S.A.O Project Alicization - OC/Male Reader Insert

Project Alicization ----- Chapter Seven

July 372 HE, Underworld Human Realm
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Solus sank and rose, and the usual schedule of life returned.

Normally, Eugeo would return to his work on the morning after a rest day with a gloomy outlook, but today, he was more relieved than anything. He'd had enough adventures for now-chopping at the tree was just fine, thank you very much. He headed out the south gate of town and met up with Kirito at the barley field next to the forest.

Eugeo spotted a tinge of relief in his partner's features, as well as recognition of the same in himself. They shared bashful grins for a moment.

They retrieved the Dragonbone Ax from the shack a short ways down the forest path, then continued on for a few minutes to reach the Gigas Cedar. The sight of the slit carved into the massive trunk would normally remind them of the unchanging nature of their lives ahead, but today that was a reassurance.

"Okay, the one who gets the least number of good hits has to buy the siral water again."

"Really? Aren't you tired of always having to pay, Kirito?" Eugeo teased, continuing their ritual as he lifted the ax. The first blow struck loud and true, a good sign for the day ahead.

All morning they delivered stout blows to the tree with uncanny accuracy. Neither one wanted to admit that the reason for his unusual concentration was a desperate attempt to keep the visions of yesterday out of his head.

When they had finished nine sets each of fifty consecutive swings, Eugeo's stomach rumbled. He looked up to the sky, wiping the sweat from his brow, and saw that Solus was nearly to its apex. One more set of swings, and Alice would come by with their lunch. Only this time, they'd be able to take their time eating the pie and drinking ice-cold milk. The thought brought a twinge of pain to his empty stomach.

"Whoops..."

If he thought too hard about food, his aim would slip. Eugeo rubbed his sweaty palms with his towel and took careful grip of the ax handle.

The sunlight abruptly dimmed.

Great, not a passing shower, Eugeo thought, looking up.

Through the expanse of the Gigas Cedar's branches, he could see blue sky, and at a significantly low elevation, a fast-moving black shadow. His heart wrenched up into his throat.

"A dragon?!" he yelled out. "Hey, Kirito! That was-!"

"Yeah, the Integrity Knight from yesterday!" his partner cried, frozen with fear.

Before their eyes, the platinum-clad knight on the dragon brushed over the branches of the tree and vanished in the direction of Rulid.

What is he doing here? Eugeo wondered amid complete silence. Even the birds and insects seemed to be holding their breath.

Integrity Knights were the guardians of order who purged the enemies of the Axiom Church. Given that there were no rebellious groups threatening the four cardinal empires that made up the realms of man, the only enemies for the Integrity Knights to battle were the forces of darkness. So all the tales said they always fought beyond the End Mountains, a sight Eugeo had witnessed for himself the day before.