Defense specialization and the decisive clash.

As Pain and Sally charge toward Lilie and Wilbert, the main battlefield becomes a chaotic melee, monsters mingling with players.

【Blazing Heat】!

Mii shows no mercy. Riding Ignis, she darts through the air at high speed, and the hellfire she unleashes from above burns those players who cannot withstand it.

Keep the sky occupied, and the ground becomes easier to manage.

【Attack Initiated】!

【Breach Cannon】!

Ignis!

The 【Maple Tree】 does not allow this unchecked. With Wilbert restrained by Sally and Pain, Maple, now relatively safe, leaps from her iron crate and begins her assault.

Mii will not be allowed to act freely. From the rear, a barrage of fire from Maple and magical attacks from Kanade are launched into the sky.

The range of Maple’s barrage, designed to restrict movement, is wide—precisely disrupting Mii’s aerial fire support.

“【Blazing Flame】!”

Still, she finds openings and strikes, but cannot inflict significant damage.

Expected, yes—but facing it again, it remains a difficult situation.

“From Wilbert… so it is.”

Mii confirms the received message, then retreats, evading Maple’s gunfire and the pursuing player accompanied by a flying Tammonster. She sends a message to her guild members.

“【Aurora】!”

Velvet’s descending lightning scorches the player. The relentless, successive downpour of lightning is harder to defend against than Mii’s flames.

She would have liked to dive deep into the enemy lines, but Hinata is not here. Without 【Gravity Control】, she could enter, but not return safely.

And even Velvet cannot move freely. She must keep watch behind her, or a massive iron ball will come flying.

【Parry】! Over there! Wait—!?

Velvet deflects the iron ball rushing toward her. Then, engulfed by sudden flames, she is forced downward to recover.

So skillful, really.

The voice does not reach her. Four shadows visible at the rear. Kanade, darting through the air, unleashing magic. Maple, stationed on high ground, using her usual weapon as a fixed cannon. Yui, providing fire support with iron balls. Izu, firing bombs from a constructed cannon.

Four individuals, different in status and weapon. Yet their long-range attacks were all of the highest caliber.

She attacks from behind. That alone is sufficient strength. No matter how many she defeats, players with short range cannot intervene.

"Maple, some are breaking through."

"Understood! Ancient Weapon! Shiroppu, Spirit Cannon!"

Players riding monsters, soaring through the sky, close in to deal with Maple.

Not only do dark bullets rain down. Ground-based interference arrives as well. And from two rotating barrels beside Maple, like a gatling gun, blue energy rounds fire.

Double, triple layers of fire form a thick wall, blocking the advance.

"Ready—!"

A sound beyond human voice. The sphere Yui strikes explodes midair, hurtling forward at speed, unleashing massive damage across the area.

Yui’s sphere did not strike directly, so death is avoided, but survival is uncertain.

“Isu-san, you did well! We can hit now.”

“Good. Use them all—there’s plenty left.”

Iron balls are hard to land on a fast-moving player. Even harder if they’re flying through the air.

So, though power diminishes, detonating them precisely is best.

Airborne targets are perfectly covered. Isu fires bombs at the enemy line without hesitation.

“Huh huh huh, much better than when we had no choice but to throw!”

Watching explosions erupt in quick succession across the enemy line, Isu looks satisfied.

Maple’s group presses forward, overwhelming the enemy by numbers. The frontline, once upheld by Lilie’s summoned soldiers, collapses. A flood of players tumbles through, splitting the enemy ranks. It happens almost simultaneously with the end of Sally’s fight.

“[Ability: Transcendence][Formation Shift]!”

The players, expected to be split and crushed, vanish from the spot.

Thanks to the enhanced range and mobility granted by [Ability], [Formation Shift] allows Maple’s group to retreat in an instant.

Yet the advantage remains unchanged. No need for discussion. All minds agree.

They pursue toward the royal castle. There is no other way to win. There is no reason to retreat here.

Separating from Pain, who commands ahead, Sally returns to Maple.

“Maple! Are you alright?”

“Yeah… I’m fine.”

Pain and I took down Wilbert, so we should be fairly safe now.

Really!? Amazing! You’re awesome, Sally!

They don’t fully understand this yet. It’s like a surprise attack… but we must use whatever we can to win.

Sally spins the dagger, its appearance adjusted by Disguise.

Maple, hop on!

Got it!

Maple rides atop Yukimi again, following the advance as before.

Where’s Mii and Velvet?

I don’t think they’ve been taken down. They didn’t come this far…

It’s fine, it’s fine. If they were down, the plan would change. I just checked. Everyone’s scouting. So let’s be sure not to miss syncing with Dawn and Thunderhammer.

Okay!

Hmm… heavy responsibility.

The strength of Ark lies in its ability to counter large-scale area attacks with minimal resources.

Sally has already used Inversion of Reality, so this time Kanade and Sou will take on that role.

If Sou assumes the guise of Maple, Ark can be activated at two locations simultaneously, using a different approach than Sally.

As the advance continues, detection effects spread across the surrounding area.

To prevent enemies from feigning retreat and lying in wait for ambush, many players maintain a vigilant watch. The members of Maplewood, for better or worse, possess a notably distinct skill composition, making it impossible to assist them directly. Their duty, therefore, is to contribute precisely and effectively in combat.

The shadow of the distant royal citadel. The place the enemy guards. The place they themselves must assault. The battle will come again. All present feel it will not be long.

Focus sharpens. Enemies blocking their path are cut down. Maple’s forces press forward without faltering.