Saturday, October 3rd

At 7:30 in the morning, I made my third dive into a post-Otherworld War era of the Underworld. I came early in the morning on my own accord, but I'm not the only one here; Kirito, because he got separated from Asuna and Alice last time, logged in just minutes before me to return to the Arabel mansion. Afterward, he's to log out and wait until nine to regroup with the girls when they come.

As for Kureha, she's still asleep in the upstairs apartments in the Rath building, the two of us spending the night here instead of at home. She, too, will come down at nine, if not shortly before, then we'll make our way to North Centoria to the Arabel home.

But things went wrong from the moment I opened my eyes. Well, "wrong" is not the right word. Let's say unexpected things happened.

Back in the bedroom that Kureha and I spawned in and out of last time, I rise out the bed and walk over to the window on instinct. I wonder how many times I did this same motion when I lived in this residence after Medina took it over. I bet I stayed here because I did not want to stay in the white tower. I know one of my final memories is when Asuna, Kirito, and I reunited at the World End's Altar. Moments after the maximum phase began, I told them that I planned on staying away from them as much as possible. I might've been joking, I could have been serious. Trapped as they were, they were together again; I just said farewell to Koharu, Lisbeth, and all my friends from my world, so I felt alone.

"Is that why you went there?" I murmur to myself as I turn my gaze to the left, towards Eastavarieth and beyond. I know why I involved myself with the Dark Territory; I made a promise to a dying Commander Bercouli Synthesis One to find peace between the two worlds. I didn't originally seek the throne, but there was a "vacancy," and it was the best solution for my plans. But it took a while before my rule was recognized as valid by the Dark Council and the dark worlders at large. The same, to a greater extent, happened here when the Unification Council was born.

"Master Jaymes." Jumping in surprise, I turn around to see an aged man standing at the door. Wearing a red suit with a white shirt and red tie, the white-mustached man bows about forty-five degrees to me once I acknowledge him.

"Uh, hi."

"Welcome back, sir. My name is Orlio, and I'm the head butler of this mansion. Master Mathias and Mistress Cordelia have instructed me to attend to your needs upon your return."

"O-okay... Um... How did you know I came back now?"

"We've been checking this room every thirty minutes since six in the morning. I'm just pleased it wasn't a long period if I say so myself. Their presence is quite...unnerving." Orlio walks up me, joining me at the window. His eyes, however, do not look as far as mine do. Instead, they're aimed at the stone gate beyond the mansion's front yard, where a black car stands still. Since this is the first vehicle I've seen in over a month, it baffles me that this world, once a medieval fantasy world, has progressed to a more modern era. From the few technologies I've seen, the Underworld is not as technologically advanced as the current world is, but maybe as advanced as we were in my grandfather's time.

"Who are they?"

"The Integrity Pilothood. They're waiting for you and others of the like across the place. They've been here the last three days. It was hard hiding Lady Kureha while she visited Miss Cordelia and trained with that axe of hers."

So Kirito's encounter with the head honcho of the pilots sparked this? I'll remember to give him a bonk on the head for this. And Kureha was here training with the axe and shield she asked me for help with? No wonder she seemed somewhat skilled with an unfamiliar weapon. "Sorry for having them disturb you. Give my apologies to the Orthinanos family as well. What does the Pilothood want with me?"

"I don't have an answer, but I know your presence is requested at the space force base."

"...Could it be because I'm...who I am?"

"As far as we know, maybe. I heard Commander Eolyne did meet the Star King for a short moment." Orlio clears his throat and walks away, heading to a nearby dresser. "Speaking of royalty, the princess left this for you. She said you should recall this bracelet, given that you created it." What Orlio hands me off the top of the dresser is a leather bracelet with a white stone inserted. I recognize it, though I can't believe it survived two hundred years.

I gave two others like this to Ronie and Tiese during the Otherworld War before the Human Guardian Army split between a defense team at the Eastern Ravine led by Fanatio Synthesis Two and an advance team into the Dark Territory led by the Bercouli and Alice. I stayed behind, seeing no reason at the time that the forces heading to the World End's Altar needed me, but the girls went on with the advance group. I gave them the bracelets as a form of long-distance communication in case I needed to intervene and "fast-travel" using either girl as a destination marker.

If Sylvie gave me this, it means she must have one of her own. I guess she isn't here in the mansion. "Thank you, Orlio. Now I shouldn't keep the space force waiting."

Orlio nods. "Then follow me."

The ride to the space force base was about twenty minutes through the Cordea Plains. Now traveling through the plains again for the first time properly, I can see nothing much has changed. It's still a rural region between the northern mansion and the walls to the south. Farmland stretches for miles along the highway bordering the lengthy Rui River, so I don't have many questions for the driver, a young woman named Elgia, ranked Operator Second Class.

I didn't know whether to introduce myself as "Jaymes, Crimson Warrior" or "Jaymes, Lord of Knights," but "Jaymes, the missing Crimson Emperor" was off the table. So I kept it simple.

Something else enters my thoughts when the black sedan turns off the main road. If my memory is correct, we're a distance north of Lake Norkia and the adjacent imperial holdings of the long-gone Norlangarth royal family with the woods. A terrible cold seeps into my spine at the thought of the imperial villa. It's not my memory, but the tale of what Ronie and Tiese went through there at the hands of Primus and Noxium, two of the "First Children" my Fluctlight told me about; the first and eighth boys that made the first generation of Fluctlights at the beginning of the Underworld. What happened there would begin a long, torturous night for me, Kirito, Asuna, and the Underworld until we defeat the First Children.

Ahead of the sedan, though, is something new. A massive metal pyramid, about three hundred feet tall. Small in comparison to Central Cathedral. It might compare to Obsidia Palace, which I'm told is fifty floors tall, yet I doubt it. Impressed by the structure, I look at Elgia's reflection in the rear-view mirror. "Is that our destination?"

"No, sir."

"Oh... May I ask who designed this building?"

"His Majesty the Star King designed the base."

I click my tongue but remain careful not to disrespect the Star King...yet. "I see." I sit back and allow Elgia to continue driving in silence as we enter the massive grounds of the base through a security checkpoint. While scanning the base grounds, I wonder where we're going if not the space force's base, and I get my answer as we turn south.

The chill returns as we enter the forest that borders a briefly visible Lake Norkia to the west. Had not the emperor told me what transpired at the old imperial villa, both to the girls, a trio of goblins, and the Norlangarth's history of bloody crimes, I might not feel some apprehension about our destination.

When we finally passed through the woods and an iron gate, I was partially shocked to see the building that I was told a certain goddess split apart is still standing.

The villa is in a clearing in the center of the woods. Three stories tall, the grey stone building has a chilling aura about it, even without knowing its history. But as if to counter it, the front yard has flowers blooming despite it being the middle of winter in this world. It takes a gentle touch of the golden sword attached to my waist for me to calm my nerves as the sedan comes to a stop.

Shortly after eight o'clock, the backseat right door opens automatically, ousting me from the car. Elgia gives me one last glance and says, "We're here, Jaymes. The commander is over there by the entrance."

"Thank you." I step out of the vehicle, taking notice of the small gathering at the mansion's entrance. Because I had the past in my head, I didn't notice the two men at the base of the mansion. One of them is unremarkable to me, being that I see him every day and am not surprised to see him at all, but the other is the first time I get an eye on him. It's a tall, thin man that wears a dark-blue uniform that matches Elgia's. A cylindrical hat hangs low over a white leather mask on his head.

Upon seeing me, he tips his hat at me. "Ah, you've arrived as well."

"Uh, yes, I have." I glance at Kirito, having already greeted him this morning before our dive, then back to the man. "I'm Jaymes, a...friend of Kirito."

"Right, this is the first time we're meeting." The man extends his hand. "This is a most delightful morning. My name is Eolyne Herlentz, commander of the Integrity Pilots."

Eolyne takes Kirito and me to a tearoom at the eastern end of the mansion's second floor. My instincts are still flared as we walked through the dark mansion, so dark that Solus must've had trouble lighting the place up without manmade lights. I mentally chuckle at the thought of Sinon struggling to brighten an entire mansion with her abilities as the sun goddess.

The tearoom, however, is well-lit by the sun. Rays enter through the lattice windows on the east and south walls of the large room. I get that this is a mansion, an imperial family's at that, but this is about the size of my house's combined living room, dining room, and kitchen, and that's all the first floor is. I might be more impressed if the space and the furniture within weren't as worn as it was. Some part of me is far from it, and I guess it's because I've seen better-looking spaces across the End Mountains.

Eolyne sits his guests on the sofa by one of the windows, then disappears into an adjacent room. Kirito and I remain silent, staring at the table with some knickknacks that aren't edible, but a fragrance from the other room sweeps our nostrils. Because hunger here is completely separated from hunger on the other side (unlike in VR, where eating in-game can sate one's hunger and thirst neurologically), I realized I didn't eat breakfast before my dive, and I hadn't eaten here in three days at the Orthinanos manor.

Speaking of which, I raise my hand and bonk my best friend on the top of his head. He winces and turns at me. "What the heck?"

"You're the reason we're here. What happened to being sneaky and not causing trouble?"

"I...didn't mean to. How was I supposed to know they can detect Incarnation nowadays?"

"...Wait, what?"

Eolyne momentarily returns with something to drink on a tray. For some reason, Kirito rises, only for Eolyne to say, "You may remain seated." I keep my sigh to myself as Kirito does as asked, and Eolyne sets the tea tray down and places cups and saucers in front of us. He then pours tea into each cup, which I recognize as cofil tea. Then he sets plates down, each containing round gold pastries. We recognize them immediately.

"Are those honey pies from the Jumping Deer?"

"Yes. I'm surprised you're familiar with it."

"I ate them many times, long ago. The name popped up in the car the other day, too."

"Unfortunately, I bought these last week and kept them frozen until today?"

"Come again," I blurt out. "You...froze these until now?"

Seating himself in the one-person sofa to the right of the table, Eolyne smirks underneath his partial mask. "You have ovens in the real world, don't you?" I nod at that. Guess I know who's responsible for this method of cooking. "It's not as good as buying them fresh from the bakery, of course, but I've put lots of research into how to reheat them. Go on, eat up."

Kirito needs no further encouragement. He thanks Eolyne, then takes a sip of the cofil tea without cooling it, resulting in an embarrassing "Aaaah!" I groan as I watch Eolyne pour Kirito a glass of water to cool his mouth and throat and make doubly sure not to repeat his mistake.

The moment I bite into a cut piece of the honey pie, the fortified dam that kept my emotions in check starts to break.

The first time I had one of these pies was within the first few days I spent with Ronie, Tiese, and the Anti-Cedar Task Force. The girls took me to try out one of Kirito and Eugeo's favorite restaurants. I also learned a lot about Kirito that the Underworld logs, Cardinal, or Alice couldn't tell me, and I didn't know Medina well enough to fill in her perspective yet. Most of all, I learned about Eugeo, the boy who'd become Kirito's best friend in this world.

Listening to the stories of Eugeo and Kirito's friendship made me jealous because, until then, I held the male best friend spot in Kirito's life. We were the only boys our age in our core friend group. If I include my other male friends from SAO that's our age. Shivata and Lueur, Kirito is still miles closer to me than they are. Being the two teenage boys in a midst of teenage girls made our relationship special, so to hear he found someone else like that partially hurt. No, it really hurt me, but not because of him.

True or not, I feel responsible for Kirito nearly dying at the hands of Johnny Black this summer. Had I offered him and Asuna a ride, merely because Asuna and I live minutes apart, he wouldn't have suffered as he did. Yet...if it didn't happen, I would have never met Eydis and Medina. Alice's fate may be different too. I wouldn't be a father.

"It's good," I partly hear Kirito repeat for the second time.

"Shouldn't the legendary Star King have a better vocabulary than that?"

"I keep telling you, I'm nothing as fancy as that," Kirito shrugs. "I've told Stica and Laurannei many times that I have no memory at all following the Otherworld War. I don't even remember where I lived at that time."

"In other words, you have no evidence to deny this claim?"

"B-but the Star King ruled over two planets at once, right? That's not my style at all. Plus, the names of the Star King and Queen were stricken from all the records, from what I hear. Why did Stica and Laurannei and you think I was the Star King? Um...sir. Also..."

"Not so fast. I can't answer any of your questions if you keep asking them."

"Oh...sorry." Kirito finishes his cup of cofil tea, which Eolyne promptly refills for both of us. Kirito adds cream this time, which puzzles him. Not that there's cream to go into the tea, but the Underworld has cream to add to the tea in the first place. "That's not milk in this tiny pot, it's cream. Did the Underworld have cream before?"

"Not that I recall."

"It is said that the King and Queen discovered the process to make it."

"...Oh. Uh-huh."

"And you can call me Eolyne; you don't have to say 'sir' or 'commander.' I'd prefer to call you Kirito and Jaymes anyway."

"Sure," I say, happy to drop all formalities, though I'm internally pissed to hear "Star King this," "Star Queen that." I know that my domain is on the other side of the End Mountains, but there has to be something the Crimson Emperor did.

"W-well, if you insist, I can do that. By the way, is the Herlentz family a really famous name?"

Eolyne pauses, holding his cup en route to his lips. He stares at Kirito and me for a moment, then chuckles. "I see. If your memory only lasts until two hundred years ago, I guess it only makes sense that you wouldn't know. Well...in a sense, it is famous. The Herlentz family was founded by the legendary hero and first Integrity Knight commander, who fought the dark god Vecta in the Otherworld War with the Crimson Emperor: Bercouli Herlentz."

Sharing stunned looks and nearly spitting out tea, somehow Kirito and I internalized our surprise long enough not to embarrass ourselves. I shouldn't be surprised, I know Bercouli and Fanatio bore a child from my fluctlight, but the last name is unfamiliar. There's a lot I'm keeping from him about the knights, such as two knights he doesn't know about.

"Th-that was that old guy...er, Commander Bercouli's last name?"

"I never heard of it once."

Eolyne remains silent for a moment, then shakes his head to murmur, "So...you really have met Bercouli the Hero. I'm actually starting to feel like you indeed came here two centuries ago."

Two hundred years for them. Two months for us. Neither Kirito nor I voice that as my friend says, "Well...I really only exchanged a few words with him, at best. My partner traded blows with him in a one-on-one duel, but I was somewhere else at the time."

"Partner?" Eolyne looks at me, probably wondering why Kirito didn't address me by name. Eolyne would be right to assume I was Kirito's "partner." While Kirito means Eugeo, Eolyne is also correct to assume that I did battle Bercouli once before while separated from Kirito. Technically, it was a two-on-two duel between Bercouli and Eydis versus me and Kirito's senior from the swordsman academy, the beautiful and powerful Sortiliena Serlut.

I sense Kirito has difficulty voicing his thoughts, so I intercept. "Not me, but someone else was his partner. I did battle Bercouli though, but it was more of a ruse than anything. I spent plenty of time with him, and I know he had a child with Lady Fanatio-"

"Huh?"

"-but we didn't know them with last names. We knew them as Bercouli Synthesis One, Fanatio Synthesis Two, and so on for the Integrity Knights."

"Hmm. How should I explain?" Both of us ignoring Kirito's stupified face, Eolyne relaxes in the one-seater sofa, folding one leg over the other. "Before becoming an Integrity Knight, Bercouli was an adventurer who traveled from the capital to the northernmost reaches of Norlangarth. Did you know that?"

I nod, knowing that Kirito will not answer without thinking about the supposed origins of the Integrity Knights. I already know the truth was made public to a degree. "That's the tale I've heard about him, though it was a fairy tale told to children two hundred years ago."

"Still is. You can buy many children's storybooks about Bercouli in bookshops across Centoria. Although most of the stories were created posthumously... At any rate, before he left Centoria, Bercouli belonged to the Herlentz family."

Then Bercouli was a nobleman because only noble families like Medina's have last names. Peasants didn't always have last names, so I have no clue if Eydis ever had a last name...and if Sylvie has one.

"I see. So that's his story. But was there always a noble family in North Centoria called the Herlentzes?"

"It would make sense that you didn't know about it. The Herlentz family had no heir around the year 100 HE, and the line died out. The name was revived with the child Bercouli had with the knight's second commander, Fanatio Synthesis Two. Their child became the third commander of the knighthood and called himself Berche Herlentz Forty."

"100 HE," I muse. "I cannot say I recall meeting anyone of that name before then." That would have been after my first dive into the Underworld and around the rise of Administrator. The only name I recall from that era is Orthinanos, for I knew and befriended the first head of that household, Matthew. He's the only reason I don't hold any antagonism towards Eugeo, else I'll be a hypocrite. I don't remember much of my time with him, but it made things easier with Medina at the beginning because she knew of me too.

Kirito shakes his head as he processes this information. "So...Fanatio and Bercouli had a kid? They were...like that?"

"They were, but...how did you not know that?"

"I just...Well, the Fanatio I knew was the kind of career-driven woman who would kill any man who looked upon her bare face, so... Now I must ask how you know more than I do, Jaymes. Neither of us remembers anything after the Otherworld War."

"You're right, I don't. But..." I glance at Eolyne, wondering if I should mince my words. It's a concept that goes over any real-worlder's head, speaking to a copy of one's soul, I would expect Eolyne to express confusion himself. But I don't think I'd get Kirito to understand any other way. "My soul remains. I had it copied before our memories were wiped and conversed with it the day before me, you, and the girls went to Kyoto."

Kirito's brow lowers. "Then...does that mean..."

"Will it make you feel different if I told you that?"

"...Probably would be better if I could remember..."

"Yeah, that would be better in some regards. But even knowing what I know, it's just the two years after the Otherworld War. I didn't know the knights were replaced by pilots or anything. And I also learned..." My tongue stops there, unwilling to reveal that secret to my best friend. I could tell him, but I don't want to entangle a third person in the secret of Sylvie before Koharu knows. Given how things are going, he'll find out without me saying a word first.

"Never mind that. But I must say, Eolyne, you don't resemble Bercouli at all."

Eolyne forms a smirk. "That would make sense. I was adopted into the Herlentz family."

xxxxxxxxxx

Eolyne described his family to us. He gets along well with Orvas Herlentz, the current chairman of the Stellar Unification Council, and his adopted father. His adopted siblings, particularly his older brother, are a different story.

Eolyne, at twenty years old, was elected by the previous commander back in April (It's December in the Underworld). Eolyne could have declined the position, or the Star King could have vetoed the choice, but the king isn't around, and the young man didn't have much choice. Because of it, it has caused tension in the Herlentz family. Orvas was proud, but Eolyne's brother, a member of the ground forces, was far from happy.

It's understandable from my perspective. As an heir, I would be miffed if I had a sibling younger than me or not even related to me by blood, like Momiji, who was chosen to inherit RoboTelligence over me. Four years ago, that might not have been the case, but today it would. Furthermore, the Integrity Pilothood is the successor to the Integrity Knighthood, so it makes sense that anyone, especially a Herlentz, would love to be the leader of this distinguished group.

I wonder just how extensive his responsibilities are. The last I know of the knighthood, there were nearly twenty or so members active. I don't know if those that were still in Deep Freeze were ever woken, but if we knew how to put Selka in Deep Freeze, there's a good chance the other way around worked. Only Adminstrator, Cardinal, Alice, and Primus knew the spell words, though it was hinted I could perform it with Falchion. And as far as I know, only three more knights were added to the ranks.

"Well, you've heard plenty about me," Eolyne says. "Now it's your turn to speak."

"Uh...w-well, as long as it's something I can answer...Before that, do you mind if I log...er, bounce out...I mean, return to the real world. I"ll be back right away."

Eolyne doesn't look pleased with Kirito's asking to leave temporarily. "You're not just saying that so you can disappear for three days again?"

"N-no, not at all. I'll return in five...no, three minutes."

"Don't worry. I'll remain behind," I say to Eolyne, getting more comfortable with the increased space.

"...Very well. I suppose I cannot stop you; I have no means of keeping you here. Perhaps I will bake the second round of honey pies while I wait."

"That's a very strong incentive for me to come back," Kirito grins.

I shrug and smirk at Kirito. "I'll try to save you at least one." He nods and begins the logout motion with his left hand. Once Kirito is gone, my smile fades. I pick up my cup and drain the last of my second cup of cofil tea, then I face Eolyne alone for the first time. Part of me wants to ask about the leather mask he wears, but there are also things I didn't get to ask Sylvie about the Dark Territory. I figure it's best to ask the princess about her kingdom rather than an outsider, so I have nothing to know about Eolyne or the Human Empire.

"Can I ask you a question, Jaymes?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. What is it?"

"Have you met the princess?" I have no reason to lie, so I nod slowly, wondering if he has read my mind. Eolyne stands up to make good on his promise to heat more honey pies. "Great. It's exciting to have the daughter of the Crimson Emperor Jaymes and Abyssal Empress Eydis here in the empire at the swordsman's academy. Even before your disappearance, it was rare for the emperor to set foot on this side of the End Mountains."

"Is that so? It doesn't seem like I would have avoided this place."

"It became rare after the death of the ninth head of the Orthinanos family... You said you know of the first two years after the Otherworld War, so you know of the Rebellion of the Four Empires and the rise of the First Children?"

"I do."

"Then you know what happened to the empress, and why."

"I do." I look back at my empty cup in thought. Before encountering the First Children, Medina and I led a task force against a spike in monster activity, specifically powerful beings called Ancient Apostles. They were guardians or menaces of the world before the rise of Quinella, and her rise either had them eliminated or they went into hiding. Many of them weren't just monsters but bosses from Sword Art Online. Others were based on real-world legends, much like how ALO bosses are based on Nordic myths.

From what I learned, Eydis was sent to the Lodend Mountain region, where Rulid Village is, and probably was investigating the Ancient Apostle, the reincarnation of Illfang the Kobold Lord. She'll never succeed in her mission; she was captured by the First Children and tormented in a bid to turn her against the Human Empire. They failed - until she was taken to a woods in Wesdareth, where Medina, myself, and our apprentices Ilia Ordona and Mia Zancale were handling a reincarnation of Fatal Scythe and saw Medina and me together.

From what she told me, she only held on because she believed we'd come and save her. But seeing us happily together, not looking for her, broke her. That was the moment she succumbed to the First Children's will. Medina and I did sense her presence, but because it was a fleeting moment and we only knew it was a familiar undetermined presence, we didn't act.

I hadn't seen Medina or Eydis in six months at the time as I assumed my role as the Dark Territory's emperor. So I was happy to be around Medina but had no reason to fear for Eydis. Medina wasn't troubled much by it except for how their relationship had deteriorated in my absence. We wouldn't encounter Eydis until days after she nearly killed Renly, Tiese, Ronie, Ilia, and Mia. Ilia, Medina, and I took on the task of identifying the cause of an epidemic in Norlangarth, the source being Illfang. Just before we found that out, Eydis appeared.

Medina and Eydis dueled alone because I was already in the midst of my traveling art to return to Rulid with herbs Selka needed to medicate the sickness and to pick Ilia up. When I returned with Ilia, we found Medina injured and hanging on to her life. I was conflicted about battling Eydis beforehand, but after seeing Medina's injuries, I knew I had to face her.

After Illfang's defeat, I would do so, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt her. The First Children took advantage of that weakening me and stripped Falchion from me. Eydis would use the releasing phase of the Dark Slash Sword's power, which allowed my soul to be exposed to manipulation by one of the First Children. Momentarily, Eydis regained her senses to tell warn Medina that the First Children needed Falchion, but she fell back to their side.

Days later, Ilia, Mia, and Medina would battle Eydis again in the southern deserts, freeing her from the enemy's control. She aided us in defense of Obsidia City and the final fight against Primus and his siblings. However, she sought penance for her crimes. Because of my deal with Commander Fanatio, I spared Eydis' life against the ruling of the Unification Council in trade for her complete banishment from the Human Empire for nearly two hundred years. Based on Eolyne's words, Eydis held her end of the bargain, and I rarely crossed the border. If I had to guess what made it rare, it wasn't my determination to stray from Kirito and Asuna, but the death of Medina gave me no reason to come.

In other words, when she returned to this side of the world, it was the day I returned to the world with Alice as I promised her.

"Her sentence was exile for two hundred years. That ended recently, correct."

"Yes. But that's not why I ask you this question. Since you know of the First Children, am I correct in saying the Star King and Queen know of them too?"

"No. I haven't divulged any details of the Underworld besides what you've heard me speak of to anyone besides one other person, and all she knows is of the princess. The First Children matter remains a secret. Why bring them up?"

"After Primus and his family fell, there was a couple of years of peace until the group we call the Cult of Primus appeared. First was the appearance of Round Robin and his Four Horsemen, then a series of interconnected groups that all had one thing in common: finishing what Primus started. It eventually came to an end...until seventeen years ago. Empress Eydis, up until she sent her daughter to the academy last year, has not let the princess out of her sight. That's the rumors I've heard since becoming a soldier. I've only met her in person once since becoming the commander. I believe she thinks the cult hasn't been culled completely. I wonder if you know why that is."

"I...haven't spoken to Eydis. She didn't tell me about Sylvie or anything, and I just learned of Primus myself. But...I'm assuming you have an idea yourself."

"I believe, if the cult is alive, they're possibly involved in the incident I wish to speak to you and Kirito about."