Defense specialization and weather.

Starting this week, regular posts will resume. If there are any changes to days or times, I will inform you via activity report or the Twitter I’ve set up.

A large-scale battle that inflicted damage on both sides. Players, weary in body and mind, did not force another assault, and time passed slowly. Eventually, the sun sank below the horizon.

“Maple, how are you?”

“I’m fine! I rested properly!”

In the royal palace, Maple had finished the dessert prepared by the chef. She appeared ready.

“I’ll go out when night falls. I’ve already informed the Gathering Holy Sword.”

“Yeah… I hope it goes well.”

“It’s hard to predict. I don’t think anyone truly understands Maple’s ability.”

Night. The hour when surprise attacks and small-scale skirmishes intensify. This operation centers on Maple, not Sally. Maple’s overly flamboyant array of abilities seems unsuited for stealth, yet something lies in wait for her and her companions this time.

“We hold position for now.”

“Yes. We watch and wait again.”

As battles repeat, the number of players diminishes. With nightfall, movement becomes easier to conceal, and detection of enemies entering their own base grows less likely.

To launch an assault toward the enemy camp would require time to regroup for defense. Arriving at the palace while attacking would render the effort futile.

They strike enemy players with precision, but their focus remains on defense. Surviving the night demands balance between offense and protection.

If there is need to go outside, avoid acting alone as much as possible.

Yes, tasks become harder when alone.

Especially Mai and Yui cannot withstand surprise attacks. Going out as backup requires caution.

Maple-san, Sally-san! Please do your best!

But be careful…!

Yeah, leave it to us! Sally’s here, so it’s fine!

I’ll do my best. Especially until I can use 【Unyielding Guardian】.

Resting and preparing, 【Maple’s Grove】. The door of the room where eight people gather opens slowly. Frederica peeks out.

Tired? How about it? Ready?

We’re fine! Anytime!

Then it’s about time. The sun’s setting.

To launch surprise attacks under cover of night, Maple and Sally bid farewell to their guildmates and step out of the room.

"Alright, let's do this!"

"Uh-huh. You're the main one, Maple, so stay focused!"

Maple steps out of the palace and calls Shiroppu. Together, they wrap Shiroppu in a large black cloth, leaving arms and legs and the head exposed. Then, they climb onto Shiroppu’s back.

"Up we go!"

With Maple’s call, Shiroppu’s body rises, ascending straight upward.

"Phew. I was worried—what if we had to fly like we did with Mai and Yui?"

"No need to rush this time."

Shiroppu rises slowly, piercing through the clouds, until they reach the upper limit of the night-darkening sky.

"Whoa… so high… glad I’m not afraid of heights."

"Stay steady—don’t fall!"

Few could survive a fall like that. The three moved forward through the night sky toward the enemy lines, unbroken. No landmarks marked the endless expanse above, but a map would have made no difference.

This should be hard to notice.

There’s cloth as well, you know.

The black cloth wrapping Shiroppu is meant to make her hard to spot during movement. To see her shape, blending into the night sky as if from far below, is difficult.

Clouds are not visible from this field to begin with. This is merely a precaution—such preparation, at best.

For a surprise attack to succeed, it is most important that the enemy not perceive them at all.

Maple and the others continued moving. They reached the enemy's frontline above without being noticed.

It’s about time, Frederica.

Yes, yes, Notes, it’s your turn now!

Frederica confirms that Notes is properly perched atop her head, then activates the skill.

“Sonic!”

The effect spreads like ripples, allowing her to perceive all within a set radius centered on Notes. Like Maple’s Love That Offers the Body, it has no vertical limit—she can now include the ground below in her detection range.

“There they are.”

“Truly useful. How far?”

“About ten, maybe?”

“Maple, let’s try it. Just testing.”

“Understood!”

“Then I’ll do the same—Notes, Volume Up!”

Frederica commands, and Maple is granted a buff. The effect expands the range of skills and magic. Frederica watches Maple, wondering what she intends next.

“Acid Rain!”

“Create Water!”

A purple magic circle unfolds in the air, its poison dripping steadily toward the ground.

In sync, Sally's blue magic circle produces water, pouring it down like rain. It appears to be nothing more than ordinary rain.

It will take time for someone to realize the moisture on the ground is poison.

"...Is that all?"

"That's it. Well, it's part experiment, too. You know how potent Maple's poison is, don't you? Firing it at a [Poison Dragon] would surely draw attention."

"True, but—"

Frederica shrugs, her expression unimpressed.

"Still deciding whether to let it fall on the Town. If they find out, we won't be able to escape."

"Wilbert would probably track us down."

Frederica does not know that the rain soaking the ground is a lethal poison—deadly beyond deadly—killing instantly upon contact.

[Poison Rain Spell]. A prayer for the endless death rain to claim more players.

Tonight’s weather: rain laced with poison. Corpses scattered in places.

Thus, Maple and her companions move through the enemy lines, summoning the rain.