Weightlessness still enveloped their bodies.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle were so absorbed in Kirito's words and the dazzling place that stretched before their eyes that they barely noticed the sensation of floating.
Their gazes—one red, the other gray—tried to encompass every corner of the Hidden Library, but the space was too vast for them to comprehend it immediately. It was a place beyond all logic, an impossible wonder.
Vaelinne, unable to help it, exhaled in awe before turning to Kirito, who returned a calm smile.
—"You said this place is the Hidden Library... What does that mean exactly?"
—"Yes, please..."
Added Lyrielle, with her logical precision.
—"Where is this space? How can it be inside the Cathedral and yet feel so separate?"
Kirito did not seem surprised by their questions.
Because he knew that feeling. He had experienced it on his first visit here.
(—"Not to mention Asuna… she never stopped marveling. Yes…")
The thought emerged in his mind, but Kirito quickly dismissed it, returning to the present to respond with the calm of someone who knows the place like the back of his hand.
—"This is not an ordinary library or a regular archive of the Underworld."
His tone was firm, serene, filled with knowledge.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle kept their gaze fixed on him, absorbing every word as Kirito extended a hand, as if he were formally presenting the place to them.
—"This site does not follow the rules of the Cathedral or any physical structure you know."
There was no doubt in his expression.
Kirito had spent over a century exploring this place, but he knew the Library still held secrets beyond his knowledge.
That was why it was the perfect site for his preparation.
Here he could plan his escape from the Underworld, investigate the details he had left behind in the past, and analyze the information that now, more than ever, was crucial for his current situation.
His voice resonated firmly in the vastness of the place.
—"The Hidden Library is an autonomous space within the Underworld."
**Shhhh... Shhhh...**
Kirito began to descend with them on his shoulders and with his clothes in his arm, and continued.
—"It is not tied to any floor or any established structure in the Cathedral... It is a separate domain. A place that accumulates and expands by itself."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle caught a key word in his explanation.
But it was Lyrielle who reacted first.
Her gray eyes sparkled with a glimmer of interest, focusing her gaze on Kirito before formulating the question with precision.
—"It accumulates information… by itself?"
Kirito nodded without hesitation.
—"Yes. This place is a unique phenomenon within the system... It not only stores ancient records, but it continues to gather data constantly…"
—"!...!"
—"!...!"
**Shhhh... Shhhh...**
The layers of their clothing fluttered gently, drawn by the air current that enveloped them.
The pressure of the wind adjusted, ensuring their descent was stable.
But neither Vaelinne nor Lyrielle paid attention to the sensation of weightlessness; their thoughts were caught up in something much greater: Kirito's answer.
The words still resonated in their minds.
A library that would never stop expanding... a living space in constant growth.
The concept was difficult to grasp.
Vaelinne blinked a couple of times, as if trying to process it, but her astonishment still dominated her expression.
Lyrielle, though more logical, also did not hide her bewilderment.
Both were trying to find an answer within themselves, but the truth was that this went beyond any prior knowledge.
**Shhhh... Whooooosh...**
**Kirito watched them in silence.**
He was in no hurry. He knew they needed a few more seconds to absorb it.
For him, this place was already familiar, but for them... it was something impossible turned into reality.
Vaelinne composed herself first, exhaling calmly before speaking.
Her tone reflected a mix of incredulity and reasoning.
—"So that means... it will never stop expanding and growing?"
Kirito did not take his gaze off the horizon.
His expression remained serene, as if this truth were something he had accepted long ago.
—"Yes. The first time I was here, it was smaller."
The words floated in the air as the wind continued its gentle dance around them.
Lyrielle slightly furrowed her brow, still processing the magnitude of the concept.
—"But if it keeps growing by itself, it means there is information here that even you don't know..."
Kirito nodded calmly.
—"Exactly. This place continues to accumulate data, even during the years I was away."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle exchanged glances.
Kirito knew this space better than anyone, but even he had limits within his knowledge.
Vaelinne caught something in his words that stirred a restlessness she had never felt before.
Her gaze sharpened slightly, processing what that implied.
—"So... is there information here that most people shouldn't know?"
Kirito shifted his gaze to one of the highest shelves.
There, the books rested in an almost eternal state, as if they had been waiting centuries to be read.
—"Haaah."
He exhaled calmly before responding.
—"Exactly... There are truths that it's best for common people never to know."
His tone became deeper, filled with an unbreakable certainty.
—"And as for the proud nobles who hate me… the power this represents and that it would grant them..."
The tension settled in the air like a palpable shadow.
The weight of his words floated between them.
**Shhhff...**
**Tap... Tap...**
The contact with the ground finally occurred.
Kirito's feet landed firmly, absorbing the slight pressure of the descent.
A slight slip accompanied the adjustment of his posture, with Vaelinne and Lyrielle still holding on behind his shoulders.
But they were so absorbed in the conversation that they didn't even notice it.
In their minds, the curiosity about the Hidden Library and everything it implied was much stronger than any physical sensation.
Vaelinne, regaining her composure a bit, formulated the first question.
—"Kirito, would reading some books really give them that much power?"
Her doubt was genuine. After all, they were just knowledge, not weapons.
But Lyrielle, equally intrigued, posed another question almost simultaneously, though with a different nuance.
—"You said that you don't know everything about this place... So you weren't the one who created it?"
Kirito did not answer immediately.
He watched with amusement the absolute concentration on their faces, the genuine interest in understanding more.
He couldn't blame them. He had felt the same way the first time he was here.
To immerse oneself completely in something they are passionate about… yes, he was the first to do so.
But before continuing, he decided to return them to normalcy.
Kirito exhaled calmly, preparing to give the next command.
His voice resonated with a tranquil firmness, restoring the gravity to its natural state.
(System Call: Reset Gravity Vector – Target: Vaelinne Schtrinen, Lyrielle Arabel – Stability: Restore Default.)
The atmosphere changed again.
The invisible thread that kept them suspended began to dissipate, allowing weight to return to their bodies.
But the sudden change took them by surprise.
—"Aahh, Kirito!"
—"What?!"
The impact of gravity returned abruptly.
**Tsk... Dmp...**
**Tsk... Dmp...**
Both exerted all their strength on Kirito's shoulders, gripping him more tightly due to the unexpected return of weight.
Kirito felt the pressure, but nothing he couldn't handle.
In fact, he had already imagined they would react this way as soon as he returned gravity to their bodies.
**Tap... Tap...**
**Tap... Tap...**
Finally, the two released him once they confirmed they were on solid ground, not suspended in the air as they had imagined.
However, their faces still carried a slight expression of annoyance.
Especially when they saw Kirito's amused smile upon noticing their momentary state of fright.
Of course, he hadn't done it just for fun. He also wanted to pull them out of their serious state, although evidently, they did not take it in the same way.
Vaelinne was the first to break the silence.
—"Tsk! Was it necessary to do it so suddenly, Kirito?"
Lyrielle placed her hands on her hips, tilting her head slightly with an analytical air.
—"It's true, Kirito. Just warning us would have prepared us for the change."
Her tone was firm but not accusatory. Just a reminder of what could have been a smoother adjustment.
Vaelinne, on the other hand, decided to confront him directly.
**Thmp**
She stepped closer to Kirito and touched his chest with her right index finger.
—"Why? Why did you do it that way?"
Kirito maintained his playful smile, but softened it slightly before responding.
—"The reason is simple."
His expression changed from mischievous to relaxed, revealing the genuine intention behind his action.
—"Your expressions were too tense for a moment, so I wanted to change that."
Vaelinne felt her impulse and slight anger beginning to dissipate.
From a few steps back, Lyrielle slowly lowered her arms from her hips, maintaining her firm posture as she also calmed down.
This gesture from Kirito reminded them of the kind of person he was.
To many, he might seem like someone who acted on impulse or emotion.
But there was almost always a noble reason behind his decisions, especially when those he cared about were involved.
—"But... But still..."
Vaelinne tried to find another reason to reproach him, but she ran out of ideas.
**Tsk.**
He felt a hand on his shoulder and slightly turned his face.
Lyrielle observed her calmly before speaking.
—"It's okay, Vaelinne. Kirito just wanted to help us relax in his own way."
Vaelinne sighed resignedly.
—"Haaah..."
Finally, she exhaled and nodded slowly.
—"Well... since you say so, I'll listen to you."
However, she immediately turned to Kirito with a mocking proud expression.
—"Did you hear that, Kirito? I'm not going to pursue the topic… but not because of you, but because of Lyrielle."
**Tap...**
Lyrielle shook her head, placing a hand on her forehead with a sigh, different and personal.
She knew her friend too well and understood that sometimes she got carried away by emotion.
That's why she wasn't surprised by what happened next.
—"Oh? Is that so, Vaelinne?... Well, I appreciate it."
Kirito's slight smile turned into an even more playful one.
Seeing him, Vaelinne felt a twinge of regret for what she had just said.
However, Kirito didn't prolong the situation too much.
His mischievous expression quickly faded as if it had never existed, allowing everything to return to its natural balance.
Vaelinne, for her part, simply sighed in silence with relief, though she still held some doubt.
She looked at him suspiciously, as if expecting some unexpected reaction.
Kirito, dismissing it, pretended not to notice her and began to observe his surroundings.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle, noticing this, finally looked around, recognizing for the first time the place where they had landed.
The space was not just an extension of the Library, but a carefully prepared area.
Unlike the endless corridors of shelves, there was a more structured arrangement here.
A set of furniture arranged around a low table, made of fine wood, where tea or a light meal could be easily served.
Each element here was placed with a specific purpose.
It was not only a place for research but also for reflection and strategic preparation.
Kirito watched the girls as they explored the place with curiosity.
However, his gaze soon turned to Lyrielle.
His tone remained calm at first, but when he began to respond, his voice took on a more nostalgic tone.
—"Regarding your previous question, Lyrielle… about who created this place…"
Lyrielle, upon hearing her name, turned her head and immediately paid attention.
But then she noticed the change in Kirito's voice. Something in his tone carried a different weight, something that Vaelinne also perceived instantly.
As he continued, his words echoed with the pain of a memory that still hurt.
—"I did not have the privilege of building it. The origin of this Hidden Library… comes from a girl who is no longer here."
The girls noticed the subtle pain in his blue eyes as he spoke those words.
The conclusion was clear: that person had died.
Kirito exhaled calmly before revealing her name.
—"Her name was Cardinal… and she created this space out of necessity. The need to preserve knowledge, to protect the truth… but also to save her own life."
His gaze swept the place, recalling the original purpose of this refuge.
Cardinal had not only built the Library as a knowledge archive but as a sanctuary to protect herself from Quinella, the tyrannical ruler who had declared her a threat.
Kirito raised his free hand and pointed to the space around him.
A hidden refuge within Underworld… a last bastion of resistance for someone who only wished to preserve the truth.
It was then that Lyrielle, tactfully, asked the next question.
—"How did she die?"
She knew that the answer could be painful for Kirito, so her tone remained respectful.
Kirito lowered his gaze slightly before answering.
—"In summary… saving me, Eugeo, and Alice from Quinella."
**Tsk… Wrmp…**
As he spoke, his hand clenched tightly over his chest, crumpling the fabric of his clothing.
The weight of that memory became palpable, but he continued speaking.
—"She died in my arms… and despite everything, that silly girl was happy until the end, just because of a hug I gave her."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle watched as he struggled against the urge to shed tears over that memory.
They knew some things about the Cathedral's past and the fall of the former ruler.
A woman who valued only power and her own life, who saw everyone else as tools for her ambitions.
—"Was that when you faced Quinella and defeated her?"
Vaelinne wanted to confirm if he was referring to that exact point in history.
But Kirito shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment.
—"No, just no… the me of that moment did not have the power I have now."
Then he opened his eyes and looked directly at them, conveying absolute sincerity in his expression.
His eyes reflected the lights of the place as he processed those memories that reopened significant wounds.
With firm certainty, he added:
—"Without the help of others, I would have never defeated Quinella."
The words resonated with unbreakable conviction.
This was not just a memory. It was a truth he carried with him since then.
—"Without Eugeo, Alice, Cardinal… and Charlotte, I would have never won a battle like that."
Lyrielle slightly furrowed her brow upon hearing that unexpected name.
Her tone reflected uncertainty as she asked the question.
—"Charlotte? I have no information about her."
Kirito fell silent for a moment.
The name Charlotte echoed in his mind with a clarity that the passage of time never managed to erase.
**Clench... Clench...**
His fingers curled into a fist.
Not only from the pain of the memory but from the deep respect and gratitude he felt towards that tiny guardian.
He exhaled with control, keeping his voice steady before speaking.
He did not rush his words. He wanted to summarize her story as best as possible… because she deserved it.
—"Charlotte was…"
His voice paused briefly, as if he were searching for her in his memories.
It was not just a memory. It was a tribute.
—"She was a spider… but not an ordinary one. She was created by Cardinal to watch over us while we traveled to the Central Cathedral."
Vaelinne raised an eyebrow, surprised by the revelation.
The idea of a spider following Kirito and Eugeo seemed, at the very least, curious to her.
—"A spider? Are you telling us that an insect helped you in the battle against Quinella?"
Kirito let out a slight smile at the incredulity in her tone.
But in his eyes, there was no mockery. Only absolute respect.
—"She was not a mere insect. Charlotte silently watched over us… she was always there, hidden, without us knowing."
Lyrielle narrowed her eyes, analyzing the information as she always did.
Her posture remained firm, with her hands still resting on her hips.
—"If Cardinal created her, then she must have been more than just an observing familiar. What else did she do?"
Kirito took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the memory.
—"She protected us and helped… until the end."
The girls noticed the change in his tone.
It was no longer just a story. It was the acknowledgment of someone who, though small, left an indelible mark on his history.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle did not look away as Kirito spoke.
They had heard about Quinella's monstrous creation, but never imagined that the little spider confronted her.
Kirito continued, his voice deep but firm.
—"She grew until she reached her limit… and then beyond. She became large enough to stop the Golem's attack… even if only for an instant."
The silence among the three grew heavier.
Kirito squinted his eyes for a moment, reliving the scene in his memory.
—"Charlotte held on… but the Golem was too powerful."
The images resurfaced with painful clarity.
Charlotte's legs, shattered one by one. Her body, torn apart by the swords that made up the Golem.
And still, she kept fighting.
Even when hope was gone, she tried to bite the Golem's Piety Module, seeking its only weakness.
But she didn't succeed.
The Golem's swords pierced her completely, and her light finally went out.
Kirito closed his eyes for a moment.
He exhaled calmly, but the emptiness remained in his chest.
—"She died fulfilling more than her purpose of simply watching over us… she saved us."
The girls remained silent, still processing everything.
They couldn't see Charlotte, but they could imagine the bravery she demonstrated in her final moments.
Kirito took a deep breath before continuing.
—"She held on long enough for Cardinal to arrive… but, just like her creator, she ended up dying."
His voice, though serene, carried the weight of a farewell he never stopped feeling.
His hand remained clenched in an involuntary fist.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle said nothing, but they knew where his story was heading.
They knew what had happened to Eugeo.
**Grk… Grk…**
Kirito gritted his teeth, his gaze hardening as he recalled that day.
His friend's sacrifice was more than an act of bravery… it was the ultimate test of his determination.
—"Eugeo became a sword using the Sacred Art. He fused his body and soul with Alice's memory fragment and, with a single blow, destroyed the Golem."
The weight of his words fell upon the atmosphere.
Kirito felt how emotion mixed with the gravity of that memory.
However, Eugeo did not stop there.
He believed that with that same strength, he could defeat Quinella… but the price was too high.
—"..."
—"..."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle looked at him in complete silence.
The tension in the air was palpable.
—"His attack wounded her… ripped off an arm. It was the first real blow that that ruler received for underestimating Eugeo for just a moment."
But victory did not come without consequences.
Quinella reacted. She unleashed her own power, a brutal collision that shattered Eugeo's sword... and with it, his body.
The impact was devastating.
Eugeo fell to the ground, his form already broken, his blood staining the battlefield.
Kirito closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued.
—"In the end, their strength gave me what I needed to invoke my incarnation and finish her off… with the Night Sky Sword and the Red Rose Sword, which contained her last will."
As he raised his gaze, his expression reflected absolute determination.
This was not just a conclusion; it was an indelible reminder.
Kirito lifted his gaze and looked at the girls firmly.
—"So no, it wasn't just me who defeated Quinella. It was the strength of everyone... and their sacrifices, which I will never forget in this life."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle exchanged glances before responding with respect.
—"We're sorry for making you remember…"
—"Yes… it was more than we imagined."
Both offered their condolences, seeing how a simple question had led Kirito to relive a part of his past that, although accepted, was still painful.
However, Kirito shook his head and spoke calmly.
—"It's fine. It's something that marked my history… that changed my perception of life and showed me the true importance of knowledge…"
Vaelinne caught something in his words, a nuance that hinted at something deeper.
—"What do you mean?"
Kirito exhaled slowly, his gaze still fixed on the space before him.
—"I mean that knowledge is more valuable than people think… and it has limitless power."
However, instead of delving deeper into the topic, he chose to dispel the melancholic atmosphere with a slight smile.
Then, he lifted the change of clothes he was holding in his hand and looked at Vaelinne with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
—"But now that I remember, Vaelinne… didn't you say you needed a bath? Well, you'll have to wait like a good girl until I answer your question, just like Lyrielle's."
Vaelinne reacted immediately.
—"Ah, that's right… but I can wait— Hey, Kirito! Where are you going?"
She tried to find an excuse to get the answer she desired now, but just at that moment, she and Lyrielle saw Kirito turning his back to them and beginning to walk through the spacious area.
His tone had a hint of satisfaction as he spoke.
—"I already told you, I'm going to take a bath and get rid of this dirty clothes that bothers you so much."
He didn't turn to look at them, but his voice betrayed his intentions.
Lyrielle couldn't help but sigh. She saw it coming.
Both followed him closely, while Vaelinne insisted with evident frustration.
—"Why are you like this with me? You gave Lyrielle an answer right away… but with me, you say I have to wait until you bathe."
Although she was annoyed, Vaelinne understood that Kirito was doing it to lighten the atmosphere.
Despite the small provocation, deep down she knew it was his way of changing the depressed mood.
**Thmp... Thmp...**
Kirito did not respond. He just continued walking steadily until he stopped in front of a door a little over two meters tall.
It was neither monumental nor imposing, but its presence within the Hidden Library held a special weight.
A discreet barrier, whose purpose only he understood.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle watched it with curiosity, but did not ask immediately.
Kirito exhaled calmly.
—"Haaah…"
Without turning to the girls, he allowed himself a moment of pause before continuing.
It was a special place… a place he had shared with Asuna for over a hundred years.
—"Is this door a room?"
Vaelinne asked softly, slightly breaking the silence.
—"I don't think so… it's more."
Lyrielle replied with a shake of her head, watching how Kirito ran his free hand over the surface of the door. Something in his gesture indicated that it was more than just a simple entrance.
—"That's right, Lyrielle. But it's better if you see it with your own eyes."
Kirito nodded gently and, after saying that, pushed the door with some force.
**Creak... Shhhff...**
The sound of the door resonated among the three, its prolonged creaking revealing how long it had been closed.
Kirito went in first, followed by Vaelinne and Lyrielle, who, upon seeing the change in his expression, understood better why he had been so thoughtful before entering.
As they crossed the threshold, the atmosphere transformed immediately.
They were no longer surrounded by endless shelves filled with books, nor by the imposing architecture of the Hidden Library.
Instead, they found a space with a different essence.
It was more intimate, more structured… a place designed for living.
Kirito observed their reactions before speaking.
—"Welcome… to my second home."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle scanned the place with their eyes, analyzing every detail with curiosity.
It was simple but functional. A site that, although hidden within the Library, had everything necessary for daily life.
The first area they entered was a well-organized room.
A wooden table with chairs, a resting area with a couple of comfortable armchairs, and objects carefully arranged.
There were no unnecessary luxuries, but there was a sense of warmth they hadn't expected to find in such a space.
It was an authentic refuge, a place where Kirito and Asuna had shared over a hundred years together.
Vaelinne finally spoke, her tone reflecting the disbelief that the place generated in her.
—"How is it possible that you have a place here? I thought that time inside the Library was limited, since you would have to return to your duties as rulers."
Lyrielle, equally intrigued, looked at Kirito for answers.
She knew that access to the Hidden Library was not easy, much less establishing a stay within it.
Kirito leaned slightly against the table before responding.
—"There is a great advantage in this space… the Hidden Library allows you to manipulate time. Here, if one wishes, time moves slower."
The girls reacted instantly.
—"!..."
—"!..."
The silence that followed was charged with surprise, processing the revelation.
Kirito continued, with the relaxed tone of someone who had already grown accustomed to this advantage.
—"This place allowed Asuna and me to have privacy and more time together to research and study."
Lyrielle frowned slightly, analyzing what that meant.
Vaelinne, on the other hand, reacted with more enthusiasm.
—"Does that mean this space doesn't follow the same time rules as the rest of the Underworld?"
Kirito smiled slightly.
—"Exactly. But that's something I'll explain to you calmly later…"
He straightened up and took the change of clothes he was still holding in his hand.
Vaelinne sensed that something was coming.
And she confirmed it when Kirito turned his face slightly toward her with a playful expression.
—"For now, I'm going to take a bath. You can explore the place at your leisure."
With those last words, Kirito turned and headed to the bathroom.
**Thmp… Thmp…**
The girls remained silent for a moment before reacting.
Vaelinne raised her hand slightly, intending to stop him, but ended up lowering it in resignation.
She knew Kirito wouldn't yield now.
With a slight grimace of annoyance, she murmured quietly.
—"You're vengeful…"
However, Lyrielle, who was close enough to hear her, quickly responded with the obviousness of the situation.
—"You brought it upon yourself, Vaelinne."
—"Tch…"
Vaelinne clicked her tongue but did not retort.
Both watched as Kirito disappeared from their sight, turning a corner of the place toward the bathroom.
(*****)
Vaelinne and Lyrielle were sitting in the dining room, their eyes wandering around the place as they absorbed everything they had seen.
Around them hung beautiful paintings painstakingly crafted, representations of moments they assumed were linked to Kirito's life.
They had seen other similar pieces while exploring the home, each with a meaning they still did not know.
The home that Kirito shared with Asuna had intrigued them, more welcoming than they had expected within the Hidden Library.
About fifteen minutes had passed since Kirito had left, but their attention remained fixed on an object visible from where they were, located in the center of the house.
On top of a column a little over a meter high rested a computer designed like a silver laptop, with irregular lines that gave it a certain air of mystery.
It seemed to be somehow attached to the column, as if it had been integrated into the structure of the place.
They hadn't touched it out of respect for Kirito, but the curiosity was there, latent. They wanted to know what it was for and what its purpose was.
Within this world, that artifact felt strange, something out of place compared to the architecture of the rest of the space.
They had a few hypotheses: perhaps it was used for research, or maybe it stored crucial information.
**Thmp... Thmp...**
But before they could share their ideas about the device, the sound of soft footsteps interrupted their thoughts.
Kirito appeared, his hair still a bit damp from the recent bath, reflecting the satisfaction of being clean at last.
He wore comfortable clothes: a gray long-sleeve shirt and flexible black pants.
In his right hand, he held a large tray with sweets: cakes, hot tea, and waffles drenched in honey, each carefully placed on its respective plate, accompanied by the necessary utensils to enjoy them.
**Thmp... Thmp...**
Unhurried, he walked to the table and sat down with a calm expression, without saying a word.
The girls watched him closely, but not just because of his presence.
There was a detail they could not ignore.
When they explored the kitchen, they found utensils and tools perfectly organized, but not a single ingredient or provisions.
Yet there was the food.
**Thmp… Clnk…**
Kirito placed the tray on the table and looked at them with interest.
—"So, what did you think of the place?"
Vaelinne and Lyrielle diverted their gaze from the tray of pastries, but before responding, their eyes fixed on the laptop on the column in the center of the house.
For a moment, their attention focused on that mysterious device, wondering about its purpose.
Kirito noticed the diversion of their gazes.
(—"So you want to know the truth about that…")
He thought upon seeing their interest in the computer, but decided it wasn't the right time to address that topic yet. First, he wanted to steer the conversation toward other matters.
"It's a very nice place."
Lyrielle was the first to respond, recovering from her initial distraction.
Vaelinne nodded slightly, her fingers grazing the edge of the table.
However, her curiosity soon focused on another point.
Her eyes could not help but drift toward the tray of food in front of them.
—"Yes… although there's something I don't understand."
Kirito tilted his head with slight interest.
He could already imagine what the question would be.
—"What is it?"
Lyrielle, always meticulous, crossed her arms and fixed her gaze on the tray.
Her tone was measured, logical, without unnecessary roundabout phrases.
—"When Vaelinne and I explored the kitchen, there was absolutely no food. No ingredients, no provisions. So... where did you get this?"
Vaelinne frowned, pointing at the food with a finger, still remembering the empty kitchen.
Although she also shared Lyrielle's doubt, her reaction was more direct.
—"I agree with her... Kirito, didn't you say you needed our help because of the lack of provisions? So how do you suddenly have food?"
Lyrielle held her gaze on Kirito, waiting for a logical answer.
Her questions were not accusatory, but they certainly sought a convincing explanation.
Kirito smiled slightly, a mischievous glint shining in his eyes.
—"..."
But he did not respond immediately.
**Clnk... Tck... Shff...**
Kirito slid the plates with pieces of cake and tea toward them, keeping the honey-covered waffles and his own cup of tea.
Calmly, he spoke to them:
—"After you try these delicious desserts, I will tell you the truth. Is that okay?"
Vaelinne and Lyrielle did not respond immediately, but they also did not take their eyes off the desserts, which undoubtedly looked appetizing.
Still, they made no move to accept them, too cautious about what that offer might mean.
Vaelinne, more distrustful, frowned.
Lyrielle, more reserved, maintained her analytical stance, albeit tactfully.
Finally, the first to speak was Vaelinne, shaking her head before firmly stating her response.
—"We don't know where this came from…"
Lyrielle, with a calm but firm tone, added precisely:
—"Before we try them, you first have to tell us where you got them or how you made them."
Both were expecting an explanation before even considering accepting them.
Kirito tilted his head slightly, pretending to be slightly disappointed.
His voice had a playful tone when he replied:
—"What a shame… because I'm sure these are some of the best sweets you'll ever taste in your lives."
Without saying anything more, he took his cup of tea and brought the honey waffles in front of him, without the slightest hesitation.
The disappointment from their rejection quickly faded, replaced by an absolute calmness.
The girls watched him expectantly, yet still did not touch their plates.
**Mff… Hmp…**
Kirito did not hesitate to take a bite of his waffle.
The change in his expression was immediate and genuine: pure satisfaction from someone who had gone too long without tasting something like that.
His face conveyed the pleasure of savoring food after so many days.
He exhaled with satisfaction and closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the sweetness of the honey combined with the softness of the waffle.
—"After several days without tasting food in the Underworld… this is exactly what I needed."
His words were sincere, reflecting a real hunger and a genuine appreciation for the taste of food.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle exchanged glances.
Just a moment ago, they were sure they wouldn't touch anything.
But Kirito was eating naturally, without the slightest concern, demonstrating firsthand that there was nothing strange about the desserts.
There was no trace of deceit in his reaction… just the genuine pleasure of enjoying the taste of food.
**Gulp…**
Vaelinne swallowed hard, her determination wavering in the face of temptation. Finally, she was the first to give in, and with some frustration for not being able to resist, she sighed before saying:
—"Aaah, what the heck… fine, you win, Kirito."
She quickly took the plate. It was a chocolate cake with a cherry on top, one of her favorite flavors.
Kirito, no longer with his mischievous smile but with a thoughtful expression, gave her a slight nod.
—"Go ahead, eat and enjoy it."
Vaelinne still had her reservations.
But she had already made a decision.
She brought the smallest piece to her lips, tasting it cautiously.
**Mff…**
Then, her red eyes widened slightly.
She couldn't help but take another bite of the cake.
**Mff… Hmp…**
This time, it was a bigger one.
The flavor enveloped her completely.
—"It's delicious!…"
Her words were a bit louder than expected, propelled by the intense flavor.
Kirito had not lied.
Vaelinne immediately turned to Lyrielle, excitement reflected on her face.
—"Lyrielle, you have to try it!"
Lyrielle looked at her with some suspicion, but after a moment of reflection, she gracefully relented.
—"Fine…"
She calmly took the plate. Her cake was vanilla with a strawberry on top, another of her favorites. None of this was coincidence; Kirito knew both of their tastes.
**Mff…**
Delicately, she cut a small piece with her fork and tasted it.
Her reaction was more subtle than Vaelinne's, but no less genuine.
The flavor surprised her.
—"It's true... It's delicious..."
Her voice came out as a whisper, loud enough for the other two at the table to hear.
—"Right!?"
Vaelinne exclaimed with joy, to which Lyrielle nodded.
The two began to eat with total confidence and happiness.
While they both focused on the sweets, without realizing it… Kirito's smile had returned.
(—"In the end, both gave in…")
Kirito thought as he let his smile fade subtly, preventing them from suspecting more upon seeing it again.
With that, he returned to concentrating on his food until he finished it.
In the end, all three had left their plates completely empty.
**Sllrp… Ahh…**
**Sssip… Haa…**
**Slrrp… Mmm…**
Each savored their cup of tea in their own way, but enjoyed it equally.
**Clnk… Sllrp…**
Lyrielle placed her cup back on the table and silently looked first at Kirito and then at Vaelinne.
**Clnk… Sllrp…**
—"They were really delicious… it's a shame they ended so quickly."
Vaelinne was still savoring the aftertaste of the cakes when she felt a light touch on her ribs.
**Tck… Shff…**
—"Ummm?"
She turned slightly and found Lyrielle's gaze, who was making sure Kirito did not see the gesture.
In that silent exchange, the message was clear.
Lyrielle reminded her not to forget the question about the origin of the food.
Vaelinne nodded without saying anything, making it clear that she understood.
She turned her gaze back to Kirito, who had already finished his tea and was watching her with a smile.
Seeing his relaxed expression, imagining the answer she would receive, made it hard for her to continue.
**Tck… Shff…**
But then she received another light tap from Lyrielle, encouraging her not to back down.
Vaelinne took a deep breath before finally asking the question.
—"We have fulfilled our part of the deal… so tell us, where did you get these desserts and the tea?"
"I think that's fair, a deal is a deal. How about I give you the answer while we have a bit more tea?"
Kirito said with a smile, not waiting for their responses as he extended his hand in one direction and calmly said a command.
(System Call! Material Request
From one of the shelves of his small personal library, a small book with the symbol of swords on the cover began to glow softly before floating and moving toward him, stopping gently a few centimeters from the table.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle watched it with curiosity, wondering what he was planning.
(—"This is another copy I made, so it doesn't matter...")
Kirito thought before extending a hand toward the book and, without changing his calm expression, executed another command.
(System Call! Object Convert
**Thmp… Whoosh…**
The book that was a copy lit up with a soft energy before its structure began to change in the air.
The pages disappeared, the spine deformed until it became a new teapot with tea, as if freshly brewed.
**Whoosh…Clnk… Sllrp…**
The aroma spread through the air, but the girls couldn't help but think of something unsettling as Kirito poured tea into his empty cup.
If that book had transformed into a teapot with tea, could it be that the desserts they had just eaten were also...?
Vaelinne pressed her hands against her chest with some unease.
Lyrielle, more analytical, frowned and looked at the empty plate in front of her. She didn't know what to think of the absurdity of it all, but she also found herself regretting having tried it.
—"Kirito… you're not saying that the food and tea we just ate... were books, right?"
Kirito smiled with amusement, enjoying their incredulous expressions.
His laughter was soft, enough to confirm that he understood what they were thinking.
Seeing them so uneasy, he decided to clarify the situation before things got worse.
—"No, don't worry. You didn't eat books. What I did was apply a conversion system by equivalence. I exchanged the value of an object for food, just like when Cardinal helped Eugeo and me the first time to recover."
Vaelinne exhaled with relief, her tension dissipating.
—"Haaah... That's good..."
Lyrielle did the same, although her expression immediately changed.
—"..."
Both looked at him with annoyed expressions for the scare.
Kirito laughed a little more before adding, in a light yet thoughtful tone:
—"Of course, I would never use the original books from the Hidden Library. That would be an unforgivable waste. Converting knowledge into food is something I only do with small, unimportant copies that I made because I know that the true power lies in preserved information. If corrupt nobles were to get their hands on this ability and started to destroy knowledge, the Underworld would lose something it could never recover."
Kirito only laughed even more as he saw them still sulking, even after giving them his explanation.
However, inside, he understood another reason why he still needed their help to obtain provisions. A reason (or desire) he did not express in words, but that resonated deeply in his mind.
(—"It's terrible to be alone...")
It was her deepest sincerity. Sharing this time with them, moments like this made her feel truly happy.
—"Hahaha, it's okay, it's okay... It was a little joke."
"It was something I saw coming."
—"Come on, admit it was entertaining to see you worry about nothing."
Vaelinne crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, while Lyrielle looked at him with a mix of irritation and resignation.
In the end, both let out a short laugh, although they still held some resentment for having put them through that moment.
Kirito understood their feelings and, remembering that in the past he had made the same joke to Asuna, regained his composure before resuming the topic.
Calmly, he looked at Vaelinne and spoke:
—"This is also a good lead-in to your question, Vaelinne... Why can the knowledge contained in books be so valuable? Don't you think?"
Despite their lingering annoyance, Vaelinne and Lyrielle couldn't help but listen attentively. Vaelinne nodded, though not wanting to give in too much.
Kirito, not paying attention to her attitude, continued:
—"I also told you that knowledge has unlimited power, and I learned that from my own experiences."
He extended his hand, leaving it open with the palm facing up, as he continued speaking:
—"Vaelinne, Lyrielle, if I had the power to grant you anything to make you stronger, what would you ask for?"
Vaelinne pondered for a moment before responding, curious about where Kirito wanted to lead this conversation.
—"To have the most powerful and fastest mechadragon in Underworld. One that no one else could handle like I do. Also, one that is at least 100 years ahead of its time and that there is no weapon capable of bringing it down. With it, I would be invincible."
Lyrielle couldn't help but nod upon hearing Vaelinne's wish. It fit perfectly with her personality.
—"Not bad, that's a pretty good wish."
Kirito commented approvingly.
Vaelinne smiled with pride and puffed out her chest, satisfied with her answer.
Kirito turned his gaze to Lyrielle and asked with interest:
—"And you, Lyrielle? What power would you want?"
Lyrielle lowered her face, lost in thought before responding.
—"I know it seems crazy, but... to control time. That way I could avoid the pain of my allies before it happens, I would know more than my enemy and be prepared to defeat them."
Vaelinne was surprised to hear her.
—"I didn't expect that from you, Lyrielle. I thought you would say something more logical, in line with your way of thinking."
Lyrielle's wish seemed a bit childish to her, but she calmly justified herself.
—"I know, but Kirito said that knowledge has unlimited power, and if that's true, knowing about the future and being able to change it is powerful knowledge..."
Vaelinne understood her reasoning.
It was true that Kirito had mentioned the power of knowledge, and it wasn't a crazy idea either. In this world, there were abilities that could slightly alter time, moreover, Kirito had told them that the flow of time within the Hidden Library could be manipulated.
Kirito nodded seriously.
—"It's an impressive power, I can't deny it."
After a brief pause, he let out a slight smile.
—"Thank you for sharing your wishes. They seem impossible to achieve... but they are not."
Kirito left a brief silence before continuing, observing how the girls were now completely focused on his words.
—"However, do you know what the basis of the power of every being is?"
Without waiting for a response, Kirito proceeded with absolute seriousness.
—"It is knowledge..."
Vaelinne frowned, incredulous.
—"How can you say that simple knowledge...?"
—"Is power?"
Kirito interrupted Vaelinne's incredulity before she could continue questioning him. Lyrielle, on the other hand, remained silent, wishing to understand the reason behind his words.
—"I understand you, Vaelinne. I used to believe the same. But with loss, I learned that knowing something makes you stronger."
Kirito raised both hands and pointed at the two girls, fixing his gaze on the weapons resting at their hips.
—"Your swords and firearms were made by someone, right? It's logical."
Both nodded. It was no mystery to anyone.
—"Now, what would happen if someone who has no knowledge of blacksmithing or weapon making tried to make them? Could they accomplish it?"
Kirito paused before answering himself.
—"Of course not... They don't have the knowledge."
—"..."
—"..."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle fell silent, processing the weight of his words.
Kirito continued with his explanation, his voice firm and methodical.
—"And what about the mechadragons that fly in space? Would they exist without knowledge?"
He paused again, allowing the idea to settle.
—"No. Without that knowledge, they would never have been created. In turn, you wouldn't be able to fly, and that tremendous power of the realm would be just a fleeting dream."
—"..."
—"..."
Both girls tensed slightly. Their eyes widened a little, starting to see more clearly.
Every word Kirito spoke seemed to lift a veil from their eyes.
Kirito pointed directly at them with his index fingers.
—"Now, as for you two... what would happen if someone completely erased your memories? If you lost all your knowledge about swords, firearms, handling mechadragons..."
His gaze hardened.
—"Could you survive in a brutal battle against an enemy whose knowledge remains intact?"
Vaelinne swallowed. Lyrielle could barely hold his gaze.
—"No, we couldn't..."
—"We would die..."
Both knew it was a simple assumption... but still, it revealed a truth that many overlooked.
The air became denser.
—"You understand... the human being is not as strong as a dragon or a golem. Without our weapons or skills, those we have practiced for years, we would only be easy prey for everyone."
Kirito had a serious expression, making it clear he wasn't joking and that this shouldn't be taken lightly.
—"This is not simply the saying 'the pen is mightier than the sword.' No... this is something deeper: knowledge transforms into power."
He pointed to himself with his hand before adding:
—"If Cardinal hadn't told us the truth, if she hadn't revealed to us what we would face on our journey and on floor 100... we would have failed. We would have died in a blind attempt, without understanding the real situation."
—"..."
—"..."
The two could imagine that terrible scenario, and the idea scared them. Dying simply due to lack of knowledge... a mistake that could have been avoided.
—"If Eugeo and I had acted with more knowledge and patience before facing Quinella..."
**Crk... Crk... Thmp...**
Kirito clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. A knot formed in his throat, trapping his next word.
—"I am sure... that Eugeo would not have died. Cardinal and Charlotte..."
His voice broke.
For a moment, he couldn't continue.
**Drip... Drip...**
**Shff...**
The tears he tried to hold back fell unbidden, silent but relentless.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle looked at him with sorrow.
—"It's okay, Kirito..."
—"You don't have to blame yourself for their deaths."
It pained them to see him like this. They wanted him to stop his suffering. But Kirito shook his head.
—"No... My stupid belief that, with swords and our unique skills, we could come out unscathed, led us to this outcome..."
His voice became firmer.
—"An outcome that, too late, I understood could have been avoided with..."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle, still shocked, murmured at the same time:
—"Knowledge..."
—"Knowledge..."
They both said it with absolute certainty.
An undeniable truth had been revealed: the root of power was not in strength, nor in skill... but in knowledge.
—"No matter your fighting style, whether it's barehanded, with weapons, or machines, you need knowledge. The years you dedicate to learning powerful skills to defeat your enemies and understand their weaknesses are knowledge... It doesn't matter if you're not particularly intelligent, your body absorbs that knowledge and transforms it into instinct and battle reflexes. When the moment to act arrives, you don't need to think, you just react."
Kirito had much to say, and although it was a summary, he was exposing a universal truth. Not wanting to stop, he continued.
—"You can be the weakest person in your world, but if you manage to create the ultimate weapon and know how to control it, then, just by possessing it, you would become the strongest person. But it wouldn't be strength that takes you to the top... it would be the knowledge that allowed you to create it."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle, almost involuntarily, touched the weapons at their hips. In that moment, they understood that their power also came from the knowledge of those who had forged them.
—"Now, if a being combined the power of their abilities with the most powerful weapons in the world, thanks to their learning and mastery of knowledge, they would become someone that their enemies would think twice before facing..."
As Kirito spoke, his words emanated from the depths of his heart.
**DOON**.
At that moment of inspiration, a faint undetectable pulse vibrated in the star. A subtle reflection that his thought was in perfect sync with an absolute truth.
But Kirito, at that moment, did not perceive it.
—"Now you understand, Vaelinne, Lyrielle... How would you make your wishes come true?"
—"Yes..."
—"I understand."
They didn't say much. They were still processing a truth that had always been within their reach, but that they had never fully acknowledged. Kirito, in just a few minutes, had shown it to them clearly.
Vaelinne understood that if she truly desired the most advanced mechadragon and absolute mastery of flight, she only needed to know how to do it. With the right knowledge, she could make it a reality... but it wouldn't be easy. Knowledge isn't obtained without effort.
Lyrielle also understood that if she could acquire the right knowledge, her dream of controlling time could become reality. But she also recognized that reaching that level of understanding would require years of research, learning, and testing. It wasn't something that could be achieved immediately... However, the mere fact of knowing it was possible gave her a sense of fulfillment.
The air in the room had changed. A new understanding had been born in them.
—"That's why the knowledge of this Hidden Library cannot fall into the hands of corrupt nobles. They would cause more harm than good with it."
Kirito brought his hands together and then slowly separated them as he spoke, emphasizing his words.
—"The more knowledge an individual possesses, the more powerful they will be. And that power can be used for good or for evil, to attack or defend, to kill or save lives... It all depends on their heart."
**DOON**.
A new pulse from that undetectable star vibrated in his soul, as if it were absorbing that truth he had just pronounced. As if it were water he needed to drink.
—"I hope that, although the answer was long, it has satisfied you."
**Shff… Shff…**
**Clnk… Sllrp… Mmm…**
Kirito wiped his face from the previous tears and took his tea, refreshing his dry throat from the explanation.
Vaelinne and Lyrielle looked at each other, as if they had rehearsed it. Then, both stood up from their chairs, ready to bow in gratitude.
But before they could, Kirito spoke seriously.
—"If you truly consider me your friend, don't dare bow to me."
The two stopped in their tracks.
—"But you shared something so valuable with us..."
—"And you had to suffer to learn it..."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle still wanted to insist, but when they saw Kirito's sapphire blue eyes, they understood he was not joking. In silence, they sat back down in their chairs.
—"We are like family. Telling you this is the most natural thing for me. If it weren't, I would simply keep it in my mind..."
The two girls looked at him with a slight feeling of frustration. However, their hearts were filled with gratitude.
—"Still… thank you."
—"Thank you very much."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle uttered their words with mixed emotions for not being able to bow. Kirito simply shook his head with a slight smile and then pointed to the teapot with still hot tea.
—"You're welcome. But if you really want to thank me, then take a cup of tea. That way I will see your sincerity."
—"..."
—"..."
The two remained silent… but instantly smiled.
That was Kirito's way of being. And, with that gesture, he made them understand that they were no longer upset with him for the dessert joke.
Without hesitation, both extended their empty cups and, almost simultaneously, said:
—"Alright, I accept, Kirito."
—"Please, Kirito."
**Clnk… Whoosh… Sllrp…**
**Clnk… Whoosh… Sllrp…**
**Clnk… Whoosh… Sllrp…**
Kirito took the teapot and calmly served them. Then, he took the opportunity to fill his own cup.
—"It's delicious."
Vaelinne commented sincerely. Lyrielle said nothing but nodded in agreement as she drank elegantly.
—"..."
Vaelinne and Lyrielle drank their tea in silence. But, although the atmosphere was calm, their hearts still beat strongly.
The truth that Kirito had revealed hung in the air. Like an invisible shadow they could not ignore.
Kirito observed the contents of his cup, and for a moment, his gaze became distant. As if he recalled something he was not yet ready to share.
And then, he smiled. But this time, the smile did not have the same shine as before.
But the moment was broken when Vaelinne, lowering her teacup, spoke cautiously.
—"I understand that you plan to use the Hidden Library and its knowledge for your own benefit… and thus return to your world, right?"
Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of unease in her words.
—"So, can we ask how you will do it? What is your plan to achieve it?"
Lyrielle followed the same line, with an analytical look. She knew that Kirito's escape was a huge problem and, from her perspective, almost impossible to carry out.
Kirito's smile faded. He lowered his head, aware that what he was about to reveal would not be easy to hear.
But they needed to know.
He took a deep breath, lifted his face, and looked at them seriously, his sharp blue eyes reflecting unwavering determination.
—"No matter what… for my plan to succeed, there is only one way out. One that cannot be avoided, no matter what happens."
He paused.
The silence that fell over the room was oppressive.
Vaelinne, feeling the growing tension, couldn't help but murmur.
—"And that is…?"
Kirito closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his resolution was absolute.
—"I have to die..."
The air seemed to freeze.
Vaelinne felt a chill run down her back, as if the temperature had dropped abruptly. Her throat closed up, unable to utter a word.
Lyrielle, normally logical and analytical, felt a void in her chest, her breath hitching uncontrollably. She couldn't find words.
The silence was oppressive. Almost unbearable.
The truth had been spoken.