Alicization Invading, page 21
part #15 of Sword Art Online Series
It was an enormous secret, something she had told only Commander Bercouli and no one else. She believed that these girls were able to bear her secret, too.
“But Kirito taught me that there were things I could and should do,” she continued. “So I’m not lost anymore. I’ve decided to accept being myself and keep moving forward.”
Alice lifted her hands and squeezed Ronie’s and Tiese’s together. “I know that you, too, have your own path in life—one that is wide and long and very straight.”
A number of droplets fell on her hands. The tears ran down the girls’ cheeks and fell, sparkling with a beautiful rainbow prism that had not been there before.
She gave Kirito one last hug in the wheelchair, then left him with Ronie and Tiese and exited the tent.
As though he’d been lying in wait, Eldrie suddenly bounded forward, bursting with compliments. “What a wondrous sight…like the concentrated blessing of Solus herself…You truly are my mentor, Lady Alice…”
“Don’t worry—I’ll be covered in dirt and dust again in an hour,” she said, glancing down at her clothes.
The previous transformative effect was long gone; it was just her golden breastplate and white skirt, shining in the sun. She looked up at the western sky, thinking that if she came back from this alive, she’d add a piece of blue cloth somewhere to the outfit.
Solus was already on its descent. There was another three hours before it vanished over the horizon—and the moment that the Eastern Gate’s life would dwindle to nothing. The three-hundred-year countdown would be over at last.
She had done all she could.
Alice took part in the guardian army’s training exercises for five days, and she had to admit that for half a year of work, the soldiers’ ability was admirable. To her shock, all the soldiers were using consecutive sword techniques that did not exist in the traditional styles of combat.
Apparently, Vice Commander Fanatio had taught them all the secrets of her techniques she’d spent years upon years honing. The longest they could manage was only three strikes, but they would be a valuable tool against the free-swinging machetes of the goblins and orcs.
Of course, if any dark knights with their own combination attacks showed up, the soldiers might be outclassed. If you added the dark pugilists with their own speedy combos, only an Integrity Knight could match up.
The most important thing was not to be overwhelmed by the rush of demi-humans who were sure to be first when the gate fell. Next, they had to find a way to minimize the damage from the ranged attacks of the ogre archers and dark mages.
The success or failure of this strategy now rested solely on Alice’s shoulders.
Her eyes traveled down to ground level again, where she could see several trails of smoke from the supply corps in the rear cooking up the final meal. Ronie and Tiese would be taking Kirito back there very soon.
She had to protect them. She had to.
“Miss Alice, it’s about time,” Eldrie prompted her. She acknowledged him and pulled back her leg to turn the other way.
But then she stopped and fixed her lone disciple with a firm gaze.
“…Wh-what is it?” the young man asked, a bit nervous.
Alice let her pursed lips relax just a bit. “You’ve served me well, Eldrie.”
“Oh…wh-what?!” the knight yelped when she put her right hand over his left.
“It has been a great help to me to have you by my side. You sought out my instruction—a newer knight with little to show for herself—rather than a veteran man like Deusolbert. Was it out of concern for my mental well-being?”
“Wh-why, no! I would never do such an inappropriate thing—I swear it! I was drawn out of pure respect and admiration for the way you fought…!” Eldrie protested, shaking his head.
She squeezed his hand harder, then let go and smiled. “It was because of your support that I was able to walk my rocky path to this day. Thank you, Eldrie.”
The young knight’s eyes were huge—stunned. Suddenly, large tears welled in them.
“…Lady Alice…why…do you speak in the past tense?” he asked, his voice hoarse. “Why do you make it sound as though your path ends here and now? I…I have not learned nearly enough. Not of the sword, nor of the sacred arts. I am nowhere near your level. You must be around to train me and guide me to be better…!”
But just when his outstretched, trembling hand was about to touch her, Alice suddenly snapped, “Integrity Knight Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-One!”
“Y-yes, ma’am!” His hand froze, and he snapped to attention.
“As your mentor, I give you my final order: Survive. Survive and witness the coming of peace, then take back your true life and loved one.”
Even now, the memory fragments belonging to the other Integrity Knights and their loved ones, transformed into swords, still remained on the top floor of Central Cathedral. There must be a way to return those things to their rightful places and forms.
Eldrie stood stock-still, shedding tears. Alice gave him a forceful nod and spun around on her heel. Her golden hair and white skirt cut through the chilly autumn air.
Just before her was the great ravine, sinking into darkness, and the Eastern Gate within it.
She was about to begin the command for a sacred art so unbelievably grand in scale that she had never experienced it before. It would be designed to use every last drop of sacred power in the ravine and deliver a painful blow to the enemy.
If she got a single word incorrect—or even just let her concentration lapse—the accumulated sacred power would misfire and likely wipe her from existence.
But she felt no fear anymore. The last five days had been fulfilling ones as an Integrity Knight, spent around Bercouli, Fanatio, and Eldrie. And as Alice from Rulid, she had been able to share half a year with her sister, Selka.
And most of all, by meeting Eugeo and Kirito, crossing blades with them, and coming into contact with their hearts, she had learned human emotions—sadness, anger, and even love.
What more could she ask for?
Her armor sliding and rattling, Alice proceeded forward, step by step, through the army waiting for the arrival of battle.
(To be continued)
AFTERWORD
Hello, everyone. I’m writing this afterword in an incredible rush right now. This is what happens when you completely forget that you need to write an afterword while several days trickle off the schedule!
But to get more to the point, thank you for reading Sword Art Online 15: Alicization Invading.
In the previous volume (Uniting), we beat Administrator, the big bad boss of the church, and yet, the book ended with “to be continued.” This is the result of that shift…The story has now jumped outside the bounds of the human realm and into the vast and dangerous Dark Territory. In the real world, the Ocean Turtle, where Asuna and others are located, is under attack, and most ominous of all, Kikuoka changed from a yukata into a Hawaiian shirt…
After all that, the next volume should get into the war between the Human Guardian Army and the forces of the Dark Territory. The Alicization arc started in Volume 9, and we’re rushing toward the climax, so just stick with me a bit longer!
As for personal news, I was invited to be a guest, with my illustrator abec, to the largest anime/manga convention in the United States, Anime Expo. It was my first time visiting Los Angeles (and only my second time in America), and not only is the city huge, so was the convention center! The passion from the American anime fans that filled the hall was overwhelming!
Of course, I was moved by how many SAO fans came to see me. It also made me think about how much SAO has grown, from being a simple website novel to being published by Dengeki Bunko, then being turned into an anime and video games—and it’s all because of the incredible support you’ve given it for over a decade.
By the time this book comes out, the second season of the TV series should be airing. Unlike the first season, it’s set in a world of guns, but the director, creative staff, and voice cast are working their hardest to create some awesome gunfight action and the usual SAO essence that you love, so please keep watching.
I get the feeling I’m running out of time, so I’ll keep my acknowledgments brief! To my illustrator abec, who drew wonderful illustrations for so many new characters in this volume, to my editor Miki, who visited LA with us, to my assistant editor Tsuchiya, who kept Japan safe while I was gone, and to all of you who have read this far, thank you so much!
Reki Kawahara—July 2014
Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Yen On.
To get news about the latest manga, graphic novels, and light novels from Yen Press, along with special offers and exclusive content, sign up for the Yen Press newsletter.
Sign Up
Or visit us at www.yenpress.com/booklink
Reki Kawahara, Alicization Invading
