Yui looked at Asuna blankly.
"go out?"
\"Yes, Dad, Mom, I want to run again with my sister to a fun place. Hey, Xiaoyu, do you want to go?\"
Yui hugged Lilan, stood up with shining eyes, and nodded.
"go!"
"Okay! Now that we've decided, let's get ready quickly."
Asuna said, smiling and gently stroking Yui's head. The way he handled it and interacted with him seemed so familiar that we were dumbfounded. I should be the father, and Shino should be the father, but judging from the way Asuna treats me, Asuna looks more like a mother.
Shino, who was watching all this with me, had a somewhat sad expression on her face.
\"Perhaps Asuna is more suitable to be a mother.\"
\"No, no, Yui calls Sinon mother, so Sinon is mother. Well, I didn't expect Asuna to be so good at getting along with children, no, she is very good at getting along with Yui.\"
"Even so, if you treat me like I'm used to, I'm going to lose my confidence as a mom."
"Why don't you teach me how to cook?"
"I can."
However, I think Asuna is really used to it, or in other words, she is a very family woman. Such as cooking and how to interact with children. If I get married, I believe I will become a good wife known far and wide. Well, not as good as Shino.
"Ah, what is this?"
While we were talking like this, Asuna, who was communicating with Yui, suddenly made a strange noise, and both Shino and I looked at Asuna. Asuna faced Yui and touched the window, but she kept her head tilted to prevent things from going well.
\"What's wrong, Asuna?\"
As I approached to check the situation, Asuna turned around and looked at me with confusion on her face.
\"There's something wrong with Yui's window, please take a look.\"
Following Asuna's instructions, we looked at the window that appeared in front of Yui in surprise.
When the menu window is opened, the English name, level, "hp bar", "Sp bar", "Exp bar", and equipment data will be displayed in SAo, but Yui's "hp bar" will be displayed. \", \"Sp bar, \"Experience bar\" do not exist, and even the level is not displayed.
What's more, Yui's name has the mysterious text "Yui_mhcp_001" written on it. There are also fewer options for equipping your character than we had, with only a few items and options. It feels like a different screen than ours opens, but it's certainly the same window as ours.
"What's this"
\"Asuna, what did you do? Did you mess with the settings?\"
In response to Shino's question, Asuna shook her head.
"I didn't do that. However, Yui-chan's clothes looked cold, so I decided to dress her in something different. I was there."
Why something like this exists, why Yui doesn't have what we have, and what the word mhcp_0001 means is beyond me. It's 001 so I can't help but think it's a model number, but I'm trying to figure out why the player would have a model number and I can't figure it out. Completely mysterious, hands up.
\"I don't know. But Asuna, can you give me the equipment?\"
Asuna asked Yui to operate the window and nodded.
"Yes.
If I remember correctly, Shino must have some clothes, so there should be some that Yui can equip.
\"Sinon, please give Yui some clothes as a gift. The size of the clothes will automatically adjust to the wearer's size, so even if it's Shino's clothes, Yui should be able to wear them.\"
Sinon said "I understand" and nodded, then brought up the prop screen and sent the prop. Immediately afterwards, Asuna, who was operating the window, reacted.
"Ah, here we come."
\"Okay, Asuna, let Yui equip it.\"
Asuna said "I'm sorry" to Yui, held her hand, made a gesture similar to that when operating the equipment screen, and then clicked the "OK" button. Immediately afterwards, Yui's clothes changed into a light blue hoodie and an indigo skirt. Unknowingly, Yui's eyes sparkled at these strange clothes.
"Wow, just like mom!"
Sure enough, although Asuna was used to dating Yui, Shino seemed to be Yui's mother, and she was very happy to be able to wear the same hoodie as Shino. Shino, who was sitting next to me, had a somewhat happy expression on her face.
"Okay, it seems that the preparations have been completed, let's go."
Saying that, Shino and I stood up together, and when I approached Yui, Yui stretched out her hands to me.
"Dad, carry it"
Yui suddenly asked me to hold her, and I was unintentionally surprised, but now that I think about it, the only people I have held in my arms are Shino and Lilan, and if I must say, Silica and Lisbeth. A kid like Yui. I have never picked it up. Besides, Yui's body is very small, so she probably only carries a two-handed sword on her back.
\"Understood. Yui, let's go!\"
With a good mood, I picked up Yui's body and carried her on my back. As I expected, Yui's body is much lighter than the weapon, while the Expositor and Dark Repulser she always equips feel heavier. My hands were full, but it was an easy win.
\"If you run again, stand on Asuna's shoulders.
\"I understand. Let me lend you your shoulder, Asuna.
"Even so, when I'm in town, it's on my shoulders."
After confirming that Lilan smiled bitterly and jumped on Asuna's shoulders, I wanted to walk away, but Shino immediately shouted to me.
\"Even if you make a mistake, don't throw away Yui's things.\"
"It's okay, let's go."
After finishing speaking, I carried Yui on my back and walked towards the door. Then, pass through the still peaceful fields on the 22nd floor, go to the village with the portal, and go to Arhan, the ancestral city on the 1st floor. After seeing the nostalgic appearance of the town of origin, Shino immediately crossed her arms.
As he did so, he had a strange expression on his face.
\"This is the town where Kirito's adventure begins.\"
Yes, I met Klein, Egil, and Diabel in this city and started running towards the 100th floor. But at the same time, this is also where our players gathered on the first day of the game, and where Kayaba Akihiko was sentenced to death, so both good memories and bad memories were awakened - ever since Shino was killed by this game in the game After the kidnapping, level 50, you don’t know, players who start fighting from the first level always have mixed feelings.
\"So, Asuna, which direction is the church run by Alice? My impression of Alice is so strong that I can't even remember the location of the church.\"
“The church is on the north side of town.
The official name of "Legion" is "Aincrad Liberation Army". It is one of the super large guilds under Aincrad, alongside the Holy Dragon Alliance and the Blood Oath Knights.
As the Liberation Army's name suggests, it's a guild that takes on prisoners in order to free players from Aincrad, but it plunders players' funds in the form of taxes and lures disobedient players into crime-free It is not as famous as "Laughing Coffin", but it is not as bad as "Laughing Coffin", but it is famous for doing bad things, such as forcibly grabbing money and items through slapping, harassment, etc., and using them as game currency rather than funds. have
However, according to rumors, when the "Legion" was first established, it was an organization like the Holy Dragon Alliance that worked hard to liberate players and challenge captives. It seemed that something happened that led to the retreat. , and the leader was almost replaced, but from that time on, things gradually began to go wrong, and it is said that it has become the current state.
I don't know if this is true or not, but if this story is true, I would like to ask what happened to thinker and what kind of person he is. Because the Army was a good organization when Zink led it. Don't know if it will come true.
The base of the "Legion" is in this city, the ancestral city of Arhan, and the residents of this city are the targets of exploitation by the "Legion". At first, it was a city that protected players who were just waiting to be released and had no confidence in adventure and capture, but now it can be said that it is a country where the "military" dictatorship is rampant.
——By the way, Dilbert hates the existence of this "army" so much that he even uses the army to intervene when punishing guild members. Of course, this is about "The Army," since Zink is no longer the leader.
\"Of course, this town is like an Army dictatorship. Shino, Asuna, prepare your weapons. If Army thugs appear, don't hesitate to burn Lilan to death. Yui will definitely leave me. .Na\"
After obtaining the consent of the three of us, we started walking towards the church where Alice was. However, I immediately felt uncomfortable and slowed down. No, perhaps it would be more correct to say that something happened to me that forced me to take my time.
This town was once filled with players who had no confidence in their strategies, but I didn't meet any players as I walked. The City of Taichu has become empty, as if only NPCs exist. As someone who has been here before, when I saw that figure, I couldn't help but feel a little out of place.
"However, there are many NPC vendors, but I can't see players. How many players live in this city now?"
Asuna answered the question.
“Currently, the number of surviving players is approximately 6,000.
Shino looked serious.
“[The army] took away from these 1,000 frightened people their belongings and currency called tax.
Lilan stood on Asuna's shoulder and met Shino.
"Why do you think so?"
“Even if you wait in fear, it won’t change anything.
\"I understand your feelings, and I think what Shino said is right.\" However, most people in this world are ordinary people who were originally limited to playing games. Originally, no one could step forward and end the situation where death was inevitable if killed by the enemy.
\"I understand how you feel, but maybe not everyone is as strong as Shino.\"
Shino made an unconvinced expression and called softly. This was Shino's habit when she was frustrated.
\"[The Army] is lingering here, but it seems that the army will not approach Teacher Alice. Before getting into trouble with the army, go find Teacher Alice——\"
Asuna was about to say this when she heard a loud voice coming from the corner of the street.
“Give me my baby back!!”
It was a female voice, but it was followed by several male voices.
"Oh, he looks like a kindergarten teacher."
"Yo, I've been waiting!"
The voices of men with very bad tone. And judging from what the woman said, it was obvious that something bad had happened. Shino, who was the first to understand this, shouted to me and Asuna.
\"Kirito, Asuna!\"
"Oh, let's go!"
We started running in a completely different direction from the church, towards where we heard the sound. Passing through a narrow back alley, I soon saw a dead end. In front of the dead end, I saw the back of a woman, and in front of the woman, I saw a man wearing gray-green and black armor. The group that rules this city, "Legion". I hid in the shadows nearby to avoid detection, and as I began to survey the situation, a woman raised her voice.
"Give me my baby back!"
One of the men moved his hand slightly. A humble smile appeared on his lips.
"Don't speak ill of people. I'm just teaching the kids common sense. That's the [military's] job too."
"Yes, citizens have the obligation to pay taxes!"
The men began to laugh vulgarly. Maybe, but if you take off their helmets you'll see their sparkling eyes. Moreover, three children can be seen behind these men. It seemed that they had caught him.
"Kim, Kane, Mina, are you there!?"
As the woman stretched and called to the children behind her, she heard voices coming from behind the men.
"Teacher Sasha, please help me!"
In response to the weak voices of the children, the female Shasha responded.
"Whether you have money or not, just donate it all!"
"Teacher, no, no!"
"One of the men blocking the road let out a vulgar laugh."
"Looks like you're behind on your taxes. Money isn't enough."
"Oh yeah, I gotta leave the gear behind too. All the armor, everything."
"It was so angry." They all wanted to strip the children of their clothes. Seeing children being frightened by violence that they couldn't believe was being perpetrated by adults, a kind of anger akin to murderous intent welled up in my heart. I won’t be satisfied until they blow away!
\"Those guys Shino, Asuna, Lilan!!\"
I called out to everyone and emerged from the shadows. When I was about to rush to the children at full speed, something flew past us with great force. When I looked at Sasha and the men, everyone was looking at the children. A woman with long shiny black hair like Asuna and wearing a white coat of different colors was standing very close to the children.
"That is!"
As soon as Asuna saw the woman, she was about to open her mouth, but she was immediately called out by the children.
"Mr. Alice!!"
"Alice." According to Asuna, she is a female player who protects children in the church. It is true that the woman's appearance is very similar to the appearance of Alice that Asuna said, or exactly the same, but is that woman Alice?
Thinking of this, the woman who seemed to be Alice immediately bent down and hugged the three children.
"Okay, put the equipment back, the teacher will drive them away."
After calming the children with a dignified, slightly low tone and a manly way of speaking, he quickly stood up and turned his body towards the "army". A one-handed sword was slung around his waist - the sword was quite long and the men were ready.
"Hey! What are you!"
"Interfering with our [military] mission—"
Just when the man was about to say the next word,
"No!"
The woman who seemed to be Alice took out the long sword from her waist in units of blocks, used the thrusting sword skill, and aimed at the man who was speaking. The woman's sword skill exploded on the man's neck, and a roar sounded. The man fell to his knees on the spot and stared at the woman blankly, as if he didn't know what was happening.
The next moment, a man who seemed to be the leader jumped in front of the man and yelled at him.
"Hey, you don't look like that, but you know what it means to oppose the People's Liberation Army."
"No!"
Before the leader finished speaking, the woman threw her sword skills at the leader's throat again. The leader was blown away, rolling on the ground and falling in front of his companions. He tried to stand up immediately, opened his mouth,
"This, this, what are you doing-"
"yeah!!!"
Before she finished speaking, the woman fired her sword skill at the leader's throat again. The man was blown away again, and this time he fell on top of his comrades. The leader let out a high-pitched scream and called for help from his companions.
"Oh, don't look at you-"
"No!"
Just as he was about to take action, the woman fired another sword towards the leader's throat. The leader was knocked away again and flew in front of Sasha, but he was in a collapsed state and could not stand up.
The leader was completely knocked down. When everyone else stared at the woman tremblingly, the woman waved a long sword like a sharp sword. The tip of the sword was pointed at the men. He glared with a devilish expression. I.
"Fighting within range won't take lives, but you can keep blowing you all out of town if you want, and once you're out of range your job, mission, and life will be over. Get lost and don't touch the kids anymore Oh, you shit hungry ghosts."
"Where did the momentum go?"
Not long after escaping, the leader also stood up, screamed similarly, and ran away.
After confirming that the gangster who tried to touch the children had been dismissed, the woman put the sword back into its scabbard and returned to the children.
"Are you okay? Did anything get taken away?"
After shaking their heads, the children suddenly hugged the woman's body, probably because they were too scared.
"Teacher, thank you."
The woman nodded and began to stroke the children's heads, but immediately, Sasha, the woman facing the "army", rushed over.
"Mr. Alice"
\"Sure enough, that woman is the Alice Asuna mentioned.\"
Alice looked at Sasha's face and smiled.
"Sasha, I'm glad you're not afraid of the military when it comes to fighting. But maybe I don't need to come out."
At this point, Alice suddenly raised her voice.
"Everyone over there, please come out."
What Alice said took us by surprise. Apparently, Alice knew of our existence.
We sighed softly and walked out of the shadows. We saw the eyes of the children, Alice, and Sasha gathered in the back alley, but Alice immediately turned her attention to Asuna.
\"Isn't it Asuna? Are you here to be a nurse?\"
"Oh no, it's not that, but"
Just when I was about to answer Asuna's words, Alice turned her gaze to my side and stopped moving. He had an expression on his face, as if he had seen something very startling. When I turned my head and looked to the side, Sinon was there, but Sinon also had a shocked expression when she saw Alice.
What exactly happened——When Alice was about to call Shino, her mouth moved.
\"What, song, no,!?\"
Just when I was about to be surprised when I heard this, Shino spoke.
\"Ah, Teacher Alice Alice!?\"
