-370- One after another

Since the Aincrad Liberation Squad suffered significant losses on the 25th floor, nearly wiping out the entire guild, its leader, Kibaou, returned to the starting town of the 1st floor with the remaining members. They merged with the MMO Today group active there, forming the Aincrad Liberation Force. It had been a year and a half since then.

During this year and a half, that guild stayed in the starting town of the 1st floor. Their goal was to help each other actively, manage acquired items, gather intelligence, and occupy the Black Iron Palace in the central square of the starting town to hoard supplies. They gradually grew in size and stopped participating in frontline clearing.

Although they were no longer at the forefront of clearing, the Army gradually expanded under this policy. Now, they had grown to an astonishing number of three thousand members.

However, most of the members in the Army dared not venture beyond their comfort zones and still resided in the starting town or the lower and middle floors, unlike the large guilds in the clearing group, which consisted mostly of top-tier players.

Within the Army, there were barely a dozen players who could actively fight on the front lines.

Now, twelve players from the Army had left the starting town that they had occupied for so long to come to the frontline of the 74th floor.

How could this not cause a commotion among the players?

"Weren't they no longer aiming to clear floors?"

"They haven't been at the frontline for a long time."

"Since the 25th floor, this should be the first time members of the Army have come to the front lines, right?"

"Who knows."

Whispers among the surrounding players filled the air.

Rozen stood alone outside the crowd, watching the scene with contemplation.

Only at this moment did Rozen recall something.

"Argo mentioned this. She said the Army is currently advocating a change in their policy and is preparing to operate in the upper floors."

This policy shift was proposed by Kibaou, the current vice-commander of the Aincrad Liberation Force.

Originally, Kibaou had always aimed for full clearing, leading the Aincrad Liberation Squad to be active on the frontlines and determined to liberate all players.

However, after suffering significant loss on the 25th floor, Kibaou had to change the guild's focus from clearing to strengthening the organization and ceased frontline activities.

But now, after a year and a half of preparations and accumulating strength, the guild, mockingly referred to as the "Army" by players, had grown to an incredible size.

With that size, Kibaou could no longer endure the mockery, and Rozen guessed that he was trying to reclaim their former reputation.

Argo had mentioned this to Rozen.

"Because of this, it seems that Kibaou and some of the high-ranking members have differing opinions. Some advocate continuing to help each other and survive as is, while others strongly want to return to the frontline and restore the Aincrad Liberation Force's reputation."

This was because the Army's massive size had led players to ridicule it as large but ineffective, incapable of aiding in clearing. Instead, they merely remained in the starting town of the 1st floor.

Given Kibaou's personality, he couldn't stand being continuously criticized this way, and Rozen believed that he was currently finding ways to change this situation.

Now, the appearance of this twelve-person group might be the result of Kibaou's unilateral decision.

"Could this be Kibaou's unauthorized action?"

Rozen made this guess.

And this guess was confirmed the next moment.

Among the group of twelve, one player stepped forward.

"I am Colonel Kobatz from the Aincrad Liberation Force!"

The man known as Kobatz and even adding the rank of colonel, this player declared loudly,

"Starting today, we, the Aincrad Liberation Army, will officially operate on the front lines of the clearing and achieve results that satisfy all players. We will dispel those ignorant rumors and show everyone that we are not just a large organization. Please look forward to it!"

With these words by Kobatz, the players were left with astonishment.

"Hm..."

Rozen slowly narrowed his eyes. Kobatz deliberately spoke those words in public to promote the Army's intentions and change public opinion, didn't he? However...

"He's being too hasty."

Rozen gave this assessment. Certainly, making a public declaration like this might seem impressive, but it was a double-edged sword.

If the Army could truly achieve results that satisfied everyone, the Aincrad Liberation Force would gain great renown.

But if the Army faced setbacks, this declaration would become a laughingstock, pushing the Aincrad Liberation Force back into the spotlight, just as it happened after the 25th floor.

If Kibaou was preparing for this with a determination to risk it all, that would be a different story.

The problem was if Kibaou hadn't considered the risks at all and rashly sent the troops here; this wasn't something to be taken lightly.

"Will they be able to adapt to the rhythm and clear safely after so long without frontline combat?"

Rozen pondered this question.

The members of the Army, under Kobatz's direction, began to head toward the labyrinth area.

Seeing this, Rozen contemplated for a moment and then made a decision.

"Let's follow them."

Even though the life or death of the Army's members didn't have much to do with Rozen, he was still the leader of the clearing group. If the Army wanted to return to the frontline, sooner or later they'd have to go through Rozen.

In that case, it was reasonable for Rozen to check on them.

Rozen then took out his Familiar Crystal from his pouch.

"Saichou, Hanachou, you two go inside for now."

Since he intended to track them, having Saichou and Hanachou with him would be too conspicuous.

"Gu!"

Saichou and Hanachou obediently merged into the Familiar Crystal, disappearing from their original positions.

Then, Rozen activated his "Hiding" skill and quietly followed behind the Army members, leaving the Transfer Gate Plaza.

Unbeknownst to Rozen, just after he left, the Transfer Gate Plaza once again emitted a bright light, and a slender swordswoman with chestnut-colored hair emerged.

However, the expression on the swordswoman's face appeared hurried and anxious. As soon as she arrived, she immediately rushed towards the outer zone.

In just a few seconds, a gloomy-faced man appeared in the plaza as well. Upon seeing the swordswoman, he immediately chased after her.

Their destination, just like the rest, was the labyrinth area.