Defense specialization and Rapid Fire III.

Maple and Sally, having felled the rose, kept their promise and fell in step behind, observing Lilli’s battle.

Yet the wooden mannequin, a mere common enemy, shattered and vanished with each arrow Wilbert loosed from his great bow.

“This battle feels unlike anything else—only Yui and Mai could do this…”

“Every shot lands. I’ve never seen one miss…”

“She moves faster than Maple, naturally. And since many bows require high DEX to wield, she can’t be purely focused on offense.”

Unlike when viewed from afar, one thing is clear: Lilli shows no sign of activating any skill. The monsters approaching her are all struck down by Wilbert without a single skill used. No new information emerges.

“Hmm… then it must be a passive skill…”

Lily explicitly states her maid uniform is rare equipment. Whether true or not remains uncertain, but at least there is reason to prioritize that gear over common weapons and armor for a spear wielder.

"Still, let's hope for something a bit stronger than that rose-like minor monster earlier."

Common enemies are treated as such, so a proper opponent for battle is required. While Lily spins her mop idly in circles, Wilbert cleanly defeats the monster and returns to the hall.

"Wil, what was that?"

"Mushroom. Slightly troublesome."

"Then I shall lend a hand. As promised. I was growing bored, after all."

"Yes, I appreciate it."

Before the two, spores burst from the ground. A large mushroom sprouted at the center. Shortly after, several more mushrooms emerged around it, moving with intent toward the pair.

“[Royal Talent] [Tactical Guidance] [Unnatural Power]… Ah, [Sage King’s Command]! Yes, that should do it.”

“[Tight Draw] [Full Power Shot]”

Wilbert’s bow glowed red. The arrow, drawn to its limit, flew at a speed beyond sight. It pierced every mushroom in a straight line, opening a windhole in the center of the original large mushroom.

Yet it was not destroyed. Though showered with massive damage effects, it retained a sliver of HP. Immediately after, HP recovered by about thirty percent. Spores scattered across the area. Dozens of mushrooms sprouted—too many to count.

"Ah? I recall it collapsing with this before."

"Thirty percent should be manageable."

"Then I shall lend a hand. [Offer this body as sustenance] [Advice]."

As the mushrooms scattered toxic spores and advanced, Lily activated her skill. No visible effect followed.

"Yes, then I shall proceed. [Area Expansion] [Rain of Arrows]."

Wilbert loosed an arrow skyward. It fell as a downpour across the entire area. The rain of arrows, now gapless due to [Area Expansion], pierced each mushroom in succession. The original mushroom was no different—before it could act, Wilbert struck it down with ease.

"Good. A satisfying way to fell them."

"Then, for the first shot, perhaps a little more..."

"Aha... don't say that."

Lily laughed, then turned back toward Maple and the others, seeking their thoughts.

"Amazing! I didn’t know bows could be this strong..."

"Wilbert is special."

"...First shot. Likely a passive skill that spikes in power on the first hit against a target."

"Hmm..."

The second shot at the same target—something Lily had never seen before from Wilbert. Though Sally did not know the skill, she recognized the effect. A basic archery ability, a ranged attack with moderate power due to its spread.

Yet, comparing it to Wilbert’s second-floor assault, the power had drastically diminished. The buff added by Lily was clear, but the original potency of the Rain of Arrows seemed to have been stripped entirely—something large had been removed, leaving a gap.

"Almost a hit! Well done!"

"…Not a lie, it seems."

"As promised. It’s fine even if you understand."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. We’ll handle the boss battle. We’ll pick a suitable prize."

"Wait, really?"

If they could watch the boss battle, they might learn another new skill. No reason to refuse.

"Yeah. In return, can you handle the journey ahead? The path starts branching here. If we choose the route well, we can avoid large chambers like this one."

"Yes... well..."

Sally looked puzzled, but ultimately accepted Lily’s proposal. The two resumed walking ahead. A short distance behind, Wilbert began speaking with Lily.

"Are you sure, Lily?"

"I said it, didn’t I? I was getting bored."

"Yeah... I understand."

"Besides, nothing less than a decent monster will yield more information. Maple won’t recklessly use new skills, and Sally certainly won’t."

Lily occasionally pointed out the correct path, then left the others to their own devices, idly twirling the mop in her hands.

The four reached the Boss Room without incident. Though not as decisive as Wilbert, Maple and Sally handled the weak monsters with steady precision. As always, monsters lacking penetration resistance stood no chance against Maple—none at all.

"Same as promised. I’ll take on the boss with Wilbert."

"Yes! Please do your best! If anything happens, just—"

"Haha, it’ll be fine. Better yet, watch closely."

"…?"

Maple nods once, deeply, and follows behind the two into the Boss Room. At the far end, a shrine is covered in green leaves sprouting from a branch. Before it stands a doll—no taller than a child—wearing a dress made of leaves and holding a staff tipped with a flower. It is the central figure among the dolls and plants encountered along the way. Its form suggests a spirit or tree spirit.

“Ah! I’ve fought a monster like that before!”

“…The one from the jungle? Looks different, though.”

If it uses similar attacks, the change in equipment will be forced, shifting focus to the hand. But even if the appearance is alike, the difference is proven immediately.

As if to begin with the hands, the boss summons the roses that Maple and the others have felled from both sides, then unfolds several magic circles on the ground, from which wooden mannequins emerge one after another.

"Uh, I think they're always good opponents to face."

"Come on, Lily, here they come."

Watching the monsters approach, Wilbert lowers his bow and, together with Lily, speaks a skill name.

"Quick Change"

At the same instant, their equipment shifts entirely. Wilbert now wears a butler’s uniform, swapping places with Lily. Lily, in turn, dons a dazzlingly adorned armor instead of a maid’s dress, holding a banner bearing a crest in place of a mop.

"Comfort of My Heart"

When Lily declared it, a tall-backed chair formed from a haphazard assembly of broken machinery appeared behind her. Floating slightly above the ground, resembling Maple’s 【Heavenly Throne】, Lily leapt onto it and stared at the boss, continuing her summoning.

“【Army Without Life】【Toy Soldiers】【Sands of the Horde】【Sage King’s Command】”

“Then, please, Lily. 【Royal Talent】【Tactical Guidance】【Force Beyond Reason】”

As Lily spoke, an equal number of mechanical soldiers materialized on the boss’s side. Maple and Sally recognized instantly the origin of these forces.

They were, indeed, inferior to Maple’s weapons, yet they carried cannons and firearms, giving the impression that quantity could compensate for quality.

And to such Lily, Wilbert responded with a skill Lily knew well.

“W-wait!?”

Role reversal... at a high level.

Regardless of how it is done, Sally organizes the situation before her. Wilbert holds no bow, instead using throwing knives, but lacks the power of earlier. Conversely, Lily has become the immediate threat.

Lily summons mechanized soldiers one after another, directing them to attack with gunfire. She combines several summoning skills, applying buffs to all, creating overwhelming suppression.

Destroying the summoned soldiers is not difficult, but their replenishment is swift. The monsters summoned by the boss are pushed back.

Wilbert’s overwhelming quality, Lily’s overwhelming quantity—each alternates, the other focusing solely on buffs.

“Phew... so many countermeasures needed.”

Yes, I’ll do my best too!

Thank you.

I’m the guild master, after all!

Heh, that’s right.

They watch the battle unfold before them—the clash of armies—feeling anew the arrival of another formidable foe.