Defense specialization and daily routine, part nine.
Prearranged coordination among eight, patterned in advance. They narrowed the enemy’s actions step by step, funneling them into a decisive strike by Mai and Yui to force the king back. It had worked—but that was merely the mid-boss mode. They had not yet seen true effort.
Still, having overcome the mid-boss, Maple and the others pressed forward.
“[Multi Cover]!”
“[Tidal Wave]!”
Crom shielded Mai and Yui as Kanade engulfed the monster in a great wave and destroyed it.
When the battle ended, Maple ran from beyond the receding waves.
“Phew, thank you!”
“Yeah. The number of monsters we’re forced to teleport away has been increasing. When you get thrown, leave it to me.”
Maple’s Love That Offers the Body has its limits. When pierced, Crom stands as the final defense. Top-tier among great shieldbearers. To have Crom waiting beyond Maple’s breach is reassuring.
Though easily forgotten due to Maple’s overwhelming strength, breaking through Crom is no small task.
“Keep it up! I’ve plenty of buff items.”
““Yes, ma’am!””
Mai and Yui respond brightly. Beyond Maple’s breakthrough, past Crom, beyond Kanade’s barrier and Iz’s barricade, past the deflections of Kasumi and Sally—after even one more strike using the Giant’s Sin, the main attacker of the Maple Tree, dangerously perilous, will fall.
The more one considers it.
The more utterly hopeless it is.
“I can’t imagine monsters breaking through this tactic…”
"Still, we must be cautious. We all want to win, after all."
"Ah. Yes. Let's tighten our resolve."
Sally's words hold true. The boss is that king. During the event, it unleashed wide-area attacks and could fully transform into the form of a black dragon.
Against such an unpredictable foe, any attack would be plausible.
One or two falling during the assault. A common occurrence in group battles. Still, having come this far, we all wish to survive the boss fight and celebrate together.
"Given how she complained about the room being cramped earlier, it's not unlikely she'll use the same breath attack as during the event."
"Then my barrier might not be enough, I fear."
Kanade's powerful defensive skill has already been expended in player-versus-player combat. She possesses several spellbooks, but not enough to be truly satisfying.
“Leave that to me!”
Maple is a clear counter to area-of-effect attacks. Even the enemy’s great techniques lose meaning without piercing or fixed damage.
“We’ll prepare for healing. Just to be safe, should we add fire damage reduction too? That would be thorough, wouldn’t it?”
Even if damage is taken, damage reduction and instant recovery make continued combat possible.
Maple’s starting point is abnormal only in that she repels everything. When damage is received, the proper response is no different from any other player.
Combat begins only when damage can be dealt. Though she rarely gets the chance to act, Maple does possess high-level damage reduction and sustained healing.
Maple is no longer just high in defense.
She intends to crush any path to defeat. Crom, I’d like to rehearse Maple’s movements once more when her compatibility is poor.
Alright. Assume everything is available. Regardless, we’re likely to collapse with just one strong hit.
Sally, Yui, and Mai need no explanation. Iz and Kanade suit the rear guard. Maple’s strength lies in defense. Kasumi, though in the front, specializes in 【AGI】 and 【STR】.
Yes, fragility defines 【Maplewood】. A substantial blow would place anyone but Crom in immediate danger of death.
Maple treats this weakness as nonexistent. Thus, each member’s specialized abilities can be fully leveraged. That is why 【Maplewood】 is strong.
If we’re to break through everyone, we must assist even when in danger. Recovery plans must be prepared in advance for when we push too far.
I’m counting on you, Crom.
It would be best if I had no duty at all. But if duty exists, then preparation is ready.
To demonstrate the strength of having two great shieldbearers, Crom tightens his grip on the shield.