Date posted: 24th July 2022

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Chapter 14: Chivalric Romance

"You should train yourself fully armed and wearing your armour (as if you were going to war) and you should participate in jousts and tournaments, having with you good teachers to provide you with all the necessary counselling and warnings, before and after the action. And it is essential, of course, to believe in and to follow to the letter the instructions and corrective actions you are to receive from them."

- Book on the instruction of riding well on every saddle by Edward of Portugal

The donjon had largely gone unchanged since the Kirito Corporation took over. It was bare but clean, and its eternal warden, a black cat by the name of Soot, rested in her box. As the door swung open, the hinges creaking from lack of care, and Soot hissed, her nap disturbed.

The newcomer reached out to pet the cat only to meet resistance. She pinched some pemmican and flicked it at the cat, who consumed it she licked the human's fingers, meowing for more.

Asuna sighed. "Have you not been feeding her, Shaste?"

The big man behind the desk shook his head. "Shaste has given Soot lots of food, but Soot is always hungry. Citra says not to give her food when not on schedule." The big man thumbed behind him, a wax tablet hanging on the wall. The boxes that said "Breakfast" and "Lunch" were marked with a cross.

"How's the prisoner?"

"Sleeping. Don't worry, Shaste keeps both eyes on him!" the big man said excitedly. "Shaste also updated the ledger!"

Asuna flipped through the ledgers. Aside from the odd drunk, brawler, and thief, it went mostly unused. She scanned the latest entry:

Prisoner: -

Time incarcerated: 1:15 am

Crime: Thievery

Guard of the time of arrest: Robert, Master-at-Arms

Thievery was understating it. She cracked her neck. "Shaste, give me the keys."

The cell was at the very end of the donjon, a dozen in total. What a complete waste of space, Asuna thought. They could have used this place for far more useful things, like storage. But Kirito insisted that they would need it in the upcoming tournament, there's always troublemakers in these sorts of events.

As Shaste said, the smith was asleep. She set down her stool and banged on the bars. The prisoner woke up with a start.

"Ah!" He rubbed his eyes and looked at Asuna with no surprise. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

"Eat first." She slid the tray under the bars. The prisoner accepted his food and ate silently.

She examined the cell: there was a hanging cot chained to the wall, a pillow, and threadbare blanket. A chamber pot sat in the corner, though it went unused for players never needed to go (thankfully). Similarly, female players needn't to suffer through monthly pains either. Asuna tapped her knee patiently.

"So, do I need to repeat my answers?" he asked. "I told Robert. I told Rays. I didn't do it."

"We found one of the books in your chest, Nezha-kun." Asuna smiled sympathetically. "Please, you can tell us."

"And I told you everything!" The smith stood up and flung the pemmican against the bars, clanging wildly in the empty halls. He immediately cringed at his own actions. "Shit, sorry. Sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"It's fine, Nezha-kun," she said, giving him the best smile. "You know what, let's start over!"

Nezha returned to his cot, the chains rattling at his weight. "I went to bed early, at about nine PM. I woke up at midnight to get a drink from the kitchen and at one AM, Robert and the sheriffs barged into my room and demanded to see my stuff. That's where they found that stupid fucking tome."

"I see," said Asuna, leaning over. "And how did it get there?"

"I don't know! The thief must have snuck in and put it there! I didn't even know those tomes exist!"

Asuna breathed out. "Nezha-kun, please. The other book is missing. If you cooperate, we'd be willing to put all of this behind us."

The smith crossed his arms. "I've told Robert, and Rays, and Sinon, and Argo, and you. The same damn thing, over and over. I'm being framed. Asuna, you've gotta believe me!"

The head of security smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, but we've got to make a decision. Brother Rays has appointed himself your lawyer, I suggest you listen to him."

"And why did he do that?"

"It's his religion, something about everyone deserves lawyers in court. Anyway, we've got the council appointed too, a tradition among the Orage, kinda like a jury."

"Can't you just let me go and not do his whole trial thing? You've no evidence I did it. And don't look at me like that, I know where you found it."

Asuna stood up and retrieved her stool. "Your trial starts in a day. Be sure you're ready."

"I didn't do it."

With that, Asuna left the donjon and closed the rusting bars behind her.


Meeting: On the Agenda of the Trial of the Thief of the Accursed Tomes

Date: 18th of August 2052, 12:00 pm (92 days since 18th May)

Location: Floor 16, Fort Eternal Vigilance, Steward's Office

Chairperson: Kirito, CEO of the Kirito Corporation

Secretary: Lisbeth, Smith

In attendance:

Staff:

Tupi, Steward of the Eternal Watch

Asuna, Head of Security, Board Member

Sinon, Head of Hunting, Board Member

Argo, Head of Intelligence, Board Member, Head Advertiser

Robert, Master-at-Arms

The defendants:

Brother Hopeful Rays From Behind the Cloud, Lawyer

Nezha, Apprentice Smith/Defendant

Council:

Old Lady Ohkwáho, Councilor

Master Yeoman Pierre Dupont, Councilor

Notes on meeting:

1. Tupi begins the meeting recounting the events: at 11 PM, 17th of August, the two necromancer tomes that were locked in the fort's library were stolen. The theft was discovered by Brother Rays and Professor Ramza. At this, Kirito ordered Captain Asuna and Master-at-Arms Robert to do a full sweep of the fort and its surrounding areas.

2. The entire fort's staff were herded into the courtyard, with the portcullis locked. After an hour of sweeping the premises, they found one of the missing tomes. Nezha would later be arrested and locked in the fort's donjon.

3. The defendant Nezha was summoned into the main hall of the fort for trial. Kirito, CEO, is acting judge. Five influential citizens of the fort were appointed to act as jurors. Brother Rays appoints himself as the defendant's lawyer.

4. The court begins with Captain Asuna and Master-at-Arms Roberts begins with the report of the night of the theft. One of the Watchmen, Corporal Git Guld, found the tome hidden in the apprentice smith's footlocker.

5. Brother Rays begins by stating that no one saw the defendant stealing the books, and it being kept under lock. The only two keys were with Brother Rays and the CEO Kirito and neither were swiped from their places. The defendant shows that Nezha has no skill in «Lockpicking», meaning that the thief knew exactly where to look for.

6. Multiple witnesses were summoned to the witness stand to verify Nezha's character. The majority of the witnesses included various Eternal Watch troops, labourers around the fort, maids and cleaners within the fort, spoke of his good character and his hardworking attitude. No one had anything negative to say of him. As Nezha sleeps in the spare room behind the workshop, no one has seen him enter the library.

7. One of the cook's girls, Sana, says she saw him going into the kitchen for a glass of water late at night. She did not see him walking into the fort's hallway.

8. Sinon, Head of Hunting, found traces of «Ironspite» - a powder that instantly burns through like a welding tool's heat - on the chains that binded the tomes on Nezha's clothing. The defendant pleads ignorance, though he knows of it.

9. Brother Rays argues that the defendant's moral character, his ignorance of the Ironspite, and the fact that the other tome is missing, does not prove the defendant's guilt.

10. The Council confers privately as the court takes a break from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

11. A verdict is decided, the defendant Nezha is to be fired from his duties as apprentice smith and exiled from Fort Eternal Vigilance and its surrounding areas within 10 kms for three years. He will be paid his wages proper and allowed to take the next caravan away from the fort.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Submitted by: Lisbeth, Smith

Approved by: Kirito, CEO


The birds flew from their trees suddenly, surprising the boy. The heavy stone which he was to use in his deadfall trap fell atop his fingers but he did not cry out in pain, less he shame his ancestors. Something was coming.

Removing the arrows from his quiver, he placed the lid on the ground and placed his ear atop it. Ths was not the panicked hooves of deer nor the heavy footfalls of a bear. This was marching feet, ringing mail, scrapping breastplates, and singing.

Men.

So the boy abandoned his trap and rushed to the village. His short legs nimbly traversed the contours of the land. Had he been with his father or his older brother, he would have been disciplined for making such a racket. This was not the way of the hunter but of prey.

He reached the edge of his village and shouted. His Aunt Aponi was the first to see him and she dropped the basket of weeds at her feet. Her shrill cry shocked the village, and the men quickly reached for their bows and clubs while the women herded their children back into their wigwams.

The boy went up to his watchtower - a great and mighty oak tree and nocked his bow as he perched himself on his favourite napping branch. From here, he could see the tips of spears glinting in the late morning sun and the banner of a white owl upon a green field.

The warriors of the village had assembled in a loose formation. His father, the village chief, arrived to meet the strangers. Steel capped, mailed spearmen, with leather back shields, painted with the owl. Crossbowmen in padded vests, hide bucklers and tomahawks belted to their waists.

Their warchief rode upon a white pony the likes the boy had never seen. A handsome woman with amber eyes and auburn hair, in the shining mail of a Granum knight. Her beaked helmet looked like a great bird of prey.

The warchief greeted the boy's father. He was too far away to hear anything they were saying, but his father clasped her arms and the rest of the warriors lowered their weapons.

Partly, the boy was relieved to not fight anyone. Partly, he was hoping to be a mighty warrior and shed another man's blood. The former feelings won out eventually.

He ran up to his father and the strangers were beginning to set up camp. "Father, who are these strangers?"

His father smiled. "These? They're the servants of the Wise Owl. Be nice to them, Samoset."

Later, Samoset would be serving tea to the warchief in his longhouse; the only one in the village. Not many tribes of Akhbanak had them, but his father was a wealthier man than most. The warchief was a pretty lady, much like the adventurer from a while back.

"We are hunting for undead," said the woman. "Necromancers."

Samoset was surprised at how frank she was about the Cursed ones. His father took a puff from his pipe. "Yes, all Free Tribes are aware of your noble duty. I'm sorry, but we've no such problems here. We do not let outsiders within our barrows and we guard them well."

"Regardless, we would like your permission to hunt them down. The Cult of Conotocarious is dangerous, and they've been spreading far and wide. You know of the myth?"

"Aye," said his father as puffed on his pipe. "A great, great grandfather of mine served with your order. He is still buried at your fort with the axe you honoured him with."

"Then you must know of the danger this being brings. Give us permission, and we promise to not disturb your tombs and honour your dead."

His father did that face whenever he was settling a dispute or haggling with a merchant. He took one more puff and finally said, "Very well. But there will be no looting, and you must return whatever undead to their proper resting places but I doubt you'll find any. We are farmers and fishermen, not warriors."

"You have my word. Thank you, chief." The warchief bowed.

"I should also mention that there was another adventurer who went into our lands, with our permission to hunt for some rare beast. Perhaps you shall bump into her."

"Another adventurer, huh? I'll keep an eye out. Ah, before I go," she retrieved a piece of paper from her bag. "You are welcome to join our tournament in the future."

"Ah, I haven't been to a tournament in ages!" his father said, delighted.

Samoset peered at the paper: though he was young, he knew some of his letters.

~ THE TOURNAMENT OF WICASA ~

Warriors and fighters of Aincrad, come test your martial might at Fort Eternal Vigilance on the 16th Floor!

Contests include:

- Mass melee

- Shooting competition

- Jousting

- Wrestling

And Many More!

- Max Attendee Count: 8,000

- Max Competitor Count: 400

- Entrance Fee: 100 Col per attendee

- Merchant Fee: a minimum of 1,000 + taxes*

Come Now, and Don't Miss the Opportunity of a Lifetime! Rewards will be displayed on the day of the tournament!

*In accordance to wares, please seek to register one week before the tournament

He checked the backside. Included was the date of the tournament, a map to the fort, and some other details. "Father, are we going?"

"We certainly are! Speaking of which, take my boy. He'll show you the way to our resting grounds."

Samoset blinked. "Huh?"


Asuna nibbled on her pemmican, knowing full well that it was wasteful; it was supposed to be cooked with something instead of eaten by itself. But she had been chasing ghosts for almost a week and it was getting nowhere, and she had gotten to liking the texture and taste of the food. At least she wasn't smoking like a certain markswoman.

Ever since the trial, Kirito had put her, Sinon and Argo running around all the available floors to hunt down the cult while Rays took a short trip to Medina an-Nur with Professor Raza. But from what she heard of the others, they had seen neither hide nor hair of necromancers.

Argo had been scouring the cities of Aincrad, Sinon had been searching the plains lands for elusive tombs, and Asuna herself was trudging through forests, finding plenty of the dead, but not the undead. When Rays said underground, he really meant underground. Speaking of which, what did the chief meant, about his ancestor being burried at the fort?

"Is it any farther?" she asked.

"We are getting close!" said the boy. "Just over the hill."

Hwiatha appeared by her shoulder, the bronze chevrons embedded in his leather shoulder pad giving a dull glow in the late morning sun. "Don't worry, warchief. Maybe we'll be lucky and find something to shoot."

Asuna sighed, uncaring about whether her men saw her attitude. "I should be back at the fort, practicing my lancing. I hope Kirito is doing fine."

"Ah, the chief is a smart one, I wouldn't worry about it," said the tribal. She learned early on that warchief and chief were two completely different titles amongst the Free Tribes. That, and the 'C' in CEO did stand for chief which tracks. "Why, you worried?"

"It's a lot of work and I don't think he and Tupi are up to the whole task. Whatever, this is the last one and then we can work on the tournament."

"You think we can hit a million Col? I mean, that's a lot. Can't we just borrow money?"

"Ah, you know how folks are, Hwiatha. We gotta pay interest and we don't have the money for that." She wiped her fingers on her surcoat. "Poor Kirito's going to have grey hair when we're done."

They reached the top of the hill and spotted a cave on the side of another, larger, hill - the barrow. Behind her, the troopers were keeping quiet, and in proper formation. With a single order, they could form a circular schiltron or array themselves in a phalanx; such was the quality of the troops. Asuna was wishing something would attack. What's the point of hours of drilling and training if you can't fend off a warband of orcs from raiding an innocent village?

The burrow stood out in its artificialness. A masterfully set of stone doors was embedded into it and the Watchmen prepared themselves for another attack, knowing full well in the back of their minds this was no different from the last twenty tombs they had investigated. They were wasting food and time.

"You know the drill, sergeant," said Asuna.

"Sir," said Hwiatha. "Anata, Rohahes, torches."

The three soldiers went into the barrow, slamming their shoulders into the stone doors, as the rest of the troops took up defensive positions. The tribal boy said little, choosing instead to sit down on the grass and whittle at a stick with a small knife.

Then something popped into her mind. "Hey kid, what's this about another adventurer?"

So she followed the boy, whose name was Samoset, away from the troops and into the forest. The fact that none of her troops protested or asked went to show that boredom was a killer of discipline, so much so that it even affected her.

They had left their animals at the village with a small guard force. Already, her mail was chafing and digging into her gambeson. She cursed her lack of sewing skills to fix the tear around the back. Maybe she should pump some points into something that wasn't «Sword: One Handed», «Equestrianism» or «Cooking».

Finally, the two reached a camp with an unattended tent and bedroll. Samoset dipped a finger into the fire pit. "Still warm. I think she went north."

Asuna had no idea how he divines that. Should have brought one of the tribals along. "Can you track her?"

"Well …"

The boy caught the coin out of the air. "Now get to it." And maybe I'll stab something and be able to go home to Kirito.

His words rang in her head. I love you.

Her face heated up and she slapped herself. Samoset looked at her strangely.

They trudged through the forest, her cavalry boots crunching on the leaves and leaving deep trails for anyone to follow. Suddenly, Samoset held up a hand. "I hear something!"

Asuna loosened her sword in her scabbard, her rapier well oiled yet barely used. "What is it?"

"Beavers … with a captive."

Asuna took cover behind a tree and took out her spyglass. There! By the river! A gang of those violent … whatever animal type beavers are. One of them had a tied up girl with purple hair, yelling and struggling.

"Unhand me, fiends! You dare lay your grubby webbed paws upon «Absolute Sword»?!"

Fantastic, a newbie. Looking at her gear to judge her level was difficult because from this angle, but she couldn't have been in the double digits. The beavers were laughing and joking in their strange tongue, there were about four of them. She stepped out from her hiding spot.

The tribal boy was surprised. "Lady, wait!"

"Hey, flat tails!"

The giant beavers turned to her and the hostage was unceremoniously dumped onto the ground. "Ow!"

"Why don't you face someone your own size?" she challenged.

The beavers looked at each other, shrugged, and pulled out their bone axes, charging at her.

Four minutes later, Asuna was crouched down by the girl and untying her. "You okay?" she asked.

"I could totally have taken them on, you know."

"You're welcome, I guess." The girl sat up, rubbing her wrists. She was young. Way too young to be around here. She was pale, with dyed red eyes and purple hair; she couldn't be older than fourteen. "What are you doing out here? You're way too low level."

The girl scoffed. "Listen here, grandma. I'll have you know that I'm like, level 30."

Asuna pointed at her and said,

"That's a «Militia Sword Munitions Type 14». It does 9 Slashing Damage, 12 Piercing Damage and has an overall Durability of 300. You probably swiped it from the dead guard from the «Troll Bridgekeeper» quest on Floor 3. Your helmet's a «Bronze Burial Cap», the most common in the game. And your gambeson is the «Bandit's Scruffy Padded Jack» from that random encounter on Floor 5. It happens every Thursday. From my guess, you're level 8, am I right or am I right?"

Damn Kirito for drilling this sort of dumb minutae in her head, but no one, not a goddamn child, was getting away calling her grandma.

The kid rolled her eyes. "I'm level … 7."

The tribal boy caught up to her. "Lady knight, that was incredible."

Asuna looked at the boy, the girl and the dead beavers. She flicked the blood off her blade and reached for a rag to wipe the blade. She looked at how clean it was, which went to show how little action she had experienced in the past week.

"This was a fun distraction. Well, better get back to my men. Samoset, lead the way."

"Can we have the beaver corpses?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Wait!" the girl said. "Uh, I think I may need help getting back to my camp. My «Tracking» is too low to hunt this animal anyway."

"What animal was it?"

"I think it was called a «Fowlbear»."

God. Even Sinon, completely specced in monster hunting had trouble with that. "You'd die at your level. Where's your spear, you silly girl?"

"First of all, my name is «Absolute Sword». Secondly, why would I need a spear? It's called Sword Art Online, idiot."

"I'm not calling you that. Come on, let's get back to my troops. And after this, Samoset, you can lead her back to the vill-"

"No way, grandma. You're insulted my honour, and according to the tradition of Shonen Anime, we are rivals. I will follow you until I can defeat you."

She did not have time for babysitting. "Whatever. Just stay out of my way, girl."

"I am not a girl, I am «Absolute Sword», Defender of the Weak, Warrior of Light, and (future) Killer of Kayaba!"

"Yes, you've told me that three times. Do you have a shorter name?"

"The name's Yuuki!" she said, giving Asuna the peace sign. "And don't you forget it!"


Kirito looked at the stranger before him: He was a young man, finely dressed in beautifully tailored buffalo hide pants and tunic. Over said tunic was an open kaftan, green with golden threading. Upon his brow was a chaperone, black with silver threads adjusted to his right. Around his neck was a gold chain, the symbol of his office. Finally, a longsword belted to his waist - a weapon for a warrior, not a merchant.

A young man with bags under his eyes.

Kirito adjusted his hat as he looked into the mirror. "This is just a discount turban."

A whistle from behind. "Looking good, Kii-bou. Though I think your clothes would look better on the floor."

He sighed as he removed the chaperone. "Did you find anything about the cult?"

"Gee, Akiko. I'm glad you're back. I missed you so much. Tonight we'll dine and wine and make steamy love!" she said mockingly, her voice dangerously mimicking his own. "I'm gone for a week and this is how you talk to me."

"You don't drink," he stated.

"Whatever, you know what I meant. And to answer your question, no spooky black robed cultists in the sewers of the big cities or anything like that. Though I heard from my buddy Hans about some rat-men near Nymes …"

Kirito replaced his tournament clothes for his everyday wear, a kaftan made with buffalo hide. He took his seat behind his desk and buried his face in his hands. "The tournament's in six days, and we still are nowhere near the amount of money we need."

"The money comes after the tournament, silly."

Kirito let out a long breath. "I'm panicking, sorry. Sinon came back yesterday after mingling with the Rumine. They also have not reported any undead on the plains."

Argo cocked her head. "Didn't she and Asuna get into a battle with them alongside Ser Reginald? How'd they not recognise her?"

"When she got back, her hair and eyes were brown and she was wearing face paint."

"Aaah, clever Sinonon."

Argo walkedover to the window. The training field was a riot of colours - areas for visitor's tents, fenced and marked clearly; a great red pavilion, on loan from Ser Reginald's distant uncle; temporary stands erected, enough to fit four thousand watchers; sheds, stables and warehouses, for fighting equipment, jousters, and merchant's wares - a far cry from the bandit hideout four months ago.

Has it been almost half a year?

"You know, this is mighty impressive."

Kirito shuffled through the pages. "I'm looking at my accounts and it clearly isn't. We won't have enough beer for the tournament. We're bleeding money a lot quicker than I'm comfortable with. Maybe if we could contact the Brewer's Guild from Floor 5 …."

"Then get the sheriffs to clamp down on it," said Argo. She walked over to his desk and held his face in a rough hand. "Come on, you need a break."

His eyes were still looking at the page and his fingering an abacus. "I don't need a break, I need to make sense of this transaction."

"Tupi can handle it. Come on! Let's go take a walk!"

"Do I have to?"

"You will take a walk with me or I will drag you out here, I swear …"

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Just go wait by the main gates, I'll be right there."


As Kirito got ready for his impromptu trip with Argo, he made sure to visit the fort smithy and return the longsword. Asuna insisted he always carried a weapon on him, but to carry a longsword is to suggest war, and to suggest war means bad for business - unless you were a mercenary (which most players were), in which case it was good. The Orage, like other tribes, really like most people, don't like heavily armed men patrolling their lands, even if it's for their own safety. The Watch was an exception they tolerated.

The fort's smithy had greatly expanded since the early days of their venture. No longer was it just a hay roof, a tiny forge, a crap anvil, on the eastern side of the castle walls. Now it was a full on production line: a modern blast furnace with cowhide bellows replaced the old dinky forge, the smoke puffing out into the chimneys of the tiled roof; the walls were lined with tools of all sorts: two new anvils, and tables for other knick knacks; even the foundation of the smithy was raised a couple inches with dwarven concrete.

And then there was Lisbeth, a chief in her own right. Belted to her waist was her dwarven hammer - her most precious possession. Half a dozen smiths from Mankhlar had arrived to help her with the work on a limited time contract, half of them were goblins.

She was in the process of talking to her new apprentices, no doubt dispensing her wisdom with teacherly grac -

"WHAT IS THIS?!" she shouted over the work. The line of apprentices stood straight, like soldiers in the phalanx. "WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS?"

No one answered, until one of the goblins raised a hand. "Uh, gobi gob?"

"Look at this. Tell me what is wrong with it?"

The goblin apprentice looked at the nail in her hand. "Ummm … gobbi gobba?"

"That's RIGHT. The head of the nail is too small! How is anyone supposed to nail anything without a head?!

"Petal, you're on bellows duty until the tournament, got it? Anyone does this again, you'll get your pay cut!"

At this, everyone apologised, muttered "yes sirs" and returned to their work. Poor Petal went to the bellows for the very tiring job of pumping it for the furnace.

Lisbeth finally noticed Kirito outside. She exited the shade of her smithy, frowning. "If Nezha-kun was still here, this would never have been the problem."

Kirito suppressed a sigh; they had been having this same argument for the past week. "Lisbeth, we found that tome in his footlocker. I know you like him, but we can't keep him in the fort. Exile was the best option."

She crossed her arms. "We coulda just, you know, chain him to the forge and have him work until the tournament ends."

"I think the word for that is slavery."

"Nu-uh, it's indentured servitude. Completely different!" The smith sighed and put her hands on her hips. "I didn't like that trial."

"I don't either! I felt like a complete dick!" He lowered his voice. "Look, I don't know if Nezha actually stole the book. But the evidence was there. I'm not a lawyer, you're not a lawyer, the jury aren't law experts. None of us are. Brother Rays did a good job, but it wasn't enough. And even if the conviction didn't stick, do you think people would welcome him? Would they say "Good job for winning that case, smith-san, I knew you were innocent! Now mind fixing this horseshoe?""

Lisbeth scrunched her face, and whatever argument she had died in her throat. "I still don't like it."

"Neither do I." He handed her the longsword. "This is a good sword, by the way. High quality stuff. We could sell it."

"I didn't make it. Nezha-kun did." She took the sword and returned to her smithy.

Kirito counted to ten and headed to the gate.


"Aaah! Isn't the great outdoors great?"

"You said great twice."

"I know, because it's great."

Their feet crunched upon gravel as they made their way to … somewhere. All the dirt roads had been paved with it. The main road leading to the keep was to be paved with cobblestone, but as workers dug into the soil, they discovered that it was already there, long hidden by nature and the passage of time. The process of replacing the cracked ones was easy, and what they lacked in modern power washing tools they compensated with abundant manpower.

They went through so many brushes and brooms.

Argo watched as people greeted them as they walked by, but most of them greeted Kirito. He shook hands with farmers, lumberjacks and carpenters. He said hello to the women cooking. The patrolling Watchmen saluted him, which he told them not to do.

As they passed a yard where people were setting up tents, one of the kids playing ball kicked too hard and he caught it deftly, throwing it back.

He was smiling and laughing. It delighted her.

"See, told ya' it was a good idea!"

"Yeah, I guess." Kirito cracked his neck. "Of all the things to program in this stupid game, they have to add soreness."

"Well, you always wanted more realism back in the beta. Seems like the devs did a good enough job at that."

"The monkey paw curls. Where are we going anyway?" He only had the vaguest notion they were heading south.

Argo shot him a grin. "Just follow me and don't ask too many questions."

"If this is another sex thing …"

So into the forest they went, passed the treeline that those necromancers and their zombie minions had abducted him. For the third time, Kirito had to switch bedrooms, everyone now had a lock on their door and all light sources were doubled. Asuna did not mess around. If she could somehow install security cameras, she would.

The brush had become thick so Kirito bundled his robe and shoved it into his bag, revealing pale arms.

"Gee, you look pasty," she said. "You really need to get out more."

"Sure, as long as someone can do the accounts. Just goes to show how sedentary we've been."

"Don't take off your shirt, you might blind me." She laughed and he laughed too - music to her ears.

"Not everyone can be a bronze beauty like you."

"Ara ara, careful. Flattery will get you everywhere. Come on, we're almost there!" She ducked under a tree branch.

"We're way too far for my liking. Don't you have a hatchet or something?"

"The only weapons you need are right here." She turned, double biceps exploding … only to trip over a thick root.

Kirito rushed and caught her. "Got you!"

Argo looked up and blushed and covered her cheeks. "Aah! My brave merchant prince!"

"Please be careful - agh! What are you doing?"

She was clinging to him now, wrapping her very thick legs around his waist and her equally thick arms around his neck. "It's just up that hill, come on! You gotta pump more STR, Kii-bou."

"Get off me!"

She rubbed her whiskered cheeks against his. "Giddy up, cowboy! Just up that hill!"

"Fine!" He adjusted the clinging Rat, placing a hand on a very toned ass. "Are these my shorts?"

"Up, up!"

Groaning, he began marching.

It didn't take long to reach the top, a large tree marking the top. As he finally crested the hill, it took his breath away.

Before him was Fort Eternal Vigilance, far below. It was like watching an ant nest, with all the people doing their assigned tasks. There were dozens of fires, Watchmen training on the field, workers setting up lodgings, a train of carts and wagons from the mines and the main roads.

And the crowning achievement was the fort itself, a great and mighty castle. The gaping holes were covered with new stone from the quarry, giving it a patchwork contrast with the old bricks and the new ones. The fort's tiles were vigorously cleaned as well, revealing the bright blue tiles, making the main tower look like a wizard's home.

It was beautiful.

A wave of déjà vu struck him. "Hold on, this is …"

"Yup!" She clambered off him and gestured to the view. "This is where we scouted the fort, all those months ago with Alona. Look, Kazuto. This is your work. You built this."

His vision was blurry and he wiped the tears away.

"I'm trying to compliment you, dumbass. Don't go baby on me."

"T-thank you. That … means a lot." He took a deep breath in the great outdoors. "And no, we built this. I couldn't have done this without you and others."

She punched him in the shoulder, a bit too hard to the point of him losing HP. Argo didn't notice it. "Good ol' Kii-bou, always the charmer. But that's not all!"

Reaching into the hole of the great tree, she retrieved a picnic basket. "Ta-da!"

Kirito laughed. "You really thought of everything."

She tapped her noggin. "You don't become the best info broker in the castle without thinking ahead." With a magician's flare, she spread out the bright red and white checkered blanket.

Kirito checked the basket. "Ooh, ham sandwiches."

Argo produced a clay jug from the hole. "Look, I even got ice cold lemonade! Turns out, leaving a jug in that dungeon is sufficient to make it chilly. And a little ice spell from our resident mage."

"Can I get a cup? I'm parched," someone asked.

"No problemo," she said. "Who said that?!

A face emerged from a bush. "Yo."

Argo jumped a foot into the air. "QYAAAAAAA! Damn you, Sinonon! You almost killed me!"

Bush!Sinon shrugged. The slayer looked strange without her signature blue hair and eyes. She really did look as if someone took her head and made it float onto a bush. "So you got that lemonade or what?"

"Nice ghillie suit," said Kirito, as he rested on the blanket.

"Thanks. I was trying it out and saw you two walking and decided you were the perfect test subjects. You guys really need to up your Perception. Also it took me a couple hours to assemble this thing, and I can't take it off because the glue hasn't 100% dried …"

"I'm not feeding you," said Argo.

"Well I guess Kirito has to. It would be so romantic … Ah, that hit the spot! We should bring more cold drinks into that dungeon."

Argo blushed as she retrieved the cup. "So … you heard everything?"

"I even took notes. To better seduce our CEO." She gestured to the blanket with her head. "That seems like a big enough blanket to do the deed."

"Unlike you, Sinonon, I don't have sex on mind 100% of the time."

"Yeah, more like 99% of the time," Kirito scoffed.

"Are you really testing out your new disguise? Or is it possible you were spying on us? You got some sort of voyeurism fetish?!" the Rat accused.

"Oh yeah, 100%. I don't mind watching."

"Eww, TMI."

"Hey, this is supposed to be me unwinding!" Kirito waved them over and patted the blanket. "Come on, there's plenty of space here."

Sinon crabwalked over and Argo sat at the other end. Damn the slayer! It was supposed to be just her and Kirito. Thankfully, they were missing one fourth of his hare-

A familiar face appeared and Argo groaned. "Oh there you are, I was looking for you. Ah! A sentient bush! Oh wait no, it's just Sinon."

"Yo."

Argo threw her hands up. "Sure! Come over and eat my food that I was planning just for two!"

"Argo, please, we should share," said Kirito.

Bush!Sinon ruffled her leaves and out popped a dead rabbit. "Asuna can cook that."

"Ooh, I do have some spices from the last village I was at."

It didn't take long for a hot fire to be set up and Asuna to clean the rabbit on a nearby log. Such was her high «Cooking» skill, she did so without getting her hands dirty. From the depths of her bush, Sinon produced a canteen of water.

"Where did you put that?" asked the swordswoman.

"This bush has a lot of «Inventory Space»." Kirito had propped a small log in front of Sinon, on which a plate of sandwiches lay. She munched on it, not unlike a cat. "I am carrying so many weapons on this thing."

Asuna began, "So, Kirito, about the cult -"

"Ah, ah, ah!" said Argo, raising a finger. "No work, no jobs, no cults, no tournaments, it's just me, Kirito, and a couple hanger ons."

"Hey!"

And so they ate in relative silence, enjoying each other's company. The food was gone quickly, so they (sans Sinon) laid on the blanket. It reminded them of the days on the road, of lying under the stars and seeing new places.

It didn't take long for them to run out of topics to talk about. Argo spoke of meeting up old info broker buddies like Garbo and Sang Kancil. Sinon spoke of her time with the Rumine, and one of the chiefs had presented her with a fine war lance. Asuna didn't have much to say about cult activities either aside from something about saving a brat, who insisted she join the upcoming tournament.

"The lists are filled up, but if she can convince someone to drop out, I don't see why not," said Asuna. "By the way, we still have time to train to be my squire, Kirito."

Sinon, who had shedded her bush suit, said, "What's this about squiring?"

"Oh, you know. He basically acts as my servant. Help me clean my kit, bring me drinks, curries my horse, that sorta thing."

Argo made an 'o' face. "HE'S YOUR MAID?!'

"No, you dumb rat. He basically - wait, no, yeah in a way. A maid with a sword."

Kirito was lying on his back and finishing the last of the grapes. "I prefer the term butler."

Sinon scratched her chin. "He'd look great in a maid outfit."

Asuna nodded. "I could lend him my shampoo, let him grow out his hair. Oooh, maybe he can wear a ribbon!"

Argo pouted. "Why don't you ever squire for me?"

The merchant pinched the bridge of his nose. "I have made a terrible mistake." The girls laugh.

They were quiet for a while until Kirito asked, "So, do you think we'll make all that money?"

"Of course!" they said simultaneously and smiled at each other.

"We're the Kirito Corporation, dammit! If there's anyone that can get that money, that's us!" said Argo.

For once in a long time, Kirito had a look of peace on him. "That's … great." He yawned and stretched before lying down, resting his head on a forearm. "Yeah, we can do it. Together. Me … and the ones I love."

At that, the entire group shivered. Faces blushing, temperatures rising, spit swallowed. They did not meet Kirito's eyes, only looking at each other. A hundred thoughts ran through their heads.

Asuna thought, "He's talking about me, right? Of course, he was just referring to me? He said that a week ago!"

Sinon thought, "No, no. This isn't how it's supposed to happen. I don't want Kirito to be my lover! I just wanted to bang the guy! But on the other hand, he wasn't the worst choice …."

Argo thought, "Had I done it? Has he forgiven me for ghosting his proposal ages ago? Oh God, does this mean he's going to propose later?!"

As their minds were clouded, a sharp sound brought them out of their reflection. "Kirito?" said Asuna.

"Zzzz … "

The girls all groaned at their brave leader's antics, before breaking into laughter. So deep was the CEO's sleep, he didn't budge from it.

"Well, he's finally getting those bags under his eyes," said Argo. "We should probably bring him to bed."

Asuna nodded. "And I need to write my report anyway."

"You guys write reports?" asked Sinon, slinging her suit over her shoulder. "I just drag one of the recruits and have them write it for me."

Asuna sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if you're even literate, Sinon."

"Do I look like this nerd?" she said, pointing at Kirito. Argo was already carrying him bridal style as Asuna gathered the picnic supplies. He was snoring and drooling. "God, he's so cute. I want to hug him and smooch him on his little forehead."

The swordswoman turned to the view again. The sun was setting. "Come on. We have a lot of work to do."

"Don't we always?" said Argo.


When Kirito woke the next day, it was the longest and most restful sleep he had in the longest time. He also almost had a heart attack, until Tupi had to come in and calm him down, stating that yesterday went completely fine. And so the days went on, counting down to the time of the tournament. Other merchants had taken up residence next to the main road, along with all their family and wagons and horses. All of which were charged and taxed, of course. That alone easily brought in 50,000 Col, and that was before taxation. Add in the additional charges of feeding the merchants', their guards, and their beasts of burden, and it would not surprise them that most of the profits would come from this.

But then came the issue about the gold. It was, perhaps, the most difficult thing he had to do, convincing the rest of the Old Families and New Settlers to give their percentage of the profits for the ritual. Old Lady Ohkwáho and Yeoman Pierre Dumont were summoned to the office, served with tea and biscuits.

They had known about the 1,000,000 Col requirement for the ritual but they had not discussed anything further about it. So Kirito gathered Argo, Tupi, Brother Rays, and Ava the apprentice mage, to talk to them about it. He spoke to them before the heads of both factions were invited in.

"We must do all we can to get them to invest in the fort."

"I mean, why wouldn't they? It's their fort," said Ava.

Brother Rays, who had recently returned from his trip, shook his head at her naivete. "You have not seen the greed of men, lady mage. I have served on many a battlefield as an officer, and I assure you, the dividing of loot is one of the hardest jobs as a leader. Men could fight united against a common foe, in the phalanx, exchanging missiles, or in a cavalry charge, but when it came to dividing the spoils, they became more hostile to each other than the enemy they just fought. This is why one of Lord Aincradius' titles is Al-Muqasam, the Divider, for he was fair in the handling of war booty."

"Hehe, booty."

"Miss Argo, please. This is serious," scolded Tupi.

"Hey, I am taking this seriously. That's why I have a plan to take out Granny and Yeo-Man if they don't listen …" she said, cracking her fists.

"We are not attacking them and holding them hostage," said Kirito.

She pouted. "But I want to try my new chokehold …"

The granny and the yeoman came into their office, were greeted graciously, and served tea and biscuits. Kirito got to the point. "Granny Ohkwáho, Mister Dupont, it's about the income …"

The matriarch was the first to speak. "Ah, that? Oh, sure. Just drop it to 0%, I don't mind."

"And neither do I. Ooh, vendha tea! Simply delicious."

Kirito blinked. "Um, you don't mind … not getting paid for all the work you've been doing?"

"We understand a million Col is an immense amount of wealth," said Ohkwáho. "My grandfather was a proud member of the Watch, back when every one of them were champions. I, and the rest of the families, have no issue with you withholding the pay for such projects. After all, who wants someone called the Devourer of Nations to escape?"

Dupont nodded. "And you have proven yourself to be an honourable merchant. There will be grumbles no doubt, but I will take care of that."

When the meeting ended, and everyone left, Kirito cried tears of relief while being consoled by Argo.


There were very few in the way of horses in the fort. The Orage used robust ponies to till their soil, pull their carts and ride to the markets, but that was it. Neither were they tireless runners like the Taramuri on the upper floors or the horse lovers like the Rumine. Even the cavalry doctrine in use by the Watch acted mostly as mounted infantry.

It was early in the morning and the sun was peeking over the hills. There was little in the way of training on account most of the Watch had recently returned from their trips but Asuna was not one to shy from exercise.

When she went to the stables to warm up Kumo-chan with some light canter, she found a familiar face caring for her horse. "Ah, dear Asuna. I take it you're ready for some training?"

Asuna did a double take. The merchant had ditched his silk robes for something far more practical: a short sleeve mail shirt over a padded jack, an iron cap and a belted longsword. Kumo-chan was munching on an apple he was feeding. It was strange to see him in armour, and yet, he looked comfortable wearing it.

"Did you -"

He answered her question before she asked, "I fed, watered and curried Kumo-chan, cleaned your saddle and swapped out a new saddle blanket for a new one."

"I -"

Kirito tapped Kumo-chan's front left leg. "Aaaand I changed the horse shoes too. I know you said Lydia-chan and Kharjo-kun don't need them, because mules often don't, but I told you that investing into «Equestrian: Ferrier» will pay off."

"But -"

He pointed to the back of the stable where a piece of cloth sheet had been laid on what was clearly an armour stand. "Why don't you go check that out? I'm almost finished with Kumo-chan here? Isn't that right, baby girl?"

Kumo-chan neighed.

Wordlessly, Asuna reached the armour stand and gripped the sheet. She pulled, and gasped.

On the armor stand was a set of brigandine - red and white velvet riveted with thousands of brass buttons. It flared out at the hem, giving it an hourglass figure. The left side of the torso was white, the right side red while the bottom of the hourglass were opposite in colours and sides. At the very top was a beaked bascinet, tastefully gilded, and a magnificent red and white plume attached at the back. Shining brass pauldrons, both sides etched with red thunderbolts. Sitting at the base of the stand were new greaves and sabatons, coloured asymmetrically. It was as if the armoursmith ripped the design from Asuna's mind into reality.

"I … I …"

Kirito stepped behind her, putting his hands on her shoulder. "You like it? Don't worry, I commissioned this ages ago in Mankhlar - before the whole one million Col thing. It's already paid for anyway, and I didn't have the heart to cancel the order."

Asuna gaped stupidly, like a fish.

He rasped his knuckles on the breastplate. "This here, a hundred and twenty plates, made in the hottest forges in the city, crafted by the Dwarven Smithing Guild. The plates are made of high quality steel inlaid with runes, making them thin but strong and light. You won't need a mail shirt if you wear this."

He patted the bascinet. "This one is made of pure steel, which isn't very impressive in the real world, but it's pretty rare in-game. It can take everything shy of a poleaxe and you'll be fine. The greaves, dungeon loot if you can believe it, got them at a discount after I sweet talked the guild leader with some tea. I think he was crushing on me, now that I think about it. And the textile, that's finely tanned and dyed buffalo hides. Oh, and the pauldrons! These were made by Lisbeth-chan a long while ago so you've got her to thank for. All in all, it's just shy of 15,500 Col. Not bad, huh?"

"Kirito, I …"

He raised a hand. "And don't worry, it's not from the treasury, but my personal accounts at the bank. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't that expensive so don't feel guilty about it or anything. Come on, tap it and see its stats."

Asuna stayed silent and did so.

Armor: Front/Back/Greaves/Pauldrons: 60/45/30/35

Durability: 1,200/1,200

Enchantment: Featherweight

Weight: 6.5 kg

Cost: 15,450 Col

Crafted by: The Mankhlar Guild of Dwarven Smiths, Smith Lisbeth of the Kirito Corporation

Her eyes glazed over the stats, what caught her attention was the name:

«Raiment of the Lightning Flash»

Asuna choked.

Kirito looked worried. "Uh, don't you like it?"

She turned to him and pressed her lips against his.

Two things came to Kirito's mind: Asuna was very amateurish, clearly never kissed a boy in her life. Yet what she lacked in experience, she made up in passion.

When she kissed him, she placed her hands on his shoulders as Kirito dumbly stood there. She pushed into him, her tongue requesting access to his. He obliged by pulling her in by the waist. He could feel her heart skip a beat at the move.

Kirito had a particular kind of smell, with all the perfume he wore. His go to was jasmine. But in armour, he smelled like oil and horse, yet his hair smelled like peppermint. With her face to his, it amplified.

Her hand slid down his back and under the hem of his mail onto his soft ass and gave it a squeeze. His eyes widened and instantly turned mischievous. Asuna, who wore no armour, felt his soft hands go under the hem of her shirt, the tips of his fingers brushing her stomach.

She bucked and broke contact, letting out a very girlish "Ah!"

"So you do like it," he said, tracing each bump. It sent shocks of electricity down her spine. "Naughty, naughty, Asuna. Do you often kiss boys who get you expensive armour? How long have you wanted to do this?"

He began kissing her neck and Asuna felt she was on fire.

"My brave knight." A peck on her check.

"My loyal bodyguard." A kiss under her jaw.

"My beautiful Asuna." A long, deep kiss on the lips once more. "Shall we go train, so you may be the best jouster in the land?"

Asuna's smile threatened to tear her face in half. "Yes, let's."

The beating of heart slowed down. She turned to her new armour set. "This is gonna mess with my «Agility» build I was going for."

"That's what Kumo-chan is for!"

"How do you, like, even know how to do this stuff? This is what a seasoned veteran knows, and you aren't that."

"It is essential, of course, to believe in and to follow to the letter the instructions and corrective actions you are to receive from them," he quoted.

"What?"

Kirito laughed. "I'll tell you some other time. Now come on, Ser Reginald said he'd train you if we got to Fort Arrowhead."

She snuggled her nose to his. "You thought of everything, didn't you?"

"I'm a CEO, I gotta know these things." Then he turned serious. "You don't mind, the whole … you know …"

Asuna cupped his face in her hands. "If those two want you, they gotta go through me."

"Asuna …"

"I'm just kidding! If we can share profits, we can share you."

"I swear, you three treat me like a piece of meat …"

Asuna's laughter filled the stables.


In the First City, on the First Floor, night had fallen.

The capital of Granum, once the home of 50,000 players for the first month of the game, was bereft of players. Sure, there were plenty of people going about their lives, drinking and dining after a hard day's work, but there were rarely players these days.

He could see Black Iron Castle, that great fort in the middle of the city. Once home to the Aincrad Liberation Force, it was now relegated to training new recruits, no longer the centre of activity it once was. He passed the Orphanage, where a bunch of good samaritans cared for the few children trapped in the game. Many guilds made a big deal donating to it; it made for good PR.

He drunkenly stumbled through the streets, tipping the bottle of beer and not caring how much he spilled. The First City was relatively safe. Though «Safe Zones» rules applied to most settlements, it was not so within alleys or hidden spots. He recalled the early days where players robbed players before making their way into the wilds. Those were the dark days.

He looked up in the night sky, and for just a moment, his heart was gripped by fear.

The sky turned red as blood oozed from the cracks in reality. A great robed figure appeared, a great void where the face would be under his hood. The deity spread his arms, and said, in a great booming that stabbed into the hearts of Man:

+ PLAYERS OF SWORD ART ONLINE, I AM AKIHIKO KAYABA +

Nezha collapsed onto the cobblestone road with a crash of glass. He looked to his right hand, shards of glass embedded into his palm. That was another thing, «Safe Zones» didn't save you from self harm and he was bleeding badly. Nearby, a militiaman with a lantern shook his head.

Cursing, he tried to retrace his steps back to his inn. He had been here for a few days, spending the rest of his money on booze and bedding the entire time. In his drunken haze, he made the newbie mistake of entering an alley. From across the street, a couple pair of eyes saw him, and began trailing.

"Stupid fucking trial …" he mumbled under his breath. "Stupid smithing job, stupid Lisbeth … I've never held Ironspite in my entire life ..."

He tripped again, this time in a puddle and drenched his pants. He let out a string of curses so loud the entire block could hear him.

"I made, the best goddamn sword in the fucking game. I gave that company my blood and tears. And what do I get? Fucking fired."

The footpads behind him smirked at their good luck as they hands reached for their blades.

"I didn't put that fucking book in my chest! Fucking cult … I'll swear I'll fucking kill Throatcutter one day …"

As he reached the end of the alley, Nezha found himself slammed against the wall with a knife under jaw, staring into a masked face.

"Give us your money, you drunken shit!"

That sobered him right fast. "Shit, shit … I …" His hands groped his waist, and did not find his coin pouch.

"Well?!" said the other, the smaller of the two.

"I … I must have left it … at the bar …"

He felt the tip of the knife piercing his flesh and his HP going down.

"You lie! You gotta have it on you!"

"Please … I'll go get it … just let me go …"

The smaller man shook his head. "Just knock him out, brother. We can sell him to the mines."

His eyes widened. "Please no …"

A whistle, and all heads turned right. There, a man in a cloak, his face shrouded in darkness.

"Why don't you gentlemen let him go, poor boy's scared out of his mind," said the stranger.

"The hell?" said the shorter the man, pointing his blade at the newcomer. "Why don't you -"

In one moment, he was threatening the stranger, and in the next, a dagger's hilt sprouted in his forehead. Then, like a tree, he fell to the ground, his knife flying from his grip.

Nezha blinked. It was so fast, he didn't see the stranger threw it. And with such force, to be buried to the hilt.

"Brother!" said his mugger. He let Nezha go and charged at the newcomer, knife swinging wildly. "You son of a whore, I'll -"

The newcomer took a step towards him and his would-be mugger fell face first, just like his brother. Nezha could just barely spot the glint of a blade. He had never seen a player move so fast. He slumped against the wall.

The stranger pulled out a piece of red cloth and wiped his weapon … a butcher's cleaver? - before concealing it into his cloak. "You okay, friend?"

Nezha noticed he had his mouth open and shut it. "Yes. T-thank you."

"Now, let's leave before the militia show up. The law doesn't take kindly to dead criminals in their street." He grabbed onto Nezha's wrist and looked at his bloodied hand. "Aye, this is bad. Come on, I'll get you patched up, Nezha-chan."

Suddenly, a ray of ice shot through him. "Who are you?"

The stranger leaned in closer, and the smith finally saw what was underneath: a grinning red-eyed skull.

"Me?" he asked, his voice as sweet as poisoned wine. "I'm a friend of your former employee - the one they call Kirito the Throatcutter."


DUN DUN DUN

Who is the mysterious stranger? What does he want from our favourite ex-smith? Will there be more makeout sessions? Probably, that depends on the reviews. Which you should provide, for it is of the utmost importance for the Kirito Corporation.

See you at the tournament, don't forget to pay the entrance fee.