Ep 5. A Crime Within the Walls

In Sword Art Online season 1 episode 5, titled "A Crime Within the Walls," the story follows our protagonist, Kirito, as he investigates a mysterious murder that took place in one of the game's cities. The episode begins with Kirito receiving a message from a member of the game's law enforcement unit, the Divine Dragon Alliance. The message informs him of the recent murder, and despite the fact that Kirito isn't officially a member of the Alliance, his expertise as a beta tester of the game makes him a valuable asset in solving the case.

Kirito arrives at the town where the murder occurred, and he's soon approached by a member of the Alliance, Kibaou, who isn't pleased to see Kirito getting involved in the investigation. Kibaou has a personal vendetta against Kirito, as he sees the beta testers as the reason why the game's official release suffered technical difficulties. Kirito tries to convince Kibaou that he's only interested in helping because he's intrigued by the mystery, but Kibaou remains suspicious and hostile towards him.

The investigation leads Kirito to the victim's house, where he meets the victim's wife, who's understandably grief-stricken. However, Kirito notes that there's something off about her behavior. She doesn't seem as upset as she should be, and she's not very forthcoming with information. Kirito also notices that some of the furniture in the house looks like it's been moved around, suggesting that the crime scene has been tampered with.

Kirito returns to Kibaou to share his findings, but Kibaou remains skeptical of Kirito's intentions. However, another member of the Alliance, Lind, is more willing to listen to Kirito's theories. Lind agrees to help Kirito gather more information, and together they set out to talk to the other residents of the town.

They soon discover that the victim, Griselda, was a controversial figure in the town. She was disliked by many of the residents, particularly the female population. Kirito learns that Griselda was part of an all-female guild, and that she may have been targeted because of her guild affiliation. As the investigation continues, Kirito uncovers more leads, including evidence that Griselda was involved in a smuggling ring.

As the episode progresses, Kirito's relationship with Kibaou remains tense. Kibaou accuses Kirito of withholding information, and the two get into a physical altercation. Kirito also has a run-in with a member of a rival guild, who warns him to stay out of their business. Despite these obstacles, Kirito and Lind manage to piece together enough information to solve the mystery of Griselda's murder.

As the episode draws to a close, Kirito confronts the killer and reveals their identity, much to the shock of the other characters. The conclusion is satisfying, and the resolution of the crime ties up loose ends from previous episodes of the series.

Overall, Sword Art Online season 1 episode 5 "A Crime Within the Walls" is an engaging and entertaining episode that successfully blends mystery, action, and character development. The episode provides ample opportunity for fans of the series to experience the world of Sword Art Online in a new and exciting way, and it's a great addition to the show's first season.