Six months have elapsed since Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice defeated the pontifex, Administrator, in a fierce battle. Alice now resides in Rulid Village, caring for Kirito who has suffered significant losses. As they prepare for a final, world-altering test, Alice grapples with a loss of purpose while a looming threat emerges in the form of the Dark God Vecta and his dark forces. The Integrity Knight Bercouli readies the human empire for an epic confrontation as the Dark Territory forces encroach. With Alice missing and the realm's saviors absent, a monumental clash between light and darkness looms ahead.