The girl's voice seemed to be a little muffled. The way he speaks is also completely different from that of the prime minister. However, he does not deny that they are family. The girl continued, and the Prime Minister smiled.

"And our master wants you and me to act together to achieve our goals. There are no sacred stones here. Now, come with us to the next location. Fulfill the master's wish and create Ayn Grant. \"

Hearing the girl's words, everyone except Genesis was speechless. The girl is supposed to be an NPC, but she knows everything. What we are trying to do, what will happen in the end, what will be born after the disaster is over.

The most unbelievable thing is that this girl actually wants to get into trouble herself.

Hearing the words of a girl who looked exactly like himself, the Prime Minister asked, his tone even more confused.

\"Ah, what does it mean to make Ayn Grant? Why do you have to make Al Grande? \"

I was a little surprised by the Prime Minister's remarks. Primir thought he hadn't heard about the disaster in Cardinal and the birth of Ayn Grant, who would lead to the collapse of the world, but it seems he was listening in hunger. The girl raised her right hand slightly and answered the questions at the premiere.

"If we gain true power, we can create Ayn Grant. Create Ayn Grant, and the world will fall apart. Then all those who hurt us will disappear, along with the whole world. I did it. \"

But we will not perish. Because we will destroy those who stand in our way. And Irongrant is the last paradise for us to live without being persecuted by anyone. Build it with us and take revenge on those who persecuted us. ”

The girl was talking to the premiere with a determined look in her eyes. The content is also surprising. It is not known how much damage will be caused by the creation of Al Grant and, most importantly, the safety of the Prime Minister and the girl at the time of Al Grant's creation cannot be guaranteed.

What's more, she clearly wants to destroy the world. They plan to take revenge by embroiling the world in order to eliminate all those who persecuted them. Who the hell could instill this kind of thing into this girl?

Her gaze was quickly drawn to it, and I immediately glared at the swordsman of the maiden companion. Sure enough, his attitude of provoking us was still the same as before.

"Genesis, you brought this up this matter? Do you really intend to destroy this world? ”

"Ah, by the way, I've played a lot of VR games so far, but I've never seen the world collapse. You want to see it too, right? I want to see this super-show to the fullest extent where the world is collapsing. ”

I think what Genesis said is a bit out of place. The world is more than just a game. It is a world that is truly inhabited by inhabitants known as NPCs. Are you saying that when you look at the specs, you don't understand that NPCs will never come back to life?

"So what will happen to them when the world collapses? What will happen to other NPCs!? ”

"You could die! But it doesn't matter, this world is VRmmo after all, it's virtual reality, no matter what the outcome is, it's none of our business! ”

"This is not true! This world is the real world to them. It's the real world for them!! ”

A stream of heat welled up in my chest, gushing out in words. The Prime Minister glanced at me, who was arguing with Genesis, and then turned his attention back to the girl in front of him.

"In this world, there are many people who live and live. I don't think we should destroy the world they live in by our own will. Why are you doing this? So, you want to destroy the world. "The world? Why should we respect the will of the master to destroy the world? ”

The girl was stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth. Looking at it, my face was full of anger.

"Are you saying you don't hate them? Those who call us rare mobs and try to kill us. Those who persecuted us, attacked us, tried to rob us. Even you hate them. There must have been some damage done, an attempt on his life. ”

The Prime Minister's gaze was a little downcast. The rare mobs we are talking about are most likely the malicious mobs among our players. They attack NPCs, put them in traps, try to kill them, and try to get what only they can be happy about. The Prime Minister's life was once threatened by them, and we saved her.

After remembering so much, I felt that something was pulling me, but before I could say anything, the Prime Minister answered.

"Someone did attack us. However, there are more than those in this world. There are also people like Kirito and Shino who protect us. There are also a lot of people who have become friends with us, so I don't think so. "Think we're going to destroy the world to get revenge. ”

Shino and I were stunned. Now, for the first time, the Prime Minister may have spoken out what he was thinking and what was hidden in his heart. Is that what the Prime Minister thinks of us? There's no time to indulge in such emotions. The girl was even more angry, glaring at me instead of glaring at the Prime Minister.

"They're not good people! They promised to protect me, but they never did. They didn't even try to protect us! ”

When I heard the girl's scream, I felt a flash of light inside me. I finally understood the true nature of what was bothering me.

As we set out to conquer the Jewel Peak Lakes, we repelled players who were aiming for the Prime and protected her. However, the Prime Minister's reaction at the time was strange, saying that I was being targeted. She didn't respond at all, as she usually would. However, when I saw her again, she was back to her old self.

I've always wondered what really happened to the Prime Minister at that time, and now the mystery has finally been solved.

It was not the premiere that premiered at that time, but the girl.

Finally, I figured out the root of this girl's desire for revenge. The prime minister, of course, was safe because she was protected by us, but the girl was not. Instead of being protected by us, they continue to be targeted by malicious actors.

That's why she has such a great desire to take revenge on players.

"I didn't expect it to be us who protected you back then."

"Yes, Black Dragon Swordsman, you have not appeared in front of me since, like them, thinking only of yourself and putting me in danger. I've been exposing myself! ”

Faced with the girl's anger, Shino shook her head.

"That's not true! We really want to protect you—"

The girl interrupted Shino and drew her sword. It is not the same rapier as the prime minister, but the same long sword as the creation. The girl held a steel-plated sword larger than herself, revealing hostility.

"Master, these guys are still an obstacle, they are the obvious enemies of the master, let's get rid of them here."

As if in response to the girl's voice, Anubis behind Genesis also roared and prepared. Disturbingly, the girl and Anubis seem serious about fighting us. It's hard to believe that her hostility towards us and her desire for revenge are so deep-rooted.

Surprisingly, however, it was the Creation Master who stopped the girl and the black wolf dragon. Genesis put his arm out in front of the girl and told her to stop.

"No, that's not going to work, we can't fight."

"W-Why?!" The enemy is right in front of me!? \"

"I think it's okay if they attack you, but it's even worse if you turn into a blue cursor. It's boring if you can't continue with what you've already done. \"

Genesis's gaze turned from the girl to me. His eyes are like that of a vicious hunter.

"Mr. Black Dragon Swordsman, if you want to save the world so much, stop me by force. Use your dual-wielding skills to defeat me like a hero. Who will get the Last Sacred Stone? Una? ”

After spitting out these words, Genesis expanded the window and quickly operated. The next moment, Genesis and his party were shrouded in blue light and disappeared. Apparently he used teleportation. At the same time, the surrounding scenery began to change, and soon, the tunnel inside the stone mountain became a stone mountain.

Once the quest is complete, the quest map is released.

Progress has been made on a priority that should not have been carried out. Shino seemed to realize this and shouted at me.

"Kirito, that guy"

I instinctively held my head with one hand.

This is an extremely bad development. The twin sisters of the Prime Minister, who had to be protected, were in the hands of Genesis, and she was also a strong supporter of Ian Grant's creation.

It's none other than us players who are responsible for all this. It seems that all the consequences of the evil deeds have now been repaid.

In any case, I learned so much from this exploration. One of the things we're going to do here is to put together the information with you.

"Let's go back to everyone first, and we'll talk about it later."

Shiina, and Lilan both followed my instructions and nodded, but only the Prime Minister nodded slightly late.

After completing the Prime Minister's mission, we went home.

There, we brought the originally scattered people together again to talk about this series of things, which was also a strategy meeting, but everyone was still stunned for a while. After all, the appearance of the twin sister of the prime minister, who should be called another goddess, actually traveled to the Book of Genesis. No wonder everyone was surprised.

Not only that, but to make matters worse, the twin sisters learn that the player has a strong hatred for humans and wants to create Ayn Grant to take revenge.

The Prime Minister's behavior is different from that of other NPCs and is seen by the player as a rare thug whose life is sometimes threatened. After determining that she could play an important role, we decided to protect her. Since then, the prime minister's life has no longer been threatened, and no one has called on her.

However, we are unable to notice each other's presence. The other is unprotected and treated as a rare mob, and his life continues to be threatened. In the end, she still goes to Genesis, who doesn't care about other players at all, and can only say that the hatred of humanity by another twin, who should be called a goddess, is inevitable. Tower.

Everyone seems to want to conclude that being picked up by Genesis is the worst thing, but it's not something that can be solved by blaming Genesis alone. The current situation is caused by a combination of the worst factors.

However, this does not mean that there is no light. I don't know what Genesis will do. However, I am sure that he will come out and move forward with the Prime Minister's mission, and as we enter the final phase of the Prime Minister's ground mission, some information and elements related to the ground mission will come to us. In addition, there may be something hidden in the just-liberated fortress of Otrum related to ground missions. If you bypass them, you may meet Genesis, who is accompanied by another goddess.

Now let's go to the field to explore first, to see if there is any information related to the ground mission, if we meet Genesis, this time we have to stop him and protect another goddess, which is completely derailed. Ground missions.

In order to do this, we first decided to explore the use of crowd tactics, and finally we decided to continue with the usual tactics. All went to the battlefield, and many of them went to Fortress Otrum. In order to stop the cardinal's catastrophe with our own hands.

I wanted to do the same, but Alice, who had been logging in since I got home, told me to go out, so Shino and I had to stay at home.

"Now, now, now, it's already a big deal, I can't believe that Genesis is with a girl who can be called the prime minister twin."

Alice sat across from the chair where Shino and I were seated side by side. When I told everyone about Genesis and the Prime Minister's twin sisters, Alice heard it too, but she just remained silent and didn't say anything. When she stopped me and Shino, she finally spoke.

"I didn't know there were twins at the premiere. They look"

"I've heard that you have a deep hatred for humanity."

"Yes"

The look on the twin girls in the premiere when they talk about the reason for creating Ian Grant is the same look on their faces as they say what they really feel. The anger and hatred for humanity that had accumulated inside that girl was real.

Shino, who witnessed this scene, lowered her head and asked.

"Are we the players responsible for all this? Why is that girl like this?"

Alice picked up the cup on the table and took a sip of its contents. Tea also met our needs. This is the drink that Alice has been drinking since "SAo", and it is naturally present in "SAo".

"Now that I think about it, when I go to Origin City, sometimes I find people talking about rare monsters, or how they see rare monsters, but they keep targeting her. You did it. "While we're not looking. If you do this for a long time, you may start to hate humans. I regret not being able to protect you. ”

I agree with Alice.

I'm sure she didn't have anything at first, like the premiere. No, maybe he had a stronger emotional Kiritto nature than the prime minister from the beginning. However, it must not contain any anger or hatred against humanity.

She wouldn't have felt so angry and hateful if she had been protected and treated by people who wouldn't hurt her as much as she did in the premiere. In the end, it was our players who filled her heart with a black mud called anger and hatred, which made her heart cloudy. She's just a victim. We players – we are the oppressed, unilaterally oppressed without the knowledge of humanity.

Just as he was about to speak, Shino was the first to speak.

"I think I can understand the girl's feelings."

Alice and I both reacted and looked at Shino at the same time. Shiina's slender hand rests on her chest.

"Until I met Alice and Airi-sensei, I kept my heart closed. I can't trust anyone and I can't accept anyone's help. Even if someone tries to help me, I can't accept it."

Ever since Shino was involved in an incident that was supposed to be innocent, Shiina\/Shino has been bullied by the people around her. I couldn't help but hate how terrible it was, how it tortured Shina's heart and spirit, and Shino was miserable because of it. After all, he was able to connect with her in the true sense of the word in "SAo", knowing everything about her.

Until now, Shino still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (ptSd) due to that incident and the oppression of the ruthless people around her. That's why she traveled to Alice for treatment.

"If I hadn't met Dr. Airato, I hadn't been treated, I hadn't seen everyone, I hadn't met Kirito I would still be heartbroken." Maybe he's closed-minded, it's just like that girl, he hates the people around him, or wants revenge. ”

If you ask me, Shino is in a similar situation with that girl. Shino and the girl are both oppressed by people around them who don't understand them, and are locked up in a bad environment where they can't be helped by anyone, protected by no one, and can't trust anyone.

The fact that Shino was able to come to Alice and us before she truly lost faith in humanity and had a completely twisted heart saved her from getting into trouble, but the girl couldn't. Shino and the girl are light and shadow.

"So I feel like I can understand what the girl was thinking and what she was going through. I felt like the girl was alone and there was no one to help her."

Alice stared at Shino and breathed a sigh of relief. With a faint smile on his face, he looked at Shino again.

\"yes. I heard from you that the Prime Minister's twins are very similar to the Shinai I treated. It can be said that you and that girl are in almost the same situation. Not only can I sympathize with you, but you don't have any hostility towards me, and you've become kinder. \"

Shino closed her eyes quietly. He silently thanked Alice.

Indeed, since receiving Alice's treatment, since meeting us, since I vowed to protect her for the rest of my life, Shiina's heart has become richer—that's what she is—and has begun to become kind. The proof is that Shino has no obvious hostility towards the Chancellor Twins, who are openly hostile to us. The reason why she was able to get this far is probably because Alice has a good attitude towards her. Of course, our achievements should also be firmly included in it.

"For that girl, the world is a cold, icy place right now. I can't leave her in that place, and I'm sure you have no intention of doing so. ”

"Yes, it was our fault that made that girl's condition so serious, so I had to protect her no matter what, and tell her that she was okay now."

When I said what I thought, Shino nodded in the same way.

The girl was cut off from people, persecuted, her life threatened, and continued to endure terrible things. I want to save that girl from the cold world, let her build a strong bond with people, and heal her wounds. I want to go with everyone to help that girl, just like I did with Shino.

"I feel the same way, that girl, like the prime minister, has gained a rich humanity, and is originally a girl with the same pure heart as the prime minister. The truth is, she did it all, and we should have made her do it. "Yes, but we players must show compassion and purify the heart of that polluted girl."

Shino and I nodded again. If it is we players who harm and pollute the people of this world, then the people who care, love, and purify this world are also players. We must not allow the world to be destroyed and polluted.

When everyone gathered again, Alice had to speak, and after deciding again, Alice immediately propped her elbows on the table.

"However, I didn't expect the vulnerability in the development phase to be exploited. When I work for the company that develops this game, I should have taken steps to strengthen security. ”

When Genesis tells them to go on an expedition with the Prime Minister's twin daughters, everyone is worried about one thing. Why was Genesis able to steal our mission? Normally, only people who have a relationship with the player who is on the quest can participate in the middle of the journey, but why is Genesis able to do this? Everyone wants to know this.

Yui and Jupiter give this explanation. In this game, when a player performs a quest, the quest NPC first records the player's ID. This will allow the mission NPC to identify the player as the employer, preventing players other than the employer from continuing the mission without permission. With this system, we players can continue our mission without fear of being disturbed.

However, the situation of the Prime Minister is different. In Prime, all settings are set to "Null", so anyone can accept a quest and anyone can join or join halfway.

And that's not all. The first quest is called the Ground Quest and is an important quest that is rooted in the core of the game and needs to be tested over and over again. If we record the employer like any other task and make it impossible for all testers to complete it, we won't realize how much effort and time it takes to develop it. Stomach.

This is probably why the employer is not documented as it is in a normal task, and anyone can continue the task at any time. This is something that cannot be avoided when developing a game.

I'm not sure if Genesis knows this, but it's being used as a loophole. Genesis, who took advantage of a system vulnerability to participate in the ground mission, was of course amused by the ground mission and was determined to complete it to the end.

Shino, who saw this, said angrily.

"Genesis, for some reason, he came in in the middle of the mission. I don't know what he's thinking to continue this mission. ”

"It looks like he's not just harassing us. I'm sure he's the kind of guy who always wants to be at the top. He's the kind of player who is relentless in his quest for number one. ”

What Genesis picked up was a ground mission that had not yet been carried out. Since you can quickly discover its existence that others don't know exists, and be able to conquer it, it's impossible not to get caught up in it. Genesis must have worked very hard to stay ahead of the curve and accomplish the feat of being the first to accomplish what should have been undone.

Alice continued as if she were answering me.

"He seems to be a man who will stop at nothing to stay at the top. He may use a lot of violent methods, such as digital drugs and cheating, to stop anyone from reaching the top. ”

I reacted to these words and was surprised. Genesis is using digital medicine.

\"Alice Sand, do you know Genesis? \"

"Nope. However, when I compare what you and the informant told me about him suddenly becoming berserk and stronger during the fight, I can't help but conclude that he used digital drugs. That's the deciding factor. I've heard about the characteristics of the strange group you fought against that day. The situation of those who use digital drugs and Genesis is too similar. Genesis also uses "Crimson High School". ”

Then Alice turned to me. Sometimes there is a sharp gaze.

"Even with something like that, he wants to be the strongest. Kirito-kun, I think you can probably understand why he's so obsessed with power. \"

Shino looked at me in surprise, but she didn't have time to look back at me.

Alice's words are a revelation.

When I was trapped in SAo, I met Lilan and became an animal tamer, and before I met Shino, I was basically a solo player who had always pursued an efficiency-oriented strategy. At the time I thought I could only survive this extreme environmental death game called "SAo" and survive to the end, but now that I think about it, it was just an excuse.

As a solo player, I do have a sense of self-righteousness and want to be the strongest in this VRmmo called "SAo". [SAo] It was because I had the desire to become the strongest swordsman Kirito that I dared to go it alone - now I understand.

\"I see. Before I met Shino and Lilan, I had been doing all the self-righteous things. It's not that I don't want to be the strongest in SAo. I've been working leveling. I guess here's why. "It was supposed to be to survive, but now that I think about it, I want to be stronger than everyone else and become a strong one. In fact, I'm weak, so at least I want to be the strongest in VRmmo. I thought so too. ”

Alice nodded, turning her gaze away from me to the ceiling. However, the ceiling did not meet her eye.

"That's what everybody thinks, this virtual world is basically free, and you can easily do things that you can't do in the real world, that's why people are so excited. If you can't do it in the real world, then we'll show you how you can be the best in the virtual world.

Let the wishes that are impossible in reality be realized in the virtual world. ”

When Alice said this, a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes. Maybe it's when I'm going to \"ALo\" that Alice sometimes looks at me like that. However, he didn't care too much why she looked at him like that, because he rarely saw her, and even if he did, he would be back soon. Alice regained her normal gaze and opened her mouth again.

Genesis is probably the same. In "SAo", his motivation is to be the strongest in the virtual world. When Kirito was a solo player in "SAo", the same is true of today's "Genesis". You can all share the same roots, so to speak. ”

I still can't deny it. At the end of the day, Genesis and I are the same, we both want to be stronger, we both want to be the strongest in the virtual world. If the twin shrine maidens and Shino around Genesis are shadow and light, then my relationship with Genesis is probably similar. Which one is light and which one is shadow? What interrupted her intention to recognize Shino's voice.

"- Kirito is a truly powerful person. \"

I couldn't help but look at Shino. Alice also looked at Shino with a shocked expression.

"Kirito has been protecting me. He fought desperately to protect me and he always really helped me. This is possible because Kirito is really strong. I think so. That's why I can trust Kirito. I think if it was Kirito, he would be fine."

By the time I realized it, I was already whispering Shino's name. She smiled and looked sideways at me and said to Alice again.

"I believe that Kirito's strength is not inferior to Jainseis. I can say for sure that Kirito is indeed stronger. ”

To put it so clearly, I felt a heat in my heart. I felt as if I had confessed my love in public.

But at the same time, I was anxious. Am I really that strong? In fact, I was able to get to this point because of miracles and chances, and I thought I had no strength at all. What is my strength?

"Yes, Kirito-kun is strong. In fact, you've become the strongest SAo player. \"

It was Alice who interrupted my thoughts. Alice clearly looked at me, as if trying to say something. That's where your gaze is drawn.

"Kirito-san. Do you know why someone told you that? \"

The answer did not come immediately.

Indeed, during my time at SAo, I was also sometimes referred to as the strongest player in Ayn Grant. Asuna once told me that it was because of this reputation that I was able to become the second president of a large guild called the Knights of the Blood Pact. However, I never thought deeply about why this happened.

"That's because you want to be strong in order to protect what you want to protect. The will of your heart to protect Shino and all those who fight alongside you gives you strength. So you naturally seek power, and you actually get it, becoming the "strongest player, and the power you gain is the power that you can never get, whether you use cheats or digital drugs, is the power that cannot be reached." ”

Alice gently changed her posture and rested her elbows on the table.

"You still have that will, don't you?"

I was taken aback when he said that. That's it. I also want to be stronger. In this way, even if Shino encounters a crisis like SAo, everyone will be safe. I want to be able to protect them, and I'm trying to get stronger.

\"I have. I have a desire to protect everyone and Shino. \"

In that case, you can't afford to lose Genesis. It's terrible that you, who have something you want to protect, who want to really protect it by becoming stronger, lose to someone who is selfish and has nothing to protect. Nothing to say. And if that person is trying to destroy the world, you don't need to say any more, do you? ”

After Alice told me, I checked what was in my chest. If Genesis tries to destroy the world, I want to stop it. What I want to protect - all people, including the inhabitants of this world, and the Prime Minister and her twin sister who were chosen to be Cardinal's Catastrophe.

In order to protect the lives of people in this world, including the lives of the Prime Ministers, we cannot allow Genesis to do what he wants to cause the Cardinal disaster. No matter how Genesis uses cheats and digital drugs to level up the game, they can't afford to lose.

"This world is a world where real life exists. If Genesis tries to threaten the world, I will stop his plans. I'm going to beat him and trigger the Ain he wants. I would stop Claude from creating. Absolutely! ”

After saying that, I noticed that his voice was more than usual?? Enthusiastic. Alice stared at me again, then laughed out loud.

\"I'm glad it's Kirito-kun. He is the one who takes on this ground mission. It would be incredible if it was done by other players. \"

The catastrophe of Cardinal, the birth of Ayn Grant, can probably be said to be comparable to the great crises experienced many times in "SAo". I don't think many players other than the "SAo" survivors will be able to suppress something like this. Alice understood what he was talking about.

\"I beg you, Kirito-kun. Please protect the world that I happen to belong to. As one of the creators, I'll do my best to cooperate. \"

Alice said to me in a pleading tone. She said that probably meant that I couldn't expect much help from her, and she entrusted everything to me. Since "ALo", Alice has been logging in from time to time, even after moving to "SAo".

We don't expect Alice's cooperation, we will use our own hands to protect this "SAo". I thought deeply in my heart and took a deep breath.

Just after that. The front door opens from the outside to allow fresh air inside. Don't you know that all the people who went out on the expedition have returned? When I turned to greet the three of them, I was a little surprised. The person who walked into the house was the prime minister, who was supposed to go to the City of Origin with Hiran, Yui, and the others.

"Ah, Prime Minister, welcome back."

Even when I called him, the prime minister did not respond. She lowered her head, and the people who were supposed to be with her, Lelan, Yui, and others disappeared. He was the one who entered the house one by one.

Just as I was about to ask, "How are Hiran and Yui doing?" The Prime Minister walked towards me with small steps. This is obviously not the usual premiere, but even when I checked the overhead, the task tag didn't appear.

"Prime Minister, what's wrong?"

At this time, the prime minister finally raised his head. With a very sad expression on his face,

\"Kirito my power, non-human power, is this a disaster that destroys the world? Also Where did Kirito and his friends come from? ”

That's what he asked me. Kirito is now on his way to the venue. The location is Fortress Otrum, and almost no time has passed since the beginning of exploration. We are now at a bit far from the entrance.

There are broken stone walls everywhere, but they are not as complex as the labyrinth. They have escaped the labyrinth that devoured the adventurers who came here, and are able to move on to the next area.

"Prime Minister, that's what you said"

\"Ah, it seems that the Prime Minister has grown even more than we thought. We live in different worlds, and I thought that only Lilan and they could understand this. \"

Kirito replied to the voice that spoke to him.

Currently, Kirito has two companions by his side. One of them is the white wolf Long Riran, he is an acquaintance, so he naturally accompanies her. The other is a blue-eyed girl with blonde hair cut into a short-wave bob and dressed in light white and blue clothes with her abdomen, neck, and shoulders exposed.

It's Filia, a friend from SAo, who is very knowledgeable and I think she's on par with Argo.

When Kirito leaves home for Origin City, he joins up with Lilan and Filia. Lilan says that she has been thinking about being with Kirito from the beginning, and Filia says that they are about to go to Fortress Otrum.

At that time, Kirito was also on his way to the Ortrum Fortress, so it was perfect. When I asked her if she would like to explore with me, Filia agreed. They decided that Kirito, Lilan, and Filia would go to Otrum Fortress.

The addition of Filia is an important ally for Kirito. A self-proclaimed treasure hunter who excels at exploring and finding treasure, Filia successfully traverses the first labyrinth of Fortress Otrum, and before Kirito asks her to do so, she safely takes Kirito and Lilan out and into the next maze. Region. He took me there

When he searched the console room, he got the coordinates, so he didn't hesitate to move on, but it wasn't something he could use for his normal strategy, so Kirito's expectation of getting lost in the maze again was disappointed. The clue to Ariadne, who guides her through the maze properly and to the exit, is none other than Filia.

Filia is proud to be able to walk through the labyrinth, but Kirito can only respond weakly. Even though I was finally able to get out of the lost labyrinth, I couldn't be happier. Sensitive to all sorts of things, Filia immediately noticed Kirito's strangeness and called out to him, perhaps because she was as knowledgeable as Argo, or perhaps because she was herself. "What the hell is going on?"

Nothing - actually I would love to answer this question, but Filia's expression showed that she was worried about Kirito, so it seemed difficult to mislead her.

Kirito answers Filia's question and tells her everything that happened before Filia and Lilan met. Obviously, before he could speak, it would surprise Philia and Lilan, and everyone but these two.

Filia gave a look of intense surprise, which was what Kirito had expected, and then a sad expression appeared on her face.

"That's why the prime minister is now afraid of his own power."

"I'm not sure. But I'm really confused. ”

"Of course. The power that I wanted to use to protect someone was actually the power of disaster that caused the world to collapse, which is completely unacceptable.

Although she had the outline of a wolf, I could tell that Lilan's expression was sad. The story that Kirito heard before the two of them joined kept repeating in his head.

After talking to Alice, Primel returned to the house. Kirito and his friends were surprised that no one else had come in with Lilan ??、 Yui, but the Prime Minister's next words left them speechless. That is true.

The Prime Minister asked Kirito.

Where are you from?

Is the power within me a disaster that will destroy the world?

It happened suddenly, leaving Kirito speechless and could only watch the premiere, but he still retracted the conversation and asked rhetorically.

Why do you ask such a question? The Prime Minister replied.

I thought vaguely for a moment, but I felt that Kirito was different from us, and they calmly used a language I didn't understand. Maybe Kirito they come from a different world than themselves. She asked, and the "selfless power" in her body was the power to destroy the world, and Kirito had known this for a long time.

This is a question that Kirito, Shino, and even Alice can't answer. Although the Prime Minister is one of the NPCs living in this world, his intelligence and intelligence can be said to be the most developed among them. However, I just don't think this can be compared to Nichiran and Yui at all.

However, she has actually grown to the point where Kirito and others can recognize her as an outsider. The level of growth and evolution that other NPCs can't reach is happening to the Premier.

This surprised Kirito and the others, but the prime minister ignored him and confronted Kirito instead. What is the truth? No matter what I do, he won't let me escape, and I don't think I can.

Kirito, Shino, and Alice eventually tell the Prime Minister the truth, they come from the real world, and the Prime Minister's power depends on how it is used, and it can really destroy the world, and if this world is destroyed, what will happen to them? Casual talk about not being able to meet. The Prime Minister listened intently to the story, but by the end he began to look very tired.

No matter how much the Prime Minister has grown and evolved, the truth must be too difficult, and by noon today, the Prime Minister has been through a lot of things and is a little tired. Now it's about time to lie down and rest - Kirito takes Alice's advice and decides to lend the bedroom on the second floor to Plemir.

Exhausted, Pleimir is taken to the bedroom on the second floor by Shino and Alice, but before that, Alice says to Kirito, "We should go explore with everyone." We should collect as much information as possible. "Yes," he said.

Indeed, even if we are in a state of stagnation, the disaster in Cardinal will continue to develop, and information for this purpose will appear somewhere. Now is not the time to stagnate in order to grasp future trends.

Kirito quickly finishes his preparations and heads to the capital of initiation, feeling sorry for inviting the two to the premiere. When I told them the story, the chorus of the story diminished a bit.

I thought it might be because the phrase was conveyed to Filia, but Filia's answer seemed to be to let me know that it was a misunderstanding.

"Prime Minister-chan is one of the mission NPCs of this world, right?"

''There is no difference. Well, I'm not sure who designed it, because he was in charge of the ground mission, and Cardinal was keeping an eye on it.

There was nothing wrong with Lilan's voice. Prime Minister is a mission NPC implemented in this world. Although there are many doubts, the fact that it is an NPC has not changed. Still, Filia seems to have something on her mind. Kirito asked Filia while wondering.

"Filia, are you worried?"

Filia nodded and folded her arms. Shino often does this, but Felia rarely does.

"Well, if Chan is so different from everyone else, I'm starting to think that Chan is actually different. She pretends to be an NPC implemented in SA:o. "Well, I guess they're not actually NPCs, I'm starting to think so."

Kirito couldn't help but be surprised. The question Philia asked was exactly what Kirito had in mind.

Although it is subtle, Kirito still has a feeling for the growth of the prime minister. There is no doubt that Prime was created as one of the NPCs of this "SAo", but there are too many differences compared to the others. Not only the recent growth rate and concentration, but also the acquisition of humanity and the perception of the real world, there is no end.

I thought that this difference was only due to the fact that the prime minister continued to interact with Kirito and others, but the question just asked by the prime minister proved that this was not the case. As Filia said, the Prime Minister may be a different entity from the NPC.

Kirito said to the treasure hunter who had the same idea as himself.

\"Is Philia too? That's what I thought, too. \"

\"Does Kirito think so too? \"

"Ah, that's how I feel when I watch the premiere, and there may be things in the premiere that we don't know."

Speaking of this, Lilan looked confused. Lilan also has the same AI as Prime Minister, but is not an NPC. Either SAo or "SAo".

"What could be something that looks like a mission NPC but isn't a mission NPC?" \"

Philia looked up at Lilan and asked, Lilan's expression was unusually ugly.

"Lilan doesn't have any feelings for Prime Minister-chan. You know, it's like the 'Anima box' I learned when I was with Jupiter. ”

Lilan shook her head and lowered her head. The blonde girls with different skin tones exchanged glances. Immediately after, a "voice" came to me.

"It's true that AI like ours equipped with an 'Anima box' can detect each other's signals, but we have never been able to detect the 'Anima box' signal from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister did not install the "Anima box".

Filia said, "I see. Her mouth was arched. He seemed to be worried about something he didn't understand. In fact, the premiere has been full of mysteries to this day, and it's no wonder that Filia behaved like this.

"In this way, Chancellor-chan is now an NPC full of mysteries. I can't agree with that. \"

What exactly is the real identity of the Prime Minister? It seems that it will be a long time before this is told to Seven and Alice and let them know. Now, they are busy trying to figure out how to stop the disaster in Cardinal. It would be better to wait for the cardinal's woe to subside before investigating the prime minister himself.

"Well, when we stop the ground mission, let's think about whether the prime minister has a real identity. Now, our priority is not for the prime minister to destroy the world. Filia, could you please cooperate with the search? ”

Filia turned to look at Kirito and nodded. It's like he's been waiting for me.

"The map here is going well, and there is a lot of information, so leave the treasure hunt and directions to me!"

Filia said triumphantly again. In fact, Filia's exploration abilities are the best among her friends, and when everyone synchronizes and expands the realm map, Filia's exploration abilities are the best among her friends. Most of the map data comes from Filia's guidance, which allowed me to navigate through the labyrinth of Fortress Oltrum. You can leave the way to her.

"Okay. I'm counting on you. ”

"Well, it's up to me! Come on, let's move on! ”

Hearing Kirito's words, Filia walked forward excitedly. Kirito and Lilan begin to follow him.

It was already around 15:00, and the sky over Fortress Otrum in the afternoon was a deep blue. Since this place has just been liberated, I have never explored it at dusk or at night. As you can see from the start, though, the overall terrain is intricately designed.

It was an ancient city, with walls and passages like a labyrinth, and a real labyrinth, as if it would be safe even if it was attacked by enemy troops. The ruins of such a structure exist in reality, but when viewed from above, they look beautiful and majestic. The fortress of Otrum offers spectacular views from above, or from behind Lilan across the sky.

I doubt that such a place exists, but when I continue to search, I may be able to find it. What's more, Filia, who likes the ruins where treasures are buried, is also by her side, and maybe she can really lead them there - Kirito and Filia walk side by side, full of anticipation.

After walking for about ten minutes, Kirito noticed a hint of change.

When they walked side by side, Filia was a little strange.

It's not that he's sick or anything, but his behavior is like this, he occasionally looks at his body, mainly around his chest, sometimes he glances at him, and then quickly looks away, and the repetitive behavior can be considered suspicious. His face also seemed to be slightly red.

Even though I had just been asked to leave a way for them, I couldn't help but feel uneasy if the person leading the way behaved suspiciously. Kirito shouted to the treasure hunting girl who volunteered to lead the way.

"Philia"

"Wow!?"

Because Filia suddenly raised her voice, Kirito was also surprised. Filia also seemed surprised. Lilan also seemed surprised.

"Oh, don't scare me."

"Well, don't be surprised! You're surprised. ”

Kiristo got angry, and with a "uh" sound, he got angry. Didn't he look like he was worried? Isn't it unreasonable for you to be angry when someone scolds you for it?

\"No, no, something happened all of a sudden? You behave strangely for some reason. \"

"Huh!? Uh, uh"

Filia looked a little anxious. Her face seemed to turn even redder. I wonder if it's just because I can't see it that I'm not feeling well. Kirito continued.

"Maybe you're not feeling well? It doesn't look like that. ”

"No, it's not like that! No problem, no problem! ”

"Then why are you in such a hurry? It's really weird, dear. ”

After asking, Kirito found that his statement was very similar to Shino's. Although the influence of Shino's memory has almost completely disappeared, it still seems to have had a significant impact. No, probably because of being with Shino every day and hearing the influence of her way of speaking and the way she speaks. Filia crossed her hands behind her back and turned her face slightly to the side, allowing Kirito to accept this fact in her mind.

"I realized that these members were the same as when I first met Kirito and Lilan, and when we went out to explore. \"

Filia whispers to Kirito, who reacts. Come to think of it, yes. After meeting Philia at Lizbet's Armory during the capture of Ayngrunte, the three of us went out exploring. As she said, the members here now are all Lilan from that era.

"It's right to think about it now, it was just me, Filia and Lilan at the time, I don't know if that's the case."

"Kirito, do you remember what happened back then? \"

Filia said sternly, causing Kiritto to tilt her head. With all sorts of information intertwined in his mind, Kirito pondered, trying to recall memories of that time.

At that time, Lizbet asked me to go and source the materials, but Filia told me that she knew where the materials were, so I decided to go with her.

But then comes the problem ...

“！！”

Kirito almost burst out laughing, realizing this. I realized everything at the same time. Why did Philia act so suspicious? How did your face turn red? What does she remember? I get it all. Maybe my face is red too.

"Uh-huh"

"I remember it very well. Filia, that time you were eaten by the boss monster. So after Kirito was eaten by the boss monster, he went out of his way to save you, and then came out with you. You were naked then.

The two of us turned around and faced the wolf dragon that had unexpectedly attacked us. Filia roared, and Kirito instinctively covered her face with one hand.

"W-Why do you say that!? I don't want to remember! \"

“”

"Kirito, I don't remember! I don't remember!! \"

Filia called out to herself in panic, but that didn't stop Kirito from recalling. Everything replays in Kirito's mind.

At that time, Filia was eaten by the dinosaur boss monster in the area where the material was located. Knowing that Filia would die if she stayed in her body, Kirito deliberately took advantage of the predatory attack of the boss monster and jumped into its stomach. Then he picked up Philia and walked out.

As a result, the two were safely saved, and the boss monster was also defeated by Lilan's power, but at this time, all of Filia's equipment was melted, and she was helplessly hugging Kirito. Until now, after completing SAo and doing various things with Shiina, Filia's body and the feeling at that time are still vivid. What's more, for some reason, I also found that Filia and Shino's bodies are completely different from the touch to the temperature.

Of course, I didn't tell Shino about this. That's something I didn't tell Shiina, and I've decided never to tell her.

Kirito complains to those who bring back memories that he wants to send them to the Forgotten Lands if he can.

"Why do you two remind me of that time?"

\"Because, I mean, I remember Kirito too, right? \"

If it weren't for Shino's companion, I might have felt that something was surging and boiling here. For an average boy, this is a normal and natural reaction. However, Kirito's body didn't feel that way. I just felt embarrassed, but my body didn't react at all.

Now it seems that I'm okay - without going into the specific reasons, Kirito said to Filia after coming to a conclusion.

"Well, Filia, I'm fine, you don't have to worry too much."

\"Huh!? What do you mean, don't worry so much!? Kirito remembers, and he has a problem. \"

"Of course it is! I felt sorry for Filia at the time, and I'm still distressed, that's all! ”

Kirito let go of all thoughts. Filia looked at Kirito with a puzzled expression. Although her face was still red.

"Really, that's what I thought. \"

"yes, I didn't think of anything else."

Well, if I had to say anything, I'd say I was really glad I was able to help Filia at that time. If I hadn't saved Filia at the time, I would have lost another important friend in front of my eyes, and Filia wouldn't be in this "SAo". I'm really glad I was able to save Filia and she didn't die. ”

What, I guess you think more than you think - Kirito himself said this and understood his feelings. Even so, I found that I wasn't thinking a lot about it.

As for Filia, she once again put her hands behind her back and turned her head in Kirito's direction.

"True poetry is in a straight line"

“？”

When Kirito asked again, Filia shook her head and replied.

"Even though that happened at the time, I'm still grateful to Kirito. If Kirito hadn't jumped out at that time, I would have died by now. I wouldn't be here now. Because that's why, as embarrassing as it is, I don't hate reminiscing about that time. I still remember Kirito as the benefactor who saved me."

Filia turned to look at Kirito and smiled.

"Kirito, I'll say it again. Thank you for helping me at the time\"

Filia's statement was different from usual to Kirito's eyes.

Usually busy exploring, searching for treasure, in ALo, he is a hardcore treasure hunter and even spends an entire day in the mansion at Springgan's base camp, which looks like ruins both on the outside and inside. That's the kind of Philia I know. of girls. However, this is not the case with Filia now, she feels really girly and cute. Perhaps, if it had been a boy, and not himself, he might have felt affection and affection for Filia here.

It's a pity that Kirito, who swore to love Shino, didn't feel that way. Remembering the feeling of Filia's naked body, but the body did not react, may also have something to do with it.

Although Kirito felt a little regretful in his heart, he still smiled back.

"You're welcome, but it won't happen again in the future, don't worry."

Filia retorted with a surprised expression on her face again.

"Isn't it a coincidence! Kirito and Lilan, this is our secret, right? Absolutely not to tell anyone!? \"

Kirito sighed. It also coincides with Lilan's sigh. Unusually, there seems to be an overlap of perspectives between "animal trainers" and "familiars".

\"While I don't lie, can I speak? \"That's"

"Even if I'm tortured, I can't tell you. Shino will kill me\"

I can't talk about it because of Shino's mental health issues. At that moment, Kirito thought that he had suffered an unfortunate experience, which complicated his feelings.

"Yo, I finally found it, it's the Black Dragon Swordsman". ”

Feeling that he was being called out unexpectedly, Kirito looked in that direction. Kirito saw many figures in front of him, and he shouted to them to hide behind the walls. After Lilan transforms into a werewolf form, Kirito stares ahead from the wall.

Temporarily recognized the figure of a man with fiery red hair and a dark-haired girl.