Sword Art Online Episode 20

General of the Blazing Flames (猛炎の将) is the twentieth episode of the Sword Art Online anime adaptation. It is aired on November 17, 2012.

Plot
Kirito and Lyfa exits the caves and start flying. While flying they notice the World Tree, Kirito quickly ask where was the meeting taken place. Lyfa points to the location and that they only had 20 mins, they fasten their speed to the location.

On the way Yui detects 68 players, who were the Salamanders, another 14 beside them who would probably be the leaders and their escorts and that there was 50 seconds before they make contact. Lyfa admitting defeat, tells Kirito to go to World Tree while she trys to save Sakuya but Kirito rejects the plan.

The Salamanders arrive and when they're just about to start the attack, Kirito appears and ask to talk to their commander, General Eugene appears and Kirito states that he's an ambassador of the Spriggan-Undine alliance and that they're supporting the Sylph and the Cait-Sith. And that if he attack, there will be a war with the Salamander and the 4 races. Eugene points out that Kirito doesn't have any guards and have "horrible gear" with these reasons, he doesn't believes him. So to prove if he was as strong as he claims he challenges him to survive against him for 30 seconds.

Eugene uses the sun rays to blind Kirito and begins the first assault. Kirito attempts to block the Demonic Sword Gram, but fails causing him to get hit. Eugene takes advantage by using his sword Gram's bonus skill, but Kirito doesn't gives up and attacks back, demanding to know what was the attack. They continue to fight but Kirito pointed out that 30 seconds pass, but Eugene decides to change the rule to a deathmatch, and continue attacking Kirito. Using the sword's ability, Eugene was winning. Kirito takes some distance and summons a smoke curtain with magic, by taking advantage of the diversion, he takes Lyfa's Katana. Eugene clear the smoke's screen and Kirito was no where to be found. Everyone, except Lyfa, believes that he escaped, but he was soaring down to clash with Eugene. Eugene was about to strike again with Gram's ability, but is deflected by the second sword Kirito was using. Using the Dual Blades ability from SAO, Kirito attacks fiercely and Eugene can't even defend, thus, Kirito wins almost instantly with those continuation of attacks. Everyone was amazed by their battle.

After the match, Sakuya revive Eugene. Kirito ask if Eugene believes what he is saying. Eugene contemplate his claims. Kagemune appears, and tells Eugene that his party was wipe out by Kirito and that he was with an Undine, surprising Lyfa. Eugene decides to believe the allegations and retreat. He expresses wanting to challenge with Kirito again and vise versa with Kirito.

After the Salamanders depart, Lyfa explains Sakuya Sigurd's treason, and Sakuya expels him from the Sylphs. The leaders flirt with Kirito and ask him to join their respective forces, Lyfa tries to stop them, but it's Kirito in the end who rejects both, and tells them about his need to reach Aarun fast. He gives them a bunch of money to help them prepare for the assault towards the world tree, they thank him and leave.

Lyfa approaches Kirito as they see the Leaders leaving and Yui pops out of his pocket stating that he was cheating because his heart was beating faster, he just excuses himself by saying that he can't avoid it because he's a man, Lyfa asks if it's fine for her, and Yui tells her that yes, Kirito tells her that it's easy to talk and be with her, but messes up, so he starts flying and calls Lyfa to change the topic.

In the bird cage, Asuna wakes up and enters the code memorized before to open the door and leaves.

New Characters

 * Sakuya
 * Alicia Rue
 * Eugene

Locations

 * Butterfly Valley, Neutral Territory
 * World Tree

Abilities Used

 * Dual Blades «Unique Skill» - From SAO Skill.

Adaptation Notes
Adapted from Sword Art Online Light Novel Volume 03

Quotes

 * "Running away isn't my style" - Kirito