While Leafa was gone, the group chatted about Kirito's earlier transformation.
"Hey, Kirito, was that form based on something specific?" Yukino asked.
"Hachiman, was I the Gleam Eyes again?" Kirito asked, turning to him.
"Yup," Hachiman confirmed.
"Thought so," Kirito said. "Guess that's the enemy that left the biggest mark on me."
"You even compared Yosino to the Gleam Eyes once," Hachiman teased.
"So, yeah, the Gleam Eyes—SAO's Floor 74 boss—was the model," Kirito explained.
"Floor 74… wasn't that the boss a certain guild forced us to fight with a small party?" Yukino mused.
"You've got a good memory," Kirito said, impressed.
"It was a memorable story for me," Yukino replied.
"I don't remember it at all…" Lisbeth admitted.
"Komachi remembers every time big brother was in danger!" Komachi declared.
"I vaguely recall hearing something like that," Iroha added.
"It was a big deal," Kirito said. "One wrong move, and we'd have been dead. As for what Hachiman turns into? That's a surprise for later. You'll see plenty of it in the next fight, so look forward to it."
"I wonder what it'll be…" Yukino said, intrigued.
"Kinda scary to think about," Lisbeth muttered.
"It's all part of the fun," Kirito grinned.
As they talked, Leafa returned. "Welcome back!" Lisbeth called.
"I'm back!" Leafa said. "I just talked to Recon. The Salamanders are definitely planning to attack the alliance meeting. Sigurd betrayed us."
"Sigurd's as untrustworthy as I thought," Yukino said, her voice icy.
"Yeah. It's complicated, but that settles it. He's unforgivable," Leafa said, her tone resolute. "I'll message Sakuya to hold out for ten more minutes."
"They might already be under attack. We need to move," Kirito urged.
"Ten minutes? Full-speed flight it is, Hachiman," Leafa said.
"Yukino, Kirito and I will go ahead. Yui will guide us," Hachiman said.
"Got it, Papa! Yukino, tell me where to go!" Yui chirped.
"You two can fly that fast?" Yukino asked, surprised.
"Faster than me, at least," Leafa admitted.
"Faster than Leafa…" Yukino nodded. "Alright, please save Sakuya and the others."
"Leave it to us!" Kirito said.
"Consider it done," Hachiman added. "I'll transform and go wild right off the bat."
With a nod, the group took flight toward their destination. Hachiman and Kirito gradually pulled ahead, leaving the others behind. Meanwhile, Sakuya and Alicia were already under siege by a massive Salamander army. The Sylphs and Cait Siths, each with ten fighters, faced nearly a hundred Salamanders.
"Damn it, how'd they get our info?" Sakuya growled. "We were careful to avoid being tailed."
"Probably a traitor among us," Alicia said. "If we get out of this, we're rooting them out."
"If we get out," Sakuya muttered.
The Sylph-Cait Sith coalition formed a defensive circle with a cliff at their back, barely holding off the onslaught.
"We're managing for now, but if he joins the fight, we're done," Sakuya said.
"Eugene," Alicia confirmed.
"Even together, we'd be lucky to take him down with us," Sakuya said.
"Might not even manage that," Alicia added grimly.
"Disrupting the alliance here only buys them time," Sakuya said. "What's their game?"
"They must be confident they can clear the Grand Quest in that window," Alicia reasoned.
"Makes sense. But going down without a fight? Not our style," Sakuya said.
"Right. We've got pride too," Alicia agreed.
"Wait, Alicia—Yukino sent a message," Sakuya said, checking her interface. "Didn't we hire her team as escorts?"
"Yeah. They were supposed to guard us en route, but they had other business," Sakuya said. "They should've arrived by now. Good news, Alicia—they'll be here in ten minutes!"
"That's four more fighters. Still outnumbered, but it helps," Alicia said.
"Leafa's with them too," Sakuya added.
"Nice!" Alicia exclaimed.
"And—get this—Yukino says they've got two top-tier players with them," Sakuya said.
"Top-tier? Like Eugene-level?" Alicia asked.
"No idea," Sakuya admitted. "I don't know anyone like that. But if Yukino says so, I'm betting on them."
"Hope at last!" Alicia said. "Let's hold the line!"
"Absolutely," Sakuya agreed.
Meanwhile, Eugene received a message from Kagemune. "What…?"
"What's wrong, General?" a subordinate asked.
"Kagemune's unit was wiped out by Yukino's party," Eugene said.
"Wiped out that fast? They had four times the numbers and were supposed to stall, even if they couldn't win," the subordinate said.
"Apparently, two monstrously strong Spriggans took them out," Eugene replied.
"Spriggans with that kind of power? And against that many?" the subordinate asked, stunned.
"This is bad," Eugene said. "It's about ten minutes from Lugru Corridor to here. I hate drawn-out slaughters, so I left it to my men, but I can't sit this out anymore. We'll overwhelm them, even if it costs us. With our numbers, we can crush Yukino's team, no matter how strong they are."
"With you leading, General, it's a sure thing," the subordinate said.
"Order a full assault," Eugene commanded. "Wipe them out."
"Yes, sir!"
The Salamander army surged forward, led by Eugene. "Alicia, they must've heard Yukino's coming," Sakuya said, noting the sudden shift.
"Probably," Alicia replied. "What's the plan?"
"No holding back on MP," Sakuya said. "Full barrage. Then we trust and wait."
"Got it! I've always wanted to yell that line, but now's not the time," Alicia said.
"I feel you, but we're too busy chanting," Sakuya said. "Stick to shouting orders."
"Alright, everyone!" Alicia called. "Yukino's team is almost here! Hold out and unleash a full magic barrage!"
Yukino's name sparked a roar of cheers from the coalition. At Alicia's command, they unleashed a relentless magical barrage, forcing even the Salamanders to halt and defend. The barrage had an unexpected bonus: Hachiman and Kirito spotted it from afar.
"See that, Hachiman?" Kirito called.
"Yeah. Looks like they're holding out with a magical barrage," Hachiman said. "They'll burn through MP fast. We need to hurry."
"Kirito, can you hit them with an illusion spell as we pass?" Hachiman asked. "I'll transform in the chaos and take out as many as I can."
"Your form's gonna throw them into a panic," Kirito grinned.
"What the hell am I turning into, anyway?" Hachiman asked.
"I'll grab a screenshot for you," Kirito teased. "Check it later."
"Fine," Hachiman sighed. "We're almost there. Let's do this!"
"Hell yeah!" Kirito replied.
The coalition's MP was nearing its limit, and Sakuya grew anxious. Then, she spotted two figures approaching. They didn't look like Salamanders, so she shouted to rally her allies. "Reinforcements are here! Hold on just a bit longer!"
Eugene, frustrated by the coalition's resistance, glanced back and saw only two newcomers. To crush their morale, he decided to make an example of them. "The enemy's reinforcements are just two! Slaughter them first!"
As he shouted, a massive cloud of black smoke exploded around the duo, blinding the Salamanders. Something streaked past Eugene. Emerging from the smoke, he saw Kirito, dual-wielding greatswords.
"You're good," Eugene said. "Who are you?"
"You're no slouch either," Kirito replied. "I'm Kirito, the guy who's about to take you down."
"You don't know me?" Eugene said. "I'm Eugene, ALO's strongest player."
"Strongest, huh? After this, you'll be third at best," Kirito shot back.
"You're cocky. I like it," Eugene said. "One-on-one. I love fighting strong opponents."
"Funny, me too," Kirito grinned.
"Hold on, Kirito, right?" Alicia interjected. "You're with Yukino? I'm Alicia, Cait Sith lord. Thanks for the backup."
"Yukino's team will be here soon," Kirito said. "Nice to meet you, Alicia."
"I'm Sakuya, Sylph lord," Sakuya added. "Eugene's wielding Gram, a demonic sword. Its ability lets it bypass your weapons, but not constantly. Be careful."
"Not constant? Then I'm good," Kirito said. "My partner's handling the rest. Take a breather."
"What?" Eugene scoffed.
"Oh, look, Yukino's team's here," Kirito said.
Five figures burst through the smoke—Yukino and her group. "Been a while, General Eugene," Yukino said. "Now that I'm here, your plans are done."
"We've got the numbers," Eugene countered. "This time, we win."
"Your fight's with me," Kirito reminded him.
"I know," Eugene said. "My men will handle Yukino's team. Nearly a hundred strong—prepare yourselves."
"Are you sure?" Yukino said coolly. "Your men look like they're already in a death trap."
"What?" Eugene snapped.
"Where's Kirito's friend who flew in with him?" Alicia asked.
"In the smoke," Kirito said. "You'll see him soon."
Screams erupted from the Salamanders, echoing through the battlefield. Eugene spun around, catching glimpses of a massive shape darting through the smoke. As it cleared, the figure emerged.
"What the…?" Alicia gasped.
"Is that… Santa Claus?" Lisbeth said, bewildered.
"That smile's giving me chills," Yukino muttered.
The Salamanders had already lost about ten fighters. From the smoke emerged Hachiman, transformed into Nicholas the Renegade, a storm of death bearing a haunting grin.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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