Part 15 (1/2)

”Eh? Why?”

I had to force my mouth open to respond.

”Err, well, as...as long as Asuna is with me, I don't mind joining the guild.”

In the past, I would never have said something like this, even if it was to save my own life. Asuna's eyes went wide with surprise, and her face turned as red as a ripe apple. Then, for some reason, she fell quiet, got up from the armrest, and walked over to the window.

From across Asuna's shoulders, I could hear the everyday sounds of Algade under the setting sun.

What I just said was the truth, but I still felt reluctant about becoming part of a guild. As I remembered the name of the only guild that I had ever belonged to, which no longer exists today, a sharp pain ached in my heart.

'Well, I have no intention of losing...'

I thought to myself, then got up from the chair and walked over to Asuna.

Soon afterwards, Asuna rested her head softly against my right shoulder.

Chapter 13.

The newly opened living area on the seventy-fifth floor was a city reminiscent of ancient Rome. According to the map, its name was ”Collinia”. The entire city was already filled with activity, thanks to the large numbers of fighters and merchants that have settled in, as well as others who took no part in clearing the game but had come to sightsee. On top of all that, a rare special event would be held here today, so guests had been pouring out of the teleport gate since this morning.

The city was mostly constructed from square bricks of white limestone. One building stood out amongst its temple-like buildings and wide waterways; that was the huge coliseum which towered in front of the gate plaza. It was perfect for holding the duel between Heathcliff and me. But...

”Fire-breathing popcorn for ten Col a cup! Ten Col!”

”Cold black beer for sale~!”

Numerous merchants were selling their goods in front of the coliseum entrance; they were calling out to the long line of spectators and selling them strange looking refreshments.

”...this, what on earth is this...?”

Shocked by the sight unfolding before me, I could only ask Asuna, who was standing beside me.

”I-I don't know...”

”Hey, isn't that a KoB member selling the tickets!? How on earth did it turn into such a large event!?”

”I-I don't know...”

”Is this Heathcliff's real goal...?”

”No, I think that the head of finances, Daigen-san, is the one behind this. He wouldn't miss an opportunity like this.”

As Asuna laughed, I sagged my shoulders and felt completely powerless.

”...let's run away Asuna. We can go live in some small village on the twentieth floor and plow fields.”

”I'm fine with that, but...”

Asuna then added teasingly: ”You'll make a rea-lly bad name for yourself if you run away now.”

”d.a.m.n-it...”

”Well, it's your own fault, isn't it? Ah...Daigen-san.”

As I lifted my head, I saw a fat man who was waddling towards us; he was so wide that it was impossible to find a person less suited to wear the red-white uniform of the KoB.

With a wide smile covering his round face, he started talking to us: ”Thanks ta Kirito-san we're makin' lotsa money! If ya jus' did it once every month I'd be really thankful!”

”No way!!”

”Come, come, the waitin' room's over here. Come on, this way please.”

I resigned myself to my fate and followed him. I didn't even care about what would happen anymore.

The waiting room was a small place that faced the arena. After Daigen escorted me to the entrance, he said something about adjusting the betting prices and disappeared. I didn't even have the energy to curse him anymore. From the waiting room, I could hear countless indistinct cheers outside. It seemed that the audience seating was already filled.

When only the two of us remained, Asuna grasped my palm with both her hands and spoke with a serious expression.

”...even if it's a First Strike match, it'll be dangerous if you get directly hit by a strong critical strike. Especially since many of the leader's moves aren't even known, you should forfeit as soon as you feel something is wrong, understood? I'll never forgive you if you do something dangerous again like last time!”

”You should be worrying about Heathcliff more.”

I smiled and tapped both of Asuna's shoulders.

As an announcement declared the start of the duel, the crowd gave off a thunderous roar. I pulled the two swords on my back out by a bit, and then slid them back into their scabbards with a clang. After that, I began to walk towards the square light hoop on the field.

The step seating that ringed the amphitheater was fully packed with people. My guess is that there were at least a thousand spectators. I could see Klein and Agil on the front rows, screaming dangerous things like ”dice him up” and ”kill him.”

I walked to the center of the arena before stopping. Then, a deep red silhouette emerged from the opposite waiting room, and the cheering became even more intense.

Unlike the normal Knights of the Blood uniform, which was red on white, Heathcliff wore a red surcoat that was the complete opposite. Although he was like me and wore almost no armor, he held a huge, pure-white, cross-shaped s.h.i.+eld in his left hand, which had immediately caught my attention. His sword seemed to be sheathed within the s.h.i.+eld, as I could see the cross-shaped handle protruding from its top.

Heathcliff walked casually until he stood right before me. He glanced at the crowd and then spoke with a bitter smile.

”I must apologize, Kirito-kun. I really had no idea that this was going to happen.”

”I'm going to be asking for my share of the money.”

”No... After this fight you'll be part of our guild. I'll be designating this duel as one of the guild's missions.”

Heathcliff then erased his smile, and his bra.s.s colored eyes started giving off an overwhelming energy. Intimidated, I unconsciously took half a step back. In reality, we were probably lying down at places far away from each other, with only digital data being pa.s.sed between us. But, I still felt something that could only be called killing intent.

My mind went into its battle state, and my eyes received Heathcliff's gaze head on. The loud cheering sounded as if it was moving further away. Before I realized it, my senses had already begun to quicken, and it felt like even the colors of the surroundings had changed.