Defense specialization. Waiting for dawn.

Sally darted quickly to Maple’s side as she emerged from the purple dome created by Hinata. She confirmed Velvet’s absence, halted the lightning recreated as illusion, and restored Maple’s dwindling HP.

“Good work, Maple.”

“Yeah! Where’s Velvet?”

“Withdrew.”

No one vanishes like a flash of divine speed after a battle whose outcome remains uncertain. Not even with such a skill hidden. Not after coming this far. Not with easy assumptions.

Sally prioritized Maple’s safety.

“Good work, Sally! You were amazing!”

“Really? Thanks. You didn’t stop attacking, either.”

“Huh-huh— I trusted you!”

“Good to hear.”

During combat, the timer cannot be checked. Only Sally could count the seconds with calm precision in the midst of that final, fierce exchange.

Fighting against two opponents with enough power to cleave through directly, they each fought to the end, using their strengths.

“Phew— I was right to use [Break Core]. No one’s seen it before. Hard to avoid.”

Few enemies would be taken down by Maple detonating herself with a skill.

Only members of [Maple’s Tree] know the exact range of that powerful explosion.

“Good thing we checked. Otherwise, we couldn’t have used it.”

“True. We’d have been stuck if we’d kept it that way.”

Maple had long misunderstood [Break Core]. She had survived not because of defense, but because of [Bomb Eater], a relic she had acquired long ago.

She survived the attack despite the reduced defense from Hinata’s debuff.

Only after reevaluating her understanding was she able to choose this ultimate technique for the final strike.

“Good it worked… but I’m a little tired now…”

There was another reason she did not pursue Velvet. Sally, too, had pushed her performance to its limit for this battle. Her focus waned. Her body grew heavy. Her reactions slowed. She could not perform the same movements again if combat resumed.

From above, Ryuu descended through the air.

“Are you both safe? What about here?”

“Hinata was taken down. I believe Velvet retreated.”

“Kasumi was taken out here. The debuff is active, so she won’t press forward… sorry.”

“We didn’t need you to stop her. I should’ve finished Velvet too.”

Even as planned, Maple’s Unyielding Guardian has been inactive for a full day.

It would have been best to defeat Velvet as well, but that did not happen as intended.

“Um, Sally’s at her limit…”

“She’s fought without rest for a day. I understand.”

There’s no need to push further. With Hinata gone, Velvet’s defense and mobility will drop sharply. Another chance will come.

“Message… Mai and the Gilmen of Gathering Holy Sword were taken out, but Markus and members of the various guilds seem to have been defeated.”

“Numerically, they were at a disadvantage. Yet the outcome was significant.”

Those facing the Empire of Flame must have endured a difficult battle.

Still, to have halted the invasion and inflicted damage in return—this speaks to skillful maneuvering.

"Velvet, Mii, and Lilie surviving remains an不安 factor... but aligning with the next monster's advance."

"Right, do the same."

The pressure from the Rebirth of Darkness. Last time, Hinata's Frost Kingdom had stabilized the line. That cannot happen again.

A moment for another large-scale battle. This small engagement ultimately aims for victory in a massive group confrontation.

"Rest. I believe Sally is the only one who can reliably block Wilbart's shots aimed at Maple."

"That’s an odd thought. But yes, I agree."

Pain lifts the three onto Ray's back and flies toward the palace.

Thus, the midnight battle comes to an end.

No further combat occurs. When the four return to the Town, they find the members of the Gathering Holy Sword and the Maple Tree Guild, weary and drained.

“Welcome back…”

“Seems you withdrew safely.”

“It was terrible! Magic flies from those who survived, and Mii burns the whole area!”

There is no risk to Mii when setting fire across the region from Ignis. If it means one more life lost, it is a worthwhile trade.

“We even tamed flame-resistant monsters along the way to use as walls.”

“I’ve used up the skill that made me invincible—both the part that protected Mai and Yui, and the part that aided our retreat.”

Kanade smiles, slightly troubled. He had built up quite a reserve, but now it is gone.

The grimoire that supports Kanade’s strength cannot be replenished easily. The same tactic cannot be used again.

I can’t use anything but bombs for a while now, since they took all the walls and machines too.

Like Frederica, the members of the Gathering Holy Sword look utterly spent. Only one among them maintains a constant output: Yui.

“Everyone… you’re protecting me…”

“That’s the plan.”

“We’ll do more damage than any of us combined.”

The response comes primarily from the shieldbearer, as expected. It was always meant to be this way. No need to worry. They pour everything into the main attacker, regardless of how worn the others become.

We simply executed the strategy that maximizes our chances when Mai and Yui are both present.

“Rest now. I’ll keep watch outside for a while.”

“Such a diligent worker. Hmm… I suppose I’ll take you up on that offer this time.”

Frederica moves with her usual calm, yet her posture betrays fatigue. She stretches once, then turns toward the castle with the guild members.

“See that Maple and Sally rest properly.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Sally, seeing no need to push further, agrees without protest.

She must keep watch beside Maple tomorrow. To fulfill that duty, rest is necessary.

Thus, 【Maple Tree】 settles into sleep. Pain confirms once more that Mii and Velvet have not approached nearby. He prepares for battle at dawn by resting.

While Maple and the others sleep, Mii delivers the recovered Velvet to the Town and takes a breath of relief.

“Calling everyone might get the job done, but there’s no need for that… not with three like them.”

Lily and Wilbert before them are unable to fight, their condition worsened by Kasumi’s debuff. Velvet, hindered by the disadvantage of [Thirst for the Summit], staggers, her stats greatly diminished.

They are not the entirety of their strength, yet there is no reason to fight while they remain incapacitated.

“We were planning to take them down first.”

Just as Kasumi advanced too far to defeat the two, the two halted to defeat Kasumi, unable to step beyond the debuff’s range.

“This night is impossible. I’m exhausted…”

“The next major battle will be the turning point. By then, our debuffs will have lifted.”

“My stats will return to normal.”

“Then there is no issue.”

“Which brings up the real question—how do we fight?”

The monster’s movement will trigger the battle. The first concern at that moment is Maple’s presence.

Lily and Wilbert had been determined to defeat Maple, not only to prevent an invasion using the Shadow of Rebirth.

"Not a good image when we clash head-on."

"Indeed. If Mii and I are dodged, we’d be helpless."

Pain’s radiant lance tore through the air. Maple charged forward, her monstrous form surging ahead.

That sequence was certain. Yet none of the four saw a way to victory.

Hinata, Marx, Mizari, and Shin had fallen—each removed to buy time for a great spell, to defend against a crushing blow. Their absence left a clear gap in the plan.

"Unfortunately, we have no clear solution."

"Apologies..."

Lily looked to Velvet and Mii, seeking their judgment.

"One exists."

"One exists here as well."

Good. Very good.

Lily listens to the two’s plan, as if it were the final meeting before rest.

She and Wilbert nod in understanding.

Indeed, that might turn the tide. Worth attempting.

Yes.

I’ll need a little preparation.

Ah. The enemy is on alert now. If we wander out and meet someone, we won’t be able to flee.

Whatever is done, only after status returns to normal. Rest will remain unchanged today.

Lily, Wilbert. If we proceed, you will move centered on Rapid Fire.

Ah. What else would I be good for?

Before tomorrow’s monster incursion, they decide to share the plan with as many players as possible. The four then each retire to rest.

This will be a difficult fight, it seems.

If there is a path to victory, that is enough.

There are tasks to prepare before battle. They will need to begin moving early tomorrow morning.

Perhaps it will not last until the final day.

With the thought that tomorrow may be their last battle, the two fall into sleep.