Sword Art Online Alicization Episode 20

Synthesis (シンセサイズ) is the twentieth episode of the Sword Art Online Alicization anime adaptation. It aired on March 2, 2019.

Plot
Alice's eyes fluttered open as she felt a jolt of movement. She realized with a shock that she was being carried by Kirito, who had climbed up to the 95th floor of the Central Cathedral. She wondered where Eugeo was, and if he was safe. Kirito noticed her awakening and explained that he had used a sacred art to track Eugeo's sword, which was on the 90th floor, in a hall filled with ice and snow. But there was no sign of Eugeo himself. Alice felt a surge of worry and fear for her childhood friend.

They reached the 95th floor, where Alice saw a familiar figure lying on a bed. It was Bercouli, the Integrity Knight Commander, who had fought with them against the Administrator. He looked like he was made of stone, his skin gray and his eyes dull. Alice gasped and ran to his side, tears streaming down her face. She called his name, hoping for a response. To her surprise, Bercouli opened his eyes slightly and smiled at her. He told her that he was proud of her for breaking the seal of the right eye, and that she should follow Kirito to the top floor, where the Administrator was hiding. He said that he had faith in them, and that they could end her tyranny. He closed his eyes again, and Alice felt his hand go limp.

Alice and Kirito continued their ascent, reaching the 99th floor. There, they found a door that led to a room marked as "Senators' Chamber". Curious, they opened it and entered. What they saw inside made them sick to their stomachs. There were dozens of pods lining the walls, each containing a human body. They were hooked up to tubes and wires, their faces expressionless and their eyes empty. They looked like they were alive, but not living. Alice recognized some of them as former Integrity Knights, who had been stripped of their memories and wills by the Administrator. She realized that this was how the Administrator controlled the Senate, the highest authority of the church. She used these people as puppets, manipulating them with her voice and commands.

Alice and Kirito were filled with anger and disgust at the Administrator's cruelty. They decided to leave the room and find her, but as they turned around, they saw a man blocking their way. He was wearing a red robe and a golden mask, and he introduced himself as Chudelkin, the Prime Senator. He said that he was loyal to the Administrator, and that he would not let them pass. He taunted them with his high-pitched voice and his twisted smile. He said that he had a surprise for them, and that they would soon meet their old friend again. He snapped his fingers, and a hole opened in the ceiling above them. From it, a figure descended slowly, holding a sword in his hand. It was Eugeo, but not as they knew him. His hair was white, his eyes were red, and his face was cold. He wore a black uniform with a silver cross on his chest. He spoke in a monotone voice, saying that he was Eugeo Synthesis 32, an Integrity Knight of the Administrator. He said that he had come to kill them.

Locations

 * Central Cathedral

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted from Volume 13, Chapter 11, Parts 3-4