Sword Art Online Alicization Alternative: War Of Underworld

Chapter 5: The Night Before Battle

The meadow in the middle of the defense army's campsite was vastly vacated. Seeing as there was a gigantic tent beside it, that was unmistakably the landing field for flying dragons. Descending in an arc, Amayori turned her long neck towards the tent with her four talons barely touching the green undergrowth and sounded out a fawning kururuu from her throat. A slightly deeper voice immediately replied. It must be her brother, Takiguri. Alice leaped down onto the meadow while carrying Kirito the moment the dragon came to a stop and detached the heavy luggage from her two feet. Eugeo jumped down beside her, sighing to himself. After seeing that the Dark forces troops were preparing for that gate to apparently go down, he didn't want to feel nervous. Looking at Alice, he could see her nerves as strong as steel, but he's sure she's concerned. He wanted to hold her hand with his armored hand but resisted since she was holding Kirito. Amayori stampeded towards the tent the moment she was done and rubbed her head against her brother's which peeked out from under the thick cloth.

Though it made Alice smile unwittingly, she noticed footsteps approaching from behind and straightened her expression in a fluster. Putting the hem of her plain skirt in order, she swept her hair, disheveled by the wind, behind her back. A familiar man's voice rang through the landing field before she could turn back.

"Lady Alice, Sir Eugeo! I believed in you!"

Slipping around in front of them while sliding over the grass was the integrity knight they shared a parting drink with just ten days ago, Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-one. Despite being in a camp, there was not even a speck on his undulating light purple hair or his silver armor.

"…Looks like you have been well." Alice greeted slightly.

"Sir Eldrie, great to see you again." Eugeo greeted, bowing his head. Despite a week ago Eugeo had to keep his understanding of his authorities, As Eldrie is still a number higher than him.

Eldrie was overcome with emotion and about to reply, undaunted by Alice's blunt reply, but his lips came to a sudden stop. He noticed the black-haired young man supported in Alice's left arm. With a side of his cheek stiffening, the young knight threw his head back greatly and groaned as though in disbelief.

"You brought him… haven't you? Why?" he asked, his tone more serious.

"We couldn't leave him behind Sir Eldrie, he's my friend," Eugeo spoke up. He hoped Eldrie's distrust of Kirito would subside in serious times, but he was wrong. He stood more closely to Alice and Kirito, if Eldrie tried to hurt Kirito, he'd protect his two friends.

Alice, too, held her head as high as she could, "Naturally. I swore to protect him." she replied.

"S-Still… we integrity knights must stand as the vanguards when the battle begins. What are your intentions when crossing swords with enemies? You could not possibly be thinking of carrying him while doing so?" Eldrie said and looked directly to Eugeo, "I know that man is important to you, but do you realize what you're doing?"

"I shall, should the need arise," she said.

"I owe my chance of being alive today because of him. If it means keeping him safe in battle, I shall as well." Eugeo replied, his armored hand gripped tightly.

Alice pulled back her right foot slightly as though hiding Kirito's gaunt body, unable to stand on his own, from Eldrie's eyes. However, small groups of the resting soldiers and lower-ranking integrity knights around the landing field had gathered before long and turned gazes of suspicion on Alice, Eugeo, and Kirito who stood close together. Eugeo could feel their gaze on them, it made sense, the two knights leave without a word and turned up with the rebel beside them. All the Integrity Knights who were present those months ago know to not bother the two boys, one of them a new Integrity Knight, the other the rebel.

Eldrie released a sharp rebuttal, eclipsing the waves of chatter.

"You must not, Lady Alice! With all due respect, allow me to state that fighting while ladened with that useless burden might not only halve your capability with the sword but also expose yourself to danger! With regards to the looming battle, Lady Alice, Sir Eugeo…" Cutting off his words for a moment, he pointed at the surrounding soldiers with his dazzling silver gauntlet, "Has the responsibility of leading them into battle! You must be able to display your full might!"

'That burden is why we are all alive… you really haven't gotten over it Eldire.' Eugeo thought, a frown on his face.

It was sound. However, she could not simply accept it. Alice firmly ground her molars and searched for the words to explain how she felt them both be just as important, both fighting for the Human Empire and protecting Kirito and Eugeo. At the same time, she felt some surprise at her disciple's fervent speech.

He showed clear change since the time before when Alice taught him the sword in the Central Cathedral. Eldrie then practically worshipped Alice and would never talk back no matter what she said. The mysterious gods of the outside world had applied a seal in the right eye of every human in this world and made them utterly unable to oppose the law or those superior. As far as Alice knew, the only ones who broke that seal were the Blue Rose swordsman Eugeo, and she herself. Alice only knows the slight details of the truth from Eugeo the reason but chose to never pry more into it. Eugeo still seems to blame himself for not stopping the nobles even farther than what they tried to do to his pages. Not even the two who boasted of authority equal to the gods, the highest minister, Administrator, and the sage, Cardinal, were able to oppose that seal in the end. Eldrie must be still under the influence of that seal. Despite that, he had escaped from his previous blind obedience, though it might not be too clear if he was truly opposing Alice's words. He had his own thoughts and expressed his own opinions.

The one who brought about that change was likely Kirito. And Eugeo. Eldrie's soul must have been greatly agitated by those two, the world's greatest rebels and proud swordsmen, despite their brief encounter, and was told to not harm Eugeo under Bercouli's orders. Now that she thought about it, her little sister, Selka, who lived in Rulid showed displeasure for the village's unchanging laws and the stubbornness of those who held power. There were also the two female students who ran out when Alice arrested Kirito and Eugeo from the North Centoria Sword Mastery Academy. It would have been usually impossible for such young girls to call for an integrity knight to halt.

And of course, there was Alice herself. Until the time she crossed swords with Kirito and fell to the walls outside the cathedral with him, she held no doubts at all about the structure of the world, the rule of the church, and the divinity of the highest minister. However, throughout their reluctant cooperation to escape the crisis, their truce, and their climb up the outer walls, Kirito had continuously aggravated Alice with his words, his sword, and those jet-black eyes, finally resulting in her breaking the seal on her right eye.

Yes, Kirito was like a hammer that swung down onto this world filled with false harmony. Shaking and jolting the world with the power concealed in his soul, he finally broke away that ancient nail embedded in the Human Empire's heart known as the Axiom Church. However, the guru, Cardinal, had lost her life in return while he lost his mind. Eugeo still wonders what happened to cause it. Alice wanted to tell him. You are only as you are now because you fought with this man. However, he would never understand. To the Order of the Integrity Knights, Kirito was still no more than an unforgivable traitor. They gave Eugeo a pass but it was only after surviving as well as being recognized as a Knight like them.

With an expression like enduring some dull pain, Eldrie was about to hurl more words at Alice who stood stock still in silence. That was when it happened. A part of the surrounding crowd split apart as though pushed aside by some giant's hand. The voice that reached Alice and Eugeo from beyond the crowd was nostalgic enough to render Alice to tears yet created a sense of tension that was almost painful.

"Now, no need for your temper, Eldrie."

Taking her sight off the young knight who straightened up in a hurry, Alice slowly turned about and saw who the voice belonged to. Those loose clothes in the style of the eastern region which were folded in front. That wideband tied at a low position. That rustic long sword crudely stuck in at the left of his waist. That strange footwear slipped on his feet. The equipment was far lighter than that of the knights and soldiers around him. However, the pressure exuding from his body, forged to the limit, was denser and heavier than any armor. Roughly stroking the pale blue hair cut short that went well with his clothes, the owner of the voice formed a grin with his mouth.

"Yo, kid, Eugeo. Glad you two look better than I thought you would be. Put some weight around your face?"

"Uncle. It has been a while." Desperately holding back her tears, Alice bowed to the world's oldest and strongest swordsman, Integrity Knight Commander Bercouli Synthesis One.

Eugeo bowed as well, greeted the hero his village had many stories of. "Commander Bercouli, good to see you're doing well as well."

In the six years she lived as an integrity knight, he was the one person Alice had allowed in her heart, respected as a master, and adored as a father. At the same time, he was the only swordsman—aside from Kirito, she could never defeat in this world. Thus, she must not show a face covered in tears now.

If Bercouli denied her from having Kirito here, she had to obey. Of course, Alice now had the ability to go against his orders. However, opposing him in front of everyone would shake the order between the Order and the Defense Army. If Bercouli goes back on his word, how would it affect Eugeo, who only a handful of the knights know he was the rebel while many were known the wiser. With the decisive battle looming in just a day, she must not put even a hairline crack into Bercouli's authority of command.

"Hi, Alice, Eugeo." greeted another familiar face that shocked the pair and made them freeze up. The familiar harbor gray-haired Integrity Knight that both Alice and now Eugeo, were friends with, Edith Synthesis Ten. both were at a loss for words, remember that they left without even a word to her, leaving with a letter written to her. Eugeo did hear a rumor, when he was not helping with the cabin, Alice had an encounter with the Knight, but Alice never confirmed nor denied it.

"Edith, Um, great to see you again." Alice spoke up, looking away, "We're sorry, we didn't want you to know we had to leave…" and Edith flung her arms around the blonde, Alice was taken aback.

"I'm happy you are okay, thank Stacia…" she said softly, her usually upbeat tone not there. When Edith released Alice, the tenth knight stood with Bercouli. Eugeo could feel she missed them but eyed something on the Commander's person: another sword.

As though seeing through Alice's conflicts and letting the reunion between comrades happen, Bercouli slowly approached while revealing a smile filled with rustic gentleness. He first started into Alice's eyes and nodded strongly. He then went to Eugeo, nodding to the young flux blonde-haired young man. And after holding back Eldrie, who seemed like he wanted to put in a word, with a glance, the knight commander turned his look towards Kirito, held in Alice's arm. His lips tensed up. A light resembling bluish-white flames dwelled in his keen eyes. Bercouli drew in a long breath. Alice felt the air around freeze up, bit by bit.

"Uncle…" Alice forced out her inaudible voice. Eugeo felt the air thick with tension. If his sword wasn't feet away, he picked it up now to use it. Bercouli was sharpening his spirit as a swordsman. He was about to release that incarnation technique imparted only the integrity knights… the secret technique that surpassed the incarnation arm, capable of moving objects with the strength of one's mind, the incarnation blade.

The focused power of incarnation was set onto a sword and released. That unseen blade could sometimes even repel a tangible enemy's blade. The armament full control art of the sacred tool the knight commander held, the Time Piercing Sword, only first came into existence due to his overwhelming power of incarnation. In other words, Bercouli was trying to cut Kirito.

She could never accept it if he was trying to settle this problem by literally cutting it into two. If things came to that, she would protect Kirito even if she had to draw her sword. Eugeo took a step back if the deal was off. He needs his Blue Rose. Overwhelmed by the knight commander's intense spirit, the surrounding soldiers, Eldrie, and even the flying dragons in the tent sank into silence. With her breath unsteady in the heavy, condensed air, Alice desperately tried to move the fingers on her right hand.

However, just before Alice touched her precious sword, Bercouli's mouth moved slightly and she heard words that seemed like they came from his thoughts, "Relax, kid. Eugeo, stand down."

"…!?" It happened the instant when Alice and Eugeo caught their breath.

Without moving in the slightest, Bercouli's two eyes let out a dreadful light. At the same time, Kirito's body shook violently within Alice's arm. Kin! A loud noise rang out and a silver flash burst out in the air between Bercouli and Kirito.

"What was that!?" Though Alice gasped softly from shock, Bercouli had already broken into a wide smile by then as though that spirit earlier was an illusion. "Uncle…?"

The knight commander rubbed his chin and spoke to Alice who murmured in a daze as though some practice had just ended, "Kid, Eugeo, did you see that?"

"Ye… yes. Though it was only for a brief instant… there was the glint from swords…?"

"See what? Wait a minute, I think I know." Eugeo realized, at first not understanding but remembered he had seen it before.

"Indeed. I fired an incarnation blade, no, dagger at that young man. If it hit, it would have cut into his skin on a cheek." Bercouli explained, even Edith noticed a strong presence made.

"If… it hit? You mean…" Alice asked, even Eugeo was piecing it together more and more.

"That's right. He took it on. That young man, with his own will."

Alice could not help but peek into Kirito's face as she supported him on her left arm.

However, her hopes were immediately dashed. She saw nothing more than hollow darkness in his faintly open black eyes. His expression was completely lacking as usual. Even Eugeo was hoping maybe there was a chance Kirito would wake up, but his expression was still hollow. Still, his body certainly shook earlier. Alice caressed Kirito's hair with her right hand while turning to look at Bercouli. Eugeo gave his friend and fellow disciple a pat on his shoulder, looking once again at Bercouli. Though he shook his head, the knight commander still gave his judgment in clear words.

"Looks like his heart isn't here… But he's not dead. Listen, that boy tried to protect you instead of himself just now, Lil' miss, Eugeo. So he'll be back. I believe so. Probably when you need him the most."

Alice struggled even harder than before to hold back her tears that threatened to flow. Yes, he will return for sure. After all, Kirito, Kirito truly is the world's strongest swordsman. He even defeated her, close to the realm of gods, by swinging those two swords.

"If you say so… Then, I believe he'll be back too." Eugeo stated.

"You have some great friends Alice, that's for sure." Edith beamed, watching everything unfold.

'I won't… say it is my sake. But please return, for the many people living in this world…'

"Indeed. I fired an incarnation blade, no, dagger at that young man. If it hit, it would have cut into his skin on a cheek." Becouli explained.

"If… it hit? You mean…" both Eugeo and Alice added.

"That's right. He took it on. That young man, with his own will." Bercouli added as well.

Alice could not help but peek into Kirito's face as she supported him on her left arm. Eugeo looked at his face, while sullen, no mark on his face.

However, Alice's and Eugeo's hopes were immediately dashed. They saw nothing more than hollow darkness in his faintly open black eyes. His expression was completely lacking as usual. Still, his body

Unable to hold herself back any longer, Alice hugged Kirito tight with both arms. Eugeo joined the hug, their friend in their warm embrace. At least they know, he'll still look out for them, no matter what. The knight commander's admonishing voice brushed softly against her back.

"It's as you see, Eldrie. Don't mind something so trivial, we can look after one young man at least." Bercouli announced, "Remember, I permitted them to ease up on them both, allowing Eugeo to fight alongside us. Remember?"

"But… but still…" Eldrie stammered. Showing remarkable mettle, Eldrie the newest integrity knight expressed his thoughts to Bercouli the oldest knight.

"I can understand if he adds to our war potential even in the slightest, but as he is… besides, even if he regains his senses, how much can a student's sword…" Bercouli continued.

"Oh, c'mon." Bercouli's voice carried a keen edge equivalent to that of some renowned sword with that gentle smile, "Have you forgotten? The partner of this boy won against me. Against Integrity Knight Commander Bercouli Synthesis One." The surroundings instantly fall silent. "Eugeo… he was strong, absurdly so. I even used the Time Piercing Sword's full control art. And I still lost. Like you, Deusolbert, and Fanatio did."

"I... I forgot, he fought us. But, how did Eugeo beat you, Commander?" Eldrie asked.

A smirk formed on Bercouli's face. "I'll admit, distracting me with a fake ice sword was a clever tactic for someone who was only a student."

"I wasn't going to disappoint the leader of the Integrity Knights with half planned tactics, I had to think about how to use my surroundings to my advantage. That's what Kirito taught me." Eugeo chimed in.

It appeared Eldrie found no words to respond to that. That was only natural; there could be none among the Order of the Integrity Knights or those beyond the Great Gate in the Dark Territory capable of defeating Bercouli in a one-versus-one, or so everyone in the Axiom Church believed. However, was that proclamation not too hazardous? Knight Commander Bercouli had hurriedly constructed the Defense Army through the dignity of him being the strongest. If everyone knew of Eugeo's existence as a swordsman who defeated him, and that Kirito held just as much power…

"Now then, Alice, Eugeo, I'm sure the two of you came a long way and would like some sleep. A tent is prepared for the three of you." and the usage of three, the commander, "I had a feeling you brought him along, so a cot is made for the three of you that would like that."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked, turning around to put Kirito in his wheelchair and face her uncle figure.

"Come on now, I know the pair of you shared a bed and a bath with Edith, I thought you were very close." Bercouli joked and Alice blushed, Eugeo's face going as red as the Red Rose Sword.

"W-W-Well, it's nothing, Sir, not like we did anything." Eugeo stammered, not wanting to create the wrong idea of him and Alice. He was already hearing Alice Zuberg laughing in his ears. Eldrie was looking at Eugeo with scorn if he ever defiled his master.

"Jokes aside, I do have something for you Eugeo. It took some time but It's completed." and Bercouli took from his waist the sword that didn't look like his sword, "With the borrowed time we had, I asked Edith to take care of this herself. The Blacksmith apparently knew you and was grateful to make another blade with the materials you have. He was amazed by the life of the pieces, but I am sure you will like the finished results." and passed the sword and sheath to Eugeo.

Eugeo held the blade in his hands, the red sheath and the golden grip. Eugeo unsheathed the blade and was astounded. It was a perfect replacement for his Blue Rose. The blade was bright golden yellow with a red indented line going down the blade to the hilt. A rose was in the center like his Blue Rose but was a mix of red and gold. Eugeo was impressed, just like when Kirito got his Night Sky Sword. It was perfect, just the sword he'll need.

"It's beautiful." Alice breathed in awe, "who knows something so lovely was made from such a horrid creation."

"Have you thought of a name for it? As it's your divine object, you should give it a name." Bercouli said.

"I have. It took some time to decide what I'll name it but…. Its name will be Golden Anima." He confirmed.

"Anima, that word I saw in books. What thought came to that?" Alice asked.

"I don't know, but since I wanted to honor the lives Her excellency used, this is the only way. Plus the souls that were lost need a chance, just like I did." Eugeo sheathed the blade and put it to his hip, "You can't bring back the dead, but you can let them know their lives weren't a waste."

"That's very honorable of you Eugeo." Edith admitted, "Well you have time before the sun sets, I like to spar with you. Since we never got to fight each other back in May, I like to see your strength if you really took on our commander."

"Sure, I don't mind." Eugeo replied before looking at Alice, "Is that okay with you?"

"Sure. just try to be back before the sun goes down, we both will need our sleep," Alice said to him.

"Okay." Eugeo and followed Edith away. Alice took Kirito and towards the tent prepared for the three Ruild friends.

"Well, I need to speak to Fanatio about a few things before our strategy meeting tomorrow. Get some well-deserved sleep Eldrie." Bercouli instructed and clapped a hand to the young knight's shoulder before turning away as well. Eldrie looked at where Alice was picking up her belongings, the two swords that Kirito used, put them in the wheelchair, and rolled away. The disciple of Alice looked onward with worry and regret his words, both here and not long ago.

"Lady Alice..."

The sounds of metal clanged the air as both Edith and Eugeo clashed swords. With a different blade, Eugeo felt the sword move more as it moved, about to block Edith's own swings. He felt he wasn't weaker using it, he felt much stronger than before. Edith wasn't a weak Integrity Knight, seeing her style of fighting even able to keep up with his style, Aincrad Style. As both used their own style, Edith was also impressed by the flaxen blonde. This was one of the two who fought against her fellow Integrity Knights. As the sun was ready to vanish from the sky and into the horizon, both pant heavily. Eugeo never felt this worn out since training with Kirito and his Pages in the Academy.

"Wow, you're strong Eugeo. No wonder you were made an Integrity Knight." Edith said cheerfully.

"Same to you. If we fought months ago, you would be a strong opponent." Eugeo said, before sheathing his sword.

"Well, that was fun and all, but I'm sure Alice is worried about you. You should hurry to your tent." Edith said, sheathing her sword to her side.

"I will." and Eugeo put his Golden Anima Blade away and bowed, "It was a privilege fighting you Lady Edith, I mean Edith."

Edith giggled, Eugeo being very much like his student days in the academy to his elders. "We are friends Eugeo, formality is not my style."

"Sorry, Just not getting used to respecting Integrity Knights," he said, rubbing the back on his neck with an armored hand.

"I don't blame you, you've been through a lot, you and your friend Kirito. Tell me Eugeo, do you like Alice?" Edith asked and Eugeo started to blush scarlet.

"What do you mean like, love?" Eugeo asked nervously and started to turn even redder. Edith walked up to the Elite Disciple and put both her hands to his shoulders.

"Be by her side no matter. I'm sure she'll always shine brightest when she has those she wants to protect."

Eugeo didn't understand what it meant, but she did tell him to stay by Alice's side. And that was something he has done these six months, staying by Alice Synthesis' 30's side and protecting her and Kirito and keeping them safe. He eyed Edith and smiled at her, he will keep her safe and stay by her side. Once things were done, Edith and Eugeo returned to the Human Empire Camp And said their goodbyes and good nights.

With the sun about to set, he could spot Solus' rays were still vanishing from the horizon. Asking a soldier who was on guard duty where Lady Alice was, the soldier told him he'll find her tent somewhere with the black-haired man. Eugeo thanked him and walked quietly into the camp. His thoughts were on a lot of things. First, his new sword, Golden Anima Blade. Despite being a whole different sword he ever used besides his Blue Rose or one of the wooden practice swords in the Academy. He wonders if he can still use Enhanced Armament and Release Recollection with this like he could with his own sword. It was better to test it out in battle than on a campsite. The next thought was Alice, or rather Synthesis Thirty, not Zuberg who he carries her memory fragment. Alice has really become more, cozy to him the past few days: the kiss the night after the attack of the goblins, more snuggling to him, her demeanor has changed from the knight she was back at the Academy coming to collect them who swatted him away to see her, right eye covered by a piece of Kirito's clothes, fighting alongside him. She changed a lot, not only when with Kirito, but with him. His promise to stay by her side, that his life belongs to her now. The reason he said that was he was caring for the other Alice. He thought of his own feelings for Alice Zuberg, how he let his past with her, his memories, allowing Quinnella to use that, to manipulate the truth to control him. He believed that moment in May to merge with the Blue Rose Sword and save Alice's Memory Fragment. But Kirito saved his life and they defeated the Administrator together. Now he had the two Alices to protect: Zuberg and Synthesis Thirty. Did he love the other Alice? He couldn't deny how much he's connected with her now, that the anger and feelings he had, have lessened and he's matured. But does Alice love him? He never asked her feelings since that kiss and since then, she's been closer to him. She might have feelings, but could it be her pride and devotion to protect him and Kirito that she just shows she cares. And another thought, that he could never say sorry to Tiese, for not protecting her when Raios assaulted her.

"Senpai?" a girl's voice spoke from behind him.

Eugeo whipped around fast, his cape whipping behind his back to see two young girls behind him, feet apart. She was a pretty, slender girl with long, red hair and wearing the gray Sword Mastery Academy uniform with a chest plate and leather belt to her waist. Beside her was a petite girl with short, brown hair and blue eyes. Like the girl beside her, she wore the same gray uniform, a gray chest plate, and a brown belt on her waist. Egeo was at a loss for words, standing in front of him were Tiese Shtolienen and Ronye Arabel, his and Kirito's Valets from the Sword Mastery Academy.

"Tiese, Ronye… it's you," he said, before coming closer to them.

"I knew it, I knew you were alright. So they were right that a blonde-haired male knight was here. I can't believe it, here I was, wanting to be a knight to hope to save you, you are a knight, what's your number senpai?" she asked, seeing the delight of his Page's smiling brightly on her face.

"Uh, Thirty-two. I mean, I'm still new to being a knight, but I've been helpful with my friend. But what are you doing here? Wait, you two didn't get expelled did you?" he panicked, hands to her shoulders, "It was our fault, you didn't need to be punished!"

"Oh no, we were not but we've not expelled mind you. Some days after you were taken by the lady knight, we met Sir Bercouli who was looking for strong recruits for the army, so I, Ronye, and Frenica are here. Oh and, did you get stronger?" Tiese trailed off, blushing a little.

"I have to return to my old calling, so I've gotten a lot stronger since then," he admitted awkwardly.

"I see, you'll always be diligent Eugeo-Senpai," she replied, blushing.

"Tiese and I would have arrived to look for you but she spent all that time brushing her hair, that the food would be cold before we got here." Ronye teased, and Tiese blushed scarlet like her hair.

"I, it was nothing! What of you, you wanted to get sweets for Kirito-senpai don't get all blaming me. Did you want him to see you and give you a head pat?" Tiese snapped and Ronye blushed even more.

"Shut up!" she shouted and Eugeo laughed. It was only months ago but it felt like it was their peaceful days.

"You two are still the same girls, looks like we shouldn't have put more time in your demeanors. Still, are you two looking for Kirito?" Eugeo asked. He wanted to not give in to the idea of Kirito's situation, "I and my friend are in the same tent."

"Yes, umm… this person... Was she a girl?" Tiese asked, fidgeting her hands.

"Yeah, Lady Alice is my childhood friend. The girl who took me and Kirito," he explained.

"Oh, okay." Tiese responded halfheartedly, but Eugeo had a feeling that the answer didn't satisfy the red-haired girl, "Lady Alice was the blonde Integrity Knight, correct?"

"Yeah. She's a lot nicer than she looked. Let's go." he instructed them. Ronye and Tiese expressions lit up, following Eugeo. Eugeo will have gotten ready to break the news to them… speaking of news, he hopes Alice is okay alone with Kirito.

Alice looked around inside the camping tent she was assigned and let out a light sigh. The cot was arranged nicely, the sheepskin spread over the floor was practically new, and the air smelled only of the sun. Though she was perfectly satisfied with those, it was clear the tent was not laid out in a hurry for Alice. In other words, Knight Commander Bercouli had prepared for Alice's participation in the fight and constructed an additional tent for knights It might be best to take it as a symbol of his faith, but knowing the knight commander's nature, she figured he might have seen through her thoughts and actions entirely. No, that would be going too far. After all, not even the knight commander seemed to have predicted Alice and Eugeo bringing Kirito along. The cot prepared was for two. She'll sleep on top of Eugeo, she enjoyed being close to him, like a warm blanket. It wasn't strange, she was his friend, she feels okay to be with him. The sun was able to set, Alice not seeing from Eugeo yet. She was worried for him, he should get ready for sleep. He's an Integrity Knight, he should take it seriously and not be out too long training with Edith. He was also more mature than Kirito when they were in Academy, she expects a lot from him. Maybe she was worried for him, Edith is Edith, knowing her for a couple of years, her antics are something she is getting used to.

After touching Kirito's back and leading him to the bed, Alice sat him down. The young man immediately let out a frail voice as he reached out with his left hand.

"Yes, I know, I will have them in a moment," she said to him.

Running over to the pack left at the entrance, Alice took out the two long swords of black and white. Returning to the bed, she placed them on his lap. Kirito embraced the swords in his left arm then and went quiet. She went through her thoughts while sitting beside him and taking off her boots. Though she declared that she would shoulder Kirito and fight alongside eugeo should the need arise to Eldrie, that would be rather difficult in reality. Kirito alone would not be too hard with how thin he was, but her movement would be constrained if she had to carry the Night Sky Sword and Blue Rose Sword. With Eugeo's new sword, could it be as strong as the Knight's own weapons, she was concerned and worried.

She considered staying astride in Amayori's saddle, but there would be times she had to engage in an aerial battle with the enemy dark knights riding flying dragons too. It would be best to lower her load as much as possible. Regrettably, having someone, perhaps from the transport unit, take care of Kirito during the battle would be the most practical course of action. However, the problem lies in whether she could find anyone worthy of trust so easily. Her old friends, the integrity knights, would naturally head out as the vanguards and she knew none of the common soldiers. Lady Fanatio, Desolbert, Commander Bercouli, all of them would be fighting to even look after him. Eldrie, his resentful feelings to the rebel wouldn't do it, and Eugeo would be fighting with her. Even if she did ask him, she would rather not rely on Eldrie to introduce her to someone suitable now.

"Kirito…" Alice peeked straight into the youth's face and gently held onto his cheeks with both hands. She had no intention of treating Kirito as a burden. If his mind recovered, she could definitely rely on him to protect the Human Empire, more so than with anyone else. She had him accompany her here to the front lines because she thought he was most likely to regain his consciousness. Knight Commander Bercouli mentioned Kirito had deflected his incarnation blade. And that he did it to protect Alice. Could she believe in that? The law and a criminal when they first met at the Sword Mastery Academy. The executioner and a rebel when they met again on the cathedral's eightieth floor. And even when they exchanged words in the end on the top floor, they were merely in a truce at best, "Despite having lost your mind ever since that battle ended, you still tried to protect me from Uncle's spirit as a swordsman? What am I… to you?" she asked him. Those questions rebounded off Kirito's lightless eyes and onto Alice herself. What exactly was this youth to her? And Eugeo, what is she to her as well?

If she expressed what she thought of Kirito in the cathedral in a word, obnoxious would be most suitable. He would be the only one who would call Integrity Knight Alice Synthesis Thirty an "idiot" all that many times, both now and in the future. However, in that final battle, what she saw of Kirito from behind as he stood up against the highest minister, Administrator… Alice's heart trembled upon seeing the back of that swordsman holding a sword in each hand while the hem of his black overcoat blew out violently. His figure displayed power; along with a sadness that tore into her chest. Those emotions throbbed faintly deep in her chest even now.

However, Alice continued to keep a lid on her own heart, afraid of recognizing the reasons behind that ache.

Then, the other boy she's spent half a year living with, eugeo. She remembered hitting the boy away when he dared tough him, supporting Kirito from afar, fought Bercouli, and was supposed to fuse with a sword only for Kirito to save his life fighting with Eugeo as his blade. Eugeo forgave her, Eugeo gave his life for her, Eugeo promised to never leave her, Eugeo… she kissed him. That kiss, the first unlikely she has done since, and that thought never left. Since then, she also had him on her mind, the words their father rang in his head, the feeling of wanting the boy to hold her… No, to hold Zuberg. "I am a mere artificial being. Nothing more than a puppet for a war that continues to occupy Alice Schuberg's body. I have no right to hold any feelings aside from the will to fight. I don't know if I'm allowed to love eugeo, he loved the other Alice, not the girl still using her body. Still. Perhaps that is why. Does my voice not reach you because I hold my own heart back? Was my heart reaching to Eugeo when I kissed him? Will you respond if I were to let loose all of my «will» this instant?" she asked.

Alice drew a deep breath of air into her chest and held it. Kirito's cheeks were cold in her hands. No, it was the heat from her palms. His cheeks slowly drew closer. She stared into those black eyes from up close. Dark, just like the night skies. But she seemed to see small stars, quietly twinkling far away. Absorbed in those stars, her face was gradually, gradually drawn in...

A rhythmical chime abruptly rang out and Alice got up, practically jumping. Though she looked around the tent in a fluster, there was naturally no one. At last, she realized the bell with a pull-string fixed onto the tent's entrance had rung. A guest. Clearing her throat without reason, Alice put her hair in order before quickly crossing through the tent. In all likelihood, it would be Eldrie, here to offer more criticism. She would tell him that she had no plans of driving away Kirito in no uncertain terms this time. If it was Eugeo, why ring the bell, it's their tent?

Going through the thin cloth that made up the inside of the two layers of curtains at the entryway, starting with her head first, Alice swept away the thick pelt on the outside all at once with her left hand. And her lips that were about to open came to a sharp stop. The one standing before her eyes was no integrity knight or even some normal soldier. Unthinkingly, she stared on.

"E… erm." Accompanied by that feeble voice tinged with fright, the short visitor held out a covered pot with both hands. Standing with her was Eugeo, who looked to her companion's hands to his side. "I… I have brought your dinner, Lady Knight. We were making sure there was enough for eugeo-senpai as well."

"I see." Alice glanced towards the sky. Though she had not noticed, the vermillion sunset was certainly departing for the western skies. She'll have to scold Eugeo for almost missing returning to bed. Shew nodded her head and looked onto the two and Eugeo, "Thank you… your efforts are appreciated."

Receiving the pot with gratitude, Alice gazed over the other party once again. A young girl who was still young at around fifteen or sixteen. The hair that extended slightly below her shoulders was a magnificent shade of red. Her large eyes went well with their color, that of autumn, unique to blood from the northern empire along with that pale skin and distinctive nose bridge. Though she wore light armor like the Defense Army, the grey tunic and skirt appeared like a uniform from some school. To think such a child would be on the battlefield… Alice bit on her lips before blinking in realization.

She had seen the girl's features somewhere. However, as Alice had spent each day in the Central Cathedral back then, she had nearly no chance of coming into contact with the common folk.

That was when a second girl timidly showed herself from behind the red-haired girl where she had been hiding.

"E… erm… there are bread and beverages here."

Breaking into a smile towards that almost inaudible voice from the girl with dark brown hair close to black and dark blue eyes, Alice accepted the basket she offered as well.

"There is no need to be so afraid, no one will be stealing you away for a snack." A memory finally surfaced in Alice's mind the moment she said that. She recalled hearing this exceedingly skittish voice. These two were from. "The two of you were… from the North Centoria Sword Mastery Academy… weren't you. E- I mean, Sir Eugeo's Valet's?" she asked. She didn't know she would respond, calling Eugeo so familiar might give off the wrong idea than to call him as an equal knight, not a companion. She asked, and for an instant, their cheeks loosened in relief despite previously being stiff with tension. However, they straightened up their posture straight after and named themselves with a tap from the heels of their boots.

"Y-Yes! I-I… I am from the Human Empire Defense Army, supply unit, novice trainee, Tiesé Shtolienen!"

"L-Likewise, novice trainee, Ronye Arabel!"

So they were; Alice murmured in her heart while unconsciously responding in kind. These were the two who pleaded for permission to bid Kirito and Eugeo farewell when she took them away from the academy. Even if the Defense Army was short-handed, they would not possibly draft in students. That meant the pair had personally volunteered and came to these perilous front lines from the familiar central capital. Why had these girls yet to enter adulthood gone so far as to…

As Alice's gaze remained fixed on the pair while holding onto the pot with her right hand and the basket with her left, the girl with dark brown hair who named herself Ronye returned to hiding behind the red-haired girl who called herself Tiesé. Though Tiesé cowered slightly as well, she opened her mouth before long with an expression that spoke of her resolution to fight on, "Er… erm… L-Lady Knight… I am fully aware that this may be, that is, m-most discourteous on our part…"

While Alice broke into a bitter smile once again at that exaggerated manner of speech, she tried her best to change that into a gentle one as she interrupted.

"Excuse me, there is really no need to stand on ceremony so much. In this camp, I am no more than a single swordsman here to protect the Human Empire like the rest of them. Do call me Alice, Tiesé-san, and… you too, Ronye-san."

Both Tiesé and Ronye whose head popped out from behind made dumbfounded looks at that.

"…W-What is the matter?" Alice asked, seeing their expressions.

"N-No… well. We had a different impression when we had that opportunity to meet at the Sword Mastery Academy, so…" Tiese admitted, remembering how the Integrity Knight while taking the Swords from them, at least allowed them some time to see their Senpaisone last time.

"Is that… so?" Alice asked.

"I guess when you took us, you did give off an intimidating aura, but you did allow us a minute to have our goodbye," Eugeo admitted.

'Did I... really come off that way?' Alice asked herself. She tilted her head in uncertainty. She was not too confident of it herself, but she might have changed in the half-year she lived in Rulid. Though the knight commander had voiced out his baseless impressions about her putting on meat around her face. Now that she thought about it, she could not claim to have never overeaten in light of how delicious the meals Selka made for her were… but to think it would show…

Showing another smile with her cheeks that narrowly avoided tensing up, Alice added to her words.

"And so… did you have business with me?" Alice asked, " I was waiting on if Eugeo would return, we do need our rest for the upcoming meeting."

"Ah… y-yes." With her sense of nervousness faded by just a little, Tiesé chewed on her lips for a moment before she spoke, "Erm… we have heard word that a young man with black hair accompanied Lady Kni… Lady Alice when you arrived on your flying dragon… and so, we thought that gentleman might just possibly be somebody we are acquainted with… We were shocked when they mentioned a blonde boy in knight wear, we were astonished that Eugeo-sen[pai was a fellow Knight. And," she bowed, "Thank you, for forgiving him."

"Ah, aah… I see that is only natural." Alice finally understood the girls' purpose of visiting and nodded.

"The both of you were on good terms with Kirito and Eugeo in the academy, weren't you…?" she asked, slipping into that familiarity with Eugeo this time.

The pair's faces shone like budding flowers the instant Alice spoke so. In Ronye's case, there were even faint tears running from her blue eyes.

"So it was… Kirito-senpai after all…"

"That's great! Can we come to Eugeo-senpai?" Tiese asked the young knight.

Eugeo was hesitant but spoke low but with a false smile, "S-Sure…"

Alice drew in a sharp breath right when she heard that name. These two did not know. Of the fierce fight that unfolded in the cathedral half a year ago and its conclusion. They could not have. None knew anything concerning the Highest Minister's death aside from the integrity knights. The pair formed puzzled faces upon looking up at the speechless Alice. Alice stared at Tiezé's and Ronye's eyes in turn, and then slowly shut her eyes. She could not deceive them now. Besides, the pair had the right to know everything. The girls likely volunteered for the Defense Army and came all this way solely to meet Kirito as well as Eugeo again…

Hardening her resolve, Alice opened her mouth. "This may be… too painful for the two of you. I guess you didn't have the heart to tell them Eugeo... Still, I believe. If you are Kirito and Eugeo's juniors, I believe you can accept it."

And after taking a step back, she lifted the pelt curtain and prompted them to enter the tent. Defying Alice's covert hopes, Kirito showed absolutely no response even with Tiesé and Ronye in his sight. Stifling her disappointment, Alice stood by the tent's wall and watched over the tragic scene. Kneeling before Kirito who sat on the bed, Ronye wrapped the youth's left hand in her small ones as tears went down her cheeks.

Tiese dropped to the ground as well, tears in her eyes as well… This…. This can't be real, this has to be a joke, a prank, right? They joined the Human Supply group to help their Senpais. But, Kirito looks like his expression is lost like he's not there anymore. Why, why did this happen? Is that why Eugeo couldn't tell them? Eugeo walked close to Tiese and kneeled to her and she hugged him, crying into his arms. Eugeo patted the back of her head, letting her cry into his chest plate.

"I'm sorry… this... All of this… is my fault... Kirito saved my life from being split in half. He's only in this situation... Because I'm at fault for my own past… I'm sorry… I'm the reason Kirito won't respond anymore." he spoke softly, hearing Tiese cry into his arms.

"I-It's not your fault Eugeo-senpai, he was only trying to protect you, i-i-it's not!" Tiese stammered through tears.

"I know… I'm not going to let the second chance go to waste… for the both of you," he said, as Ronye came over and held the back of her friend's back to get her to turn around. Tiese did so, looking at the brown-haired and blue-eyed girl, her eyes watery, trying to keep a smile assuring her everything will be okay.

Alice watched the three Academy students in the event she was seeing. Alice talked on in her mind while continuing to gaze upon the pair. When those living in the Human Empire suffer a mental shock, overwhelming them with terror or grief, there are times when their hearts fall ill from their incapability to endure it. Even in that attack on Rulid by the forces of darkness the other day, several villagers had lain down despite being unharmed. Tiesé must have loved Eugeo. Now seeing her senpai, blaming himself for Kirito's condition, must be hard for her.

Watching them, a phrase floated up like a small bubble onto the surface on her swirling thoughts and burst with a pop. World End Altar. Apparently, that place she had not heard of before had a door to the outside of this world. if she reached there, would all of these mysteries instantly melt away? Would she and Eugeo be able to take back Kirito's mind? However, the Altar was allegedly far off in the south after passing through the Great East Gate. In other words, some distant remote regions in the Dark Territory where the dark races reigned. For her to go all the way there, she would first have to defend against or break through the large enemy army encamped beyond the Great Gate. No, even if she broke through the enemy lines, she could not abandon the Great Gate's defense and head south. As one of the integrity knights who were bestowed with such tremendous power, Alice had the responsibility to guard the Human Empire.

Rather, if only she could draw the entire enemy army to herself and set out for the Altar, dragging them away from the Great Gate. However, to those from the Dark Territory, the invasion of the Human Empire was their long-cherished wish for these hundreds of years. There could be nothing more attractive than that… As expected, even if she were to aim for the altar at the world's end, the forces of darkness must be utterly annihilated beforehand. Alice involuntarily shut her eyes at the conclusion she reached. Despite those grand ideas of wiping them out, it would be difficult enough to even repel the enemy's advance guard as things currently stood. Still, she had to do it. To protect Tiezé, Ronye, and Kirito. Letting out a soft sigh, Alice then put an end to her several seconds of contemplation and looked on towards the two weeping girls and Eugeo

"I know it's not my place to ask, but do you two have feelings for Kirito and Eugeo...?" Alice asked.

"That's not it! I'm..." Ronye interrupted, shaking her head, before covering her mouth and tears still shedding from her eyes.

"Lady Alice, I'm sure Eugeo-senpai has told you, the Taboo himself and Kirito-senpai violated, right?" Tiese asked.

"Yes, I was told they killed another student…. Or so it seems, did it?" Alice asked back, remembering what Eugeo told her and seeing his eyes shaking and nodding. He has gotten over it, but it's clear, the pain they went through, hasn't.

"And he told you what led to him breaking the Taboo? They didn't kill Raios for no reason…" Tiese said, eyes watery and shaking.

"As much he told me, yes," she replied, knowing for Eugeo, it was another moment he regretted.

"Eugeo-senpai and Kirito-senpai raised their swords to save us." Tiese explained and Alice let out a light gasp, it was what Eugeo told her was true, "If only we had been a little wiser, They wouldn't have fought the Church and changed the law, they wouldn't be in this situation. They did all this for us…" tear shed more from Tiese's eyes, Eugeo looking sad. He wondered. How upset she'll feel, if he died, "We committed an irreparable crime! That's why… I couldn't tell me how I felt that day he was taken! No matter what happens, we can't ever… admit we were in love with them!"

"Tiese…" Eugeo breathed slightly. It wasn't like he didn't know Tiese's feelings for her, remembering the shorter hair girl that became his Valet change, even growing her hair out. Watching the young pair hug each other, he wished he told her how he felt… that he didn't know if he could ever return her feelings now, as he loved Alice. This Alice to be accurate. Watching the two hug each other and cry, Eugeo felt the guilt. Even while here, those he cares about still suffer and sad. How can he make them feel better, he doesn't know. His armored hand tightened, he heard Alice start to speak, the two Valets stop crying.

"No, you're wrong about that. You've committed no crime."

"Lady Alice, you… You're an esteemed Integrity Knight, Lady Alice, so you can't understand," Ronye said, looking at Alice while seeing consoling her fellow Valet. "Our bodies were played with, our pride tainted with sin. All because we wanted to protect our friend. Eugeo-senpai was also forced to watch if he didn't step in… It would have gotten worse!"

"This body is nothing more than a vessel for your heart." Alice replied, putting a hand to her chest plate, "The heart… the soul is what truly matters. And you are the only one to decide how your soul is."

"Alice..." Eugeo breathed out loud before seeing her close her eyes.

'I know I can do it.' she thought, thinking back months ago when Kirito's clothes changed. She had personally experienced how a strong, earnest wish could change the flesh without reliance on arts.

Still, that alone would not suffice now. She had to change not just her flesh, but the clothing on her body with the power of incarnation. It should be possible. Had she not seen Kirito do it once before? When he went up against the Highest Minister Administrator with two swords, he had changed into a long overcoat made from black leather from some other land utterly unlike his clothes until then.

'What was the other me like, my other self?' she asked Eugeo in a conversation between their Calling.

'If I had to be honest, no different than now. You already wore a white apron over a blue dress. You were caring, smart, would scold us if we goofed off. But those days were peaceful, the three of us together. Alice Zuberg, the day you allow me to give the memories back... Would look just like you, if not older."

She thought to return to that memory Eugeo thought of her. Return. To Alice before she woke up in that unfamiliar pure white tower and shut away from her heart within thick ice to drown out the unease and desolation of her lost memories. 'Just like Kirito showed us…' she thought. Alice's body started to glow as Ronye, Tiese, and Eugeo watched from the ground. Eugeo was taken aback by what she was doing but remembered, this wasn't a regular sacred art, could it be the same incarnation he saw Kirito use? 'I am the same as you, Ronye, Tiesé. I was born as a human, made many mistakes, shouldered heavy sins, and now stand here. You can claim Kirito and Eugeo's murder to be your fault… but if I had not forgotten about the taboos and not touched the Dark Territory's earth, they would not have even aimed for the capital in the first place.' When the light that enveloped Alice disappeared, the two Valets and Eugeo were astonished at what they saw, and Eugeo's eyes started to tear up.

Alice slowly lifted her eyelids. As her face looked down, what she first saw was the skirt she was wearing. However, it was not dyed in the pure white of the Axiom Church, but a clear blue like the autumn skies. Atop the skirt was a plain apron. The golden armor and gauntlets were gone. When she touched her head with her hand, her fingertips brushed against a large ribbon. Her hair seemed a little shorter. Raising her face, her eyes met with Eugeo, Ronye, and Tiezé's while they were shocked into silence.

'That's… me…' Alice Zuberg spoke in awe in Eugeo's head.

"…See? Your body and appearance depend merely on your heart," she spoke to the two and Eugeo. Of course, this transformation did not last forever. She would likely return to her original knight look the moment her mental concentration faltered. Still, the girls should understand now. How Alice, Kirito, and Eugeo thought. "No one can sully your heart. This is how I should have grown up, born in that remote village. But when I was eleven, I was taken to the capital as a criminal and became an integrity knight with my memories erased by an art. I once cursed that fate of mine…" Her eyes darted to Eugeo, their eyes meeting, "The same for Eugeo too… lies planted into his heart of the truth, but unlike myself, was able to remember who he is." What Alice spoke of was a huge secret known by only Knight Commander Bercouli aside from herself. However, she believed these two could handle it and continued her words.

"But… I had things I could do, things that I should do; Kirito taught me that. That is why I will not waver any longer. I decided that I will accept myself and move on." Raising both hands, Alice gripped Ronye's and Tiesé's hands with strength. "You are the same. You have a wide, long, straight road that belongs to you alone."

Drops of water splashed onto their held hands. The tears along the girls' cheeks seemed completely different from before, gleaming beautifully with iridescent light. Eugeo felt Alice tug his hand closer to the girls and smiled at him. With how things went, she wanted him to know he wasn't alone with what his heart feels.

Eugeo led Ronye and Tiese back to their tent as the last rays of Solus vanished. Once it was done, he returned to his tent with Alice. Alice should change back to normal and change into her long gown. It wasn't like they lived together and bathed together. He's seen the Integrity Knight exposed but it would feel awkward, only they know of their relationship of being very close. Bercouli's comment still makes his ears burn. What didn't help was their cot only fitting two people. With Kirito sleeping on their right, Eugeo slept on the cot with Alice sleeping on top of him. Eugeo didn't want to feel flushed at the idea, but Alice insisted as she wasn't going to let him sleep on the wooden floor of their tent. Alice was surprisingly heavy, her thin body actually weighted it. It wasn't helping Alice…. she was… very mature in places. It was a good thing Alice Zuberg stayed quiet when he would bathe without the memory fragment, having her side comments weren't fun:

"Come on, you can't deny how beautiful I've gotten. Weren't you entranced seeing me again?" she said after one night of a bath.

Or Tiese out of the blue during one of their breaks from training would bring up ronye out of the blue…

"Did you know Ronye is bigger than me?" she asked and Eugeo almost choked on his tea.

"What?!" he shouted blushing, why would she say that?

"Yeah, we're only the same age yet she has a small body yet 'big'." Tiese continued holding out her hands in motion close to her trainee uniform.

"And you bring this up why?" Eugeo asked, grabbing a handkerchief to clean the tea from his uniform.

"I'm just curious about what girls you like senpai, that's all," she said.

He's starting to realize he and Kirito have a lot of awkwardness between them to the opposite sex. He had to pray to Stacia why him?

"Eugeo?" Alice Synthesis 30 asked, breaking the flaxen blonde's thought, "You okay, you seem to be spacing out."

"Sorry about that," Eugeo said apologetically, before looking at Kirito who slept on his side, looking more calmer than he did the night of the raid by the goblins. "He's sleeping better now. I'm glad."

"Yeah. Tomorrow the eastern gate will fall, and we will be fighting for our lives to protect this world." Alice said, crossing her arms over Eugeo's stomach and sighed, "I feel, we aren't a big army in just six months. We'll ask tomorrow, how our odds are."

"I know, but I'm going to fight my hardest in this war. I plan on not dying in this battle, to one day see Kirito awake again. I swear it on my swords, I'll keep living and move on from my past."

"You bet not to die, if you got severely hurt," Alice took a fist to his chest, the stern Alice showing more, "I'll go right to you, to heal you and scold you for your recklessness."

"I'll keep that in mind." he laughed, looking at the stern look on Alice's and taking his right hand brushing the side of her, making Alice react, "I was thinking of what Selka said."

"About our fathers talking about marriage?" she asked, this time her cheeks were red.

"Yeah. When it's all over and survive this, no… we will survive this, I don't mind it, but I want to start slow. Alice, what do you think of me?" he asked her honestly. Alice stares for a moment to process his question, feeling her face become redder.

"What do I think of you?" she asked before looking at him, "Our… relationship, we have to the most complicated pair in the Integrity Knights: I don't remember you as much, I hit you, threatened you to take seven-five percent of your life, took you away from your Valets, fought you, even have Eldrie see if you two would escape… It's hard to say where we could ever be friends if Kirito didn't open my eyes to the truth, and while that seal was gone… I felt my heart hesitate after Kirito couldn't respond to us. But you… you accepted me for who I was, even when I doubted myself, that I could ever lift my sword again. I… Eugeo, not only as Alice Synthesis 30 but as Alice... I love you." she rose a little and put a hand to her chest, "so, for tonight… is it alright, as your partner, that you let me depend on you?"

Eugeo blushed, a part of him not expecting a confession or to be very… Alice Synthesis 30 well of whom she talked. He took her hand and clutched it tightly where she held it to her chest, feeling her heartbeat, Sounding official, he spoke back smiling, "if you want me to Alice, then I'll let you be the one to depend on me tonight."

Alice smiled, before lowering herself back to Eugeo and hugging his neck and his ear inches to her lips. With a whisper of, "Thank you," she held the flux blonde tighter., Eugeo took his arms and held Alice, grabbing the sheet to cover up their back and held her tightly, patting her back

"Goodnight, Alice," she said.

"Goodnight, Eugeo," she replied

'Goodnight, Kirito.' they both thought of once.

Morning came the next day and Alice and eugeo, in their armor, walked through the human Guardian army's meeting quarters for the Integrity Knights and soldier's strategy meeting. Despite last night, Alice and Eugeo kept their usual demeanor, to not have anyone suspicious of their new relationship. Not it was forbidden to fall for anyone, just be too many questions plus Eldriee's suspicious like he did anything to Alice. Eugeo would never, ever go far with Alice, sure they bathed together but the close to a naked woman he was was the Administrator. He is now her boyfriend, he will be a good boyfriend, but not fall into those desires just yet, until the time is right when the idea of settling down. The idea of a child, he best not ask her that either. Alice might be a very serious person but she has shown more sides of being a normal girl, as learning how she reacted to Kirito staining her garments with sweat.

"Yo." greeted a familiar voice. Eugeo and Alice turned around, seeing the Commander standing in front of a tent, seeing the pair towards him.

"Uncle." Alice greeted.

"Pleasant morning Commander." Eugeo greeted, bowing his head.

Solus's warm rays shined so high yet the Dark Territory's skies somewhat visible beyond the Great Gate were still tenaciously dyed in that ominous shade of blood. As though denying that sight, a pure white camp curtain was stretched out in the middle of the Human Empire Defense Army's campsite—the meadow used as a landing field for flying dragons in the day. Below the Axiom Church's flag that fluttered up high before it was roughly thirty people with grim looks from the integrity knights and Defense Army's commanding officers.

Alice looked onward in a slight surprise upon noticing the knights were not separated from the soldiers. The integrity knights, clad in shining silver armor, and the commanding officers, wearing steel armor that lost in beauty but possessed a sufficiently high priority level nonetheless, were engaged in a heated discussion with each holding a glass of siral water in hand. Roundabout etiquette seemed eliminated from their exchange when she pricked up her ears.

"Not bad for a rushed, jumbled gathering, right you two?" Bercouli asked the air.

"Yeah. I noticed, our numbers feel small, wasn't there enough time to get soldiers for the War?" Eugeo asked curiously.

"In the borrowed time we had? The Dark forces' numbers are 50,000 vs our numbers of 3,000." Bercouli explained, making the two gasp.

"Wait, is that true?" Alice asked.

"I know from tales the Dark Territory is much bigger than the Human Empire, but to think that the army is larger than ours. But another thing that bugs me." Eugeo said and Alice nodded, having the same feeling.

"When we arrived yesterday, something crossed my mind as well. Where are the other integrity knights? As far as I can see, there are only ten or so there."

"Unfortunately, that's all of them," Bercouli answered and the pair looked in disbelief.

"Ee… eeh!?" Alice exclaimed. Holding down her voice that became shrill against her wishes with her palm, Alice looked up at the knight commander who had put a slight grimace on.

"That… could not be. Including myself and Eugeo, are there not thirty-two in the Order?"

"Well, that's right," Bercouli replied with a sigh mingled in and brought his voice down even further. "You know too, don't you, Lil' miss? Chief Elder Chudelkin performed that treatment called «readjustment» on those knights with potential problems in their memories. When he died, the seven knights who were undergoing readjustment in the Chamber of Elders have yet to wake."

"…!" Both looked on shocked before Eugeo looked crestfallen.

"It's our fault, if we did not target The Prime Senator, we have the other Knights. I'm sorry Commander." Eugeo apologized to Bercouli but he held out a weary hand.

"Don't fret, it was nothing you can do to prevent it, but back on the situation of the knights we do have." Bercouli assured him before looking back at Alice and Eugeo, "Edith Synthesis Ten has done her part as she can on surveying the area of the End Mountains, she'll help as much as possible in the war." he explained.

"That's good, Lady Edith is a formidable opponent in battle, I don't think I've seen her ever go all out unless needed," Alice commented.

"And for that reason, we can't wake the remaining knights. The only ones who knew the incantation for readjustment were Chudelkin and the Highest Minister. Now that both of them have died, we can only take the time to analyze the art to awaken those seven, and we don't have that time now. There was a knight who was just frozen asleep rather than in readjustment, and we did succeed there, but…" Bercouli continued only for Alice to interject on the other knight in question.

"Who might that person be?" she asked.

"…Shetya the Silent," Bercouli answered

"…!" Alice let out a gasp, Eugeo perplexed on this unknown knight. Though they had never met in person and she knew nothing more than several anecdotes, Alice swallowed her breath at that name. Those tales were truly horrifying. Still, Bercouli coughed as though saying to leave that topic for later and continued his explanation on their war potential.

"…In other words, that means we have twenty-four integrity knights awake now. Four are staying back to manage the cathedral and capital and four are serving as guards at the mountain range at the edge. Subtracting them, we have eighteen… that's the most we can sink into this absolute line of defense. Of course, that's with both you and me, Lil' miss."

"Eighteen… you say?" Alice repeated.

"I also added the young Eugeo as he was most recently like Eldrie. Have you awakened to your abilities like when you were forced?" Bercouli asked to Eugeo.

"Yeah." Eugeo replied and looked at his armored hand, "When I felt that power, it felt different from when the Administrator used you. My faith wasn't to obey her, but for the people, I wanted to keep safe."

"I see. Even though your faith is to serve the Axiom Church, you want to keep those around you safe. That's in my longest years someone thinking for themselves. It was true you resist fate." Bercouli added and Eugeo cocked his head. What did he mean, the Seal of the Right Eye? "So, about where we can put the young man Kirito." Bercouli then put his hand to behind his head sheepishly, "If you two want, I can ask the rearguard to..." but Eugeo interrupted the Commander Integrity Knight

"No need sir, Ronye and Tiese said they'll look after him when the fighting starts," he said.

"Ah, those two. It wasn't that long ago I met them and had a duel with them." Bercouli explained but once again had his hand behind his head, "It was with practice swords, but Ronye, the shorter one used Sacred Arts. After seeing what they got, I accepted them and joined the Human Guardian Army. Much to my surprise when they said they were hoping they can help you and Kirito. When I said you were fine, their eyes were overjoyed."

"I see, thank you for allowing them to help any way they can. I'm glad I got to be alive and see them again." Eugeo replied and bowed his head.

"So Kirito, how is he? Did he react in any way, coming into contact with people from his past?" Bercouli asked and Eugeo crossed his arms.

"No, he was silent the whole ordeal. Even when I take care of him, I get small cracks of 'ahh, ahh', but that's just like him trying to talk to me. But with the girls, it's like…" Eugeo said and it was Alice's turn to speak up.

"Like their presence, he couldn't feel?" she asked him.

"Yeah." Eugeo nodded.

"I see." Bercouli said, seeing the disappointment in the pair's faces, most notably Alice, "To be honest, let's keep this between us. Honestly, I can't say I hadn't been thinking that youngling may be the one to decide how the coming battle's going to go…"

"I hope so. Could turn the tables in battle." Eugeo agreed, uncrossing his arms.

"It's crazy, he had your help and you two defeated Chief Elder and the Highest Minister with a sword's plain ridiculous. If we were to compare the strength of our incarnation alone, I may not even match up to him." Bercouli continued.

"That is true, he was able to almost beat me while I was under the Administrator's control. He's a powerful swordsman, way stronger than me. I don't know what drives him: to protect others, for survival, to not let others die," thinking back to Kirito using his dagger to have Cardinal help Fanatio's wounds, "He does what he wants, without no control of the Taboo Index. He's a special person, and I'm glad to call him my friend and partner."

"Right." Alice nodded in agreement.

"I know what I felt when we went against each other with incarnation earlier. That boy had accumulated actual combat experience equal to or surpassing mine."

"Actual combat…? What do you mean by that…?" Alice asked

"Literally that. Struggles with his life at stake." Bercouli explained both Alice and Eugeo were stunned by the commander's words.

Alice could only reject that possibility. The humans living in the Human Empire were protected, or rather, restrained by the Taboo Index and the Empire Fundamental Law. Even if they did have matches with wooden swords, it was common for them to live through their entire lives without actual combat involving one party cutting down the other's Life with real swords. The one exception, integrity knights, did experience actual combat against goblins and dark knights attempting to invade the mountain range at the edge. Still, that was only once or twice throughout their long periods of duty, with some not even encountering any; and to not mention the relatively overwhelming might of the integrity knights made it hard for those to be truly called struggles for their lives.

On that line of thought, Bercouli would certainly be the one with the most battle experience in the Human Empire since he had been fighting against the forces of darkness long before the Order got to its current size. As a matter of fact, when he had just become an integrity knight, however hard it might have been to believe he had suffered harshly at the hands of the dark knights in those times and fled by the skin of his teeth. Kirito won that Bercouli in terms of the pure duration of actual combat?

Even if that was feasible, that experience would not have been from this world. The outside world from whence he came. Still, that should be the land where the gods who truly created the Underworld reside. Actual combat despite that? Exactly who did he struggle for his life against…? What Eugeo told her, Kirito might not really have lost his memories and didn't want anyone to know who he was? If so, who did he fight before all this in the outside world? Unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion, Alice steeled her heart after a brief hesitation. If need be, she would tell Bercouli everything. About the existence of the outside world, and the World End Altar where the door towards there lay.

"Uncle, in fact, during the battle against the Highest Minister, I…" It was when she spoke that far, choosing her words with care.

A sharp voice suddenly echoed from behind the knight commander, "It is time, Your Excellency."

She and Eugeo turned to look at who spoke in surprise. A single integrity knight stood there, entirely covered in light purple armor that glimmered brilliantly even in the dusk with a silver rapier at the left of its waist. The moment Alice saw that full-face helmet with its wings resembling those of birds of prey, strong emotions surfaced within her chest, those were, frankly expressed, of distaste. To Alice, that was likely who she had the worst affinity within this world. The deputy knight commander and second among the integrity knights, Fanatio Synthesis Two.

Making the considerable effort to not wear her heart on her sleeve, Alice involuntarily placed her right fist against the left of her chest, her left hand on her sword's grip, and saluted as a knight should. Eugeo followed suit with the same gesture as Alice, his left hand to his chest plate and his other hand to his sword. Facing her, Fanatio performed the same as well as her armor rang out. However, unlike Alice who stood upright with her legs slightly apart, Fanatio balanced her weight on her right foot and lowered her left shoulder into a lithe posture.

'This person is simply helpless…' or so Alice muttered to herself inside as she lowered her hand.

Though Fanatio likely thought she was hiding it with her armor and rigid tone, to one from the same gender, those were not enough to erase the scent of Fanatio's feminine demeanor, distinct as that of large flowers. And that was a technique Alice could never comprehend since she was brought to the cathedral as a child. Deputy Knight Commander Fanatio fought Kirito and Eugeo on the fiftieth floor of the cathedral and suffered wounds that placed her on the verge of death after a direct hit from Kirito's armament full control art. However, Kirito had performed healing arts on her who he defeated with much trouble and even teleported her through some mysterious art, or so Alice had heard from the low ranking knights who were present there. Though she thought it was very much like Kirito to do so, she could still not come to terms with it.

In the first place, despite thinking of the world of Knight Commander Bercouli, Fanatio had four low ranking knights, who adored her, placed as her own subordinates. Did she feel no pity for their futile yearning? She could, at least, show her face instead of covering it with that helmet all day long. And right as Alice wandered through those thoughts tinged with just a little jealousy, Fanatio grasped the sides of her helmet with both hands, astonishing her. She unclasped it with clicks and carelessly pulled the light purple armor off. Her glossy black hair that sprang out gleamed like silk in the lanterns' light. She saw Fanatio's bare skin in the cathedral only if they met by coincidence in the large bath. As far as she could recall, this would be the first time the deputy knight commander had stripped off her helmet in public. She stared at her beautiful features that had seemed somewhat softer compared to previously and understood why. Though pale, her full lips were tinted with rouge. Cosmetics, on her who tried so hard to conceal her femininity?

Fanatio showed a gentle smile towards Alice and Eugeo who stood speechless. "It has really been a while, hasn't it, Alice? I'm so glad to see you have been in good health." Fanatio greeted and then addressed Eugeo, who she had worked with the weeks before the two's departure, "And you as well, Eugeo-Kun."

'She really is different. Not just the makeup either.' Eugeo thought.

"…" It took another three seconds before Alice found it in herself to return the greeting. "It… it has been a while, deputy commander."

"Same, it's been a while, deputy commander." Eugeo addressed, bowing his head.

"I wouldn't mind you calling me Fanatio. More importantly, Alice, Eugeo, I happened to overhear a little earlier, but… it appears you have brought that boy with black hair with you, Kirito was it?"

Alice put her astonishment aside at those offhand words and replaced it with growing wariness. Though Kirito and Cardinal, the sage, were the ones who healed Fanatio's injuries, she might not have known. It would not be odd if her resentment and hatred towards Kirito who had defeated her had grown. Eugeo was starting to worry, Bercouli's order should remain no one harm Kirito, would Fanatio still take it out on him?

"Ye… yes," she answered and Eugeo nodded.

The deputy knight commander showed a sweet smile and nodded at Alice's curt answer, "I see. Then, could I please meet with him for a little while after the war council?"

"…Why, Lady Fanatio?" Alice asked if Kirito's safety was a risk again.

"All the Integrity Knights kept your word you never harm Kirito, especially, keeping secret of well, who I was," Eugeo said, referring to the makeup tale the other rebel died in the battle against the Administrator.

"There's no need to frown here. I don't have any intention of cutting down Kirito after all this time." Stifling the bit of bitterness that had snuck into her smile, Fanatio shrugged her shoulders. "I simply wanted to say a word of thanks. For tending to me after I suffered those fatal wounds."

"…So you knew? Still, I believe there is no need for you to express your gratitude to Kirito. I had heard the one who had actually healed you, deputy commander, was the previous highest minister, a person named Cardinal. And she had… unfortunately passed away in the battle half a year ago." Alice explained crestfallen.

"Kirito didn't want you to die. At first, I didn't know why the Integrity Knights were our obstacles, in our way to the Administrator. Then I realized," Eugeo put his armored handout, "That there are lives too precious to die. No Knight should die by their own inflicted wounds." remember how Fanatio's Release Recollection was harming her as well. After Alice and Eugeo spoke with a little of their strength slipping from her shoulders, Fanatio's eyes slowly turned towards the sky and she nodded.

"Yes… I do remember faintly. It was the first time I had felt such warm and powerful healing art. But it was Kirito who had sent me to her and besides… I wish to thank him regarding a different matter."

"A different matter…?" Alice asked again to her superior.

"Yes. For fighting and defeating me, you see." and both Eugeo and Alice flinched. So she did have the intention of cutting Kirito? Fanatio shook her head with an earnest expression towards Alice who took half a step back. "This is how I truly feel. After all, that boy was the only man to fight me seriously even after realizing I am female in the many years I had lived as an integrity knight."

"Huh…? What do you… mean by…" Alice asked once more, not understanding Fanatio was meaning.

"I had fought without this helmet hiding my face in the past as you do. But I noticed then. That they would turn a little timider with their swords against me; not only male knights who I faced in mock battles but even dark knights in fights with our lives at stake. Going easy on me because of my gender is worse humiliation than being defeated and made to grovel on the ground."

Was that not unavoidable, though? There should be barely any men capable of ignoring Fanatio's fragrant allure with her face exposed. Though she only understood after staying at the outskirts of Rulid, females hardly ever assumed sacred tasks that required them to hold a sword in most of the Human Empire. The exceptions were limited to the children of nobles and feudal lords which meant the common woman basically had no choice but to marry, take care of the housework, and give birth to children. It would be an ironic affair if that aged tradition-bound the hearts of men like the Taboo Index. The prejudice that women ought to be protected by men must have dulled their swords before Fanatio's beautiful looks. The dark knights living in the Dark Territory must have been no exception either as long as they sought to marry and raise children. Though the demi-humans such as goblins or orcs might judge her differently with their completely different appearances.

However, despite being a female knight as well, Alice had never paid attention to male knights growing timid or anything of that sort. She was convinced her strength surpassed her opponents' whether they went easy or exerted themselves against her. Eugeo and Kirito fought like an equal, Eugeo accepted Edith's mock practice duel as an equal, that means a lot more than just gender. But it made both wonders about Fanatio they never put together. Was that anger not evidence that you were bothered by your femininity yourself?

Just as Alice and Eugeo thought so, Fanatio muttered the same thing, "I had hidden my face and voice with this helmet, and learned consecutive sword techniques to distance myself from my enemies. But that was because I was bound by my own gender, wasn't it? Not only did that boy see through that immediately, but he also came slashing at me with all his might. I had exhausted all of my sword techniques and arts against him and lost. When Lady Cardinal salvaged my life and I regained my consciousness, that meaningless obsession had vanished from my being… That is, I only had to become strong enough; strong enough to force my opponents to not go easy on me. It isn't all so strange for me to want to say a word of thanks to that boy who made me notice that simple truth and let me live, is it?" After saying so with a serious expression, Fanatio suddenly broke into a teasing smile.

"Besides… I am a little offended. Over how that boy felt nothing for me as a female with my helmet off. So, I am thinking of trying out various means to see if I can wake that boy up."

'What?' Eugeo thought.

'Oh Stacia, she hasn't taken a liking to Kirito hasn't she?' Alice Zuberg asked, trying not to laugh.

"What…" Even Alice was flabbergasted at what she said. What nonsense are you suggesting?

If Kirito woke from that, exactly what would that make of all her effort thus far? And she could not even say with certainty that the possibility was zero in regards to Kirito. Then again, there was one time she thought, she proceeded to shake her head mentally of that horrible, terrible idea, that there would be no way to explain it to Eugeo why she was about to do that.

Without any attempt to conceal how grim the space between her eyebrows was becoming, Alice replied in a sharp tone. "I appreciate your words, but he is currently resting in the tent. I will personally see that your thoughts are conveyed to him, Fanatio."

"Oh, dear." Both Bercouli and Eugeo spoke up softly. Eugeo knew from Edith that Alice and Fanatio… rarely got along when they were around… He was seeing it first hand and wanted to melt into the ground.

The area around the deputy knight commander's eyes twitched. "I will require your permission to meet with the boy? I thought you were more interested in staying with Eugeo-Kun the most. Back at the cathedral, I believe I hadn't ever refused your requests to meet with His Excellency, the knight commander when he was at work due to my personal feelings?"

"With regards to that, I believe your permission is not required either for me to meet with Uncle, Lady Fanatio. To begin with, now that I think about it, would he not serve just fine if you desired to be beaten black and blue by a male knight?" Alice asked, her smile on her face, that Eugeo felt the venom strike of his new girlfriend's strike.

"Oh my, let's leave His Excellency out of this. He is the world's strongest knight, so it is only natural he goes easy whoever he faces. After all, he even spared the dark general Shasta." Fanatio replied, her own face having a sweetly but venomous smile.

"Oh, really now? He was always serious to the point of becoming drenched in sweat during practice with me, however?" Alice retorted sweetly as Eugeo silently slipped away. He doesn't get involved with his catfight. He has no way of understanding girls. Both Alice and Fanatio's smiles were still present when they whipped around where Bercouli stood

"Your Excellency! Is what she said true!?"

"In the first place, it's because you always pamper this person that…!"

However, the knight commander was no longer present there. Only a lump of dried grass tumbled by along where Bercouli had certainly stood minutes ago.

"Yo!" Bercouli called out, getting the two's attention with Eugeo with him

'This is my girlfriend… I am worried about my future.' Eugeo thought only for Alice Zuberg to giggle again, 'You are not helping, stop it!'

The war council began a few minutes late, with a rather strained atmosphere due to the spirit exuded from Deputy Knight Commander Fanatio Synthesis Two who served as the facilitator and Integrity Knights Alice Synthesis Thirty and Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-two who recently joined the battle. Eugwo didn't want to show he was still trying to mentally process the fight between the two ladies but docs on the meeting at hand. He was fighting in a war, something he never thought his life as a former tree cutter would have. After briefly introducing herself, Alice threw herself onto a chair prepared on the front row. Eugeo did as well, some surprised seeing a knight with their numbers close to only eighteen.

"Lady Alice, Sir Eugeo..." Snatching the cup of siral water Eldrie who sat beside offered, she drained the cold, sweet, and sour liquid in a single gulp. Taking in a deep breath, she somehow managed to move on. Still. If it wasn't for where they were, he would give Alice's hand a warm squeeze so she wouldn't worry so much.

There truly were a few high ranking integrity knights possessing sacred tools. The only ones she knew the name and face of well were the knight commander, Time Piercing Sword Bercouli, Heaven Piercing Sword Fanatio, Frost Scale Whip Eldrie, and Conflagrant Flame Bow Deusolbert.

Them aside, Shetya Synthesis Twelve, with the alias of Silent, and Renri Synthesis Twenty-seven, an extremely young male knight, both held sacred tools, but it was effectively her first time meeting them, so she did not even know what their techniques were. Edith Synthesis Ten, who wielded the Dark Slash Sword who Alice knew for much time has only seen the girl ever had to use her techniques in dire moments she had to. Her normally cheery demeanor was a serious expression fitting for a knight. At any rate, those members made up the seven high ranking knights when included with Fragrant Olive Alice. Despite Eugeo, who once wielded his Blue Rose Sword now wielding his Golden Anima Blade, it felt crazy they allow him to sit with them in the meeting, wouldn't be a lower rank than others? Unless Commander Bercouli has a lot of faith in him and treating him as one of them more this way helps with morale.

The remaining nine were the low ranking knights with no sacred tool, including the Four Oscillation Blades under Fanatio. Moreover, the young female apprentice knights who committed such dreadful mischief that even Bercouli had trouble dealing with them, Linel Synthesis Twenty-eight and Fizel Synthesis Twenty-nine, were around too. They were currently sitting obediently in the corner, but could they truly be let out on the battlefield? They apologize to Eugeo after the battles and he gets along with the two girls. Kirito made the right move not to kill them, they were just pawns to the Administrator… just like he was. At any rate, those mere eighteen were all that the Order of the Integrity Knights could put into this absolute line of defense.

On the other hand, roughly thirty commanding officers from the Human Empire Defense Army attended. Though their morale was not low, the difference between the integrity knights' prowess with the sword and theirs was obvious even in a single glance. It went without saying for the high ranking knights like Alice, but even the low ranking knights had more than enough strength to defeat the thirty of them in continuous matches…

"We have considered numerous plans over these four months…" Fanatio's voice started without Alice knowing and it pulled her focus back. With Eugeo and Eldrie sitting with her, she kept her train of thought in check, Eugeo seemingly focused as well, "To sum things up, it will be difficult to drive back the enemy army's combined offensive with our current fighting strength and we will lose all chance at the victory the moment they lay siege to us." Fanatio knocked against a point on the map set up farther in the war council with the Heaven Piercing Sword's narrow and long scabbard as a replacement for a pointer.

"As you can see, there is nothing but grass and rock for ten kilol from this side of the mountain range at the edge. If they push us this far, we will only be surrounded and annihilated by the enemy army of fifty thousand. As such, we must settle the battle in this gorge that leads to the Great East Gate, measuring a hundred mel in width and a thousand mel in length. We will spread troops in layers, and focus entirely on engaging them and shaving down their numbers. This will be the basic principle of our strategy. Does anyone have any opinions to voice out so far?"

Eldrie was the one whose hand quickly went up. Standing up as his light purple hair wavered, the young man questioned with his usual vanity restrained. "If the enemy army comprises only the goblins and orcs, we will cut them down even if there are fifty or a hundred thousand of them. However, even they are aware of that. There are powerful groups of ogres equipped with longbows as well as the Dark Arts Users' Guild which exceeds them in danger. What countermeasures do we have against long-range attacks fired from behind their infantry?"

"This may be a risky gamble…" Fanatio's lips paused for a moment and she glanced towards Alice. She listened to the words that continued while unthinkingly straightening her back.

Edith raised her hand to speak, "Lady Fanatio, if the forces are as dangerous as we know, wouldn't it be easy to make sure none can slip by?" she took a deep breath and added on more, "The Dark Knights are equipped with dragons themselves, if their leaders plan to take the fight to one of us, they'll go airborne. The Dark Mages, Assassins, I've seen what they do in reconnaissance there, they are a worrying threat. The last of their human races, the Pugilists, are experts in hand to hand, no use of swords or Sacred Arts. The Orcs, Giants, and Goblins, their numbers are another story. Making sure to clean much of the creature's races first, the human races will be expecting us to go for them first."

'Edith is actually smart, and here I thought she was just a high ranking knight who loves baths.' Eugeo thought with a serious smile.

"There is another possibility, not just who we are facing, it's where we are facing," Fanatio continued after Edith spoke up, "No sunlight reaches the bottom of the gorge even in midday and no grass grows on its ground. In other words, there is sparse sacred power in the air. If we thoroughly exhaust that before the battle begins, it stands to reason that the enemy army will not be able to launch any powerful arts." The knights and commanding officers stirred at Fanatio's daring idea. "Naturally, the same applies to us. However, we have no more than a hundred or so sacred arts users in the first place. In a fight between arts, the enemy's consumption of sacred power should be far above us."

That might certainly be true. Still, there were two problems in Fanatio's strategy.

It was the bow user, Deusolbert, who sought permission to speak in place of the stunned Eldrie. The senior knight calmly asked with his body clad in reddish-copper armor, "I understand, your words are quite right, Deputy Commander. However, sacred arts are not used solely for the offense. If sacred power dries up, wouldn't we be unable to even heal the Life of anyone hurt?"

"That is why I called it a gamble. We have brought as many of the high-grade catalysts and medication as we could from the cathedral's treasury to this campsite. If we restrict to using only healing arts and supplement that with medicine, the catalysts alone should last two… no, three days." Fanatio replied. The surprised cries this time were louder than before. The Central Cathedral's treasury was known for such strict security that it served as the subject for fairy tales. Treasures may be brought in, but this could well be the first time in history for things to be brought out.

It rendered even the great knight into silence, a grim expression tinged with surprise on his face. Waiting as Deusolbert took his seat with a low groan, Alice then stood up, "There is still another problem, Lady Fanatio." Forgetting the earlier quarrel, for the time being, she threw out the second problem at hand. "Though you say the blessings of Solus and Terraria are faint, the gorge is neither devoid of light nor separated from the earth. I believe a massive amount of sacred power has accumulated there over many years. What, exactly, could fully use up that power in the short period before the battle?"

'The older me is right. There is life there, so sacred power is a resource.' Alice Zuberg said.

'Meaning, we can use it?' Eugeo asked.

'Maybe, but we are fighting on their battleground, we won't have the blessings of Solus and Terraria there. My hunch is, we should be wary of what they'll do.' Alice Zuberg replied.

Though the chasm through the mountain range was more narrow than the grasslands spreading out behind the campsite, it still had a width of a hundred mel and a length of a thousand mel. Exhausting the sacred power filling that expansive space in an instant would require hundreds of arts users simultaneously casting high ranking arts, but Fanatio herself had mentioned earlier that the Defense Army lacked that many arts users. Another possibility would be to exhaust the sacred power by using a grand large-scale art comparable to natural disasters, but it seemed the only two possessing such power would be the deceased Highest Minister Administrator and Sage Cardinal.

However, the deputy knight commander shook her head strongly while staring at Alice with her golden-brown eyes. "No, we do. We do have one person capable of making that a reality.

"One person?" Alice scanned through the faces of the Defense Army as she muttered.

However, the name that came from Fanatio immediately after was beyond her expectations. "You, Alice Synthesis Thirty."

"Eh…!?" Alice reacted at once, even Eugeo was startled sitting with her.

"You may not have noticed, but your current strength exceeds that of integrity knights. You should be capable of it as you are now… the true power of the gods, to split the skies and tear the earth asunder." Fanatio said firmly.

'How powerful is Alice when Kirito and I fought her? If she could deal with the Goblins in Ruild Village, I can see Fanatio's gamble she put on her.' Eugeo thought.

'When you put that way, yeah.' Alice Zuberg agreed.

Time passed since the meeting and Solus' rays were passing over the horizon as the stars lit up the night sky. Alice and eugeo returned to one of the tents where Ronye and Tiese were waiting for him with Kirito. Eugeo sighed but kept his cool, remembering the words Kirito taught him. Stay Cool, he'll need when all this begins.

"Alright, we'll leave Kirito in your care girls, is that okay?" Eugeo asked.

"Yes. You can count on us Eugeo-sen- I mean, Sir Eugeo." Tiese replied but corrected herself, knowing she should address him as a knight and not her Senpai now. She put her hand to her chest plate, Ronye following suit.

"Lady Alice, Sir Eugeo, we will protect Kirito-senpai no matter what." Ronye chimed in.

"Thank you, Tiese, Ronye, we are counting on you," Eugeo replied.

"Thank you..." Alice nodded. The pair kneeled to Kirito, looking at the emptiness of his eyes, but smiled at him.

"We are going to be fighting for a long time, but we are going to do our best to keep our home safe that you protected." Eugeo said, smiling, "I promised on both swords, to keep fighting."

"This might be our last goodbye Kirito, but I'll do my best as well." Alice said, her smile a more serious expression, her words more resolved, "I'm going to burn away every last drop of life you gave us."

"Don't worry, I will not waste this second chance you gave me, Kirito. You helped me stop feeling the burden of my past, that I can finally move forward. Thanks, partner." Eugeo added.

"So if we fall, and call your name with the last of our strength, will you stand and take your blades for us?" Alice asked hopefully. Both embraced Kirito and then stood up. With a slight gesture of her hand to her chest, she was first to walk out of the tent, leaving Eugeo with his two Valets he spent just months prior with.

"Well, I'll be going." Eugeo said and looked to Tiese, "and Tiese, about last night. When you said you couldn't say how you felt about me?"

"Y-Yes?" she asked blushing.

"When the fighting stops when we win this war… I'll tell you how I feel. So, will you wait for me then?" he asked.

Tiese's eyes lit up with happiness. "Yes! I will!"

"Then, I'll see you later," he said, turning away and walking out the tent.

'You made the right move to not break her heart. You are growing into a fine young man Eugeo.' Alice Zuberg said.

'Thanks.' he said.

Pushing back the cloth and stepping outside, Alice stood to wait, looking to him.

"Finished everything with your friends?" she asked.

Eugeo nodded looking sad, "Yeah. Those two are doing their best with the news the other day, but I hope things will go well, that the two of us, Kirito and I, can talk to them like before.

"You're a good disciple to them, they'll move forward," she replied.

"Yeah." he nodded again, their attention to the footsteps of two knights. Eldrie immediately ran towards her and Eugeo as though he had been lying in wait and sang Alice's praises.

"Oh, what beauty… it is as if Solus's radiance had focused on your being… you are simply at your finest, my master, Lady Alice…"

"Sir Eldrie's demeanor when you are around is always a delight." a feminine voice spoke to him. It was one of Fanatio's Four Oscillation Blades. He never spoke to four of them, but they debuted to her, granted he never did know if they were all girls. When the knight spoke again they removed their helmet to reveal their face. She had short, straw-colored pigtails and freckled cheeks, wearing grayish armor, "Lady Fanation wanted you. Sir Eugeo. She said you'll be standing with us and our guard in the war. She didn't tell me why, but she has faith you'll help, seeing as you fought us with the rebel, I mean Kirito-san. The boy was impressive in fighting and changing Lady Fanatio, but not interested, even how cute he is. Oh sorry, I'm just rambling on and I never introduced myself since we never spoke to one another. I'm Dakira Synthesis Twenty-two, I hope we can work well in the war, Sir Eugeo." she greeted.

"Oh, the same, thank you Lady Dakira," Eugeo replied.

"Lady Alice, it is about time for…" Eldrie spoke up, now getting to speak to his master now that Dakira finished speaking to Eugeo. Nodding at Eldrie's voice, Alice drew back afoot to turn about. However, she stopped that foot there and stared at her one and only disciple. "…W-What is it?"

Gazing at the young knight blinking with hesitation, Alice relaxed her pursed lips just a little, "…You have served me well all this while, Eldrie."

"Yes… w-what!?" Eldrie exclaimed, taken aback from her words a little.

She gently placed her right hand at his left hand, while he stood dumbfounded, and continued, "It has been a relief having you by my side. You requested guidance from me, without any real achievement to my name, instead of a senior male knight like Deusolbert… in consideration for my heart, didn't you?"

"Not… nothing of that sort, I am above such insolence! I merely held great admiration for the magnificence of Lady Alice's swordsmanship in the innermost depths of my heart…" Alice gripped Eldrie's hand while he vehemently shook his head as he denied, released it, and smiled again.

"I had continued down that bleak journey to reach today only with your support. Thank you, Eldrie," she said

"Alice.." Eugeo softly spoke.

Large teardrops welled up all of a sudden in the speechless young knight's eyes.

"Lady Alice… why… do you speak only of the past?" His hoarse voice asked. "Why do you speak as though your journey will end in this land, Lady Alice? I… I have barely learned enough from you yet. I am still nowhere close to your level in both the sword and the arts. You must continue to train and guide me from now on as well…!"

Right before she quivered, her extended right hand reached herself. Alice switched suddenly into a stern shout, "Integrity knight, Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-one!"

"Ye… yes!" The knight stood at attention with his hand frozen in position.

"I shall give you my final command as your master. Survive. Survive and see peace arrive with your own eyes, and take them back. Your true life and those you truly love."

"Those I love?" he asked before putting an armored hand to his face, remembering something Eugeo told him. A name that he feels remembers but he can't remember it. He remembers Eugeo saying what was his real name. He never wanted to believe it, after what happened to him. But it had him thinking, even when he didn't want to accept it: who was he? Did he believe he was who he was, Eugeo was proof they were all just pawns to the Administrator, someone he wanted to harm their friend for killing her. He looked to Eugeo, his expression calm, "Eugeo, a promise between men. When this war is over, and we survive, I want to get my memory, my true memories and I want to know who I am.. And when that happens, will you be there to tell me?

"Sir Eldrie…" Eugeo said, startled that Eldrie would ask him that. If he really trusts him with that promise, Eldrie finally accepts Eugeo as an ally and comrade in this war. He didn't want to show tears of gratitude for this request, but he had thought ahead, to the top of the Cathedral. The memory fragments belonging to all of the integrity knights aside from Alice and their loved ones were still sealed on the top floor of the cathedral even now. There must be a method to return them to how they should be.

Nodding towards Eldrie who still stood straight while silently shedding tears, Alice rapidly turned about. Her golden hair and pure white skirt cut through the cold autumn air. Eugeo bowed his head to Eldrie, ready to keep his promise to someone he feels connected to. Now that Elduire accepts him, he knows he'll be there for everyone.

"I promise." and follows Alice and Dakira away.

"It's finally time," Eugeo said, speaking to Alice Zuberg in his mind, standing under the Gigas Cedar Tree.

"Yeah, when the gate falls, it's a battle for our lives and future. I know you'll do great out there, as well as the older me as well." Alice Zuxerg said cheerfully.

"I know." Eugeo nodded.

"Guess it's my turn to help more too," he said, stretching her arms out.

"What do you mean?" Eugeo asked, perplexed.

"Remember, you and I, are connected to my memory fragment, meaning we are one. Meaning, my knowledge of sacred arts, the abilities, I can use them through you. You saved me, now it's my turn to pay you back." she replied, a hand to her chest.

"You can use Sacred Arts, through me?" he asked, when can Alice have that control?

"I have just been trying to practice getting control of you. Remember when you were sleeping near Alice and held her those nights she was sad. I was the one, I couldn't imagine myself so sad." he said crestfallen.

"So it was you. Then I am in your care, Alice." Eugeo replied, a hand to his chest.

"Leave it to, Sir Eugeo," she replied again, hand to her chest.

Alice saw the vast gorge sunken in dim darkness and the Great East Gate straight before her eyes. Alice would now begin chanting an extremely large-scale sacred art for the first time. She would condense the sacred power filling the gorge's air to inflict a hard blow on the enemy army. If she made a single mistake in the art—no, if her focus strayed for the slightest bit, the converged sacred art would explode and probably erase Alice's existence without a trace. However, she no longer felt fear. She had spent time with Bercouli, Fanatio, and Eldrie as an integrity knight, and lived with her little sister, Selka, and now boyfriend Eugeo, for half a year as Alice of Rulid. And above all, she had discovered her human emotions—sorrow, anger, and even love—by meeting Eugeo and Kirito, and crossing swords sincerely interacting with them. She hoped for nothing more. Sharp noises rang out from Alice's armor as she advanced straight towards the center of the Defense Army, one step after another, awaiting the start of the war.

On the other side of the gate, the Dark Forces were waiting and ready, all ready to fight and kill the soldiers of the light. On the side of the Dark Knights, Commander Shasta and Lipia stood with the other knights, Shasta's Dark knight armored repaired from his bout with the Emperor. He gripped his master's sword, looking to Lipia, seeing her feel tense.

"Are you scared?" he asked, making her startled.

"No, I'm just… this is it, we are really going to fight them… But I feel, is this right, Did we deserve to live, just to fight in a war?" Lipia asked.

"Whether we do it or not doesn't matter right now. You and I are alive. We will fight for the Dark Territory, for our people." Shasta replied and grabbed her armored hand and squeezed it tightly.

"My lord…" she said breathlessly.

Even from afar on both sides, the gate started to form more cracks in it. The cracks spread and glowed an eerie purple, illuminating the gorge. The excitement of dark forces was more smiles and glees and cheers. The Goblins, Giants (who roared), the Orcs looked claimed, their leader Liplain stayed collective, The ogres whose leader held his arms waiting, The Pugilists' Leader Isekahn punched his fists together, ready to fight, The Dark Mage Leader D.I.L smirked (her composure despite almost looking her life strong), Vussago stood raring to go with the Dark Knights (while he wasn't made leader, he still was itching to kill), and Lastly Gabriel, who stood on his own transportation, waiting with aboard but eager face. Alice was there, the 'Priestess of Light' as he called her. The lambs to the slaughter will fight for him, but he will claim Alice, once and for all.

On the other side, the Human Guardian Army was also ready for the fight of their lives too. Deusolbert Synthesis Seven stood with his battalion, his hand gripping his Bow, Conflagrant Flame Bow. Eugeo Synthesis thirty-two stood with Fantio Synthesis Two, both hand their hands to their blades: Eugeo's Golden Anima Blade and Fanatio's Heaven Piercing Sword. Behind them, Fanatio's Four Oscillation Blades stood them as well, all four covered by their helmets. Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-two stood with his battalion, gipping tightly his whip, the Frost Scale Whip, his promise to his mentor Alice and a boy he calls a friend, Eugeo. The Silent Shetya Synthesis Twelve stood with her battalion, silent, and firm as the rumors were true. The young knight Renly Synthesis Twenty-seven wasn't like the other knights who stood confidant and brave, he looked scared and terrified. Edith Synthesis ten stood with her battalion, her hand grabbed to her Dark Slash blade, an eager smile on her face. The Commander and Leader of the Knights Bercouli held his sword, the Time Splitting Sword pointed downwards to the ground, looking serious. On the far back of the Human Guardian Army, Alice Synthesis thirty was on her Dragon Amayori watching the gate readying to break open from afar. The letter 'Final Stress Test' appeared in fiery letters, the shock on the soldiers' faces. Behind them, Ronye and Tiese of the Human Supply Army stood with the wheelchair-bound Kirito, as they saw the gate ready to go. Knowing once the fighting starts to get to the supply wagons, Tiese gives one last word to the boy she loves.

"You better come back to me... Eugeo-senpai…"

Next time: Battle of the Knights

Michael: not my initial plan to have this out after Lycoris and War of Underworld part 2 but what can you do between school, procrastinating, and life. We finally made it to the war and finally ended Volume 15: Alicization Invading. I will admit, there were a lot of things I didn't want to miss in the Light Novel on just these chapters alone that I'll be happy to focus more on the anime events than the Light Novels. Now there's still going to things that were skipped that need to be addressed in the context of things. So while this is mostly the light novels transitioning into story format, this is still based on the anime flow of events, as seen here, I didn't even add the conversation between Vuasago and Gabriel. Once we start the war, it'll be more the anime with the Light Novel context.

Now in this chapter, we have the birth of Eugeo and Alice as a couple. After months of living together, Alice made the first move and kissed our favorite boy and asked to make their relationship official. Don't expect Eugo x Alice moments for episodes six and seven as those are very Integrity Knight focused and both of them would be in different parts of the battlefield. That's why Eugeo isn't with Alice on Amayori despite me giving her a bigger saddle in this version, Eugeo is working with Fanatio's Battalion and will be at the right place at the right time for what's to come. Plus now that he knows Dakira's name, it will help, it's how I handle these scenes and I've brainstormed how to do it but still need time.

This chapter saw the return of Ronye and Tiese and their reunion with Eugeo. I also added some Rising Steel references as to how they came to be a part of the war. Tiese's feeling for Eugeo is at full swing here as she is happy the knights forgave him for his crimes. And even with alive eugeo, the pain of seeing their senpai in such a state (Kirito) still hurts and making sure all traces that Eugeo died was erased in this, he is alive and well. Eugeo is making a gamble that he will let Tiese know how he feels, sadly he will never get the chance as he will go to the real world with Alice.

Now the new sword Eugeo is using, the Golden Anima Sword or Blade, whether ever you prefer. Now for where the name comes from

Golden- refers to the Sword Golem's color

Anima-the part of the psyche that is directed inward, and is in touch with the subconscious.

Anima is also another word for souls, and Fluct Lights are souls. Eugeo is now fighting with the souls trapped in swords by Quinella's experiments. I think this review said it best:

DaManWOFear: And he took the remains of the Sword Golem to make a new sword as a way of his redemption and honor the lives that are lost due to Quinella's treachery? Neat.

Nail on the head, redemption, and to honor those who are lost. While I gave Eugeo, Dakira, Shasta, and Lipia second chances, this is still a dark war: death, loss, blood, pain, it's all going to happen. And to reflect the many losses in this war. This story will be shifted to Mature to reflect the next part of the War: Alicization Exploding. This means I hold nothing back, the blood, the pain, I might get to keep Vassago swearing, you are going to see all the destruction in this arc. And because of episode 1 of War of Underworld part two, better this way.

Now for the next chapter, it will be a while before I even type it, school, and anime. But I can tell you this, my little hint: Alice had learned a lot of strong arts before her forced Synthesis isn't a bluff or throwaway line, it will be useful in this war. Alice might be the key to the war, Eugeo will be a trump card to not only save a life but bring a certain female dark knight to fight with them and not allow herself to be just a pawn and fight for peace.

Now I do have episodes 3-12 layout of what changes and Eugeo will do. Exploding will have bigger changes to the story.

And one last thing.

Remember that whether you want happiness, pain is also needed. In my story or what people want from the game verse, you can't run from pain or hurt. Why do you think Kirito is still in this state despite Eugeo being alive, because of the pain and memories, still there and it still shows.

See you next time and stay safe.