Sword Art Online Episode 17

Captive Queen (囚われの女王) is the seventeenth episode of the Sword Art Online anime adaptation. It aired on October 27, 2012

Plot
Kirito kills another Salmander player and asks Kagemune if he wants to fight, but Kagemune makes an excuse that his magic skill will reach 900 and does not want to receive the death penalty before flying away. Kirito asks Leafa if she also wants to fight, to which she declines.

Leafa asks Kirito on what she should do now: whether to fight or thank Kirito. Kirito teases her, by saying that he is a hero who saved the princess, so she should run into his arms. This declaration angers Yui and causes her to expose herself to Leafa, stating that only Mommy (Asuna) and herself can hug Kirito. Leafa comes closer and wonders why a Spriggan is in the forest around Sylph territory. Kirito makes an excuse, that he got lost, which leads to Leafa's laughter. They introduce themselves to each other, and Leafa asks what Kirito was doing and wonders if she could buy him a drink as thanks. Kirito tells her that he was looking for someone to tell him about the World Tree. Leafa offers to give the details but wants to fly to a neutral village first, leading Kirito to inquire why they can not go to Sylvain instead. Leafa explains that it is Sylph territory and due to this fact, Kirito can not attack Sylphs but the Sylphs can attack him. But this does not bother Kirito and still insists on going. Leafa accepts his request but warns him that he might not survive.



Kirito notices that Leafa does not need an assist controller to fly, and Leafa tells him that there is a trick, before explaining how to fly without the controller. Kirito begins to fly really high up, which makes Leafa worried as he did not know how to stop, making Yui and Leafa laugh. Kirito gets the hang of flying and they head towards Sylvain.



When they reach Sylvain, 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 males then introduce each other but Recon still does not trust Kirito, thinking that he may be a spy. Recon tells Leafa that they saved a seat for her at the usual tavern, but Leafa declines the offer because she is buying Kirito a drink. Leafa grabs Kirito's hand and walks off with him, leaving Recon alone.



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 subject and thanks him and gives Kirito more information on the World Tree, saying that reaching the top of the World Tree is ALO's grand quest because the reward is unlimited flying and to be 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 begin to blush with embarrassment. Yui returns to her original form and she asks if she can sleep next to Kirito until he logs out. Kirito tells her that once they save Asuna, they will buy a house again like on Floor 22. Kirito then falls asleep.



On the top of World tree, a saddened Asuna is sitting alone when King Oberon comes and visits her. He reveals to her his goal and tells her that he is experimenting in secret on the alteration of the human's memories, emotions, and senses. Asuna claims that she will tell the police the moment she is released but he replies that he can also alter her memory if he wanted to. He soon leaves after a long conversation and Asuna viciously stares at him as he enters the combination at the locked gate. After he leaves Asuna breaks down in tears and cries for Kirito to come and save her.

Location

 * Ancient Forest, Neutral Territory
 * Sylvain, Sylph Territory
 * World Tree

Adaptation Notes

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

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