Kirito's rescue operation went much more smoothly than anticipated.
The slave traders possessed zero discipline. Despite having a full day's head start, they hadn't actually covered much distance. They were like carefree summer cicadas, never considering whether a hungry mantis was stalking behind them, content to simply emit their own annoying clamor.
Consequently, by the next morning, Kirito appeared on the horizon within the refugees' sight, steering a second large ship.
"What a mess," Kirito complained the moment he boarded. He gestured to the newly captured ship behind him and shook his head helplessly. "Even though I tried to watch my strength, the hull didn't take any fatal damage this time. However, I could only find a few people capable of actually sailing it. It's a miracle we made it back here at all, and there wasn't a single sign of an island along the way."
Ah, so Kirito-kun was still planning to make an extra trip to drop the refugees off somewhere they could find their bearings.
Chu Feng chuckled inwardly but didn't expose Kirito's unspoken kindness. Instead, he picked up the conversation. "That works out. It's a perfect chance to go see the legendary Amazon Lily."
"Uh, that name..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Chu Feng took a few steps toward Kirito, wagging a finger. "Don't go getting any wild ideas. That is a genuine Kingdom of Women!"
"Huh?"
"Plus, the tropical climate is perfect for swimsuits~"
"Hey, hey, hey! Doctor, why do I feel like you're making some very inappropriate plans?!"
"My, you're overthinking things." Wearing an expression that said 'You're the one with the dirty mind,' Chu Feng walked over to Rei. Ignoring the nearly exploding Kirito, he simply smiled and patted her head—the blue-haired iceberg actually felt surprisingly nice to the touch.
"Wouldn't you agree, Rei-chan?"
...
By the time they reached the captain's quarters, the one truly suffering was the panicked Hancock.
Sure, it was great that her sisters had been successfully rescued. This near-death experience had made Hancock resolve never to run off to sea again until she was much stronger. But...
A powerful swordsman radiating a dark aura,
An expressionless iceberg girl,
And a smiling middle-aged man with clearly bad intentions...
How could anyone feel safe with this lineup?! Good heavens, am I going to be taken away as 'spoils of war' after they drop everyone else off at a safe place?
In reality, Rei simply felt "there was nothing to say." As for Kirito, he was half-irritated by Chu Feng and half-silent by nature—a passive trait he'd developed as a solo player in SAO. As for a certain unscrupulous doctor, he was tactfully calculating the probability of the Black Swordsman going berserk if he kept teasing him. It was a very delicate balance to maintain!
At the end of the day, he really was quite a wicked character.
[The "Landing Preparation" Divider]
Two days later, just as the dry rations on the ship were about to run out, a medium-sized island with no visible signs of habitation appeared before them.
"Wait, wait?" Kirito looked at the island with suspicion. "Did we go the wrong way? This doesn't look like an inhabited island at all!"
"It's a camouflage." Speaking of this, the young Hancock stood tall for the first time, looking quite proud. "The Kuja are a warrior race from ancient times. To prevent enemy invasions, the entire village is built inside the natural rock walls!"
"I see." Kirito nodded, rubbing his chin. "Then let's pull up. We can drop the people off, replenish our supplies, and then head back."
"Um... could you send me and my sisters back first?"
"Huh?" Kirito clearly didn't understand the little girl's sudden suggestion. "Since it's on the way, why not just land together? Why make it so complicated?"
"Because..."
"Well, it's because men are strictly forbidden from landing on Amazon Lily." Chu Feng smiled brightly and gave Kirito another thumbs up.
"I said—!" The frustration Kirito had been suppressing all along finally found an outlet. He nearly drew Elucidator from his back. "If you knew that, why the hell did we come here?!!!"
"Or do you know the location of another island?"
"Uh..."
"Well, there you go. 'Since we're here, we might as well make ourselves at home.'" Chu Feng patted Kirito's head, which was a good bit shorter than his own, with total nonchalance. "So, we'll send the little girls back first, then negotiate properly with the islanders." He spread his hands with ultimate casualness. "After all, this island doesn't seem to welcome outsiders very much."
"I guess that's the only way..."
"Haha, there won't be any danger." Chu Feng turned back to Rei. "If I told you it was an 'order,' you'd stay on the boat like a good girl, right?"
"Yes." The girl didn't waste words; she simply nodded.
"Right then, let's all go together~"
"You're taking her with you to land!?"
"Having one more girl might make negotiations easier?"
"...What kind of logic is that!?"
...
And so, after some debate, Chu Feng, Kirito, and the newly joined Rei Ayanami took Hancock and her sisters on a small boat to begin the "Amazon Lily Landing Battle"...
Or as they called it, a game.
...
Meanwhile, inside Amazon Lily.
"Granny! Granny!"
"What is it, Enzallio?" A grey-haired old woman turned around. For her height, she seemed a bit stout, but she clearly carried great authority. (Note: Likely Elder Nyon/Gloriosa).
"Granny, have you heard?" Running toward her was a woman in a leopard-print swimsuit, though her height was—well, a bit too tall!
"They say an unknown ship was spotted in the nearby waters during patrol!"
"What? What's going on?"
"We're not sure, but the Empress has already ordered us to prepare for a surprise attack. You should come with us quickly!"
"How is that possible..." The old woman known as Granny was much calmer than the woman before her. After a brief pause, she spoke immediately: "Enzallio, go to the rock wall first and check the situation. Don't worry about me. No matter what, you must not let anyone invade Amazon Lily!"
"But you—"
"No buts!"
"AWOOOO~!"
At that exact moment, from the nearby sea, the giant serpents guarding the island let out a shrill cry of pain. Following that was a sound like a giant hammer kissing the surface of the ocean.
THOOM!!!!
A massive spray of water actually cleared the height of the rock walls. Even from inside the island, it was clearly visible.
"This... what on earth is happening!?"