Sword Art Online Episode 18

To the World Tree (世界樹へ) is the eighteenth episode of the Sword Art Online anime adaptation. It aired on November 3, 2012.

Plot
After logging out, Suguha starts remembering why she joined ALfheim Online in the first place. The next day she encounters Recon at her school, who interrogates her about what she's going to do. She tells him that she's going to show Kirito the way to the city of Aarun under the World Tree and leaves.

When she logs on she encounters Kirito also connecting, so they decide to visit the market before departing. At the market, Kirito buys a sword as tall as himself, much to Leafa's amusement. They later walk into the Tower of Wind in the center of the Sylvian Territory to gain altitude since they were going to embark on a long journey. Before they take the elevator they encounter Sigurd, the leader of Leafa's party. Sigurd expresses his demand of wanting Leafa to stay on the team since she is a valuable player, and also because it will tarnish his reputation if Leafa leaves. Kirito interrupts and angers Sigurd, who was about to attack him but was stopped by one of his comrades since it was bad for their image with many witnesses watching.

On the balcony of the tower, Recon appears in front of the two and tells them that he wants to leave with them. However, he has to stay to investigate something and asks Kirito to take care of Leafa. Kirito and Leafa depart, although Leafa still has doubts about leaving her own territory and becoming a renegade.

Meanwhile Asuna is being caressed by Sugou against her will, but she can't do anything. He laughs and tells Asuna about his encounter with Kazuto and Kazuto's reaction when he was told of Asuna's marriage to him. Instead of having the intended effect of dampening her spirit, Asuna is invigorated by the knowledge that Kirito is still alive. However, Sugou tells her that because of the SAO incident, he thinks that he will not come to her aid this time. As Sugou leaves the cage, Asuna watches the mirror, which is reflected at the door, and attempts to memorize the code as Sugou types it in.

Leafa and Kirito defeat some monsters while flying as a team but eventually land because their wings are losing power. On land they "rotate" logging out so one can guard the other's body while they are away. Leafa disconnects first and prepares a sandwich for Kazuto and takes a bath. Kirito then disconnects, and finds a prepared sandwich on the table. Leafa talks with Yui while he's away. Kirito returns and feels that someone is watching them, so Leafa explains about Tracer magic, which is used for following players, and that higher level tracers last longer and are capable of spotting their targets at a long range.

At the same time, a tracer in the form of a bat follows the duo as they fly. On the ground, a hidden group of Salamanders start moving.

New Characters

 * Sigurd
 * G-Takusu (cameo)

Named Monsters

 * Evil Glance

Locations

 * World Tree
 * Kirigaya residence
 * ALfheim Online
 * Sylvain - market area, Tower of Wind
 * Ancient Forest - neutral territory

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted from Sword Art Online Light Novel Volume 3 Chapter 3,4


 * Leafa's explanation about homing magic is skipped.
 * Sigurd threatens Kirito with his sword in the anime, and his partners and many witnesses watch what he will do to him. In the novel, he does not draw his sword, nor are the other players with him.

Episodio 18