Chapter 50: The Sound of Sorrow

2023 November 18. Aincrad, Floor 10, Shadowglen, 09:56 Aincrad Standard Time

"Any particular reason we're down here, my lady?" Nautilus asked after the pair had been strolling around for quite a bit.

"Because I want to be." Asuna coldly replied. "Relax a little bit. Tomorrow is another battle. I don't remember asking for you to come here with me."

"You know how it is. It's my job." Nautilus responded.

"Unfortunately." Asuna concluded. She failed to see the point of having a bodyguard when she explicitly told him she'd only be in safe zones today. Yet he insisted on joining her.

Under normal circumstances Nautilus would be appreciative of the view. The vivid and vibrant flowers of the Shadowglen meadow were giving one last flourish before winter. Under normal circumstances, what more could a guy ask for? Touring a beautiful landscape with a girl as beautiful as Asuna. 'If only she wasn't such a brat.' He thought to himself.

While Nautilus couldn't deny Asuna's beauty, spending so much time with her gave him a different perspective. He would, unfortunately, only ever be an annoyance to her.

The pair continued walking until they reached the end of the preserve. Asuna continued in front of him, and leaned forward over the railing, gazing at the fields of flowers. The shades of yellow and orange perfectly encapsulated the afternoon slowly approaching.

"Nautilus...dismissed for the day." Asuna barely turned her head over her shoulder.

"As you wish." Nautilus gave a curt bow, before departing.


As Nautilus reached the entrance of the meadow, he could hear a girl's voice faintly singing.

"You gave me...Words of...Kindness,"

The vocals only got louder as he reached the exit.

"You held me...When I Was...Lonely…"

Reaching the beginning of Shadowglen, Nautilus discovered the source of the voice.

A girl with silky brown hair stood alone among an array of empty benches seemingly encircled around her. She was clad in blue, with a white coat and white hat garnished with a blue feather. Softly strumming her Lyre, she continued her melancholic song.

"Sad things happ-ened…"

"But together we, shared the joy, of early Spring."

Nautilus took a seat in the second row from the front. To him, her gentle voice was captivating. He hadn't been reminded of home so much since he got trapped inside Aincrad.

"Smile...For...Youuuuuuuuu."

The piece had concluded. The performer's sole audience member clapped. A gesture that brought incredible joy to the singer.

"You're...angelic." Nautilus began to compliment the vocalist.

"Hehe, thanks." The girl fondly smiled at his compliment.

"What's your name?" Nautilus asked.

"Yuuna."

"Wait, you're…" Nautilus had heard her name before. "You used to be…"

"You're right." Yuuna giggled. "I know you, you know."

Nautilus was taken back at the suggestion. "How?"

"You're the princess's bodyguard. She's talked about you quite a bit before." Yuuna laughed once more.

Nautilus's face turned red in a blush. "Really? I can imagine I've only gotten glowing reviews." Trying to smugly play things off.

"Quite." Yuuna laughed.