Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

Chapter 130 Invitation to Visit

If one day you, who have always lived in a scientific worldview, suddenly hear your friend ask you: "Hey~ do you believe in the existence of demons, monsters, and gods in this world?"

What would you think at this moment?

They might think their friend has taken the wrong medicine and needs to see a doctor.

Although Atobe Keigo and the others did not directly express such doubts, Yu Bai could already read the turmoil in their hearts from their bewildered and helpless expressions.

"It's like this, just recently..."

Before the members of the Hyotei Tennis Club could react, Yu Bai pulled Mukahi Gakuto and the others aside and began to tell them about what had happened to him recently.

Of course, Yu Bai also omitted some things, such as his current status as a god, and his travels to Uruk and Heian-kyo.

The people from Xiang Ri Yue Ren and the others also provided ample emotional support. Whenever Yu Bai talked about something, they would always respond with "Ah?", "Wow~", "Oh my god!" and so on, allowing him to fully indulge his storytelling urges.

After Yu Bai finished explaining that he had just returned from the Holy Grail War, which could summon a group of historical figures to fight, Atobe Keigo and the others were already deeply confused.

Please be quiet and listen to the sound of our worldview shattering.

"So... gods exist? Then monsters exist too?" After a long while, Atobe Keigo finally spoke slowly, touching the beauty mark at the corner of his eye, his voice filled with difficulty and uncertainty.

"Yes, Hasebe and the others are all tsukumogami (spirits) of swords." Yu Bai calmly answered, taking a sip of his drink.

"Then... the younger brother Yagen you mentioned last time, could he be the tsukumogami of the legendary Yagen Toushirou?" Yuushi Oshitari seemed to suddenly remember something and quickly asked.

"You guessed right." Yu Bai smiled slightly, giving an affirmative answer.

"I knew it! Yagen's physical abilities were so outrageous! Turns out he's not even human!" Upon hearing Yu Bai's reply, Mukahi Gakuto, who was standing next to Shinobu, jumped up and exclaimed loudly. You see, they had been quite shaken during their last training session at the villa.

"Huh? So according to what Ah Bai said, doesn't that mean there are a lot of monsters around us?" Akutagawa Jiro looked around curiously, while Shishido Ryo, upon hearing his words, froze on the spot. Despite his usual arrogant demeanor, Shishido Ryo was actually terrified of ghosts. Although monsters might be different from ghosts, they are still non-human beings.

“Perhaps not before, but recently quite a few little monsters have started to appear.” Yu Bai secretly speculated that this was likely a result of the merging of Bu Yue’s world and his own world.

Then, looking at the group of curious boys in front of him, he smirked mischievously: "Since you're all so curious, why don't you come and visit my citadel? The spirits here can help you train your stamina."

"Eh? So fast? We, we're not ready yet." Hearing Yu Bai invite them to visit the Honmaru he mentioned, and that he would have sword spirits train them, Mukahi Gakuto was so surprised that he stammered.

"There's no time like the present. I'll give you 10 minutes to prepare, and then we'll head to the citadel together."

……

"My lord~ you're back. Eh? Are they your friends?" Just as Yu Bai returned to the citadel with Atobe Keigo and the others via the teleporter, he was suddenly embraced by Imaizumi, who was playing in the courtyard.

The silver-haired boy, just like his own Saniwa, looked up at the somewhat awkward Hyotei regulars with a face full of curiosity.

"Oh, General, you've returned? Hmm? Isn't this Atobe-kun and Oshitari-kun? This is quite unexpected, my lord, you actually brought them into the citadel. Could it be that you've already revealed your identity to them?"

Just then, Yagen Toushirou appeared from around the corner of the corridor, wearing his white lab coat. Seeing a familiar face actually made Atobe Keigo and the others feel a little more relaxed.

In no time at all, the news that the Saniwa had brought back a friend spread like wildfire throughout the entire citadel. The tsukumogami (spirits) all sprang into action; this was the first time their Saniwa had brought an outsider into the citadel, and they had to treat them well.

Imaizuki even ran back and pulled Mikazuki and the others to change into their battle uniforms. They had to let the Saniwa's friends see the face of their Honmaru. They wanted to entertain these friends of their lord with the most sincere enthusiasm and the most perfect etiquette.

Thus, in just one afternoon, Atobe Keigo and his companions were as if they were in a visual feast. All sorts of sword spirits appeared one after another, including national treasure-level sword spirits such as Mikazuki Munechika. Their extraordinary appearance was so remarkable that even Atobe Keigo, who was known for his flamboyant style, had to admit that the appearance of these spirits far surpassed that of ordinary people.

"Hmm, it's pretty gorgeous."

Faced with a group of outstandingly beautiful tsukumogami, Atobe Keigo admired them in his heart, but still maintained his unique arrogance and reserve on his lips.

However, when he turned around and saw his friends surrounded by all sorts of handsome young men and women, he suddenly didn't know where to begin complaining.

"Wow~ If all the sword spirits are girls, then Yu Bai is practically the legendary overpowered protagonist, right? And then there's the scene of a love triangle with a hatchet ready?"

Yuushi Oshitari, standing to the side, was equally stunned by the scene before him. He gently pushed up his glasses, a strange light gleaming in his eyes.

This genius from the Ice Palace, whose hobby is reading light novels but who has been reading a wide variety of Chinese novels ever since Yu Bai recommended them to him, couldn't help but sigh.

"Hey, you unglamorous guy. What are you looking at all day?"

Upon hearing what Yuushi Oshitari said, Keigo Atobe almost confiscated the man's novels. What kind of rubbish did this guy usually read?

……

Keigo Atobe: I feel like something's not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Yuushi Oshitari: Wow! Isn't this just like a scene from a novel?

Others: Dazzled by the beauty of the Tsukumogami.

Hasebe: You are the first friends our lord brought into the citadel... (in a butler-like tone, with a pleased smile)