Miracle Summoner

Perhaps someone would ask: since you want to leave your name on the Monument of Swordsmen, why not recruit more players and form a large force to conquer the Floor Boss?

This, in reality, is unavoidable.

The monument's space is ultimately limited, and with Aincrad consisting of 100 floors, if every player who participated in the battles had their name inscribed, even just dozens of players per floor would lead to thousands of names after 100 floors. There simply wouldn't be enough space to accommodate the names of all participants.

As a result, the maximum number of names that can appear on the monument is seven, which happens to be the size of a single party.

In other words, if a single party defeats the Floor Boss, then all its members can have their names inscribed on the monument.

However, if the number exceeds this limit, only the leader of the team or group will have their name inscribed.

In this respect, Rozen is undoubtedly a living testament.

Nearly half of the names on the Monument of Swordsmen belong to Rozen because he had led large forces to defeat many Floor Bosses. Whether challenging them solo or leading his team, it always resulted in his name being the one recorded, making Rozen's presence on the monument overwhelming, to say the least.

If Sleeping Knights' goal was for all their members to leave their names on the monument, they would need to form a seven-member party to challenge the Floor Boss.

This is not particularly unusual.

In VRMMOs or other types of games, players typically need to invest large amounts of time. Hence, many players would retire in spring due to factors like further education or employment. When that time comes, even the closest guilds that have endured for years would face dissolution.

For them, wishing to accomplish something memorable together before parting ways is perfectly normal.

Sleeping Knights aimed to take on this seemingly impossible task for that reason.

As Rozen aptly described, it's a challenge that could be considered both brave and reckless.

Even with Asuna joining them—and she being a swordswoman more skilled than Yuuki, as well as an Undine proficient in advanced healing and resurrection magic—the team consisted solely of experts like Yuuki. Despite their skill, the chance of defeating the current Floor Boss with just seven members was still less than 10%.

But...

"You've been moved, haven't you?"

Rozen smiled at Asuna.

"Yeah."

Asuna also smiled, though hers was tinged with sorrow.

"I can understand their feelings. It's not just about the time spent together in the virtual world over the past two years, but also the reluctance to part ways. Just imagining it... I feel like I couldn't bear it."

When Asuna said this, it didn't sound like she was talking about someone else's situation.

Thus...

"Just this once, I want to help them."

Asuna's tone became low but firm.

"I knew it."

Rozen patted Asuna's head with a tender motion.

Asuna was acutely aware that Rozen had thought of everything.

Perhaps he had even seen through the turmoil in her heart, which was why he nudged her toward the Sleeping Knights and pushed her to challenge Yuuki.

Asuna was so touched that tears nearly welled up.

"How do you manage to figure out everything?"

Asuna gazed at Rozen with a dazed expression, murmuring softly.

To this, Rozen's movements paused imperceptibly, and he inwardly smiled bitterly.

Leaving aside Asuna's feelings, if it was solely about Yuuki, Rozen honestly wished he hadn't figured out anything.

For no other reason than the fact that Yuuki's circumstances were far too tragic to casually deduce, let alone for anyone to know.

If Yuuki were to find out that her situation had been seen through by Rozen, perhaps she wouldn't have welcomed him so warmly at the sightseeing island.

And Rozen couldn't possibly tell Asuna...

"The reason I could guess Yuuki and the Sleeping Knights' purpose is that I know how devastating her reality is."

Rozen silently thought to himself.

Precisely because Yuuki's adaptation to the virtual world far exceeded that of SAO players, and after confirming she wasn't an SAO survivor, Rozen realized what she must have endured.

Having guessed Yuuki's circumstances and her harsh fate, Rozen could infer that she entered this world to leave behind some memories, traces, and connections.

With that much figured out, it wasn't hard to deduce that Yuuki's goal was to defeat the Floor Boss and have her name inscribed on the Monument of Swordsmen.

Then, her subsequent efforts—seeking strong players on the sightseeing island, facing countless challenges from ALO players, and even gambling Mother's Rosario—became easy to understand.

If Rozen told Asuna everything, allowing her to know about Yuuki's tragic circumstances, she might find it unbearable, wouldn't she?

No, Rozen even suspected that upon realizing he had known all along yet still pushed her toward Yuuki, Asuna might end up hating him.

"To Asuna, anyone from the Sleeping Knights capable of resonating with her would undoubtedly become a cherished and significant friend, right?"

But if Asuna befriended Yuuki only to ultimately face the inevitable loss of that bond, Asuna would undoubtedly grieve.

Knowing all this, Rozen still encouraged Asuna to approach Yuuki and forge a connection with her. Was this the right decision?

In truth, even Rozen didn't know.

He only knew that this time, he would likely have to involve himself in the matters of the Sleeping Knights.

And not just in this world—but in reality as well.

From that perspective, the Sleeping Knights might instead be grateful to have encountered Asuna in this world.

Rozen looked at Asuna, who was resting in his arms, seeking warmth, and gently stroking her soft, silky hair as he resolved himself internally.

"No matter what, you still have me, Asuna."

Rozen softly murmured to Asuna.

"Mm, I know."

Asuna raised her head, gazing at Rozen with eyes full of intense affection.

She then threw herself into Rozen's embrace.

"Love me."

With those simple words, she ignited all of Rozen's emotions.

Without hesitation, Rozen picked Asuna up and carried her toward their room.

Bang!

With the sound of a door slamming shut, the two figures disappeared from the living room.

However, the couple completely forgot one thing.

"Papa and Mama are so inconsiderate..."

Yui, who had been left behind at some point, could only perch on Saichou, gazing at the tightly shut door with a silent sigh.

Poor little Yui, the usually dependable little helper, had been thoroughly forgotten.

"Gu…"

"Gu…"

Even Saichou and Hanachou exchanged helpless looks.

The two pets, along with Yui, were completely ignored—a truly pitiful situation.