I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Silica then added, "Just in time, a righteous blacksmith came along and saw through the fraudster's scheme!"

Kissmael leaned forward slightly, listening intently as they recounted their amusing tales of hunting the giant bear in the forest and building the gondola. When she heard them name their boat "Little Maple," she couldn't help but turn to look at Mochizuki Maple:

"Your name, Lord Wangyue, is indeed very beautiful." She turned to look at Wangyue Feng, a hint of mockery playing on her lips.

As dusk fell, the blue and white oil lamps illuminated Kismare's deep purple dress. She leaned against a bronze bench, her unarmored figure appearing exceptionally graceful.

Silica swung her legs and said, "And Brother Feng's rowing style is so professional!"

“Silica only knows how to use the word ‘professional’ to praise people,” Asuna couldn’t help but chuckle. “When you were cutting down the tree before, you also said that Xiaofeng was very professional.”

Silica's face immediately turned bright red. She secretly glanced at Mochizuki Kaede, and immediately lowered her head after their eyes met.

Asuna turned to Kissmel, her gaze falling on her elegant dress: "This dress really suits you."

“Really?” Kissmael looked down and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt, then suddenly suggested, “Why don’t you try one on? There are plenty of dresses in the fortress.”

"Eh?" Asuna quickly waved her hand, "No, thank you..."

Kissmael's purple eyes shifted slightly as she looked at Mochizuki Kaede: "What does Lord Mochizuki think?"

Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but picture Asuna and Silica in their formal attire. He coughed lightly and nodded, saying, "Since we have nothing else to do anyway, it might as well give it a try."

Upon hearing this, Asuna's fair cheeks flushed slightly, and her fingers unconsciously twirled the ends of her hair: "Since...since Kaede has said so..."

With a smile in her purple eyes, Kismael rose and led the way: "Then please follow me."

She led the three through a long corridor to a spacious dressing room. Inside, various gowns were neatly displayed, from traditional elven star-patterned gowns to corseted dresses in the style of human nobles.

"Lady Asuna, Lady Silica, please come this way."

Keith Mel effortlessly drew back the curtains of the dressing room.

The two girls followed her and disappeared behind the curtain embroidered with silver thread, leaving behind the faint sounds of their conversation.

Mochizuki Kaede sat alone on the sofa, his gaze sweeping over the layout of the dressing room. A crystal chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling refracted light onto the surrounding mirrors, making the entire space exceptionally bright and airy. He noticed several pieces of elven-style light armor hanging on a rack in the corner. From the dressing room in the distance came Asuna's hushed gasp and Silica's joyful laughter.

Mochizuki Kaede casually picked up the elf book on the coffee table, only to find that she couldn't understand the winding characters at all.

After an unknown amount of time, when the curtains of the changing room were gently lifted, Mochizuki Kaede, who was lost in thought, instantly snapped back to reality.

Silica stepped out first, her light blue strapless dress perfectly outlining the curves of a young woman just coming of age. The layers of ruffled skirt swayed gently with her steps, like ripples on a lake.

Her slender fingers were crossed in front of her, and two cherry blossom-like blushes floated on her porcelain-white cheeks, her eyes filled with shy tears. When she noticed Mochizuki Kaede's gaze, she subconsciously bit her pale pink lower lip, revealing an adorable smile with her little tiger teeth.

Asuna's appearance then made Mochizuki Kaede catch her breath.

The girl had her chestnut hair styled into an elegant updo, with a few strands falling beside her slender neck. Her clear, bright amber eyes flickered slightly with nervousness.

The deep V-neck design of the bright red dress accentuated her snow-white skin, and an amethyst pendant hung around her neck, shimmering gently with her breath. Her lips, like a newly blossoming rose, parted slightly and then closed, finally settling into a tentative, soft smile. The wide skirt flowed with her movements like a rose blooming, and the delicate bow ribbon at the back of her waist added a touch of dynamism.

The two stopped in front of Mochizuki Kaede and bowed their heads slightly in unison.

Kissmael stood behind them, a mischievous smile playing on her purple eyes: "Lord Mochizuki, what do you think?"

The crystal chandelier in the room suddenly flickered, making the pearlescent sheen on the dress even more dazzling.

Mochizuki Kaede's gaze shifted between the two, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. Silica secretly glanced at him, while Asuna gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, awaiting his assessment.

After a long pause, Mochizuki Kaede said softly, "It's very beautiful."

This simple compliment made both Asuna and Silica blush. Silica lowered her head, but the corners of her lips subtly turned up, while Asuna's neck flushed red, her eyelashes drooping to conceal the joy in her eyes.

Suddenly, Kissmael took out a black tuxedo from behind the coat rack: "We have also prepared formal attire for Lord Mochizuki. Please be sure to try it on."

"I want to wear it too?" Mochizuki Kaede subconsciously took a half step back. "Or should I..."

"No." Asuna suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing with an unyielding light. "You must wear it."

Silica mustered her courage and chimed in, "We chose them together."

Under the watchful eyes of the three, Mochizuki Kaede had no choice but to accept the exquisitely crafted dress and enter the dressing room.

When he walked out of the dressing room after changing into his suit, the entire dressing room seemed to fall silent instantly.

The tailored design perfectly accentuated his tall and straight figure, and his silver hair stood out even more against the black satin bow tie. The crisp lines of the tuxedo added a touch of aristocratic elegance to his appearance, a stark contrast to his usual fierce demeanor in battle.

Kissmael's purple eyes brightened slightly, and she nodded in satisfaction: "Even the demeanor of Lady Mochizuki is different when she wears this dress."

"Is that so..." Mochizuki Kaede subconsciously looked at Asuna and Silica, only to find that the two of them turned their faces away the moment their eyes met. Asuna pretended to tidy up the stray hairs at her temples, while Silica lowered her head and fiddled with the ruffles on her skirt, only the tips of her ears were tinged with a faint blush.

"Well... Xiaofeng looks alright in this outfit," Asuna coughed lightly, trying to sound calm.

Silica nodded, blushing.

Kissmael turned gracefully: "Please follow me to the main hall."

She looked at Wang Yuefeng with a smile in her purple eyes: "As a gentleman, Lord Wang Yue, you should take good care of the two ladies."

Mochizuki Kaede knowingly extended his arms, gently supporting Asuna's elbow with his left hand while gentlemanly allowing Silica to rest her right hand on his arm. Asuna's fingertips trembled slightly on his arm, while Silica was so nervous that she almost moved her hands and feet in unison.

"Relax," Mochizuki Kaede whispered, her eyes beneath her silver hair gentle. "It's just going to the main hall."

Asuna and Silica exchanged a quick glance; their unspoken tension clearly had nothing to do with their destination.

Kismer led the way, their footsteps echoing through the corridor. Occasionally, dark elf servants passing by would stop and cast admiring glances at them.

As they rounded the last corner, the music from the main hall could be faintly heard. Asuna unconsciously moved closer to Mochizuki Kaede, clearly feeling the warmth from his arm. Silica, on the other hand, secretly tilted her head back, from which she could see Mochizuki Kaede's sharply defined jawline and the lapel pin on his bow tie that swayed slightly with his steps.

Chapter 62: The Two-Headed Ancient Giant Turtle

The crystal chandelier in the main hall illuminated the entire space as if it were daytime, and the melodious sound of a harp echoed under the dome.

Kismer turned to face Mochizuki Maple, her purple eyes filled with laughter, her pointed elven ears trembling slightly as she spoke: "Before the formal ball begins, let me first teach Lord Mochizuki the traditional elven dance steps."

She gracefully took Mochizuki Kaede's right hand, and with the movement, her form-fitting purple dress accentuated her graceful curves. Her full bust was subtly revealed at the lace neckline, and below her slender waist, the skirt suddenly burst open. As she guided Mochizuki Kaede to gently place her left hand on her waist, a faint, refreshing scent of laurel leaves lingered between them.

"The dance of fairies emphasizes resonance with the music, and the steps should be as natural as a stream in the forest." She parted her red lips slightly, her voice like the sound of a harp under the moonlight.

With a sudden change in melody, she glided through the first loop with Mochizuki Kaede, the back of her purple dress unfolding like a blooming violet, revealing the graceful curves of her calves. Asuna and Silica stood by, watching Mochizuki Kaede gradually become more fluid from her initial stiffness.

Mochizuki Kaede's silver hair billowed as he turned, his black tuxedo accentuating his tall, slender figure. As Kissmel led him through the final, intricate cross step, scattered applause rippled through the main hall, where the dark elves, who had somehow gathered, watched them with smiles.

“You learn very quickly.” Kissmel released her grip, a satisfied smile curving her lips. She turned to Asuna and Silica. “Now, it’s time for Lady Mochizuki to put what she has learned into practice.”

Mochizuki Kaede approached Asuna, bowing slightly and extending her right hand. The instant her fingertips touched Asuna's, her eyelashes fluttered, her rosy lips parted slightly, and she exhaled a warm breath. Mochizuki Kaede felt her fingertips curl slightly in her palm before slowly relaxing.

As the melody of "Moonlight Serenade" began, he perfectly replicated the dance steps he had just learned, leading Asuna in a twirl on the dance floor. Her red dress, like a blooming rose, complemented her black tuxedo.

Asuna's amber eyes reflected the dappled light from the chandelier, shifting with each dance step, sometimes bright, sometimes hazy. A blush crept onto her cheeks, only to be quickly concealed by her lowered eyelashes each time their eyes met.

"I didn't expect you to dance so well..." Asuna said softly, her voice almost drowned out by the music.

Mochizuki Kaede didn't answer, but instead made his movements even gentler in guiding her to turn. He noticed a glint of surprise in Asuna's eyes after she completed a perfect spin, which quickly turned into a gentle smile.

As the song ended, Mochizuki Kaede extended another invitation to Silica. The girl's sky-blue skirt swayed to the simple waltz, like a forget-me-not dancing in the wind.

Silica tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and her adorable fangs peeking out from her pink lips. Every time Mochizuki Kaede led her through a spin, she couldn't help but let out a small gasp, then shyly pursed her lips, but the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Between steps, Silica secretly glanced at Mochizuki Kaede, her round almond-shaped eyes sparkling like stars, and the tip of her nose flushed a faint pink with excitement. As the music neared its end, she mustered her courage and slightly tightened her grip on Mochizuki Kaede's hand, but as the song ended, she quickly let go like a startled fawn, leaving only the lingering warmth of her fingertips.

Meanwhile, the dance between Kissmael and Asuna attracted everyone's attention. The traditional dance steps of the elves and the elegant posture of humans blended perfectly, and their red and purple skirts were like two roses blooming side by side.

As the final dance music began, Mochizuki Kaede simultaneously took Asuna and Silica's hands, and to the astonishment of the elves, led them in the newly learned elf dance. The light from the crystal chandelier shone through their hair, casting interwoven shadows on the ground.

……

the next day.

In the dim light of dawn, Mochizuki Kaede pushed open the door and saw Silica walking out of Asuna's room. The girl rubbed her sleepy eyes, a few unruly strands of hair still sticking up, clearly having just woken up. Asuna followed behind, adjusting her wristbands.

The two girls smiled at each other. Silica winked mischievously, while Asuna covered her mouth and chuckled. There was an unspoken understanding in their eyes, indicating that they had had a long talk last night.

Asuna nodded to Mochizuki Kaede with a normal expression, while Silica, though still slightly blushing at the tips of her ears, quickly regained her composure.

"Let's meet in the lobby," Mochizuki Kaede said briefly. Asuna and Silica nodded, and the three of them walked through the corridor.

Inside the hall, Diabel and his two companions were already fully prepared. Kirito leaned against the window, checking his equipment on the interface, while Agil chatted casually with Diabel.

Upon seeing Mochizuki Kaede and the others arrive, Diabel cut straight to the point: "Have you finalized your battle plan?"

Mochizuki Kaede succinctly explained: "The left head is skilled in frost breath, and the right head is skilled in boiling steam. Silica is responsible for interrupting one of them to prevent them from releasing the combined attack [Ice and Fire Vortex] which deals massive damage at the same time."

"One more thing," Diabel nodded, "When the giant tortoise activates [Raging Tides], pay attention to the ancient elven runes on its shell. Only by destroying those glowing patterns can you inflict effective damage."

The sudden sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation.

Kissmael led his guards into the hall.

She was dressed in purple armor, holding a military knife in one hand and a kite shield in the other, looking completely different from her elegant dress the night before.

"Gentlemen," the female knight's voice echoed in the hall, "the two-headed ancient giant tortoise has appeared on the east bank."

Outside the window, an unnatural, enormous whirlpool was forming on the surface of the lake.

The procession quickly passed through the east gate of the city fortress.

On the rocky beach on the east bank, the lake water suddenly burst open as if boiling. A small island slowly rose from the center of the whirlpool.

That was the two-headed ancient giant turtle that had surfaced.

Its left head was blue, its skull covered in ice-crystal-like scales, and its pupils were diamond-shaped. Its right head was red, shrouded in steam, and its eyes were bloodshot. On its moss-covered shell, glowing ancient elven runes flowed with a ghostly blue light, as if alive. When it fully crawled ashore, its enormous body blotted out the sky, its sharp claws scraping across the rocks with a teeth-grinding sound, sending shards of rock raining down in all directions.

"Proceed according to plan!" Diabel drew his longsword.

At the same time, Mochizuki Maple's lightning blade crackled with electricity. He turned his head and said to Silica in a deep voice, "Remember, interrupt the frost breath from the left side of the head at a safe distance."

The ancient giant tortoise raised both heads simultaneously. The blue head on the left condensed a bone-chilling icy mist in its mouth, while the red head on the right churned with orange-red heat waves deep in its throat.

With each step its heavy body took, the pebbles on the shore burst and flew everywhere, and the rising water vapor and ice crystals formed an eerie rainbow in the morning light.

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Thank you to [Yun Qu Tian Ming] and [Russian Red-Eyed Miss] for the monthly tickets and the razor blades!

Chapter Sixty-Three: Norza

Just as the two-headed giant tortoise was about to unleash its combined attack, [Ice and Fire Vortex], a silver crescent moon pierced the morning mist, striking precisely the blue head's jaw. The monster, in pain, tilted its head back, and its prepared frost breath exploded into crystals in mid-air. Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna charged forward like lightning, swiftly unleashing their sword techniques.

On the other side, Diabel, Kirito, and Agil slashed at the crimson head.

Kissmael raised his saber: "Archers, fire a volley! Infantry groups, charge down the lower body!"

The dark elf guards immediately split into two groups.

The archers in the back row knelt on one knee and drew their bows taut.

The heavily armored warriors in the front row, wielding scimitars, approached the giant tortoise's lower limbs, leaving wounds on its legs.

The battlefield on the lake shore descended into a fierce melee.

Just as the ancient elven runes on the two-headed giant tortoise's shell began to glow, preparing to unleash [Raging Tides], Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna seized the opportunity, their swords combined to thrust directly at the core of the runes. The lightning blade and the rapier sparked blindingly against the tortoise's shell, and the giant tortoise's health bar plummeted.

"Sever the left side of the head!" Mochizuki Kaede shouted.

Silica's crescent moon flew out, striking the icy blue head's chin with pinpoint accuracy, abruptly interrupting the impending frost breath. The three worked in perfect coordination, methodically whittling down the giant tortoise's health.

"Keep this pace, victory is in sight." Diabel gripped his longsword, a confident smile playing on his lips.

At this crucial moment—

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The sudden blare of the alarm bells from the direction of the fortress was like a thunderclap, causing unnatural ripples to spread across the lake. Kismer whirled around, his purple pupils constricting sharply, his armor heaving violently with each rapid breath.

"What's going on?" Wang Yuefeng swept his Thunder Blade horizontally, cleaving aside the boiling water bullets that were coming his way, and water vapor rose around him.

"Enemy attack!" Kismer's voice almost trembled. "This is the highest alert bell tolling in the fortress!"

Her hand holding the sword trembled slightly. At this moment, the city's defenses were weak, and almost all of the main force was on this side.

The atmosphere on the entire battlefield froze instantly.

As a closed beta tester, Diabel's forehead was beaded with cold sweat. In his memory, the questline for the "Fortress on the Lake" during the closed beta was clear and straightforward: assemble the team → defeat the giant turtle → obtain the pass → unlock the dungeon area.

There has never been a sudden incident of the fortress being attacked.