"What? You have a conversation in your head that you can't tell me? ”

"No, no, no, it's not like that. However, this guy doesn't really like to be touched by players other than me, but I think it's strange that he doesn't seem to care about Shino touching. ”

"Huh...... Lilan, can you touch me? ”

Lilan gave a "voice" to Shino and me.

"Even if it's fine. Your hands are good. When he's not here, he probably has animals. ”

Shino let go of Relan's hand. Gradually, his expression became gloomy.

"No, I don't remember, I don't remember after all."

"Me too, Shino"

Shi Nai looked confused and met Riran's gaze. Then again, I didn't tell Shino that Lilan had the same amnesia.

"That's how Lilan traveled with me, but something seemed to have happened before he traveled with me.

Shino looked at Zairan in surprise.

"You're just like me, amnesia.

"My journey with Kirito is a journey to regain my memories. If you continue to travel with Kirito and keep climbing this castle, you will eventually reach the truth. That's how I read it.

"I see...... You've been in a situation like this. ”

"yes. Even so, it was enough for us to climb the city. Shino only needs to be in the city. ”

Shino sighed softly.

"You don't have to stab me so hard, and I don't plan to die, don't worry."

Sure enough, it's too dangerous to let someone like Shiina, who is not used to fighting, go out into the wild, let alone a maze and a boss battle. If this happens, you will be attacked by monsters and you will be killed with one shot. It might be cramped, but I'll have to keep Shino in town.

Just as I was thinking this, Lilan turned around and called me.

"Kirito. Why don't you own a house? Compared to staying in a hotel every time, I think it will be much more meaningful.

"What is this, from bushes to sticks?"

"You said you were going to take care of Shino. As you can see, Shino seems to have strayed into this world in an unexpected way...... I don't think she has the currency of this world, Koru. ”

"Then again, I haven't heard much about Shino's condition." For the time being, we have to confirm what level it is and how many Coles there are.

"Shino, I'm sorry for being so sudden, could I please open the status window?"

"Huh, why is it so sudden?"

"I just want to confirm your level, and what you have.

After a slight sound in her throat, Shino moved her right hand and opened the status window. I got up from my seat, walked around behind Shino, and focused my attention on the numbers displayed in the window. As Shino said, the name is "Shino", the rank is "Lv: 55", the weapon is "Dagger", and Col is 1000.

In addition to the "Lv:55" point, it is the so-called SAO initial state, which is completely initial. By the way, Shino became a SAO player with a short sword for some reason, and her armor is light armor, so the ability of the short sword can be easily used.

"Your level is 55...... It's high, but it's lower than us.

"I think so. So you should buy a house

I leave Shino and open the status window.

"Lv:75" wields a one-handed sword and has 2,500,000 cols. Maybe it's because my goal is to level up by taking down the thugs and doing quests, so my money has unknowingly become ridiculous. With this amount of money, even if you buy a cheap house, you can't find money.

"yes...... You can buy a house.

"This floor? Isn't it dirty and uncomfortable?

"It's a lot like the Electric City I've been to before, it's definitely hard to come here, but it's not uncomfortable either. Also, I saw a lot of empty houses on the road, so one of them was Let's get the eaves. ”

“…… I prefer a quiet place"

I tilted my head unconsciously.

"A quiet place?"

"That's it. Living in such a stuffy place will make you crazy, and you may even have a bad influence on yourself.

"So where do I go......"

As I was about to say that, I suddenly remembered the twenty-second floor of this castle.

The 22nd floor of Al Ayn Grant is said to be the quietest place in Al Grande. The reason for this is that there are no wild monsters anywhere.

Only that level has no wild monsters, except for a maze leading to the next level. It is a calm and warm layer with beautiful conifers and lakes. And there are almost no people on the 22nd floor, and people who are in a hurry to attack the city don't care about any major things, so there are not many players living there, and no one will make a fuss even if something happens. No one can call.

The 22nd floor is exactly what Lilan is talking about. If there are no wild monsters there, you can spread your wings and even Shino, who can't fight, can go out. If you want to stay, the 22nd floor is good because you can find a lot of advantages.

Besides, when I went to the guide before, I also saw wooden houses for sale. You can overlook the lake in the distance, and this area is like a huge garden with a taiga in it, so you can slowly rerun as it is, and there are no wild monsters, so there is no danger.

"It might be a good idea to buy that house."

"What about the 22nd floor?"

"22 floors?"

"That's right. There are no wild monsters over there, so you can rest assured and it's calm. And it doesn't matter if Shino goes out, it's not as shabby and dangerous as here. ”

"There's a place like this, Kirito."

He nodded confidently.

"yes. So I think the 22nd floor is the right place to live...... What do Shino and Leilan think? ”

Shino gently clasped her hands.

"I agree, if there are no domain monsters, it means that I can also go out of the realm."

"I agree. I want a place where I can be alone with you.

"Really? Well, since it's decided, let's go to the 22nd floor, take a look at the preliminary inspection first, and see the price of the wooden house. ”

As soon as he left his seat, a deep voice sounded in his ears. Outside the door, there seemed to be an uproar. Shiina, and Leilan also seemed to notice the sound and stuck it outside the window.

"What's the noise?"

"I don't think it's the year-end and New Year holidays. It felt like something was wrong. ”

It was indeed December 25th, and the year-end New Year's event was about to begin, but there was no such fuss. As Lilan said, it's the kind of commotion when an incident or accident happens. Apparently, something is happening outside the store.

"What is it..."

Just as I muttered unconsciously, the door to the gorgeous café and downtown was vigorously opened, and a person walked into the store. Seeing the figure of the person who came in, the players around me suddenly stiffened, and I had a similar reaction.

Coming in was a long straight chestnut hair, a delicate face, a pair of large bright brown eyes, a white and red knight-style combat uniform wrapped around a slender body, and a thin silver belt tied around his waist. A sword.

Yes, as long as you work hard to bring down Ayn Grant, no one will not know him.

I unconsciously pronounced the name.

"Asuna of the glitter ......!"

At the moment when the SAO players flinched, the store instantly froze, and the surrounding players also stopped moving.

The person who appeared was Asuna, the deputy head of the Knights of the Blood Oath, who was known as a demon of scheming and swordsmanship like lightning. Asuna is also known as "Flash Asuna" because she has the power to perform sword skills at a speed that is invisible to the tip of a sword, and has the power to destroy any boss in the blink of an eye.

"[Asuna of the Flash] ......"

Although I called her name unconsciously, I always felt that Asuna's purpose for coming here was already known. No, from now on what I'm afraid of, what I don't want to happen, is going to happen. Then I had a feeling that Asuna was about to achieve it, swirling in my head.

"That person is ......"

The moment Lilan's "voice" reached my mind, Asuna, who had been looking around the store, finally turned her attention to me. Her bright brown eyes are as beautiful as jewelry, but they also make one feel vulnerable and weak.

Without saying a word, Asuna walked through the shop and came to me. His eyes were as sharp as a wolf's hunt.

“…… You are the "Beast Tamer" who can defeat the boss on the 50th floor without sacrificing much. ”

"Where did you know that?"

"I heard that the people of the Holy Dragon Alliance are having a good time, you let me take a look."

"Sure enough, he seems to have heard it from someone from the Holy Dragon Alliance." It shouldn't be Tilberu, but it's easy to imagine it's his men.

"If yes, what are you doing here?"

"You seem to be a lone ranger, I won't say bad things, I'll scout your Knights of the Blood Oath and let us see the power of that dragon."

"He's here." If you don't want to hear it. You are invited to scout the Knights of the Blood Oath.

"I haven't said anything yet, but I know very well what this person is thinking in his heart and what they are saying to me for the purpose of saying this."

"I'm here to use Lilan as a tool to hunt down bosses."

"That's nonsense. I'm not necessarily the "animal trainer". Even then, what do you want me to do? ”

Asuna's expression became solemn.

"You know what strength you have, and how important it is to defeat the fifty-story boss."

"So what? Is it that great for me to fight bosses? I don't have much strength, just fight the boss normally. ”

Asuna shook her head.

"No, I've heard you summon a dragon and manipulate it to take down the boss. Summoning a dragon and manipulating it to defeat the boss is an unprecedented event in Ayn Grant. You'll know it is

"yes, I've never seen a battle between monsters and monsters."

"The people of the Holy Dragon Alliance said that you did it, and I said the same when I heard it. Maybe, but if everybody says that, there's a good chance it's true. ”

"She didn't seem to back down as she always did." - You seem to be interested in Lilan's powers. No, for those known as the Tricksters, this is a matter of course.

"Then why are you scouting me? If I'm a player with the ability to summon dragons, what is your purpose in scouting me? ”

Asuna's eyes sharpened.