Defense specialization and hidden reserve.

When Drag and Dread successfully withdrew and returned to near the Town, they met Pain, who was just issuing the next orders to the Guild members.

“Hm? You’re back.”

“Yeah… ran into a troublesome one. Thought about calling reinforcements to surround them… but they didn’t follow.”

“【Rapid Fire】 and 【Thunder Storm】 showed up. Looked like four of them, though.”

“Hmm… four would not have come this far, likely. Still, stay alert.”

From not pressing the pursuit of Dread and the others, it was clear: they intended to destroy the enemy before them with full force, but had no intention of taking unnecessary risks.

“Not exactly reckless enough to assault the main camp, now, are they?”

“Velvet’s momentum could’ve made it possible, though.”

Ah… and Velvet used one of those skills too. Pain, you should tell 【Maple's Tree】 about it. Especially Sally—she’ll need it.

I see. Tell me about it.

Dread conveys 【Excessive Charge】 to Pain. Surviving a clash with that requires either powerful long-range offense or defensive capability strong enough to withstand a direct assault.

Understood. I’ll pass it along to 【Maple's Tree】 myself. I’m due to return there with Frederica soon.

Oh? Already done? They’re making good progress over there!

【Maple's Tree】, accompanied by Frederica, is placing explosives on the opposite side. With both Sally and Frederica present, they can rely on Notes’ power for detection, making reconnaissance more reliable, and stealth operations far easier.

That’s right. There’s something else too. We heard an explosion over here, but it was smaller than expected, and the sound split apart. Might’ve been noticed.

Hearing it, Wilbert or Hinata would be likely suspects. Either one could have the skill to limit damage.

Not everything goes as planned. Still, knowing it didn’t go as planned holds value.

“Rest, in case of large-scale combat.”

“Got it!”

“Ah… yeah. I’m worn down.”

They turn and return into the Town. A short while later, nine return, swapping in Frederica at the 【Maple Tree】.

“Hey, Peeen! Nothing happened, right?”

“Ah, no enemy presence. How was it?”

"Got this side handled. Took out the enemy I spotted along the way. Mai and Yui vanished and approached too close—didn’t even know what happened before they were dead."

Good, it worked out well!

Frederica had told us in advance where the enemy was located...

The assassination, aided by the strength of Murasame and Sō, has not yet been recognized within enemy lines. The dead speak no words. Without a survivor, nothing of what occurred can be known.

We’ve set plenty of bombs as well!

The effect is...

Sally cut through the air. A chain of towering flames erupted in the distant forest. The explosion engulfed the entire area. No player could survive such force.

...It seems there was one.

That seems to be the case. It is helpful that the results come quickly.

It was wise to leave early.

The idea of no distinction between friend and foe is terrifying. It was wise to warn everyone in advance. I only hope no one was drawn in by accident…

That’s right. Lives cannot be compensated.

Perhaps we were able to draw in the next party because we took out a few earlier?

The extent of the damage is unknown, but it was substantial.

The results are not poor. Maple and the others begin to retreat toward the Town, following Dread and Drag, to rest. Each time they stand at the front line, the body wears down, always ready for battle at any moment.

A margin of safety is necessary, so that no critical mistake is made when it matters.

“Sally. There’s something I must tell you. From Dread.”

“From you? Understood.”

Sally tells Maple and the others to return ahead and rest. She remains behind.

Pain then delivers what was expected—what Dread had told him.

“Indeed…”

“Velvet claimed to have fought once before, yet that skill should not have been present at that time.”

Having aligned with the Gathering Holy Sword, Sally had shared what she had witnessed during her duel with Velvet.

“There was mention of a hidden ability. That may be it. I shall remain cautious. I cannot match her myself… I check periodically with Izu regarding the bomb’s status.”

“Ah, that is helpful. Aside from that, I wish to hear your assessment of the situation. For future strategy.”

Sally is the strategist of the Maplewood. That is why she remained behind.

“…The battle has not reached the level of seriousness I expected. We have not pressed too deeply either. It is mutual, one might say.”

I agree. Even Velvet, if she pushed a little harder, could have matched Dread with Drag at his side. Deaths occur across the regions, but the front lines remain nearly motionless from the central axis.

Neither side is pressing forward because the number of deaths has not reached a point where numerical advantage becomes decisive. The event period continues, so there is no need for urgency. Above all, allowing even a single death has become a deliberate move to avoid greater risk across the entire event.

Occasionally, outliers like Mii’s [Dawn] or Maple’s [Annihilation Field] produce results so far beyond expectation that many fall away. But these are not moments that directly determine victory.

The balance persists because neither side has yet committed to that final step.

It feels as though only a single catalyst would be needed. If that were the case…

That is right. There is a definite moment when combat will begin. Only when many players gather will the situation shift significantly.

Pain and Sally think of the same moment. It is the time when the monsters of both sides are forced to charge en masse toward the enemy camp. If neither side responds, the enemy players will gather in greater numbers at certain points, and the monsters of their side will fall one by one, their momentum driving back toward their own camp. To avoid this, both sides must advance to the front line. A large-scale clash is unavoidable. Whether one gains advantage there will be the first decisive point.

"They will come from the center, led by the Kingdom of the Flame Emperor. That fortress was built to resist easy assault. They are stationed at the front, waiting for the right moment."

The formation of the Flame Emperor's Kingdom is formidable. Aligning with it would be the strongest course...

Sally does not dissent. Advancing with Mii leading the charge, burning the enemy forces, would make approaching the enemy lines from the ground impossible.

We must decide: face them directly, or continue as before, attacking from the flanks and applying pressure toward the royal palace through maneuvering. This must be considered.

“What do you think, Pain?”

“I believe it better to decide the outcome at the center.”

“…That was unexpected.”

"Haha, yes. When you cannot imagine what the center will become if we leave the Flame Emperor's Kingdom and Thunder Storm unchecked, the risk is clear. A complete breakthrough leaves no room for maneuvering. That is dangerous."

They must respond to the enemy. A passive reason, yet it reflects the sense that the strength of the group centered on the Flame Emperor's Kingdom and Thunder Storm surpasses their own camp.

"Still, the odds are high they will turn against us. A choice between two undesirable options."

Having heard this, Sally understands what The Gathering Holy Sword seeks from the Maple Tree.

"There are methods to shift the tide of battle. Effective when facing head-on, especially with many combatants. Though I do have reservations..."

She looks away slightly, speaking with hesitation.

"Will you tell me?"

"Perhaps later, once we enter the Town? I cannot decide alone. The Gathering Holy Sword will be a rival once this ends."

"Hmm. A significant hidden asset. I will not press you on it."

I don’t think I’ll refuse. Mostly, it’s unnecessary interference on my part.

Winning with full effort in this moment. That is the goal. What comes after, we’ll consider then. Sally leads Pain toward Maple, the one who holds the hidden card capable of shifting the tide of battle.

Waiting for the two to return, the others of 【Maple’s Tree】 had split from Frederica, who had gone to the outer wall for reconnaissance, and rested in the space near the entrance.

“Ah, Sally! Was the talk finished?”

“Yeah. We’ve spoken our part.”

“……?”

“From here on, it’s about Maple.”

The largest battle yet to unfold. How Maple will intervene—Sally has one possible outcome in mind.

“I think Maple will use that.”

“……! Yeah, that one!”

“Still, to use it at full strength, everyone must know about it….”

“It’s fine! Besides, we must say it clearly—otherwise, it’s dangerous!”

“Haha… a comrade in danger… terrifying.”

The hidden tactic appears not to be something simple like shielding those around. What Pain envisions is more akin to indiscriminate attack.

“…That thing…”

“Yeah. We do need to know, that’s true.”

“Especially if many people gather.”

“Indeed.”

“Otherwise…”

“Things will get out of control!”

Even those familiar with Maple’s every move—the members of the 【Maple Tree】—react with subtle hesitation. For a moment, Pain hesitates, truly wondering if it is right to use it. But if it is capable of such power, then restraint in its use should still make it effective.

“Tell me about it, if you would. Your hidden tactic.”

“Yes!”

She replies with vigor. Maple conveys the details of the skill to Pain.

……n, I see. Now I understand the reason for the reaction of the [Maple Tree].

Pain, unusually unsettled, exhales once to steady himself, then formulates the plan accordingly.

We must first gather personnel heading toward the center. [Gathering Holy Sword] and [Maple Tree]. We should summon as many other guilds as possible. When that happens, everyone will need to be informed. Is that acceptable?

Yes!

Actually, it’s necessary. Otherwise, we can’t use it properly…

Ah. Yes. That’s true.

Maple readily consents to revealing her trump card to all assembled. Now only the gathering remains.

I’ve recorded the footage onto the item. When we gather, simply project it onto the monitor. That should be sufficient.

Oh. You recorded it?

I thought it would be faster if we needed to use it.

Indeed, a hundred hearsays are not worth one sight.

As preparations for the strategy advance in step with the monster advance, Pain speaks, regarding the current state where the Kingdom of Flame Emperor has seized and holds the central position.

We shall do our best.

Maple? Do you have a plan?

Yes!

Seeing Maple’s confident reply, Pain decides to entrust the handling of the Kingdom of Flame Emperor to the Maple Tree. As the guildmaster of the Gathering Holy Sword, she sets out to gather others.

Should the large-scale top guild Gathering Holy Sword mobilize, more players will follow the strategy. Gathering people is better suited to the Gathering Holy Sword than the Maple Tree.

Thus, each begins their own course of action, as the hour of battle draws near. They do all they can, to gain even the slightest advantage.