Sword Art Online: The Administrator's Descent

Chapter 14: Reaching Out

WARNING: This story contains mature elements such as manipulation, Non-Con, humiliation.

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Underworld, Central Cathedral, Floor 50, Great Hall —15th September, Year 380 in the Time of the Realm of Humanity

The human psyche had a tendency to send warning signals in the body and mind whenever there was suspicion or concern when it came to something or someone, and often times, they're not always wrong.

And in this very moment, Asuna couldn't possibly understand why, but she had a really, really bad feeling.

It's not often that she would feel this way in a place that's safe, and yet... well, she might as well have an excuse for feeling as such, since the reason for her wariness was sitting right across her, her beautiful visage a sharp contrast with those narrowed eyes that were watching both her and another girl.

The other girl that she was watching was Alice, who also felt on edge, her blue irises kept focused on the other woman despite the fact that they were in the middle of a really important discussion—it's not often that she would ever allow her attention to divert from what mattered, but she could hardly care right now.

You could think of a number of things as to why this was so, but only one answer was necessary.

And the answer was literally beside her.

"...Not much to report, huh? Well, I suppose that's a small blessing. At least nothing bad has happened," hummed Kirito, scanning all the documents spread out on the table. Every writing was neater than anything than anything that he's ever seen, with soft curves and fine lines that make it clear for him that he would never be able to write that neatly. "Hmm..."

There were a lot of things that they had, yet too little information about them that they could properly prepare themselves for.

The Dark Forces. Supposedly, someone must have logged in to join their side, thus already preparing the army for the war. And since it's someone from the real world, that alone was enough to incite worry in his being.

The 'Final Load Test'. Though he's gotten information from both Cardinal as well as Asuna and the others, neither parties were able to come up with a definitive time for when such an event would happen, so that left a dreaded feeling in his chest. What if it was tomorrow? What if it was today? They're prepared, sure, but the precipitation in his heart is strong as ever.

The other problem at hand... was this strange tension he was feeling!

'What in the Goddesses' names is going on here..?' He sweat-dropped to himself, feeling somewhat nervous. He looked around himself, and found nothing out of the blue. He looked to Bercouli, but he was too busy reading something. 'Ah, forget it. Focus, man!'

Here they were, in their regular meetings with everyone present; both rulers of the Human Realm, Cardinal, the Integrity Knights, his best friend, along with Asuna and the rest of the gang. They were to discuss everything important, just as they had done every time, but man... he wasn't sure if he could keep on focusing on this if things remain this way!

Bercouli's eyes shifted away from the papers and towards the ravenette... then promptly looked back down, a bead of sweat on the back of his neck as he steadied himself and attempted to mask his nervousness with that of his usual calmness.

All the other men in the room shared his sentiment, and could very well see just what sort of position the black-haired boy was in; it wasn't like he had any choice in the seating arrangements, of course—it was a free-for-all. And yet, there he was, with Alice and Asuna on either side of his while Quinella was directly in front of him.