Defense specialization and daily routine, part ten.

If eight act in proper coordination, no matter how formidable the monster, it is not an opponent they cannot overcome.

Knowing the enemy’s methods, they can respond even if numbers increase.

Thus, advancing smoothly through the castle, Maple and the others reach a large door adorned with lavish decoration. All side paths have been cleared. This must be the Boss Room, where the king awaits.

“...We’ve made it.”

“The monster... seems not to be spawning.”

“Then it’s as usual.”

“Yes. Now, prepare.”

Before the boss. Given time to prepare, there is no reason not to use it.

They surround Mai and Yui. They administer potions. Shatter crystals. Sprinkle powder. Light incense.

A maximum stack of buffs strengthens Mai and Yui. Two who can reduce even the boss to dust with a single strike are complete.

Maple and the others place absolute trust in the rising aura. It is backed by the brilliant record of dispatching every boss they have faced.

"Is that all?"

"Still so pretty, every time! Ready as ever!"

Only the two need to be brought within range now.

To prolong the duration of the buffs as much as possible while facing the boss, Maple gives the signal to charge.

Seven weapons rise in unison. Maple thrusts open the massive door before her.

A long hall of thrones unfolds. At its far end, seated upon the throne, is the king himself, wreathed in flickering black flames.

"Arrived, then. No preamble?"

The king extends black wings and a tail from his back. He snaps his fingers.

The sound echoed strangely. The walls of the throne room crumbled away, space expanding further. A wall of fire divided the area.

The space had been altered, reshaped as if to conceal the castle's entrance. The throne room now stretched wider than before.

Regardless, the vast battlefield the king desired was complete.

"Let's go. Don't fall so easily!"

As the king soared into the air, a black shockwave erupted, striking Maple and the others.

Maple reacted instantly, solidifying her defense.

"Love That Offers the Body!"

The defensive field expanded, enveloping the seven before the shockwave arrived.

The perfect protection of Love That Offers the Body absorbed the shockwave, arriving a step too late.

And then, vanished.

"Wha—!?"

Not just Maple, the aura of Sally’s 【Sword Dance】 and the buff layered onto Maito Yui were all restored perfectly.

By the time they realized the previous attack’s effect had been nullified, the King had already launched a massive ball of flame toward them.

“Necro 【Phantom Armor】! 【Guardian】!”

Crom reacted instantly once again. Range cover was no longer Maple’s sole skill. A defensive barrier, acquired through medal exchange, reduced incoming damage. They endured the flames, healing through their own recovery and Sally and Kanade’s 【Heal】.

“Maple! I’ll handle this with you—【Cover Move】 and 【Cover】! I’ll tell you what needs protecting!”

“Yes!”

Love That Offers the Body is on cooldown. The Machine God, the Poison Dragon, the Predator—none of them suit this moment. What must be done now is not dealing damage, but holding the line as a great shield bearer.

Damage can be dealt by others.

Yet only Crom and Maple can say they can withstand a direct hit.

"Kasumi, I want to move forward!"

"Ah! Let me reduce the burden!"

Sally and Kasumi leap toward the king. If all are caught in a wide-area attack, defense will be impossible. Sally has Divine Concealment and Empty Cicada. Kasumi can move instantly and defend herself with Mind's Eye.

With Love That Offers the Body gone, standing together as one now carries great risk.

The king flies at high speed, wreathed in flame, hurling fireballs at the two who protrude. The two, with high 【AGI】, dodge them and fix their gaze upon the king.

Flames burst around the body. To dismiss them as mere effects would be dangerously naive. Sally, of course, and Kasumi too, cannot afford to approach carelessly. To close the distance, a sure advantage is required.

“【Blood Knife】!”

“Shall I show you the fruits of my training? 【Way of Water】!”

Kasumi whips her liquid blade like a whip. Sally reshapes her weapon into a bow as she swims through water.

“【Ice Spire】!”

Aerial combat using threads. By transforming her weapon into a bow, Sally moves through the air with near-equal agility to the king, firing arrows with precision.

Inverting mid-air, descending, ascending—she strikes the king with exacting accuracy. Her movements are so fluid, so complete, it is as if her primary weapon were the bow itself.

The two attacks activate the barrier that protects the king, as they did against the mid-boss, setting the stage for their main assault on Mai and Yui.

Yet the king is not merely under attack. While restraining Sally and Kasumi, he conjures a barrage of flaming spears in midair and hurls them at the rear.

"Leave those two to me!"

"Maple! I'm counting on you, Mai!"

"Yes!"

"«Cover!»"

Maple and Crom shield Mai and Yui. To prepare for an impossible situation, Crom leaves his «Multi-Cover» active, forming an iron wall that protects them both.

«Water Wall» «Magic Barrier!»

Kanade generates a barrier to protect Iz and herself, but without her spellbook, the output is insufficient. Several flaming spears pierce through the barrier.

"Iz, please!"

"Yes! Fei, «Item Enhancement»!"

The barricade, strengthened by Fei’s power. The thick wall, drawn from inventory and placed instantly before them, shattered but held against the flaming spears.

“Necro! [Death’s Weight]!”

“Shiroppu! [Awakening]! [Great Nature]!”

A skull effect behind Crom. The debuff drastically reduced the King’s movement speed, stripping mobility. Maple seized the moment, borrowing Shiroppu’s strength, and summoned massive vines to block the path.

[Water Cannon] [Icebound Zone]!

Sally’s flood of water. It froze instantly under the following skill, forming an ice bridge leading to the King.

[Leap] [One-Sword: Mirage]!

Kasumi leapt into it. Using a momentary teleport from the jump, she stood before the King. Drenched in scattered flames, she struck with a single sword slash, breaking the barrier once more.

At this proximity, the King’s attack focuses entirely on Kasumi. A sharp claw wreathed in flame. The dragon’s lethal arm thrusts forward at high speed, aiming to pierce Kasumi.

Yet.

“【Three-Edge Slash: Lone Moon】!”

A skill-based rapid retreat. Kasumi, utilizing her unique mobility distinct from Sally, leaps backward to gain distance.

Kasumi, who had blocked the King’s line of sight. Behind her. Receiving renewed speed buffs from Kanade and Izu, the strongest spear advances—protected by Crom and Maple.

Crossing the bridge of ice, Mai and Yui raise the great mallet.

“Let’s go!”

“Y-yes…!”

““【Sky Strike】!””

Sixteen shockwaves are released. They reach the King instantly—just moments after he lost his barrier and committed to an attack—blasting his body through the air and sending him crashing into the distant wall.