Defense Specialization and Daily Routine 13.

Maple’s powerful defensive skill, Aegis, neutralized the King’s attack. Yet the King, now a dragon soaring through the sky, once more filled his vast maw with flame. If such attacks continued to be deflected by Aegis, it would become impossible to block them all. Though total annihilation would not occur, there would be no surplus defensive resources left to protect Mai and Yui while still securing victory.

Without the Love That Offers the Body, attempting a half-hearted endurance battle would only worsen the situation.

“Breath attacks…!”

“We can handle it ourselves!”

The relentless rain of flames remained beyond the reach of Mai and Yui. Yet against the King’s ultimate technique, the breath attack, a countermeasure still existed.

“Okay! Kanade, Iz, lend a hand!”

“Leave it to me.”

“We’ll hold it back a little!”

““Cover!””

Iz blocks the flames with an item. Kanade holds back the fire with a barrier. Maple and Crom use large shields to halt the remaining flames. Immediately after. A breath attack from the king—final, incinerating—roars forth, accompanied by the sound of exploding fire.

“From my sister!”

“Got it…!”

Mai, shielded behind Crom, darts forward without hesitation, raising eight great hammers.

She meets the approaching flames without flinching, gripping the hammers tightly and swinging them outward.

“[Giant’s Might]!”

The hammers collide with the flames. The king’s breath attack, capable of bypassing destruction, meets the same force in return.

Speed, durability, reaction—sacrificed in equal measure. Mai’s hammer, a transcendent attack beyond any player’s limits, perfectly deflects the oncoming flames back toward the king.

“Both of you, stay close!”

Sally directs Mai and Yui forward. The king’s attack range expands. The flamethrower is fierce, but the situation is not entirely unfavorable.

“That size. No setup required.”

Kasumi pushes back the flames with her blood blade. Sally conjures a wall. A brief space is secured.

No need for the careful preparation of before.

The target’s size has increased. Its movement has slowed. This makes it easier for the two to land their strikes.

““Aerial Strike!””

Indeed, the enemy’s remaining HP is barely above a final push. The goal is swift elimination. The firepower to achieve it is present.

“Full Armament Deployment! Ancient Weapon!”

Maple, having finished using Aegis and returned to her original gear, now deploys the Ancient Weapon for a full-scale assault.

"Maple, I'm taking it! [Full Armament Deployment] [Reality Inversion]!"

"I'm with you too!"

"Covering you!"

Sally activates her gear in sync with Maple, both launching coordinated fire support. Beside them, Izu fires explosive projectiles, while Kanade combines barrier defense with magic discharge.

[Multi-Cover]!

The four deliver damage while Crom gains time. The king's HP remains high. The sign of another breath appears in the eyes of the eight.

Still within expectations.

Before the unleashed inferno, Mai stands firm—just as Yui can do. Success is already assured.

[Giant's Wrath]!

The oncoming inferno is deflected this time by Yui. Her own flame scorches her body, draining her remaining HP. The king’s HP, barely diminished, is just below defeat—then flames erupt from the king’s mouth and from the blazing wall behind him, as he regains his stance.

“Shit…”

“Maple!”

“[Ruthless]!”

Reacting to Sally’s call, Maple transforms from behind and lunges forward. Flames strike Maple, but her massive form blocks the king’s fire.

The seven behind are unharmed. Maple charges forward, enduring the flames across her entire body.

The king’s fire—then a swift claw strike. Maple nullifies both attacks through sheer defense, leaping into the air to seize the king.

Flames burst from Maple’s mouth, searing the king. Sharp claws tear through his frame.

“How’s that?!”

Maple clamps onto the king’s neck.

The HP, worn down by all of them, finally reaches zero. The king’s form, once that of a dragon, reverts to human shape.

The flames on the wall subside. The space contracts back to its original size.

All of it marks the end of the fierce battle.