Chapter 3: Pride of a Swordsman
Death.
There are many faiths and creeds that have their view on what lies beyond the veil when the thread of life finally withers and snaps
―― or is forcibly severed.
Some believe in reincarnation; returning to the world of the living as another life form depending on how they lived their life before. Others in an afterlife; a place where you are either punished or rewarded based on account of your deeds.
However, no one has ever truly ventured beyond death and returned to speak of it.
Either way, Kirito always felt as though he had deserved some form of divine retribution to make up for his sins and that the ''end'' wouldn't really be just that. There was blood on his hands, blood which could never be washed.
He had hoped before his death he would make up for it all, by being a dutiful son, a caring brother and above all else… by making her happy. He had already bartered his soul away and given her everything he had, and in return she had given him liberation; a momentary peace where he could live his life outside of the shadows with his head raised high... with her at his side.
Now she needed his help more than ever, and so he was yet to fulfil his duty, that is why… He wasn't ready to die just yet.
If fate had led him to become the『Black Swordsman』of SAO and defeat that death game, then surely fate had a purpose for him. He couldn't die here…
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Kirito:「――」
His eyes opened ―― except, he didn't feel as though they had been closed to begin with. It was more like consciousness had returned to them.
???:「Sir?... Are you ok?」
Siting directly in front of Kirito was a well-dressed man, with short spectacles, and a quill in his right hand held over an open notebook placed upon a well organised desk. The man gently pressed his glasses inwards as he glanced worriedly at Kirito.
Kirito's mind was empty. It was as though he had forgotten how to think.
???:「Let me bring for you a glass of water sir…, please make yourself comfortable, I will be back shortly…」
Kirito rigidly nodded his head as his projected eyes continued to look into white space. It seemed almost as though his body was stuck in some tranche of sleep paralysis and that the slight nod of his head was all he could manage.
Although his head felt blank, a single feeling had been engraved in his heart, a reminiscence so profound that it lingered in his very core.
Kirito:「―― Did I?」
''die?''
That was the only word that could describe the feeling that had overcome him as he sat frozen in his chair. He wondered to himself, how could a simple 3 lettered word capture everything so perfectly?
――except, there was nothing simple about this. How could he explain how he found himself back in the Royal Guard building? How could he explain the current gasps of air escaping his lips? How could he explain…
Receptionist:「Here, take your time… Are you feeling bett――」
As the glass of water was shifted into Kirito disoriented hands, it began slowly sliding out of his fragile grasp. The glass fell to the ground, shattering to pieces in a screeching cry. The shattering of the glass seemed to coincide with the breaking of his mind as he remembered…
As though the warped images of the scenes of the slaughter and destruction refracted from the broken shards into his hollow mind, he screamed.
Kirito:「―― ARRGGGHHH!!!!!」
He began helplessly grabbing his head in an attempt to swat away those raging images, the worst of all being the dismembered body of the silver-haired elf right at the very end; the final moment where her body was uncovered and laid bare for all to see.
The vivid memory was more deadly than any weapon he had faced before. He wished more than anything to un-see it. He wished he had never gone to that place…
But if the feeling etching at his very core could be trusted, that he had died, then why was he here? Why was he now alive? Was he in fact saved… again?
''No! It can't be… I felt something grab my soul away… the angel of death?''
He recalled the cold yet tender fingers that reached deep into his essence before extinguishing his senses entirely.
Nothing made sense to him. There are no redos in life… life isn't some video ga―
''Game…? Is that what this is? I'm in a game ――right?''
For some reason his thoughts hesitated. Was this really a game? He wasn't too sure anymore.
It was now a question of intangible feelings versus the ''reality'' he found himself in.
He was indeed back at the Royal Guard building, sitting in front of the same receptionist as before. His wounds were gone, and the sun was still up. Taking a logical approach and suppressing his emotions, he took a deep breath and reengaged the shaken man sitting in front of him.
Kirito:「― Sorry about that… I've made a mess here and I'm not sure what came over me. Please, I have a question.」
Receptionist:「Y-yes ―― apologies sir, I was just a little startled by your reaction. How can I help?」
The man readjusted his glasses above his worried face, as he recomposed himself .
Kirito:「Sorry if this comes across as a silly question but, ―― Have we met before?」
The receptionist looked back at him attentively, as though he were delving into the depths of his thoughts, before…
Receptionist:「Hmm..., I'm afraid not. In fact I am certain this is the first time we have met, you see I have been luckily enough to have been blessed with a Divine Protection.」
Kirito's eyes sharpened at the response. He wasn't too sure what the last part was meant to mean, perhaps humour in this world, but what was certain is that he didn't remember him, despite their ''supposed'' recent meeting.
''This can only mean that this really is the first time we've met and so ―― I have returned by death to the past. To a previous save point?
Wait, that means… everything that had happened after this point hasn't happened yet! The brawl at the Loot House in the Slums, the death of the silver-haired elf and ―― the attack of the Witch's Cult!!''
Fully comprehending the situation, it became so much clearer. He had died, died and returned back to a save point. This was his chance. A chance to erase his regrets and save the girl who had saved him.
His debt could be cleared. He could then go on with his mission to break free from this ''game'' knowing he did the right thing.
Even if it were meaningless in the grand scheme of things, it had meaning to himself. It was a value he held in his heart, a principle, a code of conduct...it was his『Bushido』, that or ―― was it simply his pride as a swordsman?
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Kirito:「I need to speak with Julius immediately! It's urgent!」
Receptionist:「Errmm, Sir Julius? One moment, let me check his schedule... What a coincidence, Sir Julius is here today, but I'm afraid his schedule is quite busy――」
Kirito:「―― I know that but this is important! A big fight is going to happen soon in the Slums! People are going to die… a lot of them! I need to speak with him now!!!」
Kirito sprung out of his chair, arching over the receptionist and planting his hands on the desk as desperation tingled in his voice. A chilling glare ensnared the startled man as he hastily scurried back in his seat.
Receptionist:「hkk―― P-please calm down for a moment sir, let me see wha―」
Kirito:「There's no time damn it! Just after night falls they are going to strike ―― The Witch's Cult!!!」
Receptionist:「?――」
Kirito looked over to the window behind him as the shining rays of sun filled the room. The sun was his only reference for how soon the calamitous acts of the tragic play that were about to set in motion would occur.
He needed to act fast if he were to throw a decisive spanner in the works to stop the chain of events that eventually lead to the expulsion of his lifeblood and death of the silver-haired elf.
The response from the receptionist was an unexpected one. His face settled into a solemn sharp stare into Kirito's fiery eyes; a face brimming with concern.
Silence settled upon the room before the sound of the quill could be heard scribbling against the parchment of paper upon the table before him, he couldn't read its strange letters. A few moments passed by until the quill finally froze before being set back into its hold.
The silence was finally broken.
Receptionist:「Please follow me.」
As they transpired up the spiralling staircase and through the corridors of the atrium, not a single word was spoken between them.
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They reached a looming door, it was refined and had an elegantly designed golden doorknob. The receptionist released three subtle knocks before a voice returned in-kind.
???:「Enter.」
His hand then moved to engulf the golden doorknob, before slowly pushing it forward.
Inside was a large room, at the front were two couches facing a rectangular glass table. It's fabric was gracefully interlaced in golden threads upon a red base. Further ahead was an outstretched desk, with two empty chairs placed before it.
At the end of the room, under the backdrop of an extravagant tapestry of two majestic dragons hung upon the wall, was a lone figure sat in his chair.
His neatly arranged light purple hair was long, reaching down to the hem of his chin, with a single strand hanging down across his face. His well-built muscular stature sat gracefully on the chair with a noble posture. His light-yellow eyes rose forward to meet the guest's at his entrance.
???:「Barth, welcome, what brings you here? It is always a pleasure to see your diligent self.」
Receptionist/Barth:「The pleasure is mine noble Sir Julius, thank you for your warm welcome. If I may hand you this note for you to read.」
The Knight Julius, spoke softly with clear articulation and an imposing aura which commanded respect. The receptionist returned a respectable bow before handing the parchment of paper he had written on earlier.
Barth:「Apologies for the intrusion sir but I believed I ought to bring this to your attention with urgency.」
Julius:「――I see. Indeed, you were right to alert me of this Barth, it is not often information on these matters are brought directly to the Royal Guard.」
Barth:「――This here is the young man.」
Following his passing of the paper, the receptionist took a few steps back before returning in line with Kirito's position. Kirito's eye met the Knights for the first time, those yellow pearls were unreadable to him.
Julius:「Thank you Barth, you may be excused and return to your duties.」
Barth:「Sir.」
The receptionist bowed once more to the Knight before swiftly taking his leave from the room. The door was gently closed behind him, leaving Kirito alone in the presence of the Knight Julius.
A few moments elapsed before the Knight placed the parchment on his desk having finished his assessment.
Julius:「Please take a seat… you're not from the Kingdom are you?」
As Kirito moved to take his seat, the Knight slid in that question. It wasn't the first time he was asked something similar. His clothes were indeed different to the long white robes worn by the Knight before him but it shouldn't be unfamiliar to someone from the ''real'' world.
Julius:「Forgive my manners, I believe I haven't introduced myself. ―― I am Julius Juukulius, Knight of her highness Anastasia Hoshin and member of the Royal Guards.」
His embellished introduction was accompanied by the salute of his arm brought up to his chest and forward lean of his head. It was a mouthful for Kirito to understand with such little context of this world, but what was certain was ―― he was someone important.
What he couldn't understand however, was why this person, who he thought was a ''real player'' would be acting so strange. There were some people in Aincrad who had acted ''in role'' to extreme levels, but this was too specific to be simply an overly rehearsed act.
After a few seconds of pauses, Kirito realised the ball had been placed in his court for a response with his own name and title.
Kirito:「I'm Kirito..., erm, I'm a middle schooler from Japan.」
''Wait… no, that's not quite right. I was in middle school but since spending 2 and a half years in SAO, I should be in high-school now.''
The time distortion sent his academic trajectory into a complete mess, there were talks of the SAO survivors being put in some government funded schools to have a quick crash course of all the subjects they had missed. He was a little nervous to meet people like him from that world, it didn't make sense to throw all the kids with a heap of traumatic experiences under the same roof, but then again maybe it did.
Julius:「Interesting… I'm afraid I am not familiar with the place. I take it my assumption was correct, that you are not from this Country.」
Kirito:「Y-yeah.」
He had no idea what kind of Country he was in, but that wasn't what was worrying him just now. It was the fact that he had no idea about Japan. Sure the real world was big, but not knowing about Japan at all despite speaking the language in this world meant only one thing ―― this isn't a player.
He didn't want to run further down that rabbit hole in terms of what that truly meant for him since he had an immediate concern to deal with. The Knight before him seemed to have the same thoughts as he leaned forward in his chair.
Julius:「Well, I think we should address the matter at hand now. It's seems you are eluding to having information around a planned attack later his evening at the city's Slums, specifically ―― an attack from the Witch's Cult.」
Julius cut off his words sharply at that point. His eye's radiated with intensity as he looked into his own.
Weighing in the reactions of both the Knight and the Receptionist before him, it became clear that this ''Witch's cult'' was no trivial group.
Kirito:「―― Yeah.」
Julius:「If that is indeed the case then we need to be vigilant and ramp up security in the area…」
Kirito:「Yeah!」
Julius:「―― But, I'm sure you understand I cannot just deploy guards to positions unless I have some substantive assurances on the veracity of the information, so… I must ask, how did you come about this knowledge?」
Kirito's face froze, his anticipation had sent a streak of hope in his heart before being tightly squeezed out of him by the Knight's shift in demeanour.
''He doesn't believe me.''
In the silence of Kirito's response, it seemed the Knight found his answer as he reclined once more on his chair and lightly brushed his bangs whilst closing his intrusive eyes.
Julius:「I feared as much. You are new to this City and I fear you may have been swindled with vague rumours. That can only explain the eccentricity of your actions. To come in person to the Royal Guard building to tip off the movements of the Witch's Cult, it's unheard of in my tenor as a Knight here.」
''He thinks it's all made up… damn him!''
Julius:「I know it might be a lot to take in, unfortunately one of the challenges in tracking the Witch's cult is the multitude of anonymous tips we receive on their movement, it's near impossible to distinguish the truth from lies. I'm just regretful that this has wasted both your time and mine.」
''Tsk, don't give me that crap. Waste of time you say!''
Kirito rose out of his chair in fury. He was trying his utmost to hold it all in, but the memories were too fresh in his mind to dismiss them. He couldn't let someone so casually scorn them.
The Knight's eyes widened in response to the spectacle as he noticed the tightly gripped fist of Kirito, zealously trying to suppress his rage. Being a Knight of his standing, he couldn't let such an action slide so easily.
Julius:「I must ask you to respectfully coordinate yourself. You are standing in the Royal Guards building before a Knight of the Royal Guards!」
Kirito:「Tch, don't give me that crap! You Knight's don't know shit! Just a bunch of dense fools who follow any orders that are given to them!」
This time the person that sprung out his chair was the Knight. His cloak rolled to his heels as the golden hilt of his Sword sparkled. His voice remained calm but firm, not proceeding to raise his voice to match Kirito's outburst.
Julius:「I must implore you to retract that statement and never repeat such an offense. I will not let you sully the name of the Royal Guards nor dishonour what it means to be a Knight. Had we not been alone I may not be as forbearing… I'm afraid this meeting is concluded Mr Kirito, I must ask you to leave the premises.」
Kirito's face grimaced further, just listening to the Knight speak in his conceited, condescending way turned his stomach and enraged him even more. After a stare down into that pretentious unruffled face, Kirito spun and stormed towards the door. He flung the door open powerfully before halting in his movement, he looked back at the Knight from the corner of his face――
Kirito:「You were right… This was a waste of time.」
――before slamming the door shut and racing out of the building.
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As Kirito darted out of the Royal Guard building, his mind began running multiple simulations as to how he could prevent the death of the silver-haired elf. The fixed constraint was the short amount of time he had.
Within the next hour or so ― no, less since he wasted time speaking to that stuck up Knight ― before the report arrives on the battle at the Loot House that takes place and then by nightfall there would be the attack from the Witch's Cult.
Presuming the two were connected, if Kirito could make it in time to stop the Silver-haired elf from entering the fray, he might be able to shift the scripting of the games narrative just enough to save everyone ―― It was a naive hope, but it was the best he could come up with.
As he rushed down the paved road and through the great archway, he noticed a stationed carriage strung to peculiar looking beasts. They were the same reptilian-like creatures he had noticed when first diving into this game and seemed to be used for transport.
He rushed past the old man standing beside the carriage, almost colliding with him, whilst his attention had been diverted to the thought of wishing he could really use a similar carriage to get to the slums. He knew however, that his coins were less valuable than dirt in this world.
He had 'died' once in this game already, but he at least learned something of use ――The way to the Loot House was still fresh in his mind. Following the mental map painted in his head, he rushed towards the bleak Slums and setting of the future traumatic event.
In the end, he had resolved to do this on his own ―― it was better that way.
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End of chapter.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sword_Demon7
Sword_Demon7 If you've made it this far, then here is a personal thank you for reading and I hope you have enjoyed the story thus far! Apologies for the delay in updating this, but I will try to release a few more chapters this week while I have some time, so make sure to follow this. This is the first time I have written anything so I would appreciate your comments and feedback on this if you have any. Happy reading!
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