For the sake of hungry Jupiter, we went down to the first floor of the inn and decided to eat in the restaurant. As soon as the rice arrived, Jupiter happily started eating like a real child, but to my surprise, Jupiter's way of eating was consistent with real-world eating etiquette.
He looked like a child and looked like he was going to eat like crazy, but he ate quietly with a knife and fork without making any sound. Since he was more polite than anyone in the room, we were so surprised that we completely forgot about eating and focused on Jupiter. However, perhaps because he was still hungry, he ate very quickly and quickly finished the side dishes and white rice on the plate. But after that, we were surprised again.
This restaurant is not a real-life restaurant, but a format where players can get free refills if they request it. Each restaurant has its own set of ingredients, and there is no maximum order quantity, so there is a possibility of "free refills," which often results in a big loss for the restaurant. As if knowing this, Jupiter ordered more side dishes, white rice, and soup, and began to busily serve the food.
Because she looks younger than Yui and the way she talks is inconsistent, she looks like a little kid, but it's inconsistent because she behaves well. And even the refills that were delivered were eaten by Jupiter in the blink of an eye.
"Well, Jupiter you eat a lot."
Even as Asuna, who had become a guardian, stared at him and said this, Jupiter continued to eat. I was polite about how I ate, but I didn't know how much I ate. This is completely inconsistent.
"I think she enjoyed eating because she looked so lively when she was eating."
Shino mumbled while sipping her latte. Indeed, Jupiter looked much happier now than when he recognized Asuna as his parent. And the child must like to eat so much food. In fact, for obese children it will be a straight line, but that doesn't matter because it's inside VRmmo.
\"It's a good thing that you like to eat, but Asuna-san, if you don't go to a restaurant where you can get free refills, you'll spend a lot of money on food.\"
When Leafa told Asuna in a cold sweat, Asuna nodded in a cold sweat.
"Yeah, yeah, I didn't expect a kid like me to eat so much."
Yuuki stared at the food Jupiter was eating with wide eyes.
"Wow, I'm almost out of refills. Jupiter ate more than I did."
Lisbeth put the cake in her mouth.
"Normally, I would gain weight, but the good thing about playing VRmmo is that I can eat a lot.
Finally, Asuna broke out in a cold sweat and stopped talking. Probably, he was speechless when he thought about the food expenses he would have to spend with Jupiter in the future. I don't usually think much about money, but when I think about the cost of food in Jupiter, I'm sure my face turns pale.
Having said this, Yui looked at Jupiter with admiration.
"It's amazing. I can't eat it like this."
Lilan sat on my shoulders and made a "voice" to Yui.
\"Yui doesn't need to eat so much. In other words, Jupiter is just a little weird.\"
Immediately afterwards, as if she realized something, Shino opened the message window. The person who sends messages to Shino is usually Alice, so I am sure that the message is from Alice.
\"Is it from Alice-san?\"
"Yeah. I'm sure it's about Jupiter."
When her attention turned to the information Alice was supposed to display, Shino's eyes turned into dots. I wonder what exactly is written there.
\"Shino, what are you writing?\"
"look"
Shino said while displaying the information and showing it to me. ——The next moment, I also felt that my eyes turned into dots. If you look to the side, Lilan's eyes are also dot-shaped.
[Jupiter must be in love with Asuna, so tell Asuna.
As you can see, Jupiter was a boy type mhhp, but what he learned as he grew up, he turned into a big eater. As for food expenses, if you go to a regular store to eat, it will cost three times the normal amount, so be careful. Well, because of that, I learned to eat on my own, so even if I lost my memory, I think I would still remember how to eat. ]
"Can that small body hold three times the things of an ordinary person?"
"No, I couldn't help but notice that." I don't know why Alice didn't tell us something so important at the time. And this must be shown and taught to Asuna, who becomes a guardian.
\"Asuna, I received a message from Alice-san.\"
\"Uh, where's Teacher Alice?\"
"Shut up and look at this guy"
Saying that, I waved Asuna to come to Shino and let her check through the information window. And Asuna's eyes turned into dots.
"Hey, the food cost is three times that of a normal person?"
"ah.
Just when I was about to say it, Shino seemed to have received another message, and the displayed text changed. The sender is still Alice.
[However, children should not only eat, but also taste appropriately and learn while eating. . What's more, Asuna's cooking skills are at their limit. If it were Asuna's cooking, Jupiter would be satisfied even if he didn't eat three times the amount of ordinary people. ]
\"Ah, that's it.\"
"Oh, is it so?"
The four of us murmured unconsciously. It seems that Jupiter eats a lot because some of the dishes are not particularly delicious.
\"Asuna's cooking skills are the best, and she doesn't need to eat too much to be satisfied.\" Jupiter may be like us.
\"Rejoice, Asuna. If it were you, you wouldn't have to feed me three times.
"Uh, yes.
Naturally, it's easy to forget, but Jupiter is the same as Yui, or rather, it's a program with the ability to heal players, and is said to be mhhp with more advanced mechanics and AI than Yui. Alice and Asuna said: "The amount of food eaten increases or decreases depending on the quality of the food. I find this a bit strange.
\"Ah, that Asuna-san.\"
"?"
Hearing Silica's voice, the four of them looked at each other. Silica and Pina pointed at Jupiter beside them with complicated smiles on their faces, as if they were too surprised to think of anything. Why you look that way - I knew why when I turned my face to Jupiter.
Before he knew it, Jupiter was eating the third course. Next to it were two finished plates.
"Hey, Jupiter!?"
Next to the impatient Asuna, I looked at the food in front of me. The menu featured the usual hamburger steaks found in real-world family restaurants, but they didn't taste great, just average. Yes, if Asuna and Shino make the same thing, it will definitely taste better if they make it together. The reason Jupiter ate so much was probably because the steakburgers at this restaurant were average.
"It's weird to keep eating just because it tastes normal."
"Jupiter, don't eat too much, your mother is in trouble."
As soon as Sinon finished speaking, the information displayed in front of Sinon changed again. I got a message from Alice.
[Well, if you don't want to spend too much money on food, let Jupiter eat the most delicious food possible. Well, Asuna, whose cooking skills have reached her limit, should be able to afford it. On the other hand, it would not be an exaggeration to say that letting Jupiter eat restaurant food would be a mistake, since there is probably nothing to cook in a city restaurant. ]
Of course, the characteristic of Jupiter is that you learn as you eat, so it may take time and quantity to recognize and learn the normal taste of undercooked, which is neither bad nor good.
On the other hand, all of Asuna's dishes are delicious and much more elegant than restaurant dishes, so I don't think it takes a lot of time and effort to learn. After all, Jupiter should be allowed to eat Asuna's food from now on. ——The same is true economically.
As I was thinking these things and reading Alice's note, I heard a voice say that Jupiter's meal was finally finished, and I saw him wiping his mouth. After eating so much, he finally tasted the steak burger in this restaurant and seemed very satisfied.
Seeing that satisfied smile, Asuna also smiled at Jupiter, and then sat next to Jupiter again. Probably happy that his mother was back, Jupiter turned to face Asuna with a smile, and Asuna responded by stroking Jupiter's head.
Lisbeth opened her mouth while listening to the situation.
\"Um, Asuna, what are you doing?\"
"What are you going to do? If it's food, that's okay."
"It's not board money. That kid, Jupiter."
\"Ah, Jupiter. As I just said, I will protect Jupiter.\"
"I understand that too.
"A"
You know, Asuna is the deputy leader of the Blood Oath Knights, and can be said to be the most important player in the captive group. Moreover, because of her commanding ability, Asuna has won the great trust of the top brass of the Blood Knights and is an indispensable presence in the arrest operation - he usually stays at the headquarters of the Blood Knights and rarely goes home. No.
The same goes for Yuuki who lives with him, and like Asuna, he has gained the trust of many players, so he cannot escape the strategy. If it falls, there is no doubt that the strength will be greatly reduced.
Asuna said she would protect and raise Jupiter, but what should I do with Jupiter when Asuna and Yuuki are away? As far as Shino, me, and Yui are concerned, Yui is more reliable than Jupiter, and that's okay because she can stay home alone, but Jupiter is physically and mentally younger than Yui. I wonder if such a young Jupiter can endure the loneliness without Asuna.
No, first of all, Jupiter has a higher awareness of learning and thirst for knowledge than Yui, so if he is left alone, his strong curiosity and thirst for knowledge will cause him to go to the battlefield without authorization and be bullied. Attacked by monsters. Maybe.
In that case, Asuna will be the one who is sad, and Alice, the creator, will also feel sad for her.
Just as I was thinking this, Asuna looked at Lilan on my shoulder with a worried expression.
"What do I do? Rerun. I'm on vacation right now.
I have to get back to strategy. Meanwhile, what about Jupiter? "
Lilan looked at Jupiter who was looking around with interest and made a sound.
\"How about giving advice to that knight captain? He said he wanted to leave the company for a while because he adopted a child.
"Commander Heathcliff? Will you accept me?"
"I don't know. But Asuna. I remember saying that before.
"What?"
\"Sometimes, it's impossible to communicate without meeting. Well, although I didn't say it, I have said similar things before.
"Collision with the leader?"
"That's it. Well, I'm not asking you to rattle your sword, but I'm sure Heathcliff won't refuse your request. Just say it.
“Sometimes you can’t tell until you hit it.” I remember Lelan telling me this many times.
\"As for Heathcliff, he will not accept his opinion easily, and Asuna is an important player. You also know that he may say that it is impossible to leave the team temporarily.\" But Jupiter She fell in love with Asuna like this, and Asuna also found someone other than Yuuki to accompany her. also.
\"Sure, capture is important. But Asuna, this may be a bit of an exaggeration, but Jupiter is trying to be your family. Spending time with your family is very important.\"
After thinking about it, Shino said the last thing I wanted to say to Asuna. Because of something, Shino spent most of his life without having time to spend with his family and relatives. Perhaps because of this, his words gave people a heavy and sharp feeling. Except for Jupiter, everyone stared at Shino with a slightly surprised expression. Shino continued while attracting everyone's attention.
\"So, Asuna, if you want to be with Jupiter, if you want to be with Jupiter, even if you give up conquering it, you should still make time for it and cherish it. Even if it becomes
After Shino finished speaking, Yuuki put her hand on Asuna's shoulder.
\"I think so too, Asuna. Asuna has put in a lot of effort to protect a child named Jupiter, so she should also make time to accompany Jupiter. In other words, I also You know, sometimes you have to run into each other." "
Yuki's expression was as solemn as Shino's. It was as if Yuuki had been in this situation herself and overcame it.
\"If you go to Heathcliff in the future, I will go with you, Asuna.\"
\"Where's Kirito-kun?\"
\"Yes. I also spent time with Yui and Shino, and I know how important it is to spend time with the people I care about. If Asuna can't do it alone, I have An experienced man will do it.\" Complain to Heathcliff. I tell you. Even that person should understand. "
Next, Shino said to Asuna.
\"I will go with you, Asuna. Thanks to the time spent with Yui, I know the importance of this kind of time and understand its value. If we convince him, Heathick Lifu will definitely understand. If it doesn’t work like this, I will convince him by force.”
\"Use force. If Sinon becomes violent, it will be a big trouble. Can you help me?\"
\"That is to say\"
Asuna replied while stroking Jupiter's head.
"Yes. I want to be with Jupiter, so I'm going to see Commander Heathcliff."
\"It seems that Asuna has made up her mind.\" Proving this, a warm and strong light appeared in his eyes. Since getting along with Lilan, I feel like I'm starting to understand his perspective.
"Okay, let's go to the Knights of Blood headquarters, where we'll talk to Heathcliff."
Asuna nodded and stood up, and Shino also stood up. Both men seemed ready to clash with Heathcliff. Of course, so am I, and so is Lilan on my shoulder. Just when we made up our minds to stand up, Leafa stopped me.
\"Brother, what should we do? I wonder if Jupiter will follow Miss Asuna?\"
"That may be so. Or rather, I think Heathcliff would be more convinced if we did take him. Let us take Jupiter with us."
\"I turned to face Leafa and the others.\"
\"I want Leafa, Yuuki, Silica, Liz, and Yui to go to Alice-san to ask about Jupiter. If you go, Alice-san's information is necessary.\"
Liz stood up from her chair and turned to face Jupiter.
"Indeed, even if you lose your memory, there are still many things you don't understand."
Silica nodded.
\"Of course, Argus's former employee, Ms. Alice, may have known about Jupiter before he lost his memory.\"
Yuuki nodded and stood up.
"Maybe you know how to restore Jupiter's memory, okay, I'll ask."
"Ye Xiu looks a little uneasy."
"But Dad, we don't know where Alice is."
\"Ah, that's it.\" Mr. Alice and I exchanged messages and addresses, so I could identify the current location, but everyone couldn't.
I immediately opened the window, opened the message window, sent the address to Alice, operated the details, and confirmed Alice's current location. Alice's reaction came from one of the city's large coffee shops.
\"If it is Miss Alice, she is in a big coffee shop in this city.
\"It's a coffee shop, I understand! Brother, for the sake of Miss Asuna, please persuade the leader of the Blood Oath Knights.\"
"give it to me"
After saying that, Liz led the interview team outside the hotel.
Next, Sinon, Lilan, Asuna, Jupiter and I walked out of the hotel, walked through the shopping mall-like town, passed through the portal, and arrived at the fifty-fifth floor where the headquarters of the Bloody Knights were located.
Aincrad Level 55 Blood Knights Headquarters
We took Jupiter to the Bloody Knights headquarters, where Heathcliff was.
The headquarters of the Knights of the Blood Alliance, Grandzam City is a fortified city surrounded by steel spiers.
When I breathed in the air of the Steel Fortress City, I could hardly feel the breath of life, or the feeling of being alive, in other cities. Lilan said: "I don't mind doing some errands, but I definitely want to live." This is. An incredible place,” he complained.
Shino, who was walking next to me, seemed to feel this and whispered: "I hate it because it feels like the 'cold world' I felt before." I don't want Shino to feel like this again. I felt that, so I gently held Sinon's hand, thinking that she would throw away my hand, but surprisingly, Sinon did not throw away my hand, but held it tighter. came back.
Shino didn't want to act like lovers in public, and didn't even dare to hold hands in public. She shook his hand, and because of Shino's serious attitude towards coming to this town, she began to recall the past. Realizing what I had remembered, I quickly decided to go back after completing my purpose, so I quickened my pace. Of course, there is no need to worry about the appearance of the city.
Meanwhile, we soon arrived at the headquarters of the Bloodsworn Knights, where we received the surprised attention of the members. Of course, what surprised the members was Jupiter beside Asuna.
Since the members didn't know that Jupiter was mhhp, they could only see Asuna bringing a child who was probably in the church on the first floor, saying: "Asuna-sama brought the child." "That child is really Is it Asuna?"——The adult's child? "I'll tell you the situation, don't worry now," he told us, and we continued on our way.
As we continued walking through the corridors of the steel castle-like headquarters and hurried through the crowd, Asuna, who had been walking holding Jupiter's hand, stopped. In front of him was a large door that looked similar to the one in the boss room.
"Is this Heathcliff's room?"
"To be precise, it's a conference room. Only Commander Heathcliff should be present at the moment. The conversation should go smoothly."
Shino muttered in a low voice.
"I looked at the members and it seems like there aren't many. How are the others?"
\"When Yuki, Kirito-kun, Shinono, and Lilan and I went out, the other executives went to arrest them. I felt like a boss battle was happening on the 74th floor.
\"Well, it doesn't seem to be a very strong boss. It seems that there will be no problem without Liran and Kirito.\" In other words, Mr. Diabell, Mr. Agil, and Mr. Klein's guilds also went together\ "
I learned this when I captured around the 70th floor, but the abilities of Diabel, Klein, and Agil had grown to the point where they could reach Aincrad, the top of the Bloodsworn Knights. With the power of Lilan and I, it has become possible to defeat the boss normally.
Well, the 70th floor, or rather the 74th floor, Lilan and I have been fighting. done. So for this boss battle, it can be said that just other people are enough.
\"The boss fight. Heathcliff or Shino and Leafa stopped me from participating in the boss fight.\"
Shino said, he is the one who gave me "Noriland Week".
"Obviously, playing a lot of times in a month and finally defeating 10 bosses. If this game was a normal game, I would play it many times, but this game is a death game. This is a if you really die Game. Dead, so if you play too much, you'll die."
\"I understand, Mr. Shino. Thank you for setting up Norirun week.\"
"As long as you understand. Now, let's quickly talk to Heathcliff about Jupiter."
Asuna nodded and knocked on the door in front of her.
\"Asuna, is the leader here?\"
I heard a male voice calling me inside. After meeting, we nodded, opened the door and entered the room. The leader's room, like a conference room with a window in the back, is located above the headquarters. Standing on a big chair in the center, he has long silver hair and wears red and white clothes. He is the ruler of the Bloodsworn Knights, the strongest guild in Aincrad, and has the unique skill "Divinity" . Sitting there was Heathcliff, a majestic sword-wielding man known as the strongest player in Aincrad.
"Wait a minute, are you the Black Dragon Swordsman Kirito-kun, his partner Lilan-kun, and his partner Shino-kun? Are you the same person?"
Seeing us coming in, Heathcliff looked a little surprised, and then a big smile appeared on his face. The characters that appear in the games I read and play are almost always people with something in their stomachs. My experience tells me that Heathcliff is one of them.
"I am here today to consult with you, Commander Heathcliff."
\"Well, Kirito-san, this may be the first time I officially see you.\"
"No, I was allowed to be with you during the 'Smiling Coffin' crusade."
Heathcliff laughed again.
"Yes, I was really broken at the time. Maybe I am also the prey of your dragon. If I can do it, that will be good."
""
\"Well, it's okay, Asuna-san, what's the matter?\"
Asuna nodded and opened her mouth.
"I apply for temporary withdrawal."
Heathcliff replied expressionlessly.
"Hou, why is this?"
"A little boy came to me. I took care of him. To spend time with him."
“Is spending time with your kids more important than strategy?”
Shino, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
"Of course. I don't know how much Commander Heathcliff knows, but spending time with loved ones is sometimes more important than strategy. Have you ever thought about that?"
Heathcliff chuckled.
\"No. Basically I only think about arrests, guild jurisdiction, and eating alone. No problem.\"
For a moment, Heathcliff made a face, as if he remembered something.
"It couldn't have happened, but even that was no more important than the capture, which doesn't matter now."
Heathcliff continued to look at me.
\"It seems that you and Shino-san spend a lot of time together, but do you also think it is more important to be with someone who is important to you?\"
"I closed my eyes for a while." Many memories of Shino, Yui, and Liran flashed in my mind.
Like this guy, until a certain point in my life, I only thought about strategy, but now I feel more comfortable and important with these three people than strategy.
\"I think so. So I hope Asuna can cherish the time spent with her loved ones. So, even if the capture is delayed, we should be able to do something later.\"
Heathcliff said "Huh" and closed his eyes.
\"However, even for us, Asuna-kun's departure is an unacceptable request. This Bloodsworn Knights is also said to be the strongest guild in Aincrad, and we are always on the edge of strength.\"
The "quarter point" is the turning point. They are points obtained by dividing the 100 floors of Aincrad by 4, pointing to the 1st floor, 25th floor, 50th floor, and 75th floor respectively.
The maze that Diabell, Klein and the Blood Knights are currently challenging is the maze on the 74th floor, with a total of 75 floors. It seems that there is a powerful boss, which is a quarter point.
The boss battle at the quarter point is between Heathcliff, Asuna, Diabel, Klein, Agil, and me and Lilann. They would probably have been killed without the full attack of the liquidation team. An enemy that cannot be defeated. Facing such a boss battle, neither the Blood Knight nor Heathcliff could bear the loss of Asuna, an important force.
\"But it can also be said that the entire guild relies on Asuna.\"
"rely?"
Shino nodded.
\"I agree. Asuna has been fighting as the deputy leader of the Blood Oath Knights until now. It is said that the Blood Oath Knights are the hope of the conquest group. It can be said that the entire guild is dependent on it.\" Asuna asked It stopped working. "
Immediately afterwards, Lilan's "voice" sounded in his mind.
\"It can be said that everyone relies on Asuna, but neglects to be like Asuna.\"
Heathcliff looked around with a slightly surprised expression on his face.
“What’s [the sound] now?”
"This is Lelan's 'voice' on my shoulder. Lelan talks."
Heathcliff looked at Leland with a surprised expression on his face.
\"I was surprised. The familiar could actually talk to the tamer.
Heathcliff smiled boldly again.
\"That "Messenger-san, can you give me your opinion?"
"This is a point of view, but of course I can't deny it." If each of us becomes like Asuna, the strength of the guild itself will definitely be greatly enhanced, and Asuna will no longer have to fight forcefully. If you can't do it, you can say it depends on Asuna-san."
Heathcliff clasped his hands together.
\"Not everyone is as strong as Asuna, nor can they become stronger. Sorry, I have no intention of responding to your persuasion.
\"No. I want Asuna to experience spending time with the people who are important to her.\"
\"I see. Then Asuna-kun\"
"What are we going to do?"
"Can you show me that child? I will judge what kind of child you are protecting and draw a conclusion."
Asuna nodded and looked around, but a look of surprise immediately appeared on her face.
"That, Jupiter."
\"What's wrong, Asuna?\"
Asuna's face turned pale, showing an impatient look.
"Jupiter isn't here!"
"What did you say"
When I put it on I felt uncomfortable, like something was grabbing at the back of my jacket.
Who is it?--While thinking this, I twisted my neck slightly, checked behind me, and found the reason. Before I knew it, Jupiter was hiding behind me.
