The episode begins on December 28, 2025, with Suguha showing Kazuto (Kirito) a news article about the discovery of the legendary in ALO. This triggers a flashback to when Kirito and Leafa first discovered the sword months earlier while trapped in Jötunheimr , a frozen underworld beneath ALO. During that time, they rescued a beast-class evil god they named Tonkii , who showed them the sword's location in an ice dungeon.

: The episode highlights Shino (Sinon) adjusting to ALO, trading her sniper rifle for a long-range bow to maintain her combat style.

: Urðr tasks Kirito's party with retrieving the true Excalibur from the bottom of the ice dungeon, Thrymheim , to stop the invasion. Key Themes and Production Notes