SAO 15 - Alicization Invading

by Reki Kawahara

  “No… About that, I…”

  Just as Alice was about to shake her head, a wave of shouts resounded in her head.

  That was what Kirito shouted at Alice, who did not need the help of a convict, when they were both thrown to the outer wall of the Cathedral…

  “—As long as it’s not prohibited by the Taboo Index, it’s tolerable for completely innocent girls like Tiese and Ronye to be freely played around with by the Upper Elite… Do you think this way!!?”

  Right. I heard the names of these two then.

  Elite students should be the students that Kirito cut down. Then, the ones who were played with, are—

  To Alice, whose eyes opened wide, Tiese described in a quaking voice:

  “… Elite Swordsman-in-Training Raios Antinous and Elite Swordsman-in-Training Humbert Zizek repeatedly issued humiliating orders to our friend and Novice Trainee Frenica Szeski. We raised objections to those two Swordsmen-in-Training and in our anger, carelessly used language equivalent to extremely disrespectful behavior. Because of that, according to Empire Fundamental Law, the noble class were able to exercise their right to punishment and reward…”

  After that, just thinking about it would be extremely painful. Tiese’s voice had already became stuck, and Ronye began to sob softly, her head lowered.

  Just as Alice was about to open her mouth and utter “You don’t have to say anymore”, the red-haired girl continued determinately:

  “… To save us, who were dealt with unbearable punishment, Kirito-senpai and Eugeo-senpai swung their swords. If we had been a little more intelligent, that would not have happened. Our Senpais would not have fought against the Church to correct the law, and would not have perished because of that. We… have committed an unforgivable sin. Therefore… even if our mouths were ripped to shreds, we could not say that we like our Senpais…”

  After sputtering out her heartfelt thoughts, hot tears finally streamed down Tiese’s face. Carrying hatred and humiliation too harsh for their age, the young girls hugged each other, whimpering softly.

  Alice tightly clenched her teeth, looking up at the small skylight.

  She also knew of the corruption of the Upper Noble Class of the Four Empires. Satiation, extortion, and adultery.

  But the Integrity Knight Alice from before believed that dwelling on these acts would cause herself to be contaminated, so she turned a blind eye to the noble class’s misbehavior. No matter what they did, as long as they did not break the Taboo Index, they could be ignored — As to why, it was because she was a Protector of the Law summoned from the Spirit World. And she always deeply believed that.

  But this kind of ignorance was the real sin. Not touching the Taboo Index that Kirito hated deeply was the actual major crime. Compared to her inactive self, the two girls in front of her were many times braver.

  Alice inhaled and exhaled deeply, and said in a voice imbibed with strength:

  “No, you’re wrong. You both have done nothing wrong.”

  The one who raised her head, shocked, was Ronye. The girl who seemed to always hide behind Tiese stared with eyes tangled with intense light and shouted:

  “Alice-sama… Honorable Integrity Knight Alice-sama cannot understand! Our bodies were played with those men, and our self-respect has been tarnished!”

  “The body is but a container for the spirit.”

  Replying like that, Alice forcefully thumped the center of her chest with her right fist.

  “Only your heart… Only your spirit is the one true existence. And the one who decides the state of your spirit, is yourself.”

  Alice closed her eyes and gathered her consciousness within herself.

  When Rulid was attacked about two weeks ago, Alice once used the power of the heart —- that is, Incarnation, to recover her lost right eye. She personally felt that as long as she firmly, carefully prayed, she could induce changes in her physical body even without relying on Arts.

  But now that was still not enough. Not just her physical body, even the clothes on her body must be changed by the power of Incarnation.

  It is definitely possible. Didn’t Kirito do it before? He, who confronted Administrator holding two swords, flipped up an exotic, long black leather coat completely different from the clothes he wore up until now.

  She can change back. She can change back to the Alice when she awoke in that huge, unfamiliar tower, before she blindly sealed her heart away with thick icy armor to eliminate the anxiety and loneliness from losing her memories.

  —I’m the same as both of you, Ronye, Tiese. I was born as the child of a man, made many mistakes, bore deep sins, and now am here. If Eugeo killed someone because of you… Before now, if I had not broken that small Taboo when I was younger nine years ago, then Eugeo and the others would not have headed for the Central Capital at all.

  Yes, that was my crime. Even if I have no memories of her, Alice Schuberg is not an unfamiliar stranger, but definitely me from before. The days I spent in Rulid taught me that much.

  Even as her eyes were closed, Alice was still aware of the white, warm glow that wrapped around her body.

  Alice slowly opened her eyes.

  Because her head was lowered, the first thing she saw was the dress she was wearing. But that was not pure white, the color of the Axiom Church, but dyed azure blue, reminiscent of an autumn sky.

  A plain white apron lay on top of her skirt. The golden armor and gauntlets had disappeared. As she felt the top of her head, her fingertips touched a large ribbon. Her hair also seemed to be slightly shorter.

  Raising her head, she met eyes with the shocked Ronye and Tiese.

  “…See, right? The body and appearance are merely dependencies of the heart.”

  Of course, this transformation was temporary. The instant that concentration was broken, she should turn back into her original Knight form. But the meaning behind it should be able to be conveyed to the girls. Alice’s, Kirito’s and Eugeo’s longing.

  “Your heart cannot be tarnished by anyone. Born in a border village, I was originally supposed to be raised this[9] way. But when I was eleven years old, I was taken to the Central Capital as a sinner, had my memories erased using Arts and turned into an Integrity Knight, and I have cursed that fate before…”

  Alice was recounting a great secret that only Knight Commander Bercouli knew apart from herself. But she believed that these two people would be able to accept it, and continued:

  “However… Even in that state, there are things I am able to accomplish and things I am supposed to accomplish; that’s what Kirito taught me. Therefore, I am no longer confused. I have decided to accept myself and step forward.”

  Alice raised both hands and firmly grasped Ronye and Tiese’s hands.

  “You have them too. A wide, long, and straight path belonging only to you.”

  Several droplets landed onto the tightly clasped hands, dripping and dripping.

  The tears that slid down the girls’ faces took on a spectral glow completely unlike before, shining beautifully.

  Tightly embracing Kirito in the wheelchair again, Alice entrusted him to Ronye and Tiese, and walked out of the tent.

  Although he was intentionally waiting for her, Eldrie jogged over, full of praise:

  “Ohh, how outstanding… A form resembling that of the Solus’s condensed light… This is my real mentor Alice-sama…”

  “I will be covered with dust after an hour of battle anyway.”

  Coldly interrupting his words, Alice looked towards the eastern sky.

  Her transformation before had long disappeared; her golden breastplate and pure white skirt blindingly reflected the sunlight. As she gazed up towards the eastern sky, she thought that if she came back alive, she would add a piece of sky-blue cloth somewhere.

  Solus was already leaning downwards. There were about three more hours before it would vanish into the horizon. And then, the Life of the Great Eastern Gate would also vanish. Finally, the three hundred-year-old seal wa
s about to be released.

  The personnel were already at their limit.

  In these five days, Alice trained along with the Defense Army; their proficiency made it difficult to believe that they had only trained for half a year. What was more surprising was that everyone mastered combination sword skills completely absent from traditional schools of teaching.

  Alice heard that it was Vice Knight Commander Fanatio who generously imparted her skills honed over many years. The longest one seemed to be only a three-hit attack, but it was an encouraging weapon against the Goblins or Orcs, who randomly brandished their rough blades according to their instinct.

  Of course, if they ran into Dark Knights with their own continuous-hit skills, it would be a very heavy burden for the Defense Army soldiers. If high-speed continuous-hit Fist Fighters were added to the mix, they could only count on the Integrity Knights to counter them.

  The important matter was whether they could defend against the great army of Demihumans that would immediately swarm in once the battle began. Also, whether they could survive the bows of the Orcs and long-range attack Arts while sustaining as little losses as possible.

  Whether they succeeded or not, it now seemed that everything rested on Alice’s shoulders—

  Turning her eyes back forward, she saw the rear supply team preparing their last supper, with a few columns of smoke curling upwards. Not far away, Ronye and Tiese should be taking Kirito towards there to meet everyone else.

  Must protect it. No matter what.

  “… Alice-sama, it is time…”

  Nodding at Eldrie’s words, Alice turned around stepped forward.

  But she stopped her feet at that moment, throwing her eyes towards her only disciple.

  “… M-May I ask what is the matter?”

  Staring at the young Knight who blinked confusedly, Alice slightly relaxed her taut lips.

  “… All this time, you’ve done your best to serve me, Eldrie.”

  “Hah… W-what’s wrong?!”

  She softly laid her right hand onto the left hand of the dumbfounded standing Knight and continued:

  “To be able to have you by my side is a kind of redemption for me. You did not seek the teachings of veteran Knights such as Deusolbert, but found me, who had not many achievements… You were actually thinking for the sake of my heart, were you not?”

  “I… I do not dare, there are no such disrespectful delusions within me! I am merely reverent of Alice-sama’s outstanding swordsmanship from the bottom of my heart…”

  Eldrie denied, shaking his head frantically. Alice instantly firmly grasped his hand, let go, and smiled again:

  “Because you were there to support me, I am able to finish walking this dangerous path today. Thank you, Eldrie.

  From the speechless young Knight’s eyes, fat tears suddenly gushed out.

  “…… Alice-sama… Why… do you say that you are finished walking…”

  His raspy voice asked:

  “Why must you say it like your path is going to end here? I… I… haven’t learnt anything yet. No matter in swords, or in Arts, I am still nothing compared to you. From now on, I still need you to always, always train, and guide me…!”

  In the instant before his trembling outstretched right hand touched her own—

  Alice suddenly changed her attitude and scolded sharply:

  “Integrity Knight Synthesis Thirty-One!”

  “Here… Here.”

  His hand immediately halting, the Knight straightened into an upright, unmoving posture.

  “In the name of your mentor, I hereby give you your last order. Please live on. Live to witness the coming of peace, and bring it back. Bring back your real life, and your loved one.”

  On the uppermost floor of the Cathedral, there were still sealed the «Memory Fragments» of all the other Integrity Knights apart from Alice, as well as the «Loved One» who had transformed into a sword. There must be a way for them to return to their original place and the form they once were.

  Eldrie stood upright, tears silently pouring out, and nodded forcefully; Alice fiercely turned around. Her golden hair and pure white skirt sliced the icy autumn air.

  The visible valley and Great Eastern Gate in the darkness were straight in front of her sight.

  From then on, Alice will begin chanting an extreme scale Sacred Art she had never experienced in her life. Without leaving a single drop, she will condense together all Sacred Space Power, provided without Solus, to deal a crippling blow to the enemy.

  If she makes a single error in the words of her incantation — No, if there is a single sliver of disorder in her concentration, the condensed Sacred Power will erupt and completely obliterate Alice’s existence without leaving a trace.

  But she had no more fear. In these five days, as an Integrity Knight, Alice spent an enriching time with Bercouli, Fanatio, Eldrie and the others, and as Alice of Rulid, she lived together with her little sister Selka for a half year.

  And the most important thing was, she met Eugeo and Kirito, clashed swords with them, touched each other’s hearts, and understood the emotions of being human — sorrow, rage, and love.

  Other from that, what more was there to desire?

  Along with sharp sound of her armor, Alice walked step by step in a straight line through the center of the Defense Army that waited for the moment of battle.

  (To be continued)

  Afterword

  Hello everyone, I’m Kawahara. Now I am writing this chapter of content in a violently anxious mood. The reason is that I went under the condition of forgetting to write an afterword for several days!

  Ah— Now, back to business. Thank you everyone for reading «Sword Art Online 15: Alicization Invading>>.

  In the last book «Uniting», the big boss of the Church, the Highest Minister Administrator, was defeated, but “to be continued” was written at the end for some reason, so exactly what happened next— is what happened now… Our story left the cage of the Human Empire and moved to the boundless Dark Territory. The Ocean Turtle that Asuna and the others in the real world are in also suffered an attack, and Kikuoka changed from his bathrobe to a Hawaiian shirt and various developments like that…

  Under these circumstances, the next book is finally planned to begin the war between the Human Empire Defense Army and the Dark Territory. The Alicization chapter that began with Volume 9 has gradually entered its climax; everyone, please continue to look after me in the future!

  Regarding personal happenings, I, along with my illustrator abec-san, attended America’s largest anime convention «Anime Expo» as guests together. Although it was my first time in Los Angeles (only my second time traveling to America, so to speak), the city and convention center were huge! Also, the enthusiasm from anime fans from all over America that covered the entire convention center was really surprising!

  Of course, thank you very much to the all of the SAO enthusiasts who were able to come. At the same time, I realized again everyone’s supportive kindness in the ten years since the work that was going to be named SAO was brought up to today, from the web era to Dengeki Bunko, and anime adaptations and game adaptations.

  By the time this book is published, the airing of the second season of the television anime should have already begun. Paralleling with the first season, it has the «World of Guns» as its stage, but from Supervising to all of the workers and voice actors, everyone will fully show the style of gunfights, and the characteristics of SAO, which remain unchanged despite this circumstance. I again ask everyone to please support the anime version.