They transition from fugitives to active rebels, now armed with the knowledge of how to save Alice and others from the Administrator's control.
Sword Art Online: Alicization Episode 13, titled serves as a pivotal lore-heavy episode that marks the end of the first cour and sets the stage for the ascent of the Central Cathedral. Episode Summary Sword Art Online: Alicization (Dub) Episode 13
Acting as a mentor and guide, she provides the necessary exposition to help Kirito understand the true nature of their world and the enemy they face. They transition from fugitives to active rebels, now
Cardinal explains her own existence as a sub-process of Quinella that split off when the Administrator attempted to expand her memory capacity by using another person's Fluctlight. Cardinal explains her own existence as a sub-process
Cardinal reveals the dark history of the Axiom Church and its ruler, Quinella (the Administrator). She explains how Quinella manipulated the system to gain absolute power and effectively froze her own aging process by merging with the Cardinal System.