Sword Art Online Volume 16 – Alicization Exploding Chapter 18 – War of the Underworld 47 Fanatio had gathered those lacking power, judged to be at risk if assigned to the front lines on their own, and had them learn combination techniques to raise their survival rate, creating a so- called «unit of leftovers». As such, they garnered low evaluations from the highest minister and chief elder, and in actual fact, they, the Four Oscillation Blades, all committed the heavy blunder of suffering heavy injuries against the two student swordsmen from the common folk in that rebellion half a year ago. But what hurt Dakira much more was how they failed to protect Fanatio. The time spent on the bed in the ward was filled with incessant thoughts of how it would have been better to die back then. However, Fanatio spoke kindly instead of harshly towards Dakira after the injuries healed. With the silver mask that she had never taken off in public removed, the deputy knight commander showed a beautiful smile and slapped all four of their shoulders in turn as she spoke. —I, too, was saved by the rebels right before my death. Gentlemen, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, that was a good fight. I had never seen a finer coordination of the «Encircling Bladed Oscillation Dance». Dakira’s mind was made up, then, as tears ran under that helmet. To not allow any harm to befall the venerated deputy knight commander the next time. And this was that very «next time». Regardless of the orders to stay stationed until further commands, Dakira leapt out from the ranks the instant upon feeling abnormality in Fanatio’s state. There were over twenty mel until Fanatio, on her knee, and the giant chief swinging a humongous iron hammer down onto her from overhead.