Sword Art Online Episode 17

Captive Queen (囚われの女王) is the seventeenth episode of the Sword Art Online anime adaptation, as well as the third episode in the Fairy Dance Arc. It aired on October 27, 2012

Plot
Kirito swiftly killed another Salamander player and asked Kagemune if he wished to fight, but the latter excused himself, claiming that his magic skill would reach 900 soon, thus he did not want to suffer the death penalty. Kirito asked Leafa if she also wanted to fight, which she declined.

Leafa questioned Kirito whether she should fight or thank him. Kirito teased her by claiming that he viewed himself as a hero who saved the princess and was thus expecting her to embrace him. This declaration angered Yui, prompting her to expose herself to Leafa to state that only Mama (Asuna) and herself could hug Kirito. Leafa came closer and wondered why a Spriggan was in the forest around Sylph territory. Kirito made an excuse that he got lost, which made Leafa laugh. They introduced themselves to each other, after which Leafa asked what Kirito was doing and wondered if she could buy him a drink as a show of gratitude. Kirito informed her that he was looking for someone to tell him about the World Tree. Leafa offered to give the details, but wanted to fly to a neutral village first, which led Kirito to inquire why they could not fly to Swilvane instead. Leafa explained that it was Sylph territory and thus Kirito would not be able to attack Sylphs, but the Sylphs could attack him. This did not bother Kirito, who still insisted on going. Leafa accepted his request, but warned him that he might not survive.



At that point, Kirito noticed that Leafa did not need an assist controller to fly and remarked about this. In response, Leafa revealed and explained the trick to flying without the controller. As Kirito began to fly really high up after a push, Leafa began to worry and she followed suit along with Yui. The two discovered that he was struggling with stopping, which caused the two to laugh. After the a while, Kirito became accustomed to flying and they headed towards Swilvane.



When they reach Swilvane, Leafa tells Kirito to land at the base of the central tower, before realising he does not know how. Kirito slams into the wall of the tower but is healed by Leafa's healing magic. Recon then arrives to check whether Leafa was alright, but notices Kirito and swiftly gets ready to fight. However, Leafa stops him in time, stating that Kirito had saved her from the Salamanders. The two then introduce each other but Recon still does not trust Kirito, thinking that he may be a spy. Recon tells Leafa that Sigurd and the others have left a seat for her at the usual tavern. Leafa declined Recon's offer, as she promised to buy Kirito a drink for saving her from the Salamanders, and the two leave, leaving Recon behind.



At the restaurant, Kirito wonders if Recon was Leafa's boyfriend, but she quickly rejects the idea, stating that they are only party members and that she knows him in real life as classmates. Leafa changes the subject and thanks him and gives Kirito more information on the World Tree, saying that reaching the top of the World Tree is ALfheim Online's grand quest because the reward is unlimited flight via being reborn as Alfs. However, in order to complete the quest, the player will need to get through a big dome and battle the powerful NPC guardians that defend it. Leafa thinks it is impossible to reach to the top, but tells Kirito not to give up even if it takes years. Kirito tells Leafa that he needs 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 arrange to meet with each other the next day at 3:00 PM. Leafa logs out and tells Kirito he can log out in the rooms upstairs.



Suguha (Leafa) wakes up in her room, recalling her encounter with Kirito, and begins to blush with embarrassment. Yui returns to her original form and she asks if she can sleep next to Kirito until he logs out, which he allows. Kirito tells her that once they save Asuna, they will buy a house again like their Log House in Sword Art Online, and promises Yui that reuniting his "family" will be a reality. Kirito then falls asleep.



At the top of World tree, a saddened Asuna was sitting alone when Fairy King Oberon (Sugou Nobuyuki) came to visit her and called her his bride Titania, but she refused to be called by such a weird name and told him to stop after he had inappropriately touched her face and even tried to take off her top. He then revealed to her his goal and told her that he was experimenting in secret on the alteration of the human's memories, emotions, and senses, and that he was the one who rerouted the 300 SAO players and Asuna into ALfheim Online, after Kayaba Akihiko logged them out from SAO. Asuna threatened that she would tell the police the moment she was released, but he replied that he could also alter her memory if he wanted to, although he told her that it would not be fun if he did. He soon left after a long conversation and Asuna viciously stared at him as he entered the combination which was obscured in her vision at the locked gate. After he left, Asuna broke down in tears and cried for Kirito to come and save her.

Location

 * Ancient Forest, Neutral Territory
 * Swilvane, Sylph Territory
 * Kirigaya residence
 * World Tree

Spells

 * An unnamed basic healing spell

Adaptation Notes

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

Errors

 * The Words of Power displayed during Leafa's healing chant are written upside down.

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

Navigation
Episode 17 - Die gefangene Königin Episodio 17