Defense specialization and tactical planning.

When Pain and the others return to Town after ending their search, Maple and Sally await them.

“How did it go?”

“No luck. Can’t find them.”

“Likely escaped using their skill. Seems they planned this from the start.”

“They won’t try attacking again. Without Formation Change, escaping like this will be harder.”

Pain tells Sally he will now devise a strategy of his own. If they are to fight, they must align with the Maple Tree.

“Yes. Crom, can you take Maple back?”

“Right. Safety first.”

Sally did well. Crom raises his great shield, unwilling to fail here. Maple, whose actions backfired, seems less spirited.

“Sorry, Sally.”

“Ahaha, don’t worry about it. Now, let me protect you once in a while.”

Hearing that, Maple regains some spirit.

“…Yeah! I’ll do it better next time!”

“That’s right. Keep that spirit.”

“Then I’ll return for now. Call me if you need me again.”

Crom and Kasumi move toward the castle, positioning themselves on either side of Maple, their focus still on the outer wall. Left behind are Pain and Sally.

“May I hear the details about what happened afterward?”

“Yeah. That was my intention from the start.”

Pain shares information with Sally. Sally nods slowly, then begins to consider the phenomenon that occurred.

“I believe it’s a skill. I can’t say exactly what it is, but it feels… not just increased speed, but instantaneous movement.”

“I agree. They escaped too easily. This time, we were left on the receiving end.”

"We’ll need to set something in motion here as well. That’s the implication, yes."

"Indeed. If they can launch that ambush every time the retreat skill becomes usable, it’ll be difficult to proceed."

"...So we want to take down those four, then."

"Good, we’re on the same page. Velvet, do you have any strategy for 【Maple’s Tree】? I’d like to hear it."

"…………"

Sally fell silent, considering the question.

"There is. But it’s high risk?"

"Probably. Yes."

"Likely we’re thinking the same thing. Then I’ll propose it—let’s send Maple onto the battlefield."

"That’s inevitable, isn’t it?"

The previous battle. If Wilbert had acted, it would have been easy to eliminate Crom, Kasumi, and Pain from blind spots.

They waited—endured prolonged risk for Velvet and Hinata—simply to eliminate Maple.

Fighting the targeted player is difficult unless the opponent is forced into a position they cannot avoid. Sending out troops to defeat the four does not guarantee their response.

To drag them onto the battlefield, something must be offered—something the opponent values enough to fight for. A bait.

"I am not insisting. You understand the risk. I know this is a strategy you would rather avoid, one not desired as a [Maple] player."

"Yes. I would prefer to avoid it. But..."

When setting aside personal feelings, Sally recognized the plan held enough merit to be carried out.

"There is no alternative. I am not enough to lure the four. Not even close."

"No player holds value equal to Maple's."

Maple’s presence is essential to the operation. Yet it must proceed without the [Unyielding Guardian]. Crossing the day will diminish the operation’s value significantly.

"Ask Maple this time. I cannot choose for myself."

If you say you'll do it—

I will prepare. I wish to warm up.

Understood. If it is acceptable to you, I will accompany you.

Please.

Push performance to its limit. No mistakes this time. Not even one.

Whether Maple responds or not, if she agrees, we will decide the details and then set out.

Yes

Pain walked onward toward the palace, following Maple, who had gone ahead.

...She'll do it, I suppose. She's Maple, after all.

Sally felt the weight of Maple accepting this operation.

That was precisely why she had not even proposed it, after thinking of it.

Maple understood the merits of the plan, even if she could not judge its worth. She could grasp, upon reflection, the value in defeating those four.

Sally knew that if the cost were her own risk, Maple would accept it.

— Fhoo… Focus.

Every attack must be deflected. There was no point otherwise.

Sally thought this, then walked ahead toward the training hall, as a warm-up.