Sword Art Online Volume 16 – Alicization Exploding Chapter 18 – War of the Underworld 39 “You must not!! This is, truly, this old man’s sacred task and Life… esteemed knight, I trust you… with our home……” A moment later, the old guard passed away with what was left of his life force released as space resources. Deusolbert bit down hard and shot at the goblin who had hurled that hand axe with the blaze from the Conflagrant Flame Bow powered by the old guard’s life. The guards of the Defense Army continued falling after that, too, sporadically yet without end. Tens of those numbers among the demi-humans lost their lives as well, obeying the command for their ruthless charge to the very end. Much of the flood of Life resources dispersed throughout the battlefield rose as specks of light— Far, into the skies above the gorge. Where a single flying dragon hovered under the cover of night. Spiraling as they coalesced towards the integrity knight, clad in golden armor, standing atop its back. * * * He had neither the time nor space to hide himself. Renri curled up his back within the darkness in a corner of the supplies tent and awaited the approaching silhouette with his arms around his knees. The round hole for sunlight faintly shone upon girls who seemed to be fifteen or sixteen years old. One had vivid red hair while the other’s hair was a deep brown. They wore light armor above the grey tunic and skirt that appeared part of some academy’s uniform. Slender, straight swords hung at the left of their waists.