"Good morning. May I come in?"
The Dark Elf camp was filled with the lively scent of morning dew. As autumn and winter gradually gave way to spring, the early morning no longer brought a biting chill. Instead, it offered warm, bright sunshine.
"Please come in. We've just finished getting ready."
Lifting the tent flap, Satoru and Sheeta stepped inside. The tent was filled with the aroma of milk, immediately drawing their attention. But what truly held their gaze was Kizmel, dashing as ever, clad only in a thin silk nightgown as she stirred a pot.
Although they had already seen quite a bit during last night's shared bath, this half-covered state somehow made him feel even more uneasy.
Especially now that he could no longer see her as just a collection of data.
"Your gaze is just as unabashed as ever, Nero."
As expected, the pressure from behind turned into a voice.
"Oh, it's just that Kizmel's breakfast is too tempting," Satoru said with a chuckle.
"That makes sense. After all, it seems Nero didn't eat much yesterday. When you came back to the tent last night, you smelled quite nice. Looks like you had a proper bath."
The gaze behind him sharpened like a needle, pricking at his back.
"Oh, is that oatmeal? That brings back memories."
Satoru walked forward openly toward Kizmel.
But this time, he didn't get away with it so easily. His hand was suddenly caught by another slender hand. The touch was soft, yet his heart jolted violently.
I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead.
The pounding echoed in his mind.
Sheeta circled around from behind, gave him her usual smile, then did nothing else and walked over to Kizmel, looking like she wanted something to eat.
Huh?
Satoru frowned, confused.
Could there be some hidden scheme at work?
"Do humans also eat milk porridge in the morning?" Kizmel asked in surprise. "Well, it's good if you're not uncomfortable with it."
Grains resembling rice and wheat were cooked in milk along with salt and dried fruits. Judging by the ingredients, it was a nutritious breakfast. For someone from the East, it carried a nostalgic flavor. Meanwhile, the beautiful girl who had made Satoru so wary had already turned into a hamster, nibbling away at her food.
He cautiously stepped forward.
Kizmel smiled and handed him a bowl. Satoru accepted it with a smile. Immediately after, Sheeta, her cheeks puffed with food, also smiled at him. From her narrowed eyes, he instinctively sensed a trace of disdain.
"..."
The faint awkwardness among the three made his smile twitch slightly.
"Are you heading out for a quest today?"
Kizmel's way of eating porridge was bold and unreserved, yet not unpleasant. It simply gave off a clean and decisive impression.
"No. I've got something to take care of. She and I need to head back for a bit. It should only take a day."
"I see. Then let me…"
"No need to trouble yourself. With the spell on us, we just need access to the camp."
"Be careful on the road."
Kizmel didn't insist. After nodding, she let it go.
Only later did Satoru realize that what Kizmel had meant wasn't escorting them, but using a spell to teleport them directly back to town.
A knight who was too straightforward could be troublesome in her own way.
...
A few dozen minutes later.
The assault team, having secured a large venue with their funds, held a grand gathering. Several squadrons had formed into teams. Looking at the rows of parties in the upper-left interface, the scale rivaled that of a floor raid. But this time, it wasn't for battle.
It was a celebration.
The Third Floor had a forest theme, and the gathering site resembled a ritual altar deep within the woods. The design was elaborate, filled with classic Western fantasy elements. At the center, atop a weathered magic circle, stood the leaders, Diavel, Lind, and Kibaou.
Behind them stood an ancient tree. Its vines and roots had broken through the stone pavement and spread outward. Despite the open space, numerous tables and chairs had been arranged, all covered with neatly prepared food and drinks.
Everyone sat as if attending a banquet, chatting cheerfully.
How should he put it?
It was a lavish display.
Now fully aware of the financial power of the assault team, or rather the group led by Diavel, Satoru couldn't help but grimace in admiration. This was only a glimpse of how overwhelming a collective could be compared to a lone player.
"Oh, you two, long time no see."
Agil, seated at the same table, greeted them.
"I feel like I've heard that opening line at least five times already."
"Haha, then let me make up for it with a drink."
He cheerfully picked up a mug of dark beer and took a swig, his expression one of pure satisfaction.
"Oh, this quality of dark beer doesn't come cheap."
Satoru raised his glass in acknowledgment and took a drink as well.
With the two of them setting the tone, the others followed. Sheeta, along with Kirito and Asuna who had also come this time, exchanged glances before raising their glasses.
"You guys aren't of drinking age yet, right?" Agil said.
"They went on quite the binge not long ago. Besides, this doesn't even have alcohol," Satoru replied casually.
"I see. Then let's all toast together."
Clearly well-versed in group drinking etiquette, Agil stood up and clinked glasses with everyone. Amid the cheerful atmosphere, the group began to eat.
The solemn altar was filled with this lively mood everywhere.
"Everyone!"
Diavel's clear voice rang across the entire area. He looked over each member before smiling.
"After much effort and many twists and turns, we have finally established our first Guild, the Divine Dragons Alliance!"
"Ooooooh!"
Cheers erupted everywhere as players raised their glasses. Diavel himself lifted his drink and took a bold sip.
"Riding this momentum, I'll now talk about our plans moving forward!"
Some members of the assault team present were not part of the Divine Dragons Alliance, but they still listened. As long as they remained part of the assault team, they had to.
"Today, two guilds have been formed. One is DKB, led by me and composed of elite members of the assault team. The other is the Aincrad Liberation Squad, formed by Kibaou and Lind."
As he spoke, Kibaou and Lind, who had been standing behind on either side, stepped forward.
Both wore light gray uniforms, contrasting with Diavel's light blue. Kibaou's expression clearly showed his displeasure, while Lind faced the crowd with a victorious smile.
It seemed Lind had won the coin toss…
"In Aincrad, which has now become a death game, what we need to do is no longer play the way we used to, focusing only on strengthening individuals or a single group. Here, so-called competitiveness should be cast aside. We need to work to gather the strength of thousands of players and break through these shackles."
Diavel continued.
"So my idea is very simple, and very difficult to achieve. I will handle both the frontline assault and the training of lower-level players at the same time. From this point on, the members of the Divine Dragons Alliance will take responsibility for fighting monsters on the front lines, in the deepest reaches of the Labyrinth Tower, tearing through Floor Bosses and opening one gate after another."
"The Liberation Squad will go down to the lower floors and recruit willing players. Using the power of the guild, we'll give them safe and structured training, allowing them to quickly catch up to us and replenish our fighting strength."
"We'll create a rotation that never breaks, and that rotation will be one heavy blow after another against this game!"
"Personnel changes are inevitable. Of course, we'll respect everyone's wishes. Anyone who wants to fight on the front lines, and anyone who wants to work in logistics, can come tell us. And to the frontline players who do not yet belong to us, I would also like to sincerely extend an invitation here."
Diavel laid out his thoughts openly before everyone.
"First, let me go over the changes that have already been decided."
He paused.
"Kibaou-san and Lind-san will lead Teams B, C, and E as the first members of the Liberation Squad."
"So that's how you see it," Satoru said, glancing at Agil.
"Personally, I think my talent for business is greater than my talent for fighting. Anyway, as long as freaks like you are holding the front lines, that's enough for me," Agil said calmly.
"That's a pretty strange way to put it…" Kirito said with a wry smile.
"I'm complimenting you. Complimenting you."
"I'll be in charge of the remaining Teams A, D, and F…" Diavel said up to that point, then looked toward Satoru and gave him a nod. "At the same time, let me also mention that Yurnero-san will become the Vice Commander of the Divine Dragons Alliance."
The whole place fell silent.
The many eyes fixed on Diavel all turned toward him.
You said you were going to give me a position, but I didn't expect it to be this big.
"Looks like logistics will be in your hands from now on," Agil said, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
The venue erupted in warm applause and voices of approval.
After all, anyone who had participated in the Second Floor raid could be said to owe him their life.
"Uh, and Sheeta-san will be joining as well," Diavel added.
The place fell silent again.
Then in the very next second, all the members of the Divine Dragons Alliance burst into wolf-like howls. The players who had just been clapping politely for Satoru all leaped up in excitement.
"Vice Commander! Vice Commander! Sheeta-san, please become the Vice Commander!"
"No, no, no! Guild leader!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!"
"..."
Diavel and Satoru looked at each other from afar and both showed tired smiles.
"Ohhh! Sheeta-san smiled at me!"
"She was obviously smiling at me!"
"Are you looking for a fight?!"
"Come on, draw your sword!"
The two men who had jumped up were immediately pinned to the ground by the people around them.
"Uh, everyone…" Diavel tried to rein in the pack of wolves at that point. "Next, I'd like to say a few words about the current situation."
In the end, the chaos only lasted a little over a minute before it settled down. This rowdy bunch had simply wanted an excuse to make a scene.
"Yurnero-san and Sheeta-san are currently carrying out the large-scale campaign quest on the Third Floor. At the same time, I have also entrusted others with gathering information on this floor. While they are working hard on the quest, we must also speed up our breakthrough of the Labyrinth Tower and strive to locate this floor's Boss as soon as possible."
"When the follow-up information and preparations are complete, that will be the moment we step onto the Fourth Floor."
"As for the large-scale campaign quest, everyone can wait until the end of the Ninth Floor and then use your levels and equipment to crush it all in one go, so faction differences won't delay the Vice Commander."
"Look at that, even the official wording is Vice Commander now," Agil said with a grin.
"You're grinning just like that crooked general store owner next to my place…"
"Come on, with our relationship, when it comes to buying and selling goods later…"
"No!"
"That's the general situation. After this, any other players who are interested in joining us can come speak to me." Diavel raised his glass one last time. "Everyone, let's do our best!"
"Hurry up and get down so Sheeta-san can go up and say a few words!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"…"
...
Satoru rubbed his head as he walked out of the altar grounds, thinking of stepping outside for a cigarette. Agil had been clinging to him the whole time.
Although he seemed to want to close this deal with alcohol, the liquor here simply could not get anyone drunk. Faced with Satoru's unchanging deadpan expression as he kept demanding money, Agil could only sigh that people's hearts were no longer what they once were.
"Just what I'd expect from a ghoul that feeds on the virtual."
Satoru suddenly whipped around.
But there were only a few scattered people, chatting and laughing as they returned to the altar, the ones who had gone out earlier to buy things.
Just now.
Who the hell just called me that?