My SAO adventure is wrong, as expected

Chapter 65: The Soon-to-Begin Newlywed Honeymoon

The next morning, the three of them gathered in front of the transfer gate on the 55th floor.

"Please take care of me today."

"I'll be watching your performance closely today."

"Before that… Mr. Hachiman, I apologize for what happened before. I have been reflecting on it." Kuradeel bowed to Hachiman first.

Godfrey nodded repeatedly at the sight, but Hachiman had already seen through this was just a performance. 'Using a show of weakness first to lower my guard, huh? Typical trick.'

"Such a formal apology makes me uneasy. It'd be best if we can settle the grudge. I'm also reflecting — I'm sorry for humiliating you by defeating you instantly back then." 'This line should be fine, right? A bit cliché but with a taunting effect.'

Asuna, who was secretly listening from the shadows, later commented that Hachiman's words were elegantly provoking.

As she said, Kuradeel twitched visibly when she heard the words but forced a smile.

"Since we have reconciled, let's set out."

"Understood."

The three of them headed toward the maze area.

Along the way, Hachiman impatiently and instantly dealt with all the minor monsters they encountered.

This was a show of force to Kuradeel, signaling "Direct confrontation is meaningless, so just use the paralysis poison."

Then the opportunity finally came — just before the entrance to the maze, Godfrey suggested they take a short break.

"I have no objections, but sorry, when I took out the crystal items earlier, I seem to have taken out all the drinks."

Before Godfrey could say anything, Kuradeel quickly interjected, "I have spare ones here. Godfrey, would you like some too?"

Godfrey stopped his hand, which was about to get a drink from his item slot, and took Kuradeel's drink.

Hachiman also accepted a drink and drank together with Godfrey. Kuradeel stared intently at the scene. 'Tasting paralysis poison is not a good experience, right?'

The effect appeared instantly: a paralysis symbol floated above Hachiman and Godfrey's heads, and the two collapsed immediately.

'Alright, let the show begin.'

"W-What's going on… Kuradeel, you bastard! What have you done!" Godfrey was the first to shout angrily.

"What's going on… Kuradeel, what do you mean by this!"

'Gotta act natural… natural…'

"Heh… hehehe… ha! Hahahahaha!"

Kuradeel erupted into uncontrollable manic laughter.

"Kuradeel, have you gone mad?"

"I've hated you old man for a long time! Weak as you are, always bossing others around!"

With that, she stabbed her sword into Godfrey's body. While Hachiman silently apologized to Godfrey, he continued to lead the conversation to get a confession.

"Stop, Kuradeel! If you keep this up, you'll become just like the Smiling Coffin people!"

'Oh no, is this too deliberate?'

"Oh?"

Upon hearing that, Kuradeel turned and stabbed Hachiman.

"So what? Using the paralysis poison killing technique is what they taught me!"

'Gotcha.'

"What did you say? What exactly is going on, Kuradeel?"

Godfrey asked in shock.

"Isn't it obvious? Because I was originally a member of the Smiling Coffin! Although the organization was disbanded, its spirit lives on!"

Kuradeel removed her bracer and showed them the Smiling Coffin tattoo.

"Kuradeel, you…"

"You're part of the Smiling Coffin!"

"That's right! When your organization's strike team raided our base, I was the one who warned my comrades!"

"So it was you… you bastard!"

"Kuradeel —!! You beast!!"

Amid Godfrey's angry roar, Kuradeel irritably stepped on his head.

"Stop, Kuradeel! What do you plan to do after doing such a thing?"

Hearing Hachiman's shout, Kuradeel smugly began to explain her plan:

"My script goes like this: while conquering the 55th floor, the three of us were suddenly surrounded by a large number of criminals; the two of you died in battle.

The only survivor, I, repelled the enemy, escaped successfully, and handed your relics to the deputy leader.

While she was grateful and grieving, I took advantage of the moment and finally claimed her as my own!"

"You bastard…"

"That woman will be cared for by me, so don't worry, Mr. Hachiman~"

"Stop! I'll agree to anything! Please don't touch Asuna!"

"Hahaha! How pathetic, advisor~ I'll start by killing you, who has the deepest grudge!"

Kuradeel grinned maliciously and approached Hachiman.

"Beg quickly, new advisor~ Though you'll die in the end! Your position and that woman's guard will be mine! Die!!"

"Fool."

In an instant, Hachiman crushed two crystals he had secretly prepared.

His HP instantly restored to full, and the paralysis mark disappeared.

To Kuradeel's astonished gaze, Hachiman suddenly vanished and in the next second kicked him.

"Ho-How is this possible…"

"I saw through you long ago, I'm embarrassed for you that you would fall for such a poor act, Kuradeel."

"Damn… then I'll take the old man as hostage…"

"Kuradeel, who do you think you're holding hostage?"

"Asuna… ma'am? Why are you here…"

Asuna, who had appeared unnoticed, had already saved Godfrey.

Godfrey glared at Kuradeel with anger.

"Isn't it obvious? Because we are married. Wherever he is, I am there too."

Asuna proudly shook the wedding ring on her left ring finger.

"This can't be happening!!!"

"Face reality, Kuradeel."

Hachiman stepped on Kuradeel, pressing the wedding ring in front of her eyes.

"A…"

"Didn't notice? I purposely showed it to provoke you.

Besides, what right do you have to think you can replace me by Asuna's side? That will never happen."

"Hmm, even if Hachiman dies, it won't be you."

Asuna snuggled in Hachiman's arms.

Both of them clearly restrained their anger and continued to taunt the dejected Kuradeel.

After venting some of their anger, Hachiman turned to Godfrey:

"Are you alright, Godfrey? Sorry for hiding the plan from you. I really wasn't sure who the enemy was."

"Not at all! Advisor, deputy leader, you saved my life! Thank you!"

"Now Godfrey should acknowledge Hachiman, right?"

"Of course! Sorry for before."

"Please continue to work well as comrades."

"No problem! By the way, what do we do with this guy?"

"I was prepared in advance. Asuna, please."

Asuna activated a crystal jail corridor, and Hachiman threw Kuradeel inside.

"Farewell, Kuradeel."

As the crystal closed, Kuradeel disappeared forever from sight.

At this time, Kirito also sent a message that two suspected accomplices had been captured and imprisoned.

"I'll explain what happened."

"Thanks."

"It started when the rats found this guy talking secretly with suspicious people."

Hachiman omitted the parts he couldn't reveal and explained the whole story to Godfrey.

"I see… clearing hazards before joining! Truly worthy of an advisor!"

"Ah… something like that."

"I, Godfrey, am convinced! I will treat you with due respect from now on, advisor!"

"Don't, you're obviously older; normal address is fine…"

"Got it, Hachiman! But the respect is due!"

"That's not bad…"

"Hehe, Mr. Godfrey approves of Hachiman; as his wife, I'm glad."

Upon hearing this, Godfrey suddenly realized:

"Oh right! You two got married, right? Congratulations!"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Such a perfect match! I'm even touched."

"I have something I want to discuss."

"Go ahead."

"We're newlyweds, and I want to take this chance to let Asuna rest properly and treat her gently. Can you help apply to Heathcliff for a short vacation before the boss raid?"

"That's love! Of course! It's best to think about the deputy leader! I also think she's been working too hard. I fully support it!"

"Thanks."

"No problem; I also want the deputy leader to be happy."

"Thanks, Godfrey."

"I'll report to the captain first."

The three returned to the Knights of the Blood headquarters to face Heathcliff.

"What brings you three here together? Training is over?"

"Captain, there's an important report."

After hearing Godfrey's report, Heathcliff bowed apologetically to Hachiman:

"Sorry, I should have scrutinized Kuradeel more strictly. Almost let you be in danger — that's my fault."

"It's enough that you think that. We acted on our own this time, so we should be the ones apologizing."

"Very sorry, Captain."

"As long as no one's hurt, it's fine. Let's officially close this case."

"Also, Heathcliff, though it's inappropriate for the loser to make requests…"

"You want to take a vacation?"

"How did you know?"

"How could I not notice your wedding rings?"

"You were staring at them all along…"

Clearly, Heathcliff had already noticed their relationship.

"As long as it's before the next boss raid, can it be approved?"

"Please, Captain."

"I agree too!"

"I was actually thinking about it as well. Of course, it can be done."

"Really?"

"I'm not that unreasonable. Congratulations, belated though. To both of you."

"Thanks.

"Thank you, Captain."

"Wish you a happy honeymoon."

Though they knew the man before them was an enemy, the two couldn't help but like him any less.

Especially Hachiman, who saw a shadow of the past Kirigaya Akihiko in him.

When the final battle came, he would show no mercy, but for now, they sincerely thanked him. With that, the two left the headquarters.

Later, the official report about the Kuradeel incident and the two's vacation notice was published.

And so, the newlywed couple began a brief sweet time together.