Defense specialization and the skyborne castle.

On another day, the two reached the final town within the cloud labyrinth of the fifth floor, ascending through the upper levels.

For the two, who had deliberately avoided prior information, there were few third-party sources they could state with absolute certainty.

Yet, if they trusted the words of the NPCs within the town, a king of the cloud labyrinth resided ahead, and recently, monsters had grown more violent—likely due to the king’s influence.

That the king’s transformation stemmed from the demon lord’s magic power was a notion the two could easily imagine, after all they had endured.

"Are you ready?"

"Okay! I'm good anytime!"

"Good reply. We'll win."

"Of course!"

Items, skills, equipment. With all preparations complete, the two stepped into the final dungeon of the fifth floor.

Parting the wall of clouds, they advanced up a narrow passage. Light struck their eyes, sharp and sudden.

“Wah…”

“Ah… I see.”

Before them, the sky. A vast expanse of clear blue, endless in every direction. The cloud walls they had passed through earlier were gone. There was no doubt now—their path had pierced the summit of the great cloud itself.

“Um… is that the way we need to go?”

“Likely. Look how neatly the path is laid out.”

Ahead, a straight road pressed slightly into the cloud floor. At its end stood a castle, white from base to peak, towering above them.

“Might rival the royal fortress of the ninth layer.”

“An expedition worth undertaking!”

“Let’s make this the finale of the fifth layer!”

“Yeah!”

As the two advanced, the distant castle seemed to grow larger, asserting its presence more forcefully. The towering white wall directly ahead, impossibly high—beyond the reach of even a leap—conveyed a sense of unyielding defense. Movement stirred along the wall and before the gate, reacting to their approach.

……?

Let me check the situation.

Sally used Iz’s custom binoculars to examine the two points of motion.

From the gate emerged soldiers riding clouds, mounted on cloud steeds. On the wall, awaiting their advance, stood a gunner with a white cannon trained toward them.

They’ll likely attack if we get closer.

We’ll have to break through that gate, won’t we?

That’s the main route. They probably anticipated aerial bypasses, given the presence of flying machines.

Given that all possess flight, it is reasonable to assume they would not allow such a simple bypass. Sally shifts her gaze, continuing her observation of the castle itself.

The windows are barred. There appears to be an entrance on the far side of the wall.

No shortcut has been prepared to leap directly into the topmost floor. The straightforward approach—breaking through the front gate—is the only viable path.

Yet. Sally glances briefly toward Maple. Maple meets her gaze with an expression suggesting something is afoot.

"Hey, Sally."

"Thinking the same thing."

"Really!?"

"Yeah, probably. Go on, say it."

"Okay!"

After hearing Maple’s words in full, Sally nods with satisfaction.

"Good. Let’s do it."

"Then, Love That Offers the Body! Full Armor Deployment!"

"Mounting up!"

"Grab on tight... here we go!"

Maple adjusts her angle, steadies her aim. Carrying Sally is not an attack on the enemy.

【Attack Initiated】!

A thunderous roar. Maple ascends into the sky, flames erupting. She ignores the cavalry stationed before the gate, soaring above the walls from beyond the archers’ range.

The cannons atop the wall pivot in unison, locking onto Maple. Countless white shells, identical to the barrels, rush toward her.

Normally, such a risk would be excessive. But for Maple and Sally, it is a feasible tactic.

Maple proves it, shifting her trajectory with the next explosion, diving headfirst into the storm of shells from behind the wall.

【Heavy Body】【Pierce Guard】!

Maple, her knockback nullified and piercing attacks negated, becomes an unrelenting shell. She clears the city wall and impacts the plaza just before the gate, where soldiers wait in formation.

The cloud soldiers respond swiftly to the approaching threat.

Her immobility, pinned by 【Heavy Body】, makes her a perfect target. That is how it should be.

Yes, if not for the many monsters she shelters within her body, that is how it should be.

【Toxic Fission】【Predator】【Hundred Demons at Night】!

From around the motionless Maple, fallen on the ground and unable to move, monsters emerge—numerically outnumbered but equal in quality.

And beyond those monsters, the true beast. Her closest friend. Her partner. The strongest shield Maple has. The sword is drawn.

I’ll take care of this while you sleep.

Please, don’t mind me.

【Water Dragon】【Wave Ride】!

Maple waits, calm, for the effect of Heavy Body to fade, as she pushes back the approaching enemy with water and decapitates the summoned abominations alongside them.

She clears the battlefield, felling the soldiers gathered for defense. The castle falls silent. She confirms no reinforcements arrive, then she sheathes her weapon.

"Thanks, everyone!"

Maple dismisses her summoned allies and cancels all active skills.

Since the future remains unknown, it is safer to keep the passive ability that substitutes for all damage—Love That Offers the Body—uncharged and ready.

No need to rush. She waits for the cooldown to end, regains her composure, then looks toward the castle once more.

"Right. Another castle to take."

"Let's go!"

"Yeah. We’ll clear the final dungeon in one try."

They pass through the gate that opens to greet them, stepping into the castle’s interior.

Inside, pure white dominates, as bright as if snow had just fallen.

A wide corridor splits into side passages, each divided by doors. The paths that do not end in dead ends must lead to the boss—this much can be guessed.

“Where should we go…?”

“Hmm… How about checking what this main path leads to first, then looking at the side routes?”

“Yeah, that sounds good!”

“Hidden items might be around too. If we’re curious, we’ll end up checking every path anyway. But we should see how many options there are first. The priority changes depending on whether we go up or down.”

“The boss… is probably above?”

“The central spire stood out, tall and prominent. I suspect it’s the key.”

“Got it! Then it’s up!”

Just a guess. Still, maybe we should check the floor below before heading up. Wouldn’t want any odd traps. After all, we’re feeling our way blindly this time.

Unlike the boss battle in the fourth layer, we have no prior intel. We were told that, even without information, two of us could handle it—so we decided to savor the surprise of not knowing.

No monsters in sight… Let’s figure out where to go next!

Yeah, okay.

They walk down the corridor. The castle itself is not made of soft clouds. A quiet, wide space echoes with a steady tapping sound.

A short distance from the entrance, the silence breaks with a soft *vroom* and a massive magic circle unfolding beneath their feet.

…!

Cover!

Not thought—reflex. The skill flew from her lips at once, instantly shielding Sally.

Moments later, light poured from the magic circle like pillars, blinding the entire field of view.