Defense specialization and the Demon Lord’s army.

They obliterate countless monsters and pass through the cavern piercing the mountain.

Before them unfolds a sight of withered grasslands and forests.

The river once flowing there has dried, the lake reduced to cracked earth.

At the center of this desolate landscape, where all life has been drained, rests it.

A large, purple sphere touching the ground.

It sits still, scattering violet smoke across the air—clearly not a natural part of the world.

Maple, seeing it for the first time, understands instantly. This is the Demon Lord’s lair. This is where they will fight.

“Ah… so that’s how it gathers power.”

“Looks strong…”

“We’re strong too.”

“…! Yes!”

Maple's unease flickers at the thought of power drawn from extinguishing surrounding life, but Sally quickens her spirits at once.

This is it! A battle we cannot lose—more than ever before. Hinata, we rely on your support, everyone’s.

Yes. I am ready.

"Wil. Let us proceed while double-checking the finer steps."

Yes, let us do that.

There are tasks only four—Thunder Storm and Rapid Fire—can perform, and only four of them.

Some of the coordinated actions and responses prepared require each of the four to move properly. The responsibility of each individual, like Maple’s group, is heavy.

The number of monsters will increase from here, but they are not beyond our ability to handle. As planned, we shall divide them, centered on the Flame Emperor's Kingdom and the Gathering Holy Sword.

—Be careful with the 【Maple Tree】 too, more so than the cave. Keep it safe, just in case.

Yes!

Only Crom and Maple among this party wield large shields. Focus on defense.

We’ll do our best!

Players present here generally possess strong defensive skills for self-preservation.

Even so, none have cooldowns as short as the Cover. Some are limited to once per day.

Only skills that recharge immediately before the final battle will suffice.

The party’s defense falls to the large shield bearers. That will not change during the battle with the Demon King.

As Maple and the others advance toward the Demon King’s domain, purple smoke erupts from the ruined ground. Monsters emerge one after another, surrounding them.

Smoke takes the shape of a man. Red light floats like eyes. They wear armor so black it seems to blur at the edges, like shadow given form. Each holds a weapon.

They charge forward, blades brimming with intent to cut down Maple and the others.

But their blades never reach.

“[Area Expansion][Radiant Holy Sword]”

“[Multi-Fireball], Notes [Chorus][Amplify]!”

“[Scorch]!”

“[Crack Sword]!”

The violence continues unbroken. The cave’s terrain offers no advantage here, yet the attacks come regardless—overwhelming in range and power. The soldiers, possessing both solid defense and swift movement, are not so easily breached.

“[Earth Wave]!”

“[Whirlwind Chain Slash]”

Even as the monster manages to close in, Drag strikes with a knockback, and Dread disables it before it can act with its daggers.

Hand over the Demon Lord. The assault, relentless in force and reach, finally reaches the violet sphere—the Demon Lord’s lair.

Closer now, the sphere reveals itself as a whirlwind, spinning with violent momentum.

Attempting entry directly results in immediate recoil. What is needed to breach it—now clear to Maple after this far.

Pain and Mii pause, signaling Maple with a hand gesture.

"One more step, and the path to the Demon Lord opens. If ready, now is the time."

"Buffing now will only see it vanish at the opening. Maple—any regrets?"

"Everyone… alright?"

Maple addresses the members of the other guilds as well. They have done all they could, and arrived here through it.

There is no more room for unpreparedness.

Maple steps forward after seeing all of them nod firmly. The 'Demon Lord's Magic' within her inventory reacts, leaping out.

It emits the same purple light as the wall blocking Maple and the Demon Lord, slowly carving a vortex-shaped hole.

"Entering!"

Led by Maple, the entire group moves inside. Inside, thick, pulsing veins like blood vessels run across the ground, drawing energy upward and channeling it into a pulsating, cocoon-like mass of purple light hovering in the center.

The airships lose power, their engines failing under the Demon Lord's domain. Before them unfolds the scene exactly as Maple and the others had heard.

The Demon Lord is within that mass.

Maple takes another step forward toward the tenth layer’s terminus, toward the strongest foe.

It is the trigger that awakened the Demon Lord.