Defense specialization and routine six.

Maple's party switches attackers according to the enemy's traits. For swift foes, Sally and Kasumi. For foes with strong defense, Mai and Yui. For ranged attacks, Maple, Kanade, and Sally are best suited. Izu bears the burden of all party buffs. Crom responds appropriately to forced teleportation, closing the gap left by Maple.

If the enemy type is known, then 【Maple Tree】 is not ineffective.

Having continued their exploration, Maple's party opened a treasure chest in a room within the keep—this time, the number was lost to count.

"Leaving the main path for later was correct."

"Materials for equipment... skill scrolls may appear soon?"

"Equipment is one thing, but skills—someone will surely master them."

The materials are rare. The gear is not unique, but all are excellent.

Yet the Maple Tree requires little change to equipment. The primary goal remains scrolls that teach skills.

"Exploring the other side thoroughly seems advisable."

"Indeed. Knowing there is a reward makes the effort even more worthwhile."

"Skills are still plenty, after all!"

Maple currently uses only the Love That Offers the Body. Her skill uses are limited, and the remaining ammunition of the Machine God's weapons is sufficient.

Mai and Yui lead, their standard attacks shattering enemies without limit. There is no need to rely on rare skills for breakthroughs.

Standard attacks have no limit. Their strength lies in maintaining combat power through prolonged battles.

"There are still rooms left. Let us inspect every one!"

"If the final one leads nowhere, we shall fight it ourselves...!"

"Trusting you! I’ll do my best too."

The boss should not be too difficult. Given the strength of eight, this is normal.

Still, complacency is forbidden. This is, after all, a hidden area on the ninth layer. The enemy’s attack power matches that. Mai and Yui, of course, and Iz and Kanade in the rear, would be fatally wounded by a single hit.

Maple would also be severely weakened if struck by a piercing attack, depending on its force.

"If a new kind of enemy appears, let us observe first."

"Then I shall be the center. I can withstand a sudden blow, at least one strike."

"I can take some damage too. Leave the reconnaissance to me."

The plan is set. They carefully inspect walls and furniture, making sure not to miss a hidden chest, before exiting the room.

The passage ahead ends in a dead end. The eight must search for a route leading deeper.

From the goal of confronting the boss at the farthest point, this path is clearly a wrong turn. Yet Maple understands, in a way, that this was the correct choice—and why.

"Probably not the front passage, then. That's where treasure chests usually are."

"Likely. When we saw the castle from outside, the central rear section looked most like a boss's lair."

Even if not, it is rare to place the boss in a single room at the dungeon's edge. With a structure this grand, the battle arena must be commensurate.

"Maple, can you sense the chest? Like when you find rare skills?"

"Hehe, that's just luck."

"Actually, it's more like instinct. Or a strong affinity for rare events."

Then... um, once we get back to the entrance, let's check the second floor next time!

Yeah, let's do that.

Sally and the others of the 【Maple Tree】 nod in agreement to Maple’s suggestion.

Nothing unusual so far. Nothing special. A boss may demand a certain item before battle. This is common enough.

To avoid missing anything—like finding the Boss Room key right there—they decide to proceed one by one down the corridor.