There's the exit!
That took years off my life!
It saved us some time, didn't it?
You're unbelievable!
Where are the leaders having their meeting?
Oh, right.
Let's see...
To the northwest, deep inside that mountain.
How long until it starts?
Twenty minutes.
I hope we make it.
The Blazing General
Alfheim • Neutral Zone • Butterfly Valley
I'm not sure if we can get there before the Salamanders.
Yeah.
Even if we do warn them in time, we'll either only manage to get the leaders out,
or we'll all perish in battle.
I sense players!
A large group of sixty-eight straight ahead.
It's probably the Salamander assault team!
There are another fourteen players further out.
I believe those are the Sylphs and Cait Siths attending the meeting.
Fifty seconds remain before they make contact.
So we're too late.
Thanks, Kirito-kun, but you can stop here.
You go to Yggdrasil while I rescue Sakuya.
It's been a short but fun ride.
Hopefully we'll meet again.
I'm not the kind of guy who cuts and runs.
Why are the Salamanders here?!
Everyone, put away your weapons!
Who's that?
Sakuya.
Leafa!
What are you doing here?
It's a long story.
All I can say is that our fate rests in his hands.
What on Earth is going on?
I'd like to speak to your commander.
What is a Spriggan doing here?
Nothing will change the fact that I'm going to kill you, but I'll reward your courage by listening to you.
I am Kirito, an ambassador for the Spriggan-Undine alliance.
If you proceed with your attack, then we can assume you want an all-out war with the four races, correct?
The Undines are allied with the Spriggans?
And you claim to be their ambassador despite the lack of even a single escort?
That's right.
I only came here to discuss trade with the Sylphs and Cait Siths.
But if you attack this meeting, you'll regret it.
The four races shall ally themselves against the Salamanders.
It's difficult to just take the words of a single person with run-down gear at face value.
If you can withstand my attack for thirty seconds, I'll recognize you as an ambassador.
How generous of you.
This is bad.
That Salamander's two-handed sword...
It's the Demon Sword, Gram.
I heard that you need a two-handed sword skill of 950 in order to equip it.
950?!
Yes.
And the wielder of the sword must be General Eugene.
Do you know him?
W-Well, I've heard of him.
He's the younger brother of Mortimer, the Salamander leader.
I believe they're also brothers in real life.
The older one is the strategist while the younger one is the warrior.
In terms of pure fighting ability, he's said to be the game's strongest player.
The game's strongest player?
Kirito-kun...
What was that?!
The Demon Sword, Gram, comes with Ethereal Shift,
an extra effect that allows the sword to phase through any sword or shield you try to block it with.
That's ridiculous!
You're still alive? Impressive.
What on Earth was that attack?!
He got me good.
Hey, hasn't it been thirty seconds already?
My apologies, but I've decided to kill you instead.
Now it's a fight to the death.
Bastard...
You'll be crying bitter tears!
This won't be easy.
They're about equal in terms of fighting skill, but Eugene's weapon is beyond compare.
Still...
Still, I'm sure Kirito-kun will...
What the heck?
I'm borrowing this.
K-Kirito-kun?
Are you trying to delay the inevitable?!
He vanished!
Don't tell me he ran off?
That would never happen!
I'm not letting anyone in my party die. Not while I live!
Kirito-kun would never run.
Kirito-kun!
Die!
Excellent! Excellent!
Wow! Nice fight!
All right!
He's good.
Amazing.
Your fighting skills are excellent.
You're the strongest player I've ever come across.
Thank you.
To think that a fighter like you would be a Spriggan...
The world's larger than I had thought.
Do you believe me now?
Gene-san, could I have a word with you?
Kagemune? What is it?
He's yesterday's...
I'd rather not fight against you one on one.
You undoubtedly already know that my entire party was wiped out yesterday.
Yeah.
The one we faced was none other than that Spriggan.
He did have an Undine with him.
I see.
Then we'll leave it at that.
Neither I nor our leader wish to have any disputes with the Spriggans or the Undines.
We'll take our leave here.
But know that we will fight again someday.
You got it.
I guess there are some Salamanders who can be reasoned with.
You're seriously crazy, you know that?
I get that a lot.
Pardon me, but I would appreciate an explanation for all this.
I see.
I did notice that Sigurd had been showing signs of severe dissatisfaction.
Dissatisfaction?
About what?
He probably couldn't stand the thought of falling behind the Salamanders in terms of power.
Sigurd is always hungry for more power.
Not just in character stats or abilities, but also authority as a player.
Even so, why would he work as a spy for the Salamanders?
Have you heard of the 5.0 update that's about to be released?
Rumor has it they will implement a conversion system.
So...
Mortimer probably offered him a deal.
If he brought Mortimer the head of his leader, he would be made a Salamander.
So, what will you do, Sakuya?
Lou, you've been leveling up your dark magic, correct?
Yup.
Then please open up a Moonlight Mirror to Sigurd.
Sigurd.
S-Sakuya?
Yes, it's me.
Unfortunately for you, I'm still alive.
How come—
I mean, how was the meeting?
It went well.
We're just about to sign the treaty.
Incidentally, we had an unexpected guest.
A-A guest?
General Eugene gives his regards.
Leafa?
I see now.
Those incompetent lizards...
Well, what are you going to do, Sakuya?
Make me pay a fine?
Or expel me from the government?
But I oversee the army, so if I go, so does your political power.
No.
Since you couldn't stand being a Sylph, I've granted your wish.
Wh-What?
Are you out of your mind?!
You're... You're banishing me?
The leader has deprived you of all your rights as a Sylph and banished you from the race.
That's right.
You're free to wander the Neutral Zone as a renegade.
I pray that you'll find something else to amuse you there.
Damn you!
Sakuya.
I must thank you, Leafa.
I'm very glad that you rushed here to rescue us.
I didn't do a thing.
You should be thanking Kirito-kun.
That's right.
Who are you, exactly?
Hey.
You said you're an ambassador for the Spriggans and Undines.
Is that true?
Nope, it was a total lie!
A bluff, a sham, just a negotiation!
You really are crazy.
Who could come up with such a whopper in a crisis like that?
I always raise the stakes when I'm dealt a bad hand.
You're pretty strong for a big fat liar.
Are you actually the Spriggans' secret weapon?
Of course not.
I'm just a humble mercenary passing through.
Since you don't belong anywhere, would you like to work for the Cait Siths?
We offer three meals, snacks, and afternoon naps.
"Kirito-kun," was it?
I'd like to get to know you, so how about I treat you to a drink in Swilvane as thanks?
Hey—
No fair, Sakuya-chan!
Seducing him is against the rules!
You have no right to talk!
You're being way too intimate with him.
Stop it!
Kirito-kun is my—
My...
Um... he's my...
I appreciate the offers,
but I must decline.
She promised to take me to Yggdrasil.
Oh?
I see. That's a shame.
So you're going to Alne, Leafa?
For some sightseeing?
Or are you...
I'm leaving the Sylphs...
...or at least, I was planning to.
But I'll definitely come back to Swilvane, though I don't know when.
I see. That's a relief.
Be sure to come back.
And bring him with you.
Stop by our place on your way back.
We'll be very glad to have you.
We appreciate what you did for us today, Leafa, Kirito-kun.
Had we been defeated, the Salamanders would've held an overwhelming advantage over us.
I'd like to thank you somehow.
Nah, you don't have to.
Sakuya, Alicia-san, wasn't this alliance created to take on Yggdrasil?
Well... as our ultimate goal, yes.
Cait Sith Territory Capital Freelia
Sylph Territory Capital Swilvane
Yggdrasil
We'd like to be part of that effort.
As soon as possible.
We don't mind if you join us.
In fact, we couldn't be happier.
But why are you in such a hurry?
I came to this world to get to the top of Yggdrasil.
So I can see someone who might be there.
You mean the fairy king Oberon?
No, not him.
I think.
I can't reach that person in the real world.
But I have to see her, no matter what.
I'm afraid it'll take a while until we can properly equip everyone in the raid party.
It can't be done in a day or two.
I see.
I guess you're right.
Well, I was just looking for help to reach the base of the tree.
I can handle the rest on my own.
Oh, that's right.
If you'd like, please top off your funds with this.
S-Sakuya-chan, look!
100,000 Yuld mithril coins? All of this?
Are you sure?
You could build a small castle on prime land with this.
I'm sure.
I no longer need it.
With this, we should be pretty close to having the money we need!
We'll finish gearing up as soon as possible.
When we're ready, we'll let you know.
Thank you.
Thanks! See you soon!
Everything that just happened feels so unreal.
Geez.
I told you cheating's not allowed, Papa!
Wh-What are you talking about?
Your heart was pounding when those two leaders were clinging onto you.
A-Any guy would react the same way.
Geez!
H-Hey, Yui-chan.
What about me?
I think you're all right.
Wh-Why?
Because you don't really seem like a girl, I guess?
Huh? Wha—
What's that supposed to mean?!
A-As in, you're easy to get along with.
I meant it in a good way!
A-Anyway, let's hurry and fly to Alne!
It's getting dark!
Hey, wait for me!
8, 11, 3, 2, 3, 2...
9.
Kirito-kun, I'll do my best.