Kirito sat in his room, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the floor. His thoughts drifted back to the many battles he had fought, but one peculiar memory kept surfacing. Quinella, the self-proclaimed Administrator of the Underworld, always seemed to engage in combat while completely unclothed. It was a detail that had perplexed him for some time, and he could no longer keep his curiosity at bay. He needed to understand the reason behind such an unusual practice.
Alice was the only person he could think of who might have an answer. As someone who had served directly under Quinella, she might know the reasoning behind the Administrator's peculiar behavior. Kirito decided it was time to ask her, no matter how awkward the conversation might be.
He found Alice in the garden, tending to a bed of blooming roses. She wore a light blue dress that fluttered gently in the breeze, her golden hair glowing in the sunlight. Kirito approached her, feeling a mix of determination and apprehension.
"Alice, can I ask you something?" Kirito began, trying to keep his tone casual.
Alice looked up, her blue eyes meeting his with a curious expression. "Of course, Kirito. What's on your mind?"
Kirito hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It's about Quinella. I've been wondering about something… why did she always fight without any clothes on?"
Alice's cheeks flushed a deep red almost instantly, and she averted her gaze. "Kirito, that's a very... inappropriate question," she stammered, clearly flustered. "Why would you want to know something like that?"
Kirito scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed himself. "I know it sounds strange, but it's been bothering me. She was your superior, and you were her obedient knight. I thought maybe you knew if there was a reason behind it. Was it some kind of strategy or symbolism?"
Alice sighed, her blush fading slightly as she considered his question. "It's not something I ever understood fully myself," she admitted. "Quinella was... complicated. She believed in absolute control and perfection, and perhaps in her mind, shedding clothes was a way of shedding vulnerability. To her, it might have symbolized her ultimate power and purity, free from any physical constraints."
Kirito nodded, mulling over Alice's words. "That makes some sense, I suppose. It always felt like there was more to it than just shock value or arrogance."
Alice looked at him, her expression softening. "Quinella was an enigma, even to those of us who served her closely. She had a way of making everything she did seem like it was part of some grand design, even if it was just to assert her dominance."
Kirito leaned against a nearby tree, his curiosity somewhat satisfied but still pondering the complexity of Quinella's character. "I guess I'll never fully understand her. She was always playing a game that only she knew the rules to."
Alice nodded. "That's one way to put it. She thrived on control and fear. Her nudity during battle was just another layer of her psychological warfare."
They stood in silence for a moment, the gentle rustling of the garden filling the void. Kirito felt a wave of gratitude for Alice's willingness to discuss such a delicate topic. He could see how uncomfortable it had made her, yet she had still offered her perspective.
"Thank you, Alice," he said earnestly. "I know it wasn't an easy question to answer."
Alice smiled, her usual confidence returning. "Anytime, Kirito. We've been through too much together to shy away from difficult questions. Just... maybe next time, try to pick a less awkward topic."
Kirito chuckled, relieved that the tension had eased. "Deal. I'll keep my curiosity in check."