Sword Art Online Episode 17

Captive Queen (囚われの女王) is the seventeenth episode of the Sword Art Online anime adaptation. It aired on October 27, 2012

Plot
Kirito kills another Salmander player and ask Kagemune if he wants to fight, but Kagemune makes an excuse that his magic skill will reach 900 and does not want to receive the death penalty before flying away. Kirito asks Leafa if she also wants to fight, to which she declines.

Leafa asks Kirito on what should she do now: whether to fight or thank Kirito. Kirito teases her, by saying that he is a hero who saved the princess, so she should run into his arms. Though this declaration anger and causes Yui to expose herself to Leafa, stating that only Mommy (Asuna) and herself can hug Kirito. Leafa comes closer and wonders why a Spriggan is in the forest around Sylph territory. Kirito makes an excuse, that he got lost, which lead to Leafa's laughter. They introduce each other, and Leafa ask what Kirito was doing and wonder if she could buy him a drink as a thank you. Kirito tells her that he was looking for someone to tell him about the World Tree. Leafa offers to give the details but also wants to fly to a neutral village. But Kirito asks why can not they go to Sylvain instead. Leafa explains that it is Sylph territory and due to this fact, Kirito can not attack Sylphs but the Sylphs can attack him. But this do not bother Kirito and still insist to go. Leafa accepts his request but warns him that he might not survive.



Kirito notice Leafa does not need an assist controller, Leafa tells him that there is a trick, and explain how to fly without the controller. Kirito begins to fly really high up, which makes Leafa worried but saw that Kirito is flying but does not know how to stop, making Yui and Leafa laugh. Kirito gets the hang of flying and they are now flying to Sylvain.



When they reach to Sylvain, Leafa tells Kirito to land at the base of the central tower, but Kirito does not know how to land, causing him to hit into the wall of the tower. Fortunately, Leafa heals him using healing magic. Recon is running toward Leafa seeing that she is okay but notice Kirito and swiftly gets ready to fight. However, Leafa stops him in time, stating that Kirito saved her. The two males then introduce each other but Recon still does not trust Kirito, thinking that he may be a spy. Recon tells Leafa that they saved a seat for her at the usual tavern, but Leafa pass the offer because she is giving a drink to Kirito. Leafa grabs Kirito's hand and they leave Recon.



They are at a restaurant, Kirito wonder if Recon was Leafa's boyfriend, but she quickly reject the idea, stating that they are only party members and that she knows him in real life as classmates. Leafa changes subject and thanks him and give Kirito more information on the World Tree, saying that reaching the top of the World Tree is ALO's grand quest because the reward is unlimited flying and to be reborn as Alfs. However, in order to get through the tree, the player will need to get through a big dome, but there are powerful NPC guardians that defends the dome. Leafa thinks it is impossible to reach to the top, but tells Kirito to not to give up even if it takes years. Kirito tells Leafa that he need to reach to the top soon because he is looking for someone and thanks Leafa for the information. Leafa stops Kirito and tells him that she can take him to the world tree. They both arrange a meeting to meet each other tomorrow at 3:00 PM. Leafa logs out and tell Kirito to log out in the rooms upstairs.



Suguha (Leafa) wakes up in her room, recalling her encounter with Kirito, and begin to blush with embarrassment. Yui return to her original form and she asks if she can sleep next to Kirito until he logs out. Kirito tells her that once they save Asuna, they will buy a house again like on Floor 22. Kirito falls asleep.



On the top of World tree, Asuna is saddened, sitting alone when King Oberon comes and visits her. He explains to her, his goal and telling her that he is experimenting on how to alter people's memory, emotion, and senses in secret. Asuna claims that she will tell the police the moment she is released but he replies that he can also alter her memory. He soon leaves after a long conversation and Asuna viciously stares at him and the combination he inputs at the locked gate. After he leaves Asuna breaks down in tears and cries for Kirito to come and save her.

Location

 * Ancient Forest, Neutral Territory
 * Sylvain, Sylph Territory
 * World Tree

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted from Sword Art Online Light Novel Volume 03 Chapter 2,3

Quotes

 * "Personally, I see myself as the hero who just saved the princess. Crying and running into my arms would be a good start" - Kirito
 * "Let's save Asuna and buy a house somewhere again, okay?" - Kirito
 * "It isn't a dream. I'll make it real soon" - Kirito
 * "Save me, Kirito" - Asuna