"No way…" Hachiman muttered.
"Dead serious, Hachiman," Soleil said. "So, mind letting go of my head?"
"No way," Hachiman replied, gripping tighter. "If I let go, you'll try to hug me again."
Soleil sighed. "Fine, I promise I won't do anything."
"You better keep that promise," Hachiman said, cautiously releasing her. But as Soleil lunged for another hug, he swiftly grabbed her head again, stopping her cold.
"How'd you know?" she pouted.
"I figured you'd try, so I kept my eyes on you," Hachiman said dryly.
Soleil hugged her chest dramatically. "You were staring at my figure? So you're after my body?!"
"Shut up, you're gonna cause a misunderstanding!" Hachiman snapped.
"Big sister, enough," Yukino said, her voice icy.
"Okay, okay, I got carried away," Soleil said, genuinely contrite. Hachiman finally let go.
Stepping forward, Soleil greeted the others. "Long time no see, Sakuya, Alicia, Eugene."
The trio, snapping out of their daze, stammered back. "H-Hello, Soleil-san," Sakuya said.
"L-Long time!" Alicia managed.
"An h-honor to see you again, Soleil-san," Eugene added.
"What's with you guys?" Hachiman asked, noting their obvious panic.
"Soleil-san, excuse us," Sakuya said, pulling Hachiman aside with Alicia and Eugene.
"What's going on?" Hachiman asked.
"Hachiman, what's your deal with Soleil?" Eugene demanded.
"Putting an iron claw on her head like it's nothing? That's insane!" Alicia said.
"Uh, Yukino already said it, so I guess it's fine—she's Yukino's sister," Hachiman explained.
Eugene muttered, stunned, "The sister of Absolute Zero is… Absolute Tyrant?"
"What's with that nickname?" Hachiman asked.
"You don't know?" Alicia said. "It's Soleil's title."
"No way, Alicia, for real?" Hachiman said.
"Call me Alicia," she replied. "We're equals now, okay?"
"O-Okay," Hachiman said.
"Call me Sakuya too," Sakuya added.
"Eugene's fine by me," Eugene said.
"Got it, nice to work with you three," Hachiman said.
"Back to Soleil," Alicia continued. "She was the first lord of any race in ALO."
"So, she was the Undine lord before Meguri?" Hachiman asked.
"Exactly," Sakuya confirmed.
"And she was a terror," Eugene added, shuddering.
The three, visibly trembling, continued. "No one's ever challenged her and lived," Sakuya said.
"Not individuals, not groups," Alicia added.
"Some tried with dozens, but she wiped them out solo," Eugene said.
"Hence the title: Absolute Tyrant Soleil," Sakuya said.
"When she handed the lordship to the gentle Meguri and retired, everyone breathed a sigh of relief," Alicia said.
"Meguri's her polar opposite," Hachiman noted.
"Look, I'm still shaking!" Alicia said. "She's a legend."
"Even I, called the strongest, tremble before her," Eugene admitted.
"To think she's Yukino's sister…" Sakuya said.
"You're that scared of her?" Hachiman asked.
The three exchanged glances. "You're not scared, Hachiman?" Alicia asked.
"Nah, she treats me like a little brother," Hachiman said.
"Now that you mention it, she was acting kinda sweet toward you," Sakuya said.
"More like how you act with someone you like," Eugene added.
"Yeah, that's how it looked," Alicia agreed.
"So, what's the deal, Hachiman?" Sakuya pressed.
"I mean, I can't deny it," Hachiman admitted. "But it's hard to tell if she's serious."
The three clutched their heads. "The Absolute Tyrant's crush…" Eugene muttered.
"No way we can oppose her," Sakuya said.
"Sylphs and Cait Siths are safe, then," Alicia said.
"I've gotta convince my brother," Eugene said. "Tell him about Soleil, and he'll join Hachiman for sure."
"You're overreacting," Hachiman said. "Sure, she's a perfect superhuman, but she's got a cute side and looks out for people. Though, yeah, she ignores anyone she's not interested in."
"That's… pretty accurate," Soleil said, suddenly behind them. "You really get me, Hachiman. Beautiful, great figure, amazing personality, right? Done talking?"
"Eek!" the three yelped, trembling.
"Don't scare them like that, Soleil-san," Hachiman said. "And don't twist my words."
"Fine, sorry," Soleil said, turning to Eugene. "Eugene-kun."
"Y-Yes!" Eugene snapped to attention.
"I guarantee it: for this Grand Quest, the Undines will fight under Hachiman's command. Tell your brother that. If he refuses, I'll deal with him myself."
"Understood! I'll tell him!" Eugene said. "Actually, the Salamanders will cooperate too!"
"You sure you can decide that?" Soleil asked, smiling.
"Absolutely!" Eugene insisted.
"Good," Soleil said, turning to Hachiman. "That work?"
"Thanks, Soleil-san," Hachiman said. "I'll repay this debt someday."
"I can't join the Grand Quest itself, but I've set the stage," Soleil said. "It's up to you now, Hachiman."
"Got it," Hachiman said.
"And you all," Soleil said to the others. "Protect him in my place."
"Yes, ma'am!" Alicia said.
"Understood," Sakuya added.
"At all costs," Eugene vowed.
"Hey, guys…" Hachiman said, touched.
"Soleil's that serious," Alicia said. "We've gotta step up."
"My blades are ready," Eugene said.
"There's a reason behind this, right?" Klein asked. "Tell me someday."
"I owe you," Hachiman said, bowing deeply.
"Alright, everyone, gather up!" Soleil clapped her hands, summoning the group.
"On the day of the Grand Quest, I'll be fighting my own battle in the real world, so I can't join you here," Soleil said. "I'm counting on your valor. And for some of you, this is personal: you have another dear friend who isn't here. They're fighting alongside you in the real world. So don't worry—go all out on the Grand Quest."
The SAO survivors froze. The absent friend could only be Argo. Knowing she was fighting with them elsewhere, they vowed anew to win this battle for her.
"I'm logging out now," Soleil said. "Take care of the rest."
"Yes!" the group chorused.
Satisfied, Soleil moved to log out, but Leafa stopped her. "Wait, Soleil-san, one more thing…"
"What's up?" Soleil asked.
"Hold on," Leafa said, turning to Sakuya. "There's one more thing to settle."
"What's that?" Sakuya asked.
"It's about Sigurd," Leafa said.
"Hmm, tell me," Sakuya replied.
Leafa recounted everything she knew about Sigurd's betrayal. "So that's what he did…" Sakuya said. "Eugene, can I get your input?"
"I get it, but I can't comment due to loyalty," Eugene said. "Forget I said anything."
"Fair enough, my bad," Sakuya said.
"Speaking generally, I don't like guys like him," Eugene added. "I don't care what happens to him."
"Hah, sounds like you, Eugene," Kirito said.
"Guys like you? I like," Eugene grinned.
"Same here," Kirito replied.
Smiling at their exchange, Sakuya made her decision. "Alicia, can you use the Moonlight Mirror spell? And Soleil-san, could you help intimidate him? I'll confront Sigurd myself and settle this."
--+--
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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