"This ID… Papa! Mama's right above us!" Yui shouted.
The moment Hachiman heard those words, he rocketed upward with ferocious speed. Caught off guard, no one could react in time. Kirito was the first to snap out of it.
"Klein, Egyl, we're chasing Hachiman! Everyone else, stay here!" Kirito called.
"R-Right!" Klein stammered.
"Got it, let's go," Egyl said.
Regaining their composure, Klein and Egyl followed Kirito, soaring after Hachiman.
"…Didn't we cause a barrier to form up there by taking those photos?" Yukino said.
"Yukinon, if we hadn't done that, could we all have flown up together and reached her?" Komachi asked.
"Probably," Yukino replied. "But if you hadn't taken those photos, Komachi, we wouldn't even be thinking of this now."
"True, senpai and the others weren't even here back then," Iroha added.
"So our actions were the right call in the end," Yukino said. "Don't overthink it, Yui."
"Y-Yeah…" Yui said.
"Hey, I've got a question," Leafa said hesitantly to Yukino.
"Ask away, Leafa," Yukino said warmly.
"It's about what Hachiman said earlier… about the Grand Quest," Leafa began, sharing her recent doubts.
Yukino nodded. "Our goal isn't really about tackling the Grand Quest itself," she explained.
"Huh?" Leafa said.
"Challenging the Grand Quest isn't wrong, but it's not what you're thinking. Our real aim is to get Hachiman—and maybe a few others—to the top of the World Tree. That's why we need to reach the innermost chamber of the Grand Quest."
"But if Hachiman's theory is right, isn't that a dead end?" Leafa asked.
"True, but there's one more condition that could solve that," Yukino said.
"Condition?" Leafa pressed.
"I'm not sure how much I should say," Yukino admitted. "When Hachiman returns, I'll ask what we can share."
"Got it. Sounds like complicated stuff," Leafa said.
"I'm sorry, it's not about excluding you," Yukino said. "It's just that real-world issues make this delicate."
"No worries, Yukino," Leafa said. "Whatever the situation, I'm with you guys."
"Thank you, Leafa," Yukino said warmly.
"Still…" Leafa said, glancing upward. "Yui said 'Mama's up there,' and Hachiman's reaction wasn't normal. Kirito, Egyl, Klein, and Silica too…"
"You're right," Yukino said. "I'm sure they'll explain later. For now, let's wait."
Meanwhile, Hachiman and Yui were blocked by an invisible wall. "Damn it, open! Get out of my way!" Hachiman shouted, pounding the barrier.
"Mama! Mama!" Yui cried, hammering alongside him.
The wall didn't budge. Kirito, Klein, and Egyl caught up, intervening. "Hachiman, stop!" Kirito said.
"Calm down, Hachiman," Egyl urged.
"Yui, easy," Kirito soothed.
Thanks to them, Hachiman and Yui settled down. "Sorry, I lost it," Hachiman said.
"Sorry, Kiri-nii," Yui said.
"We get it," Klein said.
"Good to see you calm," Egyl added.
"Is Asuna really up there?" Klein asked.
"Yes, this player ID is definitely Mama's!" Yui confirmed.
"That settles it," Kirito said. "Hachiman, what's the plan?"
Hachiman thought briefly before turning to Yui. "Yui, any way to get a message to Asuna? Even just letting her know we're here would ease her mind."
Kirito nodded. "Yeah, she's been alone for two months. If we can, we need to reassure her fast."
"I'm worried about her mental state," Egyl said. "Two months trapped like that? I'd crack."
"That bastard Sugou," Klein growled. "We've gotta help her soon."
Yui considered Hachiman's question. "Papa, if I use warning mode, it might reach her."
"Warning mode? Do it, Yui," Hachiman said.
"Okay!" Yui switched modes and called upward. "Mama! It's Yui, Mama!"
At that moment, Asuna was pondering Argo's instructions. (I have to get this ID card to Hachiman. But how do I know when he's below?)
No good ideas came. Sugou's return was likely her deadline. If she couldn't think of a plan, she'd have to drop the card when he arrived and hope for the best. (What are the odds it reaches Hachiman?) she sighed, her umpteenth since Argo left.
Then, a faint voice reached her ears. "What was that?" Asuna strained to listen. The sound came from below. "…Mama… Mama…"
"Mama? Yui-chan?" Asuna whispered. Though faint and without proof, she was certain it was Yui.
"Hachiman's below! I have to drop the card!" With all her heart, Asuna let the card fall, willing it to reach him.
"Huh?" Hachiman, praying for Yui's voice to reach Asuna, noticed something falling. He lunged, catching it. "A card?"
"Papa, that's an ALO ID card!" Yui said.
"For real? So Asuna dropped this?" Hachiman asked.
"Probably," Yui said.
"Hachiman, does that mean Asuna knows our goal?" Kirito asked.
"Likely," Hachiman said. "Someone must've contacted her."
"Maybe that collaborator Kikuoka mentioned?" Klein suggested.
"Could be," Hachiman said. "Yui, can this ID break through the wall?"
"No, Papa," Yui said. "It's a special barrier no one can pass. But…"
"But?" Hachiman prompted.
"We can communicate with Mama!" Yui said.
"Nice work, Yui!" Hachiman exclaimed, overjoyed.
"There's a time limit, but I'll connect now," Yui said.
"Asuna, can you hear me?" Hachiman called.
"…Hachiman? Is that you?" Asuna's voice trembled with joy.
"I'm here too, Mama!" Yui said.
"Me too!" Kirito added.
"And me!" Klein shouted.
"Klein, quiet," Egyl said. "Asuna-san, you okay?"
"Yui-chan, Kirito-kun, and… Klein-san and Egyl-san?" Asuna said.
"Yeah, Silica's below too," Kirito said. "Sadly, Liz and Argo aren't here."
"Argo was just here," Asuna said. "She said Liz is trapped here too."
"Argo was there? So she's the collaborator," Hachiman said.
"Yeah, she gave me the card and told me to drop it when you arrived," Asuna said.
"Sorry for making you wait so long," Hachiman said. "We'll save you soon. Hang on."
"Thank you, Hachiman, everyone," Asuna said.
"Asuna, one thing," Kirito said. "Sugou's the culprit, right?"
"Yes," Asuna confirmed. "Sugou. He bragged about experimenting to control people's minds."
"That bastard," Klein growled.
"Papa, time's almost up," Yui warned.
"Damn, sorry, Asuna," Hachiman said. "There's a time limit on this. We'll reach you tomorrow, no matter what. Hold on!"
"Okay!" Asuna said.
"We'll save you!" Kirito vowed.
The connection cut off, and Yui shook her head. "Tomorrow's the showdown," Kirito said.
"Yeah," Hachiman said. "We'll get there and take back Asuna and Liz."
"Let's do this!" Klein said.
"Hell yeah!" Egyl added.
"I want to see Mama soon!" Yui said.
"Right, Yui," Hachiman said. "Our wings are about spent. Let's head down and report to the others."
The four descended. Asuna, elated from hearing Hachiman, steeled herself. (Stay calm, observe, don't let your guard down. I'll relax when I'm with Hachiman. Tomorrow's the day. Let's do this!)
Hachiman's group rejoined the others. "Sorry for worrying you," Hachiman said.
"It's fine," Yukino said. "What happened?"
"We made progress. Lots to report," Hachiman said.
"Good. I need to discuss something about Leafa," Yukino said.
"Oh? What's up?" Hachiman asked.
Yukino explained her earlier talk with Leafa. "Sorry, Leafa," Hachiman said. "It feels like we're keeping secrets."
"No, it's okay," Leafa said. "I don't mind."
"I'll explain everything, including our side, soon," Hachiman said. "For now, is there a calm spot in Arun to talk?"
"I'll show you," Leafa said. "Let's move."
"Thanks," Hachiman said.
The group entered Arun, heading for a quiet place to strategize.
--+--
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.
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