The Survival Logs || Sword Art Online Fanfic

CounterQuest Arc: Chapter 109 - CounterQuest

8 March 2024

Castle of Kales'Oh, 9th Floor

The nightly breeze rushed past my hair, as I leaned on the balcony edge, looking out at the scenery of the forest around the castle.

It was a balcony that I, as a guest, was allowed to enter. Paeroth was really particular with the parts of the castle in which guests could have access to, understandably so.

The hospitality that we have received in the castle so far seemed nothing short of fabulous. Each of us were offered a guest room, with Huldar sharing one with Faeria.

The plan now was to head back to Smurphia Village the moment dawn breaks tomorrow. It was to give time for Huldar to properly mourn Legolia's death, something that the dwarf should have done much earlier, but at least it was done now than never.

All I could do now, was to ponder about the information that the king spoke about.

"Admiring the scenery, aren't you?"

Raku stepped into the balcony. It was one of those rare times that she wasn't wearing her signature pointed hat. Her white hair, with black streaks flowing down, looked clear even in the night, its visibility supported only by a few elven lamps installed at the edges of the balcony.

Part of me wanted to ask if her hair was dyed to be what it is now, but I'd always thought that it was pretty rude to ask about such personal info.

"It's the tranquility that I appreciate more of," I offered my own opinion. "You can't take in the scenery without the peace around you."

"That's true." Raku leaned beside me on the balcony edge. "Ah, better let Misuko know about our situation....."

"Oh, right....." I reached out my hand to bring down my system menu. I'd almost forgotten about getting back to Misuko and the rest of the guild in Smurphia Village.

"I'll settle it," Raku was already bringing down her system menu, and navigated to the messaging function. "It's my responsibility as a Squad leader, anyway."

She merely typed out a sentence into the message window:

Won't be back tonight. We'll be back tomorrow!

I stared blankly at how blunt the message was, and gave her a side eye.

"I know that Misuko's not that strict about the reports, but isn't that a bit.....short?"

Raku turned ever slightly annoyed, as she touched the blue send button at the bottom of her message window.

"It's not like you're required to do that anymore. Not that it mattered to you, since you weren't even reporting to her half the time you were Land Company leader."

"Ugh, Misuko told you that?" I sulked a little.

"More like she told me how NOT to be a leader who acts like YOU," Raku smirked.

I simply shrugged with a frown. I didn't think that I had pride in myself as a leader anyway.

Besides, I do have more important stuff to contemplate about.

I turned around to the sound of footsteps at the balcony entrance. Huldar and Faeria walked into the nightly breeze.

Raku's eyes lit up again, as she went over to Faeria excitedly. Huldar approached me with a hand to shake on.

"Allow me to show you my gratitude for bringing me here, to meet my wife. I'd never thought I'd ever get to properly say my farewells to her."

"It's the least I can do," I returned the handshake. "It's my responsibility for not being a good enough human companion."