King of Ashes/Synopsis

#### Pre-Episode 10

On October 20, 2024, news spread throughout the game that Kirito, the legendary player who defeated a Boss almost singlehandedly, had challenged Heathcliff, the leader of Knights of the Blood Oath, the strongest Guild in the game, to a duel. The duel was then held in the Floor 75 city of Collinia, where players from miles around flock to the colosseum to see the battle between Kirito and Heathcliff, with many fans cheering for the Dual-Wielding master.

However, when the duel started, Kirito zoned out and Heathcliff knocked him down in four seconds. Naturally, the crowd were furious with how quick the fight was, particularly because Kirito didn't even fight. Even though the KOB offered the players a refund, the players started rioting over the disappointing match, eventually burning the city to the ground.

Eventually, after running out of things to burn, the rioters reverted to a primitive tribalistic society, with one player in particular rising up as their leader. The rioters eventually called the ruins of the city "the Ashlands" and dubbed their new leader the "the King of Ashes", a nickname he happily accepted.

Seeing the King's rise to power, former Mafia leader, and cat player, Fluffles saw this as an opportunity and betrayed the KOB, joining forces with the Bandit King. Fluffles and the King got along way too well, as he seemed to become the King's right-hand man.

#### Episode 10

On October 24, 2024, the King is presented with some intruders that snuck into his territory. The King then asks Fluffles what they should do with the intruders, to which Fluffles, apparently, suggests that they should fry them in boiling oil, which the King does with great glee.

Since the King and his forces were blocking further progress in the game, Heathcliff arranged to have a peace talk in the Ashlands. Unfortunately, at some point, the negotiations broke down, leaving Heathcliff trapped behind enemy lines and held prisoner by the King.

#### Post-Episode 10

The King the subjected Heathcliff to rounds of torture, gladiator combat, and Pictionary, oddly enough, all while Heathcliff tried to negotiate a truce that would allow the assault team to challenge the Boss of Floor 75.

#### Episode 11

On November 7, 2024, Heathcliff was finally able to form a truce with the King that would allow the assault team safe passage through their territory. Unfortunately, this came at the cost of letting the King's forces take pictures of Asuna that would involve "minor sideboob at the most", which they claimed were going to be used in a charity calendar they were going to make once they get out of the game, in order to raise money for cancer.

It's unclear if the King's claims were genuine, as Kirito did something that broke the truce and prompted the King to send Kirito a message stating he would "FLAY YOUR FUCKING SOUL!!!". The King then rallies his troops and chased after the assault team, ordering them to kill the "intruders" for crossing him and demanding that they brought him Kirito's head. But before he could enact his revenge, the raiders entered the Boss Room, and the door locked behind them. It's unknown if the King gave up after this, or if he waited for the door to open again, but the King was freed from SAO after Kirito defeated Kayaba, along with all of the other players.

### Fairy Dance Arc

#### Episode 12

The King was later seen on twitter, having tracked down Kazuto's twitter page and sent him a death threat, stating he can't escape his fate, which Kazuto liked and responded sarcastically to.

## References

1. ↑ Episode 9
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Episode 10
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Episode 11
4. ↑ Heathcliff's message
5. ↑ Episode 12