Miracle Summoner

At this point, Asuna finally understood why Yuuki wanted to create unforgettable memories with the members of the Sleeping Knights in ALO, challenging the floor boss and inscribing their names on the Monument of Swordsmen.

The reason was not that the members of the Sleeping Knights had pressing matters in the real world that would force them to disband the guild, but rather that they had no choice but to disband.

"Even inside a sterile room, it's impossible to eliminate the bacteria and viruses that are already in the body. As the immune system weakens, their influence only grows stronger. Right now, Konno Yuuki has been infected with cytomegalovirus and nontuberculous mycobacteria. Her vision is almost entirely lost, and encephalitis caused by HIV is worsening. She can no longer move her body on her own."

"Fifteen years since contracting HIV, and three and a half years since AIDS manifested, Yuuki's condition has reached its terminal stage."

"At best, she only has a few more months left to say goodbye to this place and this world."

The suppressed voice of Kurahashi entered Asuna's ears, but all it left her with was a blank mind.

But this was reality.

Yuuki didn't have long to live.

Thus, in the precious time she had left, she and the members of the guild overcame enormous challenges to conquer the floor boss with just a few players, inscribing their names on the Monument of Swordsmen, leaving behind memories to cherish forever.

Yuuki's decision to leave ALO, stop logging in, and maintain a delicate distance from Asuna—unwilling to grow too close—was all to prevent Asuna from enduring the pain of this inevitable parting.

Recalling Yuuki's infinitely sorrowful yet affectionate smile before she left, Asuna felt her heart ache so much that she could barely breathe.

Only Rozen took a deep breath and spoke.

"I imagine that it's not just Yuuki, but all the members of the Sleeping Knights are, like her, terminally ill patients who can only live in a virtual world, right?"

Rozen voiced the reality.

If that weren't the case, there would be no way to explain why the other members of the Sleeping Knights, like Yuuki, had such remarkable aptitude for full-dive technology and such deep immersion in the virtual world.

"The members of the Sleeping Knights are all terminally ill players who met in the virtual world and have relied on each other for support. Isn't that right?"

Rozen turned his gaze toward Kurahashi.

In response, Kurahashi nodded.

"Within the initial medical network system, there was a virtual refuge called Serene Garden. It was a gathering place for various patients, where, despite having different conditions, they shared similar circumstances in a broad sense. The purpose of that server was to allow them to communicate, play games, and live their final days in fulfillment within the VR world."

The members of the Sleeping Knights met each other there.

"Originally, there were nine of them, but three are no longer with us. That's why they decided to disband the guild after the next person passes away," Kurahashi said with a sigh. "And this year, including Yuuki, there are two members in the guild who have been given just three months to live…"

This was the real reason behind the disbanding of the Sleeping Knights.

Whether it was Yuuki, Jun, Tecchi, Talken, Nori, or Siune, all of them were terminally ill patients destined to leave not only the virtual world but also this world, eventually heading to heaven.

This was why they were called the Sleeping Knights.

"By the way, the name of the guild's first guild leader was Konno Aiko. She was also hospitalized here. Unlike her twin sister, she was always smiling, quietly supporting her lively and energetic sibling. Her appearance, though, is somewhat similar to Yuuki Asuna-san's," Kurahashi added.

This statement made tears fall uncontrollably from Asuna's eyes.

"I'm not the strongest; the former guild leader was much stronger than me."

This was something Yuuki had said before.

Now, Asuna fully understood the weight of those words.

Konno Aiko.

Konno Yuuki.

The guild leader Yuuki had spoken of and the first guild leader Kurahashi mentioned were clearly Yuuki's sister.

Her twin sister.

But the entire Konno family had contracted HIV. Now, it seemed that Yuuki was the only one left.

"Why… why did it have to be like this…"

Asuna couldn't stop her tears, no matter how hard she tried.

Rozen quietly watched her, saying nothing.

A while later…

"I never expected you to be such a crybaby, Asuna. You're older than me, you know?"

When this familiar voice suddenly sounded, not only Asuna but even Rozen and Kurahashi quickly looked up toward the sterile room.

Inside, Yuuki was still lying motionless on the bed. However, on a display facing the glass, a blue light was flashing, and the screen showed a message that had not been there a few seconds ago: User Talking.

Meaning—the user is speaking.

"Yuuki…!"

Asuna couldn't help but call out.

The next moment, a familiar voice came through the microphone set above the glass wall.

"Yes, I'm here, Asuna."

Yuuki's voice was as lively and cheerful as ever.

"Although it's through a camera, I can see you, Asuna. It's amazing—your appearance is almost identical to how you look in the game. Thank you for coming to see me."

Yuuki's laughter became nostalgic and warm.

"Yuuki…"

Asuna bit her lip, trying hard not to let her tears fall again.

At this moment, Rozen stepped forward.

"The bet—I won, didn't I?"

Rozen said with a faint smile.

"Yeah, I lost to you again. How frustrating," Yuuki said with a cheerful smile. "But I'm really happy that you came to see me. It's been a long time since anyone came to my room in the real world."

These words were so sorrowful in content, yet Yuuki said them with such a bright and cheerful voice that it made one's heart ache unbearably.

At this moment, Yuuki turned to Asuna again.

"I'm sorry, Asuna," Yuuki's voice finally lowered. "We really didn't want to leave you with sad memories. If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn't have…"

Before she could finish, Asuna interrupted.

"That's not true!" Asuna shook her head. "I've never thought of those times as sad memories. Being able to meet you and help you defeat the floor boss—I'm truly glad!"

"…Is that so?" Yuuki was silent for a while, then spoke as if satisfied, "As long as you feel that way, that's enough for me. I'm already content. I have no regrets."

"Yuuki!" Hearing Yuuki speak as if it were their final farewell, Asuna's tears began to fall again.

"Alright, stop crying, Asuna," Yuuki said gently but helplessly. "Rozen, can't you do something? As her fiancé, you shouldn't let your wife cry like this."

Yuuki intentionally teased.

Rozen smiled faintly.

"My apologies," he said. "But soon, Asuna might cry even more—this time, for joy. And I certainly won't stop her."

These words stunned everyone.

"For joy?"

Nobody understood what Rozen meant.

But Rozen had already turned to Kurahashi.

"Doctor, may I go inside the sterile room?" Rozen suddenly requested.

"No, you can't. If you go in, then…"

Kurahashi instinctively frowned, ready to refuse.

But what Rozen said next shook everyone.

"I can save her."