Defense specialization and withdrawal.

“Daaah! Pain, that won’t reach them!”

“Can’t help it. Pain’s strongest in close combat, but you were outmaneuvered.”

The fierce battle, which began almost simultaneously across the spectator areas, concluded in turn. Players who fell in combat were transferred in succession.

Drag’s voice rose in frustration.

Pain’s burst of light had just missed catching Lily and Wilbart.

Thus, Mai and Kasumi arrived at the spot where Drag and Dread, Mizari and Shin had been watching the fight.

“Sorry, both of you. I protected Mii, but…”

“More than enough! That one was truly unreadable.”

“Yeah…”

“Acting to protect Mii on instinct was significant.”

All that could be done had been done. There was nothing left but to entrust the rest to those still standing. Marc had defended Mii because he trusted her to carry on.

“Yui, it worked… good.”

Mai exhales, seeing Yui absent and Markus present. The transfer had succeeded. The plan had worked.

They had not defeated Mii—her primary objective—but defeating Markus was a victory worth holding high.

“Yeah, both of you did well! Took a bold move and caught them off guard!”

“Yeah, no one else could’ve pulled that off.”

“Ah, thank you!”

Only Mai and Yui could launch the player into the sky or deflect the attack.

“Still, that’s Maple’s kind of reckless courage. You gonna go all fireworks just ‘cause you can?”

“Look for another way.”

Dread agrees with Drag’s sensible remark.

“I wouldn’t mind….”

“I’d prefer not to.”

“Still, Kanade worked well with that, didn’t she?”

While the leaders spoke, Hinata shifted restlessly, checking the monitor.

Is Velvet troubling you?

Kasumi-san, yes… indeed.

The monitor now showed scattered skirmishes across the field, the outcome of the pursuit unclear.

We would prefer to eliminate them, but judging by this…

I hope they have successfully joined up with Mii.

That Velvet and Mii did not arrive here speaks to the result.

Velvet’s status enhancement still had a short time remaining.

Hinata could only hope that Sally, burdened with concern for the trapped Maple, would outpace her due to the difference in speed.

If Maple and Sally have won, then it is enough. My role will be fulfilled by Pain.

A mobile attacker. Each has their own nature, yet many can fulfill the role equally.

That is why Kasumi pressed forward, aware of the danger.

If Maple and Sally have defeated Hinata—someone irreplaceable—then standing before Lilie and Wilbert holds meaning.

They waited a short while, watching the monitor. It seemed no further battle would occur. At that moment, Shin approached them, asking about the two previous fights.

"Kasumi, you still had that debuff hidden?"

"Not hidden. I simply had no chance to use it."

"With 【Maple Tree】, debuffs seem unnecessary."

Shin glanced briefly at Mai. The sight of enemies flying apart without debuffs was easy to imagine.

They were successfully lured out. I should apologize to Crom.

It was an oversight that Wilbert, thanks to the Temmon, could now use movement disruption as fierce as Hinata’s.

Crom had been able to close the gap even without that.

It’s my fault too. If I had survived—

With Dread and Shadow, retreat and movement would have been more flexible. Originally, the night was planned around Dread as the center. Losing such a figure early altered the course of battle.

Frederica will scold me later.

This time, there was no choice.

Hinata and Velvet fought hard too…

I’m sorry. I expected to win decisively.

Hinata and the others had planned to defeat Maple and her group, encircling them here to secure victory in one strike. Defeat Maple, and Sally would be at a disadvantage. They intended to join forces with the Flame Emperor's Kingdom directly after. But Sally’s performance surpassed Velvet and Hinata’s expectations.

“Ah, right! What happened to Sally? How’s she doing?”

“Her movements were extraordinary.”

“Really? I didn’t see it myself…”

“Every time I fought her, I was stunned.”

Hinata, who had seen it firsthand, and Syin, who had been defeated by Kasumi’s skill and since then had watched Sally’s combat closely, began speaking of her.

“Dread, what do you think? You fought her one-on-one before, didn’t you?”

“Only briefly, during the fourth event. I’d struggle now.”

Dread shook his head lightly in response to Drag’s question.

“Heh, unexpected. I thought Dread was quite the fighter.”

The precision of her movements is off—she’s not built for close combat, even Shadow isn’t meant for that.

Dread speaks, the match would be better against Pain than against oneself.

"Speaking of it, Sally-san also used 【Divine Speed】."

"Wait. Could it be... you told them?"

Hearing Mizari’s words, Marks turns to Dread, but Dread shrugs, as if unaware.

There would have been an option to flee, had it not been for that...

The enemy vanished while accelerating, leaving no chance to close the distance.

The fact that Sally lacked the expected skill also delayed the decision.

The more we must watch our guard. And the weapon itself changed form! The skill too—odd, somehow.

Yes...?

Markus makes a clearly displeased face. The same reaction he had when seeing Maple transformed into a monster.

Sally’s movements draw particular attention. Centered on Shin, the three shift their gaze to the monitor, determined to bring back at least one piece of information from the Empire of Flames.

Hinata too remains, choosing to watch the performance of the 【thunder storm】 guild members. She settles into the prepared chair.

…………

Amidst this, Dread exhales softly. At last, he has repaid his debt to 【thunder storm】.

Dread knows nothing of how to replicate other skills. But 【Divine Speed】—this one is genuine.

The letter he wrote before dying. It speaks of Frederica’s skill, 【Carrier Pigeon】. This skill can deliver buffs, and also return a skill in return.

But due to its power, only one person can receive it back.

Dread, who possessed several powerful skills, was naturally the one to send a skill in return.

"One way or another... I was of some use."

"Returned the favor, at least. Notes did well too."

"Frederica’s going to get carried away again."

"Haha! Let her, let her—she moves better when she’s full of herself."

"True enough."

The two continued watching. A strong contender had fallen, but the event itself was far from over.

Kasumi and Mai remained where they were.

Now, they would wait, praying that the next to arrive would not be the ones from [Maple’s Tree].

"Sally’s impressive. Moved even better than during warm-up."

"Even when fighting Kasumi-san, she was incredible."

"Sally performs best when she cannot afford to lose. Still, though..."

Kasumi and Mai exchange glances, surprised despite having heard of the skill’s effects and capabilities. They had not expected such a range of expression from it.

The true strength of Sally’s new skill remains unclear without witnessing it in combat.

Still, the skill itself relies heavily on Sally’s own ability. Even if the two had acquired it, they could not replicate her movements.

“Maple remains. I will trust her to handle it.”

“I believe… I believe Yui will carry my part as well!”

The remaining members of the [Maple Tree] are all elite. Each one is capable of bearing the burden.

They watch the monitor, hoping for victory. The two do the same.