Even after Quinella—the pontifex of the Axiom Church—was vanquished, turmoil persisted. The church"s influence still looms, and its followers remain restless. When Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya reconnected with the real world, he was shocked to discover that Rath"s Ocean Turtle—a colossal floating fortress under his command—had been attacked. The raid triggered a sudden short‑circuit that damaged Kirito"s fluctlight, rendering him comatose. Worried about the Axiom Church"s safety, Alice carried the unconscious Kirito back to their native Rulid Village, ignoring her exile for an unresolved transgression and risking her reputation to bring him home. She now lives a quiet, ordinary life nearby, hoping Kirito will awaken.
Yet disaster looms as Alice observes the Dark Territory already breaching the Human Empire. Invading forces are overrunning key points. Reclaiming her former identity, Alice Synthesis Thirty vows to vanquish the Dark Territory and restore peace to the land they defended.
