Chapter 116 – Tyrant Haruno
"Is this for real...?"
"It's 100% true, Hachiman-kun. So can you please take your hand off my head now?"
"Nope. The second I let go, you're gonna pounce on me again, aren't you?"
Hachiman said this flatly, stubbornly refusing to remove his hand from Soleil's head.
"Sigh... You're impossible. Fine, I promise I won't do anything, okay?"
"You better keep that promise."
Though Hachiman said this while loosening his grip, he immediately grabbed her head again.
As expected, Soleil tried to jump on him again and was promptly restrained.
"...How did you see through me?"
"Well, it was obvious. I've been watching carefully."
Upon hearing that, Soleil hugged her voluptuous chest and said:
"You were watching me that carefully? You mean you were staring at my chest?! So you were after my body!"
"Hey, don't say stuff like that! You'll give people the wrong idea! Can you calm down already?"
"Onee-chan, that's enough. We're going in now."
Yukino's cold eyes glared at Soleil as she declared this.
"Okaay, okay. You're right, now's not the time for this. Sorry~"
This time, Soleil seemed genuinely remorseful. Hachiman let go, and she stepped forward to greet the others she knew.
"So yeah, long time no see, Sakuya-chan, Alicia-chan, Eugene-kun."
The three, finally snapping out of their paralysis, replied with stammering voices:
"H-H-Hello, Miss Soleil."
"L-Long time no see, Miss Soleil."
"It's a-a-an honor to see you again, Miss Soleil."
"...What's with you guys?"
Seeing their clearly excessive fear, Hachiman asked, confused.
"Excuse us for a moment, Miss Soleil."
The three grabbed Hachiman's arm and pulled him aside.
"What's up with you all...?"
"Hey, Hachiman. What exactly is your relationship with Miss Soleil?"
"You used the Iron Claw on her without flinching! That's not even remotely normal!"
"Since Yukino said it earlier, I'll just say it—she's Yukino's older sister."
Eugene murmured to himself upon hearing that:
"The sister of the Absolute Zero... is an Absolute Tyrant..."
"Wait, what kind of title is that...?"
"You didn't know? That's Miss Soleil's nickname."
"Whoa... Alicia, is that actually true?"
"Just call me Alicia. We're equals now, okay?"
"O-Okay..."
"Then feel free to call me Sakuya."
"Call me Eugene, Hachiman."
"Ah, right. Nice to meet you all."
"Back to the point—Miss Soleil was the first person of any race in ALO to become a Lord."
"So that means she was Lord before Möbius?"
"Exactly."
"I see... So that's when she caused all that chaos?"
The three began to tremble as they recalled the horrors of the past:
"Anyone who challenged her... none survived."
"Whether it was solo duels or group fights."
"There was that rumor about dozens attacking her together—and she took them all out instantly."
"That's how she got the title 'Absolute Tyrant Soleil.'"
"When she stepped down and gave the Lord position to the gentle Möbius, everyone breathed a sigh of relief."
"Möbius really is her complete opposite, huh."
"See how I'm still trembling? She's that much of a legend."
"Even though I'm now called the strongest player... I still tremble in front of her."
"I can't believe someone like that is Yukino's sister..."
"You guys are that scared of her?"
The three looked at each other, then asked Hachiman:
"Hachiman-kun... aren't you afraid?"
"Well, she kinda treats me like a little brother..."
"Actually, Soleil kinda doted on Hachiman-kun earlier, didn't she?"
"Yeah... it was less like a brother and more like she was doting on her crush..."
"Agreed. That's exactly the vibe I got."
"Hachiman-kun... what's really going on?"
"Uh... I mean, I can't deny it exactly... but I honestly don't know if she's serious or just teasing..."
The three clutched their heads in disbelief.
"He's been targeted by the Absolute Tyrant..."
"This is someone we definitely don't want to make an enemy of."
"Guess the Undine and Cait Sith races are safe... for now."
"We have to convince my brother... or rather, if we just tell him about Soleil, he'll definitely agree to support Hachiman."
"You're seriously overreacting... I mean, sure, she's a perfect superhuman who can do anything... but she's also cute, kind, and very thoughtful. Well... unless she's not interested in you—then she won't even look your way."
"Hachiman-kun really gets me~ I am beautiful, I've got a great body, and I'm super nice~ So, have you all finished talking?"
"Gyaaaaaah!"
Soleil had somehow appeared right behind them without them noticing. All three, except Hachiman, screamed and started trembling violently.
"Please don't scare us like that, Miss Soleil! And stop twisting my words!"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. Now then—Eugene-kun."
"Y-Yes!"
"I will personally vouch for this. During the duration of the main quest, the Undine military will serve under Hachiman-kun's command. Please inform your brother. If he refuses to cooperate... I'll go 'convince' him myself."
"Understood! I'll definitely tell him! Actually, the Salamanders will absolutely support us too!"
"Is it okay for you to say that on your own?"
"Totally fine!"
"Alright then."
Soleil smiled sweetly and turned to Hachiman.
"How's that?"
"Thank you very much, Miss Soleil. I will repay this favor one day."
"I won't be able to join the mission myself, but the stage is set. The rest is up to you, Hachiman-kun."
"Got it."
"And to the rest of you... please protect him in my place."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"We'll keep it in mind."
"I swear on my life."
"...Mmh."
"If it's a request from Miss Soleil herself, we'll give it everything we've got."
"Yeah, I'm fired up already."
"There's gotta be more to this story. Tell me when you get a chance."
"Sorry. I owe you one."
Hachiman gave the three a deep bow.
"Alright, everyone, gather up!"
Soleil clapped her hands, and her allies began to assemble.
"I have my own battlefield the day of the mission—in the real world, not here—so I won't be able to join the fight here."
"But I'm counting on all of you. Also, there's one thing that only some of you need to know: you have one more important comrade who isn't present right now."
"Though that person couldn't be here for certain reasons, they're fighting alongside you in the real world. So put your minds at ease, and give it your all."
The SAO group reacted to her words.
The absent, yet important comrade—none other than Argo.
Knowing the information broker was out there fighting with them in her own way, everyone silently vowed again to win the coming battle.
"Well then, I'm logging out. I'm counting on you all."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Hearing their coordinated response, Soleil nodded in satisfaction and began to log out—only for Leafa to stop her.
"Ah, Miss Soleil, one last request..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Please wait a moment. Sakuya, there's something we need to resolve."
"What happened?"
"It's about Sigurd."
"Tell me everything."
Leafa explained all she knew about Sigurd's betrayal.
"I see. That guy... Eugene, what's your take?"
"I get what you're trying to say, but from my position I can't say much. Rules are rules."
"You're right... I said too much. Forget it."
"But as someone uninvolved? I hate scumbags like that. I don't care what happens to him."
"Ha, that's just like you, Eugene. Right, Kirito?"
"Totally agree."
Seeing them laugh together, Sakuya made up her mind and declared:
"Alicia, can you use your Moonlight Mirror magic? And Miss Soleil—can I ask you to help intimidate him a bit? I want to settle this myself."