*Splash*
White, hot steam filled Yuuji's vision as he laid his back against smooth rocks of his mansion's massive bathing hall.
Essentially a massive artificial hot springs that had taken inspiration from japanese onsen resorts, Yuuji relaxed his stiff body that had been "sleeping" for the entire day within it and let the hot steaming water cover him up to his neck as he submerged his body in this heavenly mana-infused liquid.
A few distance away, Alice and Est were playing with the water, splashing around with the energy of a child despite the time of night. While Aria floated a few distance away from them, surrendering herself to the waves created by her sisters.
To his right, Semiramis sat closely. She leaned closely, resting her head on his shoulder as her arms snaked around his, pressing him against her naked breasts.
She had not let any towel conceal any part of her, for she had nothing to hide from her beloved emperor and master.
To his left was Ophis in her adult, voluptuous form as to not "lose" against Semiramis. She was also leaning her head to his shoulder, burying his arm in between her milky breasts as she hugged him closely.
"So they came again today?"
"Yes. They came to visit you again. Just as they've been for the past few months."
Semiramis hummed, smoothly answering his question without opening her eyes.
She had told Yuuji of the Yuuki couple's visit since their first, and then their subsequent visits after that.
She had counted 36 visits so far.
"I see."
A heavy sigh escaped his lips, but the heaviness in his heart did seem to alleviate.
Yuuji had never met Yuuki Shouzo and Yuuki Kyouko in person. However, he had received memories of them from the Group Chat.
They were friends of his "parent" before their passing, and the two had never been anything but kind to him.
Their frequent visits was proof enough for their concern and care for him, and he couldn't even greet them.
After all, he was supposed to still be trapped in Sword Art Online.
He could only return to the real world without alerting the system thanks to Ai's help. While he's here, she was imitating his vitals to fool the Nerve Gear's sensors and system and make it seem like he was sleeping in Sword Art Online.
Semiramis noticed the melancholy on his expression and softly held his hand beneath the water's surface.
Her soft, lithe fingers intertwined around his as she pulled it towards her, resting him on her thighs.
"How is your mission progressing, master?"
Yuuji smiled softly towards her, noticing her efforts to distract him from his feelings towards the Yuuki couple.
But at this point in their relationship, there was no need for verbal gratitude. He simply held his hands tighter and kissed her lightly on her head of lustrous, jet-black hair.
"We're progressing decently. We've reached the 62nd floor after a few months of rapid climb. And also… I've caught sight of a rat's tail recently that might lead me to its nest."
His eyes narrowed with dark amusement as his lips still curled into a smile.
"Oh my~ Fufu~ That sounds fun."
Semiramis giggled, her lips curling into a sadistic grin.
"How do you plan on catching it?"
"He seemed to be quite prideful. And a bad actor. It'll be fun to push him to his limits and watch as he breaks."
Yuuji leaned his head back as he softly stroked Semiramis' hand he was holding.
"That's wonderful~ I look forward to your stories when you return."
"Mm."
Silence returned between them.
To his left, Ophis had nodded off and fully surrendered the weight of her body to Yuuji.
And now, Semiramis had also surrendered her entire body to Yuuji.
The vastness of the bathing hall alone could fit a hundred people. Yet, they stick to him like they were bathing in a cramped bath tub.
But Yuuji didn't mind the closeness.
He closed his eyes, gave both of them a kiss on the head, and leaned his head softly on Semiramis', letting himself truly rest in this reality.
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
56th Floor - Pani
Silence fell upon the rocky cavern that served as a war room to the gathered allied guilds and clearers.
Columns of sunlight seeped through window-like holes on the tall ceiling of the rock cave, illuminating the space within and, most importantly, the stone table where a detailed map.
Villages dotted the map, with several towns a few distance away from each other, and at the top left, a mountain range as well as a forest to its right, filling up the upper part of the map.
A river flowed in between the mountain range and the forest, flowing down and passing through the middle of the space between the two larger towns.
At the foot of the mountain range, to the river's side, was a large clearing of fields, small forests, and a road that would eventually merge with the main road leading to Pani.
The path, barely a carriage wide, was the sole connection villagers that lived within the village a few kilometers away from it had to the large city.
And finally, beyond the village, a small red x was drawn upon the map.
Half an hour had been spent to share the full detail, stats, and attack pattern of the small red x.
Then, an hour more was spent on discussing ways to kill it as safely and as surely as possible.
Solo players, a few invited small guilds, the Divine Dragon Alliance, Fuurinkazan, and the Knights of the Blood had gathered in this rocky cave today to discuss the raid on the field boss that halted their advance to the labyrinth.
Muffled conversations and discussions filled the cavernous space.
Then, a melodic voice pierced through the chatter, silencing them without effort.
"We will lure the field boss to the foot of the mountain and ambush it there."
All eyes turned towards the beautiful swordstress —the "Flash"--- adorned in the white and red of the Knights of the Blood, and looked at the place on the map where she was pointing with her lithe finger.
Behind her, elite knights of her guild under her command all also leaned over to carefully note her every intention and strategy with keen attention.
"This area has a lot of tall rocks and structures, large enough to be obstacles for the field boss and covers for us. And it is also a better option than fighting on the wet grounds covered with thick roots of the trees in the forest, where we can lose our footings easier."
She raised her gaze to meet with each player gathered here, her voice lowered with gravity.
"This operation relies greatly on team work not only within each party, but each other as well. We must time our attacks properly, control its aggro, and use the terrain to our advantage.
Is there any objection?"
The respect she commanded, not only as the vice commander of the Knights of the Blood and the leader of this operations, but as a powerful and accomplished warrior of her own right as well, made this discussion between guilds and players proceed without much trouble and opposition.
Her strategy was sound and well thought out. At the very least, no one else amongst them could come up with a better strategy than her.
"Very well. Then, this settles it for our grand strategy. Now, we will continue our discussion for our plan of attack.
Yuuji, if you will."
All eyes shifted in unison towards the man in white and red hood that emerged from seemingly nowhere within the midst of the Knights of the Blood members.
Most only knew of him by name. Many had never even seen his true appearance hidden under that hood, just as they've never seen the HP bar of the Knights of the Blood guild reach the yellow zone.
But all of them knew of his capabilities. And none could doubt his skills and prowess.
The whispered title of a player so powerful and peerless. The "Sword God".
If such a player truly existed, it would be him.
"Before going through with our battle plan, there is one thing I would like to emphasize."
Yuuji stood beside Asuna. His magnetic voice captured the attention of the room in an instant.
"I've said this many times, but I will say it again.
Remember to keep your vigilance. No matter what.
Our main goal had never been to defeat this field boss or even the floor bosses… It's to return to the real world, alive."
Like a stone thrown into a still lake, his words rippled within the depths of their hearts, and sank deeply.
"We can always try again if we fail. So let's focus on staying alive and do our best."
The room nodded as one with determination burning within their eyes.
"Good. Then, let's start with our plan of battle."
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
One by one, the gathered field boss raid members exited the cave that served as their meeting hall.
The rest of the Knights of Blood members had returned to make preparations, as Yuuji ordered, while he and Asuna stayed to converse with the leaders of the other participating guilds.
They also talked a bit with Kirito, Klein, and Agil, before the couple exited the cave.
Having spent days on preparations for this raid, Yuuji and Asuna planned on spending the rest of the day together on a date.
So, they made their way to Taft's Teleportation Plaza.
But just as they exited the cave, a clinking of metal and a familiar voice resounded from behind them.
"Asuna-sama!"
The couple turned, and Asuna didn't even think of hiding the annoyance and disgust on her beautiful visage.
While the sight of Yuuji's absence of emotion on his face was well hidden beneath his hood.
"What do you need, Kuradeel-san?"
Kuradeel maintained his composure, despite the obvious distaste and enmity both of them had towards him. At least, outwardly. .
"I am assigned to be your bodyguard, Asuna-sama. Naturally, I must follow you to ensure your safety."
He bowed towards Asuna, ignoring the man by her side. A thorn to be removed that he simply hadn't dealt with.
"I don't need a bodyguard! Haven't I told you this many times?"
"Asuna-sama. Please understand. Your safety is of the utmost importance, not only for yourself, but also to all the clearers and players who depend on you to lead them."
Then he leaned forward slightly and spoke in a lower voice.
"Moreover, we've observed increased activities by the red-guilds around the higher floors… We can not risk you to fall into danger!"
'I know! We're the one who reported that to Heathcliff-san directly!'
Asuna clenched her teeth in frustration.
This annoying leech had been sticking to her often, and no matter how many times she tried to push him away, he'd keep coming back with various excuses.
"I am perfectly capable of dealing with a few red-players! And I have Yuuji with me as well! Do you really think those thugs could handle both of us at the same time?"
"Asuna-sama, please understand. I am simply acting out of caution and concern of your safety. We can not risk you getting into dan-"
"Enough."
There was no breeze, but Kuradeel still felt a chill down his back from a single word spoken with a chilling heaviness by the hooded man by her side.
He didn't know it was possible to experience such a thing in this digital world. Until he met him.
The mysterious, yet undeniably powerful and skilled swordsman named Yuuji.
He seemed to have known Asuna since before they entered the Knights of Blood, and they were almost never seen away from each other.
And the fact had been a constant thorn to his side as he was trying to isolate the "Flash" and gather information from her.
His lips twitched before he turned towards the hooded man. And under his cape, Kuradeel clenched his hands into fists.
"I appreciate your… keenness to my vice's safety. However, I will be travelling with her, so your concerns for her safety would be unfounded.
I will also speak with Godfree-san to reassign you to a more productive endeavor, one where your keenness and abilities would be more greatly appreciated and productive."
"T-That's-!"
That would destroy everything he had done to get closer to Asuna, the woman who had quickly risen to become a prominent figure in the Knights of the Blood.
He had forgotten, for a moment, that the mysterious hooded man, who he had been considering as a mere disturbance, was actually more highly ranked than Asuna.
In fact, he was the leader of the squad she was in. A new squad specifically created by the guild master for them upon their joining the Knights of the Blood.
"B-But-"
"Kuradeel."
He froze. His mouth clenched shut upon a single word from Yuuji as he stood before him.
They were nearly the same height. In fact, he was slightly taller than Yuuji.
But standing before him, Kuradeel couldn't help but feel like he was standing before a giant monster.
"Return with the rest and help them with our preparations. I will personally ensure her safety. Or perhaps… Do you doubt my ability to protect my own subordinate?"
He could feel his heart thumping in his chest, beating like a drum.
Cold sweat now truly flowed down the side of his cheek and behind his back.
Even the subtle gesture of Yuuji's hand activating his menu UI struck fear to his very core.
If they were to duel… he would have no hope of winning. Not against this kind of monster.
Not in a fair, head-on fight.
"O-Of course not! I understand… P-Please have a safe trip."
He lowered his head, this time to the both of them, turned around, and quickly walked away. Hands still clenched into fists.
"...When do you think he'll break?"
Asuna crossed her arms, watching Kuradeel's figure disappear into the crowd of players in the distance.
"Soon. He must've already planned something."
Asuna turned his gaze towards Yuuji, a look of concern now replacing her previous disgust for Kuradeel.
And from beneath the hood, she could see a glimpse of his upturned lips.
"Be careful."
Yuuji turned towards her with a nod, taking her hand into his in a gentle, reassuring hold.
"Don't worry. I'll handle him safely. I just need him to do a few more things that will lead me to Laughing Coffin, and he'll be gone."
"Mm…"
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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!
Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at patr_eon.com/verglasx ~!
Thank you~!