Ep 16. Land of the Fairies

As Kirito and Leafa continue their journey towards the World Tree, they arrive at Alne, the capital city of the Spriggan territory. Here, they encounter a strange NPC named Recon who is fascinated by Leafa's appearance as a Sylph, and becomes infatuated with her.

After a brief introduction, Recon offers to take Kirito and Leafa to the City of the Fairies, which is said to be the most beautiful and prosperous city in all of Alfheim. However, unbeknownst to Kirito and Leafa, Recon has his own agenda and is trying to win Leafa's affection by leading them into a trap.

As they make their way through the forest, they come across a group of hostile Salamander players who seem to be chasing after a lone Sylph player. Kirito and Leafa jump in to help, and together they manage to defeat the Salamanders and save the Sylph, whose name is Sakuya.

Sakuya is grateful for their help and offers to guide them to the City of the Fairies, which is located in the middle of a giant lake. However, the lake is guarded by the guardians of the lake, who are powerful fairy creatures that will only allow those with pure intentions to enter.

Kirito and Leafa manage to pass the guardians' test by proving that they have a pure desire to reach the World Tree and rescue Asuna. After passing the test, they are granted permission to enter the City of the Fairies.

Upon entering the city, Kirito and Leafa are amazed by its beauty and grandeur. The city is filled with lush gardens, graceful fountains, and intricate architecture. They are greeted by the Fairy Queen, Titania, who recognizes Kirito as the infamous Black Swordsman and welcomes them both to the city.

Kirito and Leafa spend some time exploring the city and meeting some of its inhabitants, including a group of players who are attempting to create a flying machine to reach the top of the World Tree. During their stay, Kirito discovers something troubling about the nature of the game, which raises new questions about the true purpose of their journey.

As the episode comes to a close, Kirito and Leafa prepare to continue on their journey towards the World Tree, eager to uncover the secrets that lie ahead and rescue Asuna from her captivity. However, a turn of events in the City of the Fairies makes them reevaluate their plans and sets the stage for the next chapter in their adventure.