I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Kissmael shook her head, the blush on her ears still lingering: "I'm still not quite used to it... I'll continue to call you Lord Mochizuki Kaede."

Looking at her relaxed smile, Mochizuki Kaede also raised the corners of her mouth: "Take your time... um... Kizu."

This time he called out more naturally, a warm smile in his gray eyes.

In the morning light, the embarrassment and shyness of the previous night seemed to melt away like morning dew, leaving only the fresh air flowing between the two. Kissmel rose nimbly, skillfully adjusting her armor; the metal parts clinked crisply between her fingertips. The dashing royal guard was back.

But when she turned around and handed the coat to Mochizuki Kaede, the unintentional touch of her fingertips and the undisguised tenderness in her eyes made this morning extraordinary.

"Boom boom boom——"

A crisp knock on the door broke the silence inside.

"Get up, Maple!" Argo's voice came from outside the door.

When the door opened and Argo saw the two people standing side by side, his eyes widened instantly.

The old sage appeared in the corridor at some point: "Everyone's awake? Perfect timing, I've prepared breakfast."

“Sage!” Kissmel rushed forward, “How could we trouble you to cook for us…”

The old sage smiled and waved his hand: "After living alone for so long, one must eventually take matters into one's own hands. Come and try my special elf pancakes."

He glanced meaningfully at the distance between Mochizuki Kaede and Kissmel, his smile deepening beneath his white beard.

After enjoying the old sage's elven pancakes, the old sage handed the lightning-attribute magic stone to Mochizuki Maple before parting.

“Young man…” The old sage patted Mochizuki Kaede on the shoulder, then winked at Kismer, “Cherish the present moment.”

The three then bowed to the wise old man and bid him farewell.

Chapter 111: The Eighth Floor Boss

"Qiz, you're heading to the Dark Elf King's City on the ninth floor, right?"

Walking along the forest path leading to the labyrinth area, Mochizuki Kaede turned her head and asked the female knight beside her.

Kismer nodded slightly, her hair fluttering in the wind: "Yes, Lord Mochizuki Maple. I was ordered to deliver the Emerald Key to the royal city. The key is of great importance, and the Fallen Elves have been waiting for an opportunity to steal it."

“Fallen elves…” Mochizuki Kaede repeated softly, the image of the fallen assassins who attacked Kismer the night before last appearing before his eyes.

Argo, who was walking ahead, was still in a daze. When she learned from Mochizuki Maple that the two had formed an elven partner contract, her mind went blank for a moment.

Becoming a partner with an NPC? This was completely beyond her knowledge and understanding.

—So there's a hidden mechanism like this in SAO...?

Argo glanced furtively at the two people behind him.

Although he pretended to be nonchalant on the surface, whenever he turned around and saw Mochizuki Kaede and Kissmel, the two of them were so close that they were almost shoulder to shoulder, which made Argo feel a sense of inexplicable loss.

"Tsk..."

Argo abruptly turned his face away, shaking his head violently, trying to banish this strange feeling...

The three ventured deep into the maze area and, guided by Argo's accurate intelligence, quickly arrived at the last open space in front of the BOSS room.

The ancient reliefs on the stone wall cast flickering shadows in the torchlight, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur.

Right in front of the BOSS's room, a familiar figure was resting against the stone wall.

It was a young girl draped in a deep purple cloak, a massive scythe resting casually on her shoulder, its edge gleaming coldly in the firelight. Hearing footsteps, she looked up alertly, her violet eyes widening slightly beneath the hood.

"Mite?" Mochizuki Kaede exclaimed in surprise.

Mitt nodded slightly, her cool expression revealing no emotion. Her gaze briefly swept over Argo and Kismer before finally settling on Mochizuki Kaede.

"Have you obtained information about the BOSS?" Mochizuki Kaede took a few steps closer.

Mitt was silent for a moment, then his clear, cold voice rang out in the empty corridor: "During the closed beta, the boss of the eighth floor was [Flame Serpent God o Wagit]... who could use fire breath."

After listening, Mochizuki Kaede nodded slightly. The information given by Mitt was consistent with that of Argo.

"Want to team up?" Argo suddenly interjected, breaking the brief silence. "It'll be safer to fight the boss with four people."

Mito didn't object; in matters of life and death, she always clearly weighed the pros and cons. She hesitated for a moment, then looked at Mochizuki Kaede and asked, "Where's Asuna? Why isn't she with you?"

Mochizuki Kaede replied, "We'll be separated for now."

He then recounted his encounter with Kradir in detail.

Upon hearing that Mochizuki Kaede had personally killed Kradir, a flicker of emotion finally appeared on Mitt's usually cold face: "I never imagined you'd gone through something like this..."

“Hmm,” Mochizuki Kaede said, “If possible, I hope you can contact Asuna. She’s currently teamed up with Silica and Yuna, and I’d feel more at ease if you joined her.”

Mito remained silent, her expression hidden by the shadow of her hood. But Mochizuki Kaede knew that this solitary girl was seriously considering his request; after all, Asuna was also an important friend of hers.

After everyone had rested, they stood ready in front of the BOSS's room.

Mochizuki Kaede stood at the forefront, her palm pressed against the cold stone door. Behind her, Kissmare, Argo, and Mitt were already poised to attack.

"Rumble--"

As Mochizuki Maple exerted his strength, the heavy stone gate emitted a roar like an ancient beast awakening, slowly opening inward. In an instant, a scorching stream of air rushed out, carrying the smell of sulfur and scorched earth.

Inside the gate, a flickering, ghostly flame suddenly ignited in the endless darkness. As the flame flickered, a massive black shadow could be vaguely seen coiled atop the high platform.

The monster with a snake's head and a human body was fast asleep, its scales gleaming metallically in the firelight.

The moment the four of them stepped into the room at the same time.

The snake's closed eyes suddenly snapped open, bursting forth with a blinding light as if staring directly at the sun. Four thick arms stretched out from behind it, each holding a scepter inlaid with a crystal ball. Its back suddenly burst into flames, illuminating its entire body.

"hiss--"

With a chilling screech, the terrifying body fully unfurled. Seven's life points appeared in everyone's view, above which was its name:

——【Flame Serpent God o Wagit】.

The Fiery Serpent God looked down at the intruders from its high position.

Mochizuki Kaede slowly drew the long sword from her waist. After being tempered by a lightning-attribute magic stone, the original [Thunder Blade] had been upgraded to [Thunder Punisher]. The blade was covered in a ghostly blue lightning, and every slight tremor would stir up fine arcs of electricity in the air.

Kismer also raised his saber, Argo revealed his steel claws, and Mitt gripped his giant scythe.

The Flame Serpent God launched the first attack, wielding its scepter with agility with its four arms. At the same time, the four crystal balls burst forth with dazzling flames, and Mochizuki Kaede and the others quickly scattered to dodge.

Mochizuki Kaede's figure shot towards the platform like lightning, her lightning blade, enhanced by magic stones, drawing dazzling arcs of electricity in the air. The lightning patterns on the blade were fully activated, the blue-white lightning contrasting sharply with the flames surrounding the Serpent God.

Wang Yuefeng leaped into the air, his lightning blade slashing down with a piercing crackling sound. The Serpent God hurriedly raised his two scepters to block, and the crystal ball collided with the lightning blade, producing a deafening explosion.

At the same time, Kismael charged in from the side. Her saber aimed precisely at the serpent god's vulnerable eye, while Mitt's giant scythe went straight for the other eyeball. Argo, meanwhile, nimbly moved around the serpent god, his steel claws constantly leaving tiny wounds between the scales.

None of the four were ordinary players; their combat experience far surpassed that of the average person. In particular, Mochizuki Maple, with the dual enhancements of the [Thunder Punisher] and [Meditation] skills, possessed attack power and reaction speed far exceeding that of ordinary players.

The BOSS's health dropped rapidly, from seven bars to just one bar in less than half an hour. While the health of Mochizuki and his companions fluctuated, they remained above the danger zone. Whenever someone needed to replenish their potion, the others would tacitly distract the BOSS.

As the last health bar lit up red, the Flame Serpent God's pitch-black body suddenly emitted an eerie light.

Liquid light seemed to surge through his veins, eventually converging in his enormous snake eyes. The fully charged eyes, like two miniature suns, radiated a suffocating pressure.

"Watch out! Berserk state!" Argo shouted a warning.

The Flame Serpent God's body suddenly spun, and thick beams of light shot from its eyes, sweeping across the entire room. The stone walls touched by the beams of light instantly melted, leaving deep ravines.

Just as the deadly beam of light was about to sweep across the group, Mochizuki Maple's [Thunder Punisher], which had been poised to strike, slashed down from mid-air.

With a piercing cutting sound, the blade plunged deep into the serpent god's neck.

The beam of light stopped abruptly, and the serpent god's body froze in place.

The next second, the giant snake head crashed to the ground, and its entire body turned into countless burning data fragments.

Chapter 112: The Wedding

Upon arriving at the ninth floor, Mitt parted ways with Mochizuki Kaede and her group. Argo also separated from them, citing the need to gather information about the ninth floor.

In the end, only Mochizuki Kaede and Kissmel walked side by side toward the majestic gates of the Dark Elf capital.

Passing through an archway inlaid with dark purple crystals, the two arrived at the audience hall, led by palace guards.

When she learned that it was the royal guard Kismer who was requesting an audience, the Elf Queen specially arranged a private meeting.

Inside the reception room, sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting shadows on the velvet carpet.

Kissmel knelt on one knee and recounted the events from her first encounter with Mochizuki Kaede to the present. When she spoke of the partnership contract, a faint blush rose to her ears, but she still firmly held Mochizuki Kaede's hand.

The Elf Queen, seated on her obsidian throne, leaned slightly forward, her crown, inlaid with dark gems, shimmering with an eerie light.

"A human being who can win the heart of the proudest royal guard..." The Queen's gaze lingered on their clasped hands for a moment, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

She nodded slightly to Wang Yuefeng: "It seems that I will have to prepare a wedding for you that will be remembered by the entire royal city."

Kissmael clearly hadn't expected things to escalate to such a grand scale. Mochizuki Kaede felt her fingers suddenly tighten, and when she turned her head, she met a pair of purple eyes that were slightly wide with shock.

"This is the highest honor bestowed upon you by the Dark Elf royal family for your bravery and loyalty." The Queen's voice echoed in the magnificent throne room, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

……

The wedding was scheduled for the following day.

Standing before the full-length mirror, Mochizuki Kaede gazed somewhat dazedly at his elegantly dressed reflection. The boy in the mirror wore a meticulously tailored, dark-patterned tuxedo, adorned with a silver sash symbolizing royal accreditation. This attire made him appear much more mature, yet it couldn't conceal the youthful spirit in his eyes.

He couldn't help but chuckle; in the real world, he was still a minor, yet he was going to have his wedding in this world.

The door was then gently pushed open.

The moment Mochizuki Kaede turned around, her eyes lit up.

Kismer walked gracefully towards them, surrounded by six elven maidens like stars around the moon. Beneath her semi-transparent purple veil, her purple eyes shone brighter than ever. Her purple gown perfectly accentuated her elegant and graceful curves.

Kissmael suddenly quickened her pace and approached Mochizuki Kaede amidst the gentle laughter of the maids. Her slender fingers, clad in purple gauze gloves, lightly touched his bow tie, gently and meticulously adjusting his attire. Mochizuki Kaede could smell the faint floral fragrance emanating from her hair.

"The bride is eagerly awaiting your arrival," the head elven maid said with a smile.

A faint blush rose to the tips of Kissmael's ears, but she met Mochizuki Kaede's gaze with composure: "Yes, I just want to see Lord Mochizuki Kaede as soon as possible. I want to see what my groom looks like."

Her gaze traced the boy's features closely, and she suddenly smiled: "Very handsome."

Mochizuki Kaede took her hand, which was still resting on his tie, and said softly, "You are beautiful too, Kizu."

The bells of the royal city rang out at that moment, their long echoes reverberating throughout the palace. Maids hurriedly stepped forward to adjust the couple's final attire, one whispering, "Her Majesty the Queen is already waiting in the temple."

As the two walked out of the room hand in hand, two rows of elven guards stood solemnly in the corridor.

The temple gates slowly opened, revealing thousands of dark elves. Dressed in magnificent robes, they stood silently on either side of the passageway. On the high platform, the Elven Queen held her scepter.

"Come here, children," the Queen's voice echoed throughout the temple.

Mochizuki Kaede and Kismer walked forward along the path strewn with night-blooming rose petals. He could hear gasps of amazement rising and falling behind them—these dark elves had never imagined that their finest warrior would be married to a human.

The Queen gently tapped her scepter on their clasped hands, and ancient Elvish incantations flowed from her lips like water.

Countless points of light, a deep blue, burst forth from the top of the scepter, weaving together in the air to form intricate totems.

"In the name of the Dark Elf Queen," the Queen solemnly declared, "from this day forward, your souls will be like intertwined vines, sharing the same moonlight."

Kissmael turned to face Mochizuki Kaede, gazing at him tenderly. As the two exchanged vows under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the bells outside the palace tolled in unison, echoing throughout the city's bell towers, the sound waves washing over the obsidian walls like a tidal wave…

As night deepened, the aroma of mead from the wedding banquet filled the air.

Mochizuki Kaede's wine glass was always half full, and whenever a nobleman came to offer a toast, Kissmel would accept the glass without batting an eye.

She drank with elegance and composure, but her cheeks gradually flushed with a rosy blush.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered to Mochizuki Maple, the candlelight flickering in her purple eyes. “Our elves…our capacity for alcohol…is still…”

Before she could finish speaking, a slight stumble betrayed her intoxication.

As the last guest departed with a smile, the whole world seemed to quiet down. The two finally arrived hand in hand at the bridal chamber, which was filled with the fragrance of night-blooming jasmine, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. Kissmel gently sat on the edge of the bed, while Mochizuki Kaede turned and walked to the table to pour her a glass of water before returning to sit beside her.

Kissmael tilted her head slightly and took a sip of water from her glass.

She looked at the water glass in her hand, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet earnest: "Lord Wangyue Feng, thank you for accompanying me to this wedding. This moment will forever shine brightly in my life, and I will engrave it deep in my heart."

"Mm." Mochizuki Kaede nodded gently, looking at her tenderly.

Kissmael lowered her eyes slightly and continued, "Lord Mochizuki, do you know? Sitting here right now, I feel like I'm dreaming. I often have this feeling; sometimes you feel so real, as if you're right beside me, within reach. But other times, you seem so far away, like an elusive wind."

Wang Yuefeng saw that her slender fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, causing the delicate patterns on it to wrinkle.

“Tell me everything about you, okay? About the real you.” She suddenly looked up, her gaze intense. “Not as a companion, but as…”

Her voice lowered, her eyelashes trembling slightly: "As my...husband..."