Defense specialization and careful probing.

At the same moment 【Maple】 joined the battle, 【Gathering Holy Sword】 advanced through a location slightly distant, defeating every player they encountered, and continuing their march toward the royal castle.

"Hey, nobody’s coming to stop us, huh?"

"Isn’t that good? No fighting needed."

"Somebody’s gotta show up before we reach the castle."

Currently, 【Gathering Holy Sword】 moves through a rocky terrain with steep elevation changes, just beyond the forest. The area’s unique effect increases damage taken. It is not a pleasant condition, but not one requiring exceptional caution.

"Really gonna come...?!"

Frederica, idly twirling her staff, suddenly froze as white light burst before her eyes. Her expression shifted instantly to seriousness.

"Everyone—front!"

At Pain’s call, all ducked into the rock cover, splitting the frontal line of fire.

“Wind Wall of Avoidance!”

Frederica deployed the wind barrier, capable only of nullifying projectiles she had previously countered, preparing for the enemy’s pursuit. As one of the Gathering Holy Sword, she possessed the skill to counter preemptive long-range attacks, even when anticipated.

“Notes, Sonar! … Front, atop that stone pillar. Hmm? Just two?”

Frederica used Notes’ skill to identify the attacker’s position and number.

An effect spread through the area. She confirmed no other enemy players existed within her detection range beyond the two in front.

“Hah, just two, is it?”

“Those two are Lily and Wilbert, the Rapid Fire ones, right?”

"So. No tamed monsters, and no monsters that can be tamed with items during this event."

The guild members stir slightly at this. The disparity in numbers is overwhelming. It feels less like they are being driven back and more as if an ambush is being set, drawing them in.

"Perhaps they believe they have a chance... or at least that they can retreat without defeat."

Pain and the others move with a considerable number. Having stepped into enemy territory, their retreat must be secured.

"Let us verify the source of their confidence. Then, if they show a flaw, cut them down."

"Got it. I’ll clear the path. Just follow the plan."

Dread calls forth her shadow, the most reliable way to gauge the enemy’s response.

"Engagement. Shadow! [Shadow Realm]!"

This skill, which allows party members to burrow underground and move, applies only to all allied players within range during this event.

The Gathering Holy Sword has everyone swiftly run through the shadows, dispersing safely to the next cover.

Even Wilbert cannot pierce through the ground. The formation is arranged to make targeting difficult from various angles, and upon returning to the surface, they immediately unleash magic from multiple directions.

“[Multiple Smoke Screen]!”

Frederica produces white smoke that obstructs only the enemy’s line of sight, completely covering the ground. She then cautiously peeks out from behind the rock to check the situation above.

“Uwah!?!”

At that moment, a white light bursts before her face—evidence of the [Arrow-Deflecting Wind Wall] activating. She jerks her head back, startled.

"Can you see it even now? That's odd..."

"Guess that's why her eyes are special. Don't know what skill it is, but she's pinpointing our positions perfectly."

"But not infallible."

She can fire her lethal arrows, but only in the direction she aims. With the current formation of the Gathering Holy Sword, simultaneous attacks will inevitably leave multiple spots untargeted.

"Notes! Pigeon! Yes, please—thank you!"

Notes' cooing skill normally delivers chosen buffs to allies beyond range. Though it takes time, this will spread the Arrow-Deflecting Wind Wall to everyone.

"Let's go!"

At the instant the preparation ends, Dread's command sends all of them leaping from cover, closing the distance in one swift motion.

In response, a downpour of arrows pierces the sky, unrelenting and indiscriminate across the entire field.

A powerful attack. Yet the Gathering Holy Sword, well-versed in ranged assaults, does not falter.

““Large-Scale Magic Barrier!””

“Shadow — Concealment.”

“Earth! — Rock Dome!”

Each member of the high-trained Gathering Holy Sword deploys their standard, high-efficiency defensive barrier, dampening the force of the arrow storm. Among them, Dread and Drag, standing apart, use the power of their hastily tamed monsters—Dread vanishing into shadow, Drag shielding behind a thick wall of stone—to hide within and nullify the arrows with near-perfect precision.

“Earth, you’re thinking ahead—good job.”

“Don’t forget—*I’m* the one giving the orders! — Quake!”

Drag finally entered range and slammed the ground, generating a powerful tremor. It traveled upward through the extended rock pillars that were part of the earth.

“Ha! Fall down!”

Any player affected by Drag’s skill is forcibly knocked back—especially devastating on narrow platforms.

“Pain! I’m counting on you!”

Cutting through the smoke screen created by Frederica, a white dragon ascended into the sky and surged directly toward the target.

““Quick Change!””

Seeing this, Lily and Wilbert switched their equipment mid-air.

“Flight Mechanism, Servant’s Chair”

Lily activates her skill. Drones emerge in a burst of effect. They are forcibly joined together by the following skill. The structure remains airborne, yet becomes a floor beneath the two.

"Ray, [Full Mana Release], [Flow of Light]!"

Pain’s sword begins to radiate terrible light. Lily produces a vast number of summoned soldiers, preparing for the onslaught.

[Holy Dragon’s Light Blade]!

[Puppet Wall]!

The light erupts along the path of the descending sword. It slices through the stacked, lifeless soldiers with terrifying speed.

[Reproduction], [Repair]!

Lily’s production rate matches the destruction. Soldiers rise anew, throwing themselves into the wall.

Immediately, Pain’s torrent of light breaks through Lily’s wall. It passes beyond, continuing backward.

As long as they stayed apart and bought time, it seemed there would be no problem. When the light settled, they had retreated slightly to a platform behind, lining up soldiers aiming firearms at Pain.

"Ah. Quite formidable."

"Haha, that's pleasing. To hear you say that, Pain. Hey, Wil."

"Yes. Then let us begin anew, Lily."

Just as Wilbert started to cast a buff, the ground across the area began to glow red.

"……!"

"This is… Wil!"

"Yes, it comes from above!"

Pain glanced briefly at the sky, surprised by the phenomenon, unexpected even to Lily and the others.

There, suspended in the air, floated countless magic circles. Opposite them, a single massive black dragon loomed.

Yes. The kings of both nations participate in this battle. Not confined to the range of player-used area attacks, but a super-wide, indiscriminate assault affecting the entire map. The red light on the ground marked the impact points.

"The king's attack comes! Dread!"

"Shadow—[Release of the Pack][Shadow World]!"

Shadow's form spread from around him, shadows expanding, a vast number of wolves rushing forth. The effect: the cooldown of a single skill was cleared.

All plunged back into the ground, and moved away at once, safely, from the spot.

"If not interrupted, next will be to the end."

"Of course."

The Gathering Holy Sword, having brought many guild members, would suffer heavy losses if they stayed. By the time they cleared this, enemy reinforcements would be approaching.

From Lily's group's perspective, if they retreat, there is no reason to pursue.

Before the varied magic falling from above and the dragon’s intense breath could strike, both sides quickly withdrew from the spot.

Lily retreated, using her summoned cavalry as a foothold via the 【Servant’s Chair】, evading the approaching breath and withdrawing to her own lines.

“Phew. Impressive. Pain dives in without hesitation once she sees a target down.”

“I thought you might hesitate a little more. Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. Their coordination was good. And….”

Lily ran a short distance. Ahead, a figure approached, summoning lightning as it moved toward her.

“Wait—where’s the 【Gathering Holy Sword】!?”

“…And our reinforcements are a little late too.”

Velvet, dragging Hinata beside her through enforced proximity by gravity control. A force that could shift the tide of battle if they arrived in time, yet their starting position had been too distant—unfortunate.

“Try harder next time.”

“H-Hinata, please… next time, give us a little more room… m-my head’s spinning…”

“D-Do you need help?”

“Get on. This place might be hit by a breath at any moment.”

“Understood. I’ll stay alert. If the Gathering Holy Sword turns back, Velvet. I’m counting on you.”

“Got it!”

Thus, the four returned to their own lines, riding on Lilie’s custom cavalry.