-1635- [ Titania ]

Here lies the distant edge of the unreachable sky.

Although it is the sky within the game called ALO, even so, this place is beyond the reach of even the winged fairies. With a mere flight capacity of around ten minutes, no matter how hard they try, they can never reach this area.

The only thing that can reach here is a tree.

A tree so unimaginably enormous that it seems to rise straight from the continent into the heavens above.

On this massive tree, each leaf is as large as a building.

On this tree, every branch could rival a major roadway.

And its height is so overwhelming that even the tallest mountain peak in the world seems like nothing more than a tiny ant before it.

This is the ultimate goal sought by the nine races, who dream of conquering it and reaching its top—the World Tree.

Legends say that an aerial city lies atop this tree.

Legends say that the Fairy King Oberon resides there.

However, on closer inspection, there is no aerial city here, only a birdcage.

Yes.

A birdcage.

A golden birdcage, as large as a luxurious suite, hangs from one of the branches of the World Tree, standing out starkly.

Looking closely, the interior of the birdcage does resemble a room.

The floor is covered in white ceramic tiles.

The surrounding walls form a prison of golden bars.

Inside, there is a round table and chairs made from white marble, along with an opulent white canopy bed.

This is all there is in this room.

And in this room, a girl is seated on the bed.

She is a girl as beautiful as a queen among fairies.

The girl has a delicate face and waist-length chestnut hair. She is dressed in a thin, unsettlingly sheer white gown, with a blood-red ribbon tied at the chest. A pair of transparent wings, more like those of an insect than a bird, sprout from her back.

If Rozen were here, he would undoubtedly recognize her.

In SAO, she was known as the high-level rapier user called "The Flash"—Asuna.

In the real world, she is the daughter of RECT Inc.'s CEO, Yuuki Asuna.

The girl, who lay unconscious in a hospital bed in the real world, now sits here, gazing into the distance with jewel-like eyes.

Her gaze is filled with sorrow.

At that moment...

"What a beautiful expression you have, Titania."

A voice, both indulgent and blasphemous, echoed from within the room.

"...!"

The sorrow on Asuna's face instantly vanished, replaced by the sharp determination and resolve she was known for as "The Flash." She turned her head toward the doorway.

There, a tall man entered slowly.

He had an abundance of golden hair and wore a silver crown on his head. Draped over him was a loose-fitting green robe adorned with silver threads. A pair of wings, similar to Asuna's but not insect-like—large butterfly wings as dark as black velvet, with vivid green patterns—extended from his back.

His face was finely crafted, like a masterpiece of design, with a smooth forehead, a prominent nose, and eyes the same color as his wings, radiating an eerie glow. Thin lips curved into a smile, giving him the appearance of an elegant king.

Yet the sneer curling at the corners of his mouth shattered the nobility and grace his appearance should have conveyed, making him seem like a corrupt aristocrat—something to be ridiculed.

In this world, however, this man did indeed possess the power to look down upon all things.

For he was the Fairy King Oberon.

More precisely, he was the Game Master managing this world under the guise of the Fairy King Oberon, holding the highest level of administrative authority in ALO.

And Asuna knew his real name all too well.

"Sugou Nobuyuki..."

Yes, this man was Sugou Nobuyuki.

Hearing Asuna call him by that name, Nobuyuki's smile twisted into one of displeasure.

"I've told you already, in this world, you are to call me Fairy King Oberon, Titania."

He corrected her, clearly irritated.

But Asuna remained unyielding.

"I've also told you—no matter the world, don't call me Titania. I am Yuuki Asuna. I am not the fairy queen Titania."

She declared firmly.

Nobuyuki's smile reappeared.

"No, you are Titania. If I say you are, then you are," he said, spreading his arms. "Because in this world, I am the king, I am a god. Whatever rules I set are facts. No one can defy me."

Sugou Nobuyuki basked in the role he had taken on, fully immersing himself in the intoxication of power, status, and authority.

But in response, Asuna looked at him as if he were something filthy.

"If you came here just to flaunt yourself, then you can leave. I have no interest in anything you possess."

Asuna spoke coldly, turning her head away, no longer acknowledging Nobuyuki's presence.

His face stiffened, and his expression darkened.

From past experience, Nobuyuki knew that once Asuna adopted this attitude, no matter what he said, she wouldn't respond.

Every time he came here, all he received was her icy, indifferent, and contemptuous gaze, as if she were watching a clown make a fool of himself.

It drove Nobuyuki mad with hatred, making him want to use his administrative privileges to force Asuna into submission.

At first, that had indeed been his plan. Once she was trapped in this world, he believed she would be entirely at his mercy, unable to resist, and he could do whatever he wished to her.

But reality had slapped him in the face.

Due to certain constraints, Nobuyuki could only imprison Asuna—he couldn't lay a single finger on her.

And it was precisely because of this that Asuna dared to confront him so boldly.

Nobuyuki had ground his teeth countless times in frustration, yet he was powerless to change the situation.

However, today...

"Are you sure you're not interested in what I have to say?" Nobuyuki sneered.

Asuna continued to ignore him, gazing out into the distance in silence.

Nobuyuki showed no signs of frustration.

"Today, I went with the CEO to visit you in the real world," he said, drawing out his words in a taunting tone. "And guess who I saw?"

Asuna remained silent.

Until...

"I saw him," Nobuyuki said, feigning a moment of thought. "What was his name again? He seemed quite famous… Oh, yes..."

Leaning closer behind Asuna, Nobuyuki whispered that name with a wicked grin.

"Rozen—that's his name, right?"

At that moment...

"—!"

Asuna's head shot up.

Her eyes sparkled with overwhelming surprise, joy, and elation.