Defense specialization and waiting for morning, part two.

The next morning. Maple wakes to sunlight streaming through the window.

The enemy did not attack during the night, it seems. The castle remains quiet.

—Hmm...

She stretches, rising from bed. Her strength has fully returned. Her body is in perfect condition.

Maple steps down from the bed and opens the door. Sally stands there, having come to wake her.

—Good morning, Sally!

—Good morning, Maple. You seem lively.

—Are you alright, Sally?

—Yes. I’ve fully recovered.

She rested properly. She can perform as usual now.

—Let’s go for breakfast. The strategy meeting too.

—Understood!

They head toward the chamber used by the Maplewood family. Iz is already there.

—Good morning. Are you still feeling tired?

—I’m fine!

—That’s good to hear.

Iz arranges the prepared meals from her inventory onto the table. Consuming them grants a long-lasting buff.

The effect is less than that of combat skills, yet even a small numerical difference can decide victory or defeat.

And above all, they are delicious.

As the two eat breakfast, the other three arrive. Once all are present, discussion begins on today’s strategy.

Monsters begin moving at noon. Until then, we would rather not fight.

True. If we act the same way, Velvet and Mii’s attacks will be avoided.

Yes. Velvet and Mii are strong, but Pain is also… quite formidable.

Frederica gathers buffs just before activating her light surge—everything will be erased.

The path to victory is clear. Then it is best to wait quietly until then.

What will the opponent do?

Something might be thrown at us. Like when we lured them out at night.

What should we do if that happens? If we fight, I can handle it too!

Of course, fighting isn’t impossible. But Sally did not believe it would be necessary.

“Better to synchronize with all players.”

Even if Mii or Velvet jump in, more players able to respond is always better.

Even if the two are strong in area attacks, no one is invincible, and attacks can be nullified. Charging blindly into the enemy’s center is not possible without a plan.

“We wait quietly, then.”

“Maple is good at that too. If we do it right, we can win.”

Sally also counted the enemy’s key defensive players being absent as a favorable factor.

“So what do we do? Wait while gradually reducing their numbers?”

“Yes. That seems best. Maple, stay near the palace as a precaution—um, Iz too has crafting duties…”

Yui, being a primary combat weapon, was unsuited for anything beyond battle. Without a defensive formation in place, her presence would only increase risk.

“Just keep watch for any suspicious movements. It would be ill-advised to launch an attack only to be flanked.”

“Understood. Who’s joining?”

“Crom and I. Kanade would help if she could—better prepared if something occurs.”

“Got it. No issue.”

She sensed that the next major battle would decisively shift the tide in favor of one side.

Preparations must be made now, while possible.

“Maple, you used [Cruelty] last night—should be just before today’s end.”

“Yeah! I can still use it! Must be careful with it.”

Conserved for emergency evacuation, not attack. Fortunately, there are plenty of allies here who can inflict damage and serve as threats.

Maple’s primary role is to support the group at the correct moment with the appropriate skill. The Residual Light of Salvation, followed by the Shadow of Rebirth, and then the gunfire from the Machine God. Maple’s strength lies in being able to participate in combat from behind the front lines.

Sally conveyed to Maple that it depended on judgment in each moment.

Keep your focus sharp.

Alright!

Sally exits the room with Crom and Kanade, who have finished breakfast.

"Shall this be the end of the next battle?"

There is a possibility, I think. What shall we do, Sally?

Kanade draws several books from the floating shelf behind her.

If going to decide, Kanade still has usable spellbooks. The defensive wards are spent, but offensive ones remain.

“Depends on the situation. Ultimately, it depends on enemy and ally counts. We’ll have to breach the fortress in the end.”

“That’s true. If we use everything now, we’ll have nothing left for the siege.”

“Pain will strike before we can chip away slowly. If we act, then after he does.”

The three confirm the number of surviving players before stepping onto the field.

After avoiding the enemy’s great technique during yesterday’s midday battle, and after concluding scattered skirmishes through the night, our side still holds more players. Now, we must eliminate every possible threat before the numerical advantage shifts.

“Kanade, do you still have your scouting skill?”

"Night is handled by someone from the Gathering Holy Sword. It's fine."

"Good. Then let's start by checking whether any items have been placed. We should also look for any players hiding during the night."

A magic user skilled in long-range area attacks, capable of significant damage reduction in large-scale combat.

Sally and Crom are strong in one-on-one fights, but their effectiveness in group battles is limited.

This next battle will be multi-on-multi. The worst case is a fragile damage dealer being eliminated by surprise attack.

"I don't think the enemy is doing nothing."

"True. We must be careful. We might be the ones attacked at any moment."

"If that happens, defend well."

"I've got it. This time, I'll protect properly."

The three of them systematically scoured the area around the castle, confirming once more for any signs of threat, any hidden enemy, before battle.

At the same time, the central topic at the Gathering Holy Sword’s base was the same. Yet, with greater strength, the Gathering Holy Sword discussed more specific details than the Maple Tree.

The Gathering Holy Sword maintained alliances with other guilds, communicating closely.

They listened to the strength and strategies of other guilds, deciding the overall course of action.

Without unified agreement on whether to advance or hold position, victory in a collective battle would be difficult.

"Payne. What’s the word? How do everyone feel?"

"Ah. There’s consensus—many guilds are preparing to settle matters here."

"Ah. Well, we do have the numbers advantage right now."

Ah. That’s the idea—strike quickly before a fatal mistake changes the situation.

They managed to evade it this time, but the terror of Mii and Velvet’s wide-area attack remains. If it lands perfectly, we will be trapped in a desperate position.

Thus, to prepare for the worst, they wish to reduce the chance of facing both attacks as much as possible.

“That’s fine, isn’t it? Best to attack together when everyone wants to.”

“The problem is how the enemy will come…”

The Gathering Holy Sword’s opening strike is set. All will be buffed, then attacked with Frederica’s Multi-Teleport Holy Sword.

Simple. Powerful. Nothing surpasses this.

“What should I do? I can join in with the Sea of Mana if needed.”

Pushing through is not wrong. Only... there is something I am concerned about. I wish to hear your opinion.

Hmm? Sure, go ahead.

Pain speaks to Frederica about what troubles her. Frederica pauses, considering.

I see. Yes, that is rather unpleasant... Hmm.

Frederica hesitates, then shares her thoughts.

How about this?

Pain listens, nods, and accepts the proposal.

Agreed. This is only one possibility. We will share it with the other guilds as well.

Okay. Too much hesitation won't work. That will take considerable courage, I think.

They immediately contact the other guilds, refining the details.

Turning advantage into victory is the hardest part. No oversight. Like with the 【Maple Tree】, Pain and her allies methodically seal every gap, building a solid formation in their own way.

The second large-scale battle draws near.

On the opposite side from Maple and her allies. Ignis descends before the outer wall of the realm of nature and water.

They, too, begin by securing the safety of their own base.

"Thank you. You're remarkably quick."

Wilbert steps down from Ignis's back. The precision and ease with which he scans the area, far surpassing Maple's group, offers firm reassurance. One need only ride atop Ignis and circle the perimeter once.

"A convenient thing."

"Nothing is present. Nothing has been placed. There is no mistake."

"Then I believe it."

That leaves only how to respond to Maple and her allies, who will surely attack from the front.

As the two return into the city, Lily and Velvet await them.

"Wilbert, anything around us?"

"Nothing unusual. No anomalies."

"Okay. We were waiting for final confirmation of the plan."

The movement of [Flame Emperor's Country], [Thunder Storm], and [Rapid Fire] is the pivot of the strategy.

"Initiate when the conditions pre-agreed upon are met."

"Even if it doesn’t happen that way, it’s fine..."

"Yes."

"Slowly, the situation grows unfavorable. If we wait too long, carrying out the plan becomes impossible. If we are to do it, we must make our decision."

"Yes, sir! Understood!"

Velvet slaps her cheek sharply, as if to steel herself, just as Mii said.

"Be careful during combat. If you die by accident, the matter won’t even begin."

She emphasizes this point, then the four again wait for the collective battle. While Pain and the others feel the pressure mounting, here, the numerical disadvantage is already clear. The prevailing thought is to close the gap before it widens further, to take the initiative for reversal.

The reasons differ, but the will to fight is the same.

A fight is inevitable. The event's mechanics will align the timing of their departure.

Thus, the four begin preparing for the battle yet to come.