Aincrad Standard Time, 20:00...

He revealed his blue spiky hair.. Agil went completely shocked after meeting the Oathkeeper's true identity.

Agil: You're-! You're Lai!

Griselda: Lai? The one who cleared 30 Floors by himself!?

He puts the hood back on.. Two of them were still completely shocked..

Oathkeeper: Sorry about leaving you all for a long time..

He hugs him..

Agil: I thought you were a goner!

He grins happily..

Oathkeeper: And that's what I've expected to hear from you. And the others as well when they see me..

Agil: Where had you been in these years!? Everyone was worrying about you!

Oathkeeper: Keeping the world clean and a better place.. Anyway, mind telling us about that Spear?

Agil: But... Asuna told me to keep it-!

Oathkeeper: We're on the same case as well.. We won't bother you much time.

Without any second thought or resistance.. He nods as he agrees with them.

Agil: Okay.. If you said so.. This way..

Timeskip... At the back room..

He hands over the Spear to Oathkeeper..

Agil: This is the Guilty Thorn.. Pretty cool name for its appearance.

He inspects it all over. The Oathkeeper asks..

Oathkeeper: Is this a weapon from drops or crafting?

Agil: It's a Player-made. Crafted by the name called "Grimlock" if I'm correct. But he isn't one of the top blacksmiths, that's for damn sure..

She gasps as the moment she heard the name..

Griselda: Grimlock!?

Agil: You knew him?

Oathkeeper: I assume that he's your lover. Judging by the names.

Griselda: Yes indeed.. Grimlock and I are actually husband and wife, both in this game and.. In real life..

Agil went shocked..

Agil: Damn... Such lovely couple would be trapped in this death game..

She shakes her head..

Griselda: Not anymore.. I felt our personalities have been changed a lot in this game.

Agil: Not just you, everyone had changed a lot since this death game started, remember?

Griselda: Yeah.. I should tell you how my guild was destroyed..

Oathkeeper: ...

Agil: Care to explain that?

Griselda: You see... Golden Apple was the name we picked for our guild. There were 7 members in here, including me and my husband. But Grimlock was really objecting the idea of creating it. But I've done it against his will without ever considering his feeling. And I told him we can't stay in Floor 1 forever. Then, that's what we started to distance ourselves away and I never thought about it before as I grew more stronger and independent.

Oathkeeper: So you spent all your time managing your guild, huh?

Griselda: Yes... In order to play the role as the guild leader, I was fierce to them and determined to reach the front lines to clear the game. I was also very strict to injustice and craftiness due to the fact players can raid other player's items or even.. Murdering them. I guess that reasons enough why they tried to kill me..

Agil: I get how you feel.. Even the Oathkeeper tried to make the world in peace. But bad guys always exist.. No matter what.. And now with the Sleep PKs happened in the Safe Zones recently. It's getting him even hard time to deal with. He had to check every corner inside the Safe Zones as well.

Griselda: Yeah.. That's how he saved me from the Orange Players who tried to assassinate me.

Agil: You're lucky to be saved by him. Or else no one would knew about your death. And you know, Oathkeeper.. You can just arrest them with the Teleport Crystal instead of getting rid of them for sure..

Oathkeeper: ...

He glares at Agil.. He gulps..

Agil: ..Just saying..

Oathkeeper: What if they made the same mistakes in the real world? Then, the consequences could be worse than to this world..

Agil: ...

He sighs...

Agil: Hope you're doing the right thing.. Everyone wouldn't want to see you like this. Especially for Koharu..

Oathkeeper: I'll deal with that when time comes.. And our job here is done.. Let's go, Griselda..

Griselda: Oh.. Okay..

Agil grabs his sleeves.. Couldn't bear for him to see him leave again..

Agil: Just.. Don't die.. You hear me? For everyone's sake in this world.

He grabs the Spear before they leave.

Oathkeeper: Mind I'm taking this with us?

Agil: Uhm... Sure..

Griselda: What you gonna do with it?

Oathkeeper: An eye for an eye... And I got my role to play..

Griselda: Wait.. Don't tell me you're gonna kill Grimlock!

Oathkeeper: You'll see.. Maybe I won't..

Griselda: ...

They both finally leave..

Timeskip... Floor 10, Senja Castle Town..

They are currently strolling through the Japanese-theme town which gives out the similar feels from Tokyo for them, every tourist players around here start staring at them as usual but Griselda had gotten used to it since she's been with him for several months. Then, they stopped by at the casual Japanese restaurant as they decided to spend the night to relief themselves. After ordering for some Japanese Supper and some Sake Beverage to the NPC waiter, Griselda seems to be thinking something deeply..

Griselda: ...

Oathkeeper: Still thinking about why your husband did it?

She sighs..

Griselda: Yeah.. I don't get it.. Maybe someone took his weapon and make him a scapegoat with the fact he made that Spear.

Oathkeeper: You forgot Caynz didn't get killed at all.

Griselda: Oh! Yeah.. You're right.. Sorry..

Oathkeeper: Let's not dwell in it too much. You're ruining the night..

Griselda: I agreed.. But I can't help but doubting that it was all my husband's plan.

Oathkeeper: It's hard to tell from your feelings whether it's real or not. It depends on what you hope.

Griselda: I hope it wasn't him..

Oathkeeper: How can you be so sure?

Griselda: We've been married for a long time.. Back in the real world, we.. We never quarrelled at all since we first met. I was quiet, obedient and submissive to him and he's very caring to me. And come to think about that..

Oathkeeper: ?

She puts her hand at her cheek as she daydreams about their love life from their past.

Griselda: Ah~ It was very romantic at that time~

The Oathkeeper collapsed.. But the romantic part suddenly reminds him something..

Oathkeeper: Why do I feel that familiar before? *Sweatdropped*

Then, memories start playing in his mind.. In Floor 20, he remembers Koharu said that when she knows about the Lone Tree Seed. He had a thought of sharing it with her. But he never get the chance anymore so he murmurs out her name as he missed her a lot..

Oathkeeper: Koharu...

Griselda: But it was a long time ago.. After the game started, we changed.. To the point we can never returned to what we used to be in the real world.. In first, I thought we would be the same as husband and wife and get married in this world. But then, I started to oppose Grimlock's idea as I become independent and I ended up training with my enlisted guildmates oftenly.

Oathkeeper: Maybe that's the reason?

Griselda: Maybe not.. I don't want to think about that..

Oathkeeper: My apologies..

Griselda: But.. Time flies fast.. And why are you doing all this for me? Even though we never knew each other well in these past months.

He silents for a while.. Then, he starts to explain as he tightens his fist.

Oathkeeper: You might be right about the "Injustice" part..

Griselda: What do you mean?

Oathkeeper: I was once almost died at the hands of the Orange Players.. Before they did, I wielded that hatred of mine in order to protect the one I loved.. Especially for that girl until now..

Griselda: I see.. That's really sad.. But if I remember correctly.. You must be talking about that girl named Koharu, right? I heard about you two known as the Top Tier Players in the Front Lines. And your progress is what encouraged me to go forward..

He nodded..

Oathkeeper: Glad you did.. But.. Now.. I can't face her like this. I might no longer be able to hold her dear to me without tainting her pure side with my hands covered in other's blood. And she would never see me as the way I am from the past.. Especially not the bright side of me that I used to be, anymore..

Griselda: No, it's all about connection. As long as your intentions and feelings are pure and true to her. She won't blame you for everything you did..

He turned her down in cold tone..

Oathkeeper: It's pointless to say it now.. Only time will give us the true answer..

Griselda: Maybe not.. You still can change the tide if you can.. Especially before it's too late..

Oathkeeper: Thanks.. Like I said.. I got my role to play. Just like everyone else..

She smiles..

Griselda: You're welcome.. Glad I can be your Personal Counselor.

Then, the NPC waiter serves them with Takoyakis and a bottle of Sake. Not long enough, they both spent the night and Griselda went drunk and the Oathkeeper sighs as he brought her to an Inn. Guarding her for a whole night on the other side of the separated bed before the drowsiness invades his mind as well..

The next day... Floor 57, Marten Town.

They both arrived back at the Town just two floors behind the Front lines as he believes this is the place where Kirito and Asuna are going to interrogate Yolko about the incident.

Griselda: That was kinda decent sleep. Thanks for keeping an eye out on me.

He yawns at his lowest tone..

Oathkeeper: *Yawn* (What a carefree woman.. Even though she clearly knows she's in the death game..)

Griselda: So what's our plan?

Oathkeeper: We can't approach them at all. We have to think on our way this time. Let's refresh every clues we have..

Griselda: Okay..

They list every clues and analysis..

Griselda: 8 members.. Caynz, Yolko, Schmitt, Grimlock, me and the other three. But I'm sure the others are innocent. Caynz had faked his death.. Yolko's with Kirito and Asuna. Schmitt and Grimlock are nowhere to be found..

Oathkeeper: About the ring, 5 of 8 decided to sell the ring.. Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt are the ones who against of selling it to a broker.

He grabs out the Guilty Thorn.. And repeats what Agil said at that night as he inspects carefully.

Oathkeeper: Made by Grimlock... But forged in a casual way.. Why would he did it if he doesn't have a high level of Blacksmith Skill?

Griselda: Maybe someone requested him to make one..

Oathkeeper: That would be one of your members, Caynz.. He planned to fake his death with Grimlock's weapon. But I'm still lacking something else..

Griselda: You said they're trying to lure out the masterminds.

Oathkeeper: Correct, there'll be only two of them, Grimlock and Schmitt.. They never showed up before, remember?

Griselda: ...Yeah.. Only two of them..

Oathkeeper: But Schmitt.. I saw him for a couple times in the Front Lines. He's the leader of the defense unit from the Holy Dragon Alliance, and an Exceptional Lancer..

Griselda: He must have joined another guild after Golden Apple was destroyed..

Oathkeeper: What about Grimlock?

Griselda: I have no idea where he is now...

Oathkeeper: ...

He starts doubting Grimlock.. But he sighs as he forgot something important.. Something about a single feature in the Marriage system..

Oathkeeper: Can you tell me about the features of the Marriage system?

Griselda: Why?

Oathkeeper: I forgot something important. Something that holds the key to this case.

Griselda: When they're married, both players can get to know each other's location and everything through messages, no matter how far they are.. Married players can also be able to access their shared storage, so they can obtain the items they need, no matter how distance they are.

Oathkeeper: If you died.. Then the rest of the items would transfer to the other player who is still alive. Think about it, remember you're just presuming dead?

She starts thinking..

Griselda: If I died.. The ring would go to Grimlock.. So..

They both finally figure out.

Oathkeeper: You're thinking what I'm thinking?

Griselda: He hired the killer on that night.. But rooms in the Inn are supposed to be locked..

Oathkeeper: The Teleport Crystals.. With that and precise enough to mark the coordinates you wanna go. Anyone can access into your room without going through the door.

Griselda: So that's how I got killed.. But you revived me in time..

Oathkeeper: But I never get the chance to ask who hired them.. And now.. We got what we want.. It all make sense now..

Griselda: So it was really Grimlock's idea.. Why.. He agreed on selling it as well!

Oathkeeper: Not only that.. Caynz and Yolko are going to be in danger..

Griselda: What do you mean?

Oathkeeper: Grimlock must had saw through their plans.. That's why he forged the weapon to them. Cooperating with them and then using them as his pawns. Once they get to know the truth. He'll hire the Player Killers again to silence them for sure..

She tightens her fist as she couldn't believe her husband betrayed her..

Griselda: I'm not letting him make the same mistakes again. And find out why he did all of this...

He puts his hand on her shoulder..

Oathkeeper: I think we should go with the flow.. And now.. They're probably trying to tell Schmitt about the murder..

Griselda: Right..

Timeskip... Aincrad Standard Time, 17:00...

After getting information about the time and venue for their next meeting during their interrogations. They eavesdrop them from the lower floor of the buildings where Yolko is telling Schmitt about the murder now. Unfortunately, they can't see their interaction.

Schmitt: So that's what killed Caynz.. And you're sure about the Spear.. Was it really Grimlock's?

Yolko: There's no doubt..

Schmitt: !!

They heard him start freaking out..

Schmitt: But then why would he wait 6 months to kill him!? Unless.. Wait, could he have stolen the ring! Did you think it's possible he killed Griselda after all!? Does Grimlock wanted to kill the three of us, because we didn't want to sell the damn ring!? Is that why he's after you and me now!?

Yolko: Maybe Grimlock made the Spear for someone else from our guild. And maybe they're the ones who killed Caynz. Or maybe.. Griselda has come back from the dead to get her revenge.

Schmitt: Huh?

Yolko: A player can't kill another player inside the Safe Zone. But something else like a ghost could.

He sounds gasp..

Schmitt: *Gasp*

Oathkeeper: So that's how she digs out the truth.. Using your Ghost fact to scare him out..

Griselda: Yolko..

Then, Yolko continues..

Yolko: I couldn't sleep at all last night... So I stayed up, thinking..

The panicking rises up..

Yolko: It was everyone's fault!! Everyone in the guild is guilty!! Her blood is on all our hands!!

Oathkeeper: ?

Griselda: Huh?

Yolko: Her fate was sealed when that ring dropped!! We should've abort it!! We should done what Griselda told us to do!

Then, the atmosphere turns silent..

Yolko: Grimlock was the only one... The only member of the guild who said we shouldn't leave the decision to Griselda. You see.. He's the one of us who can avenge Griselda. He's the only member of her guild who has the right to avenge her.

Schmitt: You gotta be kidding.. You gotta be kidding! Why now!? After all this time!? Why kill us now!? You can't be okay with this, Yolko! How can you accept being killed over some stupid Vendetta!?

Oathkeeper: Here's the moment of the truth..

Griselda: Why are you sound so excited about this? *Sweatdropped*

Oathkeeper: Ahem... My apologies...

*Stab!*

Oathkeeper: !!

Griselda: What was.. That?

He rushes outside to check the window.. Seeing a thorn-bladed dagger had strucked on Yolko's back and she is about to fall on the ground. When she does.. Griselda witnesses that and gasps a bit while Yolko recognizes the Oathkeeper as she glances at him slightly before she bursts into fragments, only left is the dagger. Then, a shout alerts the Oathkeeper.

Kirito: Oathkeeper!?

Oathkeeper: !!

He starts runs away from the Black Swordsman after he got found out in the open by him..

Kirito: Keep an eye on him!

Asuna: No! Wait!

Kirito jumps out of the window and starts his pursuit. Griselda secretly teleports away just what he had told her to. Oathkeeper rushes to the alleyway to shake off from his sight.

Kirito: You're not getting away with this!!

He turns to the same alley and see him running straight forward. As he unsheathes his sword, he notices a Teleport Crystal was held in the Oathkeeper's hand.

Kirito: (Where the hell does he think he's going!?)

That's what he changes his attack with throwing skills. He throws several sharp spikes to him and obviously, he catches them all between his fingers and throws it back. Kirito dodges all of it but he got slowed down a bit from the counterattack. The Oathkeeper heads right of the alley. As the Black Swordsman turns to another alley, He had lost his sight of the Oathkeeper completely.

Kirito: Damn it..!

He looks around, frustrated.. But when he turns around, Kirito just saw him lands behind him from his spider-climbing between the walls.

Kirito: How did he-!?

The Oathkeeper quickly grabs his neck and lifts him up entirely. Kirito struggles from him.

Oathkeeper: Her revenge will soon completed...

Kirito: Why..! Why are you doing this!? They both are..! Innocent!

He tightens his grip.. Kirito feels the pain despite it didn't drop his HP down at all. The Oathkeeper looks away and murmurs out as he couldn't bear hurting his own friends..

Kirito: Ugh!!!

Oathkeeper: I'm sorry... Kirito...

Kirito: !?

He throws the Black Swordsman, crashing against the wall with a needle pricked onto Kirito's waist, causing him to lose his mobility by the Paralysis status ailment. The Oathkeeper casually walks away from him..

Oathkeeper: Sachi wouldn't want to see you like this...

He teleports in the moment when the bell rings. Kirito curses under his breath..

Kirito: Shiet...

Then, he couldn't do but to head back to the Inn where Asuna guarded Schmitt..

Timeskip... Floor 19, Hill Of The Cross...

*Teleport sound*

Griselda: Oathkeeper! Did he lost you?

He nods..

Oathkeeper: But I've done what I shouldn't.. I apologize to you..

Griselda: It's fine.. Now, we just have to wait, right?

He hands her a Crystal of invisibility and a Recording Crystal.

Oathkeeper: Put this on.. Wait for them to show up and we'll record everything..

Meanwhile in Floor 57...

Kirito just enter the room and Asuna scolds him while she unsheathed her Rapier.

Asuna: You idiot! What's your problem!?

Kirito: ...

She calms herself and sheathes her weapon back.

Asuna: Well.. What happened?

Kirito: I lost him.. He teleported off somewhere.. But it was the Oathkeeper who's behind this.

Asuna: What!? Why!?

Kirito: He's probably avenging for Griselda now.. But.. The system is supposed to protect players inside the Inns. I thought if anywhere she'd be safe in here. Damn it...!

He punches against the wall and prompted an Immortal Object. Schmitt starts freaking himself out.

Schmitt: So the Legendary Oathkeeper is coming after me as well.. I'm so dead right now... I'm so dead!!! Think about it! Griselda's ghost must've told him everything and requested him to avenge for her!

He starts laughing in total lunatic.. Kirito explains his analysis about how the Oathkeeper killed Yolko inside the Safe Zone.

Kirito: He's using the system to kill.. That's the only way these murders could have happened in a Safe Zone! I'm sure about this right now!

Asuna: But he didn't kill Caynz at all..

Kirito: Yeah.. I almost forgot that he's with us.. But why he's there? What's he doing down there?

Asuna: ...Let's try tracking him down..

Kirito: Okay.. But he's strong, we have to work together seriously..

Asuna: Yeah...

Timeskip...

They had failed to track him down so they stayed resting in Floor 57.

Asuna: *sigh* I don't know what to think.. How did he get the information about the Golden Apple and everything? I feel he's already ahead of us right now.. After seeing two people die mysteriously, I'm starting to think it's possible..

Kirito: No.. That definitely wasn't him who killed Yolko. Because he's a player and player can't kill another one inside the Safe Zone no matter what.. But.. How did he do that?

Asuna: ...

She couldn't said anything as they didn't find any clues after what they had done so far.

Kirito: This is getting very hard... My head's gonna burst..

Asuna: Here..

Kirito: Hm?

She hands him over a pack of Sandwich..

Kirito: What? Is that for me?

Asuna: Well, what do you think I'm doing, showing it off? Are you gonna take it or what?

Kirito: Uhh.. Okay, thanks.. Thank you.

Asuna: Better eat it fast before it disappears, its durability is almost down to zero

Kirito: Oh! Uh.. Right!

He takes a bite of it and pauses as he is savoring the flavor.

Kirito: It's delicious...

He takes another bite to savor it again..

Kirito: When the heck did you find time to pick this up?

Asuna: I have a feeling we wouldn't have time for lunch today. So this morning I packed one for us. Hurry up and eat it, okay?

Kirito: Gotta hand it to you, for a Second-In-Command of the Knights of the Blood Oath. You rock.. Where'd you buy these anyway?

Asuna: I didn't...

Kirito: Huh?

Asuna: I made it..

He stares at her confusedly..

Asuna: Yes, I can cook.. So what?

He gulps as he just remembers that..

Kirito: Wow.. I forgot about that already. And I don't know what to say. With the fact it's so delicious, you make a killing for selling these! Haha!

She stomps on the ground to scare him. He accidentally drops the Sandwich and it got burst as its durability had reached to Zero. Asuna taunts at him verbally.

Asuna: Should've been eating instead of talking..

He knees on the ground.. She started to feel a bit bad..

Asuna: Are.. Are you crying?

Kirito: Shh!

Asuna: ?

Kirito: No way!! That's right! That's it!

Asuna: What's it? What did you just figured out?

Kirito: The Oathkeeper didn't killed her! Because the game doesn't allow murdering inside the Safe Zone!

Asuna: Huh?

Back to Floor 19, Hill Of The Cross...

After camping around Griselda's tomb, they both noticed Yolko and Caynz are dressed in a black robe, camping along with them but unnoticed. Then, Schmitt shows up and knees in front of Griselda's Tomb..

Oathkeeper: Here he comes..

Griselda: ...

He confesses everything..

Schmitt: Griselda... The only way I can be Safe now is if you forgive me. I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry.. Please forgive me, Griselda! I swear..! I never thought this was going to happen, you have to believe me!

A mysterious voice echoes the scene and the silent atmosphere..

???: Oh.. Really?

Schmitt: *Gasp!*

It repeats again.. And again..

???: Oh.. Really...? Oh.. Really...?

Then, something came behind him.. He turns around and saw a ragout rabbit.. Then, it hops away.. But the Oathkeeper catches it without being noticed.

Oathkeeper: Got it..

Griselda: Oh.. Really? -_-

Schmitt: *Gasp!*

As Schmitt turns back, a mysterious black robe player is standing in front of him and it almost freaks him out of his soul.

Schmitt: !!

???: What did you do to me? Tell me, Schmitt.. Tell me what you did.. Tell me now..

She takes out the Guilty Thorn..

Schmitt: Okay..! Okay! The day we voted to sell the ring, I looked at my belt pouch! There was a Crystal and a note with the instructions!

A male voice came in..

???: Who were they from?

Schmitt: *Gasp!*

???: Who gave you them?

Schmitt: !?

As he looks up, another black robe player shows up.. Schmitt recognizes him as Grimlock.

Schmitt: Grimlock..! You were dead too!?

???: Tell me... I want to know who gave you those instructions.

Schmitt: I don't know! I swear I don't know! The note said for me to bind the Crystal.. To Griselda's room at the Inn she was staying at.. So whoever it was could get in. Then I had to put the Crystal when the guild shared storage!

Griselda: Schmitt...

???: Then what?

Schmitt: That's all I did!! I swear! I didn't want her to die! I didn't want to be part of that! Please!! Believe me!!

He desperately begging them to forgive him. As the fog cleared, two mysterious figure we're revealed..

Yolko: We recorded everything you said, Schmitt...

Schmitt: Huh?

He looks up.. It was Caynz and Yolko the whole time.. Schmitt is even freaking out but relieved as he just knew they're alive.. He notices a recording Crystal floating on Yolko's hand.

Schmitt: You two are alive.. And you were recording? So that's how it is.. Huh? You cared about what happened to Griselda after all.

Caynz: Of course we did, but you didn't betray her because you hated her, did you?

Schmitt: No! I didn't hate her, honest. I mean.. Sure, I feel guilty getting money for my part of it, but the rare weapon I bought helped me get into the Holy Dragon Alliance. So..!

*Ching!*

Schmitt: Ugh!!

Caynz: !!

Yolko: !!

Oathkeeper: ?

Griselda: What the..

A blade strucked on his shoulder, a poison had spread through Schmitt's body. Then, three Orange Players just show up..

Orange Player 1: One down!

The other two points them with their swords.

Schmitt: No way..!

Orange Player 2: That's a one hell of a catch. A big shot from the Holy Dragon Alliance.

Griselda: No.. We gotta-

The Oathkeeper stops her immediately in their invisible cloak.

Oathkeeper: Let them be.. For a while..

Then, she hesitated..

Griselda: ...

Orange Player 2: Alright.. What game should we play with these three?

Orange Player 1: Oh I know, I know! Let's play the one where they have to kill each other! Last one standing wins!

Orange Player 3: I know it's your favorite but last time we did that, you killed the winner anyway!

Orange Player 1: Oh come on! You spoiled it! It's no fun if they know they're gonna die!

Their games had triggered the Oathkeeper's past.. Fists are tightening hard as Adamant, his pupils start turning red and his rage and hatred rise up that would cause him lose control anytime..

Orange Player 3: Alright, let's get this show on the road..

As his Large Dagger is about to chop down on Schmitt's head. They all hear a sound of horse riding coming to them and they back away a bit.. Due to Kirito's first time riding a horse, he lands on the ground horribly.

Kirito: Looks like I made it just in time.

He slaps the horse and it returns away.

Kirito: So.. Now what? I got 30 players from the Assault Team coming. You guys want to stay and fight them?

He unsheathes his sword, ready to battle them. After a while, one of the Orange Players snaps his finger. Telling them to sheathe their weapons.

Orange Player 3: Come on..

They all casually just walk away.. But.. A potion had thrown out, splashing all over the Orange Players but it didn't hurt them at all..

Orange Player 1: (What the-!)

Kirito: !?

A black figure just came out from his invisible cloak. It was the Oathkeeper..

Kirito: Oathkeeper!? What are you doing here!?

He tries to stop him as he knew he was going for the kill. The Oathkeeper smacks him away to a tree.

Kirito: Ugh!! Huh?

He got shocked even more is his eyes glowing red.. He grabs out his Dark General's Sword as he slowly walks towards them.. As the Orange Players are freaking out, one of them failed to use the Teleport Crystal due to his Silence Status Ailment had applied on them by the potion.

Orange Player 2: (I can't speak!)

Kirito: Wait! No!

Oathkeeper: Long time no see...

He cuts off all of their arms and legs.. Only leaving their living bodies on the ground, unable to scream out but only in their minds as they feel the enormous pain.

Orange Player 3: (Ugh!!!)

Orange Player 1: (Ahhhh!!!!!)

As he turns the Sword in Back-handed. He stabs the Player's head. Slowly pulling from up to down and cutting his entire body in half.

*Slash!* *Burst!*

Oathkeeper: One down...

He turns to one of the two Players who are still surviving and struggling.. He unsheathes his Sword and rip a large hole on the Player's stomach till the Player's HP drops down to Zero.

*Tush!* *Crush!* *Burst!*

Oathkeeper: Two down...

Then, he walks to the last one.. The Oathkeeper starts tearing his head off from his body.

Orange Player 1: (No!! Nooo!!!)

*PLACK!!!* *Burst!*

After the torturing, everyone just witness that and frozed completely.. Kirito stands up..

Kirito: What are you doing!? I thought you supposed to catch them alive! Not killing them!

Oathkeeper: The consequences would be worse if they keep on murdering, in this world and even in the Real Life.. Do you want that happen to you?

Kirito: But still..! This is all wrong!

Oathkeeper: What do you know about vengeance? Black Swordsman...

Kirito: Uh...

Oathkeeper: Predictable response...

The Oathkeeper reveals everything about the case..

Oathkeeper: Anyway, I had figured out everything, especially about Griselda's death..

Schmitt: You.. You did!?

He faces Yolko and Caynz..

Oathkeeper: You two tricked us to help out to seek the truth, is that right?

They both couldn't do but to nod..

Yolko: You won't believe me at all but after it was over.. I was going to tell Kirito the truth. I am sorry we had to trick you to help us out, Oathkeeper.

Schmitt: Kirito.. Thanks for saving me but.. How did you two figured it out? How did you know those three would attack us here? And how did you knew about it too, Oathkeeper?

Oathkeeper: Recently, Griselda had requested me to do something for her when I was in Floor 19, just in a few days ago.. To seek the truth about her deceased.

Everyone got shocked..

Kirito: But.. How?

Yolko: Don't tell me.. That the ghost is really Griselda!? Who is being with you this whole time!?

He nods..

Oathkeeper: She is.. She told me everything and now she's here...

Schmitt: *Gasp!*

Caynz: So it's true...

Oathkeeper: You had anything to say to her?

Yolko: Yes.. I've been longing to say it to her... Before she goes..

She knees in front of Griselda's Tomb. On the other side, Griselda is listening carefully.. Still in her Invisible cloak as she hides behind the tree.

Yolko: Please forgive me and Caynz, Griselda.. You used to be very fierce and strict towards our craftiness.. But we both still truly respect you as a capable guild leader to us..

Griselda: (Yolko...)

Caynz: Griselda... Forgive us for using such cunning way to seek out the truth we always wanted to know... And we ended up terrorized the players inside the Safe Zone. Causing unnecessary nightmares to them.. I'm sorry..

Griselda: (Caynz... You two had done so much for me..)

Then, Schmitt confesses everything to her..

Schmitt: Griselda.. I never hated you in the first place. Even if I did.. The thoughts of murdering you has never been crossed my mind at all.. I still want you as our leader! And I promise that I'll never hate you again!

After their confession, Griselda couldn't help but smile serenely.. A tear flows through her cheek..

Griselda: (Thank you, Yolko, Caynz, Schmitt..)

Meantime with the Black Swordsman and the Oathkeeper..

Kirito: Looks like they all made it out in the end.. I hope Griselda would rest in peace this time for sure. So how did you figured all out?

Oathkeeper: ...

Kirito: Not a talkie, huh?

As they finished confessing, Kirito asks Yolko.

Kirito: Hey, Yolko.. Caynz.. Level with me, you guys ask Grimlock to make the spear and the knife, didn't you?

She nods..

Yolko: We did.. But he was against our plan from the beginning. All he wanted was to like Griselda rest in peace.

Caynz: He did forged the weapons for us.. But only after we got down on our knees and begged him.

Oathkeeper: So it all makes sense.. After all.. It's all planned by Grimlock. Including yours entirely..

Caynz: Really?

Kirito: Yeah.. Sorry but he had a different reason for not liking your plan. Griselda had nothing to do with it.

Yolko: You mean..?

Kirito: He was worried faking PK's in a Safe Zone was gonna draw a lot of attention. He didn't want to take the risk of someone's snooping around for answers. Asuna and I figured the whole thing out about half an hour ago.

Oathkeeper: About the ring.. It was in Grimlock's storage the whole time.. The Killer didn't stole it at all. Remember the feature of the Marriage System?

Yolko: If you're talking about Griselda and Grimlock.. If one of them died, everything would go to the surviving spouse, right?

Caynz: So the ring and Griselda's storage should be sitting in Grimlock's storage. Not the killers..

Schmitt: So it's been sitting there this whole time!?

The Black Swordsman nods..

Kirito: Yeah.. Grimlock was basically stealing it the minute he put his plan into action.

Schmitt: So it really was Grimlock... And those were his instructions. And he killed Griselda too!

Kirito: No.. I doubt he was the one who actually killed her. Although, I'm pretty sure he went and found himself a Red Player to do it for him.

Oathkeeper: I hate to say this.. But it's true...

Yolko: My God... But then if he did really have her killed! Why would he go all that trouble just to help us out!?

Kirito: You explain the plan to him.. In detail, didn't you?

Yolko: !!

Oathkeeper: Your plan was the perfect chance for him to bury the Ring's incident and any witnesses once and for all.. All he had to do is to hire another Red Player, sit back and watching you all get killed in the horrible end in front of his very eyes..

After the explaination, they all finally figured out.. In the meanwhile, Asuna just tracked down a mysterious figure who is being stalking them the whole time.

Schmitt: That's it.. That's why.. They knew we would be here because he hired them!

Kirito: Yeah.. My guess is it was probably the same bunch he hired to kill Griselda.

Yolko: Oh my God..

Caynz got on hold of her as she is about to faint by the fact.. Then, Asuna just returned to them along holding the man in a Black Suit, Hat and Sunglasses with her..

Asuna: Found him..

Oathkeeper: Nice to see you again, Vice Commander...

She grunts..

Asuna: Would you stop calling me that?

Oathkeeper: ...

Grimlock: Hello.. Long time no see, Comrades..

Yolko: I can't believe it.. Did you.. Did you really planned this?

His silence response gives her a unspecific yes..

Yolko: How could you, Grimlock!? Answer me!! Why did you killed Griselda!? Was it the money!? Was the money so important to you that you killed your own wife for it!?

Grimlock: Hmph... Money... Did you say money?

Griselda: ...Grimlock..

He starts giggling with evil.. But then, he starts confessing and denies the money part.

Grimlock: It wasn't for the money... I had to.. No matter what, I have to kill her while we were stucked in this world.. I have to kill her while she was still my wife.. And because she was also my wife in the real world.

Every members gasp by the truth.. Especially Griselda as she couldn't believe that..

Griselda: (Why, Grimlock!?)

Grimlock: In a way, she was the perfect wife, ideal. So pretty, so submissive.. The whole time we were together, we never had a single fight. But we were trapped in here.. In this world... She changed...

Griselda: !!

She remembered what Agil had said to her, about how everyone's personalities were changed in the death game..

Griselda: (So that's the reason...)

Grimlock: In here, I was the one who was afraid.. Terrified of playing this death game. But she looked so much happier in here. More alive than she ever did in the real world..

Oathkeeper: !!!

He raises his voice...

Oathkeeper: So you did that because she changed into another person you didn't like!?!

Kirito: Oathkeeper...

Oathkeeper: She was trying to live the best for herself... And you selfishly took her life away from it!?! So she would be only existing in your heart forever!?

Grimlock: That is true enough.. I'm glad you figured how I feel... There's nothing I could do about it... She changed.. The Yuuko I loved was gone!

She tries to hold her cries..

Griselda: (*Sob* Forgive me...)

Grimlock: Gone! But then I realized I didn't have to live with the way she was, murder is part of this game! If I couldn't have the Yuuko I loved back! I'd settle for the memory of her and who could blame me!?

Kirito: That's why you did it? That's the reason you killed your wife?

Grimlock: It's reason enough.. And someday you understand too.. Once you found love.. Believe me, you would do anything to keep it..

Then, he walks towards Grimlock..

Oathkeeper: You're wrong...

Grimlock: Huh?

He starts rushing and a punch blows on his stomach.. His hood suddenly dropped off by the rush, revealing his face to everyone. Asuna's eyes were widened in surprised.

*Tush!!!*

Grimlock: Augh!!!!

Asuna: Lai!?

Kirito: I knew it!

He turns his punch, along twisting with his guts.. Causing him to cough out some saliva out.

Grimlock: *Cough!*

Asuna: What are you doing!?

He points at her with his Sword.. She couldn't but to back away..

Kirito: Lai! You don't have to do this!

Lai: ...

He releases his fist and lands a blow on his face directly.. He falls on the ground and grins..

Grimlock: You're-! The one who cleared 30 Floors! You're going to kill me, aren't you? Just what I would expect from the Legendary Oathkeeper.. It's fine.. Dying peacefully with Griselda forever is not such a bad idea..

Lai: You're all wrong, Grimlock... You did get the ring at the moment she died.. But why would I know that?

Grimlock: What do you mean? Don't tell me...!

He snaps his finger.. Signaling someone out from the invisible cloak.

Lai: You can come out now.. My dear...

Kirito: ?

Everyone was confused.. Then, it was Griselda.. Alive and kicking.. But with a blank expression.. Holding a Recording Crystal. Everyone just got their eyes widened..

Kirito and Asuna: !!

Yolko: *Gasp!* Gri-! Griselda!? You're alive!?

Caynz: No way...!

Schmitt: My God...

Griselda: I had recorded everything you said, Grimlock..

Her presence had scared Grimlock completely..

Grimlock: Griselda...!? But.. What did you just called her?

He holds her hand gently.. She looks away from Grimlock..

Lai: She's no longer yours anymore from the moment you disappointed her with the intention of killing her. She's mine.. All mine.. Forever...

Grimlock: Griselda..

Griselda: ...

He knees on the ground immediately.. Begging her.

Grimlock: Griselda! I'm sorry! I just couldn't accept the new you in this world while I'm in fear of playing this death game! I just wanted to live the way we did in the real world!

Griselda: But why you didn't want to tell me about the problems? Because you hated me, didn't you?

Grimlock: No! I swear I just want the Yuuko I love back to me!

Griselda: You're a liar.. You've let me down because you just wanna steal away my life and my happiness! That's not what love is!

Grimlock: Please, Griselda! I won't do that anymore I promise!

Griselda: I can no longer trust you, Grimlock.. I would rather die in his hand than resting in your heart.. Because he kept his Oath to me for six months since he revived me..

Grimlock: Yuuko... What have you done to her, Oathkeeper!?!

Lai: I merely just developing a relationship with her.. And additionally, making someone like you as the total cuckold feels really satisfied for me..

Grimlock: You bastard... Give her back to me!!

He merely just catches Grimlock's punch. Twists his entire arm and gives him a slap down on the ground. He pins Grimlock down and slaps again, again and again nonstop... Griselda tries to stop him as she sudden feels the same pain..

Griselda: Stop it!!

Lai: You're too soft..

Griselda: Because he's still my husband after all! No matter what!

Lai: ...

He raises up his Sword..

Lai: I guess I'll just have to cut you off to end the suffering..

Grimlock: !!

Then, the Sword just swing down. Instead of killing Grimlock for sure, he ends Griselda's pain. In front of his very eyes...

Grimlock: Yuuko!!

She falls down to the ground, whispering a few words before she dies..

Griselda: I guess.. I still love you.. In the end..

*Burst!*

Grimlock: *Gasp!* YUUKO!!!

Then, he immediately grabs out a Revival Crystal and points his Sword at Grimlock..

Lai: Your wife has 10 seconds to live.. Either want me to save her, or die in my hands so you two can be together again..

He starts the countdown immediately..

Lai: 10!!!

Grimlock: !!

Lai: 9!!!

Kirito: Revive her now! She'll die if you don't!

Lai: 8!!!

Asuna starts attacking as she tries to snatch the Revival Crystal from him. He dodges that.

Lai: 7!!!

Asuna: Come on, Kirito! We gotta snatch that Crystal!

Kirito: Oh! Got it!

He unsheathes his Sword and clashing against Oathkeeper with his Sword. Asuna takes her another chance to snatch it. But Kirito's Sword is about to break.

Kirito: !!

*Break!*

Lai: 6!!!

He grabs his neck and lifts him up, again..

Kirito: Ugh...! Again!?

He violently throws him to Asuna who is going for the attack, both crashing against the tree. Asuna drops her Rapier and they had lost the strength to stand out as their HPs had dropped to a few pixels..

Kirito: We can't stop him at all..

Asuna: What is he trying to do?

He shouts the countdown..

Lai: 5!!!

Grimlock: Please forgive me, Oathkeeper! I won't do that again!

Lai: 4!!!

Grimlock: !! What do you want to me to say!?

Lai: 3!!!

His panic rises up.. He couldn't think about anything at all..

Lai: 2!!!

Grimlock: Please give me some time to think! Have mercy on us!

Lai: 1!!!

Grimlock: I love her! I truly love her!! I promise I'll treat her well! No matter what she had became!

Before the timer reaches Zero, he uses the Crystal and revives Griselda back to life.. She was terrified by the death and glad that she got revived just in time.

Griselda: I came back.. Again..

Lai: Sorry for doing that without your consent.. But you heard the promise..

Griselda: ...

Grimlock: Yuuko... I know my mistakes now.. I promise I would treat you better from now on..

Then, she hugs him tightly.. A song starts playing on its own.

Griselda: Actually.. In these months, I missed you so much.. Kuro...

Grimlock: Yuuko...

Griselda: It all thanks to him.. Not only he saved my life.. He helped me realized what I used to be in the Real life and I found my true self.. Because not only me, everyone's personalities had changed in this world.. It's normal to be scared when playing this death game..

Grimlock: But why are you looked so much happier that time?

Griselda: Because you had brought me to this world, along with you of course. A world that makes us feel more alive and lively.. I'm happy to be with you in a new world like this.. So that's why...

Grimlock: Yuuko..

Griselda: Let's build a new guild.. A new Golden Apple that only filled with utmost peace.

He starts crying as his heart shattered by the guilt after what he done to her.. Griselda soothes him down.. As he watches them reconciling, the Oathkeeper could suddenly see a figure of his long lost partner.. Standing in front of him, smiling at him..

Lai: Koharu...

Meanwhile... In Floor 48, Lindarth..

Koharu is sitting outside of Lisbeth's Smith Shop.. Staring at the sky. She closes her eyes and let her heart says what it wants.. Then, that's when the System carries her figure to Floor 19..

Back to them..

She starts speaking, but he can't hear what she says at all and only seeing her lips move. He slowly follows her lips moving and repeats what she just said.

Lai: Thank... You... For... Helping... Them...

After figuring out, he can't help but grins..

Lai: Glad you're doing okay..

The members joins the couple and both of them up..

Caynz: Oath- I mean Lai... We appreciate your help but I think this is our problem to deal with now.

He nods..

Lai: Okay..

Yolko bows at him..

Yolko: Thank you for everything..

He did the same and after they all leave the Floor together.. He heads to Kirito and Asuna who both of them just got up.

Lai: You two okay?

Kirito: Uhm.. No.. That hurts a lot..

Asuna: What are you thinking!? You're gonna kill someone if the time expired!

Lai: ...Sorry.. You two must have hate me so much..

She looks at his avatar..

Asuna: But.. Is this.. Really you? It's been a year since I saw you..

He looks at himself..

Lai: ...I wish I didn't want to be like this.. Not in front of her especially..

Asuna: But Koharu's been waiting for you like every day. Why don't you just come back to us?

Kirito stops her..

Lai: Because I don't wanna taint her by my own hands..

Asuna: What do you mean?

Kirito shakes his head, telling him not to reveal the reasons..

Lai: ...It's nothing actually.. But someday, I'll come back to you all as the real me..

Asuna: And one more question...

Lai: ?

She asks the most important one..

Asuna: How'd you feel about Koharu?

Lai: ...

After a while, he chuckles...

Lai: Can't you tell it already? ^^

Asuna: What? So what is it?

He smiles...

Lai: It's a boy secret.

Kirito: Yeah.

Asuna: Oh come on! *Pout*

They both laughed as the sun rises up..

I'll tell you how I feel about you one day, Koharu...

End Of Chapter...