Part 24 (1/2)

Chapter 11 The Secret of The Chamber of Elders.

”...Horrible...”

Startled back, I looked down at the integrity knight's face.

Her eyebrows that had always maintained a graceful line were pressed together tight, drops of water resided in the corners of her eyes, and she had bitten down on her lips hard enough to draw blood.

Those pallid lips trembled and let out disconnected words once more.

”This is... horrible... To have not just my memories, but my consciousness, too... be manipulated by... someone else...”

Gripping my shoulders, Alice two hands strongly shook with grief, or perhaps anger.

”The one... who burned these red sacred letters into my eyes... was it... the highest minister...?”

”No... I don't think so.”

I unconsciously shook my head.

”It's an existence that created this world and observes it from the outside... one among the ”G.o.ds” that had not made an appearance in the creation of the world lore.”

”...G.o.ds...”

Clear drops flowed down from Alice's eyes without a sound.

180.

Chapter 11 The Secret of The Chamber of Elders.

”So the G.o.ds would not trust us... even after we, the integrity knights, spent these countless days fighting without end to protect this world they had wrought. Taking my memories of my family, and my sister, and on top of that, performing such a seal upon me... forcing me into obedience...”

I couldn't begin to imagine how much shock, confusion, and despair Alice who had lived as a knight of the G.o.ds must be feeling now. Alice's eyelids suddenly flashed open as I looked on without saying a word, unable to breathe.

The mirrored, horizontal words on the blue iris of her right eye shone vividly even now. However, Alice appeared to pay it no heed, merely staring at the skies in front-at the bluish- white moon floating among the black clouds.

”I am not your puppet!”

However hoa.r.s.e it might have been, Alice still shouted with dignity.

”Certainly, I might be an existence created by someone's hand.

But I have my own consciousness too! I want to protect this world... I want to protect the many people living in this world. I want to protect my family and my little sister. That is the one and only mission I wil strive for!!”

The glow of the text in her right eye increased in intensity while letting out a piercing, metallic noise. The bar code etched onto the outside of her iris, too, began to rotate rapidly.

181.

Chapter 11 The Secret of The Chamber of Elders.

”Alice...!”

Expecting that phenomenon to happen any time now, I cried out.

Without turning her eyes towards me, Alice whispered in a stifled voice.

”Kirito... hold me tight.”

”......Sure.”

I couldn't do anything but nod. Taking my hands off Alice's face, I moved them to the armor on her shoulders. Strongly holding down the knight's body trembling in small jolts beyond that golden armor.

Alice shrugged her long, golden hair once, before proudly gazing up towards the skies and took in a deep breath.

”The highest minister, Administrator... and you nameless G.o.ds!! For the goals I must achieve... I wil fight against you!!”

An unbounded proclamation that had a refined echo.

The moment it faded off, a deep crimson shaft of light left Alice's right eye.

A warm splash of blood stained my cheeks.

182.

Chapter 11 The Secret of The Chamber of Elders.

2.