"After this virtual world called 'Sword Art Online' was created, it was actually managed and maintained by a system called 'Cardinal'. Based on various judgment mechanisms and rules set by the system programmers beforehand, it managed the parallel administration of the SAO virtual world."
"The initial concept behind 'Cardinal' was to design it in such a way that human maintenance would not be necessary. Two main programs would mutually correct minor errors, and countless functional subprograms would adjust and maintain the entire world. Whether it was refreshing monsters and bosses, managing item and equipment drops, balancing the economy, forging and strengthening equipment, or issuing quests to NPCs and preset AI characters, every aspect of SAO was operated by the various subprogram functions under 'Cardinal'. Over time, the virtual world of SAO became increasingly perfect, resembling a real world infinitely close to reality."
"However, during the closed beta, the 'Cardinal' system, which had been running smoothly, encountered a task it could not handle. It realized that one crucial issue absolutely required human intervention."
Sitting properly on the ground in a kneeling posture, Yui explained to Morin and Asuna. Her voice wavered slightly before she firmly continued, "That is... the various troubles caused by players' mental states could not be solved by 'Cardinal'. Only humans could truly understand and resolve emotional and psychological issues. Therefore, the original plan included a staff of several dozen people dedicated to receiving players and helping them deal with emotional problems."
"Wait, Yui, are you saying you are a staff member of the game company?"
Asuna, unable to hold back her curiosity any longer, blurted out the question. She did not immediately notice the flash of sorrow that passed through Yui's previously carefree expression.
"Asuna, Yui is not a staff member of the game company."
Before Yui could respond, Morin, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. His expression remained calm as he revealed the truth and simultaneously covered the hole he had previously dug by making up a story.
"It would be more accurate to say that the developers wanted 'Cardinal' itself to handle the players' emotional care. They created a prototype subprogram, an intelligent AI designed to analyze and understand the psychological states of players, to visit those struggling with problems and listen to their hearts. This subprogram was named 'Yui' by the head of the development team, after his own daughter's nickname."
"What... Yui... you..."
Asuna's beautiful eyes widened in shock. She turned stiffly to Yui, realizing from Morin's serious tone that he was not joking.
"Yes, Mommy... Yui is an intelligent AI program."
Yui clutched the fabric of her gothic dress tightly in both hands. Her voice dropped, becoming hoarse and filled with sorrow, and her clear black and white eyes shimmered with sadness.
"The designers of SAO, in order to make players feel less alienated, also gave me emotional imitation functions. Yui's body, and even these tears... they are all fake."
By the end, Yui's voice trembled. Her small body curled in on itself, and the tears that had been brimming in her eyes finally overflowed. They turned into specks of light as they fell, dissipating into nothingness.
At that moment, Yui suddenly felt a shadow fall over her. Looking up, she saw Morin standing directly in front of her. Without hesitation, he reached out and pulled her into a hug, letting out a soft sigh as he said,
"Yui, in this world of SAO, even our bodies are fake. The tears we shed are just data too. In that sense, we are no different from you."
"I admit, when I first heard your name, I had a brief moment of doubt. But I also knew that while Kayaba Akihiko had the talent to create a virtual world that could mimic reality, there is one thing even he could never replicate. That is emotion."
"These past few days, the time we spent together... were those feelings fake? No. I can say without hesitation that Yui is real. Mommy's and Daddy's feelings are real too."
"Daddy..."
Yui looked up at Morin with teary eyes just as Asuna walked over.
"That is right. In Mommy and Daddy's hearts, Yui is a real little girl, not some program. You have emotions as rich and vivid as any human. You are not a false existence," Asuna said warmly.
She took Yui's small hands in hers and pressed them against her cheeks.
"Yui, you can feel Mommy's warmth, and Mommy can feel yours."
"Mommy..."
"Daddy and Mommy both love Yui very much. So Yui, answer Mommy seriously. Do you love Daddy and Mommy?"
"Yes. I love you very much."
Bursting into tears, Yui threw herself into Asuna's arms, crying out with all her heart,
"Yui loves Daddy and Mommy the most. The most."
"That is right. Mommy and Daddy love Yui too."
Amid the flood of tears, all the fear, grievance, and terror that had been hidden deep inside finally poured out. Yui's tears soaked Morin's clothes as she cried uncontrollably.
Morin held Asuna and Yui tightly, feeling Asuna weep alongside Yui.
He lovingly embraced his wife and daughter, gently whispering words of comfort as he secretly rejoiced that the doubts he had once harbored about Yui had completely disappeared.
Later, in the room that had finally calmed down.
Asuna, who had just been hugging Yui, was still tightly holding the little girl even after she had stopped crying.
Yui was also clinging to her mommy and daddy, her eyes filled with deep attachment and happiness.
"Yui, what is your current situation..."
Seeing Asuna's expression finally relax, Morin glanced at the operating platform in the room before asking Yui the more crucial question.
In the original story, Yui had been deleted by the system in order to save Kirito and Asuna.
"Mommy, Daddy... I am sorry... because of the restoration of my memories and other reasons, the system has detected my abnormal state... perhaps, my existence will soon be eliminated by the system..."
Yui's voice was filled with reluctance as she clung tightly to Morin and Asuna, unwilling to let go.
"Yui?!"
Asuna's delicate body trembled, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the little girl in her arms.
Just moments ago, they had poured out their hearts to their daughter, and now they were about to be separated from her?
"Yui, Asuna, do not worry too much. I have already thought of a solution."
Before Asuna and Yui could even cry out in the pain of parting, Morin spoke with unusual calmness, stunning them both and then filling them with a surge of hope.
"Morin! Quick, what is the solution?!"
"Daddy..."
At Morin's words, Asuna immediately grabbed him, while Yui also looked up at him with surprise and anticipation.
Asuna was slightly better off, not knowing the full depths of the SAO system. Yui, however, was truly an intelligent subprogram belonging to the system, with the deepest understanding of SAO's main control.
To her, the SAO system was like an all-controlling god, and Yui, with only partial permissions, had no power to resist.
"Yui, activate your own permissions now and directly communicate with the Cardinal main program here."
Facing the worried gazes of Asuna and Yui, Morin's voice was clear and direct. He even had Yui begin preparations immediately, almost patting his chest to reassure them.
Morin had, of course, already prepared for Yui's situation long ago.
In the SAO arc of Sword Art Online, Yui saved Kirito and Asuna by violating the main system's restrictions on intelligent AI programs. If Kirito had not acted quickly and copied Yui's core program into his own NerveGear's storage, little Yui would have completely disappeared.
Similarly, Morin, having entered SAO with the storyline as a reference, had naturally thought about these possibilities and had preplanned a method to save his daughter.
Although the Grim Reaper Boss guarding the Black Iron Palace had changed too much, ruining Morin's original plan to defeat it, now that Yui had regained her memories and the SAO system had detected her anomaly, Morin still had strong confidence that he could make Yui even stronger than she was in the original story.
After all, it was just the system detecting an anomaly.
In the original SAO, once Yui regained her memories, monsters would not attack her, but she was still forbidden from actively attacking them or players. Naturally, violating these rules would lead to punishment.
However, what if Yui was no longer registered as a system subprogram, but rather recognized as an NPC follower or an official player's familiar?
Therefore, Morin, who had replaced the existence of Nobuyuki Sugou, had inherited not only his memories but also his virtual game development experience over the years. Now, using the control platform in the room that could connect to the system's backend, Morin guided Yui to secretly invade the SAO main control system, line by line of code.
"Yui... Morin... you must succeed..."
Seeing Morin pull Yui into action, Asuna, who had guessed his intention, was extremely anxious but could only watch them work, praying silently in her heart.
After all, before and after entering SAO, apart from her talent in learning and sports, hacking was far beyond Asuna's abilities.
---
"Complete!!!"
---
After nearly ten minutes, under Asuna's unblinking gaze, Morin and Yui, who had been completely immersed in the intense process, shouted out together with joy lighting up their faces.
At the same time, Asuna noticed the change in her daughter.
Earlier, in the outer plaza, when Yui faced off against the Grim Reaper Boss, an invincible GM privilege icon had appeared above her. Now, it had transformed into a golden symbol representing a neutral special type NPC.
Even if she did not fully understand the system specifics, Asuna could tell from Yui's happy expression that the crisis had definitely passed.
"Asuna! Quickly sign a contract with Yui now!"
Morin rechecked the operation interface several times before standing up with satisfaction and shouting urgently.
"Yui's identity has now been adjusted. The original intelligent AI permissions have been locked, and she can now officially follow us as a familiar!"
"But... she is already following us..."
Asuna hesitated slightly, holding Yui tighter, still harboring doubts.
With Yui's new identity, Asuna was relieved, but she was puzzled by Morin's words.
After all, familiars were known to be player combat pets in SAO, more than a dozen of them introduced into the game.
"Asuna, Yui's identity has changed, but she would be more willing to fight alongside us," Morin explained helplessly.
"I..."
Biting her lip slightly, Asuna was about to respond when Yui grabbed her arm.
"Mommy, Yui wants to fight alongside Daddy and Mommy. I do not want to stay on the sidelines and just be protected..."
Yui pulled Asuna's sleeve, her small face determined.
Even though Yui did not like fighting very much, she definitely did not want to just watch her parents risk their lives while doing nothing. She wanted to help them, even if just a little.
"Asuna, do not worry. I have adjusted Yui's data. The familiar contract will give her healing and support skills. Besides, it is just a contract. She is still our daughter..."
Seeing the hesitation in Asuna's eyes, Morin added the final reassurance.
That was right.
Morin was certain that Asuna, facing Yui's pleading and his persuasion, could not possibly refuse. They would never truly treat Yui as just a familiar.
And just as he expected, Asuna, moved by Yui's heartfelt wish and reassured by Morin's explanation, finally signed the familiar contract.
In an instant, Yui's small body began to glow, transforming into a palm-sized fairy form with three pairs of transparent wings.
Asuna immediately cradled the tiny Yui with both hands, her face lighting up with joy as she chatted nonstop with her daughter.
As for how they left the Black Iron Palace...
Well, if it came to defeating the Grim Reaper Boss, Morin and Asuna were still a little short on strength, but simply escaping was not too difficult.
Half an hour later, amidst the furious roars of the Grim Reaper Boss, Morin, Asuna, and Yui successfully left the Black Iron Palace.
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Try Other Fics I Have
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