Dual-wielding black swordsman Kiritto VS paladin Heathcliff. Located on the 75th floor, the Grand Theater is packed with visitors with a theme like a monster movie from a long time ago.

There are many stalls in front of the gymnasium, and the stall owners provide the contestants with grilled squid, fried noodles, crepes and other things, just like a festival. That being said, my fight with Heathcliff must be worth watching for Ayn Grant players.

I'm now in the Colosseum waiting room with Asuna, Jupiter, Shiina, and Lilan. As you can see, this Colosseum looks like an arena or a place where duels are held, but it can accommodate a lot of spectators, and the center is empty, so I think it's okay to have a show or a live band. First of all, I heard that the Colosseum in Rome, the capital of Italy, was used not only for fighting matches, but also for theatrical performances.

"I can't believe it's really a city like ancient Rome, a building that people who love ruins can't accumulate."

"Of course, the structure of the city is quite interesting.

I nodded when I heard Asuna's words. If you search online, you may find a reconstructed map of an ancient Roman city, but the structure and atmosphere of the city are very similar to it. It wouldn't be wrong to say that you flew into an ancient Roman city.

"In what looks like an ancient city, you and Heathcliff will fight."

I nodded to Lilan on Shino's shoulder.

"Oh yes. I can't imagine what will happen, but no matter what happens, I won't lose and I want to fight as a human dragon if I can, but Heathcliff is just two swords because I told you to fight. ”

"If I return to my original state, I may be able to break through the defenses of the Holy Sword. But in that case, Heathcliff's battle would be too unreasonable. I'm annoyed that I can't fight Heathcliff, but Kirito, I'll fight hard.

"Jupiter, who was near Asuna, approached me. \"

"Come on, Kirito-san. \"

After receiving the support of Jupiter, who was a little slack, my heart warmed and I gained confidence. It's the same with Yui, but when kids cheer me on, I'm very motivated, but if that's the power that kids have, then I think it's really amazing.

Like Asuna, I gently caressed Jupiter, who had no tongue, but cheered me on.

"Thank you, Jupiter.

Jupiter burst out laughing. Immediately after, Shino said in a weak voice.

\"Kirito you\"

When I turned my head to look at Shino's face, there was a worried expression on her face. Perhaps, what happened late this night, he is still dragging on.

\"It's okay, Shino. I don't want to be defeated so easily, and I don't want to die. I'm not going to do boss fights, so don't worry. \"

Shino nodded expressionlessly. In order to alleviate Shino's uneasiness, we must fight and settle things as soon as possible, escaping from the Knights of the Blood Oath.

"Then I'll come."

With that, I walked to the bottom of the Colosseum, escorted by the crowd.

A veritable amphitheater with an auditorium around the warriors. As I walked to the center of the venue in the hot sun, there was a loud cheer from the audience, and my ears hurt for a moment, but it was nothing compared to Lilan's silent voice. So I'm used to hurrying up.

Then, as we moved to the central area, a silver-haired male knight in red and white armor and armed with a cross shield and sword approached us.

"Heathcliff"

"From now on, my opponent will be Heathcliff, the head of the Knights of the Blood Oath." It is said that he is the strongest man in Ayn Grant, the last trump card of the strategy group that has mastered the stunt "Holy Sword", and it can be said that it is the last bastion of the Knights of the Blood Oath. It lived up to its name, its eyes were sharp, its eyes lit up with intense light, and it exuded a sense of terror like an aura on its spine.

When Heathcliff came up to me, he looked around and muttered.

"I'm sorry, Kirito-san. I didn't expect something like this to happen. \"

"Since there's such a fuss, then I'll take the guarantee."

Heathcliff shook his head.

"No, after the game, you'll be a member of our guild, and I'll make you a mission."

"Looks like Heathcliff is intent on winning the duel with me." Well, Heathcliff is so strong that he never drops to yellow level, so fighting me definitely is like playing a game. Even so, I had no intention of losing, and I couldn't afford to lose to such an extent that I was provoked.

"So, shall we begin?"

Immediately afterward, Heathcliff manipulated the window and clicked the "OK" button. At that moment, a window appeared in front of me. The selection window for whether or not to accept the duel. I click on the "OK" button and select the "First Click to Deide" mode.

"Thank you for participating in the duel." Heathcliff smirked, and then I grabbed the hilts of the illuminators and dark repulsors hanging from my back, pulled them out, and set them up. At the same time, the "Kirito VS Heathcliff" letter duel and countdown window appeared near us, and the numbers began to decrease little by little.

Then, when the numbers were back to zero and the alarm for the start of the game went off, I kicked off the ground and swung my sword at Heathcliff with my right hand, just like Lilan's dragon flying through the sky. The moment the air-piercing blade was about to hit Heathcliff, Heathcliff drew his sword from the shield that was integrated with the scabbard, and blocked the sword in my right hand with the shield.

The metal clanged, sparks flew everywhere, and both of their faces turned red. After confirming that the first round of offense was not resolved and that the match continued until one of us turned yellow, I turned my head and remembered yesterday's image training.

The biggest feature of the "Holy Sword" is the strong defensive power of the shield. Just like the city walls, it will not be shaken no matter what kind of attack it receives. If you want to hurt the main body inside the thick wall, Yuichi's method is to go around to the side and hit from a place where there is no wall. Well, an effective way to attack is to attack as many as you can from the side!

"Wow!!"

With my head exploding and my arm almost snapping, I circled around Heathcliff's side and continued my attack from there. However, just as the sword was about to hit Heathcliff, a shield entered between me and Heathcliff, blocking the sword. After all, the other party also seems to see that he will be attacked from the side.

As a knight who has never turned yellow, even if he attacks me, he does not show a look of fear or impatience.

“——！”

When I kicked the ground again and circled sideways to Heathcliff, Heathcliff followed my movements and extended his shield to me.

(He's coming!) ）

Heathcliff has now turned the shield sword technique he envisioned into reality. He probably thought I hadn't read the shield attack, and I could see a strong smile on his face.

"It works!!"

Before the shield touched his abdomen, he crouched to the side, raised it above his head, and then turned and kicked Heathcliff in the leg. Heathcliff's shield can block any attack, but unlike the walls of a fortress, it doesn't extend to your feet. When it came to the emergency, not only the side, but also the feet were empty!

\"！？ \"

Heathcliff didn't seem to expect to be stabbed in the leg, lose his balance, and try to fall to the ground, but I immediately stabbed my sword hard at Heathcliff, who was covered in gaps. But at that moment, Heathcliff kicked forward to prevent himself from falling, and set up a shield between himself and his sword, blocking the oncoming sword attack.

I couldn't believe I could reach such a speed - my eyes widened at the sight of Heathcliff's excessive reaction speed, and he immediately jumped on both feet, put his foot on Heathcliff's shield, and then kicked it up and jumped backwards. As soon as I landed, Heathcliff called out to me.

"Kirito-san's reaction speed is amazing. I've never met a player like you. \"

"You have a strong defense, and it seems that the name of the personal fortress is out of place."

The next moment, Heathcliff kicked off the ground and began to run, and I began to run towards him at the same time. At the moment when the distance was greatly reduced, Heathcliff swung his longsword and attacked in a dash, but I immediately crossed my two swords, assumed a defensive stance, pulled Heathcliff's longsword, and after parrying, I was pushed back with my sword, allowing a dark purple light to stay in it, and shoot out.

"Haaaa

"Nightmare Rain", a sword skill with 16 consecutive hits, slashes enemies with nightmare light. However, just before the first blow struck, Heathcliff regained his balance, raised his shield, and blocked my attack after attack. He complimented me on my good reaction speed, which was terrifying, even the "Nightmare Rain".

(Not enough!!) ）

Immediately after sixteen consecutive attacks, I assumed a defensive stance, but the blade of Heathcliff's longsword flew at me again. The moment I received it, my hands and body went numb through the sword, and I knew that Heathcliff's strength was stronger than before.

If you look closely, you can see that Heathcliff has a red pattern on his cheek that looks like a small scratch. Apparently, one of the 16 rounds I fired in a row slightly hit Heathcliff's body. And Heathcliff's health is decreasing, even if only a little - it has decreased!

(Hurry up!) ）

It spun so fast that it almost sparked in my head and my eyes started to turn red. Literally heating up. But if you don't, you won't be able to conquer this personal fortress.

I roared as I condensed my sword light again and slashed at Heathcliff at super-high speed. It's the same as the dual-wielding high-level skill "Nightmare Rain", but the power is much different, and the sword skill "Starburst Stream" that attacks 16 times in a row and doesn't give any time to rest.

"Haha, shhh!!hhh

I tried not to use it except for the last stab due to the stiffness for a long time after the move, but this duel ended when one of the players' HP turned yellow, and with the flow, basically any player could reduce their HP to yellow.

And with my sword and rank, I should be able to pull Heathcliff's HP to yellow.

In order to achieve the feat of reducing Paladin Heathcliff's health to yellow, which Aingrun Grant could not do, I continued to attack as my vision continued to heat up.

"Whew!!"

- As if against my thoughts and feelings, Heathcliff stretched out his shield and let it absorb my constant attacks, but each time the shield absorbed the attack, it sounded like a shield screaming. Heathcliff was lifted up and pushed farther and farther away. A voice of surprise came from the audience, as if to say, "That Heathcliff was pushed!?" "Maybe I've achieved a feat that no player or monster can do.

Then, when the last attack, the fifteenth slash, hit directly, Heathcliff's shield finally snapped off, exposing the target I was supposed to be protecting.

"This is the last time!!"

The final blow, accompanied by a stabbing blow of blue light, hit Heathcliff in the forehead. —just as he was about to accomplish a feat that no one had done before—Heathcliff vanished. At that moment, he appeared beside me—far from the range of the sword's attack.

\"Huh!? \"

I wonder if I'm spinning my mind too much and confusing Heathcliff's image with reality. No, I wonder if Heathcliff is stealing my time. Did this man steal my time and get out of the range of the sword——?

Even if I wanted to move my body with such thoughts, I couldn't move because of the stiffness of my sword skills. I was at a loss for words, staring intently at the teleported Heathcliff, and at that moment, Heathcliff took a stabbing pose, and the sword wrapped in white light - fired.

It's probably the sword technique of the "Holy Sword", but I don't know the name. However, the weight and power of that blow reminded me of the collision of a huge gun, and its body was easily blown away like dust before the wind, and finally landed on the ground. But I was still overpowered, tossing and turning, and when I got to the middle of the playing field, I finally stopped and lay on my back.

"I don't understand what's going on at all." No, I know that Heathcliff's sword skill has been fired, but I don't understand Heathcliff's move before he released it. Apparently a momentary move.

I've never heard of Ayn Grant having such a skill, though, and I don't think I'll be able to reach that speed, no matter how much my AGI improves. The action seems to overtake the player. It's like a skill that defies common sense.

"What's going on here, what did Heathcliff do?" Just as I was thinking, there was a cheer nearby, and I came back to my senses. - My HP has turned yellow, and before I know it, I've lost the duel.

"Ah, that?"

When I stood up and turned to face Heathcliff, Heathcliff was covering his face with one hand, but he immediately turned to me, gave me a serious look, and left the rice field without saying anything. I couldn't leave the center of the arena for a while, didn't know what was going on, and didn't know why I lost.

"That, Asuna-san, what is this? \"

I, Shino, and Lilan eventually joined the Knights of the Blood Oaths and had to go to the Knights of the Blood Oath headquarters with Asuna and Jupiter. I borrowed one of the rooms, and Asuna, though apologetic, gave me and Shino the equipment of the Knights of the Blood Oath, but when I received it, I was taken aback.

The pants are black as usual, but the upper body is dressed in white-gold armor like Lilan's hair, with gloves and gloves attached. This is wearing gear that can be mistaken for a coat. Jacket, which has a shorter hem than my outfit Under Agent.

"Well, it's a gift from the captain. Although Kirito lost the duel, he pushed me to this point, so he said that he would give me a reward for the boss's final attack bonus on the 74th floor. Because the color is just right, let's give it to Kirito-kun. \"

After listening to Asuna's words, I opened the gear window and stared at the gear. The name of the coat worn on the body is the "White Knight Jacket", the armor worn inside is the "White Knight Armor", the gloves are the "White Knight Arm Armor", and the lower body equipment that combines pants and leg armor is called the "White Knight Leggings". All of them are labeled "White Knight", so I learned that this set is a boss drop item on floor 74.

What's more, and frustratingly, despite the flashy look that I don't like, all the additional effects are stronger than any armor I've ever used, and the defense is increased by more than 250.

"It's fancy, but it's powerful, and I have to use it, too"

"This piece of equipment is by far the best of all the members except for the captain.

"I reluctantly accepted it." Even if I searched through my inventory, I couldn't find such good equipment.

"Hey, Asuna, what's mine? \"

I turned my gaze to Shino. Shino also wears a white and red jacket, a white breastplate, and white trousers. Perhaps it was also a gift from Heathcliff.

"Shiina's armor has similar performance to the armor I use. Perhaps, but I think it's better than the equipment Shino is currently using. \"

Shiina, looking at her body with a somewhat confident expression. Shiina's equipment hasn't changed since it first fell on me. No, in fact I didn't change it, because from then until now its defense was enough.

\"It's as if the captain forcibly added you from now on, Kirito-kun, Shino. \"

\"Ahh Please repeat, Deputy Head Asuna. \"

Asuna shook her head as I tried to speak like a normal member.

\"Ah, but Asuna is fine.

"Huh? Why"

Although the leader's instructions are the premise, in fact, Kirito-kun is the strongest player. In addition to Lilan, Kirito-kun is also a "Twin Sword Flow user. He's not like him. "Be strong as a leader. ”

Indeed, I am the Beast Tamer who has a dual-wielding that no one but Heathcliff has, and in addition to that, I am also the Beast Tamer of Lilan, and I also have the same dual-wielding. The power of the boss as a quarter. While my fight with Heathcliff added another page to the Paladin's lore, I think I'm the one who can be the same as Heathcliff with Ain Grindrie.

"Yes, but, even if you give you the knight commander authority as soon as you join, what are you going to do with it? \"

"Kirito-kun, you just do what you say. Hawkers,It would be a shame if the organization was used for your own benefit.,But Kirito-kun isn't that kind of person, so it's okay.。 \"

"Miss Alice said that from then on, the organization began to die out\"

"So don't use it like that."

Asuna smiled bitterly, and her expression returned.

"So, what are Kirito-san going to do now? \"

After saying this, I remembered the conversation I had with Shino last night, or late this night.

\"Ah, yes. Asuna, can you take care of Lilan and Yui for a while? \"

"Uh, why again? Or rather, Yui-chan too? \"

"Ah, I still have some things to do, and I want a place where I can spend time in peace."

"It's okay for Lilan and Yui to live separately, but if you ask me where I can spend my quiet time, I don't know if it's there. \"

"Do you know what?"

Asuna nodded. There seems to be an area called Springfield on the eastern part of the 70th floor, where wild monsters do not appear. Moreover, it is a rather secluded place, and it seems that only Asuna and her squire Yuki in the Blood Knights know about it. Of course, other average players simply don't know it exists. Or rather, it's an area where no enemies appear, and it's not an area with rare items or monsters, so he doesn't seem interested.

"I see, 70th floor."

"Yes, it's a very beautiful place, cherry blossoms bloom all year round, and the food at the inn in the nearby town is really good, so it's really a lesser-known place. If you want to spend a quiet time, the place is the best, even the captain doesn't seem to know. ”

"Don't you know Heathcliff? That's even better. ”

\"Thank you for telling me, Asuna.

Asuna smiled at Shiina.

"It's okay, we can manage the arrest ourselves, and now the leader is also arresting."

"No, I don't think there's anything I can do about it."

Hearing my words, Shino and Asuna turned their heads away. The current challenge is 75 layers, and 75 layers is a quarter of 100 layers divided by 4. Asuna's expression became solemn when I explained that something terrible was likely to await us in the boss fight.

"It's true that we're now at 75 points, so there's probably going to be a very strong boss in 100 quarters."

"So, if there's anything, please contact us immediately and I'll be back as soon as I can get things done."

\"I see. If there's anything going on, I'll ask Kirito-kun and Shino-san to take care of it. \"

We nodded to Asuna. Immediately after, Asuna smiled again.

But first, the two of you go to a quiet place and spend some time there.

\"Then you can rest assured. I'll leave it to you, Asuna. \"

Asuna smiled again.

◇◇◇

In the afternoon, we headed to Springfield, on the east side of the 70th floor, which was the hiding spot that Asuna told us, but we were taken aback. It's summer, but the climate is spring-like, with cherry blossoms in full bloom and snowflakes falling, reminding me of the thousands of cherry blossoms in the real world. It's as if the seasons have gone backwards.

"Wow, the cherry blossoms are really blooming!"

"There is such a beautiful place, it seems that I have not abandoned the world of Ayn Grant. \"

It's such a beautiful place, but no matter where you look, there are no players, and even if I use my enemy-detecting skills, neither the monster nor the player will be caught. We are the people of Yuichi in this place, completely preserved.

"If that's the case, then Yui and Lilan oops, it's just the two of us today. \"

As soon as I thought that I had disappointed Shina, I heard Shina's voice coming.

"I think the same thing. I think how happy I would be if I could bring Yui and Lilan with me. But I just want to spend the day with you. \"

Shino said as she held out her hand to me. Because of the smiles on their faces, I immediately understood that this was a sign that they wanted to walk together. Shino usually doesn't act like lovers, but when they are really alone like this, she takes the initiative to want to do something like lovers, such as holding hands. I understand.

Then I accepted Shiina's expression and gently shook her hand. The soft touch and Shino's unique warmth gradually spread, and it didn't take long for me to feel warm all over my body.

"Let's go, let's go for a walk."

Shiina, hearing my words, nodded, and began to stand shoulder to shoulder with me. When I'm in the real world, I don't think there's anything better than walking hand in hand with the woman I love. However, Shino betrayed my thoughts and expectations in this way, and now she is still by my side. - It makes me feel irresistibly happy.

"Springfield is a household word, though, and it's the only place where there's a spring climate, and time seems to stop in the spring."

"Ah, if only we could hold a cherry blossom viewing party. \"

\"yes. Lights up at night, isn't it? The facilities here are not as complete as they are in reality. \"

"I was taken aback by those words." Yes, this world is a world within a game, a game of death, and if you die, you die in real life. It's so beautiful, because Shino is right next to me, I almost forgot about it.

(However)

I no longer think of the world as nothing more than a game of death. This world is a game world, but you can feel the warmth and vitality of this world, and there is actually life in this world. At first, I thought it was just the world in the game, but now I can't forgive those who deny the world by advocating this kind of thing.

However, this world is somehow maintained by a company called REcto progress. If Rector's employees mess up the world badly, the world will collapse in an instant, and the player may die due to disconnection or physical limitations.

（... ）

In my head, I can imagine what it would be like if this happened to me and Shino.

"What if you wake up in the morning and find Shino gone? \"

\"On the other hand, if I die, Shino\"

\"Kirito, hey Kirito. \"

Shino's words brought me back to my senses. In front of me is a spring field where cherry blossoms are falling, and next to it is Shino with a worried face.

"Shino"

"What's wrong?

"It's okay, it's nothing."

Shino looked a little unconvinced, but she turned her face forward and began to walk forward. I thought I would put away the anxiety in my heart for a while, but I couldn't suppress it just thinking about it.