Defense-oriented and strategic weaponry.

While the Gathering Holy Sword gathers people, Maple steps onto the field.

Before the central battle, the Flame Emperor's Nation must be checked—its solid formation steadily advancing, pressing the front line.

To restore even footing, Maple decides to enact the plan she had prepared.

"Battle conditions—uh. Feels like they're firing magic just at the edge of range."

Kanade confirms the distant battlefield through her binoculars. The range of magic is set, a known fact. If all fire at the very edge of that range, even the Flame Emperor's Nation—whose defense relies on strong recovery and obstacle placement—would find it difficult to advance safely and continue attacking the enemy mages.

Yet around Markus’s 【Night Castle】, the defenses held firm through water and stone, inflicting pressure without harm—because 【Flame Emperor's Nation】 was a powerful guild.

“Going further risks being burned by Mii. They’re handling it well.”

“Then we should hurry and provide support! Mai, Yui?”

““Yes!””

These two held the key to the strategy. Maple activated 【Love That Offers the Body】, reducing the risk of both falling to near zero, as confirmed beforehand. She moved toward the predetermined location.

Climbing the mountain, she reached the edge of a cliff. Below, the battlefield unfolded. The main front, where spells flew, lay in the distance. From here, magic would not reach. No interference was expected.

Conversely, without an attack of exceptional range surpassing ordinary magic, nothing could be done. Naturally, Maple was not equipped with such a thing.

"Then let's set it up."

"Yes. Now."

Izu withdrew something resembling a golf tee, its upper end shaped like a dish. The only difference lay in its size—enormous, reaching nearly to Maple’s waist.

Crom and Kasumi confirmed it was firmly planted in the ground, one each. They looked to Izu as if ready.

"Leave this to the two of us."

"“Yes!”"

Next, Izu withdrew the iron ball—familiar to Maple’s Tree by now. Yet strangely, though common as a weapon, it differed slightly from the usual.

First, size. It measures as tall as two Maples standing side by side. Only Mai and Yui together could carry it properly.

Next, material. What Izu crafted retains the strength of an iron ball, yet is transparent like glass, allowing the view through it to remain clear. A change in appearance is trivial to Izu.

“Yes!”

“The platform doesn’t seem to break… it should be fine.”

They each set the iron ball atop their tees, then planted the great mallet firmly on the ground and checked forward.

““Ready!””

On the command, the great mallet swung through. Clean hit. The iron ball shot skyward with great force.

“Whoa… that’s far.”

“No one else could do this. The enemy won’t expect it.”

“Not done yet.”

The iron ball soared into the sky with unmeasured range. No skill governed its distance—only raw strength had driven it so far. So long as it reached its destination, the iron sphere would strike the ground with amplified force upon descent.

“Visibility’s poor, so… then it’s just…”

“Yeah. Keep firing until it hits.”

“Mai! Yui! Do your best!”

“Yes!”

“Keep launching it…!”

“It’s fine. I warned them. No allies will be caught in the blast.”

The aim was distraction. It mattered not if the shots were precise. As long as the enemy avoided the falling meteorites, the goal was achieved.

Seconds later. The large, hard, transparent spheres—too big to be raindrops—fell one after another onto the territory of the Kingdom of Flame Emperor.

“Ooh!? W-what’s this!?”

“We’re under attack… w-what kind of magic is this?”

"Everyone, deploy the barrier! Mizari!"

"Yes!"

Though launched by Mai and Yui, the raindrops fell not from impact but natural descent. Those of sufficient strength—such as the guild members of the Kingdom of Flame Emperor—would survive a direct hit. Still, if crushed from above, one would receive continuous damage until death, trapped beneath the sphere with no chance of escape.

"Markus!"

"I'm checking via camera... no magic circle. It's nearly straight down, but what is this...?"

"We want to stop it, but who is Markus?!"

"Can't tell... no one seems to fit the description."

"Recovery is possible, but this... it's a bit difficult."

The fortress known as One-Night Castle and the defensive barriers spread around it possess durability. If the attack continues, they will eventually break. All will be cast out.

"Mii, what do we do?"

...Let us retreat a little. Being attacked unilaterally is unpleasant.

Mii understood the enemy camp’s intent: to force her group back.

She would accept that, but Mii, like the other players, was proceeding cautiously while keeping death risk low. She had no intention of pushing too hard here.

“Markus, the traps?”

“Leave the ones that are hard to trigger under strict conditions.”

“Then it’s fine. Shin, recall everyone.”

“Yes! Then I’ll signal when ready!”

As the two prepared their withdrawal, Mii exhaled quietly. Mizari leaned in, speaking softly.

“Only those two could manage something like this…”

“Yeah. Mai and Yui, probably. With eight great hammers boosting STR, they might be able to attack from far away…”

The range is enough to surprise even mages and archers. And it carries sufficient force—worst possible kind of disadvantage.

"I thought you were strictly melee-focused..."

"You could even serve as a fixed artillery platform."

Reconfronting them, the status display belies a flexibility no one would expect. As new concerns accumulate, Shin and Markus return after completing their retreat preparations.

"Good! Mii! I’ve recalled the guild members!"

"We’re ready anytime."

"Hnnn... Understood. Withdraw! Markus!"

"【Change】"

The pre-set trap and the 【Night Castle】’s position are swapped. 【Empire of the Flame Emperor】 instantly transfers to a makeshift fortress behind them in a single moment.

"Hmm... They’ve retreated. Didn’t seem to notice our position at all."

"Ah, looks like it worked."

"Remarkable, Mai, Yui! That was an incredible attack!"

"Thank you!"

"I'm sorry I used so much of it, Izu-san..."

"It's fine, it's fine. To be honest... there's no other use for this."

"That's true."

"It felt like an item made solely for this purpose."

"Now the enemy should find it harder to advance. I'd like to keep pressing them a little more."

"“Yes!”"

Showing they still have strength will make the enemy hesitate to move forward recklessly. Even if it's just a standoff, the one who applies the greater pressure will hold the advantage.

"Shall we test it now? I don't think there'll be any issues."

"Then let's do it once. For practice!"

"“Understood!”"

Maple steps into the capsule prepared by Iz, supported from both sides by uprights and fixed aloft. Though hastily assembled since the event began, its quality is assured—crafted by Iz, after all.

“Maple? You alright?”

“Okay!”

A bright, energetic voice comes from within. Mai and Yui stand close, flanking the capsule.

Maple’s [Hair Growth] can only be used once per day. After usage, a shell of sufficient strength and size will be required to properly launch her.

““Ready!””

In perfect unison, the two lift the heavy mallet high above their heads. The clash of metal echoes. The capsule containing Maple shoots straight upward into the sky.

“Off it goes.”

“Even knowing it will hold, I’d rather not be near.”

“Ahaha, well, the plan was for Maple to do it alone, after all.”

…If she’s not falling, then it worked, perhaps?

The capsule enclosing Maple explodes from within mid-flight, self-destructing and launching Maple higher into the sky with the shockwave. She soars beyond the clouds, reaching a distant height. In midair, she equips two shields to her 【Hand of Salvation】 and positions them beneath her feet to serve as a platform, aligning with her free fall.

“Takka-i!”

This height is beyond even Shiroppu’s floating range. No one has ever ascended this far on purpose, not even with levitation.

This place is accessible only to those with high flight capability—beyond the reach of all skills with fixed ranges.

Maple confirms her success without injury. She stows the shields beneath her feet and begins a rapid descent toward the ground.

The 【Maple Tree】 retrieves Maple unharmed from where she sank into the ground. The operation complete, it returns toward the Town. There, players already gathered with the 【Gathering Holy Sword】 prepare to advance to the front lines. The Guildmaster shares basic movements with them.

"Payne-san!"

"Ah, Maple. Looks like it went well. Frederica was startled."

"Anyone would be startled seeing something like that fall from the sky."

"We’ll fight together, all of us here!"

"That’s right. There may be slight variations, but roughly everyone is accounted for."

"Then we must explain the core of this operation from our side."

Sally begins setting up the monitor with Iz, then demonstrates to Maple.

"【Heaven’s Throne】! 【Residual Light of Salvation】!"

Four white feathers extend from Maple’s back. A white throne appears behind her. When Maple sits upon it, two layers of white light spread across the ground. Players within the light gain damage reduction and healing effects—endurance enhanced. Maple herself gains double damage reduction through a powerful buff. Even without 【Love That Offers the Body】, she remains effective.

“【Love That Offers the Body】 cannot be used. If the attack shifts to piercing, Maple cannot endure it.”

The combination of 【Love That Offers the Body】 and Maple’s defense is strong. Yet, as expected, most players already know its strength. Their countermeasures are flawless.

If forced to protect far more players than usual, she would fall in an instant.

“This raises everyone’s endurance. The buff remains as long as Maple stands.”

Not shielding, but raising endurance for all. Each bears the strain. With Love That Offers the Body, wide-area damage reduction—usually ineffective—now becomes a powerful support buff for the front lines.

"This will make fighting easier."

"Yes."

Grateful, the gathered guilds inquire about the exact damage reduction rate, then adjust their strategy accordingly.

"This part was safe for everyone. From here on, it will be shown on the monitor. I ask you to prepare yourselves, knowing this is about to unfold."

All stare, breath held. The words from their allies feel unnatural. Unsettling.

"…………?"

"What is this?"

"?????"

The revelation, first shown to other players, seemed to have struck with considerable force. The persistent, restless murmuring was proof enough.

"Mr. Pain. This is Maple's new hidden strategy."

"……I understand. Be on guard."

"Heh heh, amazing, isn't it? Why would we be on guard against an ally?"

Before the unfolding, they had agreed to signal with a flare shot into the sky. Now, prepared for Maple's hidden strategy, they waited for the moment of direct confrontation.

At intervals, Mai and Yui were sent to the front lines, drawing a steady rain of iron spheres. The enemy camp did not press forward aggressively. The time for the monster's coordinated assault had arrived.

At this moment, all monsters surged forward at once toward the enemy lines. The balance was likely to break. The tension of the players, poised to launch, was palpable.

It’s time, Sally!

Yes. Let’s settle this here.

Maple will be an essential player in this battle. The absence of [Unyielding Guardian] is a concern, but Sally will make up for it.

No matter how difficult it may be.

Command of the entire force will fall to the large guild centered on [Gathering Holy Sword], so [Maple Tree] will be able to move with some freedom in response.

Then I’ll take the front line.

We’ll support from behind. Good luck.

“Wishing you strength!”

Mai and Yui, Crom and Iz remain in the rear. Without [Love That Offers the Body], they risk being struck down suddenly in the crossfire. They will fight from the rear, protected by Crom. Even so, Mai and Yui are formidable enough to threaten from behind—terrifying, really.

Sorry… I can’t use [Love That Offers the Body]…

"Haha, I'd appreciate it if you'd eliminate the enemy so they don't get behind us."

"Yes, I'll do my best!"

"Ah, no need to push yourself too hard, now."

As each one steeled their resolve, the field suddenly grew chaotic. The rumble of movement began—every monster had started to walk.

"Advance to the center!"

At Pain's command, each guild responded. All aligned their steps. They surged forward from the town.

"Maple-san!"

"Here we go...!"

"Yep! I'm ready anytime!"

"「One, two, three!」"

While the others launched their assault, Maple swiftly entered her capsule. Lifted by Mai and Yui's unmatched strength, she soared high above, far beyond the others.

"Ready."

"Kanade, Kasumi. Let's follow everyone."

"Exactly as planned."

The three heading to the front continued behind the main group, keeping pace.

Above, monsters with flight能力 lined up, dragons foremost. On the ground, beasts surged forward, wreathed in flames and lightning—distinctive to this nation. Sally and the others moved among them. A dark shape rose from the horizon, kicking up dust. As it drew near, a colossal castle materialized at the battlefield’s center.

Undeniable. The Empire of Flame stood before them now.

“Finally.”

“Must keep focus.”

“First…”

At the very moment the two armies collided, the battle ignited—by clash or by magic.

Without warning, a ring of crimson-black sparks flared behind the enemy lines. Within its range, all life burned without distinction.

The origin, effect, and power remained unknown. As damage accumulated on the fragile rear guard, a ripple of unease passed through the enemy lines. At the forefront, the Gathering Holy Sword led the charge— all members surged forward.

"Perhaps it’s time for the celestial strategic weapon."

Sally thought of Maple, far above, her strike perfectly executed by the deployment of the Annihilation Field.