Kazuto Kirigaya had finally found the tranquillity he'd longed for. With his beloved circle of dear friends, they relished a peaceful life in the real world. The days of virtual battles in Sword Art Online felt like distant memories, and he reveled...
A solitary man strolled through the dim depths of an underground passage, his age hovering in the mid-thirties. Possessing a well-conditioned physique and keen eyes, his grey hair was slicked back.
Turning the handle, he entered. The chamber revealed itself as an underground jail with stone walls. A lone girl was bound to the wall by enchanting chains.
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"You must be Claire Kagenou," declared him. At the sound of his voice, Claire lifted her head. Her beauty was striking, clad in a scant negligee acquired during her slumber. Her silk-like black hair cascaded straight down her back as she fixed a defiant gaze upon him.
"I've seen your face in the royal capital before. If memory serves me right, you are Viscount Olba, correct?"
"Hou, you served with the Imperial Guards before, right? Ah, no, was it during the competition at the War God's Festival?"
"War God's Festival, huh? Oh yes, that moment when Princess Iris skillfully bested you."
Claire chuckled with amusement.
"Hmph, it was within the confines of a match and didn't carry any significance. In a genuine battle, I wouldn't lose to her." Olba was irritated.
"Things wouldn't change in a real fight, Viscount Olba, who exited in the first round of the tournament."
"Fool. You underestimate the honour of merely standing on the tournament stage, you ignorant girl," Olba retorted, glaring back at Claire.
"I'll stand on that stage in just one year," Claire smirked.
"Unfortunately for you, your time is running out." The chains binding Claire rattled. Without delay, her teeth narrowly missed Olba's neck. If Olba hadn't tilted his head just so, his carotid artery might have been torn out on the spot.
"Will the one unable to last another year truly be me? Or perhaps... you? Care to wager on it?"
"No need for a bet, Claire Kagenou." Olba's fist collided with the defiant smile beneath Claire's chin. She crashed onto the stone floor, yet her unwavering gaze remained fixed on Olba.
As Claire lay on the cold stone floor, Olba loomed over her with a triumphant grin. "Your defiance won't change the inevitable, Claire Kagenou. We have information that you exhibited the symptoms before. There's no mistake – you are indeed compatible."
Claire, still recovering, furrowed her brow in confusion. "Compatible? Compatible with what?"
"You don't need to know. Eventually, you'll shatter anyway. I'll have to look into your brother as well. Hmm."
Suddenly, an impact struck Olba's nose, silencing him. "Guh?"
Backing towards the door, Olba glared at Claire, restraining a nosebleed. "Claire Kagenou, you wretch...!"
