Defense specialization and the Demon King II.

【Multiple Flame Bullets】【Multiple Wind Blades】!

【Divine Punishment】!

Sō, 【Destruction Cannon】【Hydro Laser】!

It is inconvenient not being able to use a bow... but 【Tornado】!

【Remote Placement — Flame Blade】【Remote Placement — Wind Blade】

【Item Enhancement】! Launch!

The overwhelming firepower raining down from the Night Castle.

The ceaseless barrage of attacks—intensely powerful but brief—was amplified without restraint by Iz's continuous use of short-duration, high-impact items, and further intensified by Velvet, Mizari’s summoned monster, who constantly spread buffs across the surrounding area.

The demon king’s crimson bullets continue to fly without pause. Abominations rise from their wake, unceasing. Velvet and Shin maintain their defense as before, but to keep both focused on the enemy ahead, the endless tide must be handled by the rear line—masters of area attacks.

Overlapping buffs increase power, shorten cooldowns, and boost MP recovery speed.

"Really is a splendid fortress, isn't it? Once the base is set, items become much easier to use."

"I can fight with ease. Against the demon king, I may still have a little more reserve in my spells."

"Still... this won’t be enough to win."

"That’s right! Payne! Make sure you’re doing your job, now!"

Eyes fixed ahead, fire still pouring. Among them, Mizari checks HP as well as attacks.

"Range increase is handled here. Focus on healing and... [Resurrect]."

Wilbert, clad in butler attire and specialized in buffs, can extend the range of buffs applied to others.

Mizari’s healing magic is a vital element in maintaining the frontline. Resurrection is the ultimate technique—turning inevitable defeat into victory.

“Yes, this time, pay extra care… Multi-Heal!”

While casting healing magic, Mizari judges the moment to use Resurrection. Ideally, avoid it. Make do with healing alone.

Resurrection is included in one of the prepared plans.

If possible, save it for later.

For that, the forward line’s movements matter.

Mizari continues healing, watching the hit points of her party members dwindle.

The front line maintains distance, drawing the aberrations away, avoiding unnecessary interference with one another.

"Mai, Yui! Decide as usual!"

“Yes!”

Crom, Mai, and Yui accepted a monstrous weapon—five meters tall, perhaps, with a red battle-axe capable of cleaving even massive trees with ease.

The approaching figure strikes with a heavy, sluggish force—each blow bearing the weight of its bulk.

A future where she survives unscathed from a blow by that massive battle-axe, commensurate with her frame, is beyond imagination.

Yet, the same holds true for us. The great mace wielded by Mai and Yui, small as their frames are, carries violence enough.

"“[Aerial Strike]!”"

Riding atop Tsukimi and Yukimi for mobility, the number of great hammers each wields has decreased by two, yet twelve shockwaves still strike the aberration bearing the massive cleaver.

It struck the aberration with a heavy, cracking sound, the great cleaver biting deep—its strength visibly diminished.

Yet the reduction in strength was slight, given that Mai and Yui had struck it.

“Repel and cut damage...! I’ll take it—create an opening!”

““Yes!””

“Necro—[Shadow Armor: Solid]! [Stillness]! [Guard Aura]!”

Crom intercepts the descending great axe with his large shield.

A perfect block. Yet the impact penetrates past the shield, striking Crom hard and reducing his HP sharply.

“Ow! What brute strength...!”

““Crom-san!””

“Don’t worry! I’ve got strong allies this time!”

Crom’s HP fully restores as he is enveloped in light. As long as he does not die in one blow, Mizari’s recovery awaits.

The key is to keep Mai and Yui from striking him.

Given his style of fighting—restoring lost HP—Crom does not die so easily.

Crom intercepts the next strike—his own automatic recovery included—without flinching. Mai and Yui, trusting in him, shift their attack.

"「[Final Form]!」"

Their twin warhammers expand their hitbox, rushing forward in unison. Too late to raise a defense—Crom’s body is struck by the massive hammer of the Healing Hand.

"It’s working—but—!"

"Not enough...!"

Unbelievable performance for subordinates. Even after absorbing twelve strikes from Mai and Yui, his HP drops by only a third.

They had planned to finish him with this blow. It does not come to that.

Then comes the aberration’s counter. His back bulges—new arms sprout, each gripping a massive battle-axe, rushing toward the three.

"……!"

Even if the great axe is blocked by a shield, damage still lands. With Mai and Yui taking all attacks through Multi-Cover, and healing timing not perfectly synchronized, immediate HP zero remains possible.

【Resurrection】 ensures no death. Acceptable risk: damage immunity, failure of 【Dead or Alive】, up to activation of 【Unyielding Guardian】.

Crom calculates in an instant. Chooses a more certain move—offense and defense unified.

“Maple!”

“【Cover Move】!”

Responding to Crom’s call, Maple flies in. Two shields of 【Maple Tree】 stand side by side, guarding Mai and Yui.

“【Activation】!”

Crom endures the impact of several arms. Maple, airborne, strikes the weapon-bearing arm from the side with a shield, then eradicates the arm entirely through 【Evil Consumption】, neutralizing the attack.

Yes, Maple came flying.

It was literal. She flew.

Without aircraft, Hinata enabled Maple’s precise aerial maneuvers.

Hinata, controlling Maple’s movement through 【Gravity Control】, monitors the battlefield from the center, positioning Maple within range of 【Cover Move】 as needed.

On the expanded battlefield, Maple’s defense is activated across all skirmishes while preserving 【Love That Offers the Body】. In this strategy, Maple and Hinata are the heart of the party.

““【Double Stamp】!””

The attack failed. Mai and Yui struck back, driving the aberration backward.

"Saved!"

"Leave it to me!"

Maple surged forward as if pulled by invisible threads, launching into the air.

To the central, optimal position—accessible from anywhere—【Cover Move】 could approach but not retreat. Yet with Hinata present, Maple could be drawn back and sent forward again and again.

"Got it!"

"Leave it to me. I’m used to this kind of movement, Velvet-san..."

To control the chaotic battlefield, the two anchors of defense watched the clash ahead with steady eyes.