Defense specialization and support.

Several days later. As progress on the conquest proceeds smoothly, Maple and Sally sit with the representatives of the Flame Emperor's Kingdom in a café within the Town, exchanging information.

"We’re likely to reach the Demon King before them."

"Still, with this group, we can’t afford to fall behind in pace."

"That’s true. The guild members have been working hard."

"If you have questions, we can answer them… probably, to some extent."

"You’re quick, too. The Gathering Holy Sword might be ready to challenge soon!"

"One attempt alone could have been earlier, but this boss is advertised as particularly strong. We’re gathering multiple accumulations of the Demon King’s Power, since a single attempt won’t suffice. We’re preparing for a decisive strike."

Strong bosses rely on gathering information and repeating attempts to secure victory. It’s best to collect multiple instances of the Maple Tree.

Hmm… it really is difficult with just one try.

Maple murmured this to herself. The members of the Flame Emperor’s Kingdom seemed reluctant to dismiss the idea outright.

Difficult… I believe so. Normally…

But… if it’s the Maple Tree group, there might be a chance to win in a single attempt.

How about it? It’s undeniably hard. But Maple and I will give it our full effort.

If you’ve already spoken with the Gathering Holy Sword, more detailed information may soon become available. The enemy is undoubtedly formidable. Still, I wish for the victory of the Maple Tree.

Mii said this, then subtly glanced toward Maple.

She nods slightly, a quiet gesture, as she understands Mii’s words again, this time more firmly.

“—I’ll stop here with the encouragement. Today’s real purpose is something else.”

Mii clears her throat once, then shifts focus, beginning the matter at hand.

“Though not part of the main quest, we’ve encountered a strong foe. Still, given enough attempts, our guild could overcome it. But… now that we’re focused on the Demon King’s challenge, I’d rather not spend time or manpower.”

“Then let us help…”

Maple speaks, and Mii nods, as if agreeing with the speed.

“If Maple handles defense, we can skip the difficult parts. If you lend your strength, I’ll offer information in return.”

The pace of the tenth layer’s conquest favors the Flame Emperor’s Realm. At first, upon descending into the tenth layer, there was freedom in choosing the order of progression. There were still things unknown even to Maple, things only the Maple Tree knew. But as time passed, that freedom had faded.

Thus, what Maple and her companions can offer in return for information is not more information, but unique assistance in battle—leveraging the special skills each guild member possesses.

Because of this uniqueness, there are many things only Maple can do. These can become powerful counters against a certain number of enemy attacks.

Maple nods firmly in response to Mii’s suggestion, offering cooperation.

“I expected you’d say that. Still… thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah! Shall we go right away?”

“If you both have time, I’d like to go now.”

“Maple, I’m fine.”

“Then it’s perfect.”

“In that case, I’ll lead you to the place. We’ll travel by Ignis.”

“Alright.”

"Take care, Mii."

"Then let's go!"

"Yes. I'm counting on you."

"I'll ask about the information we need from the two of them first... I want to gather it while we're en route."

"Yes!"

Maple consulted with Sally and relayed the information they sought from Markus.

Having settled the bill, they exited the shop and mounted the Ignis, now enlarged by Gigantification, and set off toward their destination.

The Ignis flew through the sky and arrived at an open space within a forest of stone pillars, each inscribed with fine, intricate characters.

"Exactly the sort of place."

"Something's here... but what?"

"Yes."

Maple had seen such suspicious terrain before. This was one of them. Something was key. But the nature of that something mattered.

Without knowing it, suspicion alone changed nothing.

"Maple, I call upon Love That Offers the Body."

"…! Understood!"

Maple activates Love That Offers the Body in accordance with Mii’s words. To activate it is to expose oneself immediately to an attack as violent as a storm.

“Everyone, ready?”

Mii confirms each one’s readiness, then withdraws a small vial from her inventory.

A black flame burns within the vial, unceasing. As Mii lifts the cap, black flames erupt from the surrounding stone pillars, rising into the sky and spreading outward, enveloping Maple and the others.

The forest around them remains, yet is entirely consumed by black flame. This is no longer the same space.

“Maple, are you unharmed?”

“Yeah!”

“Ah—well done. Then, the first gate is cleared.”

This place feels as though the entire area is ablaze. I could force a breakthrough by continuing my healing magic, but...

It resembles the otherworld where the final boss of the fourth layer resides. Yet here, the damage zones stretch across the whole area without interruption. They cannot be blocked by shields or barriers. Still, Maple could ignore the entire mechanic entirely, drastically reducing the area’s difficulty. This is a unique ability, exclusive to Maple—her high defense and the item Love That Offers the Body, something even the Empire of Flame, famed for its many elite shieldbearers, cannot achieve.

“Protection from traps seems unnecessary. Then... light.”

The darkness around is illuminated by the glow of Love That Offers the Body, even though it is black flame, which should not produce light. Unlike the lantern carried in hand, it cannot be shattered by enemies nor blocked by a single hand. It has been a reliable secondary asset, saving Maple and the others more than once.

The terrain remains unchanged. The path to the innermost chamber is known. Stay close behind us. Shin— reconnaissance and interception.

Okay, as usual! Crack Sword!

Shin separates the sword in hand into small fragments and sends them flying beyond the roaring flames.

A supreme technique, moving multiple blades in different directions simultaneously.

He performs it effortlessly. Yet even if Maple acquired the same skill, safe and certain reconnaissance would still be difficult.

The enemy will be struck down from a distance as soon as they are detected. All are beasts wrapped in black flame. Sally will use water. Maple, please rely on something other than poison.

Understood.

Leave it to me!

Advancing step by step, carefully, the five of them respond to Shin’s commands.

[Water Dragon]

[Seeping Chaos]!

[Azure Flame]!

……[Remote Placement: Wind Blades]

[Holy Spear]!

The monsters, pinpointed by Shin’s precise reconnaissance, are destroyed before they can even emerge from the roaring flames, struck down by wide-area attacks.

The threat level, heightened by the field’s burning damage, was overwhelming. But the relentless barrage of magic and skills, and above all Shin’s attacks, erase them without so much as a glimpse of form.

Shin’s reconnaissance moves with the freedom of a weapon in motion. No delay between detection and attack. Elimination follows without pause.

“Hmm, no issues so far.”

The absence of monsters reaching the six confirmed the path clear. Shin continues reconnaissance.

“Maple’s protection holds. Mii, did you reach the boss?”

“Yeah. We had to reattempt after preparing for damage beyond the journey’s length. The enemy was a phoenix wrapped in black flame.”

“A phoenix….”

“Seems you’ve grasped it. Likely neither of you will easily claim the challenge to this boss.”

The key to this area lies in the small vial of flame. But reaching it requires Mii’s tamed beast, Ignis.

There is a possibility that similar special quests exist for other tamed monsters... but whether they can be found remains uncertain.

We have been searching since learning of this quest...

If even the number of people from the Flame Emperor's Nation cannot locate it, then either it is exceptionally difficult to find, or such things do not exist elsewhere.

I believe it may lead to a powerful skill or equipment... yet the chance to use it for revenge against the two of them is nearly nonexistent.

Individual PvP opportunities still exist, but there will be no large-scale battle involving the entire guild before the two part ways. That means Maple and Sally will escape unscathed.

I might appear again during events, just as she might.

Ha... then do so. Until then, we shall ensure the combat strength of the Maple Tree surpasses ours.

The difficulty is that Maple’s defense remains unbroken, even from a distance.

Sally’s evasion… will lag behind… perhaps… no, not likely.

How about you, Sally?

In a serious battle, I could return after a few days of training.

That’s true. Wait—can’t talk much right now! Additional foes incoming!

Having detected the monster through scouting, they execute another flawless counterattack using skill. Maple’s advance continues.

As they move forward, both newcomers notice the change in their surroundings.

The wind…

Yes. But no damage.

Firepower has increased. Still, as expected from Maple.

The number of enemies will grow from here. Just a little longer, Maple—hold on!

Maple, deploy the ancient weapon.

Yes! It’s burning so brightly—energy is more than sufficient!

The entire area burns regardless of whether the drill is wound. Energy gathers naturally for Maple.

A zone of ineffective damage acts for Maple like a field granting buffs.

"Coming again! Focus ahead!"

"【Ancient Weapon】!"

The shattered cube transforms with a sound into a gatling gun. It fires blue light projectiles forward, as instructed by Shin. Yet it is not enough. Several monsters break through.

The first true form of the enemy to appear is a leopard rushing in, and an eagle closing in at high speed. Their eyes glow red beneath the burning black flames that cling to their bodies, even as their forms are torn by Maple's light projectiles. The eyes carry unmistakable hostility.

"Regrettable. Not allowed."

"【Great Flame】!"

"【Water Dragon】!"

Sin's sword serves reconnaissance, but its true purpose remains attack. It draws Crack Sword back to its owner, piercing the monster from behind, while Mii and Sally meet the foe head-on.

Facing the player's top-tier combatant, with field gimmicks nullified and no advantage, the outcome is already decided.

"Comfortable, comfortable. Almost time?"

"Yeah... same as last time."

"Maple. I'll stack powerful sustained healing for you."

"Yes!"

"Keep the basic tame monsters off the field. This much more would burden Maple too heavily."

Maple's Love That Offers the Body always draws attacks toward any ally within range. Unable to target specific units, it risks concentrating damage beyond expectation— especially when all allies face fixed damage or penetration attacks simultaneously.

"Okay, I'll go in with the Crack Sword."

"Sally, stay out of range...? That's none of your business."

"I won't miss."

From here on, it becomes a battle against the boss. The black flame's fixed damage has already been confirmed to bypass even Maple's protection.

"Residual Light of Salvation."

The wind, already blowing, intensified and swirled as white feathers extended from Maple's back.

A high-pitched cry echoed from within the upraised black flames. A massive phoenix, its body ablaze, unfolded vast wings and emerged.

"……!"

Maple noticed the change instantly. The gale, thick with fire, began burning her body, reducing her HP.

The damage striking Maple is far beyond what should come from terrain alone. Even with the damage reduction from the Residual Light of Salvation, it remains不可視な.

"I'm fine. Please remain calm."

Mizari raises her staff, steadying Maple as if this were her duty.

"Fountain of Healing. Light of Healing!"

A sustained healing zone, newly placed beneath her feet, combined with intense healing, restores Maple’s HP to full instantly.

"Since the target is one, there are many spells with high healing power. I'll protect you. Trust me."

"Yes!"

By bearing the brunt of the damage herself, Mizari's healing is sufficient.

Once both have stabilized and are holding their ground, the remaining four are free to move.

"Press forward. An early resolution benefits both of us."

Yes, I agree. Shin, float a few Crack Swords to serve as platforms.

Haha, you're saying some impressive things. Well, if it's Sally, she might manage it. Okay.

Information isn't complete. There are still unknown parts about the boss—be careful...

They tighten their resolve. The four turn their weapons toward the boss circling above.

We're moving.

The Crack Swords used for reconnaissance are no longer needed. Shin accelerates the swords serving as platforms, then uses the nature of Love That Offers the Body—expanding into a cylindrical form—to float swords around himself and rise into the air.

I'm borrowing it!

Sally extends her thread, anchoring it to Shin’s sword, then pulls it taut, accelerating rapidly. Using that momentum, she activates her flying mechanism and rises into the sky, just as Shin does.

The phoenix, wings spread wide, sends flames spiraling into the wind, forming a ring of fire like a whirlwind.

Shin and Sally dodge the attack with ease, using the mobility of their Crack Sword and flight mechanism to slip past the swirling flames, closing in with a sweeping strike.

"Quintuple Slash!"

"Crack Sword!"

Maple handles defense. Even with a burning body, she presses forward aggressively. Shin maintains distance, evading the successive whirlwinds while continuing to attack. The phoenix does not yield passively. It spins, igniting its body further, then dives steeply toward the ground, charging forward.

Mii and Maple respond immediately.

"Inferno!"

"Barrel Extension. Attack Initiated. Ancient Weapon!"

A blazing flame unyielding even to the phoenix’s fire. Though elemental affinity is poor, its overwhelming power diminishes momentum, and Maple’s two-colored lasers pierce through.

The enemy charges forward, accepting damage. Yet Mark’s gaze remains calm.

“[Holy Chain]”

From the yellow magic circle, chains extend, binding the phoenix’s body. As if prepared for this attack, he activates the next skill without pause.

“[Change]!”

By swapping the selected trap’s location, Maple appears beside the phoenix, holding the trigger rune for the trap.

If damage continues and [Cover Move] risks exposure, then another player must carry her.

“[Call to the Abyss]!”

The restraint lasts only seconds. Maple now possesses tentacles—just enough to deliver the burst damage of [Evil Feast] in an instant.

“Got it!”

Struck by the flailing wings of the immortal phoenix and rebounded toward Markus and the others, yet still they delivered more damage than all had managed together in a single instant.

"Truly, still... odd damage."

"Reliable as ever when on our side."

"Wait—no time to talk. Must press the attack...!"

Having consumed tenfold the amount of [Evil Feast] at once, the boss recoils from the massive damage, stunned. To finish it, Sally and Shin dive from above in pursuit, while Mii, Mizari, and Markus strike from the front.

"Crack Sword!"

"Water Dragon!"

"Flame Emperor!"

"Holy Spear!"

"Remote Placement — Water Bolt..."

All strike at once. The phoenix's body crumbles. Yet it does not fall completely. It draws in the black flames surrounding it. Its health restores. It turns toward the sky, fleeing.

Maple!

Target them!

Sally and Maple turn. Maple, having been thrown and fallen, holds her weapon a moment late—unable to join the coordinated strike.

That proved fortunate.

The ancient weapon discharges, scattering crackling blue sparks. The mechanical god's massive cannon glows crimson, preparing to fire a laser.

[Attack Initiated][Ancient Weapon]!

The phoenix, mid-leap into the sky, pierced by a searing laser, vanishes beyond the black flame.

The blow that tore a hole through the torso held enough force to end this battle.

As Maple deactivated the weaponry she had deployed against the phoenix, the black flame across the area began to recede. In its place, a black magic circle appeared—evidently intended for return.

“Maple, Sally. We’re safe. Thanks to you, the assault went far smoother.”

“That’s good. Did you find what you expected?”

“[Infernal Flame]”

She did not speak. She showed. As if to say so, Mii spoke the skill name. Black flame surged across the space. Around Mii, six flames hovered—defensive in nature—glowing with a dim, dark light.

“Wow…”

“Same as before… This is troublesome.”

A fixed damage output would be effective even against Maple. Without a powerful healer like Mizari, [Maple’s Tree] would find it hard to respond.

The absence of an opportunity to strike with full power against [Maple’s Tree] is regrettable... but consider countermeasures based on what the skill might entail. I am not standing still either.

Yes!

Next time we face trouble, I may ask for your help. Perhaps you’ll show me then.

Heh. I don’t expect anything.

Well, yes. But I might actually need assistance sometimes. I mean it.

Then call me when the time comes. I’ll be able to respond.

I’m counting on you!

Yes! No, seriously—thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve got time to spare for exploration.

Indeed. Therefore…

As planned, we’ll share information in exchange for payment. And if we ever need help, we’ll return the favor.

Thank you so much!

Not only Mii, but the other three also showed willingness to cooperate. The bond between Maple and the others deepened once more.