Sword Art Online: The Administrator's Descent

Chapter 22: Liberation Maidens

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

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Underworld, Centoria, Swords Mastery Academy—22nd May, Year 380 in the Time of the Realm of Humanity

Red. Red like blood.

No. What was fountaining out of where Eugeo's right eye should have been was indeed blood itself, gushing out without a shred of decency as it bathed everywhere around him—some of his clothes, the floor, a bit of the walls—in dark crimson.

A swordsman is one who has devoted his life to perfecting his art of the sword in order to fight for and protect the Human Realm and its citizens. That was what she and her best friends had been ready for, knowing that there would have been no other roads that they would have chosen.

This was what Eugeo was. A swordsman. Perhaps not a noble, but one of the most incredible swordsmen she's ever met. He might as well have been a noble had he never said anything.

What Tiese had been woefully unprepared for, in all her sixteen years of life, was the ugliness of the hidden side of nobility.

She is, admittedly, one, though coming from a low-ranking noble when compared to some others, just like Ronye. She wasn't raised with the ugly satisfaction of her station and insatiable hunger to dominate others. She was as normal as any girl could get.

A girl who had been utterly unprepared for the ugliness of mankind.

Not everyone was perfect. She knew that from the very beginning, having accepted the fact that she had her own flaws, just as many others might. Her and Ronye's mentors, Eugeo and Kirito respectively, weren't perfect either, but they were special in their own ways that made them stand out when compared to others.

Eugeo was the textbook definition of what a true noble should be; kind and caring, gentle to a fault. He was steadfast, hardworking, and she couldn't ever imagine having someone else to teach her—for his patience and understanding, she would forever be grateful.

Kirito was fun, wild, spritely. He loved to smile, possessed wisdom that you couldn't find anywhere else, and was mysterious (in a good way, of course). He was a person you could confide to, trust to always have your back, and feel safe with.

They were two villagers with humble beginnings, having worked hard to get here. They were a lot of things.

From tonight onwards, she knew that Eugeo and Kirito were both her and Ronye's heroes.

After all, what should have been a night of grief and suffering was ultimately averted. Be it the will of the goddesses or pure chance, she would forever be grateful to their saviours.

"Aaargh..! My arm!" Howling in pain, Humbert collapsed backwards on the bed and clutched tightly at his stump, where his left arm should be. Now, the limb in question was on the floor of the room, spilling blood into the carpets and painting it a deep red. "I-It hurts..! Gaah!"

Her eyes were not focused on the agonizing silverette or his companion. Even bound by rope and incapable of movement, she was focused on her mentor, and her heart sunk at the sight.

Eugeo, down on one knee, was panting heavily as his right eye closed. Whatever happened to him had caused his eye to swell and burst, and she could only imagine just how painful it must be. And yet, he had come here, went against the nobles' orders and moved to protect them. Protect her...

The bed shifting catches her attention and the girls watch as Raios leaves his friend to continue grunting and moaning in pain, instead moving towards the wall where their weapons were hung up on display. Below, Humbert's large silver sword. Above, Raios' own sheathed in a red scabbard.