Sword Art Online Volume 17 – Alicization Awakening Chapter 20 - Each of their Battles 28 *** “Oh… Ohh…” What came from Iskahn’s mouth was no longer human language. “Oh… OHHHHHHHHHH — !” Blood dribbled from the fists clenched at his sides. But the young Fist Fighter roared like a wild beast, seeming not to feel pain. Iskahn’s aide Dampe standing still by his side seemed to share Iskahn’s feelings, and was looking down, deeply… deeply. All dead. All consumed. His tribal warriors, in a storm of chaos, had perished, defenseless against the approaching dark cloud of swords, their souls lost in a mist of blood. Moreover, the soldiers still crossing the valley on the five ropes were unable to stop, because the Emperor’s order of “reach the other side” still affected them. They could only obey their absolute master, precariously cross the rope bridge, then be surrounded by the crimson army and torn apart indiscriminately. Why — Why hadn’t the Emperor given an order to stop crossing the valley, or for that army to stop attacking the friendly Dark Territory army? Were his tribal warriors not even lures, but mere sacrifices offered to that summoned crimson legion now? “Must… To the Emperor…” He must report to the Emperor. He must request that he stop this operation. Furious and desperate, Iskahn took a slow step towards the imperial throne carriage behind him. The entire right half of his vision turned deep red, and spates of excruciating pain assaulted his right eye.