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, the next day she encounters Recon in her school, who interrogates her about what's she's going to do, she tells him that she's going to show Kirito the way to Aarun, under the World Tree and leaves.

When she connects she encounters Kirito also connecting, so they decide to visit the market before departing, In the market, Kirito buys a sword as tall as himself, so she laughs about it. They later walk into the tower in the center of the Sylvian Territory to gain height since they were going to make a long journey flying, before they take the elevator they encounter Sigurd, who wants Lyfa to stay in the team since she's a good player, but 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 to attack someone who couldn't defend.

On the balcony of the tower they're about to depart, Recon appears and tells that he want's to leave too. However, he has to stay to investigate something and asks Kirito to take care of Lyfa. Kirito and Lyfa depart, although Lyfa was still doubting about leaving her land.

Meanwhile Asuna is caressed by Sugou against her will, but she can't do anything, he laughs by telling Asuna about his encounter with Kazuto and telling him about their marriage. Asuna is reinforced by the knowledge of kirito still being alive. Asuna turns away towards a mirror, and Sugou leaves saying that he's going to make the invitations and send one to him, when he inserts the code to open the cell of the cage, she manages to see and memorize the code.

They defeat some monsters while flying as a team but they had to land since their wings were losing power. On land they "rotate" and Lyfa disconnects first, Suguha prepares a sandwich for Kazuto and takes a bath, then Kirito disconnects and Lyfa talks with Yui while he's away, Kirito returns and feels that someone is watching them, so Lyfa explains about different ways of following players. Thinking it was just his imagination they take flight once again.

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

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted from Sword Art Online Light Novel Volume 03