Traveling Immortal(SAO and Persona 5 Royal Arcs)

Volume 83: Heartless Choice

Long ago, Bercouli shared a drink with Administrator in her chambers at the top of the Central Cathedral.

Quinella: Have you ever sensed your own death?

Bercouli: Sensed my death? When I was still a lad, and I got smacked down by either the previous dark general or the one before him, I thought it was going to be it for me.

The pontifex giggled and lifted a crystal glass.

Quinella: But you brought his head to me quite a while ago, didn't you? I believe I converted it into one of those jewels on the floor. You haven't had any moments since then?"

Bercouli: Well, I can recall them if I did. Why do you ask? It seems a sensation that would be foreign to you, my lady.

Quinella: You don't understand, Bercouli. Every day... every day I feel death. Every time I awaken in the morning... No, even in my dreams. I feel it because I don't control everything yet. There are still enemies who live. And there is always the possibility that at some point in the future, there will be a new enemy.

Bercouli: My, my, my. It must be hard to be the pontifex.

A hundred and some years later, in a Dark Territory forest far from the human realm, Bercouli grinned to himself.

Quinella: I feel like I finally understand what you were talking about. Sensing the approach of your own death is merely the flip side of seeking the possibilities of death. In the end, you were searching for a destination you could accept, a death that was fitting, a foe so powerful that no amount of struggle would bring you to victory...

Bercouli: Just like me, now. The same way that I can keenly sense impending death approaching by the moment...

Without Administrator, Bercouli was now the oldest human being in the world. He bounced up from the floor and covered his powerful frame with a simple blue kimono. He tightened the sash, slipped on his sandals, then stuck his sword on his left.

Then he stepped through the hanging flap into the chill of early morning and headed for the messengers' tent to give the order to wake the troops.

(Meanwhile with Quinella)

Quinella who was now resting due to using too much of sacred arts. She began to see visions if Yami wasn't there at all like if he never existed at all. She would've been dead along with the clown, Eugeo dying in Kirito's arms and him being the vegetable state. She even heard Eugeo's voice when she checked up on them and their progress.

Eugeo: If Yami wasn't there then I would've been dead? That means Kirito would've been in Yami's situation?

This caused her to question if Yami was never there than means she would never given a second chance to redeem herself?

Quinella: once I regain my strength I'm join the battle.

Cardinal: if you're going then I'll join.

Quinella: seems that we'll be in the war.

(Back with the Group)

Bercouli: Seems like the real worlder on the enemy side's got quite the bold methodology. Emperor Vecta's played a risky move.

Bercouli said with his expression being extremely serious.

Kitsune: he's nothing but a freak to be sent to hell.

The enemy had run ten thick ropes from bank to bank of the crevice to use as bridges, and they were forcing their way across the hundred mel wide gorge. If they fell, they would die. It was an acrobatic act that required great stamina and willpower. If Emperor Vecta was forcing his troops to do this, either he was getting desperate, or their lives were worth less than scraps of paper to him.