As time passed, the top players who participated in yesterday's strategy meeting also appeared one after another.

However, after all the players who were about to go to the Red Jade Palace had arrived, the people of the Blood Alliance Knights had not arrived for a long time, so now only they were missing, and this time the members of the raiders had arrived.

"What the hell is that Heatscliffe guy doing?" Because the waiting time was a bit long, Klein rubbed his already messy hair a little impatiently, and shouted dissatisfiedly: "Today is a big battle, the person in charge of the strategy team actually took the lead in being late, what is the matter?" Are you happy with us? ”

"Did something happen?" Kirito frowned and said, although subconsciously, Kirito hated Heathcliff a little, and always felt that Heathcliff's calm face and eyes hid something that he didn't like very much, but the Heathcliff in his impression was not the kind of person who couldn't tell the importance of things, otherwise he wouldn't be the president of the strongest guild.

"Would you like to send him an email?" Achill looked at Asuna beside Kirito. "At least a ......"

"It's been a long time ago......" Asuna smiled wryly and pulled open her personal interface. I even sent an email to a few of the higher-ups of the Blood Alliance Knights, but I just didn't get a reply from them, and I knew this was going to happen, and I should have gone back to HQ to see what was going on. ”

Hearing Asuna's words, Kirito said worriedly, "Nothing really happened, right?" Captain Heathcliff has never been in such an unusual situation......"

Luo Tianhuan narrowed his eyes, and just when he wanted to say something, a burst of azure light suddenly flashed on the portal platform, and then, several players wearing the armor of the Blood Alliance Knights finally appeared, but everyone did not breathe a sigh of relief.

Because, among those people, there is no Hitzcliff!

"What the hell is going on?" Klein was the first to strike. "Where's your leader?"

Several members of the Blood Alliance Knights looked at each other with a look that was more ugly than crying. "We don't know......"

Everyone was taken aback, and Klein even more rudely pulled a person's collar and shouted, "You don't know what it is!" Your own regimental commander, even you don't know it, will you still lose it? ”

"But we really don't know......" Another member of the Blood Alliance Knights hurriedly stepped forward to explain. Since this morning, the head of the group has not appeared, he has not been found anywhere, he has not replied to emails, and the guild has been in chaos. ”

"What's going on?" Keita's brows furrowed. "Isn't Heathcliff going to play this time?"

"He didn't run away, did he?" Achill looked at several members of the Blood Alliance Knights with unkind eyes, and the words he said immediately annoyed them.

"You ...... guy"

"Stop!" At this time, Asuna stepped forward, a pair of chestnut eyes staring at the people of the Blood Alliance Knights with extremely sharp eyes. "We're about to fight side by side, do you want to have infighting?"

The people of the Blood Alliance Knights hurriedly lowered their heads, their faces full of panic, after all, Asuna is their deputy leader, and she also has the title of the ghost of the raiders, without some iron-blooded means, it is impossible to sit in the position of the deputy leader, although Asuna is not as keen on raiding and managing the guild as before after getting married, but they still dare not anger Asuna.

"Lord Asuna...... one of the members of the Blood Alliance Knights said to Asuna, "The head of the group is not here now, what do you think we should do?" ”

"This ......" Asuna looked at Kirito with a look of embarrassment. Otherwise, you can wait a little longer, and we'll go find the head of the regiment again. ”

Several members of the Blood Alliance Knights looked at each other again, and stood in place a little bewildered, and then went to look for Hitzcliff? They went to all the places where Heathcliff frequented, and where else could they go to find Heathcliff when Irongrant was so big?

And without the leader of Hitzcliffe, they don't know what to do in this strategy battle.

Not only the people of the Blood Alliance Knights, but also the top players who came to raid around were also talking, and in the end, Heathcliff, who gathered everyone to come to raid, disappeared inexplicably, and I have to say that this really caught everyone off guard.

Suddenly, Luo Tianhuan spoke: "Still going to find Heathcliff?" Forget it, let's go on our own. ”

"What ......" everyone was stunned on the spot.

"Really don't wait for him?" Kirito hesitated and said: "Hizcliff is the person in charge of the raiders, and his strength is only below you, with a unique skill Divine Sword, and his defense can help us block many deadly attacks." ”

"Yes, yes!" Klein also said, "Maybe something is holding back." ”

Hearing this, Luo Tianhuan didn't say anything on his face, but he was helpless in his heart, did he want to tell them that Heathcliff was Kayaba Jinghiko, the final boss in the Ruby Palace, and was waiting for them in the Ruby Palace now?

As soon as this sentence came out, Luo Tianhuan believed that if others didn't say it for the time being, the people of the Blood Alliance Knights would definitely turn their faces directly!

So, Luo Tianhuan could only say this: "Heathcliff is not a person who can only talk about the scene, since he organized this raid, but now he is not there, then he will definitely not come again, and there is no point in waiting......"

After a pause, Luo Tianhuan glanced at everyone present: "Moreover, don't you think you rely too much on Hitzcliffe?" The Knights of the Blood Alliance is the strongest guild, and Hitzcliff is the leader of the strongest guild, and has been leading players to carry out raids, and over time, you have subconsciously regarded Hitzcliff as the leader of the entire strategy group, and rely on Hitzcliffe. Now that Heathcliff is missing, you are at a loss, completely unself-determined, like a plate of loose sand, so that there is no hope of clearing the level. ”

"That's all I have to say, think about it for yourselves. Anyway, even if it's just me, I'll go to the Red Jade Palace. ”

After the words fell, Luo Tianhuan ignored the reactions of the others and walked directly towards the center of the city.

And Kirito and the others fell into contemplation after listening to Luo Tianfan's words, and then, they all woke up and found that they and the others were just like Luo Tianhuan said, they were too dependent on Heathcliff, without Heathcliff, they would have no backbone, in such a situation, how could they defeat the final boss?

After waking up, Kirito and the others showed a determined look after glancing at each other, and caught up with Luo Tianhuan without hesitation, and the rest of the people also glanced at each other, and then resolutely followed.

Besides, no matter what, Luo Tianhuan is the strongest player after all, and it is still worth following them.

……

In the center of the city, there is a palace called the Ruby Palace, which is a large red palace, located at the very heart of the 100th floor of the Ayn Grant and the highest place in the whole of Ayn Grande, even if you stand the farthest point from the Ruby Palace, people can vaguely see a corner of its roof, like a towering clock tower.

The bright red color is very dazzling in the sunlight, and the majestic layout of the Ruby Palace is so out of place with the surrounding buildings, like a lonely giant, disdainful of other things, like the top of the palace that wants to break through the sky, bringing people an unusual shock.

Everyone stood in front of the Red Jade Palace, looking at this bright red palace that seemed to be covered with blood, everyone's hearts were shocked, and they couldn't help but look up, but they couldn't return to their senses for a long time, and they were silent, even if they had a feeling comparable to the sky in their hearts, but no one could come up with a word to express their current emotions.

In SAO, the players present have also seen castles or fortresses that are more magnificent than the Ruby Palace in front of them, but in their opinion, those castles or fortresses cannot compare to the Ruby Palace in front of them, which makes them unconsciously stunned on the spot.

It's not because of their psychological effects, it's not because they know that the final boss is in the Ruby Palace and subconsciously look up to the Ruby Palace, but just the bright red that fills the eyeballs can't be ignored.

Looking at the bright red palace, people seemed to be able to see the final boss inside laughing at them, so much so that they felt very small, so that after coming here, all the top players stood still for a long time, and during this process, not even a single person could say a word.

Ruby Palace......

Looking at the Red Jade Palace in front of him, Luo Tianhuan was also silent, yes, it was silent, but ......

1……

2……

3……

After being silent for three seconds, Luo Tianhuan seemed to be unable to bear it anymore, raised his hand high, raised his middle finger indecently at the Red Jade Palace, and shouted excitedly: "Kayaba Jinghiko, how much do you like red!" Don't you think this one is too dazzling? What is it called the Red Jade Palace, just call it the Blood Palace! It's a conspiracy, right? It's definitely a conspiracy! Because when the players come here, they'll be blinded by this red flash, and then you can easily hit them, right!? This is definitely the hidden setting of the boss room on this level! Absolutely!! ”

There is no way, the red jade palace in front of him is too bright red, coupled with the shining sun, it is shiny red, very spicy eyes, Luo Tianhuan rubbed the 24k krypton alloy dog eyes that had been blinded, and muttered angrily: "Although I know that your taste is not good, but I didn't expect it to be so bad...... Hiss...... My eyes hurt so much......"

"Uh......"

Luo Tianhuan's complaint made everyone come back to their senses, and they were all speechless and choked.

is also facing the Red Jade Palace, because Mao He was not shocked, but he was complaining? Could it be that his brain circuits are different from those of normal people?

Kirito held his forehead with his hand helplessly: "Heavenly illusion, I used to think that there was a hole in your head, but now I think I was wrong, the hole in your head is not a hole, but a pit!" ”

Asuna nodded sympathetically beside her: "And it's a big crater!" ”

Then, Asuna coughed lightly and her expression was serious: "Let's get down to business, it's certain that Akihiko Kayaba definitely deliberately made such a brightly colored palace, which is more heart-wrenching than the one made of gold." ”

Kirito on the side nodded solemnly: "If his purpose is to polish the morale and sharpness of those players who come to raid, then there is no doubt that he succeeded!" ”

Indeed, the bright red of the Red Jade Palace is really shocking, and the players are still full of momentum and ambition just now, holding the belief that they will definitely complete the level, full of morale and sharpness, but after coming here, the morale and sharpness that permeated the air were immediately shaken away by the Red Jade Palace in front of them.

There is no doubt that if players attack the final boss in their current state, as long as the gap is not very obvious, then it will be 100% wiped out!

It's just that Luo Tianhuan didn't pay attention to these, and after glancing at the players around him, he forcibly endured the overflowing red light of the Red Jade Palace, and walked into the Red Jade Palace with an expressionless face.

Because he knew that those players might not be able to play a role, so he might as well rely on himself......

After having Luo Tianhuan take the lead, one by one players began to react, and hurriedly followed him and walked into the bright red palace, however, there were still some players who had not yet come out of the shock of the Red Jade Palace, so they had already held their weapons in their hands in advance, and walked in the center of the crowd with tense faces, which made Kirito and the others shake their heads.

Before you start fighting, you will be so nervous, it will only consume your mental and physical strength needlessly, and when it is time to really fight, both combat effectiveness and staying power will decline......

Seeing this situation, Kirito, Asuna, Keita, Klein, and Akyll couldn't help but wonder in their hearts, they didn't understand, they didn't understand what Hizzcliff was thinking, why they brought these uneven players together, so that no matter what it was, it would only drag down the others, right?

No one could answer this question, perhaps only Heathcliff himself.

The interior of the Ruby Palace is also all red, the inside is extremely spacious, and the Ruby Palace is as big as you see from the outside, and the floor is as if it is covered with a big red carpet, dyeing everything in sight red.

After passing through a courtyard, everyone walked to a huge room with a door.

"The final boss is inside...... Kirito took a deep breath and stared at the gate in front of him

"The final level is just around the corner......" Klein clenched his fists with a calm face.

"As long as we get through, we'll succeed......" Keita raised his head slightly, his heart beating faster because of nervousness, and his breathing was a little short.

"Just defeat the guy inside, and we'll be liberated!" Achill grinned and smiled seriously.

Asuna stroked the thin sword at her waist, then turned her head to look at Kirito beside her, stretched out her hand, and took Kirito's hand.

Kirito looked at Asuna, looking at the pair of chestnut pupils full of warmth, a faint warm current appeared in his heart, he clenched the soft and boneless little hand in his hand, and said softly but firmly: "Don't worry, we will definitely succeed in returning to the real world!" ”

"Uh-huh......" Asuna smiled softly.

"You're all set, aren't you?" Turning his head and glancing at the people behind him, in full view of everyone, Luo Tianhuan stepped forward, stretched out his hand, put it on the door, and pushed it hard.

Immediately after, the rumbling sound echoed in everyone's ears, like a signal, and everyone's faces tightened, and they pulled out their weapons in unison, aiming in the direction of the gate.

"This ...... This ......"

In the first second, the players still had resolute expressions on their faces, but in the next second, except for Luo Tianfan, who was paralyzed, all the other people changed their faces drastically and looked sluggish after seeing the scene inside the room.

And at the forefront of many eyes, on a throne on the staircase, a figure sat there with a tall posture, one hand supporting his head, and the other hand supporting a cross shield standing on the ground, the red knight's robe was windless and automatic, slowly fluttering, and a long silver-white hair ponytail fluttered with it, like a king!

Looking at this figure, everyone was stunned, their minds were blank, and at the same time, they were in chaos, and there was an unknown expression on their faces, as if they didn't understand why the red figure appeared there, and no one said a word for a while, and even, the Blood Alliance Knights, Asuna and others were still staring at the figure, with mixed feelings in their hearts.

At this moment, on the throne, the red figure gently and slowly raised his head, and at the same time, the pair of closed eyes also opened, looking at everyone in front of him, he let out a chuckle, and the voice echoed softly throughout the room.

"Everyone, welcome to my Ruby Palace!"