-407- [ Black Iron Palace ]

The 1st Floor, Town of beginnings.

This place had always been the largest city in Aincrad, possessing almost all necessary facilities. Whether it was weapon shops, item stores, general stores, or various other shops, they were more abundant than in other towns, and prices were quite reasonable.

There were also many inns and similar businesses. From an efficiency perspective, using this place as a base was undoubtedly the most suitable option.

However, there were three reasons why high-level players rarely stayed in the Town of beginnings.

First, although the facilities here were complete, they were mostly basic and not very friendly to high-level players seeking high performance and efficiency.

Second, this place had long been occupied by the Aincrad Liberation Force, becoming a stronghold of the "Army." Players didn't want to step into someone else's territory and be at their mercy.

And the third reason was that just by standing here and looking up at the sky, one couldn't help but remember what had happened back then.

The man named Kayaba Akihiko, announcing that this world had become a stage for a death game, and the appearance of the Red-Cloaked Grim Reaper in the sky like a death god.

Given all these reasons, although there were many players occupying this place, they were all either part of the "Army" or low-level players. High-level players rarely frequented this area.

Compared to the 22nd Floor's Coral, this place was naturally not as desolate. Occasionally, you could still see NPCs walking on the streets, and there were even players.

These players were undoubtedly members of the Aincrad Liberation Force.

Whether it was to manage this town with the most players or to showcase their authority, in Starting Town, almost every night, players wearing bronze-colored armor from the "Army" would patrol in groups. They turned the entire Town of beginnings into what felt like a military zone, giving off a strict and vigilant atmosphere.

Especially the Teleport Plaza in Starting Town, because it's the essential path for players from other floors to come here, players from the "military" often patrol through here.

This place is quite spacious and, when it first started operating two years ago, accommodated a whole ten thousand players who spawned here, officially beginning their game.

"Shing!"

In a brilliant light, Rozen and Asuna arrived here, back in the largest city of Aincrad.

"Town of beginnings..."

Looking at the familiar plaza, Asuna softly muttered with a sense of nostalgia.

Rozen also gazed at this square, as if seeing the scene from two years ago when he first logged in here, when he and countless other players took this place as their starting point and began their adventures in this world. It was a place that held many memories.

For all players, this was indeed a special place.

After all, this was where every player first set foot when they entered this world. It was also the location where Kayaba Akihiko announced the transformation of SAO into a death game.

Rozen and Asuna silently observed this place for a while, reminiscing about their past experiences. Then they refocused.

"Where's Yui?"

Asuna gathered herself, quickly searching for Yui.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

Saichou and Hanachou were the first to sense their target, flying in a direction while emitting cries.

Rozen followed the sound and then blinked in surprise.

"The Black Iron Palace?"

The direction Saichou and Hanachou flew towards was a massive building across the square, radiating a black glow. It was the largest facility in Starting Town, the "Black Iron Palace."

Once they entered through its gates, they would see the monument that contained the entire player roster of SAO, the "Monument of Life."

On this monument, the names of all SAO players were engraved, and once they died, their names were mercilessly struck off.

However, this place had already been occupied by players from the "Army," and there were several players standing guard at the entrance.

Normally, there might be a couple of guards here, but now there were a total of six, making the security exceptionally tight.

It was evident that, following the events involving Kuradeel, Kibaou had kept his promise and tightened security around the Black Iron Palace.

But at this moment, a young girl in a white dress walked towards the Black Iron Palace.

"Yui!"

Asuna called out the girl's name.

Who else could it be but Yui?

Asuna immediately wanted to rush forward.

However, Rozen, who was quite perceptive, noticed something unusual.

"Wait a moment!"

Rozen held Asuna's shoulder, preventing her from approaching.

"W-What's wrong?" Asuna asked, surprised and anxious.

But this time, Rozen didn't have the time to reassure her.

"Something doesn't seem right." Rozen stared at Yui, looking bewildered. "Yui..."

"What's wrong with Yui?" Asuna asked while also glancing in Yui's direction.

Then, Asuna was equally surprised.

Because Asuna witnessed an unbelievable scene.

"Ding!"

With a bell-like sound effect, Yui opened the main menu and selected the "Settings" option, making a certain choice.

Under these circumstances, Yui's body seemed to turn into a chaotic signal, emitting a rustling sound as she walked towards the Black Iron Palace.

And the six players guarding the Black Iron Palace seemed as if they hadn't seen anything at all, allowing Yui to pass by them.

"This...," Asuna was utterly baffled.

Rozen squinted his eyes and fell into silence.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

Surprisingly, it was Saichou and Hanachou who acted as if they hadn't noticed anything unusual. They made urging sounds towards Rozen and Asuna who were still standing there.

"Rozen..."

Asuna, thrown off guard by the sudden turn of events, seemed to have lost her composure. She looked at Rozen helplessly.

Seeing this, Rozen took a deep breath.

"Let's follow her, Asuna."

Rozen said with a serious expression.

"We'll use the 'Hiding' skill to stealthily trail her, so we don't get detected by the 'Army.'"

Rozen made this suggestion.

Asuna wanted to ask why but closed her mouth when she saw Rozen's serious expression.

"I understand."

In the end, Asuna chose to trust Rozen. She didn't know what Rozen was planning, but she knew that following his lead was the right course of action.

"Then, let's go."

Rozen gave a brief command and ordered Saichou and Hanachou, his two familiars.

"You two enter the Familiar Crystals."

This was necessary to maintain their stealth.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

Saichou and Hanachou, unusually displaying signs of dissatisfaction, seemed reluctant to enter the Familiar Crystals. They wanted to follow Yui.

However, the two familiars ultimately didn't disobey Rozen and returned, looking resigned.

"Don't worry," Rozen reassured his familiars. "I will bring Yui back."

Hearing Rozen's promise, Saichou and Hanachou's spirits improved somewhat.

Then, Rozen and Asuna simultaneously activated the "Hiding" skill and stealthily made their way towards the Black Iron Palace.

The Black Iron Palace, shrouded in the darkness of the night, felt like the lair of a lurking beast, emanating an ominous aura.