Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this fiction beside my OC and their story arcs. Everything related to SAO belongs to Reki Kawahara.

One month after the creation of Heaven's Grace…

"Do you know why he has called us?"

"Your guess is good as ours Walker. It has been one month, and this is the first time since then…"

Around ten people were standing around a round table at the cellar of an inn at 48th floor, all were wearing dark capes with hoodies that they just removed.

Reason was simple: All of that ten player were celebrities, especially "Unyielding" Heathcliff, Asuna the "Flash", Walker and his lieutenant Pylon. Remaining six people were again smaller but influential guilds' commanders and vice-commanders.

They were called by a certain someone for a secret meeting, someone who wasn't around for one month. Some were so suspicious that they looked to stone at Blackiron Castle to see if he was dead.

Truth will be revealed now.

"Sorry to call you here at such a late hour ladies and gentlemen."

All eyes turned to upstairs and as they turned, they saw the guild leader who has been accepted as death for so long. They were a little surprised to see, of course, the man in different clothes than usual, still it was a bit more reassuring to see him.

"Oh, Ilsamor-san… It has been a long time."

"Indeed it has, Commander Heathcliff. Thank you all for answering my call this quickly."

He joined the group with his own vice-commander Asemi the "Spark". Walker held out his hand "You have changed your style Ilsamor-san. Welcome back." Ilsamor smiled slightly while shaking his hand. Then with his usual serious expression he turned to group "Tonight I have called you to explain the reason of my absence and the backstory of some events you have heard…"

He took a deep breath. "I know due to my so called "prophesies" many calls me ill-word bringer or paranoid but this time we have a serious threat coming on us, more dangerous than the ones before."

He wandered his gaze around the room. "As you all know, since the Battle of Coral Fields me and Eternal Champions were constantly searching the leaders of orange coalition. Last month, we were down to last three and we commenced three raids at the same time. Two of them has succeeded. The last one however almost cost me something more valuable than my own life and revealed a terrible truth behind it."

Attention increased. Ilsamor told the ugly truth "At the first this wasn't bad as it seemed but then after searching some rumors, I have confirmed that there is a new orange or maybe red guild in Aincrad that specialized in stealth assault, poison and escape techniques. Basically…"

Pylon raised his hands "Hold up, are you saying we just got our very own assassins guild?"

Ilsamor nodded "As I said first sign, I got was from one month earlier. During our raids we have encountered a poison that rendered all healing items useless. Only antidote crystals seemed to work but you know how scarce they are. Beyond that no potion or even healing crystals were useless against it."

"So, the victim died?"

"No, I managed to keep victim alive by my skill Adamant Believer. But, as you might have heard, I paid a heavy price for it, though I must say I am not regretful."

Asuna noticed the faint blush and bowed head of Asemi. "I am surprised Ilsamor-san. I thought you would be sorry that you cannot save more lives."

"Who said I cannot save more lives without my unique skill? Anyway, as I have said this alone is not much of a deal if it was just by itself, but it was just a small piece of puzzle when looked closely to past month of Aincrad."

Guild leaders looked to each other and slightly nodded. Heathcliff the looked back to Ilsamor "What do you suggest? To start, many of us don't approve your sense of justice Ilsamor."

"Heathcliff… There are only too many things that me and my guild can do alone. Especially, contrary to popular belief, only a very small percentage of my guild is actively participating my battle against the Orange Guilds. So, I want to make a compromise."

Leaders slightly leaned towards him.

"I will pull my guild from the active fight against the orange guilds and fully dedicate it to clearing floors. In return you will cover my absence in that front. I wish we could do things in my way but for a start it would be a good thing if these monsters were locked up. Don't worry, I will not give additional punishment to ones in prison."

Walker asked "Why are you doing this Blade? Why now?"

Ilsamor sighed "I am neither deaf nor idiot Walker. Did you think I don't know about that forcing Blade to stop killings plan? While I hate criminals, I love peace more than I hate them. That's the first reason."

"And the second?"

"I want to see. From start you kept telling me how I was wrong. Well, this is your chance. Show your "justice" to me and resolve this situation yourselfs. I won't lift my finger. In the end, mercy is just offering the chance of justice to victims. If they don't want it, I won't force them to accept it."

Ilsamor's eyes turned to Heathcliff "So, do we have a deal?"

Heathcliff smiled slightly "I believe we have." Ilsamor nodded "Great. In the files I will send you now, you will find everything me and my men have uncovered about those assassins so far. Rest is up to you."

Ilsamor then turned his back to them and headed to stairs "Good luck… You will need it."

At the morning of 1st January all Aincrad was shaken with an event that so far even the vilest of red players couldn't imagine that time. Twenty-nine of thirty players who were spending their time on fields were massacred by a newly formed red guild. Last of these thirty victims told its name just before jumping from a cliff and ending her life.

Laughing Coffin…

An assassin guild that has no other aim than killing players with stealth and poison.

It was also them who slowly started to find loopholes in the system for PKing inside the safe zones. Safety of secure zones in Aincrad was decreasing fast.

Naturally all eyes were turned towards a certain someone who was fighting against orange and red players from the very start. A certain someone who stood silent after the massacre.

"So we won't do nothing?!"

Ilsamor and Eternal Champions were sitting in their meeting room inside the temple. Many Champions were thinking that this meeting would be about the mass PK that had happened in new year. However, Ilsamor spoke only about new floor's exploration and several dungeons that will be raid in few days to get loot for both selling to Auction House and Agil.

Then at the end, Artemis asked about what they will do against Laughing Coffin and Ilsamor just answered with several security measurements for their HQ and raid groups. He answered the question about active search with "Nothing."

"Sir are you serious?"

"You have dedicated yourself to fighting against those with orange cursors. Why stopping now?"

Ilsamor raised his hands to calm them "Okay everyone, please listen to me for a minute."

He sighed "First, right now there is no one in Aincrad that wants to give those assholes a lesson more than me. But we cannot."

He rubbed his eyes slowly "During my time in lower dungeons I have learned some unfortunate things. That despite everything we have done so far, we are viewed as a threat to their liberty. Some saw us just basic killers while others held KoB and DDA in higher regards. They are afraid of us, sadly especially me."

"But they are just players on lower floors…"

"Sadly not. Two and a half months ago Argo brought me an intel, about other major guilds forming a coalition against us in case if we go, how should I say, berserk. Let alone fighting in a big war, just idea of formation of a such collation is something threatens the fragile unity of front lines. So, I went forth and made a deal with them. We would be pulled from orange front while they were going to handle it and we would pour our strength to clearing floors."

Champions didn't argue, because they can clearly see the expression in their commander's face, it was a clear pain. Ilsamor finished the meeting with a hoarse voice "You are dismissed. Be careful on the outside."

As ordered all Champions stood up and began leaving the room. Asemi and Rider glanced at each other for a second and Asemi nodded. Rider closed his eyes and turned towards to door, leaving the room. Asemi slowly sat the chair near Ilsamor and held his hand. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked in a soft tone. Ilsamor nodded while looking to ground and when he spoke his voice was still hoarse "It's just… We have been trying to help the players since we found the guild and even after that hearing they call us demons… Did I do something wrong?"

Asemi's eyes looked at him with compassion and love. She slowly embraced him "You did nothing wrong senpai. It is the natural order of things. Do you remember once we have talked about why while the readers of comics love superheroes while the residents of those fictional worlds have different opinions on that matter?"

Ilsamor slowly nodded and gave her a slight smile. "Yeah. Because readers can easily put themselves in place of that heroes." Asemi caressed his head a little "Yeah. M-my love, those people who calling us demons (at least most of them) are just jealous. Jealous because you are here, doing everything they imagine while they can do nothing more than try to imitate you. And for the rest, you need to talk to them, show them the kind of person you are."

Ilsamor looked her with amazed eyes "Did you call me my love just now?"

Asemi suddenly flustered "Y-yeah, it seemed like the only way to bring you back so-"

Ilsamor silenced her by kissing her "Thank you for your very existence moonshine."

Just before Asemi turned into a tomato Rider barged in "Boss, we have a problem!"

Ilsamor looked to the crowd that surrounding the temple. While slowly scratching his hair, he spoke "Yeah, that could be a problem."

Asemi was looking to the crowd with wide eyes "So many people… And all have come here to took refuge?"

"It seems that way. That Laughing Coffin attack spooked them really hard and as there are several loopholes, cities are no longer that safe. Which means boss…"

"There is no safer place rather than a military secured town, right?"

Ilsamor sighed as he held his nose's bridge. "That's too bad."

"Yeah, how can we find place for that many refuge senpai?"

"Situation is worse than that Asemi. While we have some elite players and players that versed in PvP combat, this is not a safe zone. And to make matters even worse there may be Laughing Coffin agents inside the crowd."

Asemi nodded "So what will we do?"

Ilsamor opened his menu and typed a message to Heathcliff "I have a large refugee crisis on my hand. Please come here and solve it, otherwise I will move most of them to fourth floor's town and took control of it for a short time. Please answer quickly."

He sent the message and turned to Rider "Okay pull half of the Champions from forward and put them around the refuge area. Same goes for our Anti-Orange teams. We will act according to message we will receive from Heathcliff-"

"That's him! That's Silver Blade!"

As he stepped into the fields several refugees screamed his name and rushed to his side as their voice attracted the attention many other refugees.

"Blade-sama! You will stop these red bastards, won't you?"

"Please put them to their place!"

"Rain down justice on them Ilsamornii-sama!"

Ilsamor raised his hands and slowly silenced the crowd before their voices overwhelm him. "Okay everyone, please be quiet for a few seconds. I am sorry for the fear and sorrow you are feeling and I am thankful for your support and trust. For now, I am talking with major guild leaders and if they won't do something I will place you fourth floor's town (I am sorry it will be a bit cold) and I will assume your protection with best of my ability."

"What about making those bastards pay?!"

"Their time will come. For now, we know nothing but their name and a shallow understanding of their tactics. We will learn and we will defend until time is right."

Refugees seemed disappointed a bit but at least Ilsamor promised them protection in case major guilds won't do anything. That would do it, for now. After addressing them Ilsamor turned to Asemi "I will scout the labyrinth of 50th floor. Please stay here and help Rider for crisis. If a KoB representative comes here, you have fully authorized to speak in my name, okay?"

Asemi slowly nodded and Ilsamor gave her a smile before he walked away towards to town.

Ilsamor prepared his sword while mob continued to approach him.

His sword glowed green, charge sword skill Sonic Leap.

"HYAAA!"

He swiftly got rid of one of the mobs but remaining were still charging towards him. He decided to finish them all with a four hit sword skill, Nightmarish Inferno. His sword's glow turned red and he charged remaining for mobs.

One hit per creature.

He slowly sheathed Heaven's Grace back to his scabbard after his cooldown is finished.

"There are many humanoid type creatures as pack leaders. Well, I shouldn't be surprised since this is the end of second quarter I guess." he mumbled before looking around him and his map to determine the route he would take.

Champions would continue towards the east and northeast, so it seemed like a good idea to travel northwest. Slowly moving towards to route his thoughts slipped to his crystal trap testing device. Actually, it was a funny name for a record crystal and teleport crystal that are tied together. In theory record crystal was to be thrown inside a suspected area with a 1 minute of recorded voice message. In the end of message, record crystal would say "Teleport: Coral" and a member at teleportation stone would report them if record crystal returned to them.

However, it was hard to use this technology to test boss rooms since boss rooms wouldn't activate if there are no players entering into rooms.

Well, it seems this time too he had to count on his luck about not stucking in an anti-crystal zone trap.

Another problem about boss rooms was the change of his status in game.

At the 20th boss meeting he had told the leaders that he had nothing to lose and none to miss him if he wouldn't return. But now he had a guild, friends, close friends and a girlfriend that will miss him if he couldn't made it out.

A part of his mind was constantly tormenting him "Do you really have the right to leave holes in the hearts of that many people?"

"Go to a graveyard, it is full of people who kept thinking they were indispensable."

"I didn't say you are indispensable. I asked who will or rather who can fill the holes that you might leave in their hearts?"

Ilsamor didn't answer to sound in his mind, but he knew sooner or later he will have to confront it, especially considering the fact that Asemi was always seeming upset whenever boss scouting topic appeared.

He stood before a pair of huge gates. As he saw them, he cleared his mind and passed into a state that Lady called "Battle Clarity" (Which undoubtedly a skill name from some other game or sci-fi universe) and he adopted his "Silver Blade" persona.

"Well, I will have to answer them, but not today."

He entered the boss room after checking that he had enough healing items and emergency teleportation crystal.

"A six-armed Buddha you say…"

It was the meeting of 50th floor and once again front lines were gathered to decide how to survive from upcoming hell.

One that they will surely need it for this fight.

Ilsamor's reconnaissance took place almost two days ago. He fought against the giant and barely managed to see its last stage, of course it cost him all of his healing items.

What's more he couldn't recover from that tiredness in just a short notice.

"This will be a hard fight. I have called you this soon because it will require some serious preparations…"

Everyone in room paid attention.

"First as I said its skin is metal and with each state its hardness increases. Each and every warrior must obtain a weapon as same or close to his/her usual one. Because, and sadly, your main weapon won't survive this fight. It almost as if…"

"As if?"

"GM didn't want players the bring their most powerful weapons to upper floors and set this boss as a destroyer of them."

Several grimaces and swears to Kayaba were heard.

"Second we need our tanks to train in 49th floor's Monk of the Solemn Path boss. It is not one-on-one, but I have confirmed that most of their attack patterns are same. They can train there to successfully block and parry upcoming attacks. Of course, it will be beneficial to rest of us, but I strongly suggest that tanks must take priority."

Heathcliff scratched his chin and nodded "It seems logical… Anything else?"

"My third suggestion is not surprise I am sure, but it is to especially to Katana and scimitar users. You have skills that can pass the defenses like Shinonome and Dancing Hellraiser, I strongly urge you to lean on them. Beside that I will give you its attack set as always. Please don't take this lightly, I know most of you didn't fight at 25th floor but that boss was really dangerous. This will be even harder. While I don't always see eye to eye with some of you, I don't want to lose anyone in this room to a damn AI that can't think beyond killing the players standing in front of him!"

Players shouted in unison in support to his statement.

And while he was looking to faces of his fellow players, Ilsamor didn't notice the glow coming from the book on his belt.

Short after the meeting in 50th floor, Ilsamor returned to fourth floor.

At the first day of crisis, Heathcliff had sent an emissary to speak about situation. After a brief negotiation, KoB had agreed to take some of the refugees that actually hadn't wanted to come to Swords but felt like they had no choice. Still, they were a small minority and most opted to remain with Swords. Heathcliff promised financial support for that part and Ilsamor took them to 4th floor, taking control of the town for a brief period. Swords took the most part of security but few of the refugee were willing to learn fighting too.

It wasn't long until a military town like structure was established.

"Sir…"

Ilsamor appeared at the teleportation stone of 4th floor and greeted by guard there. He smiled towards him "How is it going Eagle? Not too cold I hope?" Eagle smiled to Ilsamor "A bit sir. Can you give me that soup you made other day?" Ilsamor laughed and patted his shoulder "As soon as I go to temple." When he said temple Eagle's expression changed, it became the expression of a man who was trying to hide a surprise. "Sir, there is something you should know."

"What is it?"

"…Sir they are expecting you at temple."

Ilsamor was confused. "Who is expecting me at temple?"

"People, sir. Town's residents."

"How many?"

"I don't know, but many."

Ilsamor scratched his cheek "They have some kind of trouble or…"

Eagle just smiled and shook his head "It is better if you see for yourself."

With an increasing curiosity Ilsamor slowly exited from town and began walking to the temple. He wasn't sure why there were so many people would go to the temple. As far as he knew there weren't any problems, perimeter was secure and people entering to town were checked before allowing them to continue (May Lady bless Argo). Food production was good and there were even few other artisans opened shops at fourth floor.

What was the problem?

He got his answer when he entered the temple and the scenery he saw shocked him.

It was very similar to what he saw from movies about the Sunday gatherings at churches. Tens of players were sitting on the seatings silently and listening the speech that was being given by Hikari from dais.

"…So my fellow players, she orders us to work hard because while she loves her faithful she is also just. In the face of adversity, she helps her faithful if they show tenacity, otherwise, if the dark is not slothful in their work too, we would suffer defat after defeat. Then you may ask, why I should follow her orders? Then I can give you two reasons…"

Ilsamor reminded himself to close his mouth and slowly leaned to wall near door and continued to listen her speech.

"…First our Lady's intervention can be considered as a luck factor in your work. Let me exemplify it, suppose you are a general and prepared an excellent plan to beat your enemy. Almost everything is perfectly prepared, from equipment to soldiers' position. But your plan has a critical point, it depends on weather being foggy. Then at this point Lady intervenes and give you the weather you desperately need.

About the second reason, it is simple. Lady loves us but he doesn't force us to obey her rules unconditionally. If she would give us everything without our effort, then it would be a tight leash that would hold us in her rules whether we love them or not. But she gives us a choice in that respect too, as her rules are not for our misery but our welfare."

After she said that she gathered her hands, closed her eyes and bowed her head "Now, let us open our minds and find our resolve while many scars left by atrocities of this game left in our minds are healed in her embrace."

Players imitated her and they too bowed their heads while closing their eyes.

The scene he was witnessing were enchanting Ilsamor. What he tried to did all this time, calls he had made, rumors he had spread… But now, here in that little wooden temple…

He swiped tear from his right eye. The peace that this scene was spreading soothed his nerves, slowly calmed him.

While he was lost in thoughts, a female player from back rows raised her head and saw him. "Blade-sama has come!"

Players raised their heads and looked towards to door.

There was a brief silence. Then Hikari called to him from dais "Sensei welcome. We were expecting you. Can you give us a blessing from Lady's words?"

Her words increased his surprise but he managed to keep his expression calm and walked towards dais with players expectant gazes on him.

He slowly took place of Hikari and looked towards to crowd. He hadn't felt this level of stage fright before, even at the first boss meeting he had attended. He slowly reached his belt and pulled the book, only item remained on him after he lost his gear and ex skill. While his mind was racing his hands worked by themselves and opened the page he needed. Before he read he turned his gaze to crowd "First, I would like to thank priestess for her beautiful speech. I know these are dark times, with game's getting harder and there is an assassin guild breathing down on our neck, and at these days we desperately need to remember that we are not alone."

He turned to the Book and read it with a clear voice:

"Hear me my faithful servants! Pain, hardship, misery these are not things I wish upon you and you must not seek them willingly. However, there were times and will be times that you cannot escape from them. If you ever find yourself in such a situation then brace yourself patience and use every bit of strength and wit to ride out the storm! They will be like fire in a forge, and you are all like different metals all waiting to reveal their true potential. Use their fire to forge yourself whether it may be a sword to defend people, measurement tool to set things right or a plow that will help people to satisfy their hunger and give them power. And while you are fighting these troubles, I will always be with you to encourage you, to heal you, to protect you when it is needed…"

Ilsamor raised his head and saw a lot of glittering eyes looking towards him. He smiled slightly, remembering his first reaction when he took the Lady's blessing. He finished his speech with a prayer "May Lady deem all of us as faithful worthy of such support!"

Crowd spoke in unison "Amen."

As people slowly left the temple Ilsamor approached and hugged Hikari. "I-I couldn't believe my eyes! How did you-"

"It wasn't actually me sensei…" said Hikari, her face had traces of red due to Ilsamor's unexpected hug. "When we moved almost everything to this floor I have chosen to stay at temple as you know. Three days ago some players came here while they were scouting the floor and asked me why those temples were so important for our guild. I told them "You can find your answer if you open your mind." It was interesting."

"What happened?"

"You know, the usual stuff. They relaxed, shed few drops of tears like people who were struggling against impossible odds finally found someone they can depend on. After they managed to gather themselves, I have talked about our beliefs. They have thanked me and left the temple. To be honest I was not expecting to see them again."

"Yet you did."

"Yes, every time more people than before. And as their number increased, they also wanted to hear her words. It is a grand luck that you came here today."

Ilsamor nodded as he prepared to move upstairs with the intention of preparing Eagle a feast. Then he stopped and turned back to Hikari while his eyes were shining. "At the day we met, I couldn't imagine that you would come this far. I am proud of the person you have become. You couldn't give a teacher a better reward than this. Would you like to have some dinner?"

Hikari's eyes widened as she heard such a praise from Ilsamor. After a few seconds she managed to nod.

Then duo moved upstairs to get some dinner.

Nights were not preferred times of days in Aincrad to hunt or do dungeon raids.

Reason was simple, mobs number and aggressiveness were increasing when sun is set and only few players, even in the frontlines, were either strong or reckless to do such a thing.

Well, Ilsamor wasn't reckless but he had little time during days to do raids so…

"HYAAAH!"

A crashing sound came and mob he struck dissolved into pixels.

Before he lost his equipment, his Sword of the First Light had almost infinite amount of durability. Reason was same, he would not need to search for any other weapon and therefore would not lose any time while loot would go to players that really needed it. So, if he were wielding it, he had no problem but with Heaven's Grace he needed some backup weapons, and considering the amount of tries Lisbeth made to forge it, it seemed a good idea to acquire backups from loots. He had already acquired Dawn Blade and if he would manage to acquire Valorous Call then he would have enough backup for the raid, or so he believed.

And he was just a boss away from it.

"Okay, let's not make it any longer, shall we?"

Boss looked at him with eyes devoid of emotion and he raised his greatsword. Ilsamor prepared for one-hit sword skill Slant.

Boss struck with its greatsword with its full might and Ilsamor managed to counter it, of course by hitting correct spot. When boss stood open for a second he quickly passed to stance of Nova Ascension and activated weapon's property…

"ENHANCE ARMAMENT!"

Orange glow of his sword grew and engulfed the whole room as Ilsamor began his attack consisting of ten hits. At the end of his attack, boss' image trembled and dissolved into pixels as "Congratulations!" notice appeared with things he gained as loot. Acquiring what he came for he sighed and began walking out of dungeon.

It was a beautiful night at the 50th floor, with a clear sky and glittering stars. He stooped for a brief moment and closed his eyes, as he inhaled the clean air and feel the air around him.

In a brief moment he unsheathed his sword and blocked a strike aimed at his neck just in time.

"So, you are fast as they say…"

Attacker stood back, allowing Ilsamor to see who it is. He slowly turned his face towards him "It wasn't speed. Your foul air stinks so much that it is hard to believe anyone in this floor smell anything else."

Figure laughed "So you are funny, they didn't mention this."

Ilsamor had a very good idea about the identity of the figure. He searched and searched for the leader of red guild and encountered many names during his search. He would fall that trick if that hadn't happened before.

Of course, he didn't interrogate one of them, but his intuition was strongly directing him to his direction.

"I was expecting to see you PoH."

Man's face was partially covered by his poncho, but his mouth slowly curled upwards. "So, you have already found out. And here I thought we have hidden ourselves pretty well. You are indeed the opponent I have been waiting for." Then he slowly scratched his chin "Though I have also wanted cross sword with Black Swordman, you will do just fine." He pulled a chopper from nowhere "I must say I am disappointed; I was expecting your guild to take the fight to us."

Ilsamor's expression was cold as ice. "No need to play dumb with me PoH. I know very well that you know why I am not leading the charge."

PoH grinned and two charged against each other and clashed their blades few times in quick succession only to return their starting points.

"Hoho… You are indeed every bit of talented as they said Silver Blade. It will be challenge to see you when you join the fray."

"You won't wait that long. They will stop you."

PoH laughed "Let's be honest Silver Blade, without your tricks and your expertise, how long do you think they will hold? Or rather how much body will you need to join the fray, hımm?"

Ilsamor felt a hate and disgust that he had never felt before. This organism that standing before him fell deeper than one can ever imagine. Standing before him, he was the darkness incarnate. What's more, that man managed to plant a seed of doubt to his brain.

Can assault team really stop that assassin guild? How much loss will they give until things calm down?

"I see I have managed to create suspicion in you too Blade… Well, I would really love to stay and finish our duel but then that would leave you no motivation to pursue Laughing Coffin, wouldn't it?"

While reaching his belt Ilsamor didn't make a move. He knew that he could actually disappear faster than his reaction time but taking his time actually. His just gripped his sword harder till his knuckles became white. PoH turned to him and smiled before turning his back and walking away.

Ilsamor stood in his position for a few more minutes then finally returned to town. When he reached the teleportation stone he changed his mind and instead teleporting to fourth floor, he went one of the sideways of Algade, to a merchant he knew.

It wasn't long when he found the familiar sign of Agil and he sighed in relief to see it was still open. He slowly knocked the door and opened it. Agil's back was towards to door "I am sorry but I am about to close."

"Well, I am interested in things you don't sell to everyone."

Hearing his voice Agil turned to him with a smiling face "Ilsamor! What a nice surprise. What brings you here?"

Ilsamor's expression turned a bit troubled one "I uh, I need advice Agil-san. And you might not believe it but you are the second adult in my life that I may consider wise. Can I…"

Agil was a bit surprised to hear such things from Ilsamor and to boot his expression was telling more. He nodded "Okay, let's talk at upstairs, do you want some tea?"

In ten minutes, they were sitting around a table with Agil and poring tea to their glasses. After Ilsamor took his first sip Agil asked "Alright, now can you tell me what's up?"

Ilsamor raised his head looked to Agil's face "I have met with the leader of Laughing Coffin Agil-san."

Agil's eyes widened. "And..? What happened?"

"I encountered him after exiting from dungeon. We have crossed blades and words and while we were at a draw in blades his words caused me to doubt myself."

Agil slightly leaned forward "What did he tell you?"

Ilsamor's grasp around his glass tightened "He told me that just because I pulled my guild and myself from fight many people would die. He asked me how much body I will need to join the fray."

Agil closed his eyes and nodded. "It is not surprising for you to doubt yourself in face of this."

"I know… What should I do Agil-san?"

Agil took a sip from his tea "To start with Ilsamor you made a critical mistake in your agreement with other guilds, I think. Rather than pulling back, I think it would be a good idea to make them prepare a set of rules about orange and red players. Now they won't let you break this promise because they were wanting to take Swords from orange front for a long time."

"Yeah I guessed as much."

"Things are bad at that front but tell me if I am wrong, you didn't promise that you yourself would also be pulled from orange front?"

Ilsamor stood frozen still. He searched his memory through and through but…

"No, I didn't."

Agil smiled and nodded "Then that's how you will do. Let me tell you by the way, you are living a lot of clichés in your life my friend."

Ilsamor smiled "Tell me about it. But while the loophole I have found will be enough to persuade my conscience, I doubt I can persuade guild leaders that easy."

Agil stood up "That's why I will take you meet someone. You are luck that she really likes working at her art in nights."

"Okay this is the place."

Agil and Ilsamor were standing in front of a door at 46th floor. A sign was hanged and according to sign this place was "Ashley's".

Looking Agil for encouragement Ilsamor knocked the door three times.

For a few seconds nothing was heard then a slightly tired woman voice spoke from the other side. "Who's there? We are closed."

"Yes, and I am sorry for disturbing you in such a late hour but I was hoping I could have an audience with Ashley-san."

"And who might you be?"

"My name is Ilsamor."

As his sentence finished door swung open and a girl with auburn hair and sleepwear revealed. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was wide open "S-S-Silver Blade?!"

Ilsamor scratched nervously scratched his neck "Yeah but please don't speak so loud. Is there any chance that I can see Ashley-san?"

Girl managed to gather herself "Yeah, please come in, I will inform the mistress."

Agil and Ilsamor moved in and they sat in sofas at luxuriously designed guest room. He didn't know why, but Ilsamor find himself quite nervous in this situation.

Approximately three minutes later door opened again, revealing a blonde short-haired woman with her fur coat. "My my, famous Silver Blade in my store… I was expecting to see you here for a long time."

Ilsamor slowly stood up and bowed before the woman "Then apologies if I am late Ashley-san. I hope I didn't hurt you by being this rude."

Ashley gave him a sophisticated laugh "Oh my, you are quite a gentleman it seems Ilsamor-kun. Fret not, you did nothing wrong. Every leading figure of Aincrad comes at my shop sooner or later. I was only referring that fact." Then her gaze wandered, and she saw Agil was sitting at corner "Oh my, Agil-san is here too. Do I owe the pleasure of seeing Blade here to you Agil-san? Are you still the same stingy merchant?"

Agil smiled "Not stingy please."

Ashley smirked then her eyes turned to Ilsamor once more "So, what do I owe the pleasure Ilsamor-kun?"

Ilsamor's expression became serious "I need your help to become unrecognizable Ashley-san."

Ashely's expression became serious too. "Interesting…" she said, then she sit one of the sofas. "Tell me everything please."

Ilsamor and Agil told the story to Ashley. Ashley listened it with a serious expression and closed eyes. "So that is the problem. And you want me to sew you clothes with high ratings. Clothes that will obscure your presence from other players. An interesting offer. Which material am I going to use?"

Ilsamor swiped his hand and opened his menu. For a few seconds he searched through his items and then materialized a white fabric. "If you accept, with this…"

Ashley's mouth wide opened. "Oh my god! Is that Apostle's Tears?!"

Ilsamor nodded then he explained the situation when he saw Agil's eyes were full of confusion. "It is an A-class material that easy to obtain but hard to made it workable. You can obtain it from sheep mobs at 32nd floor but then you have to bring it a lot of areas and do few quests to get this final product."

Understanding the situation Agil shook his head "Really Ilsamor first Divine Steel now this… Tell me, how many more rare materials you have in your inventory?"

Ilsamor gave him a bitter smile then turned to Ashley once more. "I know you won't work with cheap materials and this is the best I can bring. I hope you deem me a player worthy enough to work with."

Ashley's eyes locked with his and to his surprise. "How can I not Ilsamor-kun? Emilia, can you please come for a second?"

Door opened once more, and Emilia appeared with a blushed face. Ashley stood up and passed her back. "Let me introduce you Ilsamor-kun. Emilia, this is Ilsamor, Ilsamor this is Emilia."

While confused Ilsamor slightly bowed his head "Nice to meet you."

Emilia mumbled something like "Yeah, you too."

Ashely looked her with melancholic eyes "You see Ilsamor-kun, she is little embarrassed because she met her hero. You saved her from a… Well, I don't want to say it out loud, but I hope you can understand that helping you is both a happiness and an honor. Let's talk about specifics and after the measurements I can get to work."

Lisbeth's Smithy Shop's door was knocked just before Lisbeth was about to lay on her bed. For a second, she considered not to respond to door and act like she was sleeping but then her guest knocked the door once again. Realizing she cannot escape from it, she got downstairs then opened the door, only to find Ilsamor standing at threshold.

She blinked for a few times to be sure she wasn't dreaming. "Ilsamor? Why are you knocking my door at this hour of night, is something wrong?"

Ilsamor slightly bowed his head "I am sorry for disturbing you in this late hour Lisbeth, but I need your help."

"Can it wait until the morning?"

"Production part can but you know we are about to commence the raid on 50th floor boss. Next few days can be chaotic, and I want to tell you the idea on my head."

Lisbeth sighed and surrendered to her fate. "Okay, come in. Let's talk inside."

Shortly after they were sitting in Lisbeth's shop and talking about Ilsamor's plan. Lisbeth nodded "I see. So now you will want a weapon for that too."

"Unfortunately, yes. Heaven's Grace is a beautiful sword and one of a kind, and that is exactly the problem. I don't want to use a loot sword from upper levels, that may help them to narrow the list. But if I use a forged sword from good material, then it will be hard to trace as first they must determine the material, then the blacksmith. And even then, that sword can always be a quest reward, as hundreds and hundreds of new quests are keep being added into game."

Lisbeth sighed "Okay… What will I use this time?"

Ilsamor opened his menu and materiliazed a turquoise gem in his hand. "This."

Lisbeth frowned in confusion, so he explained "This is Aquamarine. A rare loot from the monsters at 24th floor. It is not only a mob drop but can be found if you dive enough too."

Lisbeth shook her head "First Divine steel now this… Honestly Ilsamor how can you keep finding things that other people never bothered themselves to look?"

"Actually, they do bother Lisbeth. Aquamarine is a high-class material and most of the major guilds are farming it and waiting for their blacksmith to reach enough levels to work on it."

Lisbeth was surprised. "Is it that high?"

"Yes, and it seems you need a skill called Gods' Blessed Hammer for it and it is mutually exclusive with Folk's Hero you know."

Lisbeth knew both of the skills. First one would allow blacksmiths to forge weapons from some exotic type of materials like this one and the other would increase the chance of getting a high-quality weapon from ordinary materials. Since most major guilds were in need of constant supply for their members, guild blacksmiths would usually prefer the latter, but Lisbeth had chosen the first one since she had no intention of joining a guild.

Ilsamor then added with a smile "And would I be wrong if I said especially lately there is an increase in major guild invitations to you?"

Lisbeth nodded "Yeah, there is actually. But how do they know I have chosen the Gods' Blessed Hammer and not the other one?"

Ilsamor pointed his back "Well I think it is partially my fault. Divine Steel is considered as an exotic material too. So, umm, sorry?"

Lisbeth laughed "Well you have been forgiven mister. So, it is due to that knowledge, eh? Then it seems I need to tell them my position. Would you be interested to declare me Swords official blacksmith?"

Ilsamor seemed surprised "I would be honored but what made you give that decision?"

Lisbeth closed her eyes "Ilsamor, before our meeting at, you know, seven months ago I was here. Then when you struck a deal with me for your guild I was still here. I have never changed actually; with a bit of inexperience, I had chosen that skill before guilds made their preference. And while they were not here, you were Ilsamor. I am not saying they were all like that, but I was mostly ignored. Then again you trusted me to forge your main weapon, and Champions always treated me with kindness, even when I fail to upgrade their weapons multiple times. It seems only fair that if you make it official."

Ilsamor smiled and closed his eyes. "I see. Thank you then Lisbeth. Then you will be free to use the temple's forge whenever you wish."

"Thanks, but Ilsamor you still didn't answer my question. Why do you keep finding these rare materials?"

This time it was Ilsamor's turn to sigh "Lisbeth, you know at the beginning I had one of the strongest sets in the game and every type of equipment loot was forbidden to me. I had no problem with power and had to satisfy my player instincts with something. So, with Argo's help, I searched rare material drops and spend my free time to farm them. Luckily they became useful in the end…" He stopped and laughed "You know it seems like born of philosophy. They had become philosophers just because with one way or another they found time to think on things people are too busy to think about. Likewise, I had no problem in power, so I used it to farm rare crafting materials."

"Seems so. Hey, this one doesn't have a drawback like the former, right?"

"No, because it doesn't have such a very rare advantage either. Just it is a bit hard to handle, or so I heard. I think it just has a higher STR bonus chance."

Lisbeth stood up "Okay then, when you arrive at temple leave your stash at forge's table. I will go there when I find time and forge it. But isn't your weapon will attract attention towards you?"

"Nope, just because weapon is in a blueish color that doesn't mean it is made from Aquamarine. There is a variety of metals which can give blue color to weapons. I think we will be fine."

"I see… Then I can start forging in morning."

"Thank you, Lisbeth. Have a good night."

"Okay, is everyone ready?"

Ilsamor stood near Kirito nervously while Heathcliff made his usual speech before the raid.

Kirito looked to Ilsamor "Ilsamor are you alright? You seem a bit nervous."

Ilsamor slowly nodded "A bit. It will be a tough fight Kirito. I cannot guarantee no one's safety and right now I don't have my old strength. I know I have already fought in raids without it but this one… This one scares me."

Kirito gave him a friendly fist to shoulder "Well don't die on me Ilsamor, you know you still owe me a sword."

Ilsamor chuckled "Well then, what would you say if I leave the last attack bonus to you? Think you'll get lucky?"

Kirito unsheathed his sword with his usual smirk "Well, one way to find out."

Ilsamor nodded and pulled his first replacement sword from his back, Dawnblade. "Let's put this six armed giant to six feet under ground.

A/N: Hello and sorry for my long absence, I was busy with lectures and few PC games trapped me. Unless something really unfortunate happens I intend to continue this story until its four-book-planned adventure. As an apology I will give you title of next chapter:

"Last String That Binds Us"