Defense specialization and the golem.

Pain and the others move forward in a tight group of five.

Though they lack the pace of a swift charge, the surplus of rear guards ensures their safety, despite the slower progress.

Pain tells Crom, "If we’d moved a little faster, Maple might have kept up."

"Maple was with you?"

"Yeah. We were together until just before we met the four. She was strong—just as always."

"I haven’t fought her directly. I’d like to someday… though it’d probably end in a brawl."

Crom has spent enough time with Maple, though not as much as Sally.

As one who has used a shield, he has developed a clear sense of how to withstand Maple’s attacks.

It does not mean he can win, though.

Crom holds a chance to survive Maple’s attacks, but cannot bring her down.

“When the time comes, I’ll give it everything. She’s stubborn, that one.”

Crom said this, tapping his chest with his right hand.

“If Maple stays like this… I could pierce her in a few more moves.”

“Huh. Go ahead. But Maple’s unpredictable. I can’t say what she’ll do next.”

That had always been true, Crom said.

Maple alternates between stagnation and sudden growth.

No one, not even Maple herself, can predict the cycle.

“Everyone, the golem! Battle formation!”

Keeping watch, speaking as they walked.

By the time they reached their destination—the area overflowing with golems—Pain and the others had arrived.

The place where moss-covered ruins remain is marked by broken pillars and rubble more than by trees.

Mizari casts a buff upon Pain and Crom as she speaks.

A moment—this time, no part for me. Preparing the trap.

The traps are replaced, gradually, from those used during travel to ones suited for large monsters, each costing a considerable amount.

While doing such things, Pain’s blade sliced through the golem’s stone arm with a sharp, scraping sound.

If united, there is no problem!

Pain twists the body, evading the golem's fist, then leaps, slashing the torso.

Pain did not require defensive action against the golem already present.

In the end, Pain slew the golem, taller than herself by several times, alone.

Time passed in less than a minute.

Crom runs to Pain, who sheaths her sword.

"Hey, Pain. Look."

“Hm? This…?”

Pain looks in the direction Crom points.

A shattered pillar. Remnants of moss-covered ruins.

From the shadow, a golem emerges. Not just one. More golems rise from afar, advancing with steady, rhythmic sound.

Blocking whoever tries to move forward.

As Pain and the others watch, the golems multiply—filling the entire view.

“Pain, what now!?”

“Only enough to break through. Minimize damage.”

“Got it!”

Crom and Pain exchange brief words. They draw their weapons and raise their shields.

Mizari casts a buff to increase agility on all. Ready to run.

“Side routes—traps will halt them briefly… but only for a moment.”

“For now—magic tome. Hmm, something with penetration… this one?”

Kanade draws out a yellow-green magic tome.

At the very moment combat begins, the magic tome flares with light and unleashes its power.

A sound of wind starts above the five.

It grows steadily louder, gathering force and direction.

Now resembling a thunderous explosion.

Air spears pierce multiple golems and hurl them aside.

Dust rises. The tremor reaches the five.

“Damage isn’t as great as it looks—move quickly!”

Following Kanade’s words, Pain leads the charge into the swarm of golems.

“You… stay still…”

Pale blue light erupts from beneath the golems on either side, restraining their movement.

Mark’s MP depletes rapidly, but Mizari immediately replenishes it with her skill.

Mizari can restore more than just HP.

There are limits, naturally—she cannot use it without restraint—but it proves more than sufficient to break through.

This is endless! I can't keep up with this kind of opponent.

Crom grunts, redirecting his heavy fist into the ground with a controlled slide.

Too many to bring down. Too difficult to cut through.

At that moment.

The head of a golem explodes in a burst of flame.