(Author's Notes: this is gonna be the longest chapter I've did because well the episode takes like almost an hour like 48 minutes, sorry also gonna give Kirito some extra screentime)
(July 18, Year 372, Human Era Calendar)

Squeeze the ax handle, lift it and swing it down.

Such simple actions, and yet the tiniest lapse of concentration would cause the ax to miss its mark, sending a tremendous jolt through the arms as the blade struck hard bark. Breathing, pulse, speed, shifting of weight-all these factors must be perfectly controlled for the heavy ax head to properly unleash its power into the tree and create the sound of its famed bite.

Boy: 47.

Boy 2:*sighs*

He sat up, grabs a stick and draws a new mark of the amount of chops has been used on chopping the tree.

Boy 1: and 50!!

He pant and drops to the ground breathing for air as the second boy speaks up.

Boy 2: out of 50 chops, I only heard three good ones there. So far, that brings your total to 41.

He gets up and walks towards the boy.

Boy 2: sorry, Eugeo. Looks like the Siral Water's on you again.

Eugeo: oh, whatever. You got what, 43 good chops so far? I'll catch up soon. Go on. It's your turn at the ax, Kirito.

Kirito: yeah, in a sec.

He then looks up at the large tree.

Kirito: every day, for the past year and three months, we've been hackin' away at this darn tree. I can't take it anymore.

Eugeo: there's no use complaining about it. Our calling's to cut the Gigas Cedar down. So there's no getting out of it.

Kirito: yeah, I know you're right, but still, doesn't feel like we're getting anywhere.

He drew an S and it opens a menu as he checks the durability.

Durability: 235542/320826

Kirito: that's it's life now. What was it two months ago?

Eugeo: I think it was at...235,590?

Kirito: I'm gonna be sick. After two months of chopping at it, we only got it's life down a lousy 50?!*moans not that one* it's gonna take us forever to cut it down!!

Eugeo:*laughs* what's you expect? This tree's as strong as steel. Six generations of carvers worked on it for 300 years to get this far. It'll get cut down...in 900 years or so.

Kirito: oh, is that all? Well...

He jumps on Eugeo as both rolled on the ground.

Eugeo: what are you doing?

Kirito: you think you're such a smarty-pants! Why don't you use that big brain of yours to figure out how to get us out of this job?

Eugeo: would you—stop it!! Get off!

He pushes Kirito and he's now on top of him.

Eugeo: now it's my turn.

Kirito:*laughing*

Eugeo: how do you like that, huh?! All right, do you give up?

Kirito: now you've done it!!

Then he tickles him again.

Kirito: it's payback time!!

Eugeo: hey cut that out!!

Girl: hey!! I caught you slacking off again, didn't I?

They stopped and looked up.

Kirito: crap.

Eugeo: h-hey Alice. You're done with your scared arts class? I mean you're pretty early today.

Alice:*sighs* I'm not early at all. It's the same time as always. Since you have enough energy to wrestle, maybe I should tell Old Man Garitta to increase your cutting quota?

Kirito: n-no, anything but that!!

Alice: I'm only kidding. Now then..

She hold out a basket.

Alice: let's have lunch.

Both boys were excited as they lay the blanket, put the food on top.

Alice: it's hot today...so eat fast before it all spoils, okay?

Eugeo and Kirito: right!!

They grab some of the food and eat them.

Eugeo: the pie sure taste awesome today!

Kirito: your cooking skills are really improving, Alice!!

Alice: y-you really think so? I felt like it was still missing something.

They both chuckle as a voice was heard.

????: hello? Anybody there?

They saw some bushes moving and revealed a male with blue hair, his armor were blue with flame designs, his irises were blue and he was using his sword a walking stick as he was hurt really badly.

????: hello?

The three were struck in fear as they hide behind the large tree.

????:*groans* the pain still here with me.

He sat down on the ground as Eugeo slowly walks towards him.

????: hello, young boy. What's your name?

Eugeo: E-eugeo sir.

????: Eugeo? Nice name. I'm Convoy Prime.

Eugeo: C-convoy Prime?

Convoy: yes Eugeo. I've been battling for a long time, now my body has been damaged. I need to rest now.

He sees Kirito and smiles as he looks up towards the sky.

Convoy: I've heard about the food can be spoiled during the heat so you need ice correct?

Eugeo: y-yeah.

Kirito: yeah I've heard about the story about Bercouli and the Northern White Dragon.

One midsummer day, Bercouli saw a large transparent stone rising and sinking in the Rul River, which ran to the east of the village.
He fished out the object and was mystified to learn that it was a hunk of ice.

Bercouli followed the river upstream until he reached the End Mountains, the very boundary of the human realm, where the river narrowed down until it met the mouth of a massive cave. Bercouli made his way inside, pushing against the freezing winds that blew out of the cave, and, after braving many dangers, he arrived at the great chamber in the very deepest part.

In it, he found an enormous white dragon, which was said to protect all the borders of the human world. When he saw that the beast was sleeping atop an immeasurable mountain of treasure, Bercouli boldly snuck forward and chose a single beautiful sword from the pile.

Kirito: He took a hold of a beautiful sword in the treasure, but the instant he did...
The story then went on and it was called
"Bercouli and the Northern White Dragon".

Eugeo: So... you're going to stake out the Rul and wait for the ice to flow down it?

Kirito: according to the story, he found giant icicles hanging just inside the cave, right? So if we break some off...

Eugeo: look, you...

Alice: that's not a bad idea

Eugeo: Come on, Alice... You do know, don't you? Under the laws of the village...

Alice: Yes, children are forbidden from crossing the northern pass on their own. But remember the exact wording of the rule:
'Children must not cross the northern pass to play on their own without adult supervision.'

Eugeo: Uh... is that how it goes?

Alice: The laws of the village, officially titled The Rulid Village Standards, were recorded on an aging parchment two cen thick that was kept in the village elder's home.

Alice: When children started going to school at the church, the first thing they did was learn all the laws. Parents and elders always droned on and on about "the laws say this" and "according to the laws that," so by the age of eleven, every child had them thoroughly beaten into his or her head.

But in Alice's case, she had memorized the exact wording of every law.

Eugeo and Kirito: She can't have memorized the Basic Imperial Laws as well. Those are twice as thick as the villages... Much less than other things, which is twice again as thick as that...

Alice cleared her throat and took on a fussy, officious tone.

Alice: Do you see? The law forbids us from going to play. But going in search of ice is not playing. If we can extend the life of our lunches, it will help not only us but the other workers in the barley fields and pastures, won't it? Therefore, we should interpret this to fall under the category of work.

Kirito: Yep, exactly. You are correct. It's work, so it doesn't break the village law about crossing the northern pass to the End Mountains. Remember what Mr. Barbossa always says? 'Work isn't just what people tell you to do. If you have free time, find something you can do on your own!' If they get mad, we can just trot out that line in our defense.

The Barbossas had the largest barley fields in the village. Nigel Barbossa was a stout man around fifty years old who, unsatisfied with having over double the income of anyone else in the village, would complain that Eugeo hadn't felled "that infernal cedar yet" every time they crossed paths.

Rumor said that he was petitioning the elder to give him priority on cleared lands after the Gigas Cedar was removed.

Eugeo: But... it's not just the village laws that forbid going to the End Mountains... There's that other thing, too, right? Even if we cross the pass, we can only go to the foot of the mountains and not into the cave...

Kirito: "That"?

Eugeo: You know what I mean. The Taboo Index, of course. We can't just violate the Taboo Index, can we?

The <<Taboo Index>>, that is the absolute, far-reaching set of laws that covered all the residents of the human world. The Index was upheld by the Axiom Church, residing in its tower in Centoria that stretched nearly to the heavens.

Unlike the village rules and imperial law, the Taboo Index contained well over a thousand entries of forbidden actions, starting with general things like a rebellion against the Church, murder, and theft, and going down to specifics like caps on the number of animals and fish that could be hunted in a year or which types of feed were forbidden to give to livestock.

Convoy tensed up as he heard the Taboo Index.

Convoy: focus on the goal. Just focus.

Aside from learning letters and numbers at school, the biggest priority was teaching children all the entries of the Taboo Index.
The Index forbade not teaching the Index in school.

Alice: Eugeo, your reading of the Taboo Index isn't entirely accurate, either.

Eugeo: Huh...? N-no way!

Alice: Yes way. Here is what it says in the Index. Taboo Index, Book 1, Chapter 3, Verse
11. "Thou shalt not cross the End Mountains that encircle the Human Empire." When it says cross, it means climbing over. Going into a cave doesn't count. Besides, our intention is not to go beyond the mountains but to get ice from inside them. There's nothing in the Taboo Index that says, 'Thou shalt not search for ice within the End Mountains.'

They see Convoy sleeping peacefully.

Kirito: huh, he sure sleep from us talking.

Eugeo: But... the farthest we've ever been is the twin ponds along the Rul, well short of the northern pass. We don't know what lies beyond that point, and this is the season where the itch bugs come out along the water...

Kirito roused Eugeo out of his hesitation by slapping him on the back, just softly enough not to damage his life.

Kirito: Alice studies more than anyone else in the village, so if she says so, it's fine, Eugeo!
That settles it-next rest day we're searching for that white dragon... No, I mean the ice cave!
Alice: Yeah! Okay, then we'll meet at the North Gate at 7:00 AM. I'll need to make our lunch with ingredients that last longer.

Kirito: Right! And don't oversleep!

Alice: Right back at you!

Eugeo looked at his friends, their faces sparkling with excitement, and could offer only a reluctant "sure" under his breath.

They left as Convoy open his eyes.

Convoy: crap this part will haunt me....mother.

Raikou: Yami, I know I've saw it too....I hate the Taboo Index it cause nothing but pain...

Convoy who is actually Yami in disguised.

Yami: I need to destroy the Taboo Index some of the laws I agree but I can't have the laws cause so much even that event....I'm gonna make "her" suffer!!

His armor was changed to a Shihakusho, his weapon turned into Tensa Zangetsu, his eyes turned black with yellow irises.

Yami: I'll have to witness the event within my eyes...

(Time: July 21, Year 372, Human Era Calendar Location: Rulid Village)

The third rest day of July was shaping up to be a beauty. Even the children over the age of ten who had been given their Calling returned to their younger days and were allowed to go out and play until dinner.

Normally Eugeo and Kirito would go fishing or have play swordfights with the other boys, but on this rest day they were out of their houses before the morning dew was gone, waiting for Alice beneath the old tree at the edge of the village.

Kirito: She's late! Why do women always put their own preparations ahead of being on time? In two years she'll be like your sister and claim that she can't go into the forest because it'll get her clothes dirty.

Eugeo: You were late, too.

He thought with a sweatdropped at Kirito before shaking his head and decides to calm down his friend.

Eugeo: She can't help it, she's a girl.

He pointed toward the village, where the sound of light footsteps was approaching as Kirito also looked at where Eugeo pointed at and saw Alice appeared through the morning fog with her pristinely combed blond hair tied up with a ribbon and spotless white apron dress swaying.
Eugeo looked at his friend and stifled a smile before they spoke in unison.

Kirito and Eugeo: You're late!

Alice: No, you're too early. Honestly, when are you two going to grow up?

She retorted before handing Eugeo the basket and Kirito the canteen with her nose in the air.

Once they automatically took the items, she turned to the path leading north out of the village, crouched, and plucked a stalk of high grass. She pointed the plump, fuzzy end of it toward the distant mountain and announced.

Alice: And now... we head off in search of summer ice!

Eugeo shared another look with Kirito as they thought the same things.

Kirito and Eugeo: Why we always ended up being the princess and her two servants...?

They thought before trudged after Alice. The road that ran north to south through the village was well-worn on the southern-heading side with the passage of travelers and horses, but the northern-headed side had long fallen into disuse, littered with tree roots and rocks.

Alice stepped nimbly over all these obstacles, humming as she led the two boys onward.
While they walk towards their destination, Eugeo looked at Alice and thought about her swordsmanship.

Eugeo: Come to think of it, Alice used to be good with a sword, too... She carries herself beautifully.

A few years ago, Alice could be seen practicing her sword fighting with the other scamps from time to time, and somehow she usually managed to knock Eugeo on his back with even the finest of sticks.

But for some reason, Alice can't defeat Kirito even when she used a wooden stick. Among the villagers, Kirito is the number one in swordsmanship but due to his "Calling" the same as Eugeo, he can't be the man-at-arms.

Eugeo: Kirito is amazing but Alice is amazing, too. If she'd kept training, Alice could have been the village's very first woman-at-arms.

Eugeo: Man-at-arms...

Eugeo mumbled to himself as it had been a distant dream, a hope that he held onto until he was given the Calling of a carver.

If he'd been chosen as a guard which is the dream of all the boys in the village, he wouldn't have to use a crude stick yanked off a tree.

He could learn actual sword-fighting techniques and use an actual steel sword, even if it was a hand-me-down.

It didn't stop there. The guards from all the villages in the northern territory could enroll in the dueling tournament held in the city of Zakkaria to the south every fall. Ranking highly in the tournament earned a guard the actual title of Sentinel, accompanied by an official sword forged by a blacksmith in Centoria.

And not only that. If the sentinel garrison recognized your skill, you could take the test for entry into the venerable Swordcraft Academy in Centoria.

If you passed that considerable challenge and graduated from the academy two years later, you could participate in the fighting tournament attended by the emperor of Norlangarth himself. Legends claimed that Bercouli once won that very tournament.

After that, at the top of everything was the Four- Empire Unification Tournament administered by the Axiom Church, which accepted only true heroes from all over the human world.

The winner of this event, which was watched over by the gods themselves, stood atop the pinnacle of all warriors. He would be given the holy task of protecting the order of the world itself as a dragon-riding Integrity Knight, swooping into the Dark Territory to battle the demons there.

Eugeo: Well, of course, I can't make it that far. But, what if... Alice left the village not as a sword fighter but as an apprentice of the sacred arts, she might go to school in Zakkaria or even the Artcraft Academy in Centoria. And I, as a Guard, am pointed as her escorted...

Kirito: The dream isn't over yet.

Eugeo snapped out of his fantasy when Kirito murmured to him.

Eugeo: Sure it is, we don't have time to daydream anymore. The sacred task of becoming an apprentice guard has already been given to Zink, the son of the chief man-at-arms.

Kirito: Oh, that guy... I hate him.

Eugeo: Why?

Kirito: After being given his Calling, he messed up with me saying he was better than me.

Kirito: After being given his Calling, he messed up with me saying he was better than me.

Eugeo: Oh, that time... I clearly remember it.
So that's why you beat him.

He said with a sweatdropped clearly remember that day. After Zink was given his Calling as the apprentice guard, he goes to Kirito and mocking him despite Kirito being stronger than him, his calling just Carver.

Slightly mad, Kirito challenges Zink to duel which of course Kirito being the winner.

Eugeo: Back to the topic, once a Calling is determined, not even the elder can change it.

Kirito: With one exception.

Eugeo: Exception...?

Kirito: Yeah. When you complete your work, you can change the Calling. If we knock down that tree, we get to pick out our next Calling ourselves.

Eugeo: Huh... Well, that's true, but...

Kirito: I'm glad I didn't wind up as a shepherd or a barley farmer. There's no end to those jobs, but there is for ours. There has to be a way to do it. If we cut down that tree in three
-no, two years.

Eugeo: We can fight in the Zakkaria tournament.

Kirito: Well, well, sounds like you're still in the mood for that, Eugeo-kun.

Eugeo: I can't let you go and hog all the glory, Kirito.

Kirito: You can keep dreaming. I'm gonna change my Calling and maybe find a woman or a male on the way. Doesn't want to end my life being single or a virgin.

The boys looked at each other, grinning at the idea of waltzing back to town with official prize swords to show off to dumb old Zink.

But their fantasy got interrupted when Alice turned around up ahead to glare at them.

Alice: Hey! What are you two whispering about back there?

Kirito: N-nothing. W-We were just wondering if it's time for lunch yet. Right?

Eugeo: Y-Yeah.

Alice: You're kidding. We've barely just started walking. Anyway, there's the river up there.

Alice pointed her grass stalk at a glittering water surface up ahead. It was the Rul River, which started in the End Mountains and flowed around the east of Rulid and then south to Zakkaria.

The road split there, with the right-hand path crossing Rulid Bridge to the eastern forest and the left path continuing north along the riverside. They would follow it north, of course. At the fork, Eugeo knelt at the water and sank his hand below the clear, burbling surface.

Eugeo: It's not a temperature that will support ice.

Kirito: Yeah, that's why we're going to the cave where it comes from.

Eugeo: Fine, fine, just remember that we have to be back at the village by evening bell. Let's see... How about we turn back when Solus reaches the middle of the sky?

Alice: I guess we have no choice. Let's hurry!

She started walking away over the soft grass both of the boys hurried to keep up.

The branches of the trees on their left reached overhead like a canopy, blocking the sunlight, and the river on their right brought a cool breeze, so even when Solus was high overhead, the trio walked in relative comfort.

The one-mile-wide river path was covered in short summer grasses, and there were almost no holes or rocks to trip them up.

Eugeo: When I think about it, we've never gone past the twin ponds. Not even once.

Kirito: Yeah, you're right...

Alice: Well, it's because children are prohibited to go through the "Northern Pass", according to village rules.

Alice and Kirito then walked ahead of Eugeo while singing a cheery shepherd's song together.

Eugeo: Hey, you guys.

He called out making the two looked over their shoulders without stopping.

Alice: What is it, Eugeo?

Eugeo: We're pretty far from the village now... Aren't there dangerous beasts around here to look out for?

Alice: What? I've never heard of any such thing.

She then glanced at Kirito who just shrugged his shoulders.

Kirito: Where did Donetti's grandpa say he saw that long-clawed bear, again?

Alice: Near the black apple tree to the east.
And that was about ten years ago.

Kirito: If we see anything around here, it's going to be a four-eared fox. You're such a scaredy-cat, Eugeo.

The pair shared laughed making Eugeo shot back.

Eugeo: N-No, I'm not scared, I'm just saying... this is the first time any of us has been passed the twin ponds, right? Maybe we should be careful, that's all.

Kirito: You know, I think you're right. Did you know that when this village was founded, the monsters from the land of darkness-goblins and orcs and whatnot-would come over the mountains and steal sheep and children?

Eugeo: Dark Territory, huh...?

The Dark Territory is the land of darkness that surrounds the world from the other side of the Final Mountain. An unattainable land even by the supreme authority of the Taboo Index and the Axiom Church.

Kirito looked in Alice's direction as she tried to scare, but she just snorted and then gasped.

Alice: What? Are you trying to scare me? I know. In the end, the Knights of Integrity came from Centoria and drove them away, right?

Kirito: And since then, on clear days, you can see the figure of a knight riding a white dragon over the mountains at the end.

Kirito finsined, citing the end of a fairy tale that all the children of the town knew. He looked north, and Eugeo and Alice followed his example. At some point, the white peaks of the mountains had come very close, blocking a large strip of the blue sky.

For a moment, they thought they saw a small flicker of light between the clouds, but after blinking and looking harder, there was nothing. The trio looked at each other and laughed awkwardly.

Kirito: It's just a fairy tale. I'm sure Bercouli has also just told that story about the ice dragon in the cave.

Eugeo: If you say that in the city, the old man will lower his fist. After all, Bercouli is Rulid's hero.

Alice just gave him another chirjería smile and she accelerated.

Alice: We'll find out when we get there. Better hurry up, or we won't get to the cave at noon!

——

Time pass

A few hours later, the trio finally arrived at the entrance of the cave in just half a day of walking.

As its name suggests, the End Mountains were the end of the world, the border of the lands of humanity governed by four empires to the north, south, east and west.

The deep forests on both sides stopped abruptly, leaving a rough gray stone wall in front of them. From here, the white peaks that pierced the sky still faded with the distance, but it was undeniable that this rocky face was the very edge of the mountain range.

Kirito: Have we already achieved it...? These are... the mountains at the end? Wasn't it a little sudden?

She opened with disbelief while Alice's eyes were equally wide.

Alice: So... Where was the north pass? Did we just go through it without realizing it?

Kirito: Alice had a very good point. The passage from the north, the absolute limit for the children of the town, and adults too, perhaps, could not have passed us without realizing it.

Eugeo:...

Eugeus turned to look back in disbelief and heard Alice whispering seriously.

Alice: If those are the mountains at the end... then right on the other side... is it the land of darkness? I mean... we walked about four hours, but that's not even enough to get to Zakkaria. I guess Rulid is... on the edge of the world.

Eugeo was surprised to realize where the house of his life was in the world. He started to sweat and he may feel something wrong, but he couldn't say exactly what it is.

Before the vague questions that floated in Eugeo's head could be condensed into a proper form, Alice sent them back into oblivion by inciting.

Alice: In any case, now that we are here, we could also enter. Let's have lunch first.

He took the picnic basket from Eugeo's hands and sat on the soft grass just before it turned into gray gravel. Kirito applauded the imminent end of their hunger, and Eugeo joined them on the ground.

The delicious aroma of the cake was all it took to banish his suspicions forever and remind him how hungry he was.

Alice slapped Eugeo and Kirito holding hands from the food to be able to open the windows of the dishes.

Once she was satisfied with her condition, she served the food: fish and bean cake, apple and walnut cake and dried plums. Finally, he poured siral water from the canteen into wooden cups and made sure that it was also fine.

Once he had permission to continue, Kirito said a quick grace and got into his fish cake, and through the food in his mouth, he murmured.

Kirito: If we find a lot of ice in that cave... then we won't have to eat tomorrow's lunch so quickly.

Eugeo swallows the food first before responding to his friend.

Eugeo: But if you think about it, how are we going to preserve the life of the ice itself, assuming we find one? What's the point if everything melts for tomorrow?

Kirito: Hmm...

Alice: If we rush to return it and put it in my basement, it should last all night. I am sure that you have not considered that step first.

Duly scolded, Kirito and Eugeo continued to eat their lunch. For her part, Alice finished the cake and drank her water faster than usual.

Once she folded the white cloth and put it back in the empty basket, Alice stood up. She took the three cups to the stream and quickly rinsed them.

Alice: Eek!

She screamed again and trotted, making the boys worry about her sudden howling.

Kirito and Eugeo: Alice!

Then he showed Kirito and Eugeo the hands he had dried on his apron.

Alice: The water in the river is freezing! It's like the water in the well in winter!

Eugeo approached to touch Alice's palms that looked quite red and was surprised to feel that they were pleasantly great.

Eugeus: Wow, you're right!

Alice: Hey... for that!

Eugeo: eh?

Realizing what he did, Eugeo let Alice's hands go while her face reddened along with Alice's face.

Eugeo: Er... I didn't do it... I wasn't...

Kirito: All right, you two, are we leaving now?

He said with a smile as Eugeo trampled his foot slightly and took the sack of water, throwing it on his shoulder. He went to the entrance of the cave without looking back.

The clear and narrow stream they had followed was now so small that it was difficult to believe that it was the source of the great Rul River. It was barely a width and a half wide.

On the left side of the opening on the face of the cliff from where the water flowed there was a rock shelf approximately the same width. That would be his inner walkway.

Eugeus: 300 years ago, Bercouli, the head of the guard, had stepped on this same ground.

A thought that urged Eugeo forward in the cave and, as he entered, the temperature dropped, which made him rub his bare forearms.

Eugeo: It's very cold...

Once he heard the other two followers behind him, Eugeo took another ten steps inside before realizing his terrible mistake as he looked at the two.

Eugeo: Shit... I didn't bring any lights. What about you, Kirito?

Kirito: How would you remember something you don't remember?

He said he was strangely sure, since the trio was currently just five miles inside the cave, and it was already difficult to understand the expressions of others.

Eugeo and Alice: Although I've been his friend since I was a child, I never understand what I was thinking...

They thought the same about Kirito with a fallen sweat.

Alice: Okay, guys, listen...

She shook her head several times, put her hand in the apron pocket and pulled out something long and narrow: the stem of grass that she had been wearing since they left the village. Then he put his left palm on the tip and closed his eyes.

Alice: System call. Generate a luminous element. I'm here!

Once Alice finished, the rounded tip of the grass stem began to shine. The pale light became stronger and stronger until the darkness of the cave remained in a considerable bay.

Kirito: Wow!

Eugeo: Wow...

Kirito and Eugeo could not contain their astonishment. They knew that Alice was studying the sacred arts, but they had almost never seen her perform them.

According to the teachings of Sister Azalia, all the arts that were based on the power of Stacia, Solus and Terraria, except the dark arts of the servants of Vecta, existed only to protect the order and tranquility of the world and were not intended for daily use.

The only times Azalia and her apprentice, Alice, used the sacred arts were when a villager became ill or injured in a way that the herbs could not heal.

Eugeo: Uh, Alice... Are you allowed to do that? They won't punish you, or...

Alice: Hmph. If I were to be punished for something like this, I would have been struck by lightning ten times before.

Eugeo: What does that mean...?

He thought that with a carefree look that is Alice and before he could ask him what he meant by that, he pushed the stem of bright grass towards Eugeo.

He thought with a deadpanned looked at how carefree Alice is and before he could ask what she meant by that, she thrust the glowing stalk of grass toward Eugeo.

Alice: Here!

Without thinking, Eugeo took the glowing stalk of grass, then bleached.

Eugeo: I-I have to go first?!

Alice: Of course. Are you going to make the delicate little girl lead the way? Eugeo goes in front and Kirito in the back. Now let's get going
before we waste any more time.

Eugeo: R-Right.

Eugeo held up the tiny torch and started treading farther into the cave followed by Alice in the middle and Kirito in the back.

A few minutes later, Eugeo muttered over his shoulder to Kirito as no matter how hard he looked, there was nothing resembling ice.

Eugeo: Hey... you said the icicles were supposed to be right inside the cave's entrance, right?

Kirito: Did I say that?

He said, playing dumb making Eugeo snapped at him.

Eugeo: You did!

Alice held out a hand to stop him.

Alice: Eugeo? Bring the light a little closer.

Eugeo: ??

Eugeo held out the stalk to Alice's face as she rounded her lips and blew softly toward the light.

Alice: Ah... Did you see that? My breath is white, like in the winter.

Kirito: Oh, geez. No wonder it's been feeling colder.

He grumbled as Eugeo ignored him and nodded to Alice.

Alice: It's summer outside, but it's winter inside this cave. I'm sure there's ice too!

Eugeo: Right. Let's go in a bit farther.

He turned and resumed his careful progress down the cave tunnel, which seemed to be steadily widening. The only sounds that could be heard were the scraping of their shoes against the rock floor and the streaming of the brook beside them.

Kirito: If we had a boat, it would be so easy to get back.

Eugeo hissed at him to stay quiet as they were already much deeper into the cave than they'd originally planned.

Alice: What should we do if we come across the white dragon?

Eugeo: I guess... we'll just have to run away...

Kirito: It'll be fine. The dragon chased Bercouli because he was stealing the sword, remember? Well, I'm sure the dragon won't mind if we're only taking icicles. But then again... if possible, I sure would like one of its old scales...

Eugeo: What in the world are you thinking?

Kirito: I mean, just think of what'll happen if we bring back proof that we saw a real dragon. Zink and the other will die of jealousy!

Eugeo: That's not funny! And just so you know, if you get chased around by a dragon, the two of us are running off and leaving you behind.

Kirito: Don't shout so loudly, Eugeo.

Eugeo: That's your fault for talking nonsense, Kirito...

Eugeo fell silent when he heard a strange sound at his feet. It was a cracking sound like he had stepped on something and broken it.
He brought down the light and checked under his right foot, then gasped.

Eugeo: Oh! Look at this!

Alice and Kirito leaned down to peer at where Eugeo's toe was pointing. A little puddle of water pooled on the smooth gray rock had a thin layer of ice over its top.

Eugeo: We found it! We found the ice!

Alice: Woah, we did it! It's amazing!

Kirito: Let's go! There must be more ahead!

With a smile on their faces, the trio ran up ahead before they found a massive ice area.
Holding out the light, several other frozen puddles reflected it.

Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice: Woah...

Forgot all about the dragon, the trio trotted farther down the tunnel in that direction, and after what felt like another hundred mels, the walls on either side suddenly vanished and the trio was faced with a breathtakingly fantastical sight.

It was huge. A vast chamber that seemed impossible for a subterranean cave. It was at least twice as large as the square in front of the church.

Eugeo: I never thought the Rul River would be flowing from a giant frozen lake...

He commented looking at the floor itself as an enormous lake. It was frozen solid from the banks to the center.

Alice: I think there's enough ice here to chill all the food in the village.

Kiritk: More like enough to turn the village to winter on its own. C'mon, let's go in farther!

Kirito took a few steps forward to test out the lake ice. He carefully added more and more weight until he was standing on it with both feet, but the ice was so thick that it didn't even creak.

Eugeo held up the holy light as he and Alice followed after Kirito Carefully, silently, they traveled toward the center of the lake, moving from the shadow of one giant ice pillar to another.

Eugeo: This is amazing. What if I see a real dragon? Will our story be told for centuries, like the others'? And if we're able to do what Bercouli couldn't... and bring home a piece of the dragon's treasure, will the village elder rethink our Calling and give us a new one...?

While Eugeo fantasizing about this, he accidentally bumped into Kirito as he smacked his nose right into the back of Kirito's head after the other boy came to a halt.

Eugeo: Mmph! Hey, don't stop all of a sudden!

Kirito: What is this..?

Eugeo: Huh?

Curious, Eugeo and Alice both peered around Kirito's sides to see what was ahead. It was a mountain of bones. Bones made of blue ice.
The fierce shine coming off them made the bones look like carved crystals. The vast collection held a variety of bones of all shapes and sizes, all of which were far larger than a human.

Eugeo: The white dragon's... bones?

Alice: It's died...?

Kirito took a few steps forward and picked up an enormous claw that once may have been the dragon's forearm. He lifted the heavy thing with both hands and showed it to the others.

Kirito: Look... see how damaged it is? And the end is chipped clean off.

Alice: Was it fighting something? But what could kill a dragon.

They pondered as the white dragon of the north made its home in the mountains that surrounded the world, one of the great ultimate guardians that protected mankind from the forces o darkness.

Kirito: These wounds aren't from fighting an animal or another dragon...

He muttered, tracing the blue claw with the thick of his thumb.

Eugeo: Huh..? Then what was it..?

Kiritk: These are blade marks. A human being killed this dragon.

Alice: B-But... even Bercouli the hero, champion of the tournament in Centoria, could only run away from the dragon. How could any swordsman achieve such a...?

She then fell quiet as a thought occurred to her. Silence settled on the icy lake, now revealed to be a massive grave. Seconds later, tiny lips unleashed a fearful whisper.

Alice: An Integrity Knight...? Did an Integrity Knight from the Axiom Church slay the white dragon...?

For the three children, who had never in their 11 years of life doubted the order of this world. This was not easy to accept, after all, an Integrity Knight, the ultimate realization of law and order and symbol of goodness, killed a white dragon that served as protector of the human world.

Kirito: I don't get it. Perhaps... there was an incredibly strong knight from the land of darkness who came and killed the dragon...
But if that was true, then it doesn't make sense that the armies of darkness never once crossed the End Mountains to attack. And it certainly doesn't seem like whoever did it was after treasure.

He walked over to the dragon's remains and placed the claw, back on the pile, then reached down and dragged out something long from the bottom.

Eugeo: Huh? What're you doing, Kirito?

Kirito: Whoa... This thing is really heavy!
He unsteadily dragged the object and showed it to Eugeo and Alice.

It was a long word with a white leather case and a platinum knob. There were patterns of fine inlays of blue roses here and there on the handle, making it clear at a glance that it was more valuable than any sword in the town.

Alice: Could it be this...?

Kirito: Yes. It must be the Blue Rose Sword that Bercouli tried to steal from the sleeping dragon. I wonder why the one who killed the dragon didn't take it...

He bent down and, grabbing the grip with both hands, tried to lift it, but the best thing he could do was remove the tip of a few dozen cens from the surface of the ice.

Kirito: ... I can't! It's too heavy!

He shouted and dropped the sword. It crashed sharply to the ice, causing thin cracks to form in the thick layer. It had to be incredibly heavy for such a thin weapon.

Eugeo: What do we do with him?

Kirito shook his head as he got up again.

Kirito: It's useless. We couldn't return this to the city even if we both took it together. All it takes are a few twists of that axe for us to gasp, remember. But it seems that there are other types of treasures under the bones...

Alice: Yes... but I don't feel like getting him out of here. It would feel like we were stealing a grave...

Kirito: In fact... Let's take the ice, as we planned.

Eugeo looked at his friends and then nodded.

Eugeo: Yes. I'm sure the white dragon would have allowed us to do that if he were alive.

He approached a nearby carábano and kicked one of the countless ice crystals that grew from its base as plant shoots. He broke cleanly, and picked it up and offered it to Alice, who lifted the lid of the empty basket and threw it inside.

During the next few minutes, the trio gathered fragments of ice to put them in the basket. When the base of that pillar was clean, they went to the next one to repeat the process. In a short time, the large basket was full of small blue ice crystals that shone like precious stones.

Alice: It's so beautiful. It seems a shame to take her home and that everything melts.

Kiriyo: I don't care, as long as you keep our lunches fresher.

Alice: You mean the meals of the town, don't you? ... Here.

She looked at him and then took out the basket.

Kirito: What? Do I have to return it as well?

Alice: Of course I do. It's quite heavy.

Before the two began to argue, Eugeo stopped them nervously.

Eugeo: I'll take turns taking it with you. We have to go back to town or we won't arrive at night. It's been almost an hour since we entered the cave, don't you think?

Kirito: Yes... It's hard to know what time you can't see Solus. Can't you use a sacred art that tells us the time or something like that?

Alice: There's no such thing! Hmph!

Alice turned her head in a whistle to look at the exit next to the vast ice lake, then turned to the opposite wall to look at another exit before frowning.

Alice: Umm, which one are we going through again?

With confidence, Kirito and Eugeo pointed in different directions.

Kirito and Eugeo: That way.

——

Time pass

After agreeing to find the tunnel where Eugeo stepped on that small puddle and broke the ice, the trio is currently walking through the tunnel carved with water, trying to find the way out.

Alice: We have come a long way, and I have not seen any broken ice. Do you think it was in the other direction?

Kirito: You are the one who chose this path because you thought it was closer.

Looking over her shoulder, Alice looked slightly at Kirito making it a slight shudder.

Alice: Hm? Have you said anything?

Kirito: No, nothing!

Eugeo: I think it's later

Kirito: Shut up a little.

Kirito put a finger on his lips, and Eugeo and Alice closed their mouths. They listened carefully.

Under the quiet drip of the stream next to them there was a different sound. I was hesitating between higher and lower tones, like a sad flute.

Alice: Is that... the wind?

Eugeo: We're almost out! We choose the right path! Let's go!

He said before getting ahead of both of them.

Alice: Don't run, or you're going to slip and fall!

She warned, but she was also jumping, and Kirito took the back, her suspicious expression.

Kirito: But... is that the sound that makes the summer breeze? It sounds more like... the rattle of winter...

Eugeo: It will blow so hard in the canyons. Let's get out of this cave!

He accelerated through the cave in an easy race, the light in his hand was moving wildly. The desire to return to the town and his comfortable home was increasing within him. If she got some ice from Alice and showed it to her family, they would be stunned.

Eugeo: But the ice melts very quickly. Maybe we should have taken one of those old silver coins instead.

Then, a little light appeared in the darkness that is coming.

Eugeo: It's the way out!

But once the trio reached the mouth of the cave, their expression soured. The sky was completely red, although not because of the setting sun. They couldn't see Solus anywhere. It was just an endless extension of a dark and opaque red, like the juice of too ripe grapes or lamb's blood.

In the meantime, the floor was black. The creepy mountain range in the distance, the rocky outcrops strangely closer, even the water surfaces here and there were as black as the ashes. Only the trunks of the twisted dead trees were white, like the polished bone.

Kirito: This is...

Alicia: ...the Dark Territory.

The place beyond the light of the Axioma Church, the land of evil dedicated to the dark god Vecta, the world that only existed in the old stories told by the elders of the people, just a few steps ahead of them. The Dark Territory.

Eugeo: We can't... We can't go... further...

Suddenly, there was a heavy and high-pitched sound from above that made everyone shudder and look up at the red sky.

Against the blood red color, they saw something white and something black, enclosed in a fierce claw.

Very high in the sky, there were two objects that crawled from one side to the other, which closed to each other and then broke. The metal crash can be heard every time they cross each other.

Kirito: They are Dragon Knights...

As he said, the two fighters were huge flying dragons, with long necks and tails and triangular wings. Barely visible on his back were knights with swords and shields.

The knight of the white dragon wore white armor, while that of the black dragon was dressed in black. Even his swords coincided with his color: the white knight shines, while the black knight was left with a dark miasma.

With each collision of his swords came an explosion like thunder and a rain of sparks.

Alice: I guess the white... is one of the Knights of the Integrity of the Church.

Kirito: Yes, I bet you're right. And the black must be a dragon knight for the forces of darkness... He seems to be as hard as the Knight of Integrity...

Eugeo: No way... The Knights of Integrity are the strongest people that exist. They would never stop defeating a dark knight.

Kirito: I don't know. From what I can say, his skill with the sword is almost uniform. Neither of them is breaking the other's defense.

Just then, as if he were listening to what they were saying, the white knight withdrew from the reins of the dragon to open the distance between them. The black dragon swept forward, trying to close the gap.

But before the distance between them closed, the white dragon took a sharp turn and lowered his head, appearing tense and invoking his strength. His neck shot forward and his jaws widened. A line of bright white fire fired from among his fangs, covering the black dragon knight.

An explosion choked the sound of the howling wind in the ears of the trio. The black gentleman twisted in pain and knelt to the side in the air.

The Knight of Integrity took the opportunity to exchange his sword for a bronze giant bow and release an equally long arrow.

He flew through the air with a slight trail of fire behind him and landed in the middle of the black knight's chest.

Alice: Ah...!

The knight fell from the dragon's back, spraying blood as he fell directly into the cave where the children were.

The three children watched in silence while the black gentleman struggled painfully to sit down. They could see the deep hole torn in the shiny breast. The gentleman's head, covered with a heavy helmet that hid the characteristics of the user, turned to them.

A trembling hand extended to the trio, asking for help, and unconsciously, Alice began to walk towards him. Eugeo could not even react, but Kiritk, on the other hand, realized that Alice was about to cross the line between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory.

Kirito: No!!

Alice contracted and tried to stop, but her foot tripped and turned forward. Both Eugeo and Kirito approached instinctively, trying to grab Alice's dress.

Her fingers were simply lost and touched only the empty air while Alice fell to the floor of the cave, her blond hair flying and growling.

When he fell forward, the fingers of the tip of his right hand landed on the very clear boundary line between the bluish gray of the cave rock and the ash black soil. His white palm brushed the black gravel. The surface of the Dark Territory.

Kirito and Eugeo: Alice!!

The two cried together, reaching out to grab her friend's body and lift her up again.

Alice: ... I... I...

Eugeus extended both hands to her in a trance as he rubbed all the sand and desperately tried to calm her down.

Eugeo: Don't worry, Alice. You didn't leave the cave. You just brushed it with your hand. That's not taboo, is it? Right, Kirito

Kirito:...

He looked at his partner, begging, but Kirito was not looking at Eugeo or Alice. I was in one...

He looked at his partner, begging, but Kirito was not looking at Eugeo or Alice. He was on his knees, focusing a lot on his surroundings.

Eugeo: What is it, Kirito?

Kirito: Aren't you sorry, Eugeo? Someone... something...

Eugeus frowned and also looked around, but there wasn't even an insect in the cave with them, much less another person.

Eugeo: It's just your imagination. Come on, let's go...

While Eugeo almost finished his words, Kirito grabbed his shoulder while Eugeo froze and followed his partner's gaze, and then froze in terror.

There was something near the roof of the cave.

A purple circle, undulating like the surface of the water. On the other side of the fifty-five wide circle was the vague image of a human face. The skin was pale, without a single hair all over the head. The open eyes did not contain any visible emotion.

It wasn't looking at Kirito or Eugeo, but at the stunned Alice among them.

???: Singular unit detected. Tracking ID... Fixed coordinates. . Full report.

The purple window disappeared abruptly.

Eugeo: Has he left? What was that right now?

Kirito: I don't know... but we have to go back now!

Then they helped Alice get up and cradled her trembling friend as they returned to the cave. The group began to run in the direction from which they came.

——

Time pass

After the incident, the trio ran and ran non-stop to rest for a single moment, and before realizing it, they somehow returned to the town while the afternoon sun was still falling from above.

Kirito, Eugeo and Alice: Ha... Ha,... Ha,...

They gasped, tired after running non-stop. After a few seconds, they looked at each other and achieved weak nervous smiles.

Kirito: All right, let's go home.

He said, holding the heavy basket. It was full of summer ice, which was the goal of his little adventure.

Kirito: You should put that in the basement as soon as you get back. Then it could last until tomorrow.

Alice: ... Okay, I will.

She nodded obediently, taking the basket and looking at the two boys. Finally, his smile of confidence returned.

Alice: I look forward to tomorrow's lunch. I will make sure that you receive an adequate reward for all your hard work.

Eugeo: Okay.

Kirito: See you.

Now they returned to the city center under the real sunset. Kirito went to the church where he lived, and Alice went to the old man's house in the village. Eugeo arrived at his house on the west side of the town only seconds before the bell rang at six.

(Time pass)

It was the next day. Solus sank and got up, and the usual schedule of life returned.

At the location of the Gigas Tree, Kirito currently swings the dragon bone axe in the huge tree while Eugeo sat near his location, observing his partner after finishing his shifts.

Suddenly, the sunlight dimmed abruptly, which caused Eugeo to look up.

Through the extension of the branches of the Gigas Cedar, I could see the blue sky, and at a significantly low elevation, a rapidly moving black shadow. His heart got into his throat.

Eugeus: A dragon? Hey, Kirito!! That was...!

Kirito: Yes, yesterday's Knight of Integrity!

Before his eyes, the knight dressed in platinum in the dragon grazed the branches of the tree and disappeared in the direction of Rulid.

Kirito: You don't think... Alice...?

Eugeo: You're joking... They wouldn't, not only because of that...

He gasped, seeking to reassure Kirito, but the other boy was looking gloomyly in the knight's direction. After a few moments, he looked back into Eugeo's eyes and said.

Kirito: Let's go!

He immediately ran north while Eugeo followed him.

Eugeo: Hello!

They made their way through the family road around the roots of the trees and rocks until they joined the main road to the city through the fields of the farm. There was no sign that the dragon was flying over it.

Kirito slowed slightly and called through the green shoots a farmer who was looking at the sky.

Kirito: Mr. Ridack! Where did the dragon rider go?

The farmer turned to them while blinking several times before answering.

Ridack: Oh... oh, yes... He went and landed in the center of the town, I think...

Kirito and Eugeo: Thank you!

They shouted briefly and resumed their sprint.

They ran through the south door, walked along the short lane of the tents, then crossed the small stone bridge and finally reached their sight. The boys stopped still, their throats caught their breath.

The long, curved neck and tail of the dragon occupied the northern half of the square outside the church. Its huge wings were bent on each side, almost hiding the church building from view. The beast's gray scales and occasional armor reflected the light of Solus, making it look like an ice sculpture.

His bloody eyes looked immbly at the town square. And standing before the dragon was the knight dressed in platinum, shining even more. He was taller than anyone else in town.

Every inch of the gentleman was covered with a thick plate that shone like a mirror and a thin silver chain to cover the joints.

The helmet, made to resemble the head of a dragon, sprouted a decorative horn on the forehead and two backwards from each side of the skull, with a heavy front plate that hid the gentleman's face.

The gentleman looked silently through the cross-shaped slit on the front plate towards the southern end of the square, where a few dozen villagers had their heads hanging to the ground.

Kirito: Alice.

Alice turned while her blond hair waved, and saw Kirito and Eugeo behind her.

Alice: Kirito!! Eugeo!

Kirito put a finger on her lips to silence her.

Kirito: Don't worry, Alice. You should get away from here immediately.

Alice: Eh... Why...?

She said, not realizing the danger she is in.

Eugeo: Well... We believe that Integrity Knight is...

Eugeo began to explain and then stopped. Some soft murmurs of the villagers filled the silence. He looked and saw a thin and tall man walking from the town hall to the square.

Alice: Oh... Father!

He was the eldest of Rulid, Gasupht Zuberg. His thin frame was covered with a simple leather tunic, and his black hair and mustaches were perfectly trimmed.

Gasupht proceeded before the knight, alone and without fear, then squeezed his hands in front of him and bowed to the manner of the Axioma Church. Then he straightened up and said in a clear and strong voice.

Gasupht: I'm Zuberg, the oldest in Rulid Village.

???: I am the Knight of the Integrity of the Axiom who supervises the northern territory of Norlangarth, Deusolbert Synthesis Seven.

Gasupht stumbled back half a step, overwhelmed by Deusolbert's strength, but quickly recovered, regaining his posture.

Gasupht: It is the maximum of honors that a Knight of Integrity, protector of all human lands, sets foot in our humble and distant people. We want to offer you a welcome party, no matter how scarce it may be.

Deusolbert: That won't be necessary. I'm here on official service. I am here to arrest and accompany Alice Zuberg, daughter of Gasupht Zuberg, for her crimes against the Taboo Index so that she can be tried and her sentence.

Upon hearing that, everyone's eyes widened in shock, and Alice's body trembled, while neither Kirito nor Eugeo could move a muscle, much less say anything.

After a long silence, Gasupht spoke again, his voice is no longer soft with authority.

Gasupht: My lord... what crime has my daughter committed?

Deusolbert: she has broken Book One, Chapter Three, Verses Eleven of the Taboo Index: venturing into the Dark Territory.

The villagers who listen to the exchange abruptly broke into uncomfortable murmurs. The children's eyes bulged, and the adults murmured sacred mantras and made seals to fight against evil.

After Deusolbert ordered Gasupht to chain Alice, he did it without any questions.

Currently, Alice was standing in front of Deusolbert chained in a thick metal chain with three parallel strips of leather attached, ending in a large ring.

Alice looked at her father, her pale face. Gasupht briefly gave his daughter a painful look, then lowered his head again.

His stone-faced father slipped the threatening restrictions on his body. She shuddered as the three leather straps wrapped tightly around her shoulders, stomach and hips.

When the last one was squeezed, Gasupht took some unstable steps backwards. At that moment, Kirito and Eugeo reached the knight while the imposing helmet slowly turned to face them.

Kirito: Mr. Knight!! A-Alice did not enter the Dark Territory! His hand simply brushed the surface! That's all!

Deusolbert: And what else is needed?

Kirito: So... then we are also guilty! We were in the same place! If you're going to take her, get us with her!

Deusolbert simply ignored Kirito, approached Alice and grabbed the chain hanging from her back.

Kirito: Listen, Eugeo... I'm going to attack the knight with this axe. I'll try to hold him for a few seconds, and you take Alice to freedom!

Eugeus looked at Dragonbone Ax still holding the hands of Kirito and finally found his voice.

Eugeo: B-But... Kirito

Kirito: Who cares about taboos? Are they more important than Alice's life?

Eugeo just froze there, he doesn't know what to do.

While Deusolbert checking Alice's restraints in the distance, Kirito prepared to charge with the ax but the moment Kirito stepped forward, the Integrity Knight merely glanced at Kirito and the Dragonbone Ax gripped tightly in the boy's hands clanged and flew high into the air.

The knight hadn't touched his sword or his bow and he hadn't even moved a finger. Yet as though his own will were a physical blade, he had struck the ax from Kirito's hands, sending it flying to the edge of the square.

Kirito fell onto his back with the momentum of that strange collision.

Eugeo: Kirito!!

Deusolbert: Escort those two boys from the square.

Kirito: Dammit! I won't give up!

As he stands up, several villagers immediately set upon him and held him down as his cheek forced into the cobblestones.

Kirito: Eugeo! Please, you have to go without me!

Alice was looking at them, distraught before she shook her head. Eugeo looked between Kirito and Alice before started to slowly walk towards Alice.

Eugeo then suddenly stops walking when a sharp pain wins behind his right eye. An odd itching that refused to go away was blocking his thoughts and blood-red color covered his vision. The sensation of his limbs faded.

Eugeo: Go. I have to go. I have to steal Alice from the knight's hands and run into the forest...

But then came that stabbing pain behind his right eyes again, robbing him of his agency. Another voice clanged inside his head along with the pulsing red light.

???: The Axiom Church is absolute. The Taboo Index is absolute. Disobedience is forbidden. No one is exempt from the law.

Then another voice was heard but it was glitchy but still able to hear it.

????: T̷h̵o̶s̴e̸ ̴l̶a̷w̷s̴ ̸a̵r̶e̶ ̵n̶o̸t̴h̸i̶n̵g̶ ̴b̵u̸t̶ ̸p̸a̷i̷n̷.̴ ̸T̶h̸a̸t̶ ̸b̴i̶t̸c̴h̴ ̸o̷f̵ ̴a̶ ̵w̸a̴n̵n̴a̵ ̵b̴e̸ ̵g̵o̴d̴d̴e̶s̸s̶ ̵i̶s̸ ̶n̷o̶t̶h̸i̵n̶g̵ ̷b̴u̶t̷ ̵t̴o̴ ̴b̷e̶ ̷p̸u̴t̸ ̵d̴o̵w̷n̴ ̶a̶n̸d̷ ̷s̶e̵r̷v̴e̶ ̸t̴h̵e̵ ̷O̸b̴s̴e̷r̵v̸e̷r̷.̴ ̴L̷e̴t̴'̶s̸ ̸r̸e̸b̶e̷l̴ ̸t̸h̷e̷ ̷l̵a̸w̴s̵ ̸o̷r̵ ̵b̷e̸ ̶a̸ ̷w̴e̵a̷k̷ ̵m̸a̶n̷ ̷w̷i̷t̵h̶ ̶n̷o̴ ̵s̴p̸i̷r̴i̶t̴ ̴o̷f̵ ̶a̶ ̴w̵a̴r̸r̴i̶o̷r̸...̸f̷i̷g̵h̸t̴!̵!̵

Kirito: Please, Eugeo! At least get them off me!
Then I can-!

The Integrity Knight did not watch what was happening in the square. He fixed the end of the chain to another chain connected to his dragon's saddle. The creature lowered its head, and the knight swung up to straddle it.
The silver armor shone again.

Kirito: Eugeo!!

Eugeo:...

Eugeo didn't say anything and continued to look at Alice be taken away as the white dragon rose, stretched its wings, and beat them. Again and again, it pounded the air.

Alice was tied directly to the dragon's saddle.
She stared at Eugeo and Kirito before smiling at them, her blue eyes seeming to be saying goodbye.

The updraft of the beating wings brushed her golden hair, which sparkled just as brightly as the knight's armor in the sun and the White Dragon then fly away from the village with chained-up Alice.

Kirito broke free from the villagers as he stands up and walks next to Eugeo who couldn't move or speak, feeling helpless. He couldn't budge an inch, as though his feet were rooted right into the ground.

Kirito: Alice!

A knight stops beside Eugeo as he looks up to him.

????: so you couldn't save your friend or help your friend? All you do is be a coward.

Eugeo: w-who are you?

????: what I'm called?*giggles* well I'm called...

He pulls up his helmet revealing his smile.

????: Forsaken!!

He blasted towards the dragon and Deusolbert stopped the dragon.

Deusolbert: who are you?

Forsaken: I'm called Forsaken a demon from Hell. The Taboo Index is nothing but pain and suffer of those people. The nobles will use it for loopholes to get what they want. I'll destroy it with my own hands.

Deusolbert pulls out his bow and shot three arrows at Forsaken but he gave a dark chuckle.

Forsaken: your weapon will never defeat me. Let me give you a warning, once I return in the future I'll face the Administrator, make her suffer on the pain she caused and that's no joke.

He transforms into a large hedgehog with black eyes, red dots, pink tears coming out and crystals formed on his quills.

Forsaken: no, no, no , The Administrator will be punished for her foolishness. You'll be punished for this...be ready for the first round. Let tell you what I'm I AM GOD!!

He teleports to Eugeo who was scared as the villagers were going to attack but hands grabbed them all.

Eugeo: w-what do you want?

Forsaken: nothing but I'll say this: If you want to save the people you care for, become stronger, don't let anybody hold you back, don't hesitate at all it will kill you.

Then he vanishes.

——-

Suddenly, Kazuto eyes open wide, woke up from the FullDive. He stared at the white ceiling above him for a few seconds before sitting up on the bed of the machine that he used to FullDive.

Kazuto:...

As he looked around the room, Kazuto felt something wet dropped at the back of his right hand. Got curious, he lifts his left hand to touch his face and felt the tears streaming down his cheeks.

Kazuto:...why I'm crying? Y-yami I need you to help me...

(Timeskip)

Asada Shino or later known as Minamoto Shino took a sip of cold-brewed iced coffee with just a dab of milk, allowing the rich flavor to seep back into her throat before she let out a long breath.

Through the faded glass window was an assortment of colored umbrellas moving in different directions. Shino hated the rain, but it was rather relaxing to sit at a table in the hidden, alley-side cafe and watch the damp gray city move.

After finishing the class an hour ago, Shino is currently at Dicey Cafe waiting for her fiancee, Yami, and her best friend, Sachi AKA her comrades in Yami's harem.

Shino: It's really coming down.

She then turned to look at the barista polishing drinking glasses, his skin the shade of a latte.

Andrew: It's the rainy season.

Shino: It's supposed to rain until tomorrow.

Andrew: And here I thought it was the work of an undine mage.

Shino then snorted at Andrew or Agil's supposed joke.

Shino: No one's going to understand that you told a joke if you don't at least make the right expression, Agil.

Andrew: Hrm...

Andrew Gilbert Mills or familiarly known as Agil, the owner of the cafe/bar Dicey Cafe, wriggled his eyebrows and mouth in search of the "right expression," prompting Shino to burst into laughter when each face he made looked more likely to bring small children to tears.

Shino lifted her glass to her mouth and drowned out the laughter with coffee.

Satisfied, Andrew put on an even fiercer look, just before the bell on the door jingled. A new guest stopped dead in his tracks in the doorway when he saw the proprietor's face, and he shook his head.

Yami: Listen, Andrew if you greet all your customers that way, your place is going to go out of business very quickly.

Andrew: N-no, it's not that. This is my joke
face.

Yami: *sweatdrop* It's not that, either.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance before putting his umbrella in the whiskey barrel near the door once he'd shaken off the drops. When he saw Shino, he waved to her.

Yami: Sup, Shino.

Shino: Hey, Darling... You're late!

She said glaring at her fiancee, Minamoto Yami as he winced in apology.

Yami: Sorry, it's been traffic and lost to the road of life.

He sat down across from Shino but not before kissing her on the lips, which seem to be effective as her anger instantly disappeared like it wasn't there in the first place.

Shino: You didn't fly?

Yami: I wasn't up for flying it in the rain... I'll have a caffé latte, as usual, Andrew.

He ordered his usual drink at the cafe as Andrew nodded in affirmative before Yami going back to focus on Shino. While waiting for the order, Yami noticed Shino checking his up and down.

Yami: What is it, Shino? Did my handsome face made you heed over heel over me again~?

Shino: *blushing* N-No, I mean yes! Hah..
*Regaines her composure* Anyway, have you lost more weight? You need to eat more.

Yami: You think so? I just lost a bit more over this long weekend...

Shino: Why? Were you training in the mountains?

Yami: Yeah., mom dragged me there saying
"you need more training!" What's more terrifying is the males were also forced to take a holiday as Rukia, Raikou, Cecila, Unohana also dragged them with me.

Shino shot an apologetic stare at her later husband. After their engagement, she along with other girls get to know more about Minamoto's family as they followed them on holiday but it was a terrifying experience
for the men in the family as they felt the dark aura coming from the females.

While they were talking, Andrew finished Yami's ordered as he put down the glass in front of him.

Shino: Is it that delicious? Every time we have a date, you always order this drink.

Yami: Try it.

He pushed the glass over to her. She lifted it and put her lips to the rim to take a sip. The creamy texture of the head gave way to a pleasantly chilly coffee flavor, followed by a sweet aftertaste.

Shino: It's good.

Yami: I know, right.

Andrew: You can't get that much head on it unless the bartender knows what he's doing.

He said while tapped his bulging bicep happily, much to Yami's annoyance.

Yami: We hear enough bragging about your skill levels without you having to do it in real life, Andrew. And what's that smell?

Andrew: Boston baked beans. They don't come out right unless the cook knows what she's-

Yami: Oh, a taste from home from your wife, huh? I'll take an order of those, too.

Andrew nodded, retreated to the kitchen, scowling at being cut off. Yami grabbed the glass back from Shino and took a big gulp. He exhaled, sat up straight, and stared right at her.

Yami: so Shino, how is he doing?

Shino: Shinkawa is... He seems to have settled down a lot. I plan to request a meeting again after a little while. I think he might agree to see me this time.

Yami: I see. That's good to hear.

He then turned to look out at the rain before looked back at Shino.

Yami: By the way, are you doing well these past few days?

He asked knowing the fear of guns that had tormented Shino for over five years was not completely gone yet.

Shino: I've been doing great. I watched all the movies in that old action flick collection you lent to me. The one I liked the most was where they twisted around the gun bullets to strike behind cover and stuff. I'll have to use it as a practice model - I think I can probably pull it off in GGO.

Yami: I'm glad you like it. If you want a partner, I can help you.

Shino nodded happily to be able to spend private time with her fiancee.

Yami: So I guess that means the Death Gun incident is finally over and done with... at last.

Shino: Yeah... I guess so.

She then fell silent and it felt like there was something in the back of her mind that refused to go away.

But before she could figure out what it was, the kitchen door opened, and Andrew emerged with two steaming plates for the table.

The sight of gleaming brown kidney beans and thick chunks of bacon brought a violent growl to her stomach, which hadn't had anything to do since digesting lunch.

Shino automatically picked up the spoon, then came to her senses and put it back, waving her hand.

Shino: Oh, I didn't order any.

Andrew: *smirk* Don't worry, the meal's free. It's on your future husband~

Shino's face instantly turned red at the teasing as Yami smiled while Agil retreated gracefully behind the counter.

After calming down, Shino grabbed the spoon again and waved it at Yami.

Shino: Thanks for the grub.

Yami: Anything for my one of future wives. I just got paid, so I've got some cash to burn.

Shino: Oh? What kind of job are you doing?

Yami: We can talk about that after we clear up the main business here. Plus, we have to eat this while it's hot.

He picked up the bottle on the table and squirted a dollop of mustard on the rim of the plate, then passed it to Shino. She followed his lead, then scooped up a spoonful of beans to her mouth.

The beans were boiled to fluff on the inside. The soft, gentle sweetness filled her with a simple nostalgia, despite the food's foreign origin. The thick pieces of bacon were not too oily, and they crumbled in her mouth.

Shino: This is... really, really good.

Yami just smiled looking at Shino while thinking how cute she is.

Shino: Why are they called Boston baked beans? I wonder what they're flavored with.

Yami: Maple syrup and molasses.

Shino: Ohh... I thought American food was nothing but hamburgers and fried chicken.

She whispering at the last part but Yami still hears it as he sweatdropped at her.

Yami: Note to self: Take Shino and the girls to the state on our honeymoon and introduced them to the local food that I was from....

Yami: That's a stereotype. All the VRMMO players I've met from over there are pretty cool, once you get to know them.

Shino: Yeah, that's true. The other day I went on the international GGO server and talked with a girl from Seattle about sniping for almost three hours. Then again... I don't know if I'll ever see eye to eye with him...

Yami: who?

Shino: That's what I was going to talk to you about today. You know they held the fourth Bullet of Bullets individual competition last week.

Yami: Yeah, we all watched the stream. I didn't congratulate you yet but I'm guessing you were not happy about the result. Congratulations on coming in second, though.

Shino: Thanks, darling. Then you saw it on the stream. Subtilizer, the player who won first... That's his second time being champion.

Yami blinked several times, he remembers that man. The one who wanted more souls.

Yami: him...I'll make sure he'll suffer even god will never bring him back at all.

Yami: Now that you mention it... I think I remember you saying that while we were together in the third BoB. An American player who completely dominated the first tournament with just a knife and handgun... But didn't he get shut out the second time because they split the servers into US and JP, so he was on the other side?

Shino: Supposedly, yes... He didn't register for the second or third tournament. But somehow he either got around the IP block this time, or he had a connection with the game management In either case, I was happy. I always wanted a chance to face the legendary Subtilizer.

Yami: *smirk* Yeah, even on the feed I could tell you were pumped.

Shino then pouted cutely at the teasing.

Shino: I-It wasn't just me. All 30 people in the final... well, all 29 aside from him were excited. A couple of them had fought him and lost in the first one. America might be ground zero for FPS games, but we were ready for the battle royale to show our pride in Japan, home of the Seed Nexus that GGO uses... And once we got the chance...

Yami: It ended up being a repeat of the first tournament, huh?

Shino nodded, frowning. She scooped up the last piece of thick bacon and savored the rich, homemade flavor to reset her emotional compass, hoping to view her memories of the past week in a more objective light.

Shino: Yes, that might have been the result. but in fact, it was even more of a blowout than the last one. This time, he started the battle unarmed.

Yami: Bare-handed?

Shino: Yes. Instead of a weapon, he had the Army Combative skill. He took his first target unawares and beat him with some hand-to-hand moves, then took his victim's weapon and used it on the next one... over and over. He couldn't reload the guns he picked up, so there were a few fights where he had to go back to fighting bare-handed. All you can say is that his talent for combat is completely on another level.

Yami crossed his arms and grunted.

Yami: On the other hand... Subtilizer plays an ultra-close-range build, right? Couldn't anyone have taken him out at mid- or long-range? Aren't the majority of GGO players like that...?

Shino: You saw what happened when he beat me, right?

Yami: Yeah, I was watching from within ALO. On the screen, you were heading straight for the spot where Subtilizer was hiding three minutes earlier, so everyone was screaming, "Don't go there!" And "Sinon, behind you!" And all that stuff.

Shino: Yes, that part.

She said, snorting to drive away from the shock and humiliation of that moment before they could visit her again.

Shino: After the tournament, I talked to the other 11 people he beat hand to hand, and they were all taken down the same way. He couldn't have had more than the briefest of data on all of us, but the way he went from sneak attack to mortal blow before we could fire a single shot, it was like he knew ahead of time what we were going to do. I don't know how things are on the American side, but on the JP server, there are barely even any knife fights, much less bare-handed combat...

Yami: Well, from what I heard, there were a lot more players using photon swords after the third tournament.

Shino: *smirk* It's no surprise, after the show you and Kirito put on with it. There were a lot of players practicing cutting bullets with photon swords right around the start of the year, but I don't think anyone's made the training stick.

Yami just scratched his cheeks with an embarrassed look.

Shino: At any rate... Not a single JP player was able to even point their rifle at him, much less hit him with a bullet. Perhaps Subtilizer's greatest skill isn't his close combat but his predictive abilities in battle.

Yami: Hmm, I see... I just don't know if that's possible... A beginner is one thing, but these are veteran players, finalists of the BoB. Could you predict their actions with one hundred percent certainty?

Shino just shrugged before replying.

Shino: If over 10 people lost the same way, you can't claim it's a fluke. But I suppose veterans may be more predictable because they know the most efficient actions to take. There's a general understanding of where to set up in what terrain and what exact routes to take to get around fastest.

Yami: I see... It sounds true.

Shino: So, speaking of players who ignore common sense and do the improbable, the absurd, and the impossible, I can only think of one other. While it's a bit early, I figured I would recruit him for the fifth BoB at the end of the year...

She made a gun gesture with her hand and pointed it at Yami.

Shino: and that's why I called you.

Yami: To invite Tiffany?

Shino: Of course not, idiot! I'm talking about you!

Yami: Oh...

Shino: The only other player who I could see having the biggest chance at outmaneuvering and beating Subtilizer is my lovely boyfriend.

Yami: Well, sure, I'd like to try fighting this Subtilizer but I think a big reason for how far I got the last time was because nobody else was used to a guy with a sword. And from how you describe it, Subtilizer's a vet in both close combat and guns. I don't know if I stand a chance...

Shino: What're you talking about? You're the the strongest player. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Yami: true but I want to have players to have a fair chance of winning a fight in a FPS

Shino: Yes, he's very tough, but he's just another VRMMO player like the rest of us. You don't have to act like it's an amateur versus pro thing...

Yami: That's the thing.

He then leaned back in the old wooden chair and placing his hands behind his head.

Yami: Is Subtilizer an amateur...? Is he just a normal VRMMO player?

Shino: What's that supposed to mean? What else would he be?

Yami: A professional. Just like me. But someone who fights with guns, not for play but work. A soldier... or a special-ops police guy.

Shino: What?! Oh, come on.

She snorted, assuming Yami was joking but his expression was deadly serious.

Yami: I only know what I read in news articles... but from what I hear, certain militaries, police forces, and private security firms are already using full-dive tech for training. I think it's quite possible that a real professional with skill in that arena could have entered the BoB to test himself.

Shino: I suspect you might be...

As she was about saying "overthinking this," Shino stopped her words. She then recalled Subtilizer's remarkably sharp instincts and the smoothness of his motions.

Shino: No matter who he is, all players come into GGO on equal conditions! I'm not going to lose multiple times to the same guy, so I'll do whatever it takes to win next time!

Seeing Shino's slightly mad, Yami takes Shino's right hand with his and intertwined it making her stop from rampaging.

Shino: Sorry for overreacting and thank you for calming me down.

Yami smiled before kissing Shino's hands, which making her mood turned to happy.

Shino: Anyway, just for safety sake, I'm called on someone else, too. Something like a control system - a set of brakes to keep you in line.

Yami: Control system? Don't tell me it's Yui-chan!

Shino: Of course not, idiot.

Yami then pulled his iPhone 15 smartphone from a pocket and slid his finger across the screen. A moment later, he looked up and fixed Shino with a look.

Yamk: Aha, I see.

Shino: What do you see?

Yami: Nothing. I'm just seeing a sun goddess in front of me that always shining in my heart.

Shino immediately blushed and avoids Yami's gazes, slightly embarrassed but still happy at the compliments.

Shino: T-Thank you for the compliment...

Yami: You're welcome. I mean every word I said. Jokes aside, look at this.

He set down his phone and slid it across the table to Shino who completely recovered from blushing. When she looked down, Shino saw a blinking blue dot en route to them from the train station.

Shino: What's this blip?

Yami: Your next guest, Shino. Only a hundred yards to go.

As he said, the dot was heading right to the café. It crossed an intersection, entered the alley, and reached the center of the map.

Just then, the bell on the door clanged, and Shino looked up. Three people was folding an umbrella at the door. One swiped her chestnut-brown hair aside, the second one shoulder-length black hair and a small mole right under the corner of her right eye was sweeping off some dust off and the last one was a male slightly long but neat black hair and black eyes. His delicate face showed no trace of masculinity, allowing people to easily mistake him for a girl. The three looked at Shino, and smiled brightly enough to drive away from the gloomy rain.

Sachi: Hiya, Shino!

Shino: Hi, Sachi, Asuna and Kirito.

The three looked at the person in front of Shino and her smile immediately got wider.

Sachi: Hey, darling!

Yami: Hey, Sachi.

After the greeting, the three takes a seat next to Yami, and immediately, they kissed him on the lips for a few seconds.

After they parted from the kiss, Sachi smiled at her lover and when she noticed Agil approached with water and a damp towel, she stood up to greet him.

Kazuto: It's nice to see you again, Agil.

Andrew: Welcome. This reminds me of the time you two stayed upstairs at my place.

Asuna: You'd better watch out, or we'll crash your current store in Ygg City, too. Now... let's see what I want today...

She looked over the corkboard menu. Shino, meanwhile, peered at the phone Yami had left on the table. The little blue blip was fixed right on the café.

Asuna: I think I'll go with the ginger ale, spicy.

Sachi: Lemonade, a bit more sweet

Kazuto: Hot Chocolate to order.

Andrew nodded and went back to the counter to get their drinks. After leaving the five, Sachi checking at Yami up and down with a worried look.

Sachi: Hey, Yami You've lost weight, haven't you?

Yami: Not you too, Sachi.

Shino: See? Even Sachi thinks so!

Sachi: Yui also tell me about you lost weight when she stays at my home. It's must be because of your part-time job, isn't it? Really. Overdoing it again.

She pulled her phone from the bag slung over the back of the chair and started to look at something.

Asuna: It doesn't seem to be affecting you physically, but...

Shino: What are you looking at?

Sachi presented her phone at Shino. In the center of the screen was a pink heart with red ribbons, pulsing regularly once a second. There were two numbers on the bottom of the heart, but she wasn't sure what they meant at first. On the left was the number 63 in a large font, while smaller and on the right was 36.2. As Shino watched curiously, the left one rose to 64.

Shino: What's this...?

Yami: Don't stare at it like that.

Shino: Wait... this is your pulse and body temperature in Celsius, Yami?

Kazuto: Bingo! You catch on quick, Shino.

Shino: B-But... how?

Yami: Under the skin, right here.

He pointing to the center of his chest with his thumb. He reached out toward Shino and made a gap with his fingers less than a quarter of an inch wide.

Yami: There's a tiny sensor about this big stuck in there. It measures my heart rate and temperature and sends it to my phone through Bluetooth. From there it goes through the Net to Asuna's and Sachi's phones, giving her a real-time status update on me.

Shino: What? A biometric sensor? B-but why...? Oh, is it an anti-cheating system?

Yami: N-no, no!

Sachi: It's not that!!

Kazuto: none of that!!

Both Yami, Kazuto and Sachi shook their heads with perfect syncchronization.

Yami: When I started my new job, the client recommended having it implanted. It beats having to stick the electrodes to my chest every time I go in. When I told Sachi and Asuna about it, she strongly recommended that I send her the vital data. So I put together a little app and installed it on Sachi's and Asuna's phone.

Both looked at their phones at the app that shows Yami heartbeats.

Asuna: Looking at it sets my mind at ease. I don't know it just calms me down, I guess. The thought that I'm seeing your heart beating just sends me on a little trip, I guess.

Asuna's and Sachi's cheeks went just a bit red as she put the phone on her heart.

Shino: Whoa, that sounds kinda creepy to me, Asuna. But how about you share it with us too?

Sachi: That sounds like a great idea, Shino! Tomorrow I will send it to the other girls too.

The three girls then shared a smile which makes Yami smiled at the interaction between his girls.

Yami: It's great to see the three of them get along.

Shino: Oh, r-right. I forgot why I brought you here. Anyway, I already asked Asuna through e-mail about the next BoB. Do you think you can compete? I'm not going to demand it if you don't want to convert your characters.

Asuna: Oh, that's fine. I have an old account for ALO, so I can stash my house and items with that one while I'm in the other game.

She said with a gentle smile and this eased Shino's bout of agitation, and she took a deep breath before continuing.

Shino: Thanks. Having your help will be huge, Asuna. You're the machine gun to my pillbox! I'm pretty sure you'll have the crack of the photon sword after a few days of practice.

Asuna: I'll convert about a month before the tournament. You'll show me around the city, right?

Shino: Of course. The food in GGO isn't that bad.

Asuna: You won't be sorry you picked me!

She held out her right hand, which Asuna took ahold of with willowy fingers. Once they'd shake hands, Shino disengaged and rapped on the tabletop.

Shino: That ends the business discussion. Now...

She turned to Yami, who was still crunching his ice across the table.

Shino: Let's hear more details. What is this fishy job you're doing? Knowing you and Kazuto it's probably just an alpha test for some new VRMMO or something.

Kazuto: Well, you're not right, but you're not wrong. What we're testing is the brain-machine interface of a completely new full-dive system. It's being developed by Rath.

Shino: I've never heard of it, either. Hmm, is that an English word...?

Yami: No. I mean it was an English word. I'll just let Sachi tell you the answer.

Sachi finished her sip of lemonade and nodded.

Sachi: It's from the poem 'Jabberwocky' within the text of Through the Looking-Glass. The raths are fictional creatures within the poem. Some say they're supposed to be like pigs; others say they're like turtles.

Shino: Ohh...

Shino had read the book years ago, but she didn't remember that word at all. She tried to imagine a pig's head sticking out of a round shell.

Shino: Rath, rath... And they're going to sell their next-gen full-dive console? Rather than doing a joint development with a bunch of other companies like with the AmuSphere?

Yami: Well, I don't know. The actual body of the machine is kinda huge. Combined with the control console and cooling system, it would probably fill this entire room... From what I hear, the very first full-dive prototype was that big, and it took them five years to get it down to the size of the NerveGear. And they say RCT's pushing to get the AmuSphere's successor out next year... Wait, what supposed to be a secret, again?

Asuna just laughed and said.

Sachi: It's fine, they're going to announce it at the Tokyo Game Show next month.

Shino: Oh, RCT's got a new one, too? I hope it's not that expensive.

She throwing an innocent look at Asuna, who nodded gravely.

Asuna: I know, right? They won't even tell me the price, though... But I'm enjoying ALO, so I'm not in any hurry to upgrade. It's tempting when they talk about how much better the graphical power is, though. They said it's going to be backward-compatible.

Shino: Whoa? Maybe I should look into a job, too.

Yami: Well, if you want, I can buy it for you, Kazuto and the other girls?

Shino: Really?! Thank you, darling! I love you!

Yami: I Love you, too.

Shino: But back to the topic. Does that mean that the huge full-dive machine Rath is working on isn't for commercial use? Is it industrial?

Yami: I think it's still before that stage of development. If you're going to be specific, it's a completely different thing from the current full-dive system.

Shino: Different...? But it's still a virtual 3-D world that the user dives into, right? What's it like on the inside?

Kazuto: we don't know.

Shino: Huh?

Yami: It's probably for secrecy, but I can't bring the memory of what happens in the VR world back to real life. I've completely forgotten everything I saw and did during the test.

Shino: Wh-what?!

She let out a shriek before lowered her voice.

Shino: You... can't bring out your memory with you? How is that even possible? Do they put you under hypnosis at the end of your shift? Or don't tell me it's the same as Augma.

She, Sachi and Asuna looked at Yami with a worried look. Seeing his girlfriend's worried faces, Yami waved his hands to relieved their worries.

Sachi: Fluct?

Yami: Then I'll start by explaining the broad picture. What the Soul Translation tech is all about. Where do all think the human soul is located? Where do you think the human mind is?

Asuna: Soul?

Shino: In your head... the brain, right?

Yami: Then if you zoomed in and looked at the brain in detail, where would you find the mind?

Shino: Where...?

Kazuto: Well, the brain is just a mass of brain cells. Inside all cells, including brain cells, there is a frame that supports the whole structure. They're called microtubules. The thing is, those little 'bones' don't just support, they're also like a skull. For the brain inside the brain cell.

Shino: Huh...?

Kazuto: Tubes. Hollow tubes. Just very, very small ones... nanometers in diameter. But they're not empty. There's something stored inside those tubes.

Shino looked over at Asuna and Sachi, then they both looked at Yami and Kazuto.

Shino: What's inside them?

Yami: Light. Photons. Evanescent photons, they call them. A photon is a quantum of light. Their existence is indeterminate and fluctuates constantly in a probabilistic manner. According to this theory in question, this fluctuation is, in fact... the human mind. And that's what includes the human soul, according to Rath.

Asuna: You mean that cluster of light is the human soul?

Kazuto: Right. And at Rath, this thing that might be the human soul is known as... The Fluctlight.

Shino: ... Fluct...light.

Asuna: And reading...er, translating that fluctlight is what the Soul Translator does. Which means it's not just a one-way translation, right? Could it do the opposite as well, right?

Shino: Opposite?

Asuna: The Amusphere allows us to experience the virtual world by sending visuals and audio signals to the brain, right. So couldn't the Soul Translator send information to the soul in the same way?

Yami: Yeah, that's right. The Soul Translator, or STL, writes short-term memories onto the Fluctlight to insert information of the sight or sounds it wants to experience. It's called mnemonic visual data. I have memories of my test dives at the very beginning. It was different. Completely different... Nothing like the VR world created by the Amusphere. At first, I couldn't even tell I was in a Virtual World, it was so realistic...

Sachi: But is it safe? It scares me.

Yami looked at Asuna and saw her face downcast and worried.

Shino: Yeah, me too, Yami, Kazuto. It was Mr. Kikuoka of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who offered you two that job, wasn't it?

Yami and Kazuto looked over at Shino and saw her worried expression too.

Asuna: I don't think he's a bad person, but I feel like I don't fully understand his motives. He's like the guild commander, somehow. I just get the feeling... that something bad is going to happen again...

Yami: You're right that he's not someone you can fully let your guard down with. I still don't know his exact position or job duties. But... I want to know.

He paused, and his pupils focused on someplace far away making Asuna, Sachi and Shino more worried.

Yami: I want to find out where full-dive technology is headed. I have a feeling that there's something more to the STL. I mean, sure, terms like "Fluctlights" and "mnemonic visual" sound complicated. But the world created by the STL is like a realistic dream.

Asuna: A dream?

Kazuto: For example, you all have long dreams sometimes, right? And when you wake up, it feels like you've been dreaming for two or three hours. But chances are, you've only been dreaming for a few minutes. The STL creates the same kind of phenomenon.

Shino: Around...

Yami: The same way that humans see dreams spanning several hours in a matter of minutes, you can also experience the virtual world several times longer than the actual dive loads.

Shino: Eh?!

Yami: That's the greatest function of the STL: Fluctlight Acceleration or FLA.

Sachi: I'm so confused.

Shino: This is all just... So, um.. does that mean that during the three-day-long dive, that thought accelerator was working? How much time did you experience there?

Yami tilted his head, trying to remember.

Yami: I'm not sure. I don't remember whether it was ten days or a month. The only thing I remember they told me was the code name of the experimental virtual world.

Shino: What's it called?

Yami: The Underworld.

Shino: Under... an underground world?

Asuna: Maybe... that has to do with Alice, too.

Shino: Alice...?

Sachi: Like I said with the source of the name Rath, maybe this one comes from Alice in Wonderland. Well, the original manuscript title was Alice's Adventures Under Ground.

Shino: Oh, I didn't know that. The more I hear, the more this company sounds like it came from a fairy tale.

Asuna: In fact, both Alice's books were big, long dreams in the end, right? I wonder if that means you were having tea parties with rabbits and playing chess with a queen while you were under, Yami.

Asuna, Sachi and Shino giggled at the thought but Yami and Kazuto himself was staring at a fixed point on the table, lost in thought.

Shino: What's wrong?

Kazuto: When you said 'Alice'... I felt like I was about remembering something... It was just one of those things, you know? Where you're on the brink of recalling something huge, but you can't remember what it was, so it just sits there on your shoulders like this big ball of anxiety?

Shino: Oh, yeah. It's kinda like when you have a nightmare and wake up from it, but you can't remember what it was about.

Kazuto: There's something... something we're forgetting that we're was supposed to do right away...

Both boys lamented, scrunching up their hair making Asuna, Sachi and Shino looked at them with concern.

(Timeskip)
After finishing their talk about STL and GGO, Yami picked up the bill and goes to the counter to pay it with the seventy-two straight hours of wages he'd just earned. Shino, Sachi, Kazuto and Asuna loudly chimed in their thanks for the meal and started for the door.

Asuna: We'll be back, Agil.

Shino: Thanks for the baked beans. They were great!

Andrew: Yeah.

She took her umbrella from the whiskey barrel and opened the door which makes the doorbell clattered. She then opened her umbrella and took one step down the small staircase as Asuna, Sachi, Kazuto and Yami also come out of the cafe with their umbrella.

Yami: Are you sure you don't want us to take you to your house?

Shino: No, it's alright. We'll be in touch about the BoB. Thanks for coming.

Asuna: Sure! See you, Shino!

Yami: Be careful, Shino. Bye!

Shino: Later, Asuna, Sachi, Kazuto and Darling.

She waved to the couple and walk towards her subway station. After Shino leave, the trio turned their head to Yami who turned his back on her.

Sachi: Let's go.

Yami:...

They saw that Yami was looking down the street and his eyes were narrowed.

Kazuto: What's wrong?

Yami looked back at the three and let out a smile.

Yami: it's nothing. Let's go.

——

Time Skip

After taking the Miyanosaka Station on the Setagaya Line which Asuna lived in Setagaya, the couple currently walked hand in hand in silence at the brick tiles on the pedestrian path.

Yami came to a sudden stop, and so did the trio at the same moment. When she opened her eyes, the striking of seven o'clock caused an old-fashioned wrought-iron streetlamp to flicker to life.

Asuna: Yami?

There were no other people to be seen on the residential walkway in the dusk after the day's rain. Yami slowly tilted his head to look at the three with those blue eyes of his.

Yami: you three... I'm thinking of going after all.

They knew that he had been weighing a decision about his future path.

Sachi: To America?

Yami: Yeah. My family decides to expand our influences as I'm as the next heir need to go and besides, I'm also can learn more about full-dive technology since the next generation full-dive tech research is more advanced over there. I've already talked to Kazuto. And he plans on doing the same. I want to see it. The moment the next world is created.

Sachi looked directly back into those eyes and nodded.

Sachi: It wasn't all just fun times... There were hard times and sad times, too. You want to find out why you were called to that castle, and where it's been taking you.

Yami: I could live hundreds of years, and I'd still never see the end of that road. So... I-I want... I want you, Asuna, Kazuto and the other girls to come with me, Sachi.

Asuna's eyes had bulged as her face turned redden.

Yami: I know that's asking a lot. But I just... I know I can't... I can't live without you girls!

Hearing his confession, Sachi reached over and enfolded Yami's hand with both of her.

Sachi: Of course I'm... We're going with you. We'll go anywhere to be with you. No matter where!

Yami: Sachi...

He gave Sachi a dazzling smile that he often showed to his girls. Then, Yami summons his extra hands to their shoulder as Sachi let go and circled her arms around his back. They looked at each other before slowly leaned in until their lips touched each other.

Their lips were chilly when they first touched, but they soon melted into warmth. After a minute, the couple parted their lips and smile at each other.

——

(Time Skip)

After Yami and the three had promised themselves to each other, they resumed their walk through the neighborhood in silence before Asuna wondered aloud.

Asuna: So does that mean you don't think the Soul Translator you've been testing is the proper evolution of full-diving? The brain chip is a connection on the cellular level like the NerveGear, but the STL goes further to an interface on a quantum level, right?

Yami: Hmm... I'm not sure about that. I have a feeling it's not just a machine built to submerges people in virtual worlds.

Asuna: Then what is it?

Yami: It might be a machine for learning more about Fluctlights about human consciousness. And also I think the STL is an extension of his of Heartcliff's philosophy.

Asuna: Huh? The commander?

Yami: Why that guy used the NerveGear and SAO to cause thousands of causalities, why he burned out his brain, and why he scattered something like the Seed all over the place at the end of it all... I guess I do want to find out.

Asuna: Didn't you talk with the commander's consciousness.

Yami: Yeah. I have a feeling that the reason he left a copy of himself behind has something to do with what RATH is trying to accomplish with the STL.

He looked up to the sky, where the last vestiges of red were vanishing. Sachi gazed at his profile for a while, then squeezed his hand harder and whispered.

Sachi: Just promise us one thing: that you won't do anything dangerous.

Yami: Of course. I promise. Now that I know I get to go to America with you, Kazuto and the other girls next summer.

Eventually, they reached a small park that was fairly close to Asuna's house. Asuna came to a hesitant stop and turned to face Yami He looked her in the eyes.

Right, when they were only inches apart, heavy footsteps thudded in their direction, and Asuna instantly pulled away.

Trotting toward them from the T-intersection behind her was a figure, a short man wearing dark clothing. When he spotted Asuna, Kazuto, Sachi and Yami he approached, apologizing in a high-pitched voice.

???: Excuse me! Um, which way is the station?

Asuna pointed to the east.

Asuna: It's, uh...

Yami's and Kazuto's eyes narrowed at the suspicious man in front of them and Yami had abruptly reached out and pulled Asuna's and Sachi's shoulder back. He stepped forward and moved her behind him.

Sachi: Yami...

Yami: You were outside Dicey Café. Who are you?

Asuna and Sachi sucked in a sharp breath and looked closer at the man.

He sported long hair with the occasional highlight. His sunken cheeks were thick with stubble. There were silver earrings in his ears and a thick silver chain around his neck. He was wearing a faded black T-shirt and black leather pants with a metal chain that jangled at his waist.

Despite the hot season, he wore heavy lace-up boots. Narrow, mirthful eyes peered out between shaggy bangs. The man then let out sighed upon being discovered by Yami.

???: So much for the surprise attack.

Yami: Who are you?

???: Hey now, don't be like that, Kitsune and Kirito. You two forgot my face already...? Oh wait, I always had a mask on over there, didn't I? Now that XaXa's been caught, the heavy lifting's all on me, right?

He then suddenly gave way to a dangerous look, his pupils glinting.

???: As the last survivor for the Laughing Coffin!

Kazuto's eyes immediately widened when he realized who it was.

Kauzto: Johnny Black!!

Kazuto hand shot like lightning to grab space over his shoulder—the same spot where Kirito the Black Swordsman once reached for the hilt of his beloved Elucidator.

Johnny Black: Bwa-ha! Heh-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You ass!! You got no sword there, bud!

Asuna knew that name. It belonged to one of the more famous red players of old Aincrad, the ones who eagerly and intentionally killed other players.

He had formed a partnership with Red-Eyed Xaxa within the PK guild called Laughing Coffin, and they were responsible for more than ten deaths between them.

Yami: So you're still on the run?

Johnny Black or known by his real name Kanamoto, grinned and pointed his index fingers at them.

Kanamoto: Of course! Look at you now, Kitsune and Kirito. Without your sword, you're nothing but a brat, huh?

Kazuto: we don't need a sword to take you on. But the same could be said for you. You don't have your poisoned weapon anymore either.

Kanamoto: Oh, I have it... I have my poison weapon alright!

With snake-like quickness, Kanamoto swung his right hand behind his back and grabbed something from his shirt.

Kanamoto: Too bad it's not a good old knife, though.

It was a strange item. A toylike grip jutted out of a smooth plastic cylinder. Asuna thought it was just a water pistol at first.

But the way Yami tensed caused her to hold her breath as her confusion turned to fear when she heard his voice.

Yami: That's... the Death Gun...!

He pushed out backward with his right arm to further distance Asuna from the man, meanwhile pointing the end of his folded umbrella toward Kanamoto.

Kazuto: Asuna, Sachi, Yami Run!! Go and get someone!!

Kanamoto extends his right hand where the syringe was to and at the same time, Kazuto thrust the umbrella on his right hand.

Then, the prod of Kauzto's umbrella was jammed into Kanamoto's right thigh and Kanamoto's injector was pressed against Kazuto's left shoulder making them both lurched over and toppled onto the street.

Asuna: Kazuto!!

Yami: we need to get him some help!!

Sachi takes out her phone and dials the hospital.

End of Volume