Chapter 111: The Return of the "Apostate"
While Leafa was away, the group was discussing Kirito's earlier form.
"Hey, Kirito-kun, was that form you used earlier based on some kind of model?"
"Ah—Hachiman, did I turn into the 'Netherworld Demon Eye' again?"
"That's right."
"I thought so... That guy really is the most memorable enemy in my mind."
"Didn't you once compare Miss Haruno to the 'Netherworld Demon Eye,' too?"
"So the original model for that form is the 'Netherworld Demon Eye,' the boss on the 74th floor of SAO."
"Seventy-fourth floor... I remember it was the boss we had to take on with a small team because some guild stirred up trouble, right?"
"You remember it well."
"That was a memorable story for me too."
"I have absolutely no memory of it…"
"Komachi remembers all the times her brother was in danger!"
"I think I vaguely heard a similar story before."
"Anyway, he was such a memorable enemy. One small mistake back then would have meant death. By the way, what Hachiman will transform into is a surprise for later. You'll see it plenty in the next battle, so look forward to it."
"What kind of form will it be, I wonder…"
"Kinda scary…"
"Well, that fear is part of the fun surprise."
As everyone chatted, Leafa seemed to return.
"Oh, oh, welcome back, Leafa."
"I'm back! I just asked Recon — they really are planning to attack the alliance location. Sigurd has betrayed us."
"So Sigurd really is an untrustworthy guy, huh."
"Yeah, the situation's a bit complicated, but if that's the case, there's no room for negotiation. Unforgivable."
"First, we need to send a message to Miss Sakuya and have her hold out for another ten minutes."
"They might already be under attack — we have to hurry."
"If it's ten minutes, we'll need to fly at full speed, Hachiman."
"Yukino, I'll go with Hachiman ahead. Let Yui be your guide."
"Understood, Daddy! Yukino-oneechan, tell me the location!"
"You two fly that fast?"
"At least faster than me."
"Faster than Miss Leafa… Got it. We'll leave it to you two. Please save Miss Sakuya and the others."
"Oh, leave it to us!"
"Don't worry at all. We're gonna transform and go wild."
With mutual nods, everyone took off toward the destination. Hachiman and Kirito gradually pulled ahead.
At that moment, Sakuya and Alicia had already been attacked by the Fire Elf army. Ten Wind Sprites and ten Cait Siths were holding off nearly a hundred Fire Elves.
"Damn it, how did the info leak? We were careful to avoid being followed."
"There must be a traitor among us. If we make it back alive, we'll conduct a thorough investigation."
"Yeah. If we make it back."
The Wind Sprite–Cait Sith alliance formed a circular formation with their backs to a cliff, barely fending off the enemy.
"We can still hold for now, but once that man joins the fight, we'd better be prepared for total annihilation."
"Eugene, huh."
"Even if Alicia and I team up, we'd only manage a mutual kill at best."
"We might just lose, Sakuya-chan."
"But even if they disrupt the alliance now, it'll only delay things."
"They probably believe they can complete the Grand Quest with the time they buy."
"I see… But dying like this is just pathetic. Let's at least resist with all we've got."
"Yeah, Sakuya-chan. We've got our pride too."
"Mm… Wait, Alicia, a message from Yukino."
Sakuya received Yukino's message and quickly checked its contents.
"You asked Yukino and the others for protection?"
"Yeah, I originally planned to request full escort, but they had something going on. Still, they should be arriving soon."
"Oh, good news, Alicia! They'll be here in ten minutes!"
"That'll add four more to our forces, though it's still a losing battle…"
"No, Leafa's with them too."
"Oh!"
"And supposedly — not sure if it's true — two top-level players are accompanying them."
"Top-level? Like on Eugene's level?"
"Not sure… Never heard of such players. But if Yukino says so, it's worth hoping for."
"There's hope now! We must hold out!"
"Yeah."
Meanwhile, Eugene also received a report from Kagezong.
"1+...?"
"What happened, General Eugene?"
"Kagezong's unit was wiped out by Yukino's squad."
"That fast?! We had four times their numbers. Even if we didn't win, they should've at least bought time…"
"They say they were taken out by two ridiculously strong Spriggans."
"There are such skilled Spriggans? And four times the numbers, too..."
"This is bad. It's about a ten-minute journey from the Rue Corridor to here. I normally avoid this kind of massacre-style battle, which is why I left it to my subordinates, but I can't just sit back anymore. Prepare for casualties — we'll force our way through. Even if we lose some troops, we'll have enough to crush Yukino's group."
"We've still got you, General."
"Alright. Order the whole army to charge — annihilate them in one blow."
"Yes, sir!"
The entire Fire Elf army began to move, Eugene at the front.
"Alicia, looks like they've also gotten word that Yukino and the others are close."
"This sudden movement must be because of that. What do we do?"
"For now, forget conserving MP. Unleash a full barrage. Then we trust them and hold the line."
"OK! I was gonna shout a classic quote for the barrage, but now's not the time."
"I get it. Just chanting the spells is tough enough. Let's go with a slogan."
"Alright, then here it goes! Everyone! Yukino and the others are almost here! No matter what, we have to hold on! Begin magic barrage! Go all out!"
Upon hearing Yukino's name, the allied troops burst into cheers. Following Alicia's command, they launched a full magic barrage, forcing the Fire Elf army to halt and defend.
This barrage had an unexpected side effect — Hachiman and Kirito spotted it from a distance.
"Hey Hachiman, did you see that?"
"Yeah. Looks like they're barely holding out with a magic barrage."
"That kind of tactic will drain their MP fast. We need to hurry. Kirito, sorry, but I'll need you to cast a large-scale illusion spell as we brush past the enemy. I'll transform and take out as many as I can in the confusion."
"If you go wild in that form, they're sure to panic."
"Hey, what am you going to turn into, exactly?"
"I'll leave a screenshot for you."
"…Understood."
"We're almost there. Let's wreck them!"
"Yeah!"
The allied troops were barely maintaining their barrage. MP was almost depleted.
Noticing this, Sakuya looked into the distance and saw two figures approaching. Confirming they weren't Fire Elves, she shouted to rally the troops:
"Reinforcements are here! Everyone, hang in there! Use the last of your strength!"
Hearing that, Eugene, frustrated by the prolonged resistance, clicked his tongue.
"Damn it, they're resisting this hard?"
He turned around and spotted only two reinforcements. To crush morale, he decided to take them down first.
"Their reinforcements are just two! Sacrifice them to our blades first!"
The moment he shouted, black smoke exploded around the two, blinding the Fire Elves. The next second, something dashed past Eugene's side.
Bursting through the smoke and facing the allied army was Kirito, holding two swords.
"You've got some skill. Who are you?"
"You don't look bad either. I'm Kirito, and I'm here to defeat you."
"You don't know me? I'm Eugene, the man who considers himself the strongest in ALO!"
"The strongest, huh? After this fight, you'll have to settle for third place or lower."
"You've got a big mouth. I like that. Come, let's duel. I love fighting strong opponents."
"Coincidence — so do I, Eugene."
"Wait, wait, Kirito-kun? You're Yukino's friend, right? I'm Alicia, leader of the Cait Siths. Thank you for helping us."
"Yeah, Miss Yukino and the others will be here soon. Nice to meet you, Alicia."
"I'm Sakuya, leader of the Wind Sprites. Eugene's weapon is the demon sword Gram. Be careful — it can use skills to penetrate weapons."
"It's not a constant effect, right? Then I'm fine. Leave the rest to my partner. You two take a break."
"What did you say?"
"Oh, and Miss Yukino and the others have just arrived."
The next moment, Yukino and her four companions burst through the black smoke.
"Damn, they're already here, Yukino."
"Long time no see, General Eugene. Now that I'm here, I won't let you have your way."
"We have the numbers this time. Victory is ours."
"Hey, your opponent is me, right?"
"I know, Yukino. I'll leave the others to my troops. Nearly a hundred strong — prepare yourselves."
"Don't be so sure. Looks like your troops are already in hell."
"What?"
"By the way, Kirito-kun, where's that companion who flew in with you?"
Alicia suddenly asked.
"He's in the smoke. You'll see him soon."
Before the words finished, the Fire Elves' screams echoed around.
Eugene looked back in alarm and saw a massive figure flying through the smoke. Every move brought screams.
Finally, the smoke fully cleared.
"Eh?"
"That… is Santa Claus?"
"That smile's kind of chilling…"
As the smoke faded, over ten Fire Elves had fallen. Emerging from the smoke was Hachiman in his transformed state — the Apostate Nicholas — Death Storm.