Defense specialization and second deployment.

Today, two actions.

Compared to the 【Maple Tree】, this is a large force, yet the event has only just begun. A full-scale assault involving all players is not planned, so advancing across the open plain before the royal castle carries high risk. Against small parties sent out for reconnaissance, a numerical advantage would allow a swift victory, but if they are lying in wait, many players could be exposed to danger at once.

"If battle seems imminent, a signal will come. Then, I will ask for 【Love That Offers the Body】."

"Yes!"

Maple remains in the center, still on the cart. 【Love That Offers the Body】 has a striking effect. The large force, already difficult to move stealthily, becomes even more easily detected from afar. Therefore, it is not used until danger is imminent.

Maple and the others advance across open ground with no terrain advantages. The landscape begins to resemble enemy territory. A wasteland of massive rocks, greenery intermingling, lava pools and ice pillars coexisting in an unnatural scene. In the distance, a rich forest lies visible. From there, the enemy encampment clearly emerges.

Tension rises. They take cover behind a rock shadow, previously scouted, and observe the forest side.

Few places to hide near the forest. With many of them, any enemy hiding within would detect their approach first. That would place them at a disadvantage. They proceed with caution.

...They’re here!

One, peering through binoculars at the forest, speaks. The air around stiffens.

How many? Are they in the forest?

“Not precisely… just now, they seemed not too many, from our vantage.”

Having secured the position first, they could observe the enemy’s movements unilaterally, yet details remained unclear. To advance further risked detection. Exposure was too dangerous.

To press forward, outnumbered but with the advantage in numbers, or to wait here and hold the line. With no room for a single death, caution in a clearly favorable position was natural.

Given the event continued, the best outcome remained victory without losing a single ally.

“What should we do…? Hmm?”

A thought crossed the mind—something not accounted for in the original plan. The monstrous presence behind them. Their eyes met. A creature beyond reason. If Maple were here, the situation would change.

…This is the moment to charge. Now that we have our strongest shield with us, it is the best time.

All eyes turned to their weapons. Focus sharpened. The battle was imminent.

I will restate the plan!

…Yes!

The plan shared, formations settled. Maple’s group surged from behind the rocks in a single motion.

The forest of the Water Nation’s camp. Ahead, scouts had been watching when a sudden wave of players burst from the rocks. Faces tightened. Orders sent back.

Enemy incoming! Many of them—send reinforcements!

Seeing the heavy shield-bearer lead the advance, shielding the others from damage, the defenders readied spells from the sheltered forest, aiming to strike without pause.

But the enemy had expected this. A sudden wave of white smoke erupted, blanketing the entire area.

Damn it… Everyone, prepare!

Still, she thrust magic forward—but it was not enough. From within the smoke, a front-line warrior with a great shield charged in, consuming the player nearest to her, one by one.

Yet even so, the advantage of having taken position first remained. Flames and wind erupted from around them, intensifying in an instant.

"Defense readiness!"

"«««Large-Scale Magical Barrier!»»»"

The barrier shielded their allies just as an overwhelming wave of fire engulfed the entire area, burning everything to ash. The flames spread on the wind, twisting into a vortex that surged over the front-line warriors and swallowed every approaching enemy.

"How about that! Nn—!?"

A blade pierced through the wall of fire, slicing deep into her body. The HP bar above her head showed no reduction. That meant the damage had been perfectly nullified—some form of defense had activated.

Confusion flickered across her face as her prepared strategy failed entirely. She watched, fading into light, as the entire rear guard ran in unharmed.

Then, at the very end, she realized it. The ground shimmering through smoke and flame. The player arriving by instantaneous movement, wings of an angel unfolding behind.

"Me... Maple...!"

Her final cry was swallowed by the roar of swords, the clash of steel, and the thunder of magic.

Maple and her companions, still moving with the momentum of cutting down the front line, crashed into the rear guard.

"Push forward! Don't let them escape!"

The enemy's plan had aligned perfectly. The flames and smoke continued to conceal Maple’s presence—this was the greatest chance.

Yet, the slight time gained by the front line, and the prior confirmation of the retreat route, allowed them to counter effectively. They could not be fully pressed.

"Damn... [AGI] buff."

They could manage a little more. That last one was protected by Maple!

Even as they broke free from Maple’s defensive range, they still wished to weaken more of the enemy forces here. With resources preserved due to Maple’s defense, pursuit was the only choice.

The decision proved sound. One by one, they cut down the stragglers, advancing until they had secured more than enough victory.

Exiting the forest, they entered an area lined with ice pillars, where a debuff lowered AGI. After advancing a short distance, they scanned the surroundings. No enemy players remained. They sheathed their weapons.

“We can’t press further.”

“That’s right.”

“…Everyone! Are you all alright?!”

Turning at the voice from behind, they saw Maple, slightly delayed, following the mage.

“Fine here!”

“Thanks to you, we’re saved.”

—Unsurprisingly, the usual standard of hardness. Traps mean nothing.

The field of Love That Offers the Body, still glowing at their feet, now extends beyond the usual party limits, shielding everyone within range.

Frontline fighters, who otherwise would have needed invincible skills, and even the rear guard, directly protected from the flames, all gather around Maple. The small girl, accustomed to the usual reactions of the Maple Tree, lifts her face slightly and smiles shyly.

Just as she turns to retreat, Maple catches sight of red light falling from the sky like rain.

—Something’s coming!

All turn upward at Maple’s voice. Countless arrows, wrapped in crimson light, descend. Escape from the area is difficult. The mage raises barriers one after another.

Yet each time an arrow strikes, the barriers shatter, scattering shards that fall directly toward Maple and her companions.

"Come together!"

As all entered the range of Maple’s Love That Offers the Body, Maple recalled Sally’s words.

The enemy is a player. And having launched this attack, they must know that Maple has activated Love That Offers the Body. Such an assault, ordinarily repelled, must carry some intent.

"P-pierce Guard!"

She would use it if danger loomed. As planned with Sally, Maple prepared for penetration.

Wilbert, confirming the rain of arrows striking far-off ice spires, reported to Lily beside him.

"...It was deflected."

"Pierce Guard. Unexpected. I thought it would fall here... Perhaps Sally’s advice."

Unconditional coverage. It is also the weakness of Love That Offers the Body. A wide-area piercing attack, striking without resistance, would have claimed its life before any reaction could occur.

Yet, the assault does not slacken. The advantage of overwhelming range remains theirs.

"Wil, take her down here. Now is the perfect moment, without her partner."

"Of course."

"Among members of the Maple Tree, perhaps. But a hastily assembled unit cannot fully grasp Maple's strengths—or her weaknesses."

"……Siege Breaker!"

Wilbert draws his bow taut. A single arrow, wrapped in crimson light, flies toward Maple, who stands guarding at a distance.