Crying out in his heart, Eugeo continued creating the ice
tendrils. It was doubtful any amount of shackles would suffice
with Integrity Knight Alice as the target.

The tendrils that twined over them one after another with
stiff noises soon changed into a single thick icicle.

The transparent pillar with its multiple layers, resembling
crystal ore, quietly glittered with both swordsmen trapped
within it. All that stuck outside was Alice's right hand and the
Fragrant Olive Sword held in it, pierced into the wall. Alice's
expression, showing slight surprise, and Kirito's expression,
resolved for death, remained still within the blue ice.

Everything would end by stabbing the dagger into that arm.

Eugeo separated his hand from the Blue Rose Sword and
stood up. Letting go of the sword would release the full control
art, but the thick icicle should take tens of minutes to melt
naturally. Firmly gripping the dagger in his pocket with his right
hand, he took one, two steps forward—

He took the third step as golden light exploded.
“Ah......”

Alice's sword, stabbed into the wall, split into countless flower
petals in the frightened Eugeo's vision.

Zaa... That grim chord resonated as the golden storm of
flowers engulfed the icicle.

Eugeo could do nothing but watch in a daze as the small, cross
blades swirled like a tornado, quickly shaving the ice away.
Eugeo's Life would likely be extinguished if he dove straight into
that vortex, before taking even a single step forward.

Shaving the ice away, the storm of flowers soared up in the air
after only a thin layer remained.

The icicle crumbled with a short-lived noise immediately after.

Hurling Kirito, still holding on, towards Eugeo with her left
hand, Alice spoke with a tone that remained indifferent while
shaking off the ice flakes clinging onto her hair.

“—Did the two of you not request for a contest of skill with
the sword? It served as fair bit of amusement, but... it was
apparent that mere ice had no chance of restraining my flowers.
Your turn will come next, so do behave yourself and wait.”

(Alicization Rising, 323)