-315- The familiar rapier user

"*Whoo—*"

The wind picked up across the entire plaza.

In the wind, orange chestnut-colored long hair began to sway, forming graceful arcs one after another.

The girl advanced through the wind, letting her orange chestnut-colored straight hair flutter in the breeze.

She wore a white and red sleeveless knight's uniform with a bright red mini skirt.

On her feet were white knee-high stockings and boots.

At her waist hung a white leather sword belt.

Attached to the belt was a slender sword that emitted a beautiful radiance.

And the girl's appearance could only be described by one word.

—Stunning.

All these elements combined to create an incredibly beautiful visage.

The members of the guild named "Knights of the Blood Oath" gathered behind the girl, obediently following her lead, as they walked towards the plaza.

This scene left the players of the clearing group breathless, their gazes fixed in a daze. For a moment, they forgot to react.

Even Rozen, as he looked at the girl leading this noble group of knights, felt equally surprised.

In this world that fully represented the true appearance of players, although it wasn't something one would readily admit, beautiful female players were truly rare. They were rarer than the seven Rainbow Butterflies that existed throughout the entire server.

To find a female player as beautiful as her, one would probably need to search through all the floors of SAO. But how many would they find?

A girl like her, not only had come to the forefront of the clearing group, but also appeared to be the leader of the "Knights of the Blood Oath"?

How could that not be shocking?

Contrary to the expectations of those present, she seemed oblivious to the atmosphere around her. She walked directly into the plaza and faced everyone.

Her gaze swept over all the players as if taking them all in, then lingered for an unknown moment on Kirito, Agil, and Argo, before finally settling on Rozen, without looking away.

"I am the Vice Commander of the 'Knights of the Blood Oath.'"

The girl introduced herself as such.

Her gaze remained locked onto Rozen's face throughout.

Being stared at by her like that, Rozen inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity.

He glanced at the slender sword hanging at her waist and then back at her exquisitely beautiful face. A sudden realization dawned upon him.

("A rapier user...? And an incredibly beautiful female player...?")

There was only one person Rozen knew who fit that description.

Well, to be accurate, he didn't really "know" her.

Because Rozen had never seen her appearance. He had only seen her concealing herself in a cloak, with her face hidden under a hood. He had never seen what she looked like underneath the hood.

But four months ago, on the 1st Floor of Aincrad, Argo had indeed told Rozen that her appearance was stunning.

If that were true, there was only one name that Rozen could utter.

"Asuna...?"

Rozen hesitated to say that name.

And three individuals had reactions to that name.

"Asuna?"

Kirito's expression was one of complete astonishment.

"Really?"

Agil's mouth hung open in disbelief.

"Hehe..."

Argo, on the other hand, chuckled from the corner, as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Then, Rozen wasn't sure if it was his imagination..

When Rozen uttered the name "Asuna," there was a fleeting moment where ripples of emotion passed through the beautiful eyes of the girl before him.

However, those ripples quickly vanished, like a mirage, leaving him doubting if he had seen anything at all.

But that didn't matter.

Because...

"Due to certain reasons, I have been entrusted to lead the 'Knights of the Blood Oath' to participate in this strategy meeting, while our guild leader remains at our base and won't be joining this operation. We ask for your understanding."

The girl who seemed to be Asuna shifted her gaze away from Rozen and addressed all the players of the clearing group. With a dignified attitude, her resolute voice and cold expression were fully displayed.

"When the time comes to strategize and clear the boss on the next floor, our guild leader will attend in person. Until then, we ask for your patience."

In front of all the players, the girl made this declaration with confidence, leaving a deep impression on the clearing group once again.

Rozen watched the girl, observing the coldness in her eyes and on her face. He recalled the swordswoman who had fallen while giving her all, concealed under a cloak, desperately fighting to exhaustion four months ago. After a few moments of contemplation, he chose to remain silent.

However, Rozen's choice of silence didn't apply to others.

"Kirito," Klein suddenly spoke up, addressing Kirito beside him, "I think I might be in love."

Kirito nearly stumbled, and even Agil next to him appeared to be sweating profusely.

This reaction alone spoke volumes about the impact of Asuna's appearance.

Even Zehard had snapped out of his stupor, his gaze fixed on Asuna and the members of the "Knights of the Blood Oath." He then let out a mocking chuckle.

"Who would have thought it would be a guild led by a woman? Does such a guild really have the capability to join the clearing group?"

This comment earned him Asuna's gaze.

Asuna directed her sharp gaze at Zehard, akin to the thrust of a rapier.

"Are you implying that you doubt our capabilities?"

As Asuna's words fell, the members of the "Knights of the Blood Oath" stepped forward in unison behind her.

"Clank!"

Their synchronized footsteps struck the ground, creating a resounding sound.

"Ugh...!"

Zehard was taken aback by their imposing presence, involuntarily taking a step back. It wasn't until later that he realized how embarrassed he looked, his face contorted in anger.

However, Asuna didn't give Zehard the chance to be angry.

"If this the clearing group's idea of a welcoming ceremony, then we'll accept it."

Asuna said, looking back at Rozen.

Then, she proposed something astonishing.

"To prove our capabilities, we, the 'Knights of the Blood Oath,' will undertake the conquest of the training area boss on our own. How about it?"

Asuna's unwavering tone shocked everyone present.

"On your own...?"

"Is she kidding?"

"She actually plans to take down a boss with only the strength of one guild?"

"Does she think the 26th-floor boss is like the bosses on the lower floors?"

"This is absurd!"

Players began expressing their thoughts one after another.

But Asuna paid no attention to their reactions. She only looked at Rozen, as if the opinions of others didn't matter at all.

Seeing this, Rozen raised a hand and silenced everyone.

"Alright."

Ignoring the players' shock, Rozen nodded decisively.

"The 'Knights of the Blood Oath' will undertake the conquest of the training area boss on their own."

Upon hearing this, Asuna's expression remained unchanged from start to finish. She merely nodded.

Under these circumstances, the two individuals' gazes met and then quietly parted ways.