The Captive Swordsman

Chapter 15— Confrontation

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Original Title: Sword Art Online(ソードアート・オンライン)

Original Concept by: Kawahara Reki

written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: Thank you, bowpurity for the beta! An Early X'mas Gift for you guys~

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'I guess you guys could use a hand, huh?'

Leafa asked casually even as she delivered a punishing kick to the latest Salamander trash that had tried to cut her attempts to assist the group of Spriggan and Gnomes players that were struggling against them.

A few of their numbers had already fallen in battle, no doubt too weakened by their earlier fight with each other to put up a struggle against the surprise ambush.

That was the point of an ambush after all, to catch people by surprise and they had taken full advantage of it to try and wipe them all out. Only they were finding the going more difficult than they had expected as the Spriggan and Gnomes were teaming up with each other against the Salamanders together. The fact that they were actually doing quite well together was a sight to behold.

The Spriggans weren't primarily known for their combat ability and was instead known for their ways with illusions as well as treasure-hunting magic. That didn't mean that they weren't a good class for players, they were simply unpopular in general for players who wished to progress fast within the game. Which was actually quite a pity, as if one was lucky enough, a Spriggan could dig up and be rewarded with great treasures and equipment that the other classes could only dream off.

Not to mention that they were one of the five races to have the [Wall-run] ability, allowing them to actually get away with actually not being able to fly in dungeons like this one, giving them extra manoeuvrability.

A few of the Spriggans were actually doing that right now, jumping over the fireballs that the Salamanders were trying to direct at them while attacking them. Asuna also noted that a few of them had slipped away with their illusionary magic, probably to get a sneak shot at them later on.

The gnome race were most well known for their bigger and bulkier built than the other races, which meant that just like the Sylph and the Salamanders, Gnomes were the opposites of the Spriggan race who were much smaller and lighter on their feet.

Seeing that gnomes were also associated with mining, which was considered a trade craft by itself like how the leprechauns' are associated with their smithing and equipment crafting, there was another point which made them different from the Spriggans. A honest day's work for a honest day's pay versus one who was pushing their luck every single day.

Those differences however were good for patching up and complementing both strengths and weaknesses like how the Sylph and the Salamanders could be. It helped that the Gnomes and the Spriggans didn't have too much bad blood between the two races, the two groups had displayed that earlier after all by engaging on friendly duels instead of outright slaughtering each other.

Leafa imagined that the Spriggans would have partied with Gnomes who might have liked their night-vision as well as treasure-hunting skills to look for new mining sites anyway.

'We really appreciate the help, Sylph-san!'

One of the burly Gnomes shouted over the din while blocking a slash from one of the Salamanders with his shield. With him not even grunting at the effort of shoving the Salamander back with one arm, the Gnome nodded in appreciation as Leafa took advantage of the opening to slash and strike at their red-colored foe.

'They would have attacked us after they finished with all of you. Anyway the enemy of my enemy is my friend!'

Leafa smiled grimly even as the Gnome's eyes widened before he nodded in acknowledgement. But his smile was still there as he assisted one of the Spriggans who had been outflanked and was about to be set upon by two Salamanders.

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'Won't your friend need help as well?'

In the thick of combat, Leafa almost forgot about Asuna and her heart skipped guiltily as she tried to find an opening in the battle to glance at Asuna's direction. She was more than confident that Asuna could hold herself in the thick of combat without her help.

'Ah, well... about that...'

True to her expectations, Asuna was dealing with the group of players quite easily actually. Her preferred style of getting close and yet still just out of reach of her opponents meant that she was able to outmanoeuvre most of the Salamanders who wielded swords. The spear users on the other hand, were much trickier and her weapons were pretty much useless if they were able to keep her at bay. Thankfully though, they were unable to fly in the dungeon, allowing Asuna to surprise them with her speed to get within striking distance where she dismantled them like how she did before.

'I guess she doesn't need the help all that much, but it would be nice if she did get some backup.'

Leafa mumbled helplessly even as she shrugged while leaping back to avoid a rain of fireballs that tried to catch them from the front. Foolish Salamanders, don't they ever learn or to even start thinking about strategy for once?

It was only what Recon had taught her that saved her from being eliminated in a big fireball that came out of nowhere, making her last statement moot.

Recon was a scout first and foremost and even if he wasn't the best in combat, he was the best in searching, tagging and following targets. One of the things that he taught and tried to drill into Leafa unsuccessfully was situational and environmental awareness. Just like how it has always been discussed and described over the many years of strategies between scholars, it was always agreed on that if things were going too well, there was surely something wrong. One should always fear a mission that was too easy, or when things goes exactly according to plan. More often than not, it meant that something else was going terribly wrong.

Shooting a nervous glance behind her, Leafa was extremely lucky that she had suddenly been reminded of Recon's advice as she noticed that all of them, her and the remaining Spriggan and Gnome players were being herded into a large magical circle by the Salamanders.

'Don't move back any further! They're trying to take us all out in one spell!'

Leafa tensed as she gave her warning, her eyes searching for a gap in the suddenly tight wall of Salamander players that had gathered to force them to their defeat. They were doing so well too!

'Heads up, Leafa-chan!'

Or would have, if not for the now very familiar and confident voice belonging to Asuna, her... sister-in-law? Leafa felt her stomach churn in unhappiness at that thought, which was made even more off-balanced when she had to force back a laugh out of pure amusement and enjoyment at seeing Asuna striking but unfortunately not killing one of the Salamander Knights with her thrown rapier. The way that Asuna used her own rapier like a throwing knife wasn't the best way to get one's attention, but it was enough to cause the Salamanders to pause again even as Asuna dashed towards them, her two hands holding on to a two-handed spear of all things as she came to their rescue.

Looking much like an angel, an angel of death that was, Asuna broke the formation of the Salamanders and held them at bay due to the reach of her new weapon for Leafa and her allies to break through the formation.

It was an odd sight, for Asuna had abandoned the more elegant slashing and stabbing moves that she had been so good at into a more vicious style of swinging and stabbing wildly with her new weapon. It made Asuna seem like a berserker in disguise while in the past, she always seemed like she was dancing with her rapier, a deadly dance that when one couldn't follow, got hurt by her instead.

That said, Asuna's style with the two-handed spear showcased both her agility and dexterity much more for she seemed to be doubly flexible with the spear, possible due to the better reach of her new weapon of choice.

She able to dodge, parry and avoid the Salamanders even if she was in the thick of their formation right now. Between using her spear as a pivot to block while simultaneously dodging under attacks by doing a split on the floor, Asuna was also able to direct her foes attack away from her.

Asuna also showed experience with the use of a spear as well, she was familiar with her weapon and was able to determine the exact range and capability of it, something that she paid special attention to even as she stabbed and twirled her weapon in the air. Seeing that she had used targeted and exploited the weakness of the exact weapon she was holding right now numerous times, that wasn't very surprising.

In a few moments, Asuna was able to carve for herself a small area where no Salamander Player was willing to engage in battle with her even. Seeing that there were at least 4-5 players warily glaring at Asuna and ignoring the other players that were starting to regroup, that spoke volumes by itself.

Naturally Leafa and her new allies were not ones to be idle and let someone else do all the work. The Salamanders were actually very much like pest, their numbers were being reinforced to utterly ridiculous amounts. This was just too much work and too much resources trying to defeat the group of them that it didn't make sense.

Asuna had really been right after all, there could be someone who was trying to stop them from saving her onii-chan.

But she had to concentrate now or else she'll never live it down if she had fallen in battle despite all the help that Asuna had gave all of them.

'Time for the counter offensive!'

Leafa declared cheerfully even as she raised her sword in the air to rally her fellow players to attack the Salamanders en mass.

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'Thank you, you gu- I mean, girls really saved our asses back there!'

A representative from each of the two groups came to greet them. The Gnome player, a well built male player by the name of Yaki and the Spriggan player, a female named Ukurara gave their thanks even as they Leafa went around to try and revive the fallen players from the two groups.

The two Sylphs were shocked when the total headcount of the number of players who had engaged together was nearing fifty. Around twenty came from the combined number of Spriggan and Gnomes, the rest were from the Salamanders. They had managed to defeat a larger force who had tried to overwhelm them, it was a spectacular victory that had been achieved if not for that nagging doubt at the back of her mind.

This was one of the bigger engagements that Leafa personally had taken part in. Even if she was a skilled player of the Sylph, the Sylphs wasn't the type to actually engage on an all out war with the Salamanders simply because when it came to direct combat ability, the Salamanders were more powerful than they were. Battles between Sylphs depended on skill while Salamanders depended on strength. It might also be one of the reasons that Sigurd had been chosen to be the assistant of the Sylph lord.

The Sylph lord, Lady Sakuya was the perfect example of a Sylph with both her grace and finesse as well as how one could overcome game statistics to be strong in her own right as Lady Sakuya was voted into power by popularity vote after all.

Lady Sakuya was also an individual who had sneaked into the Home town of the Salamander's in an attempt to take Lord Mortimer's head. It wasn't really what one expected from a Sylph, but then again seeing how many of the Sylph players do focus on scouting and information gathering, it might be what Sylphs do best after the Spriggans.

It did showcase how Sylphs valued skill over strength in the end as Lady Sakuya had also infiltrated the city without raising an alarm till the actual attack with her partners in tow.

Apparently the Lord of the Salamanders, Mortimer had been so amused and impressed that he had allowed them safe passage out of the City after they had failed with the skin of their teeth. Who says that the politics would sour friendship or respect between players, huh?

There was however no love lost between General Eugene, the head of the Salamander armed forces, and Lady Sakuya though. The two of them were always at loggerheads due to their positions despite the grudging respect they showed for each other.

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Leafa had never participated in a battle of this scale before and it was just blown out of proportion if those players were after her and Asuna. That was around thirty players being sent to take down two, that was just too much! Perhaps she was over-thinking things after all?

'Well I did say that they might be after us... and you know the relations between Salamanders and the Sylphs, we don't get along that well. And we really didn't do that much, really.'

Leafa looked up and explained after she finished reviving one of the players. Asuna simply nodded while bowing to Yaki politely, the teenager complimenting Asuna on her skills even as she joined the conversation that Leafa was having with Ukurara.

'That and they would have gone after us when they were done. I am not going to lie about it - that should be after us... so we have take responsibility for dragging you all into this mess. I'm so sorry about that.'

Well, there goes the title of most paranoid! Leafa found herself like the other two leaders, gawking and just plain staring at the stern Asuna even as Yui popped her head out of her chest pocket to remind them that they had to get to Lugru now before it gets late.

'W-Wait, what do you mean by that? The Salamanders were after you? Just the two of you? I know the Salamanders doesn't like the Sylphs... but to go after two girls like this is just unfair...'

Ukurara sniffed unhappily even while playing with the ends of her long black hair. As female Spriggans go, Ukurara was taller than most and seeing that she was wielding a particular long sword instead of a dagger or a sword like Spriggans usually do, that was a good thing. Her outfit was also exclusively in leather, tight fitting that made her look sizzling hot.

'Still... with the two of your skills, I'm sure that they wouldn't be able to take the two of you down together even with around thirty of them unless they attacked all of you at the same time... the terrain really doesn't afford that, I'm sure you two won't get into trouble.'

Ukurara commented before scratching her head even as Yaki chuckled.

'You were probably right that you got us into trouble... But it's fine, accidents happen and it was fun, that's what a real adventure is supposed to be like! It was also much better than always going against our friends after all!'

Ukurara slapped him on the shoulder for his remark, looking quite annoyed at his dismissal of the situation. The two leaders seemed very comfortable with each other, one that spoke of long familiarity.

Yaki fit the description of a Gnome player quite well, he was well build and wielded a large butcher axe that he was able to swing around with one hand. He was also dressed in armour that was more practical in combat rather than focusing on the absurd full metal plates that the Salamanders Knight wore.

The point of how the two of them wouldn't be overwhelmed was true as well, the two of them were currently in the caves leading towards Lugru. As it was a dungeon, players couldn't fly inside and were forced to attack and engage on foot. Yaki and Ukurara also admitted to choosing the narrowest part of the dungeon besides the bridge towards Lugru as the spot for their version of a mock war between the two group of players.

It was just dumb luck and coincidence that the Salamanders had came upon the other group of players and had been forced to engage them if they were right to get to them. Unlike Asuna and Leafa, who had politely excused themselves from battle and had been ignored, the Salamanders probably looked and reacted like they were dying for a fight, that was probably how the attack broke out in the first place. Maybe it was less of an ambush but more of an accidental surprise waiting for the Salamanders that they just had to fight their way through.

'So all of you should have our thanks instead. Without your unexpected assistance, we probably won't even be able to reach Lugru.'

Asuna bowed to them deeply even as Leafa hesitated before doing the same. The younger girl wasn't totally convinced that everything happened in that way, the whole scenario seemed too far-fetched for it to be true.

But then again, if Asuna was right, the madman who had full control of the game had her onii-chan trapped in a place that no player had ever been able to reach right now.

But the question remained, why was it just the Salamanders who were after them? Even if the two of them had been the one who had taken out an entire patrol by themselves and were a credible threat by themselves, there wasn't any real reason for them to target them like this. They were putting in so much resources to attack two players who would be more than capable to defend themselves and to lash back, hard for no visible return.

So what was going on? Did Asuna somehow manage to upset the Salamanders while she was away? Sigurd was the most obvious person that Asuna had made upset, but that would mean that Sigurd was helping the Salamanders... that wasn't possible.

'Besides, why would the Salamanders be after the two of you specifically? Sure the two of you are skilled but... well, you're not the Sylph Lord... right?'

Yaki seemed understandably nervous while Ukurara just turned to have a more detailed look at Asuna and Leafa. The two of them had never seen Lady Sakuya before, and seeing how skilled the two of them were, there was the possibility that one of them were indeed the Sylph lord.

'Ohhh right, there was the story that the Sylph Lord once tried to assassinate the Salamander Lord in his own city! Maybe that's the plan here'

Yaki clapped his hands together in understanding but Ukurara rolled her eyes and said that even if that's the truth, their plan was ruined now thanks to him.

'W-We're not the Sylph Lord... Just, no.. Aha...'

Leafa managed to splutter out in shock while Asuna managed to keep herself composed while shaking her head.

'We aren't... I'm a new player, I just joined a few days ago. And we are not worthy of the comparison, the Sylph Lord is a very remarkable person.'

Asuna smiled before she continued, causing Leafa to just nod her head as she followed her lead.

'Thank you for the compliment though! That really means a lot! And why they were after us, I can think of a few reasons... but I'm afraid that I can't just reveal Sylph secrets just like that!'

Asuna quipped cheerfully but she did bow apologetically to them even as the two other players looked at each other before shrugging as one.

'Well, I don't like to pry... but if you two need help... just give us a call.'

Yaki offered with a small smile and that offer was repeated by Ukurara as she offered a hand to Asuna as well.

'You fight really well! Let's meet again! I want to see how strong you get!'

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'What do you mean earlier, Asuna-san?'

The two of them had hurriedly excused themselves as they rushed towards Lugru. It had been the right decision to help the group out, that much was sure, but at the same time it had also cost them plenty of time.

The entire battle had taken around half an hour to end, a surprisingly long time considering how Leafa felt that the battle ended much faster than it had been.

Perhaps it was just the rush of battle, where every second counted that made her feel that way. Wait, that didn't make sense either! Either way, they had to make up for lost time since she hoped to make it to the town before night fell so they could take a break, with the pace they were setting, it was more than achievable. But she was just worried that Asuna was right, that there were people trying to stop them. The faster they reached Lugru, the better for them as other players would be there as well. They were just sitting ducks out in the open and were free-game for any other players.

Perhaps they could even have time to make a mad rush towards the World Tree after meeting Lugru too, there was certainly enough time for that even if it was nearing dinner time now.

But her question now was directed at what Asuna said, that it was easy, that ALO was an easy game for them. Leafa certainly didn't think so, she had really worked really hard and spent many hours and effort to be as good as she was now.

It was certainly not easy, and therefore there was must be something that she was missing from the picture that Asuna had drawn up. There was no doubt that Asuna's skills were due to the time that she had spent in SAO, and she had to sacrifice just as, or even more time and effort than she herself had to get to this level.

Even if Leafa didn't know exactly the standards and levels of players in SAO, she did hope that Asuna was considered among the most powerful and elite players in SAO. For if Asuna was only considered an average player with the skills that she possessed, Leafa would have no choice but to admit that perhaps Asuna was right, and that ALO was just too easy for those who had participated in SAO.

But she refused to believe that, it was just not possible that there could be such a large difference in strength between players of different games that Asuna admitted to be quite similar in the mechanics.

'About... how it's too easy. Is...ALO really, easy as compared to SAO?'

Leafa asked again while looking at Asuna. The older girl had quietened down after the battle had ended, and was much more solemn than Leafa had seen her behaving. There was definitely something on her mind, but that wasn't important now. There were so many things that Leafa wanted to ask Asuna, so many things that had been delayed due to their rush to try and save her onii-chan.

Leafa hadn't mind up till now, but that comment that ALO was 'easy' was the last straw that had broken the camel's back. She was proud of her accomplishments in ALO, she was not going to just accept the fact that someone else called ALO 'easy' and ignore it.

No, this was a matter of pride and unfortunately, Leafa had sufficiently invested in ALO for her to challenge Asuna's claim.

What she wasn't prepared for was Asuna asked a question that made her pause in shock.

'Have you killed someone before, Leafa-chan?'

Leafa was aware that her brother, Kirigaya Kazuto or Kirito-kun like what Asuna referred to her as, had killed someone in SAO in the defence of Asuna.

It was one of the things that she had been unable to fully come to grasp with and had decided to shove it to the back of her mind and not think about it ever again.

'Have you killed someone before, Leafa-chan?'

Asuna pressed the question as she stopped walking, choosing to turn to look at her instead. In the dim light of the cave, Asuna's orange-brownish hair was all that Leafa could focus on as she wanted to desperately avoid the question. Even Yui didn't help her case, her niece looking on sadly even as she stayed silent in Asuna's pocket.

'Have you killed someone before, Leafa-chan?'

Asuna repeated again, this time forcing Leafa to look at her in the eye as she gripped Leafa's shoulders tightly to force her to do so.

With no other alternative, Leafa met Asuna's eyes to see her challenging her with those eyes that shone back with signs of sadness, resignation as well as fear all mixed to one.

She was afraid of the answer, but was sad as well as expectant of her answer? Why? Was she expecting a specific one?

'If you mean... Kill someone as in defeat a player, t-then yes, I did.'

There was a brief pause as Asuna studied her, her eyes searching before she shook her head.

'No, that's not what I meant... Have you really killed someone before, Leafa-chan? Have you ever... attacked with the intent to kill, to want to kill... or to fight while being afraid that you would be killed.'

Asuna's questions didn't make sense at all! In ALO, where Player-killing was allowed, one faced the fear of being attacked anytime, even from their own sides! That was not killing!

Leafa tried to explain that but was cut short when Asuna's rapier flew through the air and it was all that Leafa could do to twist her body out of the way. Asuna had missed, but she had scored a partial hit as Leafa saw the tell-tale sign of an attack being scored on her armour.

As they were on the same party, Asuna couldn't damage Leafa at all but if that hit had struck home, it would have been a winning one as it would have dealt severe damage on her.

'Then you wouldn't understand what we have to go through in SAO. When you die, you die, Leafa-chan. You don't... get another chance. It was an endless fight, a war between ourselves and Heathcliff-san... where we were putting our lives on the line every fight, every minute against that mad man... It... is something that I hate and I love... '

Leafa could believe that, for Asuna's eyes was glittering as she spoke fondly(?) about SAO even as she started moving again.

Author's Notes: Thank you for your support!