Sword Art Online 012 – Alicization Rising Chapter 7 – The Two Supervisors 36 Cardinal explained as she scowled at my dumbfounded response. "The reason is because when I was young, my mother—of course, that would actually be Quinella's—brought me up with the trivial rule that «tea cups should be placed atop a saucer» and its effect is still valid, even now. The only significant taboo was murder, but there exist seventeen other foolish prohibitions such as this. I am unable to lower my arm any further no matter what I do and if I forcibly put strength into it, an annoying, intense pain emerges in my right eye." "...A pain in... your right eye..." "Even so, this is a huge difference compared to the average inhabitant. They would be unable to even imagine the thought of placing the cup upon the table in the first place. In other words, they could not even gain the awareness that they are bound by many unbreakable rules. That may be the best for them, however..." Probably aware that she was a completely artificial being, an unfitting self-derisive smile ran over Cardinal's young face, and she quickly straightened her arm back. "Now then... Kirito. Do you see this as a tea cup?" "Heh?" Letting out a stupid voice, I intensely stared at the empty cup gripped in Cardinal's right hand. It was made of white ceramic, simple curves for its sides, with a plain handle attached. No designs or logos could be seen aside from a dark-blue line along its edge. "Well... I do see it as a tea cup, there was tea in it, after all..." "Fm. Then, how about now?"