Holding Yui's little hand, he walked through the "Monument of Life" square engraved with the roster of players to the main entrance of the palace, and although anyone could enter, there were not many players in sight.

The afterglow of the sun slanted on the modest steps, and the autumn-dyed leaves swayed slightly, taking away a bit of gloom.

Shielding the slightly dazzling sunlight with his hands, Yuki, who has been in the underground labyrinth for most of the day, has a feeling of seeing the light of day again.

In the previous data battle, she still completed the loading before the white light devoured the screen.

No one knew what she had done with that GM management control device, not even Yui, who had been on the sidelines.

It's just that the corners of the mouth that rose from the sword girl's time must have turned out to be satisfactory to her.

Glancing at the time, wondering if it was time to go back to church to tell Yuna and the others that they were safe, Yuki quickened his pace.

However, the moment she walked out of the Black Iron Palace, she didn't expect that someone had been waiting outside for a long time.

"Ahh Finally, you're finally out! ”

With a peculiar strange tone, the bearded-faced rat merchant rarely did not laugh, but greeted him with some seriousness.

With a strange expression, she glanced at Yui beside Yuki, although she really wanted to gossip, but now was obviously not the time to do such a thing.

"Now is not the time to stay in the lower classes and 'take care of the children'! Did you know that the upper echelons have been turned upside down! ”

The expression was a little anxious, and Argo's words made Yuki a little confused for a moment.

But it shouldn't be a trivial matter to have this 'busy' tipster come to the door in person.

"How can you be so nervous...... Did something happen at the top? ”

Could it be that Sister Lan and they have happened? Thinking of the disadvantages, Yuki, who couldn't help but worry, frowned.

“…… Ahh!!hhhhh Sure enough, I don't know, I said that the busy man will be president! It's almost time for you to change your dislike of reading emails! ”

Argo, who covered her forehead, groaned, and she knew that Yuki's old mistake had been done again.

"Forget it! I won't charge you for intelligence this time! ”

Muttering 'You'll find out when you go back to the top anyway', the Rat Merchant waved his hand generously.

"Listen up! Kirito, the deputy head of the Blood Alliance Knights and the user of the 'Second Sword Stream', has issued a request for a 'duel' to you. ”

“……？”

（…… Kirito? ）

In Yuki's puzzled expression, Argo solemnly said the most important news she had received.

"And this duel is not the kind of ordinary solo protected by the system, it's a 'death match'!"

"The people of the Blood Alliance even said that if you don't go, he will give up the strategy and 'find a chance' to compete with you! What kind of hatred do you two have?! ”

“——？！”

No wonder Argo would say that the upper echelons were already arguing, and even she, as a party concerned, was shocked by the news, let alone others.

(Is that guy...... ）

Although Kirito is impulsive in a certain way, he will never find her for such a duel inexplicably at this juncture.

Then there is only one reason.

Did the man really make a move?

……

************************************************************************************************************

- Floria on the 47th floor, in the small villa of the headquarters of Arcadia.

If you want to say that when the news of Kirito and Yuki's duel spreads, who was most stimulated was undoubtedly Naoba and Lanko.

For Naoba, one is her brother and the other is her friend, and she can't accept it no matter which one has an accident.

Lanzi's mood is also not much better, and her most important sister is going to have a 'death match' with her friend's brother, why it has become like this, so she still can't understand.

And these two guys actually 'tacitly' not to return to communication, and they can't even find where they are!

Looking at Naoba, who was staring at her friend's icon with a pale expression, and Lanzi, who looked a little trance-like, Asuna and the others were also anxious, but they didn't know how to comfort these two people.

What worries everyone is that Naoba got a notice from the headquarters of the Blood Alliance Knights that Kirito has left the station, and no one knows where he went.

Requests to inquire about the regimental commander Heathcliff were also denied, and he had no choice but to leave.

What's worse is that when Lanzi gets the summons and rushes to the door of the "Black Iron Palace", what she gets is the news that Yuki has left with Yui a little longer.

I don't know if fate is playing a bad joke on them, but their actions are always one step at night, and the two protagonists of this event have all disappeared.

“…… Xiaozhi, why did Kirito make such a request to Xiaoyu......"

The hands on his legs clenched his knees tightly, and Lanzi muttered a little pathetic.

Aren't you friends? Why is this happening?

"I don't know...... Sister Lan, I really ......"

Naoba, who lowered his head, finally couldn't suppress his emotions, and tears flowed down his cheeks.

The fear that Kirito and Yuki might have someone 'disappear' has been haunting her.

I've seen the hope of clearing this game, but don't the gods really like happy endings?

Looking at Naoba and Lanko, who were silent again, Asuna and the others were also sad, but they also knew that they had to rely on them to cheer up at this time.

"It's okay! Look! Didn't the Blood Alliance know the location of this duel? ”

"There must be a turnaround!"

In a dilemma, Lizbet, who was bumped by Asuna with her elbow, had no choice but to open her mouth and say words that I don't know if they count as comforting or not.

is usually a very clever big sister role, but at this time it is also a little messy.

The Blood Alliance doesn't know, it doesn't mean that Kirito can't tell Yuki......

“……”

Seeing that neither of them responded, Asuna, who sighed, pulled Lizbet, who was a little bitter.

Sirika certainly couldn't count on it, and the little girl had been sitting on the side with her demon in her arms since the beginning, falling into the same state of frustration as Lanzi and the others.

At this time, it is only up to her!

Cheering up in her heart, Asuna walked in front of Lanzi.

Blue ......

Sorting out the words, the chestnut-haired girl tried her best to squeeze a smile on her face.

Just as she wanted to continue speaking, Lanzi, who had been sitting on the sofa, suddenly got up, startling Asuna.

"There's news......"

Subconscious words attracted the attention of everyone present.

[The seventh floor, 'Monster Fighting Arena'!] 】

【Sender Argo】

……

***********************************************************************************************************************

"I didn't expect you to choose this place as the venue for our 'duel'."

Leaving Yui at the entrance, Yuki glanced around with some nostalgia, and Yuki greeted him in the tone of an old friend.

"With your personality, you don't look like someone who would do such boring things, so I guess there must be a lot of hidden secrets in it, right?"

Hearing the girl's words to herself, the figure that came out of the other side of the arena trembled slightly.

"Forget it, it doesn't matter anyway."

As if the next deathmatch didn't affect her at all, the Absolute Sword Maiden laughed heartily.

"If words can't convey it, use the sword to communicate."

"Am I right? Kirito. ”

As if in response to the girl's words, the black-haired swordsman, who had been silent, extended his hands behind him.

——『DUEL！』。