Viscount Yofilis's arrival turned the tide decisively in the Dark Elves' favor. Initially, the battle was a stalemate, with the Forest Elves on the verge of landing. Hachiman darted around, reinforcing weak points, when he noticed something: hardly any deaths occurred. For some reason, elves knocked into the water didn't return to fight. Both sides had high HP, and regular soldiers lacked powerful sword skills, preventing total HP depletion. Yofilis's buff, which enhanced knockback effects, amplified this dynamic.
Harmony… so that's the theme, Hachiman realized.
After repelling another wave, the battlefield calmed briefly. The trio boarded Chivalry to intercept the enemy, aiming to knock them into the water. The buff's knockback boost, combined with Hachiman's skill at disrupting foes and Asuna's thrusting attacks, made their teamwork devastatingly effective.
"How many ships now?" Asuna asked.
"Third medium-sized one," Hachiman replied.
"Going strong!" she cheered.
Ships cleared of enemies were commandeered by allies. The initial balance—twelve Dark Elf ships against sixteen Forest Elf ones—shifted to an even nine versus nine. Momentum favored the Dark Elves, but the Forest Elves regrouped, moving as a unified force, making knockouts harder.
"Now what?" Hachiman asked.
"It's a stalemate without a decisive move," Asuna said.
"I'd hoped to tilt the battle and end it with minimal losses," Hachiman mused.
"Look, the viscount's moving out," Kizmel said. "Just watch."
They spotted Yofilis's ship. A white light erupted, piercing a Forest Elf vessel, sending three ships' worth of crew tumbling into the water.
"Hachiman, was that… a sword skill?" Asuna asked.
"Yup. Flashing Penetrator, a top-tier rapier skill. You'll use it someday," he said.
"Me…" Asuna shivered, staring at her hands, thrilled at the thought.
"Viscount!" a voice called.
Hachiman saw Yofilis's ship, its commander rigid—likely stunned from the skill's long cooldown. Seizing the chance, an enemy flagship charged.
"Let's go!" Hachiman shouted, steering Chivalry to shield Yofilis.
"Out of our way, humans!" the enemy captain roared. "Not content with building ships for the Dark Elves' invasion, you block us directly?"
"What?" Hachiman said.
"Don't play dumb! These ships we're using? We stole them from what you built for the Dark Elves!"
So that was the Fallen Elves' plan, Hachiman thought.
"It's a Fallen Elf scheme. We're not planning an invasion," Yofilis interjected, standing. A [!] marker appeared above him, signaling a new quest branch.
"You expect us to believe that?" the captain scoffed.
"Then let's make a deal," Yofilis proposed. "If these humans defeat you, hear us out. If we're lying, we'd have no reason to talk after winning."
"Fine. I accept," the captain agreed.
So we knock him into the water, Hachiman confirmed. "Asuna, we've gotta dunk this guy."
"Let's end this war," she said.
The enemy, a Forest Elven Inferior Knight, charged, sparking a fierce battle.
Hachiman tried parrying, but the knight's attacks were heavy, preventing counterattacks. Worse, his weapon—overused since the sanctuary dungeon without maintenance—was nearing its durability limit.
If this keeps up, it'll break first, he thought.
They switched repeatedly, seeking openings, but none appeared. With his weapon on the brink, Hachiman gave Asuna a command. "Next switch, hit with a full-power Linear."
"Okay. Don't push too hard," she replied.
Parrying risked shattering his weapon, but Hachiman had avoided it, lulling the knight into ignoring the possibility. As the knight raised his weapon, Hachiman unleashed a desperate parry. His weapon shattered, but the knight staggered. Hachiman followed with a backflip kick, Crescent Moon, launching the knight airborne.
"Asuna, switch!" he shouted.
Asuna's Linear struck, and the knight, helpless in midair, plummeted into the water. Victory was theirs.
"My loss," the knight muttered bitterly.
Hachiman offered a hand. "As promised, hear our leader out."
"…Fine."
The war ended with this duel. Negotiations followed, and while not a full peace, the factions agreed to jointly investigate the Fallen Elves' schemes.
"Hachiman, I'm checking with Argo on the raid's progress," Asuna said, heading out.
"Got it. I'm too beat to move," he replied.
Yofilis and Kizmel approached. "Thanks to you, the war's over, and a path to harmony is open," Yofilis said.
"Thank you, Hachiman," Kizmel added.
"Just did what I had to," Hachiman said.
"Your efforts were remarkable," Yofilis continued. "Beyond the usual rewards, I'd like to offer an extra prize."
"Thank you. We'll choose when Asuna's back," Hachiman said.
Asuna returned, flustered. "Hachiman, the boss raid's already started!"
"What? They've got enough fighters?" he asked.
"Forty-two in seven parties. They scouted during the war, resupplied in a nearby village, and decided to push through," she explained.
"Classic Kibao. Kirito and Nezha are there, right?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah," she confirmed.
"They'll be fine, but…" Hachiman felt uneasy.
Kizmel spoke up. "Hachiman, Asuna, are you challenging the Sky Pillar Tower's guardian?"
"Our friends are climbing it now," Asuna said.
"With that warrior, Kirito, they should be fine," Kizmel said.
Yofilis added, "Our legends say the guardian can flood any terrain. You need a flotation enchantment to defeat it."
Hachiman and Asuna paled.
"Did Argo mention that?" Hachiman asked.
"No," Asuna said.
"Damn. We'd better go. If everyone has float fruits, we might be okay," Hachiman said.
"Flooding means they can't escape, right?" Asuna asked.
"Probably. We'll need to open the door from outside. I'll use a spare weapon. Let's move."
They bowed to Yofilis and Kizmel, preparing to leave.
"Sorry, we have to go, but we'll return," Asuna said.
"I'll come too," Kizmel declared.
"That's huge, but are you sure?" Hachiman asked.
"The war's over, and I've no duties for now. Helping you is only natural," Kizmel said.
"Then I'll join as well," Yofilis added.
"What?!" Hachiman and Asuna gasped.
Boarding a medium-sized ship, the four raced to the labyrinth. Yofilis's power crushed enemies, and they reached the boss room swiftly. Water leaked from the door. Hachiman warned the others to avoid the front and opened it.
Several players washed out, including Kirito, who grinned. "Took you long enough!"
Kirito explained that Kibao had hoarded float fruits—Hachiman recalled someone grabbing extras. The boss differed from the guidebook, and though Kirito and Egil had urged caution, Kibao pushed ahead.
"Any casualties?" Asuna asked.
"None, luckily. We're holding out. Guess everyone's grown," Kirito said.
"The door's locked from inside, right?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah, but opening it from outside negates the flood," Kirito confirmed.
"I'll handle the door," Hachiman said.
"You're not fighting?" Kirito asked.
"Lost my weapon in the war. Just got a spare," Hachiman admitted.
"That was intense, huh? Oh, Kizmel's here!" Kirito said, then froze, seeing Yofilis. "Viscount Yofilis… thank you for coming."
"You helped me before, warrior," Yofilis replied.
Hachiman whispered, "He's terrifyingly strong."
Inside, Kibao spotted them. "You're late!"
"Sorry. Brought reinforcements," Hachiman said.
"Reinforcements?" Kibao started, then froze, seeing Kizmel and Yofilis.
Lind shouted orders in the distance. Yofilis stepped forward, voice booming. "Warriors! I am Yofilis, here by alliance to aid you!"
The raid party, awed by his aura, gasped. Multiple buffs enveloped them, sparking cheers.
"I'll open the door if flooding starts," Hachiman said. "Kibao, nice job with the float fruits."
He stepped outside, opening the door whenever water seeped out—a simple task. Soon, the boss fell. Players cautiously approached Yofilis and Kizmel for handshakes, celebrating. Hachiman stayed outside, apart from the crowd.
Still not used to groups, he thought.
Asuna, Kizmel, and Yofilis emerged. Asuna started to speak, but Hachiman cut in. "Let's head back."
The four returned to the Dark Elf castle. Hachiman chose a dagger as his reward, replacing his broken weapon. Expecting a farewell, they learned Kizmel would move to a hidden lakeside house, accessible with their rings. Asuna beamed at the news.
Thus, the duo's unique campaign spanning the third and fourth floors concluded. Whether it would continue was uncertain, but that didn't matter much to them. Chivalry was entrusted to Kizmel, and the fourth floor was cleared without a single casualty.
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