Chapter 34: Gentle Declaration
On the night Asuna joined the guild, Hachiman was crouched at the entrance struggling with the muddy bootlaces.
Before the sound of the key turning had even stopped, the aroma of creamy stew hit him, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"Surprise—!"
The tips of chestnut-colored hair, still dotted with wet droplets, peeked from behind the door. The girl shook the steaming ladle in her hand.
Hachiman's gaze flicked past her shoulder to the dining table in the living room, where there were clearly more place settings than just for two.
"It's 10:27 PM now," he deliberately held his watch right in front of her nose. "And I think a certain vice-captain was supposed to…"
"To be sworn in at the guild headquarters today?" Asuna spun nimbly, the hem of her white skirt brushing his knees. "That's exactly why we need a celebration!"
Hachiman sighed in resignation.
As she firmly pressed him down at the dining table, he noticed she had changed back into the beige knit sweater he had seen before — an outfit previously mocked as a "home economics apron," but somehow now felt comforting.
Home style version.
"Ta-da! This is the secret recipe, improved three times over!" Asuna lifted the lid of the clay pot like presenting a sacred relic. "I promise, no rosemary this time…"
Before she could finish, familiar metallic clanging came from the hallway.
Lisbeth barged in carrying a half-person-high oak barrel, her cheeks still smudged with the forge's signature soot. "Just in time! This is brewed from fifth-layer Ice Lake…"
"Wait!" Hachiman grabbed the tilting barrel. "Why did you even bring lodging stuff?"
The two girls exchanged a glance and shared sly smiles. Asuna pulled a sleeping robe embroidered with a cross emblem from her backpack, while Lisbeth unfolded sheets patterned with hammers.
"Of course it's a girls' gathering~" The blacksmith slammed her heavy metal bracer onto the coffee table. "Hachiman-kun, don't tell me you thought we were here for a night raid?"
'Why do girls always find every excuse to celebrate?'
Still, Hachiman decided to go along with Asuna's mood for the night.
The party started with Asuna showing off her new uniform.
"Ta-da! Here's my new uniform!"
"Asuna looks so cute~"
She seemed eager to display the armor-style uniform she had received, which offered excellent defense'
'(In terms of performance, this looks reliable.)
With a hopeful look, Asuna asked Hachiman:
"What do you think, Hachiman?"
"Ah, the defense looks really good. I think it's great."
That answer would fail any test in anyone else's ears.
"Hachiman…"
"Hachiman, you…"
"W-what's wrong…"
"Try again."
"O-okay…"
"Alright, let me ask again. How do you feel about it, Hachiman?"
"It's… it suits you, right? I think it looks good."
"Thank you!"
As night deepened, Hachiman quickly escaped to his room. The two apparently planned to take a bath together and then share a bed.
'Haa... so many things happened today...'
Hachiman felt a little down, having fully exposed his shortcomings today.
'Have I been treating Asuna like my possession...? To have such thoughts about a friend... I really am a lousy guy... ha...'
Recalling his long experience of having no friends, Hachiman drifted to sleep.
"Hey, Asuna, is this really okay?"
"Hm? What?"
"You actually wanted to join the guild that Hachiman created, right?"
"Ah~ Lisbeth really noticed that too."
"Of course…"
"But if that's the case, Hachiman-kun would definitely sacrifice himself for the members, right?"
"Ah... that might be true."
"So I think it's fine the way things are now. When I heard about the Knights of the Blood, I felt this was the right answer."
"As long as Asuna can accept it, that's good."
"Mm."
"By the way, does Asuna like Hachiman?"
"Eh? Hachiman... Hachiman-kun is a friend, right?"
'Whoa, this is hopeless~ Unless something special happens, these two will never realize it~'
Lisbeth held her head, and the three of them passed their first night together like that.
Afterwards, Hachiman began feverishly contacting various parties: requesting a strategy meeting from the Divine Dragon Alliance, explaining the current boss battle rules and formations to the Knights of the Blood, reaching out to Kirito, Nezha, Agil, and others. Finally, the long-awaited strategy meeting was held the next day.
"Sorry for the sudden gathering. Today's main purpose is to introduce new forces — the Knights of the Blood."
Before he finished, the Knights of the Blood marched in formation, their neat uniforms and synchronized movements imposing. As everyone watched with interest, Asuna's appearance caused an outburst of excitement.
"I am Heathcliff, captain of the Knights of the Blood, and this is Vice-Captain 'Flash' Asuna."
Hachiman noticed Asuna's eyebrows twitch when called "Flash," but she glared and he pretended not to notice.
"Our seventeen members of the Knights of the Blood are applying to join the strategy team."
Heathcliff declared proudly. The crowd warmly welcomed them. Amidst the excitement, Kirito whispered to Hachiman:
"Why did Asuna join the Knights of the Blood?"
"Ah, it was actually Asuna's own decision."
"Really? Not forced?"
"Of course not."
"...Is that really okay?"
"What?"
"No, as long as you think it's okay, let's work hard together."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
With the forces now complete, they decided to challenge the boss again.
It had been exactly a month since they reached the 25th floor.
Hachiman was teamed up with Asuna and the Knights of the Blood — simulation showed no knight could keep up with Asuna's speed.
Heathcliff judged their pairing optimal.
Their coordination made the knights shiver; no one dared underestimate this "outsider" anymore.
After many twists and turns, the 25th-floor boss battle resumed.
As rumored, the boss's attacks were fast and heavy, but Heathcliff nearly blocked all offensives.
Everyone marveled at the Holy Sword's power.
"Hachiman, he's amazing."
"Yeah, why has such a strong person only appeared now?"
"Incredible."
"Oh, the boss's HP is in the red zone. Time for us to show our presence."
"Mm, let's go. Our duo won't lose."
The battle grew fierce but ended safely. The Knights of the Blood' steady combat style, Heathcliff's superhuman defense, and Asuna's attack that filled the gap left a strong impression.
The name "Knights of the Blood" was thus established, destined to lead future strategies. With the path clear ahead, the strategy team launched a new, rapid offensive.
.
.
.
As the celebration bonfire painted the night sky red, Hachiman hid atop the bell tower counting spoils.
Below, the girls' clear voices mingled with the blacksmiths' hammering rhythms.
"So you were here," Asuna's voice came from behind. She had changed back into the beige knit sweater. "Here, this is for you."
Catching the tossed crystal bottle, Hachiman raised an eyebrow reading the label: "Aged brew from fifth-layer Ice Lake?"
"Lisbeth said this one's taste…" Asuna's ears flushed again, "is better for sharing between two."
"Next target is the 26th floor, right?"
"Spare me..."
Hachiman tilted his head back and drank the cold liquor, but felt a fire burning inside his chest.
Asuna's laughter scattered in the night wind, like a gentle declaration of war.