"Sorry, you two, can we make a quick stop?" Asuna said as the Black Iron Palace came into view.
"No problem, but where to?" Hachiman asked.
"I haven't been by in a while, so I want to check on the church," Asuna replied.
"Oh, right, it's on the way," Hachiman said.
The church was close to their route, barely a detour. Not that Hachiman would ever deny Asuna's wishes, no matter the distance.
"Kirito, that cool with you?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah," Kirito nodded.
"Thanks, both of you," Asuna said.
As they neared the church, Yui stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Yui?" Hachiman asked.
"Papa, I feel something really bad from over there," Yui said, pointing.
(She's sensing something? It's safe in town, so let's check it out.)
The three nodded and headed in the direction Yui indicated. Soon, they spotted figures ahead.
"That's the woman from the church," Asuna said.
"And those are… Army guys?" Kirito added.
A woman was surrounded by several children and a group of Army players, who seemed to be hassling her. As the four approached, their conversation became clear.
"If you can't pay the tax, you're not passing," one man said.
"We don't need your help," the woman retorted. "What right do you even have to collect taxes?"
"Don't pay, don't pass. Simple as that," another man sneered.
In SAO's system, players could block paths, preventing others from passing. Hachiman and Kirito stepped forward, but Asuna was already charging, sword drawn.
"Papa! Mama's—!" Yui cried.
"It's okay, Yui. Mama's strong," Hachiman reassured her.
"Those guys are the ones in trouble. They brought this on themselves—time for a lesson," Kirito said.
"Yeah," Hachiman agreed. "I'd heard rumors, but the Army's really gone to crap."
"Rotten to the core," Kirito said.
"I heard their leader, Sinker, is decent, though," Hachiman said.
"Probably Kibao's faction causing this," Kirito replied.
At Kibao's name, both men's gazes grew distant.
"No fond memories of that guy," Hachiman said. "But back then, he was at least serious about clearing the game in his own way."
"Everything changed after Laughing Coffin set him up," Kirito said.
"He's a victim in a way, but that doesn't excuse this crap," Hachiman said.
"Asuna's about to dish out some punishment. Maybe they'll learn," Kirito said.
Asuna stood before the Army men, eyes blazing with anger.
"Huh? Who're you?" one man said.
"What's a girl doing with a weapon? Just stay quiet and let us protect you—for a tax, of course," another mocked.
"Hah, she's trembling! Scared stiff!" a third laughed.
Hachiman and Kirito, knowing Asuna's trembling came from fury, silently prayed for the men's souls.
"Shut your filthy mouths," Asuna said coldly.
She unleashed a merciless Linear, hitting all the men. Their HP didn't drop, but the impact sent them flying. Asuna pointed her sword at them.
"Well?" she demanded.
"Uh… we…" one stammered.
"Y-you're… the Flash, aren't you?!" another gasped.
The men, all low-level, had never seen Asuna or any front-liners. Experiencing her power for the first time, they could only tremble. One tried to flee, but a swift attack from the front sent him crashing back.
"Hachiman-kun!" Asuna called.
Hachiman stood tall, glaring down. "Trying to sneak off? My lovely wife is gracious enough to talk to you, so sit still."
"Hachiman, really? Flirting now?" Kirito muttered.
"Lovely wife…" Asuna murmured, her cheeks softening before she refocused her glare.
"You made my wonderful husband step in," she said. "I hope you're ready for the consequences."
"Asuna, you too?" Kirito groaned.
Hachiman, equally embarrassed but hiding it, pressed the men. "You pull this crap all the time?"
"Uh… yes, it's orders…" one admitted.
"Kibao?" Hachiman asked.
"Yes," the man confirmed.
"Tell Kibao the boss room on the seventy-fourth floor was his last warning," Hachiman said.
"Wait… you're those guys?" another gasped.
"No idea what you've heard, but yeah, we took down the boss," Hachiman said.
The men, shaking, dropped to their knees in apology. The trio sighed deeply.
"If you've got complaints, come find Hachiman of the Knights of the Blood," Hachiman said. "Stop this nonsense. Now get lost."
"Y-yes, sorry!" they stammered, fleeing.
The woman Asuna saved approached. "Thank you so much."
"No way I'd let that slide," Asuna said. "You're always at the church, right?"
"Yes, I'm Sasha. I take care of these kids and live modestly at the church," she said.
"I'm Asuna from the Knights of the Blood. This is my husband, Hachiman-kun," Asuna said.
"Hachiman, Knights of the Blood," Hachiman added.
"And this is Kirito, the Black Swordsman," Asuna said.
"Kirito. Nice to meet you," Kirito said.
"Such incredible people! Thank you again," Sasha said.
They asked Sasha about the Army's recent behavior, growing angry but also puzzled.
"What about Sinker, the Army's leader? I heard he's reasonable," Asuna asked.
"That's the thing… we haven't seen him lately," Sasha said. "The Army's gotten worse since then."
"Something happen?" Hachiman asked.
"I'm not sure," Sasha said. "Yuriell, Sinker's deputy, used to check on us, but she hasn't recently."
"Sasha!" a voice called.
"There's Yuriell now," Sasha said.
A woman, Yuriell, ran up. "Sasha, sorry! I heard the guys were heading here and rushed over. You okay?"
"Yes, thanks to them," Sasha said.
"Thank you for helping Sasha and the kids," Yuriell said.
"Uh, Hachiman. Nice to meet you," Hachiman said.
"That strategist uniform… are you the Silver Shadow?" Yuriell asked. "I heard the long-vacant Knights of the Blood strategist role was filled by the elusive Silver Shadow. It's an honor!"
"Uh… thanks?" Hachiman said.
(Silver Shadow? What's that?)
"Is this uniform famous or something? I've heard it mentioned before," Hachiman said.
"It's in the guidebook," Yuriell explained. "The legendary uniform no one's seen."
"Got it," Hachiman said.
"Are you the Flash, Asuna?" Yuriell asked.
"That's me," Asuna confirmed.
"And the Black Swordsman?" Yuriell turned to Kirito.
"Yup, Kirito. Nice to meet you," Kirito said.
"Incredible… three of Aincrad's Four Heavenly Kings are here!" Yuriell exclaimed.
"Hold up, Four Heavenly Kings?" Hachiman asked.
Yuriell tilted her head. "You know, the Holy Sword Heathcliff, the Flash Asuna, the Black Swordsman, and the rarely seen Silver Shadow, the dagger-wielding strategist?"
"Silver Shadow… my nickname? I've never heard it, even among front-liners," Hachiman said.
"They say the Silver Shadow moves like a ghost, rarely appearing," Yuriell explained. "A peerless strategist who sees all, parrying every attack in battle before striking with a silver flash that takes the enemy's head. It's a big deal among mid- and lower-tier combat guilds."
Hachiman was speechless, glancing at Asuna and Kirito, who seemed unfazed.
"Why aren't you two freaking out?" Hachiman asked.
"It's… kinda accurate, right?" Kirito said.
"Yeah, pretty spot-on," Asuna agreed.
"No way… that's how people see me?" Hachiman said.
"It's accurate and flattering, so what's the problem?" Kirito said.
"Exactly! I've always admired you!" Yuriell added.
Yuriell seemed cool-headed but had a fangirl streak. She grabbed Hachiman's hand in excitement, a gesture like a fan meeting a celebrity. Asuna, however, wasn't amused.
"Yuriell, Hachiman-kun's my husband," Asuna said, pulling his hand back and clinging to his arm.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean anything by it!" Yuriell said. "You're married? You're so perfect together, I'm jealous!"
"Thanks!" Asuna beamed, thrilled.
Hachiman and Kirito shrugged, redirecting the conversation.
"Yuriell, Sasha mentioned Sinker's been missing lately," Hachiman said.
"Yes! Actually…" Yuriell began.
According to Sasha, Sinker was trapped in the labyrinth they were heading to, caught in Kibao's trap and stuck in a safe zone deep inside, surrounded by tough enemies too strong for a solo escape.
"Kibao again, that jerk…" Hachiman muttered.
"Yuriell, we're going there anyway. Want to come?" Asuna asked.
"Really? I'd love to join!" Yuriell said.
"Might as well," Hachiman said.
"Let's save Sinker while we're at it," Kirito added.
"Thank you!" Yuriell said.
With Yuriell guiding them, the group of five entered the Black Iron Palace's underground labyrinth.
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