Ep 18. The Legendary Hero

Kirito and Eugeo are attempting to climb up the Central Cathedral when they run into a powerful Integrity Knight named Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-one. Eldrie is a legendary hero known as the "Titan's Hand", and he immediately recognizes Eugeo as one of the two criminals who helped Alice escape from the Cathedral.

Kirito tries to reason with Eldrie and explain their situation, but Eldrie refuses to listen and insists on capturing them. The two engage in a fierce battle, but Kirito quickly realizes that Eldrie is no ordinary Integrity Knight. His sword skills are almost as good as Kirito's own, and his armor is incredibly powerful.

Despite this, Kirito manages to hold his own in the fight, thanks in part to his new skills and his experience in the Underworld. Eugeo, on the other hand, is hesitant to fight back against someone he considers to be a hero. His conflicted feelings slow him down, and he is almost killed by Eldrie's attacks.

Eventually, Kirito and Eugeo manage to defeat Eldrie and move on, but not before Eugeo has a realization. He understands now that the Integrity Knights are not just mindless puppets. They are real people, with their own thoughts and feelings, who were once human like him. Eugeo understands that he cannot just blindly follow his own desires anymore, and that he must consider the consequences of his actions.

The episode concludes with Kirito and Eugeo reaching the top of the Central Cathedral, where they finally come face to face with Administrator, the ruler of the entire Underworld. They are determined to find Alice and rescue her from her imprisonment, but Administrator has other plans in store for them.