Defense specialization and fourth floor of the tower.

"Then, how do we board it? It's flying all over the place, launching chunks of water... "

Immediately after combat began, the sea turtle started weaving through the water paths it had created.

A blue magic circle glowed around its massive body. From it, large chunks of water were fired, striking the two moving slowly atop the shield.

"No damage, but... hmm... let's attack from above!"

Maple summoned Shiroppu, enlarged it, and lifted it into the air. She guided the shield to land on Shiroppu's shell.

Sally followed Maple onto Shiroppu. With the wider platform, she seemed calmer, stretching her limbs firmly.

"Good! Ready!"

"I'm ready anytime."

Maple raised Shiroppu’s altitude. They reached the place where the water path stretched upward into the sky, like a bridge across the air.

"So much water flowing... it’s incredible."

"Maybe we could swim here? Otherwise, we’d never reach the boss."

"Hmm. So that’s why those things are flying around here?"

"Could be. Anyway, let’s start by riding on its back! Should we attach the thread when it gets close?"

"Yeah! Ideally when it’s right below us!"

The two spoke casually, waiting for the creature to approach. Attacks continued, but unless it was a piercing strike, Maple felt nothing at all.

"Alright, now!"

Sally swiftly attached her thread to the shell of the gliding sea turtle. She gripped Maple tightly and leapt from shell to shell.

When Sally retracted the thread, they landed on the sea turtle’s shell with a slight jolt.

Success!

No damage inflicted. So few patterns to anticipate. Riding it is simple.

Sally secured Maple to the shell. Maple returned Shiroppu, who had stepped beyond the range of Love That Offers the Body, to her ring.

Now she could soar above the boss’s back as long as she wished.

Shiroppu can’t fly… Still, it’s nice to glide so smoothly.

Ordinarily, one doesn’t attempt flight. But Maple moves through the air in an odd way.

If these wings could carry me…

Maple toyed with the angelic wings sprouting from her back, the effect of Love That Offers the Body.

Also… It’s not as comfortable as I thought it would be…

"Uuu... feels like rain, doesn't it..."

The two still endure large clumps of water falling heavily upon them. No damage, but far from comfortable.

Maple still wears the snorkel she pulled out before the boss battle began, though she never had to submerge—useless as it remains.

"Hmm... something might help... ah! How about this?"

Maple rummages through her inventory and pulls out a parasol and a beach chair.

"...You really carry all sorts of things. Maybe that’s why you always say you’re broke..."

"If we just place it on top, it’ll just fly away. Let’s secure it too?"

"Right, got it."

Thus, the two begin constructing a base upon the boss’s back.

The large parasol catches the falling water, allowing them to escape the downpour for now.

They sit on the chairs, gazing at the distant, shimmering horizon.

"The sea... it’s beautiful..."

It won’t be a sunset, but… I’d like to see that too.

Yeah! Let’s go to another sea layer sometime?

They sit like that for a while, easing the fatigue of the river descent. The gentle moment ends with a crackling sound as the parasol above them collapses.

They are always under attack. Even Maple can endure, but items do not last.

"Maple, something’s wrong! It’s descending into the sea!"

"Eh!? M-Maybe I haven’t done anything yet!"

The sea turtle continues descending, submerging into the water. Sally may manage, but Maple’s items won’t hold long, even if used.

Just as Sally considers detaching and surfacing, the boss moves toward the water’s surface.

Before either can worry about breath, the sea turtle rises to the center of a stretch where water extends like a path.

"Phew… W-What was that?"

"Maybe it comes down after some time in the air…?"

While the two stand there, a great wave rises centered on the boss. The current surges toward them, ignoring gravity, sweeping through the path of water.

They must not be carried away, though it is not a pleasant sensation.

"Back should be relaxed, they said..."

"Gurgle... then, since we're at it, let's do it at the end..."

Maple takes out a surfboard from her inventory—unused until now.

"Wait, can you even use that?"

"He's made such a big wave! It's a perfect chance!"

Maple strokes the shell, saying thank you.

"I'll keep the lifeline attached."

The length of the thread remains fixed. The body cannot be separated from Love That Offers the Body.

"Thank you!"

"Ah, Maple. After this, it's the boss battle, so don't overdo it—don't push yourself too hard!"

"I-I'm fine!"

"Then, okay. I'll rest a little."

Sally lay on her shell, rubbing it gently.

"Cool... feels good..."

Amidst the sound of waves, Maple’s quiet descent into the sea could be heard.