Defense specialization and the throne.

The outcome had already been clear.

Shining with the white wings of absolute protection, Maple leads the two forward.

The arrows of light fail to halt her step. The distance closes—slowly, yet surely.

At the foot of the king, Maple prompts the two to prepare.

"Yes, just a moment, please."

Yui and Mai activate multiple items in turn.

Each time, a crimson aura spills from their bodies—meaning their attack power has increased.

With the second great mallet equipped, their preparations are complete.

"Ah, right! [Inspire]!"

A skill acquired during the second event, rarely used since.

It temporarily boosts Yui and Mai's [STR] and [AGI] by twenty percent.

A twenty percent increase in both of their [STR] would be enough to make Maple’s attack with the red stone seem negligible in comparison.

With the final support applied, Yui and Mai now moved forward together, literally to crush the king.

““【Double Strike】!””

A sound like thunder rang out twice from each massive war hammer, eight times in total. The boss did not move again.

The light that had shaped the Light King’s body dispersed into mist, sparkling and vanishing.

It fell upon the three of them. Each received a notification of a new skill acquired.

“Got it! Heh— you summoned angels too, so it’s equal now. Oh, better check the skill first.”

Maple checked her skill.

【Throne of the Heavenly King】

After activation, reduces damage taken by 20% while seated on the throne. Heals 2% of maximum HP per second.

Prevents the use of 【Lineage: Evil】 skills for all entities within thirty meters, including herself.

"Ah... so that's what it is."

Maple understood clearly now why her recent attempts at skill suppression had failed.

Because of this, many of her own skills had been rendered useless.

"Maybe I should try... 【Throne of the Heavenly King】!"

As Maple spoke, light converged behind her. A throne, scaled to her size but bearing the same design as the great one before, materialized.

Maple hesitated, then sat upon it. White light spread across the ground like creeping vines.

A faint layer of glowing membrane formed, covering her body's surface.

Maple's wings, like those of the former Light King, passed smoothly through the backrest and glowed behind her.

"Oh... wow... it's... beautiful."

Maple did not acquire only skills meant to be sealed away.

Among the many skills available, this throne—purely beautiful in effect and appearance—rose to the top of those Maple wished to use.

Even if it diminished attack power.

Yui spoke to Maple, who sat upon the throne, idly tapping her feet.

“Maple-san? Um… what is that?”

“Hm, that’s not our skill, is it?”

“Yes. It was the skill the boss used just now—shooting a beam of light. It doesn’t require 【STR】, so I think we can’t use it.”

Maple paused, considering.

Why was the skill different?

The most plausible explanation was the one still active—Love That Offers the Body, which continued to bestow angelic wings.

— The king had wings too, halfway through... Could this be it? No conditions written down.

Maple rose from the throne and began to lead the two back.

The luminous membrane surrounding Maple vanished. The light crawling across the ground disappeared.

— Ah, right. One must sit to activate it. Let's head back for now.

— "Yes!"

— Hmm... No, wait a moment?

She had just begun to guide them away when Maple halted mid-step, hand to her mouth, lost in thought.

A short while later.

A massive turtle soared through the sky, carrying the throne, its body glowing white beneath falling lightning.

— Shiroppu? Isn't it heavy?

Maple called to Shiroppu, who bore the throne upon their back.

The throne appeared clearly seated upon Shiroppu’s back, perfectly balanced.

No measurable strain appeared on Shiroppu at present.

I think I’ll stay with Shiroppu like this for now. Yes, that seems best!

Maple, we’re about to leave the thunder zone.

Yui pointed ahead. White clouds were beginning to appear.

Yes, that’s right. What should we do next?

Well… we should raise our level once more.

Mai said they had not yet reached the standard level for this layer.

We won’t survive unless we can be defeated in a single blow.

Hmm. I should raise my level too. Haven’t done so lately.

As they spoke.

Shiroppu, bearing the throne, entered the normal field.