Sustnel Mountains, Norlangarth

"May I explain what the sentry said yesterday?"

I look away from the landscape to Medina, who previously rode her horse beside me in silence. I didn't have much to say to her, but she is leading the group through the territory. Alice and Eydis take the rearguard and I'm sure Eydis is doing her best to keep her sister's spirits up. I guess I have to do the same for Medina since I was a witness to what happened. "You don't have to, you know?"

As usual, she goes along with what she wants. "As you heard, the sentry… I hadn't seen him since my father's funeral. And it's my fault that Father died."

"How is that so?"

"Despised by the northern empire, House Orthinanos was assigned land to the far west of here, unfit for growing crops. We also weren't allowed to work in the military or government. So, despite our standing, we were poor. Still, I had a happy childhood. I loved swordplay training with my father. Father was kind and answered any insult with a jest. I was so proud of him. But due to an extended drought, our land became even more barren than before. My father could even buy me a new wooden sword, something all nobles had. Upset that I couldn't train for the academy test, I lashed out at Father. And I said the most hurtful thing to him: 'My life would be far better if I was born into a different family.' That was the last time we ever spoke."

"I always have to be different, to be around people I don't like! You brought me to a place I don't belong! I don't care if I never come out of my room ever again!" I said that the night before SAO launched to my mother and father, fed up with school, and living in a foreign land. I shake off my own thoughts and focus on Medina. "How did your father die?"

"He tried to win a horse race, without any experience, to get money for my sword. And then… Due to some nobles' plot, he fell off his horse and down a cliff and died. That man was one of the riders who tricked my father."

"Hmm. But you didn't kill him, the nobles did."

"I figured you'd say that. You're always trying to be so nice. But it's true. And that's...that's why I need to clear our name. To atone for killing Father."

I shake my head. "But Medina…" I'm interrupted by the sound of hurried horse hooves. Looking forward, I see Ronie ride with two soldiers from farther up the road, where she, Tiese, and Sortiliena scout ahead with some wayfarers. They're carrying a crocodile-like beast with them, which means the group came across some trouble further along the road to Zakkaria. I halt the carts behind me and address Ronie as she rides up. "What's up, Ronie?"

"Miss Liena told me to let you see this beast. She says there's something strange about the ones we came across. There was no sign of a Clamp nearby, so it is part of the natural habitat."

Medina and I drop off our horses and join the newcomers in analyzing the carcass. It's cut up, which I would expect from a fight against swordsmen, and that's the only sign I see. "What's actually wrong? Seems you did good work against it."

"This is the one I killed in one hit from the wound at the throat."

"Wait, one hit? What about the other wounds on the body?"

"These are not sword wounds," Medina states. "They're too small, even for...less experienced swordsmen. Also, note how pointed they are. Not even my katana is that pointed."

"The wounds are shallow too. As if…"

"They were made by a child. Does that mean the children could be nearby?"

"Possibly. Ronie, hurry on back. Keep an eye out for children. If anything happens, you let Sortiliena and the wayfarers handle it as you and Tiese agreed to before we left Centoria. Medina, keep these wayfarers moving forward. The four of us will search for the kids as well." I hop on my horse and whistle for the Integrity Knights still at the back of the carts. I gesture to them and follow behind Ronie's group, deciding to explain on the way rather than waste another second.

Rivalier Forest. Norlangarth

"Emergency of no, don't you think you've gone too far? She's just a child! With almost no will of her own and no idea of your power, she was just…"

"Which is more important to you, Alice? Moral rights, or human lives?"

"What do you mean? She is our savior!"

"Ughhh." We found the kids, wayfarer children, and Medina used her power to protect them. That made Alice mad, but I managed to diffuse the situation neutrally and keep us moving to Zakkaria. Then we got put on Clamp Cluster duty to clear the water source of the town, which would have been less tiring if the wayfarers were used. But Alice noticed their fatigue, and not even Medina could argue against that. However, I had those who were most able to hunt for a Clamp together and split us humans between me and Alice. Upon our return, the main flower was taken care of by the wayfarers who lingered behind. Between that and the divide between Medina and Alice, I just want to get to Rulid and call it a day at this point.

"You look exhausted, leader." I turn to Sortiliena, who smirks at me as if she knows me well. Given my previous associations, I guess she does. "Kirito had a similar look when he was tired, and occasionally I took pity on him… I wondered something after our duel back then. Did I really teach Kirito anything about swordplay?"

I shrug. "He's one of the best swordsmen I know, so maybe not much about how to handle the weapon itself. If anything, you taught him how to use the arts. Maybe he did learn something." Sortiliena and people of the Human Realm do have more experience with weapons and Sacred Arts than me and Kirito. The only reason we are at their level is due to our previous experiences with how VR works and, for me, my Incarnation.

"I see...but I see how different you two are. Same roots and stem, but different flowers. I can imagine the argument between Medina and Alice brings up valid points on both ends, but where do you fall in this? Moral rights or human lives?"

"Are morals important? Sure. In worlds I've come from, I've seen immoral acts based on what one looks like, where they originate, how much money they don't have, how skilled one is, and other dumb reasons. Not much different from here. But morals don't come into question if we can save others. What Medina did to the kids may be right or wrong, but what she did saved them. That's all that matters to me."

"So you see the wayfarers as a tool of sorts. No problem there. Kirito, knowing him, would see them as humans like us. He may even side with Alice."

"That may be so, but then again, she is right, the wayfarers are humans. They deserve rest just as we do, and Medina will have to learn to not work them to the bone. But, to say she's controlling them is a wrong statement. They're loyal and devoted to her. What makes that different from a servant to a master, a child to a parent, a human to a god?"

"Would you say those who are being served earned that right or forced that right?"

"Your family has land, and commoners live on that land. But let's say, one year there's a weird harvest. One farmer has a plentiful harvest, while another has a lacking harvest. Both have enough to give their equal share to the community, but for themselves, the second family may not have enough. What would you decide?"

"Is it not right to waive the responsibility of the second farmer?"

"Morally it is, but how is it fair to the first? All conditions were the same for both farms, each has equal access to water and tools. You assumed something happened at the second farm, but that's not the case. The only difference is effort. But if you want morals, is it right to force the second farmer to give his fair share knowing he's lacking for his own? If you don't, the people who served you rightfully, especially the farmer who gave his due, will hear of this, and then there's dissent brewing. Meanwhile, the farmer happily keeps his yield for himself. The opposite makes the community happy as there's the right amount of food, but the farmer must live with what he has left. The more moral of the two is the first option. Doubtful the community will suffer at all as long as trade and commerce are good, and the lazy farmer lives well. Yet the second one is the fair one, as it values human effort over pretentious laziness. Yet...whether either choice is right or wrong is debatable."

"You sure you aren't a scholar?"

"Heh, no. With that said, Liena, if Kirito was here, you'd be witnessing a great argument. I don't see the wayfarers are tools, but we need them. The nobility is more concerned with themselves than others, and we especially need forces of our own. I rather work with them than people of your standing, present company excluded."

Sortiliena chuckles as she pats my shoulder. "I'll believe you since you called me cute the first day you met me. Unless you just call every girl you meet that?"

"No, I don't." I sigh and turn my head away, drowning out her laughter. "The Serlut I met long ago was not this...maddening."

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

Lodend Mountains, Norlangarth

"There doesn't seem to be any damage from beasts. And look, over there."

"It seems there are sentries posted at Rulid Village too."

"These guys look to be more responsible." I turn to Alice, seeing how apprehensive she is now that we're outside of Rulid Village. "You want to wait here?"

"Yes. I left here a criminal. Even if they do recognize me, they likely won't accept me. And if they do accept me, the joy of that welcome should have been for the real Alice. I'm nothing more than Alice the Integrity Knight."

Eydis lowers her head. "Alice…"

"Do you still want to see Selka? You can do that much without revealing yourself."

"Yes, you're right. I'd like to at least see her from afar."

"Eugeo! Kirito!" I hear a young girl's voice echo from the road outside the camp (near the remains of the Gigas Cedar) and the village. Eydis and I rise from our seats and go out to investigate. It's a young girl in a nun's robe running down the road. At first, I find it odd for anyone to think either boy is back, but then I get a good look at the girl. She's small, her hair is ginger instead of blond, but the eyes are the same.

"It's Selka." I step over to the front of the camp where she stands near the wayfarers on watch. I smile warmly at the girl and nod at the wayfarers to let her through. As she comes toward me, looking around for the two boys, I lead her back to the spot I was with the Knights. "You're Selka, aren't you?"

Selka nods. "Yes, mister. Um, is Kirito and Eugeo with you?"

I decide to tell the truth, but only to the extent she asked for, and add some lies for flavor. "They're not with me. But I'm a friend of Kirito's, and he told me about you. All good things. The name is Jaymes. And the cute and creepy lady right there is Eydis."

"Who are you… Hey! I'm Eydis, a friend of...Kirito and Eugeo as well." Lucky save, I'm not sure we should reveal that Selka's sister is alive if Alice won't show herself. "But since you're here, can you help us? Have you heard anything about beasts appearing in the northern kingdom?"

"Yes, from the guards that came to the village. Luckily, the village hasn't been damaged by the beasts yet, but it is frightening."

I sigh in relief. "Well, that's good to hear."

Selka nods and turns around, looking around the camp. "There sure are a lot of…" Selka freezes as she stares to my left, and it doesn't take much to know what caught her eye. In a place where most armor is grey, gold armor does stick out, but for Selka, it is far beyond that. "A-Alice?" Alice tries to hide, but the unarmored Eydis rises and pushes her "sister" out towards Selka. The one-eyed girl does her best to not face her younger sister, but for Selka, it matters not. "It is you… My sister, Alice... But how?"

"I'm sorry… This is quite difficult to explain. Right now… I…" Alice gasps as Selka steps up and hugs Alice, throwing the reserved knight of guard. Alice tries to return the hug, but she then drops her hands back to her side.

But for Selka, it doesn't matter. She's hugging her sister, Alice Zuberg or not, for the first time in six years. "It's okay, Alice. Just being able to see you again is enough. So explanations can wait."

Alice finally breaks through her shell and embraces Selka. "Thank you… Selka."

Sometime later, I find Eydis outside of the camp at the open fields between us and the village. She's not on the night watch, so I assume she wants to be alone for the other reason. I ignore that notion completely as I join in the grass, gazing up at the moon instead of talking.

"You don't have to be here."

"You don't have to be alone."

Eydis sighs and faces me with a smile. "I'm happy for Alice. Had to work her up to at least look at Selka, but I'm glad they got to reunite."

"Same. I don't have a sibling myself, but I have a few friends who do. Seeing them reunite with their siblings was a joy for me. I am happy Alice came through." I turn around and see Eydis hiding her face under her hair. Trying to show some sympathy, I reach out and grasp her hand. "Do you...want me to go?" Eydis answers by scooting close and laying her head on my shoulder.

"Can I cry on your shoulder?"

I nod as I embrace her. "Just not too much, this is my good shoulder."

Eydis smiles. "Heh. Shush and let me be sad."