,whogavetheStaciaversionofheroine
Asunasanthemostbeautifulandcutestdesignpossible(Sheyta,Renri,andtheGoblinTribal
Chiefsaregreat,too!),andtoMikisan,whoaschiefeditorproofreadsformedeepintothe
night,thankyouverymuch!Seeyounextvolume,everyone!
AcertaindayinJune2015
KawaharaReki

References
1.VRMMOgamementionedinVolume7Chapter7.

2.Roppongi,adistrictofTokyo,isfamousforitsactivenightclubscene.

3.Here,Kleinspeaksinamuchlessformal,relaxedtone.ItisdifficulttoreplicateinEnglish,buthereisanattempt.

4.Referringtothekatakanaofthenames:Beginning,Turning,Rising,Dividing
,Uniting,Invading,Exploding.

5.Headmounteddisplay,usedforvirtualreality.

Credits

Chapter18

TranslationTap

Chapter19

TranslationCredits:
TranslationCJ,luacs1998,defan752
Editingdefan752,ZeHaffen,DarthMewtwo
Scans
TerminologyTap