A petite boy with a hairstyle similar to Asuna's, with chestnut hair but silver tips and amber eyes, and is basically dressed in a white hoodie. Although Asuna had seen such a look many times, the aura of maturity exuded from her whole body.

As Kyoko looked at him suspiciously, Asuna quietly approached the boy. The boy closed the door as well, walked over to Asuna, and finally lined up beside her. As the boys lined up beside her, Asuna turned to face Kyoko.

"Let me introduce you, Mom. The child was Jupiter. ”

"Jupiter, that"

There seemed to be a strong sense of disgust in Kyoko's eyes. It looked like he was looking at something disgusting, but Jupiter didn't move, instead looking at Apricot with a calm face. Exactly the same as what I saw in Jupiter's memory fragment when I treated that woman.

Jupiter bowed slowly, and Apricot's gaze remained on him. Done.

"Nice to meet you, Kyoko Yuuki. I am Jupiter. \"

The hut was filled with powerful and gentle voices. His voice was so mature that even Asuna was surprised.

This is the original state of Jupiter. Asuna held back the sudden realization and surprise in her heart, and looked at Jupiter and Apricot.

"It was an AI who claimed to be Asuna's son. That's it, right? \"

"I heard about you from your mother. How you treat her, and what you want to do. ”

"Well, that means it understands Asuna. This is again an AI with a strong ability to imitate. \"

Asuna tried to shake her head, but Jupiter stopped her. Leave it to me—Jupiter said to Asuna without saying a word, and slowly approached Apricot.

"I can't help it if you think so. I am indeed an artificial intelligence, and I don't have a physical body like Miss Apricot or Miss Mom. I understand what you're talking about, though. Masu"

"I guess it's because that's what it does."

"That's right. I know how you feel right now. ”

Kyoko's eyebrows furrowed. The human Modoki looked like he was giving orders, but Jupiter kept his calm and approached Apricot.

"Miss Apricot. I heard everything from your mother. Everything about how you've lived your life so far, how you've gotten to this point. \"

"You mean you know everything about me?"

"I don't know the whole thing since I heard the story from my mother, but I still think I know more than half of it. I'll tell the rest of the Yuki family that you're from a peasant family in Miyagi Prefecture" "Being despised is what makes you tired." ”

At this moment, Kyoko's face finally turned into surprise.

What Jupiter had just said, Jupiter himself was shocked when he heard it.

Although Kyoko is now a professor at a prestigious university, she comes from a peasant family in Miyagi Prefecture. Kyoko, who was born in a peasant family, is the most suitable person to look down on her and despise her for people from the Yuki family, who care too much about her origin and lineage.

"You've always been ashamed that you came from a peasant family, and you're desperately trying to erase that fact. Maybe that's why you want your mother to go down the elite path too, erasing your own stigma. ””。

“”

Jupiter walked up to Apricot and stopped in front of her. He just kept looking up at Kyoko.

"But there's nothing to be ashamed of about where you're from. Some stories about where you're coming from, and some things you don't know. ”

“... What is that? ”

"Can you look out the window?"

Following Jupiter's instructions, Apricot suddenly looked out the window. I can finally show Kyoko what I want to show her. You can teach what you want to teach. With a glimmer of joy in her heart, Asuna stood beside Apricot and Jupiter and looked out the window.

There is a vast grassland that can be described as deep, and there is a stream flowing through it, and the conifers are neatly arranged, which makes it seem cramped. And it's covered in snow, so the scene can only be described as cold.

This is exactly the scene that Asuna wants to show Apricot to.

Kyoko was already stunned by this cedar forest, which looked very similar to the one she had seen from the window of her parents' house in Miyagi, Kyoko's hometown. Jupiter said to Apricot who was looking intently out the window with her mouth half-open.

"Your birthplace is a peasant family in the mountains of Miyagi Prefecture. Your home is located in a rural area where there is no mechanization. If it's true, you'll never be able to go to college. You're in an environment where you can't even be a university professor. However, you study hard and get out of there and meet Mr. Shozo and the Yuki family. That's right, isn't it?

Kyoko nodded sheepishly. His eyes were still fixed on the taiga outside the window.

"However, the Yuki family doesn't like that you come from the farm, they make you look down on you, saying that it is a farmer's habit, that you are despised, and that you have an inferiority complex because of your origin. Actually, even if there is a party of the Yuki family, I don't want to go. However, I couldn't miss the Yuki family's party, so I tried to get rid of those who made fun of me, so I went to Koichiro and others, and Kasan also tried to make her an elite.

Kyoko's mouth is covered. Even if you want to deny it, you can't deny it. This is similar to the barrage of attacks that Asuna was given when she met Lilan.

"Miss Apricot. You are left alone for a long time. Even though you became a member of the Yuuki family, everyone despised you for being left alone. It was painful for a long time. I think so".

Asuna was surprised by Jupiter's words, but at the same time realized that they made sense.

The Yuki family, whose main family is in Kyoto, is a very large family that has been in the currency exchange business since the Meiji era. Because of her size, there are a lot of people to deal with, but Asuna has never seen any of them be kind to Apricot.

Even though he was a member of a big family, no one respected him. Because there is one inevitable thing: being born into a peasant family. Kyoko has been exposed to this?? has been in the situation for a long time.

"That's why I raised Koichiro and Mom because I wanted them to know that I wasn't alone and that they knew who I was. I wanted to, but I was desperate.

However, your loneliness has not yet been cured. Because you have been looked down upon, you can't find your place. ”

"How do you know?"

By this time, Asuna could finally speak.

"Jupiter is not just an artificial intelligence, he is a child created to heal the female psyche. He has treated many injured women. If you check a person and get to know them, you can know almost everything about them. ”

“”

The birthplace of my mother's shame. The place she didn't even want to remember was Asuna's favorite place.

A small village at the end of a steep valley. Growing up, Asuna would go to that favorite place than Yuki's main house during the summer and winter vacations, meet her grandparents, and talk together for many days.

The annual trip to her grandmother's house took place when Asuna was in her first year of junior high school. Asuna relayed as she recalled the different circumstances from before.

"My father, mother, and brother all went to Kyoto during Obon in the first year of junior high school, but I remember that I was the only one who went to Miyagi.

I apologized to my grandparents at that time. It's a shame your mother didn't make it to visit your grave. Sorry, I'm the only one. ”

"At that time, a memorial service was being held in Yuki's main house, and I had to attend"

There was a tremor in Kyoko's voice. Maybe he felt he was being blamed. Asuna continued, telling him that this was not the case.

After Asuna apologizes to her mother, her grandfather walks over to the teabox and pulls out a book. It's a thick album reminiscent of a now-outdated encyclopedia. Asuna looked inside and was taken aback, whether there was a photo of Apricot when she was a child.

The album contains printouts of Kyoko University papers, articles contributed to various magazines, and interviews. All articles related to apricots are scattered in places that usually contain family photos, etc.

Even though there were no computers at her grandparents' house or in the surrounding houses, everything that Apricot was involved in was neatly filed. My grandfather showed it to me as he spoke.

"Kyoko is our irreplaceable asset. We are glad that she was admitted to university from the village, became a scholar, wrote for many magazines, and became a great person. She was busy writing papers and attending academic conferences, so we couldn't help but go and visit her grave. "I can't come for granted, and I've never been upset about that."

Kyoko stared intently at the window, listening intently to Asuna's story.

Then, my grandfather added, "But my mother was a busy person, and one day she might get tired and want to stop." She wondered if she was on the right path. You want to go back. At that time, we will protect this house... If mom needs support, there will be a place where she can come back. I want to tell you that I want to protect this house and this mountain forever."

However, when Asuna entered her second year of junior high school, her grandparents died, and the terraces and mountains were sold. Uninhabited houses were demolished and disappeared without a trace. For Kyoko, this may be tantamount to giving up her hated birthplace, and at the same time losing her support.

Recalling the house that was demolished and turned into a bygone house, and Jupiter, Asuna put into words what she felt.

"At first I didn't understand what that meant, but after seeing everyone and Jupiter, I think I finally understood. Life is not about running for oneself, but for the happiness of others. There are lives and ways to live where you think the happiness of others is your own.

It's me, Mom. I want to live a life that makes everyone around me smile. I want to do everything I can to make everyone smile. For this reason, I want to be with Jupiter, who is trying to heal everyone, to study hard and other things in the school I love. ”

Asuna put all the feelings in her heart into words. My desire for my future self. Even after telling her everything, Kyoko still looked out the window. At this time, Jupiter stood beside Apricot and held her hand. Kyoko looked at Jupiter in surprise.

"Miss Apricot. You don't have to be ashamed of where you were born. As an academic and university professor, you've been working hard. So from now on, you don't have to be ashamed of where you were born, but "don't be ashamed of where you were born." Please be proud of what you have achieved as a person. Don't worry about what the Yuki family will say. Be proud of what you've accomplished. And, you're no longer alone. There is no such thing there."

Kyoko's eyes widened. A gentle smile appeared on Jupiter's face.

"Kyoko-san has a lot of students, Shozo-san, Koichiro-san, Mom, and me. It may seem like you don't have a place to belong, but the house where you were born is gone, and your place is here. One might say I'm arrogant considering it's artificial intelligence, but—"

Jupiter took Apricot's hand with both hands. His amber eyes were exactly the same as Kyoko's, and he smiled again.

\"I am your grandson. That's where you're going back. I will do my best to make this a place you can go back to, a place where you feel safe. So, Kyoko-san, that's enough. "Please stop. Please rest. I'll be here."

Jupiter said in a hearty voice, the smile on his face exactly the same as what he saw in the fragments of memory. The sound filled the hut in the quiet new forest, and then it was gone. Apricot still held his hand and just looked at Jupiter with dark green eyes.

After about ten seconds passed, Asuna gasped.

A tear ran down the apricot porcelain-like cheek. As the lips moved, more tears began to flow and drip down. Eventually, Kyoko bent her knees, sat on the floor, and opened her mouth.

"What are you guys doing, everyone come and gather!!"

“？”

"What's wrong with me? What happened to my hometown? I also became a professor, I was a scholar, I made a lot of money, I made a lot of money, he trained a lot of students, and by anyone's standards, he achieved great things. "As a result, a career was created.

But why is no one admitting it? Why should I be despised because of where I come from?! Why should I be ridiculed for not being able to change?! ”

Asuna's screams and tears startled Asuna. The image of her mother, which she had never seen before, overlapped with the image she had when she met Lilan.

After all, so was my mother. They are despised by those around them, have nowhere to go, have no belonging, and are bound to life by something. My mother was forced into the same situation as me and continued to suffer.

The mud in my heart and the suppressed emotions are pouring out in the form of words at this moment. Harness the power of Jupiter.

"I'm not a good fit for the Ariki family. Where exactly am I not suited? What don't you like about me? What makes you look down on me so much? What makes you look down on me so much!! ”

Jupiter walked up to Apricot and embraced her with her petite body and arms, while Apricot was still spitting out what had been accumulating all along. Perhaps because of the relatively large size of the apricot, it could not fit into Jupiter's chest at all, and her face reached Jupiter's shoulder. However, Jupiter didn't care, and stroked the back of the apricot with his arm.

"It's okay, there's nothing wrong with you, you don't have to worry about anything anymore. You should be proud of yourself. You are a proud woman and your grandmother. ”

Kyoko buried her face in Jupiter's chest and shoulders, pressed the weight of her body against Jupiter, and let out a sob, but eventually her arm slowly moved and stopped in midair. Meanwhile, Asuna approached Apricot.

"Me"

"Mom, when I was with Jupiter, it all came out. All my thoughts, anxiety, dissatisfaction, sadness came out. When I was in front of Jupiter, I set everything free and no one could hold it. "Restoring their feelings"

“”

Apricot moved her arms, but her face didn't leave Jupiter's chest. After repeating what he hesitated, he finally gave up and hugged Jupiter's body again.

\"Are you Asuna's child? My grandson? \"

"yes, grandma."

As Jupiter answered, Asuna also placed her hand on Apricot's trembling body.

"This is my child, Mommy."

"That's it"

After saying a few words, Kyoko did not let go of Jupiter's body.

The next morning. When Asuna arrived at the dining room, breakfast was already on the table. Sitting in a chair, Apricot has finished her breakfast and is browsing the news on her tablet.

It looked like usual, and Asuna said good morning to each other and ate in silence.

When the plate was put away, Kyoko shouted to Asuna as if she had expected it. The next step is to "submit your transfer request". Asuna was ready and waited for the next words, but there was a long sigh from Apricot.

"Asuna, I'm sorry. \"

“？”

\"As you say, I'm the one who gets weird. I always thought I had a complex for my hometown and I was stuck and couldn't see things properly. \"Yo. Maybe I'm being too mean. My own business. My intervention has caused you a lot of pain. I'm so sorry. ”

The old-fashioned mother is now apologizing. Asuna could only roll her eyes. Eventually, though, Asuna was able to speak.

"Mom is not like this, I blame her"

"Nope. I've done some terrible things to you. So, I'm really sorry for all this. ”

Asuna could no longer speak. I don't know what to say to Kyoko, her behavior has changed dramatically since yesterday. Even though I thought about it in my heart, I couldn't find the words. Just as Asuna was wondering, Kyoko continued.

\"Artificial intelligence has the power to heal the human spirit, huh? Humans are supposed to be the ones who have to heal the human mind, but a creature created by a human like Jupiter-kun is more likely to do so. "What happens when people become good at something, but key people become good at hurting and demeaning others? ”

Asuna didn't miss a single word in Apricot's words. However, I didn't think I could hear Asuna clearly, so I tried to ask her again, but before I could speak, Kyoko interrupted Asuna.

\"Well, Asuna. You've said you don't want that, you want more people to smile and support them. So, I think you have the determination to do that. \"

"Yes"

"Then you have to get stronger first, you have to go to the university I recommend, and for that, you have to do better than you have in the third semester and next year."

"Uh, Mom, is that what about the transfer exam?"

\"I said it. It depends on your grades later on. Go for it, Asuna. Let's go to college."

Kyoko turned her gaze to Asuna. He spoke in a calm tone, and his eyes were full of seriousness.

"To be a mother who makes Jupiter proud."

As soon as the words fell, Kyoko stood up and left the restaurant quickly. Asuna stiffened for a few seconds at the sound of the door closing, and then felt something push up from deep in her chest.

Even with the power of Jupiter, he finally freed Apricot from her misery.

They were able to acknowledge that we were parents and children. A smile naturally appeared on her lips, and Asuna murmured quietly.

"Mom, thank you..."

Asuna left the dining room and went to her room. After that, I changed into my school uniform, hung up my school bag, and walked briskly to school with a smile.

That night\"The City of the Origin of the Sword\"

Asuna returned home from school, and immediately after eating dinner and taking a shower, she used Amusphere to infiltrate "SA:o".

When I opened my eyes when the radiation was over, I found myself in a room made of stone and wood, illuminated by light. There is a bed against the wall, and a table and chairs are placed next to it. It was, without a doubt, my bedroom in the City of Origin.

However, the time had not yet come and neither the bed nor the table had been used. From the first floor, I felt a tiny but certain presence. Asuna smiled at his arrival, then left the room and walked down the stairs.

When I opened the door at the bottom of the stairs, I found myself in the familiar living room, where I saw a boy. A petite boy with amber eyes, the same hairstyle as himself, chestnut hair, silver tips, and white clothes.

When the boy met Asuna's eyes, he smiled brightly.

"Welcome back, Mom."

Asuna responded to the greetings of her beloved child.

"I'm back, Jupiter."

"Where have you been, that Rhea Mob."

"You shouldn't have gone to that far place, look for it."

In the vast grasslands, I passed through the forest. She was hiding in the shadows of the trees now. There were many footsteps and the voices of men on the other side of the meadow, and she couldn't find it as she looked at the prairie from the shadows of the trees.

She is now being chased. The cause was only a few dozen minutes ago. Walking down the street, she met several men. It is believed that many men came to meet him, and he stopped by when he said he was going out.

She had no particular doubts. Perhaps it can be said that there is no reason to doubt. Although the men are strangers, it is not uncommon for them to meet on this street, and it is not uncommon for them to be accosted. And I have places I want to take me to, so I can ask these men.

She was persuaded by the men to go to the grassland.

", where did you really go? I couldn't find it at all. ”

"Did you run away because of crystals or something?"

Then the situation changed completely. One of the men, who looked calm, slashed at her with a sword as she came to the grassland. It's not just one of them. All the men present drew their benefits and attacked her in unison. Keep saying "kill this guy", "kill this guy and you can get the balance Blake", etc.

Apparently these people are trying to hurt me. I asked you to bring me here to hurt me.

She ran away after noticing after being hit for the first time. The men, of course, caught up, but kept running so as not to be overtaken. In this way, when she reached the place where she was about to come to the forest, she found a particularly large tree and hid behind it.

While she was hiding, the men ran to where she was, and after beating the monsters around her, they began to look around. In order not to be noticed, she blindly waited for the men to leave.

The men were still looking around with dumbfounded eyes, and one of them was numb.

"Sure enough, he was escaped. I think it's a shame that if I kill it, I might get the balance Blake. ”

"That's right. Even if you attack, it won't turn into a blue cursor, and I've heard that you can get a weapon that balances Blake. ”

"Seems right. It was me attacking, but it turned into a blue cursor. This game seems to have some tweaks left to be desired. ”

"Thanks to that, we were able to get the balance Blake, which was fantastic."

The men's mouths were full of strange words. I barely understood what that meant. But, it must have been aimed at me—she thought, continuing to inquire about the situation. Soon one of the men let out a sigh.

"Sure enough, I ran away. No way, I'm going to quit. \"

"Balance Blake is here again, I'll get it anyway."

The men said in unison, turned back the way they came, and disappeared into the grassland. When the men's backs were completely invisible, she finally walked out of the shadows of the trees in the direction of the grassland.

Even when they were seen, there was no sign of the men coming. It seems to be completely spilled.

The place where she was was surrounded by silence. The monsters were also hunted down by the men and disappeared. The men hunted monsters one by one, creating the most suitable environment for scorching in order to find her.

If you hadn't been able to hide at the time, you might have been hunted like the monsters. Because those men have gotten to that point and want to find out about her. Thinking about it made her spine feel cold.

At the same time, doubts and thoughts arise in my mind.

Why am I being targeted?

What is in my heart.

Why are those people attacking me?

Even if she wanted to think, she couldn't understand. If you don't ask someone, you won't get answers. Suddenly looking up at the sky, she asked again.

"Why are people in this world targeting me?"

I asked, but there was no answer.

It's just that in that place, there is a lot of sound of grass and trees swaying in the wind.

It's been a week since Yupitel was able to regain his old memories. We reached the deepest part of the Aldrob Forest to fight the area bosses.

Dim and damp, the demonic monsters are spreading rough, and in the deepest part of the cavern there is a door unique to the area boss. When we finally arrived at the place where the regional boss was, we stopped moving forward in front of the gate for the time being and returned to the street, gathered the members, and went to the door of the regional boss.

In front of the door that was opened, holding two swords, and then phantom arms made of the original bowl" There is also a pair of giant Giggs. In fact, the figure of the giant, with its four arms and four swords, is reminiscent of the "Emperor Zeus the Dragon" who once fought in the hundredth layer of the Ruby Jade Palace at the top of the "SAo".

However, now that all the problems of Yupitel have been solved, everyone has been able to fight without fear and succeed in leaving behind what can be said to be a big victory.

Due to the defeat of the Guardian Giants of the Great Forest of Odrobe, the site of the next area is liberated, but at the same time there are stairs in the corner of the cavern that became the battlefield.

Could it be that the underground temple existed as it did in the steppes of Lystria? Underneath the battlefield with the giants, there is a temple with an exact structure identical to the one found in the Lystrian steppes.

As at that time, looking inside, an altar with glowing oval stones was found, as in the time of the Lytrian steppe, which the prime minister recovered.

Similar cases occurred in the Lystria steppes and the Aldrob Forest.

There's only one answer derived from there. There is no doubt that the mission of the premiere is linked to the regional bosses of the various venues. At first, it was just a thing to advance a virtual mission, but now it is the thing that exists in the deepest part of the temple that appeared by defeating the area boss, and collects oval-shaped stones.

I don't know what's waiting ahead, but if I defeat the regional boss in the future, I'm sure I'll be able to advance the premiere mission. I am convinced that we are all the same, and that we all share the purpose together. We decided on strategy policy to continue exploration on the field and the defeat of the regional boss in future.

However, at the same time, there are a lot of facts that are not understood about the tasks of the premiere. Although it is known that the mission of the premiere is to collect glowing stones, no other information is obtained. What exactly is the mission of the premiere and what is it like?

I tried to think about it.,Everyone seems to be concerned about this.,As a result, everyone gathered information about the premiere missions and added them to the strategy policy.,Each of them carried out various missions.。

As part of this exploration, we are now located in a corner of the "Jewel Peak" and "Lake and Marsh Group Fault Group", a place called the "Rainix Channel". The area that came into being as a result of the destruction of the regional boss of the Great Forest of Aldrob, as the name of the lake marsh complex, was flooded land.

Soon after entering, the rainforest, which means a wet place, is surrounded by a faint humidity and filled with water underfoot. Surrounded by rocky mountains, there are waterfalls of various sizes everywhere, and a large amount of water flows down.

Because it was a cluster of lakes and marshes, I thought it must be a place with a lot of water, but it was far more than I expected. I was amazed by the amount of water and the environment, and at the same time, I walked with Shino on the "Lennick Stream".

"Even so, there was water everywhere. I always feel that the clothes are very heavy. ”

"If you wear a coat like that, it will become heavier if you absorb water."

Walking in a place where there is water everywhere, suddenly sporadic Xiaoyan is eaten by Shino.

Perhaps because of the excess water, this site is more humid than Aldrobe Woods. Because of the inhalation of too much moisture, the weight of the clothes feels heavy. Perhaps, as Shino said, the clothes I wear are coats that also have an impact.

However, I don't usually carry anything other than that, and the defense is the highest in this coat. Since you have encountered a monster during the exploration of the field, you can't remove this coat no matter how heavy it is.

"This is the most suitable equipment at the moment, and it can't be taken off."

Saying this, he looked back. Speaking of Shino, who has been greeting her, it is still a design with a high degree of exposure, and a blue scarf is wrapped around a light outfit based on green. This is a combat uniform that has been worn since coming into this world, but it does not become heavy even if it absorbs water.

"Shino is good, it doesn't seem to be too heavy."

"There's nothing like that, it can be a little hard to act."

"Really? It looks the same as usual. ”

"It's just that it looks like that, it's actually quite heavy."

Although this is Shino's words that can be believed at any time, I doubt whether I should believe it now. Shiina's costume has more skin and less cloth than it did in "SAo" and "ALo". The absorption also doesn't look that heavy.

Maybe it's because I said it myself, but the suspicion hasn't been dispelled.

"Even so, there are no enemies around here."

Look around with Shino's muttering. It is thought to be the original area of the Everest Lake and Marsh Group, but because it is a deep water's edge, you can see crab-shaped monsters and fish-shaped monsters with legs, which are classified as "aquatic monsters".

As an object of the lively area, it is also a design reminiscent of seaweed and coral reefs. Reminiscent of aquatic monster hordes and objects in the sea, there is also a vast water's edge.

In other words, this is a coral reef area where land and sea are mixed. This is a vision that is absolutely impossible in reality, and it is precisely because it is a virtual world that it can be realized.

Although it is the aquatic monsters, the number of battles here is very small compared to the time when the Aldrob Forest and the Rustrian steppes were few, and the monsters in the area can be annihilated with a little fighting. As a result, there are only land and sea corals and the water flowing out of the rocky mountains, as well as me and Shino.

"Perhaps only this area has a small prevalence of monsters. Or there are very few monsters set on this field itself. ”

If that's the case, it's probably not a good place to be level. This is the same as the non-combat areas of the 22nd and 80th floors of Einclyde, a floating city formed on the basis of this idling.

Players who are looking for level and intensity run over in a panic and are sure to leave behind players with the motto of leisure.

Now I can't see the other players, and sure enough, we are the only ones present. Everyone seems to be moving forward.

"In other words, there aren't many players here, and there are no monsters. It's a similar place in the circle. ”

"Don't do that. It doesn't seem like many people are going to explore an area closely. ”

This time I didn't bring the "demon" Rilang. Lilan now goes to other stadiums with Strea and them, gathering information like Argo. Needless to say, the message was about the premiere mission.

The Rusetrian steppes and the Great Forest of Aldrob have knocked down the regional bosses, but there are still many places that have not yet been explored. I'm exploring the place that wasn't explored for information related to the premiere's mission.

Shiina, I and I were also looking for information related to the mission of the premiere, and we came to this "Jewel Peak Lake Swamp Group". Since this is the first area, you won't see anything like it, but you can definitely find it if you go ahead.

"There's nothing here. Let's hurry up—"

"Wait, Kirito."

Suddenly greeted by Shino, I turned to Shino again. Shiina's hand reached for the water soaked in the ground, making a crackling sound. It's like checking what's in the water.

"It's the water, but isn't it beautiful?"

"Huh?"

At that point, I suddenly stared at the ground. The ground where we put our feet was soaked in ankle-below the water level. The water sparkled in sunlight, and the ground below could be seen more clearly than anything else.

It should be said that it is pure water without impurities. It can also be used as drinking water, and if you put it in a bottle and take it back to the city, it can also be used as an ingredient for cooking. Again I was a little surprised to notice that this filled the whole area.

"It's really clean water. Is this all the water in this area?"

"yes. And there are no monsters and no players here"

Shino, who was about to say, turned around and walked out like that.

He was surprised to follow the sharp turn and found that the amount of water had increased. Shino is in the depths of the scale of the water scale that the fish scales make by oneself in the depression of the ground. As Shino followed, the depression deepened and the amount of water became higher.

When the guide poem stops. The place we were in was a place where the Rimstone swimming pool, which is common in places like the Stalactite Cave instead of the stairs to get off the car, is a large sunken bottom. The volume of water is higher than the ankle, and the shoes are flooded.

There are no treasure chests or monsters around. It's really a place where there's nothing but pure water under your feet. If you don't ask, Shino can't seem to understand why she came here.

"Shino, this is here?"

Immediately after, Shino took off her boots, loosened the belt around her waist, and removed the equipment that covered her legs. Exposed his feet, soaked his bare feet in the water, and turned to look back at me like that. Because it was something that was suddenly unloaded, I couldn't help but feel excited, and something cold flew on my face.

"Wow!?"

I raised my voice and wiped my face in surprise, only to get water on my hands. Like water soaked in the ground and feet. Then Shino in front of me, while doing the posture after the light kick, crossed her hands behind her back, and stared at me.

"The water is so clean, there are no monsters and no one to take a bath."

Shino had an expression of expectation, and her cheeks turned slightly cherry blossom color.

I took another look at the ground. The clear pure water here can be drunk in a comfortable cool water or bathed.

The sky is clear and the sun is shining strongly, making it the perfect weather setting for bathing.

"Playing in the water? I'll tell you, then you're welcome. \"

"I'm going to get soaked, okay?"

"That's what I mean, too. I'm going to get you soaked! ”

With that, I scooped the pure water under my feet with my hand and threw it at Shino. With the sound of "click", the water hit Shino's face, making a "click" sound that does not feel annoying.

I took the water from my hair and splashed the water with my feet, and I took off my shoes while rolling up my pants, and I took off the coat I just mentioned and turned it into a tank top. At this time, the water splashed on the chest of the snowman flew over, and the top of the tank was also flooded.

In order to return the gift, I also kicked the water with my bare feet and covered Shino. Soaked from chest to feet, Shino must have smiled happily and splashed the water with her hands. That's more than I thought, and this time I'm soaking wet from head to toe.

The water that flew in was very cold, and it was very comfortable to bathe, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha, we're soaking wet!"

"It's not even close! I haven't washed enough yet! ”

"So, let's go again!"

With my hands and feet, I splashed a lot of water and wet Shino's body, and Shino also splashed again, wetting my body. The two were already soaking wet from the top of their heads to their toes.

When did you start enjoying bathing like this? The most vivid memories are when elementary school students are in the lower grades. It was really only in the lower grades, and after the upper elementary school and junior high school students, they didn't enjoy the water like this, and the time spent in the room became longer.

"Speaking of Shino, I'm in a pretty good mood today!"

"Because you're with me! I'm so happy because you're with me! ”

After saying that, Shino splashed the water out again. That face changed to the expression of a girl who was having more fun than that.

The same is true of Shino. In Shino's memory in his mind, there is no such thing as Shino going out and bathing in the water and playing. I didn't have this experience when I was my age, so I seemed to do my best indoors, so this was my first time playing in the water.

I'm now playing with Shino, who is playing with water for the first time. Maybe it's just playing in the water, but you can feel so happy, and that's because you have it.

"Aha, it's so comfortable!"

"Great, really!"

The water that bathed in Shino, which made a clattering sound, made the same sound, and I soaked Shino in the water repeatedly. What we didn't experience when we were young, we only experience it now, and we are the ones who enjoy that happiness.

"Kirito!"

"Huh? Wow!? ”

I kicked the water as hard as I could, and just as I was about to water it, Shino jumped up first and landed on the ground with her feet together in front of me. There was a splash, and a lot of water flew to the body at once, and together Shino deposited his weight.

I never thought I'd reach Shiina's weight

"Ahh

"Ahh

couldn't support Shino's weight.,Just fell to the ground.。 With a loud bang, a huge splash of water rose around me, and a large amount of water caressed my body.

When the splash ended, I was soaking wet, and Shino, who was holding my body, was also soaking wet. Then with an expression that he didn't know what was going on, he looked at me with his eyes.

Her black eyes and mine were together for a few seconds. A smile appeared on her face, and she laughed out loud. I can't support my weight, or I'm soaking wet. I don't know why, but the laugh did invite me, and I had to laugh too, and soon I started laughing out loud.

After the two of them laughed for more than ten seconds, the first to stop laughing was Shino, who looked comfortable and wiped her face on my chest. It's like wanting to feel all about me.

I was soaking wet, but I didn't feel sick, but the cold of the water that was wrapped in it made me feel good. And the warmth that only Shino has, so there is nothing more comfortable than this.

"Hey, Kirito"

"Huh?"

"Me. It was my first time playing in the water. ”

Sure enough, I thought. Shinai, as she remembers, has never played with water like this. I put my hand around Shino's back, who was fostering.

"yes, you've always been an indoorman."

"Well, I've never thought about bathing like this, playing in the water with whom. Moms haven't played like this either. ”

Shiina's head lifted up in my heart once again. Just look at me with your upper eyes.

"It's such a pleasure to play in the water like this. It was great to meet you for the first time. Thanks, Kirito. ”

Looking at the cherry blossom-colored cheeks, I felt that my cheeks were warm again.

Speaking of what I've done, it's obviously just playing in the water, but I've been thanked to this extent, for Shino, this kind of ordinary thing is not ordinary, but something special.

"I don't know what to say if I'm thanked while playing in the water."

"Because it's true, I've never played with anyone like that."

"yes."

Sure enough, in Shina's memory, there was no one to play in the water with her parents or family. Although it was just speculation, her mother and grandparents actually wanted her to do such a thing, but maybe they couldn't let her do it.

Sure enough, for Shino, there are many ordinary things and special things. Making that special thing less special might be something I should do. With that in mind, I put my hand on Shino's soaked head.

"I'll start with Shino."

"Huh?"

"I've said before that I'm with us like this, and in reality I'm also married, Yui, Streya, and Lilan give the body, and that daughter is younger than their younger siblings, and that kid grows up a little bit, so let's play like that. Whether it's a mountain, a sea or a river, play in the water with your family until you get wet. “

Shino showed a somewhat dazed expression. I don't seem to know what to do. I may have spoken too quickly by now. I was a little anxious, so I said it again.

"Ah, no, it's just my imagination. It's just that it would be nice to be able to do that."

"Me too"

"Huh?"

Shino tilted her head slightly, as if asking.

"Can I do something like that, even if I am like this? Can I play with my own children? ”

Shino didn't do anything to play with others, and she didn't do it. Therefore, once you have a child, you may become uneasy if you are asked if you can do it.

I felt that feeling understood, and nodded without hesitation.

"It's okay, you can. \"

"Really?"

"Of course. And you're not alone. Because I'm with you. Two people no, let's play with the born child. I'll do my best for you. ”

Shino looked dazed again, and soon showed a calm smile and opened her lips.

"When you say that, I think I can do it. It's incredible. ”

"Really? But I'm serious. ”

\"I understand, so I also love you who really give for me\"

I used my lips to accept Shino's lips that were close to the end of that sentence.

In this land where various countries and cultures are intertwined, there were two large trees called "sacred trees" long ago, and two shrine maidens were served there.

Thanks to the blessings of the "sacred tree" and the shrine maiden, the people of different cultures and the inhabitants living there lived without fighting, but there was a war between the elves.

The war gradually expanded in size, even involving races and nations other than the elves. Two shrine maidens who have decided to end the war that has turned into chaos itself and devoured the world pray to the "Holy Tree" to cut the earth into circles and float in the air.

The floating earth came together to form a shape, and soon it took the shape of a castle.

This is the "Floating City of Ein Clyde".

This is the story of Einclyde's stage setting and "The Earth Cuts Off". ”

Speaking of which, I conclude the instructions.

Now where we are is a room in the large inn of the "beginning street". Exchange meeting of collected information was held with all of you there. On the way to talk to everyone who gathered information about the premiere mission, the three people who participated in SAo, Li Fa, Shino, and Yuuki, asked "What was the original setting of the Ain Round" and "What is the meaning of a name similar to Ain Clyde".

So, I talked about the connection between this Ain round and Ain Clyde, that connection of the worldview. Even at the end, the three of them nodded a few times with understanding expressions.

"I see. Born from Ain Clyde. ”

Like Li Fa, who nodded, I also nodded. At the beginning of SAo, it was Li Hua who was not interested in the game at all, so the setting of SAo will also feel fresh.

"Yes. So there's a similar part to Ainclyde, in this Ain round. ”

"Then again, are they two shrine maidens and the Holy Tree? No similar has been found so far. Since the place where Einclyde cuts off the earth is the Ain turn here, I think it's good to have something like this. ”

I don't understand what Shino said.

Although we have conquered the Rusetrian savannah, the Aldrob Forest, and the Everest lakes and marshes, they are all full of things that cannot be seen in Ein Clyde, and there is little to be missed.

As Shino said, when it comes to the things that have been seen, it is the existence of this "beginning street", and everything else is new. If you haven't found anything that is considered a "sacred tree" yet, you won't be able to find an event related to it.

"Isn't that a plan to be implemented in the future? Indeed, didn't Seven say how about the Grand Quest before? ”

"yes. Maybe Seven's big mission has something to do with "Earth Cut" and "Holy Tree". ”

As soon as Liz Bate and Silica spoke, everyone around them nodded in agreement.

When it came to the premiere in the past, Seven accidentally leaked the existence of the "big task" that was installed at the start of the official service of "SAo". Though the contents are not leaked, it is a sure thing only to be installed.

I thought about it when I heard that, but this "Grand quest" is related to the birth of Einclyde, and the mission of the "Holy Tree" and the shrine maidens of the two. Because "the earth cuts" can be said to be such a big event.

There to react earlier than anyone else was the knight Diabel, who served as the captain of the intelligence-gathering team.

"Does this have anything to do with the information gathered this time? I always feel that I have collected a lot of information with similar keywords. ”

"The Holy Tree", "Two Shrine Maidens", "Earth Cutting". Languages related to the languages that appeared at the creation of Ain Clyde related to the Grand Mission are gathered here.

There are several pieces of information collected by people who collect information, such as Diabel, Kem, Asner, etc. One is about the shrine that I have been visiting so far. There must be a shrine where you can defeat the boss of the area, and inside it is a glowing oval stone.

Although it was after the stone was obtained, in the investigation here, this shrine is called "the temple of stone sacrifice", and the ovoid stone that is placed is one of the symbols of the goddess's power, the "sacred stone".

Moreover, according to the information published by Liz Bet et al., there is a legend left in the inn in the village that is part of the site that the goddess sent to the earth a long time ago for the sake of the people as part of their own power, and there was a war around it before.

In order to prevent that war, the five Divine Stones of existence were sealed in the deepest depths of the temples everywhere - this is all the information gathered by the partners.

"As Diabel said. Fabulous stories of goddesses, sacred stones, etc., appeared. Although it feels different from Einclyde's creation myth, it feels very similar. ”

Kem said as he gestured his arm, and everyone turned their eyes to the premiere sitting next to me.

Indeed, much of the information collected here is related to mythology, such as goddesses, "sacred stones", and "stone shrines".

Then go to the temple under the guidance of the "Holy Stone", and it is the premiere that actually gets the "Holy Stone", so it is natural to feel that this myth has something to do with the premiere.

"Isn't the premiere a descendant of that goddess?"

Or maybe it's a goddess, which has something to do with Kirito's "earth cut-off". \"

Delura, who is full of exploration, and Lilan, who does not break her usual calm, mutter, and the friends around them begin to ask, "Will the premiere cause 'earth cut'?" "The premiere is a shrine maiden?" and other sounds.

Indeed, Diabel and Keim, as well as many of the other people who have gathered information, are also in line with the mission of the premiere, and are also connected to the myth conveyed by the idol round. In particular, the "sacred stone" and the goddess seem to be quite connected.

However, that myth and the creation myth of Einclyde are different stories, and the description that the goddess is a shrine maiden of the "sacred tree" does not exist in the setting.

If there is a quest related to the creation myth of Ain Clyde, "The Earth Cuts", then it should be called a grand quest.

It is impossible for that big task to be installed in the beta test, and Seven, who was originally one of the developers, said that "the big task is not installed in the beta test", so that's right.

"But big tasks won't be installed until the service officially starts. The mission of the premiere is not just a mythological story after all. ”

When Shishino and I spoke, everyone's voices became "Indeed" and "Mythology has nothing to do with the premiere".

The information you gathered is not wrong, and the stone you got at the premiere is also the "holy stone" that has been passed down in the legend of the Erin Round, but I don't think it has anything to do with the "Earth Cutoff" and the two shrine maidens. It's quick to associate the premiere with "The Earth Cuts".

"\"Holy Tree\"? Big Tree Big Tree Big Tree"

At this time, I suddenly noticed the source of the sound coming from my ears. Although it was a premiere, the expression was like something he was looking for or something he wanted to remember. In this way, the words "Holy Tree" tree, tree foundation, etc. are repeated.

The premiere suddenly stood up. On its head appeared the "! "Logo. Everyone was a little surprised by the posture of the logo after Oita looked at it, and Li Fa made a loud noise.

"Is this a mission? Premiere, is there anything that's stuck? ”

The premiere of standing up slowly moved his head and turned his face towards me. At that time, I found myself in the position closest to the premiere.

"Premiere?"

"Kirito, I have a place I want you to take me to."

The Prime Minister spoke in a slightly mechanical manner. There is no doubt that the mission happened as before. But if you don't tell me where you are, you can't go anywhere, and that doesn't change.

"Do you know where it is?"

"North and North of the Jewel Peak Lake and Marsh Group"

The Everest lake and marsh group is still in the beginning, and now it is advancing westward along the terrain. The route used in the guide is to the west, and if you go west, you can go to the deepest part of the area, but the place to the north is the premiere, so there is really something there.

"Is it the north of Mount Everest? The conquest is westward, is it to try to deviate? ”

That's when I remembered something. This is the information that Elise told me earlier in a near-secret form.

Indeed at that time Elise said, go to the north side of the next area of Alderob Woods.

And now, the premiere also said that he was going to the north of the Jewel Peak Lake and Marsh Group, and sure enough, there was something in the north.

Why Elis Forearm, although he also cares about whether he knows this, has decided to move forward with the premiere mission first.

"North of Mount Everest, let's go there and see the premiere. Because it was said in the premiere, there would be no mistakes. ”

Nodding to Lilan, I turned to everyone. Everyone's eyes have turned to me.

"yes. Well, I looked north with Shino and Lilan. For the rest of you, please continue to explore the map and guides. ”

After reading everyone's answers and nods, we packed up the place and walked out of the inn. Just like that, head towards the Shiftgate Square of the "Start Street", passing through a lot of players coming and going.

Soon arrived at the transfer gate, which is also the place shown in the premiere, and flew to the current raider area - the Jue Peak Lake and Marsh Group.

To the north of the Everest group of lakes and marshes is a forest zone. It's not like the Aldrob Forest, but it's a wooded place surrounded by strong humidity.