Sword Art Online Volume 16 – Alicization Exploding Chapter 18 – War of the Underworld 49 Fanatio was right behind. This detestable weapon must not be swung down. —I will protect her. This time, for sure. “E…. eaaaaaahh!!” A shrill yell rang out from Dakira’s throat, freed from the crossed mask’s voice morphing function. The blood dripping from the injuries all over enveloped Dakira as bluish-white flames. Gathering at those broken arms, the flames burst as dazzling explosions. The iron hammer shot back, blown over ten mel away accompanied by Sigrosig’s huge frame. Dakira slowly collapsed while listening to the heavy quake from the giant falling. “…Dakira!!” A shout, almost a scream, shot in from point-blank range. —Aah, Fanatio-sama called out my name. —How many years has it been? Dakira smiled while crumbling into the arms extended from the deputy knight commander as her short, straw-colored pigtails and freckled cheeks laid exposed with the loss of her helmet. Dakira was born and raised in a small village beside the sea in Southacroith South Empire. Her parents were poor, holding no family name and fishing for a living, but the girl blessed with the strength of a man grew up healthily while helping out with her parents’ work. That girl committed a taboo at the age of sixteen. She fell in love with her close friend of the same gender who was a year older. Of course, she never found it in herself to confess. Unable to deal with her suffering, Dakira sought penance from Goddess Stacia in an empty church altar late at night.