By this time, Kaede had already arrived at the headquarters of the Knights of the Blood Oath, and Kuradeel had been sent to prison. Because they discovered the Laughing Coffin tattoo on Kuradeel's hand during inspection, they concluded that Kuradeel was definitely a spy sent by Laughing Coffin—a spy who wanted to kill the high-ranking members of the Knights of the Blood Oath—but he had been discovered and dealt with by Kaede.
As for how Kuradeel could be sent to prison while still having a green status, that was obviously thanks to Heathcliff.
However, recalling the fierce look in Kuradeel's eyes and his twisted face before he was taken away—as if he were cursing her to die quickly—made Kaede feel unhappy.
"By the way, you must have known Kuradeel's identity, right? Why did you arrange for him to be our guard?" Kaede stared at Heathcliff with some dissatisfaction; this guy was definitely doing it on purpose.
"Hmm." Heathcliff nodded. "I discovered it long ago, and I didn't want such a person in our guild, but I couldn't point it out directly. Therefore, I figured that you, with your cheat-level observational skills, would definitely be able to discover it, so I left it to you."
"..." Kaede was silent for a moment. Had she been used as free labor? She couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. "Don't you want to compensate me for something?"
"The benefit? Didn't I already give it to you?" Suddenly, Heathcliff smiled.
"Uh!" Kaede froze, then thought of that big fish with SS-grade ingredients. Recalling that taste, she looked at Heathcliff with eyes shining, suddenly realizing that the person in front of her was the creator of the game and must definitely know about many SS-grade ingredients!! "That doesn't count, give me a few more!!"
"Impossible." Heathcliff refused directly. "And if it weren't for the fact that Kuradeel hadn't actually joined Laughing Coffin, but just identified with them so much that he tattooed the mark on his hand, I wouldn't have needed to find you."
"Tch, stingy!" Kaede was a bit dissatisfied.
"By the way, how is Yui?" Heathcliff asked suddenly.
"Yui is doing well." Kaede answered subconsciously, then suddenly turned around to look at Heathcliff, eyes wide. "You know Yui?"
"Ah, of course I know. To be honest, I was very surprised when I saw Yui by your side at that time!" A gentle look appeared in Heathcliff's eyes. "Who would have thought that a program I designed in the past, which could be said to have been abandoned, could break through the limitations of the program and possess real emotions? Although the emotions are still based on imitation, it is already enough."
"Is this... Yui's true identity?" Kaede's eyes widened as well. Over the past few days, she and Asuna had been wondering why Yui was so special as an NPC; so that was it.
However, looking at the gentleness in the depths of Heathcliff's eyes, as if he were looking at a daughter, Kaede couldn't help but feel very unhappy. "Yui is my daughter!"
"Hmm, she is your daughter." Heathcliff froze for a moment, then said with a smile.
"Tch!" Looking at Heathcliff's smile, Kaede expressed her dissatisfaction.
"This world is really magical." Suddenly Heathcliff said.
"Hmm?" Kaede froze, then looked at Heathcliff with a strange expression.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Didn't you create this world yourself? Are you praising yourself by saying this world is magical?"
"Hmm, maybe a little." Heathcliff nodded, actually admitting it.
"But the main thing is that this world has shown me wonders. The program I created actually possessed emotions, and the figures you saw at that time, I didn't see anything on the screen. So, this world is truly interesting and magical." As he spoke, a sigh of admiration appeared on Heathcliff's face. "This... is the world I wanted to create!"
"You've been spying on us the whole time!" Kaede didn't hear anything else of Heathcliff's grand words, just that one point.
"Ahem!" No matter how serious Heathcliff usually was, he couldn't help but use a cough to hide his guilty conscience at this moment; it seemed Kaede had hit the nail on the head.
"Well, if there's nothing else, you can go out now." Heathcliff was shooing her away.
Kaede looked at Heathcliff, her eyes filled with intrigue, and then walked out of the headquarters.
Just as she walked out of the headquarters, Kaede received a message along with an item. The sender was Heathcliff, and the message read: A gift for Yui.
Tch, couldn't you have just given it to me in person? Why make it so complicated.
Kaede looked at the crystal in her hand, then placed it into her inventory. From Heathcliff's eyes, she could see that he looked at Yui as if she were his own daughter. Therefore, Kaede didn't think Heathcliff would do anything bad; if he wanted to, he shouldn't need to use this method.
Kaede.
At this moment, Kirito appeared in Kaede's field of vision.
Huh?
Kaede looked at Kirito, "What are you looking for me for?" To tell the truth, she was in a hurry to go back and play with Yui—err, take care of Yui!
Well, let's go to that restaurant over there and talk while we eat.
Kirito said. He had been standing outside for a while; after all, he was the one asking for a favor, so he might as well cater to her preferences first.
Yeah, okay.
Kaede nodded. She hadn't intended to refuse anyway, and now that there was a free meal, how could she not agree?
In the restaurant, Kaede ate as usual, completely ignoring the strange looks from the people around her.
Kaede, do you know any good blacksmiths?
Kirito asked directly. If it were someone else, he would wait until they finished eating before asking, but if it were Kaede, are you sure you want to wait until she finishes? Last time, Kirito almost collapsed waiting; he had learned his lesson this time.
My sister seems to know one.
Kaede replied, then asked with some confusion, "Your Elucidator should already be a top-tier weapon, right? Why look for a blacksmith?"
Hmm.
Kirito thought for a moment and displayed a skill in front of Kaede.
Dual Blades...
Kaede's eyes narrowed slightly; it was the first time she had seen such a skill.
This is a skill I suddenly discovered this morning; it just appeared in my skill list.
Kirito explained, "And, you should also possess a skill like this, right?" Kirito looked at Kaede. That berserk state where she took out a person with one sword strike definitely had issues, and it wasn't until Kirito saw this skill of his own that he had a guess in his heart.
...
Kaede was silent for a moment, then displayed Weakness Analysis in front of Kirito.
As I thought.
Kirito was also startled by Kaede's skill. This skill completely compensated for Kaede's only weakness.
At this moment, even with Dual Blades, Kirito wouldn't dare say he could completely defeat Kaede .
You're missing a one-handed sword, aren't you?
Kaede suddenly asked.
Yeah.
Kirito nodded, "I'm used to using the Elucidator now, and I've tried other swords, but they don't pair well with the Elucidator."
Hmm.
Kaede nodded, then searched through her inventory for something. Finally, Kaede took out a one-handed sword.
This is...
Kirito's eyes lit up. The snow-white blade and the cold light emanating from it were chilling.
Here.
Kaede said, tossing the sword in her hand to Kirito.
Hiss.
Kirito took the sword and was shocked after checking its stats. Once upgraded, this sword would definitely not be weaker than the Elucidator. He couldn't help but look at Kaede, "How did you get this?"
Hmm.
Kaede thought for a moment, then said, "Let's put it this way: actually, most of the boss's loot is with me. Did you think anyone could compete with me for the last attack?"
Uh.
Kirito thought of Kaede's monstrous observation skills and her unsolvable speed, and couldn't help but nod. Indeed, with those two things, she could certainly secure the last attack.
However, Kirito didn't have much to envy; his own gear wasn't bad either. It's just that Kirito couldn't help but mourn for those in the clearing group—this was just too unfair!
If there's nothing else, I'm leaving.
Satisfied, Kaede rubbed her stomach and said.
Uh, okay.
Kirito was stunned, then nodded.
Then Kirito looked at the dining table and only saw a huge pile of empty plates in front of him. At this moment, Kirito couldn't help but be shocked by Kaede's appetite once again.
Suddenly, Kirito remembered one thing.
He hadn't eaten yet!!
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