Shirou's clones number 30 million

"However, please don't worry about it. In the end, it's just a game. And in a game, of course, no one will die."

"Those who died at the hands of the wild boars have all been resurrected in the safe zone. And the safe zone is everyone's home."

"Of course, these questions are actually irrelevant. I think everyone probably has a lot of questions right now, like, why am I in the game world? And what's wrong with the real world?"

"Please don't worry, I will now answer your questions."

"First of all, the Earth is safe and sound. There has been no alien invasion or any major event such as the Earth exploding."

"At 8:30 PM tonight, we launched a special electromagnetic wave that caused the souls of all mankind to simultaneously leave their bodies and enter a virtual world called Earth Online."

"By the way, we have only developed the means to upload human souls into the virtual world; we have not ventured into reverse downloading technology."

"In other words, your physical bodies will gradually die in your sleep. But your souls will remain eternal in the virtual world."

"In our plan, all people in the future will live in a virtual world. If anyone wants to go to reality, they can do so by possessing a robot."

"This plan is called Eternity for Humanity."

“Until recently, we were all working hard to complete this plan, even at the cost of our lives.”

"However, ten minutes ago, I suddenly realized something: the soul also has a lifespan."

"It is impossible to achieve eternity through the virtual world; the plan was flawed from the start."

"But now that things have come to this, it's impossible to make amends."

"So please feel at ease living in the virtual world from now on."

"Although it is a virtual world, it is exactly the same as Earth in every way, and there is a system that can make life more convenient."

"That being said, I'm sure there are some people who are very dissatisfied!"

"After all, I brought you into the virtual world without explanation and then told you there was no way to go back, so it's understandable that you're angry."

What exactly is Jingyan up to?!

Shirou stared at Kayaba Akihiko in the sky, his mind filled with doubt.

If there's no way to go back, why make all of this public?

In a virtual world where time has been accelerated hundreds of times, wouldn't it be better to secretly develop a way to go back and then quietly bring all of humanity back?

"Then, please allow me to add something."

"Although I don't have a way to send you back, I do have all the information about this virtual world and the uploaded souls."

"The ratio of time in the virtual world to that in reality is 400 to 1. In other words, 400 days here are equivalent to only 1 day in reality."

"So, if anyone is willing to risk their life to return to the real world, then come and defeat me and take all the research data from me! I'll be waiting for you on the 100th floor of Aincrad!"

At this point, Kayaba Akihiko skillfully cut off the communication.

The projection in the sky disappeared instantly, and the boundless blue sky returned.

Chapter 202 I am my own grandson

Chapter 202, Section 203: I am my own grandson

The saying "character determines destiny" is absolutely true.

Despite the current situation, Kayaba Akihiko still insists on staging a hero versus demon king scenario.

Do you like Aincrad that much?

"Speaking of which, it was indeed a design that Jingyan poured his heart and soul into."

Compared to the many other worlds he designed, Aincrad was more of a creation of Kayaba Akihiko.

"I didn't expect him to pull this stunt; plans have to be changed!"

The original plan was to first find Kirito and have him as an assistant, then use his luck to quickly develop reverse download technology for uploading souls.

After that, like a hero, defeat Kayaba Akihiko, use the equipment at the research institute to contact the outside world, and manipulate real-world robots to rescue humanity.

The reason he sought out Kiritani Kazuto was to have him prove his identity.

After all, many people know that Narusaka Chisuke has no wife or children.

Therefore, even with proof of identity, claiming to be one's own grandson may not fool those acquaintances.

At the very least, it would be difficult to hide it from Kayaba Akihiko.

Once the truth comes out, there's no way he'll keep it a secret for himself in this kind of situation.

Even if all of humanity is rescued from the virtual world, I will become the world's most wanted criminal.

Although she has the ability to transform and mimic other Shirous, she can't live her life in someone else's appearance forever, can she?

"This is a bit tricky. Should we go to Aincrad to fight Kayaba Akihiko?"

"If I use my full strength at that time, I will definitely be suspected. After all, my power is too great, it is not a power that humans can have, and I will definitely be regarded as having special GM privileges."

"This is practically the same as walking into a trap; once your identity is exposed, you'll be dead on the spot."

"If we don't use our full strength and slowly advance into Aincrad while mixing in with others, it would be too much of a waste of time."

"Based on the original story's pace, it would take at least three to five years to reach the hundredth floor."

"There is a conflict between conquering Aincrad and researching and downloading Soul Technology, making it difficult to achieve both."

"Forget it, I'll just hire someone to conquer Aincrad instead of looking for others."

……

The Kiritani family.

Upon noticing that Kirigaya Kazuto had picked up a bamboo sword again after so long, Kirigaya Suguha suddenly felt a bad premonition and asked in a low voice:

Are you going out?

"Ah."

"Is it related to the projection in the sky just now?"

"Ah."

Seeing that Kazuto had admitted it again, Kirigaya Suguha couldn't help but say:

"Why not just treat that kind of thing as a joke? Besides, even if what that Kayaba Akihiko said is true, the military and police will definitely come to stop it."

"You're right, but I always have this feeling that I have to go."

Kiritani Kazuto paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

"According to Kayaba Akihiko, the world has become a game. Since it's a game, naturally no one will die because of it."

"So, Suguha, don't worry. I'll be right back."

"That kind of thing must just be a prank."

As they were talking, Kirigaya Suguha suddenly noticed the transparent panel in front of Kazuto and was speechless for a moment.

"What do you plan to do? There must be many powerful monsters in that place called Aincrad, right? What can you possibly do with just this bamboo sword, brother?"

"Before today, didn't you not practice swordsmanship for a long time? With your swordsmanship level, you can't even beat me, so how are you going to fight monsters?"

Kiritani Kazuto paused slightly, then said:

"Since it's a game, there must be a monster-fighting and leveling-up mechanism. Even if I'm only level one now, I'll definitely become very strong if I defeat a few more monsters. So, don't worry."

"So how do you plan to get there? He didn't even say where Aincrad is, did he?"

"There's no need to worry about that at all. Someone claims to know the inside story and is recruiting a team to conquer Aincrad."

"This kind of thing seems highly suspicious no matter how you look at it."

"Well, it's better than doing nothing, right? If Kayaba Akihiko is right, in three to five years our physical bodies will die from not eating for so long."

Seeing that Kazuto was heading towards the gate again, Kirigaya Suguha instinctively blocked his way, opening her mouth as if to say something but then stopping herself.

After staring at each other for two seconds, she suddenly spoke:

"In that case, let's go together."

"Huh...? Wasn't Suguha completely uninterested in online games?"

"Yes, but this isn't a game, it's reality. I don't know what the future holds, and I can't just stay home and watch my brother fight alone."

"Okay, let's go check it out together."

……

Inside a high-end hotel, people from all walks of life are gathered.

Judging from their clothing, there were high school and junior high school students in school uniforms, young girls in maid outfits, and adult men in suits.

However, overall, the majority of them are still young people.

Since entering the room, the siblings Kiritani and Kazuto had been looking around, searching for acquaintances and empty seats.

"Kirito?"

The sudden sound startled Kiritani Kazuto, who turned around and quickly saw a vaguely familiar face.

"Klein?"

"That's right, it's me! When I saw your back just now, I suddenly had a feeling of déjà vu with Kirito, and I subconsciously called out. I didn't expect it to really be you."

Klein looked Kirito up and down, then smiled and said:

"I was just thinking you'd definitely come to this kind of party! And sure enough... Is that your girlfriend next to you? They look very well-matched."

"No, this is my younger sister Suguha. She has never played online games before."

"Oh, it's your younger sister. I'm sorry..."

As they were talking, the surrounding noise suddenly stopped.

At the same time, a young man in his twenties slowly walked up to the high platform at the front of the hall.

He was wearing a black suit and black-rimmed glasses, and his appearance bore a slight resemblance to Kiritani Kazuto.

"Hello everyone, I am Shirou Narusaka. My grandfather, Chisuke Narusaka, was Kayaba Akihiko's teacher."

"After tonight's sky projection incident, I found some clues among my grandfather's belongings, including some design materials for Aincrad."