Chapter Seventeen: Once There Was a Land of Sword

Kirito's eyes widened.

He had just heard a voice that was sweet beyond imagination, but strong beyond recognition.

It was a voice he was not supposed to hear anymore.

That voice spoke again.

"Kirito."

The night earlier, when he was still in the abyss, he had heard a voice so similar that had made him lift his head. This voice just did the same.

Standing before Kirito was Alice Synthesis Thirty.

She was beautiful.

The golden hair was blowing gently in the wind, the glittering armors were made more pronounced under the caliginous skies…and her smile, her tender, affectionate smile had just crowned her as the most beautiful woman in the entire world.

Kirito was not hallucinating. In his own words, Kirito could never create something so utterly graceful in his ugly mind. Alice was really standing before him.

Kirito did nothing. He did not even blink. He was afraid if he blinked that goddess before him would disappear.

So he stared. He stared with a trembling body but without a single word escaping his mouth.

"Kirito…"

Alice said again. She was now standing barely two steps in front of the kneeling Integrity Knight.

Kirito was not sure how much time had passed. He noticed the stars slowly began reemerging on the skies. He noticed his body growing numb from the bent position. But all that time was only barely enough to prepare him for a single word.

"Why…?"

Kirito finally muttered.

"I…I thought…you wanted to go to my world…"

Alice extended her hands.

"I do, Kirito, I truly do. Even though in Underworld, in the Human Empire also reside the people I love, I had the strength to leave. In fact, I was eager to leave because I wanted to see that world of yours which I was sure I would love. I'm certain there are things in your world that would fascinate me, I'm certain there are people, like Asuna, Sinon and no doubt countless more that are your friends and family who I would come to love. But I wanted to see it, to experience it with you, Kirito. I wanted to see what kind of a world could give birth to you. So you see, Kirito, I don't want to be there if I am not with you. I wanted to see a world of yours, not a world without you."

Kirito reached out to take her hands.

Easily and gently, Alice helped him to his feet.

It was all the reward Kirito could ever hope for. He was looking into those shimmering, happy eyes, in which he had lost himself. He was losing himself within again.

Perhaps Kirito had gone slightly delirious, for somehow, even though their hands were separated by two pairs of gauntlets, Kirito swore he could feel a burning warmth. Maybe he was crazy, maybe he was just imagining, or maybe his heart was fluttering so much, his blood boiled and his face reddened.

Kirito slowly moved his hands away from Alice's. Before the blonde knight had the chance to protest, Kirito had pulled her into his arms. It was a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant kind. Unlike the embrace earlier, Alice felt no need for a yelp, nor did she feel any embarrassment. Her face was burning with crimson, yes, but it was a shade of happiness and comfort.

The Black Swordsman…perhaps now he ought to be called the Black Knight instead, remained silent. At the moment he had no words, but in all honesty, he had too many words, millions of words, but somehow not the right words, so he stayed silent.

Alice did not speak either. There was no need. All that was necessary was that they could continue the embrace. The warmth, the security, the solace…everything finally felt right. The war, the losses, the immeasurable pains…they could never right those wrongs, but at least something beautiful came afterwards.

Alice rested her head on Kirito's armored shoulder. Resting by the crook of his neck was something she had always enjoyed during those six lonely months. Being by his side was everything she had ever desired. She closed her eyes and it was all she could do to comprehend this new reality.

Kirito hugged that beautiful woman in his arms even tighter. Slowly patting her golden hair, Kirito swore he could stay like that forever and ever. The delicate and warm body within his embrace seemed to be telling him the bleak future he had feared would never come, not while something as radiant was beside him.

He had once held her body tight too, but it was when the intensity of horror and worry had overcome him. Back then, he was too distracted, too confused to confess any feeling.

No more.

This time, with her securely in his arms, he had to say something other than the war, something for himself and something from his heart. The only thing he could begin with was two words:

"Thank you."

Alice opened her eyes again as she heard his voice. It was quiet like a whisper, but determined and sincere like a declaration, or an oath.

Kirito spoke again.

"Thank you, Alice, for everything."

Alice slightly pulled away. She happily remained in Kirito's arms, and her own wrapped around his body, but she pulled away just enough for their eyes to meet again.

Kirito probably did not know, but just as he would lose himself whenever he looked into her soft azure eyes, Alice could not escape his gentle onyx ones either. Like his sword, the eyes reminded her of the night sky.

"Alice…part of me feels like it was only yesterday, and part of me feels like we have been parted for centuries, but I am so, so glad that I could see you again. I…when I thought I was alone, when I thought I could never see you anymore, I don't even know if there are words that could describe how afraid I was. But now…here you are, and I don't have the words to say just how happy I am."

Gradually misting were Alice's eyes. Had Kirito asked her, she would have confessed just as much. But even if Kirito had asked her, he might not have gotten an answer, for all Alice could do at the moment was to nod ceaselessly and silently.

It took another eternity before either could continue, but after a pause so long and so unbearable, Kirito moved to speak again. He carefully pushed aside a few strands of those golden hair away from her eyes; one to see those sparkling stars more clearly, and two because he simply enjoyed the silken touch. Kirito took a deep breath, and just as he was about to go on, Alice interrupted him.

"Kirito…"

Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of nervousness Kirito had never heard from her.

Those eyes Kirito had so treasured were closed for several moments. Alice's dazzling face twisted slightly as she no doubt was having an internal debate.

A voice flashed across Alice's mind.

"…make sure you don't waste so much time like we did, okay?"

It was her father's voice.

It was the last piece of advice her late father had given her.

It was something Alice had promised to her father as well as herself to never forget.

She looked deep into Kirito's flickering eyes and she asked.

"Kirito…who am I, Alice Synthesis Thirty, in your eyes? Kirito…what am I to you?"

That nervousness in her voice was laid bare. In fact, it was closer to fear and anxiety than simply nervousness. But she would not shy away. Despite the blushes on her face, she kept her eyes straight and waited for an answer.

Kirito had his mouth gaped open. He blinked a few times trying to fully register what she was asking him.

But then again, wasn't I just waiting for that question anyway? Didn't I already ask myself the same?

It took him a few seconds, but Kirito reaffirmed his hug and pulled her just a little closer.

"Hope. You are my hope, Alice. You are something…someone I have been hoping to meet since I understood who I am. You are the one thing that has given me true, bright hope since I arrived in Underworld. You are also my dreams, Alice. There's a story I'll have to tell you, a story that has defined my whole life. It started in a distant land called Aincrad. Aincrad was the beginning of everything. It was there I became Kirito the Swordsman. It was there I met a man named Heathcliff, and from him I received a world-creating power called "The Seed" After I returned to my home world, I gave that power to whoever wanted it, because I was sure it was the right thing to do. But the power Heathcliff crafted was not perfect. Even in his world, a true soul, a pure human heart could not be born. And naïve as I was, I held onto the hope that one day I'll meet a true human heart. It was with that hope, that dream that I have traveled to Underworld. You are that hope, Alice, you are that dream. Every battle I've ever fought, every choice I've ever made and everything in between…led me to you.

"You taught me again what it means to be human. At the Central Cathedral, I had only one goal – to defeat the Administrator and build an army. I was so absorbed into that goal, I had failed to notice something important: how human this world truly is. Yes, I did understand, and in fact in more than a few occasions convinced my brother, Eugeo, that even the Integrity Knights he had so despised were human. And of course, I had denounced the Administrator for treating everything like her tools. But even so, I was blinded by that goal and had looked at everything with a mindset of 'Can it be used to serve us in the coming war?' While climbing the cathedral, I had become the very thing I thought I shouldn't ever be, someone who cannot sense the human heart.

"But then, you were there. When I was lost inside that self-righteousness of saving the Human Empire, we were both blown out of the tower. That night, when you told me how you felt about the nobility, when you renounced your absolute allegiance to the Administrator and had declared your will to fight, I finally understood the true humanity of this world, and of you…"

His eyes returned the same sincerity Alice was giving him and he looked once more into those beautiful azure stars, in which he would always voluntarily lose himself. He then pulled her the closest he had ever, let her head again rest by his shoulder and patted her golden hair.

"And so, Alice…what could you be to me…what else could you me to be…except the one I love."

The one I love…

This sentence echoed in both their minds and hearts.

For Kirito, it was something he had wished to tell her since that night.

For Alice, it was something she had dreamt of hearing, but never dared to hope for these past six months.

But he did say it. At long last, Kirito did confess his true feelings.

"Kirito…"

She was crying. She was quivering like a terrified lamb in his arms as streams and streams of tears trailed down.

"Kirito…"

Alice did not say anything more for the next few minutes as her whimpering continued.

A quiet fear occupied Kirito's heart. He was in absolute fear and anxiety, having not a single idea what to do now.

Did I say something wrong? I…I just wanted to tell her the truth…I just wanted to let her know if nothing else…

Kirito heard drops of her tears hitting his metallic pauldron. Just before panic could overcome the young knight, Alice finally gave a response.

"I love you too, Kirito."

This time, it was shock instead of fear that gripped his heart. He felt like he had heard her say it long ago too. Maybe it was a dream? He did not care to ponder further for he was so stunned and so ecstatic his mind might have stopped functioning.

So overwhelmed was he, he did not realize Alice had silently slipped back and was now looking into his very eyes. She had a smile brighter than the sun.

"I love you too, Kirito. With all my heart."

Alice was a powerful wielder of the Sacred Arts, but perhaps the greater power she possessed was to command Kirito's tears with her mere words. Even though her speech earlier had stopped them, the simple words she had just granted him moved him to tears again.

"…Alice…I love you, from the bottom of my heart, with my whole existence, I love you. I love you…"

Kirito felt like he could breathe again. He had been holding his breath all this time unknowingly in anxiety. But now, he was happy. A simple "I love you too" meant more to him than any other achievements. Kirito continued saying those three words for countless more times until the enthusiasm ebbed and his voice weakened.

"Kirito…" Alice carefully stroked his back. "What's wrong?"

Her love for him was absolute. She knew that, she knew Kirito knew that, so she decided not to tell him again but to inquire what was troubling a moment as happy as this.

"I was…I was thinking about the very moment when I knew I fell in love with you. It was at the Central Cathedral that I found you, truly found you, and found myself with no choice but to love you. Yet, I cannot forget the fact that is, the very reason I was there was not for myself, but my brother. It was Eugeo who was determined to find his childhood friend Alice Zuberg. It was because of him I was there. I was merely looking for a path to return to my old world. It was because of Eugeo, who was in love with Alice Zuberg, the other you, that I found myself in the Central Cathedral.

"So is it even fair? Is it fair that I should fall in love with you? Is it fair that you should give me your heart? Even though I can no longer live without you, and that the love possessing my heart right now tells me I can do nothing but accept my feelings…I…"

Kirito evaded her eyes. Despite his greatest and purest desire to burn the divine images of her eyes into his very soul, he felt as though looking into those lovely, compassionate stars any longer would defeat his will while he should not let it so. He was torn between his own happiness and the responsibility to his brother. The duel he had prayed to avoid, the battle between him and his brother took place not in front of the Administrator but in his own heart.

Neither spoke for a while. Kirito dared not speak any more. Alice, however, kept quiet because she was considering the full meaning of his words, and the true feelings in her heart. Then she spoke again.

"Kirito…Kirito…Please look at me."

Slowly and hesitantly, he did as she entreated.

As if in lieu of an "I love you", Alice cupped his face and led his eyes directly in front of hers.

"Kirito, I have yet to explain how my love for you came to be. So with your leave, I want to tell you just how it was that I find myself also in love with you. You see, at the Central Cathedral, I realized something. I realized that while Her Holiness bound me with a manufactured heart and a falsified tale, and had no qualms about our suffering, you gave me freedom. You did not force me to fight the church, you did not force me to forsake my duty, in fact, when I was presented with the consequences, you tried to convince me out of it just so I would not suffer. You told me to cast aside my rebellious thoughts so that the Right Eye Seal would not hurt me. You gave me the choice of remaining as I was or to find a path which I deem correct. That was the freedom I was never granted, until you, Kirito. And when you carried me all the way to the ninety fifth floor and was looking at me with such worry and care, my heart was melted.

"I didn't have the honor of knowing your brother, I knew he was a powerful swordsman, and I have nothing but respect for him. But Kirito, as you already know, I am not the same Alice Zuberg he was in love with. I am Alice Synthesis Thirty. I am my own person, and it is you that I love; it is you who have captured my heart. So please, Kirito, would you grant me that freedom again? The freedom to choose the man I love?"

"Alice…" Kirito whispered. He had to pause until his heart could calm.

"You truly are the human heart I fell in love with. You truly are my hopes and dreams…I love you, Alice. Not as a powerful knight, not even as a distant wish I have had since my Aincrad journey, but as the woman who I will always admire and need. I love you."

The two knights once more found themselves looking into each other's soul. Their hands tangled and their bodies barely separated. Their world was saved, their love had been declared and all their fears, worries and uncertainties had just been wiped away.

Then, with first a shock for Alice and then tearful eyes, Kirito closed their agonizing distance and kissed her.

Underneath that vast, comforting night sky, Kirito's lips were greeted with Alice's soft, eager ones and they remained intertwined and happy for as long as it was needed. Light, humming metallic clanking escaped as their armors crashed into one another, but the knights paid them no mind and with closed eyes continued their long overdue kiss.

Kirito held Alice as close as he could. His powerful arms wrapped around her delicate waist and he made sure they would remain as one. While letting Kirito's lips claim hers, Alice managed to place both her hands around his shoulders too and deepened the kiss with all her might.

It was a moment they would never forget for the rest of their lives, ones which they were now determined to spend with each other.

They had nothing more to fear, their love was reciprocated and that was all they could ask for in this now peaceful world.

One day, stories would be told of them, one day, old men would be telling stories of the war against the Dark Territory and the Death Angel to their grandchildren like those in Rulid, and they would start with:

"Once there was a land of sword…"

In that land of sword now, however, was just a love story.

All that occupied the two knights' mind was each other's touch and heat. All that they knew at the moment was how unimaginably happy they were, and how in love they were.

Eventually, after an eternity of bliss, the two slowly parted.

"I don't know how many times I've said it already…but I love you, Alice."

She gave a small chuckle and let the final tears drop. "I love you too, Kirito."

Their held hands lingered, but the pair slightly stepped away from each other. In unison, they both turned towards the boundless crimson desert. It was barren, but a sea of red crafted and chiseled by the gods…who said it could not be beautiful?

"I never knew the Dark Territory could be this picturesque." remarked Alice. "I've always only traveled to the edges of the Human Empire and there fought to keep the Dark Territory's scouts away."

"Well, this is a new world we've now inherited…let's try our best to create a future without war." Kirito answered as he kept his gaze upon the land of darkness. "I'm sure that's the world, the hope that Bercouli, Eldrie, and even Quinella and all the rest who have passed on would have wished for.

"Now, then…let's go home, shan't we?"

"Oh wait!" Alice said suddenly, taking her hands off of Kirito's. "I must retrieve something first."

As Kirito tilted his head in confusion, he saw the love of his life ran off towards the white temple at the back of the island. Before a minute or two passed, Alice came back with two pretty orbs in her arms. Those were dragon eggs.

"Oh…I nearly forgot."

"Thank you again, Kirito, for saving them." Alice uttered while keeping her eyes on the eggs. "I hid them behind the altar so that the battle earlier could not harm them. Even though they can grow up to be powerful creatures, their eggs are very sensitive towards shocks."

While Alice gently caressed those eggs, Kirito failed to take his eyes off of her. The way she patted them with such care and worry, and how devoted she was to making sure the dragons grow up again…It reminded him of something.

Mother…

Blushing profusely, Kirito diverted his gaze and silently berated his imaginations.

Maybe, one day, instead of dragonets, it would be our own…

Alice noticed his unusual quietness. "Are you alright?"

"Oh…um…yea. You ready?"

"Ready? For what?" Alice was in turn confused.

Kirito gave her a little smirk, just enough to remind her of that time he pulled out the buns from his pocket.

"Kirito…?" Alice asked with some exasperation but also a hint of amusement. "You're about to do something crazy again, aren't you?"

"Heh, hold onto those eggs tightly, Alice, I wouldn't want them to get hurt."

Even more perplexed, she hesitantly did as told, but narrowed her eyes, preparing for whatever Kirito had planned next.

With a whooshing sound, Kirito's now majestic golden dragon wings were spread again. And before she knew it, Alice was quite literally swept off her feet and was carried, in a bridal style, in Kirito's arms.

A new shade of crimson took over Alice's face as she looked up to Kirito's own, who was then grinning in an impossibly charming manner.

"You idiot!" Alice squealed. "You could have warned me!"

"You don't like it?" Kirito protested in a half-sincere hurtful tone.

"I didn't say that…"

They smiled eventually, but did not say anything more.

Those powerful wings flapped, and carried the two knights back to the Human Empire.

The night sky was receding.

Contrary to how abrupt it came to be, Kirito's darkness did not go out like a blown candle, instead, the onyx cover gradually shed itself of the heavy shade and began mixing with the original ones.

In the Human Empire, the skies gained a new blue every one or two minute. In the Dark Territory, the blackness amalgamated with the fervent red sky, creating a pulsating violet that none below failed to marvel.

When Knight Renly saw the stars moving southward and having heard the heaven-shaking explosions moments later, he smiled in gratitude. Even though he did not see it himself, even though he did not witness that final victory of humanity over evil, the sudden icy wind accompanied by a fresh, tree-like odor proclaimed to him Kirito's triumph. And in the knowledge that their savior would head up north eventually, Renly led his forces back to where the Eastern Gate used to stand.

Kirito was carrying his beloved in his arms while flying across the vast Dark Territory. By the time they flew past the Southern Ruins, Renly and the surviving members of the Human Empire Army had already returned.

Seeing the abandoned field, the unpleasant memories returned to both knights.

"You know, Alice, in my old world, there's a very famous story about a general." Kirito remarked while he kept his eyes straight forward, leaving behind the former battlefield. "He fought a great war, but in the end, he lost nearly his entire army. Of the hundred thousand he had under his command, a mere twenty six remained. He had the chance to return home, but in shame, he killed himself."

"Kirito…"

Noticing her concern, he gave her a smile instantly.

"Don't worry, I do still feel guilty, perhaps always will, but as long as we do our best in future, as long as you're with me…I think I can move past that."

Alice nodded and returned his smile.

"Hey look!" exclaimed Kirito suddenly. "I didn't know it could do that!"

Following his gaze, Alice turned to the skies above. And certainly there was something magnificent.

The summoned night undulated and each wave arrived with a stronger violet tide. Slowly but surely, the reddish shade gained strength; the land of darkness was recovering from the Final War.

All of Underworld was recovering.

By the time the two knights had arrived at the erstwhile Eastern Gate, the sun was almost up. It did not rise from the east like any other morning. Instead, one lone star in the sky gradually shone brighter than all the rest before it had overpowered them.

Kirito's night sky, sired from his need to protect Underworld, finally slipped away, indicating the advent of peace.

Alice saw a gathering crowd when Kirito started their descent. All surviving members of the Human Empire Army congregated, and at the front stood Vice Commander Fanatio and the other Integrity Knights.

First a huge wave of hurrahs as Kirito at last stood on firm ground, then he heard the Fanatio's sincere welcome.

"Welcome back, Lord Kirito."

At which point she, the knights and every single soldier knelt. It was an act of absolute loyalty, one which they had only ever sworn to Pontifex the Administrator.

Kirito was to be their new sovereign.

Kirito himself was stunned. He had neither the ambition nor did he think the ability to take on the Pontifex's duties. Gently, he let Alice stand on her feet again but remained silent as he looked at the assembled soldiers. He was simply speechless.

"Please, stand up, there is no need!" Kirito anxiously called out after another moment. "You all deserve my undying respect, so please don't prostrate yourself."

He then softly pulled up Fanatio's arms.

"And you especially, please stand to your feet. I won't have you kneeling before me."

Seeing that, the rest of the army slowly rose up. This time, Kirito himself bowed slightly.

"This victory, that our two worlds were saved was not something I could have done alone. It was me, and also everyone. So…thank you, really."

Some of the soldiers applauded immediately, some hugged their comrades and friends and some cheered. In any case, Kirito was glad to see the unbearable tension finally began to melt and a more relaxed atmosphere taking its place.

Alice beamed him a smile. "Apparently you are Lord Kirito now."

Kirito could only grumble in response.

"I should think this fits you very well, Lord Kirito." Fanatio went on. "You are, after all, the Restorer of the Night, the Star Emperor."

"Please…don't."

The young man could not even look at her in the eyes and tried to avoid saying anything more. Sensing his distress, Alice wrapped her arms around his and supported him wordlessly.

"Well, I… truly thank you for your trust, but… I'm supposed to be only an Elite Disciple, you clearly outrank me. And as said, I could not have defeated the Death Angel without everyone's help, so please, at least don't address me like that."

Kirito finally said after some considerations.

Fanatio bowed, but refrained from kneeling. "Very well, Kirito. With your permission, I shall address you with your first name. But I must warn you, the same enthusiasm might not be held back when we return to Centoria. What you have achieved can only be explained as divine, as the kind of power succeeding the Pontifex. I am sure the entire Empire will revere you no less than it did Her Holiness."

The frustrated young knight pinched the bridge of his nose and turned towards the woman holding onto his arm. "I have no idea what they're going to make me do when we go back, but I swear you're not getting away from any of it either."

"Well then." Alice grinned. "Integrity Knight Alice Synthesis Thirty here at your service!"

The pair froze momentarily before laughing together.

Kirito's eyes then lit up, as if remembering something important. He turned towards Fanatio once more and regained a serious tone. "Fanatio…even though it all happened in a flash, when the strength of all Underworld reached out to me at the end of that battle, I heard prayers. Every person there is, I heard their wish…I heard yours too.

"I hope you do not consider it too late, but I do wish I can offer you my most sincere sympathies."

Fanatio's relaxed face tensed up suddenly, the sharp pain of Bercouli's passing again struck her heart. Kirito went on.

"Even though the commander is no longer with us, I think you should know, at the final battle, I felt his strength by my side. So I'm sure Bercouli himself heard your wish too."

"Is that so…? I see…" Fanatio whispered as tears once more formed in her eyes. That young man she had bet all her hope on was even more of a hero than she had expected. "Thank you, Kirito."

"Oh, and Fanatio? I suppose congratulations are in order." Kirito smiled warmly.

Fanatio paused for a second before understanding his words and nodding with gratitude.

"Of course you knew…thank you, Kirito."

Alice looked back and forth between Kirito and Fanatio, not quite making sense of the situation.

"Congratulations?"

Kirito looked back at her with certain amusement. "Well…I suppose it's not really my place to explain."

"Alice…" Fanatio spoke up. "Even though Lord Bercouli has left us, he did not leave without granting me one last gift."

Her tear-stained face shone with happiness as she directed Alice's gaze toward to her gauntleted hand, gently rubbing her belly.

"I'll devote the rest of my life to see him grow up as strong and as gallant as his father."

Alice's eyes widened and she covered her opened mouth with her hands.

"In the name of Stacia…you're pregnant!"

Alice remained speechless as she tried to process everything.

Lady Fanatio is with Father's child…

"Congratulations, Lady Fanatio!"

"Oh please, no need for such formalities, Alice. We're a family in all but name now. You're no less Lord Bercouli's daughter than is the child growing inside me his son."

Kirito and Alice both stared incredulously at Fanatio. Eventually, Alice asked. "Lady Fanatio, how are you so sure that it is a son you are carrying?"

Fanatio considered a bit in her mind before saying. "Mother's intuition."

The two young knights had total disbelief on their faces, but remained quite speechless, so Fanatio continued. "Now, don't look so surprised, Alice. I'm sure one of these days you'll understand this yourself."

Before the blushing Alice could offer even a single word in response, Fanatio noticed with a grin that the two heroes of the Human Empire were stammering incoherently.

"I did say Kirito would come back no matter what, did I not? And for you, and you alone no less. So I suppose it is my turn to congratulate the both of you…for your new found love."

A quiet "thank you" was muttered here or there as Alice's face reddened all over again. Initially shocked, Kirito pulled his lover closer to himself before also returning the compliments to Fanatio. "Thank you."

"Young man," a coarse voice nearby drew his attention. It was Deusolbert's. Kirito was relieved to know the older knight had listened in earlier and therefore refrained from addressing him as grandly as Fanatio had.

Deusolbert went on once Kirito looked at him directly. "You will find what I am about to tell you repetitive soon enough, for every single person in this world shares this sentiment, but…thank you. I am saying this not just because I am grateful you have saved the whole world in this great war, but for something you have done months ago. Back in the Central Cathedral, you could have killed me, or allowed your partner to take my life. Even I asked that of you. Yet you did not. You insisted I be spared, and for that I am profoundly thankful. It is because I was spared that I can continue to live and remember my past. That's why, young man, thank you."

Alice obviously was not told this part of Kirito's story, for she stared wide-eyed at Deusolbert's tale. She turned her gaze towards Kirito, who then nodded calmly and replied. "You are alive today, not just because I thought you should live. Before Eugeo and I continued upward, I told you to decide your own fate: whether to accept Her Holiness' punishment or to chase us down. You chose neither and continued to live. You owe yourself thanks too, for choosing to learn from your mistakes and to continue living." Kirito paused a little pensively. "But if you feel in any way to repay not just me, but also yourself for your survival, I would like to ask this of you: think not just on the past, but also the future. We should always remember our history…I of all people should know that, after all that has happened, after all the pain and suffering, there are lessons I don't ever want to forget, beautiful things I will always hold dear. But I think I will move forward…for myself, and for those I love."

"I see." Deusolbert said after giving the suggestion some thoughts. "I will certainly remember your words."

And speaking of future…

Kirito looked at Alice from the corners of his eyes.

The Integrity Knights will need a new commander…perhaps Alice…

"The two of you!" Kirito's concentration was broken as Alice suddenly leapt from their semi-embrace and took two steps forward. "Have you been causing trouble again?!"

"Ouch! That's not fair, Alice!" Fizel exclaimed at once, feigning a playful hurt. "Why do you suppose we have been doing anything like that?"

"Yea that's right!" Linel added. "You were the one gone for six months, you know? We did no such thing!"

"Hmmm…" Alice narrowed her eyes, pretending she did not hear that last remark by Linel. "I could always ask Lady Fanatio if that's the case, you know?" Stretching the last two words in a sarcastic tone similar to Linel's. "Whether or not the two of you have obtained your Divine Objects ought to tell a lot about your behaviors."

The two young apprentice knights visibly cringed, a tell-tale sign that they have lost yet another argument.

"Oh, the three of you already know each other well?" Kirito asked, feeling curious.

"Oh yes, well enough." Alice answered with certain amusement. "Even as we were still serving Her Holiness these two have been most definitely the most rebellious ones, quite to Father's annoyance as well."

Fizel and Linel appeared shocked for a moment, hearing how unreservedly intimate Alice addressed their former commander, but they then stuck out their tongues as protest to her not-so-subtle accusation. Alice went on to berate them on some other trivial issues, and each time yielding almost the same results.

Observing their interactions, Kirito found it hard to suppress his laughter. "I certainly wish I had known about this side of the Integrity Knights before I started at the academy."

The three female knights then turned towards him, not knowing quite what to say. Before Alice had the chance to defend herself, her younger counterparts cleared their throats. "Lord Kirito, there is something we want to ask you." The two of them eyed each for a moment before continuing. "That time when you outsmarted us but spared our lives, you told us to watch and see just how powerful true Integrity Knights are…was something we keep thinking about. And after all this, I think we finally get what you meant. So, you know…could we ask you to train us, so that we can one day really become the kind of Integrity Knights Fanatio or Alice is?"

"I am not sure how exactly this would work…" Kirito answered, after having suppressed the vexed feeling about his newly arranged title. "But yes, if you are really ready to take on the responsibility of an Integrity Knight, then I won't mind sharing what I know." Stopping the two apprentices before they could speak up, Kirito gestured with his palm. "That said, there will be two conditions: one, my style is…a little unrefined, so I want you to also learn from Alice. If she has rules for you two, you'd do well to respect them, especially those related to being proper knights. And two, I don't think I will be returning to the academy, and Tiese and Ronye will still need friends and mentors, I want the two of you to help them in whatever way they need. What you learn from Alice and me, you will teach them too. Can you promise me that?"

The two girls hesitated for a bit, turning to look at each other after Kirito finished, but before another moment passed, they nodded silently and agreed to his terms. Alice shot Kirito a smile and he reciprocated, and just as he was about to say something, Fanatio approached him.

"Kirito, perhaps it is time to return to Centoria."

The Black Knight nodded in agreement, taking Alice's hand once more into his, but Fanatio spoke up again before he started to his feet. "Kirito, it would not be an overstatement to say your struggle against Her Holiness changed everything. With the Pontifex as well as the Senate gone and now even Lord Bercouli… The Human Empire will need someone to take charge, to redesign the Taboo Index, and to hold everything together after the war. The advent of peace means only that there is much work to be done. Her Holiness once told me, 'The work necessary to maintain peace is more arduous than that to make it.' I'm sure we'll have to shoulder that responsibility now, for the sake of those we have fought to protect until now."

Kirito remarked mentally that Fanatio's erstwhile blind faith has evolved into her own kind of interest and involvement into handling the affairs of the Human Empire.

I guess everyone has their own reason…

"I understand." Kirito replied after giving it some thoughts. He then turned towards the rest of the knights and addressed them in a serious tone. "When we return to Centoria, we are going to have a long conversation of what's going to come…the Taboo Index, the nobility, our relationship with the Dark Territory in future…I am going to need every Integrity Knight with me, at the very least. So please, lend me your strength."

"Yes, sir!"

Author's Notes

What a journey it has been. The seed for this story was planted a long time ago when I first watched the anime. It took me a long time to make the decision of properly writing a fanfic, and even longer to post it. I am very happy to have received so many positive reviews. To make a confession, this chapter was made ready a few days ago, but I waited until today to post because if you paid attention to the time markers of the story, you will realize that the very day this chapter happens is the 4th day of the Eleventh month, which is to say today. Right, so about the story. Is this it? Now that Kirito and Alice finally got the happy ending they so deserve is that the end of the story? Well, Yes and no. The thing is, it's not like I am satisfited to just leave things the way they are right now either, and I would very much like to continue with that 200 years time. However, life doesn't make things easy, and I am quite busy.

Honestly, it has been something of a miracle that I have been able to get until the 17th chapter. I like writing, this fanfic is one of the projects, and I also write original stories (for my own pleasure) But there's just a lot to do. Having said that, it's not as if I am out of ideas. In fact, I have written a whole chapter of what is supposed to happen after Chapter 17. But if I should ever post it, I want to have figured out (at least generally) the whole thing before letting it happen. Think of it as an all or nothing scenario.

I don't want to disappoint anyone, or get any hopes high. So let's just say the story is Complete for the time being. It might continue. It could be months (nah, probably not) Most likely at least one or two years. But for now, accept this happy ending as my little parting gift.

Once again, I am very honoured to have gathered such a large following, and all reviews having been nothing but supportive. Kirito and Alice is by no means a popular ship, so I was expecting very little audience. And honestly, I would love to see other stories myself. Also, yea, I will post this on AO3, I will post the whole thing all at once. In any case, please definitely tell me what you think of this final chapter. And hopefully, I will see you next time.

P.S. I know the playlist thing is probably not something most people pay attention to, but please, absolutely check out that one track called "Once there was a land of sword" (now you know from where I got the title of this chapter) It was never used in the anime (shame) but it is beautiful. I would recommend listening to that as you re-read the moment Kirito kissed Alice. La perfection

Playlist:

"now the time has come"
"once there was a land of sword"
"shooting stars"