Sothercrois Empire

"So this is Sothercrois," I remark as I gaze out to the thick, humid forest below the cliff Eydis and I stand on. "It's so lush despite being so close to the capital." When I was originally here, Centoria was not as large as it is. It could be classified as a large village, but I do not recall if the city was divided into parts around a central location. I think that to say that Sothercrois, or what was Sothercrois back, was far from the forest it is today, either due to 200 years of time between my past and present logins or my adventures never taking me this far south.

"First, let's go to Renault's Apiary, where the sighting was." Eydis turns her head west, gesturing to a general area of land. "It should be down this road, down a path to the right."

"Right. Renault's Apiary. Let's get a move on." It doesn't take us long to make it down to the apiary, but it was a quiet walk. On my part, I am more interested in the flora and fauna than the human with me, but in my defense, Eydis is not too interested in me either. We didn't talk on the ride to the south gate either. Guess first impressions stunk for both of us. Yet, we're both swordsman and swordswoman, our blades will impress each other soon. I have no idea what to expect of an Integrity Knight, but if Eydis, Alice, and eleven others gave Kirito trouble on his ascent to the top, I have high expectations. I bet Eydis, based on my recommendation from Cardinal and my earlier display of the Sacred Arts, has similar expectations.

"According to the report, the beast was spotted somewhere around here," Eydis informs me.

"I see nothing."

"Magical beasts are rarely spotted near towns. Integrity Knights defeat the beasts so that most people never come across them. Since it's not here, the beast may have moved elsewhere."

I nod. "Right. Let's widen our search a bit… Hey, you see that?" I point up to the sky where I can see thin streaks of purple light.

Eydis steps to my side and nods her head. "Yeah. I did not see it earlier. I wonder what it is. It's close by, maybe our beast is in the vicinity. But before we go," Eydis faces me and folds her arms, "if we're going to be partners, we should know how each other fights, you agree?"

"I do agree. I will start." I hold my hand up, letting a few of the elements glow on my fingertips. "In my world, I would be called a Mage Knight, which is a fancy term for a person skilled as a swordsman and in the arts. But my true worth is the Sacred Arts. With it, I can summon arts without vocally calling for them and I can still use arts in an area devoid of sacred power. Thus is my Incarnation, Alfheim. As for my sword, in conjunction with my arts, I have quite the repertoire. I can imbue my arts on my sword, such as setting it ablaze or firing a concentrated blast of wind. But my most powerful move is my Perfect Weapon Control. My sword, Falchion, was forged with seven pieces strong in each element, Aqueous, Aerial, Cryogenic, Crystalline, Luminous, Metallic, Thermal, and Umbral, and brought together to form this weapon. I think it is better to see what it can do rather than me tell you, but I will only use it on an enemy."

"An Incarnation that allows full mastery of the Sacred Arts anywhere and a blade that is born from the elements itself. Makes my sword seem kind of lame. My proficiency is the Umbral elements, with my Perfect Weapon Control allowing me to use the power of shadow sleeping in my sword, the Dark Slash Sword."

"Doesn't sound lame at all. I might seem unbearably powerful, but I do have my limits. I'm a jack of all trades, master of none. I may have mastered the arts but I haven't specialized in them. Your Umbral arts may be able to beat mine. While not speaking out my arts allow for slightly faster summoning, I still have to think out the entire incantation, and I cannot hide each step of such incantation. It's least time-consuming at best."

Eydis cocks her head and smiles. At first, I assume it to be genuine, but then it turns to laughter. "Oh, and here I was thinking you could easily defeat the commander with a power level similar to the Administrator's. Oh well, for all that talk you're just a slightly stronger Integrity Knight."

I sigh. "That might be true, but it's also been two centuries since I last fought in this world. Or, for me, a few weeks. It wasn't easy using my power then, so I'll have to get reacclimated. Fortunately, my bladework is impeccable."

Eydis snorts again and leads the way towards the purple lights. "Sure, Mr. Mage Knight." Well, even if it is scrutiny, at least she's talking to me. I think we are going to be seeing lots of each other in the upcoming weeks. I follow after Eydis to continue our investigation.


"What is this?"

"A flower… I think?" I raise my eyebrows at the sight of the enormous, very unnatural plant in our path. It is the source of the streaks, and by the looks of it, not a resident of the forest. "I've got a bad feeling about it, though."

"Yeah… Let's take a closer look."

We step closer to the plant, Eydis standing a few feet back while I go and touch one of the vines. It's sturdy and all...and there's a weird, purple colored core underneath the flower. In plant anatomy, this would be where the ovum is. Something about the core… "No, it can't be…"

"Jaymes!" Eydis points to our right, where a gathering of some sort of energy manifests a cat-like creature. I bet that's our magical beast. Eydis draws her katana and twirls it onto her stance. "It's coming! Brace yourself!" Before I can ask our strategy of attack, Eydis shoots off against the beast. Midway to her target, I watch as Eydis makes two shadow copies of herself. The first copy distracts the beast and gains its attention, allowing the second copy to strike the beast's vulnerable side. The real Eydis slashes the first wound, forming a large gash on the beast. The battle is over immediately as the beast drops on its side and disintegrates into a golden mist.

"She's good. I didn't even draw my sword." I move my eyes from Eydis to the decaying beast, then to the trail of sacred power (the mist) flowing towards the flower. "It's...absorbing...Sacred Power from the atmosphere? Yes, the power here is not as strong as it is at the apiary."

"So the flower has the power to absorb resources," Eydis follows up. "I heard stories of a tree in the far north that could do the same, but it was cut down two years ago."

"Yeah, this might be a similar phenomenon, but one difference. There's a malevolent presence within this plant… The Administrator's will."

"The Pontifex? Hmm, So if this flower shares characteristics with that Gigas Cedar, might that mean it was created by the same person who made the Cathedral Cedar?"

"Yeah, I agree. This flower has something to do with the Administrator. and the magical beast is probably in the same boat."

Eydis faces me, her hand tapping the hilt of her sword. "There might be other beasts. Shall we look into it more?"

"Yeah. We might learn something about the flowers."

"Which way will it be, Mage Knight? The Sothercrois Empire is a big place. There's no point in searching blind."

I scoff at Eydis use of my class' name. "Why am I in charge, you're the Integrity Knight."

"But I feel you have leadership skills, and besides, I may be an Integrity Knight, but I am still a lady. You wouldn't let harm come upon me, would you?"

I close my eyes and sigh. "Says the girl who leaped into battle alone… Fine. Let's get out of here and look elsewhere. Any suggestions?"

"Let's head for the bridge to the east on the way to the bee yard. I heard there's a cave right on the other side. Why don't we search there?"

"Sounds good. Our destination is the cave to the east beyond the bridge. We'll head there and gather info about the flowers and beasts.


"This must be the entrance to the Eastern Cave you mentioned," I tell Eydis as we approach a large opening in the rockface. We haven't come across any dangerous wildlife between the mysterious flower and here, so my hypothesis stands on the magical beast threat being neutralized.

"Sure looks like it," Eydis replies. "We might get attacked by a beast-like before. Be careful."

Clicking my tongue, I walk into the mouth of the cave. "Seems you got a good handle on the beasts yourself."

"Oh, that was nothing special. I simply am used to fighting alone, that's all. But I can tell you're used to fighting alongside others like Kirito."

"Yes, though not primarily him. There are others I have been grouped with, so I never really fought alone a lot unless I have to. But why don't you fight with the other knights? Matter of fact, where are the others?"

Eydis sighs. "To answer your first question, some of us were posted in the kingdoms. My domain is the eastern kingdom, but we've been pulled back to help with the Anti-Cedar Task Force. So, besides a few times, I am usually in the east, not in the capital. I wish I could bring Cutie with me, though... Oh, to answer your second question, the ones that are awakened should be in the capital. The rest...are within the tree in stasis."

I frown at the thought of fifteen knights sealed away and inaccessible. For those that are awake, including Eydis, it is the thought of them fighting for a woman who took their memories and repurposed them as her puppets. Yet...I've only met two, Alice and Eydis, and for "puppets", they have their own personalities. Maybe calling them loyalists instead of puppets is the correct term. However, that's just as strange to say as well. Kirito broke the Taboo Index and fought the forces of the Axiom Church; Alice and the Knights should not be harboring a criminal, soulless or not. Eydis has not condemned me for connecting the flower to Quinella either. None of the knights are not assisting Administrator with whatever her plan is. If they're not mindless puppets or unyielding loyalists to the Pontifex, what are the Integrity Knights now? "Eydis, may I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"...I'm sure Kirito talked about Administrator's true intentions to you back then. What is your current opinion of Administrator?"

"Hmm… To be perfectly honest, I don't really have one as of now. What Kirito, Alice, and Cardinal have said may be all true, it may be all false. The Cathedral Cedar, whatever its purpose is, I want to find out everything possible before I make a judgment. Is she all good? Probably not, but that doesn't make one evil, right?"

"No. Even good people do bad things."

"What about you? From the outsider's perspective, she must seem evil."

I shrug. "Not really. She...reminds me of someone other 'god' in another world I visited. What he did was definitely evil, no debate about it, but the result of it...ironically, brought so much good. I wouldn't fault you for thinking Administrator is a good person or the opposite."

"Thank you… Look. More of those streaks"

I follow Eydis' gaze down a spiraling depression to see another flower at the bottom. "It's just like the flower we've been looking for."

"Could it be some kind of fruit?"

I nod and hold my hand out. "Let's get a closer look. System Call: Generate Aerial Element. Tailwind. Discharge." The power of wind surrounds us and we leap down, landing safely on the lower level. Once we set foot on the ground, we walk over to the flower and take a look at the core, or, if we're going to be biologically correct, the fruit. Within is a swirling dark mass that pulses and folds on itself. Is that thing… Earlier, the magical beast appeared out of thin air near the flower. That means… "This is...a beast!" Dark energy escapes the flower, causing Eydis and I to step back and draw our swords.

"Are you saying it's making beasts inside that fruit? Woah!" More energy explodes from the flower, causing the appearance of a large, seven-eyed, lion-like beast. Eydis looks at me and nods. "Show me what you're made of, Mage Knight!"

I nod and take the lead. I form several arrows of fire around me and launch them at the lion's face. As the arrows scald its man, the eyes of the lion flash furiously as I underneath its belly. My sword glows with a sword skill, Horizontal, and I slash each knee, toppling the beast. "Eydis!"

"Umbral Slash!" Eydis swings her blade at the snout of the beast, causing a huge dark beam to cleave sagittally through the beast's body. Two halves of a whole, the beast is defeated with ease. Sheathing my blade, I turn to Eydis, who glares at the flower with apathy. "What is this? I've never heard of a fruit that bears beasts. But this does bring us closer to the truth."

"Right. The beasts come from the flowers. I must admit, it's scary to think that beasts are being grown under the ground. We have to find the flowers and cut them down to stop the spread of beasts."

"Could they also be from the Pontifex's Incarnation power?"

"Yeah, that would make sense. Cardinal called it an obsession with life. It's powerful enough to raise beasts… What could the Administrator be planning?"

Eydis sighs and turns her back to the flower. "We found the source of the beasts. Let's tell Cardinal and the commander."

"Right. We'll alert them from the capital. I'd like them to see it for themselves."


The call is answered by Cardinal, Alice (much to Eydis' happiness), the commander of the Integrity Knights and the task force, Bercouli Synthesis One, and the vice commander, Fanatio Synthesis Two. Eydis whispered to me how the latter used to wear her mask so that no one would know she's a woman, but her fight with Kirito changed all that. Seems he learned to respect a woman's wish for a fair fight outside of Asuna. I, however, am more interested in Bercouli wearing a bathrobe.

We show them the plant in the cave, and it is Fanatio who speaks first on it. "Wow, it's so…"

"Ominous," Alice finishes. "The beasts come from the flowers? I'm convinced."

Cardinal agrees. "Hmm, yes, I do indeed sense the Administrator's Incarnation in it."

"All this plant and flower talk is confusing," I say. "Why don't we give it a name?"

"Good idea," Eydis says. "Do you have one in mind?"

"It's kinda similar to the Cathedral Cedar but smaller. How about 'Mini Cedar'?"

Eydis shakes her head. "Isn't Cedar a bit of a stretch? It doesn't even look like a tree."

"Good point. This is tough. There's gotta be a better name we can use. What would that dumbass say…"

Alice holds a finger up. "How about Calamity Plant?"

"'Calamity Plant'... Sounds fitting since it's in Engli-I mean the Sacred Tongue."

Eydis giggles and holds Alice's head to her own. "Calamity Plant… I like it. You're so creative, Alice!"

"Let's call it the Calamity Plant, then. I don't know the command, but she's using the Calamity Plant to create beasts."

Alice removes herself from Eydis and faces Cardinal. "So if we cut the flower, it will stop the beasts from appearing?"

"Yes, I believe we can assume so."

Fanatio folds her arms. "But...we might not be able to cut it, just like the Cathedral Cedar."

"We don't know that for certain. The Incarnation aura of the Calamity Plant is weaker than the Cathedral Cedar's. Just as Kirito, Alice, and Eugeo worked together to claim victory at the top of the Central Cathedral, if we combine wills to defeat the Administrator, we may be able to cut it. However, we don't have Kirito or Eugeo to do such a thing… Jaymes."

"Alright, let's give it a shot." Drawing my sword, I focus on defeating Quinella and repeat the Horizontal sword skill again, cutting just above the fruit. My sword cuts through in one swing, and the flower bursts into Sacred Power.

"Effective indeed," Cardinal says. "Though, it will be difficult for everyone to create an Incarnation of that level."

Bercouli nods. "Yes, loath as I am to admit it, we Integrity Knights may not be up to it. The Pontifex's misdeeds aside, the command of the Piety Module remains. Deep down, we can't oppose her. We can't summon the will to cut the plant."

Alice looks away. "Then I won't…"

"No," Cardinal says, "you are exceptional. By losing your right eye, you have gained the will to defy the Axiom Church. Neither a Piety Module nor the Taboo Index can stop your just will. Jaymes, you are also exceptional."

"Because I am from the Real World?"

"Yes. You are not bound by the rules of this world or the commands of superiors. I don't truly know what gives you the will, but you can cut the Calamity Plant."

I look to Alice. "So only the two of us can cut the plants?"

"It's the only way. The Integrity Knights will deal with the beasts in the meantime."

"Our priority is to keep the people safe. To that end we'll use the flying dragons."

"Speaking of which, Uncle, didn't you say someone flew from the cathedral? That person could have created the Calamity Plant."

"I can't say for certain, but it's likely."

Eydis smirks and places her elbow on Alice's shoulder. "We'll track them down while we find and destroy the Calamity Plants. We'll take the oh so powerful Mage Knight as well."

I sigh. "I have a name."

"While you're doing that," Cardinal interrupts, "I'll check the top floor of the Central Cathedral."

"Huh, but you told me it was inaccessible. How do you plan to get in?"

"There exists a command called 'Post-Cognition'. The senators must have used this command when they identified transgressors. It allows one to see what happened in the past at a designated place."

"So you can view the past?"

"That's right. Post-Cognition lets you see that place up to several days in the past. I can't get inside, but I can fly to the coordinates where it was."

I nod to Cardinal. "I'm counting on you to investigate the cathedral Church and deal with the beasts. Alice, Eydis, we'll continue to the Southern Empire and kill the Clamps."

Alice narrows her eyes at me. "Wait a minute. What's Clamp? Please don't tell me it's…"

"What? It's my abbreviation for Calamity Plant. I thought that was a bit of a mouthful. Why are you staring at me like that?"

"It is not a mouthful at all! Why don't you just use the real name!"

"I tried saying it out loud and in my head a bunch of times! It is exhausting."

"What kind of nickname is that anyway," Eydis shouts as she pokes my chest. "You're desecrating Alice's creativity!"

"It sounds like something Kirito would say."

I manage to hold Eydis' arms away from me while addressing both girls' issue with the shorthand. "You know what, yes, I did think 'What would Kirito say' and the idea came up. But if you want to say 'Calamity Plant' all day, be my guest."

Cardinal sighs. "I can't say I appreciate your taste, but the name isn't what's important here."

Bercouli tests the word on his tongue. "Clamp… Much less of a mouthful. I like it. The soldiers who have no skill with the Sacred Tongue will love this name."

Alice's mouth drops. "Not you too, Commander!"

"You three should get the supplies you need in the capital before you continue south. Besides that, all you know about the beasts and Clamps are their location. Rather than search randomly, you should wait for reports from the residents."

I do agree, even though I was up to investigate the south on whims. "Fair point. Alright then, let's head back to the capital."


ACTF Base

"Jaymes, let me introduce you to Ronie and Tiese. They're pages of the academy and volunteering for the Anti-Cedar Task Force. Of course, I have them watching over Kirito."

I smile at both girls warmly, but on the inside, I'm sighing at our dumb luck. Of course Kirito surrounded himself with more women and here I am doing the same. Ronie, Kirito's apprentice, is a bright-faced girl with short, brown hair and blue eyes. Tiese, Eugeo's page, is slightly taller than her friend and has long red hair and matching eyes. I immediately take a liking to them, obviously because they remind me of Rika and Nijika. Oh, I should thank them. I bow to a slight angle to my waist. "Tiese, Ronie, thank you for taking care of Kirito in Alice's absence. And before I forget, Alice, I don't believe I gave my thanks to you earlier before asking that favor. But it looks like we're going to be together for a while, and bringing this dummy along will be a hassle."

"I agree, which is why I asked this of them."

"Ah." I face the girls again, seeing the swords strapped at their waists. "Tell you what. Watch over Kirito for me, and leave your training to me."

"What?"

"No, we couldn't!"

"It's no bother," I say while waving my hand. "Ronie, you're Kirito's page, just as I once was for a short while. As his friend, it is only right I take you under my wing. Tiese, Eugeo was Kirito's friend. By extension, a friend of his is a friend of mine. So you're my responsibility too. But furthermore… I know why they were arrested by Alice." I turn my attention to Kirito, smiling slightly out the corner of my lips. "It's not the first time Kirito has...protected girls like you from men who'd do them harm. One was very personal to both of us. Even I had my fair share of dealing with one, although he took it a step further into murder… So let's say it's my responsibility to watch over his two students for the time being. Training you falls under that umbrella. Is that good?"

Ronie and Tiese look at each other and bow to me. "Yes, Master Jaymes!"

"Oi, no 'Master' stuff! I get that enough from someone else."

"Ronie, Tiese, I'm back with… Oh." I turn around to a woman in a purple and white uniform. She carries a tray with a bowl and bread on it, but her auburn eyes hone in on me. While her gaze doesn't feel threatening, it feels like I'm being analyzed and scrutinized. I thought I left Asuna back in the Real World.

Tiese clears the tension in the tent. "Sortiliena, this is Jaymes, a friend of Kirito's."

"Is that so?" She hands the tray to Ronie and walks up to me, barely an inch shorter. "You're friends with Kirito?"

"Yes. And what's it to you?"

"I am his master from the academy. And beside Eugeo, I don't recall him having many, if any, noble friends."

Oh… I guess the truth of Kirito's origins is relegated to the Integrity Knights and Cardinal. I have no idea how to explain the Real World, so I go with the answer I hope works. "I'm from another land, same as Kirito."

Sortiliena raises her eyebrow. "Oh? What land?"

Crap, crap, crap. Why isn't she letting this go? Can I somehow change topics? No, Ronie and Tiese look interested to know of their friend's origins too. Think, Joshua, think! "...Aincrad. We've from a land called Aincrad."

Sortiliena slowly backs off. "That's the same name as his sword style. I assume that's the common style there?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it is."

"But what brings you here?"

Son of a bitch. I sigh and close my eyes. "Enough with the questions, I have my reasons and they don't include being interrogated by a cute girl. But if you have any further problems with me," I tap the hilt of Falchion and smirk challengingly, "I'll be happy to see what Kirito's master is made of."

Sortiliena scoffs. "Thank you for the compliment, but cute as I may be, I'll have you know that I'm not an average swordswoman. My Serlut Style and I were top of my class when I graduated a few months back."

I bite back with equal bravado. "And I'll have you know your page hasn't beaten me in four years. If he learned something under you, then I should be entertained."

"So be it. Training yard, ten minutes." Sortiliena leaves the tent, and just as quickly, all my pride exits outside. Did I goad her into a duel or was I the one goaded? Well, I can't back down now. I look at the pages and wave them over. They might as well join, Damn you, Kirito. Damn you.