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Chapter 408: Chapter 404 ~ Outside VisitationChapter 409: Chapter 405 ~ Parental Concerns

It was almost imperceptible. But Yuuji did narrow his eyes slightly as he glanced towards Heathcliff when he whispered. 

This was a deal he certainly didn't expect him to make. 

The Knights of Blood was certainly one of the front-liner guilds who had issued direct orders to its members and worked together with vigilant groups and various other guilds to deal with red-players on sight. 

However, they've never truly fully focused on investigating and rooting out the dark guilds. It was impossible. 

The Knights of Blood's main purpose was in clearing floors and being on the very tip of the players' efforts in clearing the game. Although they were still one of the largest fighting forces against them, they couldn't pour all of their resources into dealing with red-players, especially the most notorious, dangerous, and slippery of them all, Laughing Coffin. 

But Heathcliff's words made Yuuji doubt that belief he held. 

Why would he be willing to give him a blank check on the Knights of Blood's resources to let him hunt the red-player guilds?

Was he truly desperate for his and Asuna's strength? Even if he wasn't in his guild, they would still participate in boss raids and contribute to their efforts in clearing floors, just like they always had.

Why would he make such an offer? 

Heathcliff was certainly a man of character. At least, from the actions Yuuji had seen him and the Knights of Blood do from a distance. But he didn't expect him to go this far. 

As Yuuji fell silent, Heathcliff backed away with a calm smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. 

"I hope you will consider it, Yuuji-kun, Asuna-kun. Just send me a message when you've made your decision."

Then, he walked away. 

The rest of the Knights of Blood's team leaders followed soon after. 

"It's nice to see you two again. I look forward to seeing you again for the raid meeting in a few days."

Godfree placed a hand on Yuuji's shoulder and nodded towards Asuna. 

"Hoho. Yuuji-kun, if you have any extra rare item drops to sell, please let me know. Some of our members still need a few more items to enhance their items. We can always discuss the price."

Daizen gave him a similar friendly smile and patted his shoulder with more than a tad bit more strength from his excitement that would send other players with less strength flying to the side. But to Yuuji, it was just like a typical slap from an enthusiastic uncle who couldn't control his strength in his excitement. 

And finally, bringing up the rear, Uzala simply smiled towards Yuuji and Asuna with a nod, before the conspicuous group of knights in white and red walked away. 

Asuna, Yuna, and Lux all looked towards Yuuji, along with the rest of the players who had stopped to watch the Knights of Blood's appearance before lingering to know more by listening to their conversations. 

"Yuuji, what did he say before he left?"

Asuna came close and looked up to him. She didn't bend down to be able to look directly in his eyes, but she still looked at him like she could. And if it weren't for them to still be in public, she would've took off his hood to be able to look at him without anything in between them, just like she would every moment while they're in their home. 

From behind her, Yuna and Lux were also staring at him in silence. Yuna seemed more worried for him, seemingly noticing the fluctuation in his demeanor. While Lux was more curious than anything. 

But instead of answering, Yuuji simply smiled and walked on. 

"Let's talk about this when we arrive at the inn."

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

"Hahaha! I say this every time, but he's certainly an exemplary young man, is he not? To keep such composure before the leader is impressive for his age!"

Upon reaching the confines of the meeting room within their temporary base for their floor boss raid preparations, Godfree didn't hold his voice back. 

His lips curled into a wide grin. 

"Mm. Not only in strength, but in many other fields outside the battlefield. I would've love to have him as a son-in-law if I had a daughter."

Daizen had always been satisfied with his family. An understanding wife, and two boys who had made him proud as a father. He had flirted with the thought of having a third child, a daughter, but he never actually acted on it. 

Now, he couldn't help but think what if he were to have a daughter 18 years ago. He might have a brilliant son-in-law who would take good care of his daughter. 

Sitting down along with Heathcliff and the rest of the team leaders, Uzala silently agreed to his colleague's words. 

Yuuji was the first person he had ever seen to equal his guild master, whom he had considered peerless in the game. 

He had seen, on multiple occasions, sights that had truly stunned him beyond words. 

The figure of the "Sword God" flawlessly parried each and every single strike from a floor boss, before dealing critical strikes one after another in a consecutive chain of absolute dominance. 

He had only seen such a thing from two players. The guildmaster and Yuuji. 

'No… even the guildmaster couldn't deal that much damage with his build.'

Heathcliff focused on defense with his massive tower shield. He was the perfect tank, capable of withstanding terrifying blows from the floor boss and never letting his health reach the yellow zone. 

While Yuuji "tanked" the boss solely by parrying and evading. A feat of pure skill and physical prowess that surpassed what mere "status" could achieve. 

"He is exceptional."

Heathcliff spoke in a matter of fact manner, which to him, it was. 

"He possessed the strength, insight, wisdom, and talent of a hero that would lead us in clearing this game. An extremely promising young man, if I'd seen any."

There was nothing to argue. All three of the leaders nodded in agreement to his words. They were undeniable. 

"Well then."

The air immediately shifted into focus Heathcliff crossed his arms on the table. 

"Shall we continue our discussion regarding our preparations for the 39th floor boss raid?"

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Semiramis leaned back on her cushioned beach chair. Her mountainous chest, barely covered in a laced bikini lined with pure gold, raised up and down slowly. 

Her pale white skin, which she had dedicated solely to the man currently within the mansion she currently resided, hid from the bright sun under a massive parasol, which shade even covered her stretched, long, slender bare legs. 

She raised her arms and rested her head on her hand as she laid down in relaxation, a pose that served to effortlessly accentuate her seductive curves and figure without even seemingly meaning to. And she didn't. She simply had seduction, gracefulness, and majesty naturally ingrained into her every action, and even inaction. 

Her golden eyes closed behind her stylish shade, enhancing her auditory senses to the splashing of water and melodic giggles of young girls from the massive swimming pool before her. 

But her attention and "eyes" were focused on the figure of her master currently on his bed in his room. 

From the day she arrived in this mansion, in this world, she had engraved countless magical and arcane runes throughout every single nook and cranny of this mega mansion. A fundamental step for every caster to establish their territory upon arriving at what would be their base. 

Even if her Garden of Babylon was currently floating invisibly in the sky, she didn't neglect her preparations to make sure that her master was safe. She had even spread out her doves around the larger area of the city to extend her surveillance zone. 

Now, not even a fly or a mosquito would go unnoticed the moment it even entered the proximity of the mansion. 

Keeping eyes on her master was even simpler. He was in a room, unmoving for the majority of the day and night. 

But despite this and the fact that nothing in this world could even fathom to even begin to harm his divine body, Semiramis kept her eyes on him at all times. 

It was her duty to protect her master while he was completing his mission. 

Moreover, she loved watching over him. She could do it all day and night, at least until he woke up.

And she was doing just that. 

"Hey hey, Semi-neechan~!"

"Hm?"

She raised her shades and opened her eyes to see Alice waving at her while floating in the pool.

Beside her was Ophis, currently in her adult, voluptuous form and dressed in a skimpy black bikini that she changed into after seeing Semiramis' figure. 

Behind them, Est was laying on a tube, aimlessly floating around. While Aria was swimming laps with perfect form. 

"Can we have another tropical juice, please~?"

"Sure."

Semiramis waved her hand, and four glasses of iced tropical juice floated towards pool with a magic circle as its tray, and landed on the water. 

"Thank you~"

Alice took a glass and drank it with great excitement, while Ophis took small sips as she stared at the drink. 

It was delicious. Passable. But it only served to extend her patience slightly until she couldn't wait anymore to be with Yuuji again. 

"You're welcome."

Semiramis smiled contently, lowered her shades, and began to close her eyes once more to return to her "monitoring duties". 

Just then, a ping from her spell came to her attention. 

Her eyebrows involuntarily furrowed at the disturbance to her peaceful monitoring of her master. 

Semiramis transferred her vision to one of her dove familiar and saw a car, the expensive kind, making its way through the neighborhood towards the mansion. 

Within it, she could see two people. A man and a woman.

The man was rugged, a square jaw, and slick combed-back hair that had receded slightly from his forehead. 

The woman, more youthful, but still couldn't mask the age that became more apparent with her stern expression and slight wrinkles at the edge of her eyes, most likely from exhaustion. 

Both wore a solemn expression, silent in their travel. 

Semiramis didn't recognize them. Or rather, she didn't recognize anyone in this world aside from those currently in this mansion. 

They didn't look to be paparazzi, which she had been repelling through magecraft since the death game started.

There had been many who began to stake out around the mansion after catching wind that someone in this massive mansion had become trapped in the death game. 

They didn't know who it was, but if they were living here, it must be someone extremely rich and influential, or a child of the one with the money and power. 

Either way, if they could get more information about it, even a suspicion on their identity, they wouldn't have to worry about living as they please for, at the very least, a year. 

These two didn't match the characteristics of one. And judging by their expression, Semiramis could see, even through a dove's vision, the worry they wore like a second skin. 

Whoever they were, they seem to be heading here with a clear purpose. Which meant, they must "knew" of her master. 

'Master did say that the group chat assigned a background to him in this world to let him blend in…'

This must be related to it.

"It can't be helped."

Semiramis took off her shades and let it disappear into particles of magic and raised up from her seat. 

"We seem to have visitors. I will welcome them and find out their intentions. Please keep yourself hidden until they leave."

"Alright~!"

Alice raised her hand up in the sky with a bright smile, while the rest simply nodded with a soft sound of acknowledgement as Semiramis walked away and entered the mansion. 

The car stopped before a massive gate of gold with various layers of high-tech security and surveillance cameras that left no blind spot on the entrance. 

But just as Yuuki Shouzou was about to open his car door and use a identification card Yuuji had given him in the past, the golden gate opened on its own. 

"...Is there someone inside who knows of us?"

Kyouko voiced her suspicion, but her husband was as clueless as her.

"We should go in and find out for ourselves."

Shouzou stepped on his accelerator and drove past the gate, making his way towards the mansion through a long, winding path lined with trees and beautiful sights of nature that seemed to resemble a national park more than a mansion's courtyard. 

Through the canopies, glimmers of the mansion soon came into their vision. And before long, the massive estate that stretched beyond their vision came into sight. 

The sight was as grand and awe-striking as they remembered it to be. Perhaps, even more so. 

While minds tend to overembellish fond memories, theirs seemed to understate the sheer grandiose of his home. 

But, their attention quickly shifted from the mansion to the figure of unparalleled beauty in white apron above a black dress of a maid. 

Her long, luxurious black hair that gleamed under the sunlight was tied up into a high ponytail behind her white headdress. 

And her looks was perfected by an impeccable smile and grace that rivalled old nobles and royalties Shouzou and Kyouko had seen, from a distance, once in the past during a banquet of high nobility. 

They stopped the car right in front of the entrance and alighted. 

"Welcome to the Tsubakihara household, dear guest. My name is Semiramis, a servant of this household. May I inquire about your identities and your intention on visiting the young master on this occasion?"

She spoke with the voice of a siren with the graceful bow of a royalty's servant. 

And despite knowing Yuuji since he was a child, Shouzou and Kyouko felt the need to re-evaluate their understanding of the sheer depth of his true wealth and influence to have a servant that rivaled imperial princesses. 

"My name is Yuuki Shouzou. This is my wife, Yuuki Kyouko. We are old acquaintances of Tsubakihara Yuuji, and we are here to visit him upon knowing of his… involvement in Sword Art Online."

A glimmer of understanding flashed across Semiramis' eyes. 

As she expected, they were truly a part of the young master's background that the group chat assigned to him upon coming to this world. 

She lowered her head once again. Her duty to her master winning over her own queenly pride. 

"Very well. The young master is inside and well. I believe he will appreciate your visit. Please follow me."

She opened the massive double doors that seemed heavy enough for even adult men to move with apparent ease, and lead the couple to Yuuji's room.

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! 

Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at ~! 

Thank you~!

Yuuki Shouzou and Yuuki Kyouko entered into a bedroom of splendor. 

This single room dwarfed even the living room of their own estate, containing its own study area, rest area, a walk-in closet, and even its own private bathroom, separated from the main bathroom a few rooms away. 

The morning light seeped through the opened, heavy curtains of the tall window that perfectly overlooked the entire courtyard and gardens of the estate, bouncing off the chandelier of jewels that hung from the ceiling. 

But despite the beauty of it all, their attention immediately gravitated towards the bed. 

Laying down upon the massive bed that sat at the end of the room was the familiar boy they came for. 

Upon his head was the familiar large gray helm, the same one that their daughter adorned as well. And on the side of the bed, medical apparatus for monitoring vitals with various wires connected to his body, as well as an IV stand to provide him with the needed nutrients that he couldn't get through ingestion while being trapped in the death game. 

"Yuuji-kun…!"

Kyouko was the first to immediately dash towards his figure and sat down on the edge his bed. 

Slowly, ever so softly as if afraid to break him, she touched his hand and slowly lifted it up to hold it with both of hers. 

Her eyes never left his figure, observing as closely as she could to determine his condition. 

"He seems… healthy."

Shouzo approached the bed, his eyes still filled with worry and concern. But now, there was a trace of relief after seeing Yuuji's condition with his own eyes. 

"The young master's vitality is remarkable. Combined with the medical attention and proper care I have been providing, there is no need for concern regarding his safety and health."

Semiramis bowed lightly, her lips curling into a small smile. 

The two of them noted the hint of pride and confidence in her tone. 

And while Kyouko would've perhaps admonished her to not be complacent, she held her tongue. 

Yuuji's current condition was better than she expected. If she wasn't aware of how long the game had trapped her daughter and Yuuji, she would've guessed he had just entered the virtual world a few hours ago. 

"Are you a certified medical professional?"

There was a hint of surprise in Shouzo's voice. But even more than mere disbelief, there was a concern. 

He couldn't simply leave Yuuji's wellbeing in the hands of someone he didn't even know their qualifications to be able to take care of him. 

"Yes. I am a fully certified medical professional with a doctorate in medicine and neuroscience. In addition to my proficiency and training in combat in order to properly protect the young master in any situation, I have been personally chosen by the young master to serve him."

If there was any doubt left in him, it disappeared the moment Semirais told him that she was personally chosen by Yuuji himself to serve him. 

If it was him, he wouldn't simply choose anyone with even a shade of doubt on their qualifications and character to serve him this closely. 

And so, he nodded towards Semiramis, before shifting his gaze back at Yuuji. 

He was just laying there, seemingly asleep. Just like their daughter. 

But he knew, in that digital reality, both of them were fighting for their lives against otherworldly beasts and monsters, where one mistake could lead to true death in the real world. 

Such a thought had haunted him for countless nights. His hands clenched into a fist involuntarily. 

"Still… Should we bring him to the hospital as well? They'll have better equipment there. We can also look after him alongside Asuna…"

Kyouko turned towards her husband. Her voice firm and composed, belying the worry and fear she kept hidden in her heart through years of composure. Still, at this moment, she couldn't hide it all completely. 

Shouzo could see it in his wife's eyes. Even Semiramis could see it as well. That and the slight force she put into her hold on Yuuji's hand. 

"Forgive me, Kyouko-sama. But I believe that would trouble the young master."

Both pairs of eyes turned towards Semiramis. But her composure, elegance, and gracefulness in every minute movement of her body held. 

"I have observed several news reporters staking out outside and around the estate. While they may not know of the young master's identity yet, if he were to be moved to the hospital, where security would be left on the hands of the hospital, his identity would be revealed sooner or later, and that would go against the will of the young master."

"...That's true."

No matter how much he tried to keep it a secret, news of his daughter being one of the many victims of the death game still spread regardless of his efforts. 

And knowing Yuuji, he wouldn't want such a thing to happen. 

"Please rest assured, Shouzo-sama, Kyouko-sama. We have all the equipment and necessities needed to ensure the well being of the young master. I can confidently guarantee his health and safety for as long as I remain breathing."

Semiramis knew full well that nothing could even come close to harming her master. But, she spoke those words with no less conviction than how it was intended. 

The couple looked at each other, weighing the options in a silent conversation and understanding born from decades of marriage. 

Finally, Shouzo nodded. 

"Very well."

Kyoukok nodded as well, and her eyes returned to Yuuji as she held up her hand and pressed it against her forehead. 

Then, Shouzo turned towards Semiramis. 

"We shall visit again in a few days… No, we will be visiting regularly from now on. Once every three days."

"Very well. I believe the young master would very much appreciate your visits."

Semiramis bowed. 

Then, after a few moments, Kyouko placed Yuuji's hand back onto the bed by his side, stood up, and walked towards her husband as the couple made their way to the door. 

She stopped near Semiramis and met her gaze. 

"Please take care of him."

"Of course. With everything in my power, and beyond."

They left. 

And as she watched their car recede into the distance, Semiramis made a mental note to herself. 

'I will have to report this to master.'

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Upon arriving at their accommodation, the four of them gathered in Yuuji and Asuna's room. 

The girls sat together on the edge of Yuuji's bed, leaving the other bed empty, while Yuuji sat on the chair he had pulled closer to the bed from the desk at the end of the room. 

Then, he began telling them Heathcliff's offer. 

Full independence and resources he and Asuna would need to eliminate every single member of Laughing Coffin under his banner. 

"That's… amazing. He's willing to do all of that for you…?"

Although unfamiliar with guild politics and management, even Yuna could understand the implication of such an offer. She doubted any other players, no matter how high-leveled or skilled they were, could receive such an offer—essentially a blank check—to join a guild. 

"...It's really unbelievable. I've heard that he's quite the upright character, but I didn't expect him to give you this kind of offer just so you two can help him destroy the red guilds."

Lux leaned back, resting her weight to her hands on the bed.

"It's honestly not a bad offer… Nothing will change for you. You'll still be doing what you're doing. But now, you can access their coffers whenever you want."

"In theory… But if we were to join, we'll be under Heathcliff and be a part of the Knights of Blood. We'll have to, inevitably, put aside some time for it."

If it was her before she met Yuuji, she would've joined the Knights of Blood to help her grow. After all, compared to the other large and powerful guilds, the Knights of Blood seemed to be the most decent choice. 

Their leader was famous for his strength and character, and their ranks were exclusively filled with elite players. 

It was the perfect place to grow if she could be accepted, and she was confident in her skills.

But now, if she were to join the guild, she would inevitably have to set aside some time for it, which would affect the efficiency of her progression that she had optimized with Yuuji's help. 

"Still, I do understand that there's still merit to this."

Asuna crossed her arms and continued. 

"We can utilize their network and resources to find members of Laughing Coffin more easily and safely… And if we can have a team of our own, we'll have more people helping us."

The benefits were apparent to see… Just as the drawbacks. 

All eyes turned towards Yuuji as he fell silent into a deep thought. 

Despite all the advantages it brought, there was one major downside in joining a guild to pursue a highly dangerous and elusive organization such as Laughing Coffin, or any other red-player guilds for the matter.

Stealthiness. 

If they were to join a guild, especially one as well known and prominent as the Knights of Blood, it would be difficult for them to operate in secret. 

Players would be able to keep an eye on the guild's subtle maneuvering to be able to deduce his movement. 

Their resource spending. Their operational focus. Their members' movement. If investigated closely, they could easily find information that would lead back to him. 

If he were solo, other players wouldn't be able to easily track his movement. All the resources he spends would also be from his personal funds, which would be vastly more difficult to track. He'd be able to hide his intentions more easily. 

Moreover, Yuuji also couldn't rule out the possibility of spies within the guild itself. 

Players in the same guild would be able to track each other's position through the guild member list. 

If there was a spy within the Knights of Blood, they'd be able to escape before he arrived, or worse, set up an ambush to kill him when he arrived at their location. 

Then, he felt warmth on his hand, and a gentle hold that grounded his thoughts to the present. 

"Yuuji… How about this? I will join the Knights of Bloods and use their resources to help you while you stay solo and act more freely?"

His eyes widened in shock at Asuna's proposal. 

If she were to be the only one to join, it would certainly allow him to access the Knights of Blood's resources and their benefits without having to suffer the cost. 

But he erased the thought immediately. 

"No. I won't allow that."

He shook his head and turned his hand to hold her smaller one, firmly clasping it. 

"Although Heathcliff may be a man of character, in all honesty, I can't fully trust the rest of the Knights of Blood members. There's no way for us to know if there were any Laughing Coffin spies in the guild, and I can't risk you being there alone and targeted."

Lux crossed her arm and held her chin thoughtfully.

"I agree with Yuuji. Laughing Coffin and other red-player guilds are known to have green-players infiltrate towns and guilds to get them information and resources they wouldn't otherwise be able to get. I've seen many green-players coerced or manipulated to do their bidding. It'd be really difficult to know who's who before it's too late."

If Yuuji and Asuna didn't save her from Laughing Coffin, she might've become one of them right now. Infiltrating towns and groups as a green-player to feed them information and resources. 

The mere thought made her stomach churn. 

Silence fell once again…

"Then, what should we do?"

Yuuji thought for a moment. Then, he let out a sigh.

"We'll think about it… I still have questions regarding Heathcliff's motives. I need to know the true reason why he wanted us so badly in his guild with seemingly no benefits."

He let go of Asuna's hand and leaned back to his chair. The hard, unpolished wooden chair without cushion didn't offer any comfort, but for now, it was something he could lean onto and rest his weight on. 

"Meanwhile, you two still have a concert to prepare."

Yuuji pointed at Yuna and Lux. Then, he shifted his fingers to himself and Asuna. 

"And we still have a floor boss raid to prepare for. So let's get some rest for the day. We'll have a long day tomorrow!"

The three girls nodded, and one by one they all raised from the bed. 

"Then, we'll see you guys tomorrow!"

"Good night, you two~"

Yuna and Lux exited the room and headed back to their own room, while Asuna went to take a bath, leaving Yuuji alone with his thoughts. 

'Just what are you thinking, Heathcliff…'

He let out a deep sigh and plopped down on his bed, letting the sound of running water distract his mind from the perplexing proposal from the man known as the "Strongest Shield" and leader of Sword Art Online's strongest guild. 

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! 

Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at ~! 

Thank you~!