Since Asuna and Lilan moved to the 22nd floor, we followed them to the 22nd floor.

We eavesdropped on Asuna's true situation, but I don't think Asuna's reality is the reason why Asuna became like that, and Asuna herself doesn't like to go back to reality. There are a lot of things I've never seen before.

In addition to this, there are many surprising things, such as hearing how Asuna really felt, and Asuna died in lightning at the hands of Lilan and was somehow overwhelmed.

But in the meantime, I think I understood why Asuna was trying to use Lilan as a tool. Asuna probably wants to return to reality and use Lilan's power to become the brave "Inazum" who ends the game of death.

In fact, Lilan's strength is so great that she can even fight with our entangled boss monsters. If you use this power to the fullest, you will be able to climb the castle and break through it in one go. Even that kind of power can be easily mastered, and the brave who cleared this death game I think Asuna wants that kind of title and record.

As far as I know, Asuna fought until her heart was about to break, but it's hard to say that Asuna's mental state is normal. I'm sure that if I can actively participate in the game, master the power that no one else can match, and complete the game of death, I will definitely live up to my parents' expectations. I think.

Asuna, who has been trying to live up to her parents' expectations until she is heartbroken, may do it, and maybe she will think about it. Then, combined with the idea that this world is just a game, Asuna wants Lilan and pushes to see it as a tool. It's just a guess, but that's probably it.

"I bet Asuna's parents weren't warm."

"Aren't you warm?"

Oh, yes. While it's rude to ask for the truth, as far as Asuna is concerned, I think so. I don't think Asuna's parents would worry about Asuna. I think the reason I'm pushing this is because I want to create the existence of Asuna, the honor student, as my own fame and achievement, just as Asuna used Lilan as a tool. You are a cold and despicable person who only thinks about yourself. ”

I think what Shino said is very pertinent.

Obviously their precious daughter, they want to use her as a tool to increase their merit and fame. Resolutely ignoring their daughters' opinions, they let them take action to enhance their own fame, and beside their daughter's painful face, they gloated as they watched their rising fame.

This is just speculation, but Asuna's parents, who took advantage of Asuna's popularity, looked like they couldn't resist their parents, and their whole bodies were tied with chains, crying timidly. I can easily imagine the appearance

To that extent, why use Asuna for your own sake?

According to Asuna, it seems that Asuna's mother is the reason. I'm sure Asuna's mother was someone like the dead 'Flash Asuna'. And her mother, like 'Flash Asuna', pretends to live her own life... I'm sure they're just as exhausted as Asuna. ”

With Lilan present this time, Asuna seems to be doing something, but Lilan is a resident of this world and cannot appear in reality. If he can bring Lilan into reality, he might be able to open Asuna's mother's heart.

"If Asuna no longer lives up to her parents' expectations, she won't be the 'Lightning Asuna' in real life, right? Although I'm not. ”

Are you worried about Asuna?

"The right answer is the right one." I don't know why, I don't want Asuna to live like that.

"I don't know why, I don't want him to live a miserable life. Well, I can tell you about that too. ”

"Me too?"

"Yes, you always feel that you seem to have suffered a lot until now, and if it weren't for you, you wouldn't have dreamed of suffering like this."

"If you remember the reality, could you please tell me?" I want to help you, even if it's just a little. I said it before. ”

Shiina's eyes widened, but she eventually turned her head away from me.

What do you say, all of a sudden. Could it be that Lilan made Asuna like that, so you're going to imitate him?

It may be so. Now that I see Lilan and Asuna, I realize that I can't help Asuna, and I'm completely powerless in the face of Asuna. If I'm still helpless, I'm sure I'll repeat what I don't want to happen again.

I want to help Shino, who has always been there for me and believes in me. That's how I think I can get the strength not to repeat things I don't want to repeat.

"No, I feel helpless.

He told me, "You're not helpless, you're strong."

I took my eyes off Shiina, lowered my head, and stared at the vast expanse of the ground.

"I don't want to be forced to be powerless."

Kirito, you're not powerless. In fact, you're really strong.

Hearing Shino's whisper, I instinctively turned my head in that direction.

"Because you're strong, that's why you can use Lilan. If you're weak, you won't use Lilan, let alone win bosses all the time. I think it's nothing more than that you're strong, but I wonder if something is wrong. ”

I opened my eyes involuntarily, but I felt like I couldn't understand. Is it really because I'm strong that I can use Lilan? No, Lilan probably became my companion because I was the only one there.

I happened to be there and gave Lilan a rare item, and he joined us with the event. I don't think having Lilan as a partner has anything to do with my strength, but Shino's words still make me feel very warm.

"I don't know. But I'm glad to hear that. ”

Shino put her hands behind her back.

And, Kirito. I don't think you can't do anything. Your strength is undoubtedly strong, and thanks to you you can properly protect everyone. And, if you can't do anything about it. Then I would have died on the battlefield a long time ago. Before, so I think it's because of you that I'm still alive. I'm not Lilan, but I don't need to describe myself that way. ”

The words that came out of Shino's mouth again warmed my heart. Oddly enough, I began to feel empowered.

Thank you, Shino. I should have more confidence in my own strength.

After gently touching my face, Shino turned around and let out an angry voice.

You're trying too hard to do anything alone. Although Lilan can thaw the ice in Asuna's heart like that, there is no guarantee that she will be able to do it, and there is nothing you have to do. Or do it. ”

"Now that I think about it, I feel like I've always tried to do all the important things on my own." Not relying on Lilan and Shino, or relying on other companions, he believes that he can do things alone. I wonder if it's a bad thing that I've always been a solo player.

"And remember to rely on me a little more.

"At that time, I was taken aback again." Of course, until now, I've only taught Shino a lot and haven't really thought about relying on her. If I had to say it, the only thing I could rely on was to ask Shino to cook for me.

What's the matter, Shino, do you want me to rely on you until now?

"I'm not powerless, I can help you rely on me more."

So, tomorrow's boss fight, do you want to fight with me?

"It doesn't matter. I'm curious about what the boss monster looks like, and I'll have to experience boss battles anyway. In exchange, I wish you could follow me, but is that okay? ”

Of course. I'll fight with Shiina. Because I don't want Shino to die.

Shino chuckled softly.

"Me too, if you die, I'll be in trouble, and I'll protect you while fighting."

I thought lightly of the boss battle I wanted to have with Shiina. Although the boss monsters cooperate, they can be defeated without us, so Shino should be able to deal with them as well. As expected, the quarter point will not come again, and I can fight with peace of mind.

Although it's Shino's first time fighting a boss, I still have to fully support her.

"So, where did Lilan run to on this level? There are no enemies on this level, but the area is large and difficult to find. ”

As soon as I opened the map window to answer Shino's words, I could see Lilan's reaction. Apparently, Lilan was on the grass near our house. The player's reaction is right near Lilan, so Asuna must be with him.

Lilan's words are near our house. Asuna seems to be with us.

I really don't know what you're talking about. Although we were rude, we eavesdropped on what Asuna said in real life. Or rather, we Lilan really didn't notice. I want to know

"Huh? We used the stealth ability, so we didn't get noticed. ”

Shino clasped her hands to her chest and squinted at me.

"I don't think so, Lilan actually has more enemy search skills than you.

Indeed, Lilan's detection skills are better than mine, and he can easily see through ordinary concealment skills. That's because of Lilan's enemy search skills.

Because of this, I was able to tell that the conversation with Celica had been eavesdropped.

I guess so. Then why don't you call us out when you talk to Asuna?

Maybe they think we should hear Asuna's story. In fact, Asuna had boss battles and over-the-top battles, and the actual situation was tragic. Maybe he wants you to know it's one thing.

Shino took her eyes off me and looked ahead.

"Besides?"

Isn't Asuna taunting you? Say let's use Lilan as a tool to hunt down bosses, or join the Knights of the Blood Oath to contribute to our army. She wanted to tell us about Asuna's background. I want to think about it, well, you won't know the real story unless you hear it from that person. ”

"The truth is, if you hadn't heard it from Lilan's mouth, you wouldn't have been able to know for sure." Anyway, I should join Lilan now. Thinking so, I walked out of the village and into a slightly shady forest area, and finally passed through it and came to the grassland. We, who had been hiding from the action until now, couldn't help but be taken aback.

"There's no shield around, it's hard to dodge."

"Oh no, nowhere to hide!"

At this moment, just as I suddenly panicked, a familiar "voice" echoed in my head.

"You don't have to hide. Come on, Kirita and Shino

It's Lilan's "voice". Apparently, he had noticed.

"Sure enough, you've noticed us, Rylan."

"Ah, hiding from Lilan is no ordinary thing."

As I spoke, I took Shino to Lilan, who was lying on the grassland, but Shina's eyes widened. Asuna leaned on Lilan's back, not lying but sitting, and fell asleep. And Asuna's calm breathing and sleeping face are completely unimaginable to what I've seen so far.