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Sword Art Online - Volume 15 - Chapter 17.6




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Part 6


Solus’s sunset had long disappeared into the east, but within the sky of the Dark Territory, which appeared narrow beyond the Great Eastern Gate, an ominous blood-red still shook steadily.


As though they wanted to obscure that sight; white tents were erected towards both north and south at the center of the the Human Empire Defense Army camp, in the grassy plains that served as Dragon landing sites during the day. Under an Axiom Church flag flying high within, there gathered a total of thirty Integrity Knights and Defense Army Commanders, their faces all plastered with solemn expressions.


Alice realized that the Knights and soldiers had not separated at all; she halted her footsteps in slight surprise.


The Integrity Knights were clad in shining silver armor and the soldier commanders in black iron armor that lacked splendor, but still had a high Priority; both sides were engaged in enthusiastic discussion, clutching cups filled with Siral water. As she listened in, she found that the soldiers’ words had already lost all traces of convoluted honorifics.


“Although it’s a makeshift regiment, it’s still pretty good, isn’t it, little girl?”


A low voice suddenly came from her side; Alice turned frantically.


Knight Commander Bercouli, with both arms crossed over his Oriental-styled clothing, stopped Alice who was about to salute, and continued:


“In this Defense Army, everything related to the stupid formalities and stuff has been revoked. Luckily, there’s no term in the Taboo Index that says that [Normal citizens must perfectly greet a Knight before talking to him].”


“Ha, haah… I also think that’s really unnecessary, but let’s put that aside right now…”


Alice turned her eyes back to the army meeting.


“— Where are the other Integrity Knights? As far as I can see, there are only ten over there.”


“Very unfortunately, this is everyone.”


“Eh… EH?!”


Alice could not help but hold up a hand to cover her high voice, and looked up at the Knight Commander, who had a slightly bitter look on his face.


“How… Can this be? Including myself, there should be thirty-one of us Integrity Knights.”


This was the same as Thirty-One, Eldrie’s given name in the Sacred Tongue.


Bercouli’s reply was mixed with a low “Even though you say that” sigh:


“You know as well as I do, little girl. About the «Reprocessing» setting that Chief Elder Chudelkin administered that caused memory discordance in the Knights. Since that guy died, the seven Knights who were still in Reprocessing in the Senate have still not awoken.”


“…!”


Alice could not help but widen her eyes. Bercouli continued in an even more dejected voice:


“The only ones who knew the incantation for Reprocessing were Chudelkin and the Highest Minister. They’re both dead now, it’s impossible to wake those seven up without spending time to decipher the incantation, and there’s no time for that now. There’s only one Knight who is not in Reprocessing but in stasis; if we can think of a way to wake that guy up…”


Alice felt that the Knight Commander’s words were mumbled, so she asked:


“May I ask who this is, that single individual?”


“… It’s the «Silent» Zayta.”


“……!”


Although she had never directly seen this person and had heard only a few rumored names, Alice still held her breath. The reason was that those rumors were simply too chilling.


Bercouli coughed, hinting that they should discuss these matters another time. Then, he continued his explanation:


“…In summary, there are only twenty-four awakened Integrity Knights as of now. Four of them have stayed in the Cathedral and Central Capital for management, and four of them are acting guards at the Mountain Range at the Edge. The remaining sixteen… This is the extent of what we can put into this line of absolute defense. Of course, that’s counting myself and you, little girl.”


“Sixteen…?”


Alice wanted to add “only”, but bit her lip and resisted.


If they confirmed their situation again, half of the fourteen in the strategy meeting all lacked Divine Instrument — that is, they were lower Knights incapable of invoking the Armament Full Control Art. Even if they just considered close combat, they were warriors capable of slaying one or two hundred Goblins, but they couldn’t be expected to have the explosive power to stabilize the battlefield.


To Alice who fell silent, Bercouli changed his tone of voice:


“Say, what’re you going to do with the youngster…? How about I go to the rearguard…”


“Ah… No, don’t worry about it.”


At the Knight Commander’s awkward concern, Alice shook her head with a smile.


“By chance, there are people among the volunteers who stayed with him in the Sword Mastery Academy… I’ll leave him in their care once the battle begins.”


“Heh, that’s good…. Then, how did it go? Was there anything when the black-haired kid got into contact with people he’d conversed with before?”


Alice shook her head silently.


Bercouli exhaled shortly, mumbling “Like that, huh”.


“…I’ll only say this here. Honestly, I’ve always wondered whether the one who can really decide the tide of battle is actually that youngster…”


Alice looked up suddenly.


“Although he had the help of you, little girl, and his partner, being able to slash and kill Chudelkin and the Highest Minister is extremely impressive. If we just talk about the strength of his Incarnation, I’m afraid that not even I can compare.”


“…How… can that be…?”


Alice already had not the slightest doubt of Kirito’s strength, but Knight Commander Bercouli’s had honed his Incarnation for more than two hundred years. Conversely, Kirito was still an underage student. It would be better to say that, regardless of swordsmanship or physique, it is impossible to win against the Knight Commander in terms of Incarnation willpower.


But Bercouli just refuted Alice with full confidence.


“Before, when we clashed with Incarnation, I felt it clearly. This kid has built up real combat skills on the same level as I have. Just like that.”


“Real combat…? What does that mean…?”


“What it sounds like. Putting your life on the line.”


This was even more bizarre.


The people living in the Human Empire were protected, or restricted, by the Taboo Index or the numerous laws of various Empires; other than sparring with wooden swords, they usually would never have the chance to compete with real swords in their lifetimes.


The only exception was when the Integrity Knights carried out actual combat at the Mountain Range at the Edge with Goblins or Dark Knights attempting to invade. But since that was unlikely to happen even once or twice between very long spans of time, and since the Integrity Knights possessed crushing fighting power, they honestly hardly counted as life-threatening conflicts.


According to this, the one in the Human Empire with the most real combat experience would undoubtedly be Bercouli, who had fought the Dark Army when the Knighthood had been much smaller. In actuality, it is said that when he had just become an Integrity Knight — although hard to believe — he was pitifully defeated by a Dark Knight and barely escaped with his life.


Compared to the Bercouli then, Kirito has more real combat experience?


If that was true — it can’t be experience from this world.


It was from his real home, «The Outside World». But that should also be the kingdom where the Gods who created the Underworld lived. It’s clearly that, but there is combat there? And who exactly did he put his life on the line against?


Alice did not know what to think anymore; after hesitating briefly, she made up her mind.


By now, she could only come clean to Bercouli. The existence of the Outside World — and the World End Altar that can connect to that place.


“… Oji-sama… Actually, when I was battling the Highest Minister…”


Just as she was collecting her words, as they reached the tip of her tongue.


Suddenly, a sharp voice came from behind the Knight Commander.


“Your Excellency, it is time.”


Alice turned her eyes to the owner of a voice that replied “Yes”.


An Integrity Knight stood there, wrapped in light purple armor that was still dazzling at dusk, equipped with a silvery-white rapier on the left abdomen.


As soon as she saw the bird-of-prey-like winged helmet that completely obscured its owner’s face, Alice felt a lament floating into her heart — directly speaking, it was an “Ahh” feeling.


To Alice, this was probably the person whom she could get along the least with. The Second Integrity Knight and Vice Knight Commander, Fanatio Synthesis Two.


Alice tried not to show her inner thoughts, and pressed her right fist to her left chest in a Knight’s salute.


Across from her, Fanatio performed the same action, her armor clanking. But, different from Alice, who was standing straight with legs slightly apart, Fanatio shifted her center of gravity to her right leg and relaxed her left shoulder, putting on a delicate figure.


It’s this part about this person that I just don’t… Alice muttered silently as she dropped her hand.


She probably wanted to hide it with her armor, helmet and stern tone, but as soon as someone of the same gender saw her, Fanatio’s unconcealable femininity would emanate from her words and actions like the fragrance of a huge flower. This was also a «Technique» that Alice, who was taken to the Cathedral at the age of a child, had not had the opportunity to appreciate.


When Vice Knight Commander Fanatio was battling Kirito and Eugeo on the fiftieth floor of the Cathedral, she suffered near-fatal injuries from a direct hit by Kirito’s Armament Full Control Art. But according to lower Knights who happened to be at the scene, Kirito had casted Healing Arts onto Fanatio, whom he had painstakingly defeated, and used a strange Art to transport her to some place, saving her life.


Although it sounded very much like what Kirito would do, Alice’s heart was still not calm.


Besides, although this person has always said for a hundred years that she was loyal to Knight Commander Bercouli, she named four lower Knights who were smitten with her as her direct subordinates. Are they, who can only yearn but not touch, not pitiful? At least stop wearing a silver mask day and night and show your face to other people.


As Alice was muttering in her heart, Fanatio suddenly placed her hands on both sides of her helmet.


With a click, she unlocked the buckle and casually raised the equipment that shined with a light purple glow. Lustrous black hair billowed out, flowing in the night wind and emanating a silky gloss.


Alice had only seen Fanatio’s face once, and it was a chance encounter while she was heading towards the Cathedral’s baths. It seemed to be her first time seeing the Vice Knight Commander take off her helmet in plain sight of everyone.


As she stared at the beauty that seemed to be even gentler than before, she understood. Her soft lips shone with light lipstick. She, who always concealed her femininity until now, actually put on makeup—?


Fanatio smiled slightly at Alice, who stood blankly, and said:


“Long time no see, Alice ne. I’m relieved that you’re so spirited wa.”


“……”


Ne? Wa? [5]


Alice could not help but remain silent for a few seconds, then returned the greeting:


“Long… Long time no see, Vice Commander.”


“Just call me Fanatio. Anyway, Alice. I only heard tell… You brought back that black-haired boy?”


At this sudden question, Alice immediately purged her mind of all surprise, her alertness rising at the same time.

Although the ones who healed Fanatio were Kirito and the sage Cardinal, she might not know that. To Kirito, who struck her down, it wouldn’t be strange at all for her to harbor hatred and loathing.


“Y… Yes.”


Hearing Alice’s short reply, the Vice Commander nodded, maintaining her sweet smile.


“Oh really. Then, can I go and see him after the strategy meeting?”


“… What for, your Highness Fanatio?”


“Come on now, don’t make that face. I’ve never wanted to cut that child.”


Fanatio shrugged with a wry smile.


“I only want to thank him. After all, the one who healed my fatal injuries was that boy.”


“… It is as you say. However, I think there is no need for you to thank Kirito. As I hear, the one who healed you was the Former Highest Minister, Cardinal. And that person… Most unfortunately, left this world in the battle half a year ago.”


Alice said, slightly relaxing the tension in her shoulders. But Fanatio looked leisurely up at the sky, nodded softly and said:


“Yes… I vaguely remember. It was the first time I had experienced such a warm and powerful Healing Art. But the one who sent me to that Sage was Kirito, and… There’s something else I want to thank him for.”


“Something else…?”


“Yes. —When he battled me and struck me down.”


… As expected, she still wants to slash Kirito.


Seeing Alice take half a step back, Fanatio forcefully shook her head with a serious expression.


“I’m serious. That child is the only man who has seriously crossed swords with me even though he knew that I am female, in the two hundred years I have been an Integrity Knight.”


“Hah…? What… are you…”


“In the past, I didn’t wear this thick helmet and fought with my face shown, like you. But one day, I realized it. The male Knights who were my opponents in mock battles, even the Dark Knights whom I fought with my life, held back just a sliver in their swordsmanship. Showing mercy because I am a woman is a deeper humiliation to me than crawling on the ground after being defeated.”


But that’s just something that cannot be helped. Alice felt that that men who could ignore Fanatio’s facial beauty did not exist.


After settling down in the outskirts of Rulid, she learned for the first time that, in the majority of the Human Empire, there were almost no Sacred Tasks that made women hold swords. At best, the exception were nobles and the children of Lords; in other words, ordinary female citizens were, in principle, unable to choose any method of survival other than becoming a wife, doing housework and raising sons and daughters.


If this ancient custom bound the hearts of the men like the Taboo Index, it would really be ironic. It’s this existing prejudiced view that women should be protected by men that rendered many swords dull in front of Fanatio’s striking beauty. Even the Dark Knights who were inhabitants of the Dark Territory were no exception. Of course, Goblins or Orcs who had a completely different appearance were another discussion altogether.


But as a fellow female Knight, Alice had completely ignored the musings of male Knights until now. She was sure that, no matter if the enemy held back or pushed with full force, she would definitely be stronger than them.


— Your kind of rage is the proof that you are bound by your own identity as a female.


Just as Alice was silently talking to herself, Fanatio was muttering the same thing:


“— I used this helmet to hide my appearance and voice, and learned continuous sword techniques that kept enemies from nearing me. But this also means that I am too mired within my gender, right? That child saw through this immediately, but still fought me with all that he had. In my battle with him, I exhausted all of the sword and Art techniques that I knew, and eventually lost. I’m lucky for Cardinal’s help that saved my life, and when I regained consciousness, all of the pointless bindings in my heart had disappeared… In other words, as long as I can be strong enough to prevent my opponent from having concerns, it’ll be all right. It’s not unreasonable that I want to thank the boy who helped me understand this simple truth, and saved my life, now is it?”


After saying this seriously, Fanatio suddenly smiled mischievously:


“Also… I’m a little annoyed. That boy actually said that he absolutely did not feel any femininity from my face. So I wanted to try and do this and that to see if I can wake that boy up.”


“Wha…”


What the hell are you joking about?


If Kirito really woke up, then won’t everything I’ve done up to today be completely worthless? Thinking from Kirito’s angle, I really can’t say that there’s absolutely no possibility.


Without concealing the dangerous look between her eyebrows, Alice replied in a shrill voice:


“Thank you very much for your kind words, but he is already resting now. I will pass on Your Highness Fanatio’s feelings to him tomorrow.”


“Ahh.”


Losing her smile, the Vice Commander’s long eyebrows twitched.


“I need your permission to see that child? In the Cathedral, when you requested to meet with His Excellency the Knight Commander while he was tending to public matters, I never declined because of my personal feelings.”


“I don’t need Your Highness Fanatio’s permission to see Oji-sama, do I? Besides, aren’t you supposed to see Oji-sama if you want to be pitifully defeated by a male Knight?”


“Ah, I’d rather not for His Excellency. He’s the strongest swordsman in the world, and naturally he will hold back against everyone. Even if his opponent is a Dark Knight, he’ll be merciful.”


“Heh, really? When he trains with me, Oji-sama drips with sweat and is really serious.”


“…Your Excellency! Is this true?!”


“Anyway, it’s Oji-sama who pampers this person too much…!”


Alice and Fanatio turned to the side at the same time.


The Knight Commander was not there.


Where Bercouli was standing a few minutes ago, there was only the night wind that softly blew on the dry grass.


?



Due to massive murderous intent released by acting chair Vice Knight Commander Fanatio Synthesis Two and Alice Synthesis Thirty who was newly joining the front, the strategy meeting held at six in the afternoon began with an unusually tense atmosphere.


After Alice briefly introduced herself, she fiercely sat down on the portable chair set in the very front row.


“…Alice-sama.”


Sitting beside her, Eldrie quietly held out Siral Water. Alice grabbed the cup and downed the ice-cold, sour-sweet liquid. Exhaling deeply, she finally alleviated her mood.


—In any case.


There were really very few higher Integrity Knights with Divine Instruments. The only ones she knew the name and appearance of were the Knight Commander Bercouli of the «Time Piercing Sword», Fanatio of the «Heaven Piercing Sword», Eldrie of the «Frostscale Whip», and Deusolbert of the «Conflagrant Flame Bow».


Including Zayta Synthesis Twelve with the alias «Silent», and the extremely young Knight boy Lenry Synthesis Twenty-Seven who seemed to be a Divine Instrument possessor, since this was the first time Alice was seeing them, she didn’t even know what kind of sword techniques they would use. No matter what, including the seven of the above and Alice of the «Fragrant Olive Sword», they constituted the higher Integrity Knights.


The remaining nine were lower Integrity Knights without Divine Instruments, including Fanatio’s direct subordinates, the «Four Oscillation Blades». Within them were also the shadows of those two fearsome problem children, Trainee Knight girls who gave Bercouli endless headaches, Linel Synthesis Twenty-Eight and Fizel Synthesis Twenty-Nine. Although they were sitting quietly on chairs in a corner in front of them, will they really be useful?


No matter what, the mere sixteen people constituted the full force of what the Integrity Knighthood was able to put into this absolute line of defense.


Conversely, the thirty Defense Army Commanders composed of ordinary citizens were present. Although they were not without vigor, at a glance it was still possible to see the difference between their swordsmanship and that of the Integrity Knights. Alice and the other higher Integrity Knights didn’t need to be mentioned, but even the lower Integrity Knights could probably effortlessly win against all thirty of them at once…


“— In these four months, we have reviewed all tactics, but…”


Speaking again at some moment, Fanatio’s voice brought Alice’s attention back.


“What we can finally be sure of is that it would be very difficult to repel the enemy’s total attack power with our own battle strength right now, and when we are surrounded by the enemy, there would be no odds anymore.”


Using the thin scabbard of her Heaven Piercing Sword as a baton, Fanatio pointed at a giant map spread out in front of the troops.


“As you all can see, over here at the Mountain Range at the Edge, there are plains and rocky terrain spanning ten Kilol. If we are pushed back there, we would almost certainly be surrounded by the fifty-thousand-strong army and annihilated. Therefore, we must fight to the end in the hundreds-Mel wide, thousands-Mel long valley extending from the Great Eastern Gate. We shall set up a deep line formation here, focus on countering the enemy’s assault, and slice them away bit by bit. That is the basic operation. Are there any comments regarding this point?”


The one who suddenly raised his hand was Eldrie. The young man stood up, his wisteria-colored curls shaking, as his usually casual but now suppressed rang in the air:


“If the enemy were only made up of Goblins or Orc foot soldiers, we could cut down even fifty or a hundred thousand. But the enemy are also very aware of this. The Dark Territory has within it an Ogre army equipped with strong crossbows, and a dangerous Dark Sorcerer division. How are we to counter their torrential long-range attacks soaring over from behind the foot soldiers?”


“About that, it’s a dangerous bet…”


Fanatio paused, turning her eyes from Eldrie to Alice. She inadvertently straightened her back and continued:


“… At the bottom of the valley, there is no sunlight even during the day, and the ground is devoid of vegetation. In other words, the Sacred Power in that space is very weak. Before the battle begins, if I and the others completely deplete that area, the enemy will be unable to invoke powerful incantations.”


At Fanatio’s bold suggestion, the Knights and Defense Army Commanders all began to argue.


“Of course, we’re the same. However, we only have about a hundred Sacred Artists on our side anyway. If we battle with Arts, the enemy’s Sacred Power expenditure would far exceed our own.”


That is true. However —there were two problems with Fanatio’s operation.


In place of Eldrie, who was now speechless, the archer Deusolbert stood up. The veteran knight clad in reddish-copper armor inquired in a steady voice:


“So, perhaps the Her Highness the Vice Commander’s words are true. However, Sacred Arts are certainly not just for attack purposes. If the Sacred Power is exhausted, won’t we be unable to recover the Life of injured victims?”


“That’s why I said it’s a dangerous bet. We have emptied the Cathedral treasury of all advanced catalysts  [6]  and healing medicines stored there and transported them here. If we restrict all Arts to Healing Arts and supplement them with medicines, we should be able to hold the fort for two days just with catalysts… No, three days.”


This time there was even more surprised hustle and bustle. When the treasury of the Central Cathedral was mentioned, most people knew of a guarding force secure enough to become the subject of a fairy tale. They had only heard of treasures being moved inside; it was the first time in Human Empire history that they heard of bringing something out.


Even the serious faces of the heroic Knights displayed silently shocked expressions. Waiting until Deusolbert sat down with a moan, Alice stood up.


“There’s still… one problem, Your Highness Fanatio.”


Clearing her mind of their argument a while ago, Alice brought up the second problem.


“Although Solus and Terraria’s grace are thin, the valley is not completely dark, and moreover, it is not completely separated from the mainland. I believe that over the years, it has accumulated a massive amount of Sacred Power. Exactly who can completely deplete that power in the time before the battle begins?”


This time, even Fanatio was unable to give an immediate reply.


The valley that ran through the mountains was certainly narrower than the grassy plain that extended behind the camp, but even so, it was a hundred Mel wide and a thousand Mel long. To immediately drain that expansive space of the Sacred Power that covered it, hundreds of Artists must cast advanced Arts at the same time, but it was as Fanatio just said: there were not that many Artists in the Defense Army.


Or, even if they numbered few, as long as they could drive an extreme-scale Art enough to change the environment, they might be able to completely expend the Sacred Power, but Alice couldn’t think of any people with that kind of power except the deceased Highest Minister Administrator and the sage Cardinal.


However, the Vice Commander gazed at Alice with golden-brown eyes and shook her head forcefully.


“No, there is. Only one person can do it.”


“…… One person…?”


Mumbling softly, Alice looked around at the Defense Army soldiers.


But what came out of Fanatio’s mouth was a name she had never considered.


“That’s you, Alice Synthesis Thirty.”


“EH…?!”


“You may not have noticed, but your strength now has exceeded the scope of an Integrity Knight. If it’s the current you, you should be able to use it… that world-creating, veritable godlike power.”



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