Defense specialization and Demon King Eleven.

Obstacles cleared, Maple and the others close in on the Demon King. At the same moment, the Demon King draws near to the greatsword.

"Haha, I have won...!"

Crackling crimson light connects the greatsword’s hilt with the Demon King’s outstretched hand. The crimson light pulls the greatsword from the magic array with overwhelming force, dragging it toward the Demon King.

As the greatsword is wrenched free, a black torrent surges forth.

Sally and Pain sense it immediately—the black wave is no different from a laser, delivering death with every strike. No need to swing the blade; the mere aftermath carries overwhelming destructive force.

Amid the approaching black wave, Maple feels something settle on her shoulder.

It is Notes. The yellow bird, Frederica’s tamed creature, holds a single letter in its beak.

"Maple, open it—!"

She knows what to do before it happens. Responding to Frederica’s call, Maple takes the letter from Notes and opens it swiftly.

Black light erupts alongside the sword’s draw. It swallows everyone whole, pressing forward, dragging them down. Still, Maple and the others resist the manifestation of death itself.

“[Guardian]!”

The user of [Guardian] is not Crom, but Maple.

The effect of the skill received from Crom via Notes’ [Messenger Pigeon] is temporary protection for all allies within range.

The one-time use of [Love That Offers the Body], canceled by the previous effect, now made possible again—only this time, for Maple, a simulated second chance to wield [Love That Offers the Body].

Maple’s absolute defense holds firm. It protects all from the consuming dark. It splits the darkness open. Light rushes forward.

“[[Companion’s Aid]]!”

Maple and Sally advance toward the Demon King, using a skill acquired before the battle, borrowing from Shiroppu and Hinata.

[[Great Nature]]!

The skill Maple borrowed from Shiroppu is Great Nature. She races up the massive vine, closing the final few meters to the Demon King.

Ray, [[Blessing of the Holy Dragon]], [[Sacred Protection]]!

Pain leads the charge. Receiving Ray’s buff, he thrusts his holy sword into the Demon King.

[[Judgment’s Holy Sword]]!

The Demon King takes the holy sword’s blow upon himself, twisting his mouth into a wide grin, and counters with a massive blade.

Spinning his body, the great sword slices through the air, cleaving Pain’s torso in a single stroke.

……g,!?

The force exceeded even their expectations. Even with defensive buffs and damage reduction, Pain’s health was obliterated in a single blow. As she was thrown backward, a skill activated to avoid death.

But the moment she thought she had survived, the wound ignited—black flame erupted, and her remaining HP vanished.

"Lord Demon, indeed—yet... is this sufficient...?"

"Resurrection!"

The body of Pain, which should have faded away, regains substance through Mizari's resurrection.

A broad swing of the greatsword, forced upon the demon lord under the condition of exchanging life for damage.

Sally was not one to hesitate when the chance arose.

"Quintapulse Slash!"

Entering a heartbeat after Pain, she drives a flurry of strikes into the Demon King, exploiting the time Pain has drawn out to carve deeply into his health.

Just a little more. Only the final blow is needed.

"【Cobalt Move】!"

Maple was the one reached, starting from Sally.

Sally slips behind the Demon Lord. Maple grips the great shield again, channeling strength into it.

“Haaahhh!”

Maple slams the great shield down, unleashing the final 【Evil Feast】. She locks eyes with the Demon Lord.

The Demon Lord staggers, his HP barely clinging. He swings the massive sword again, aiming to kill.

To receive it would trigger 【Unyielding Guardian】—but fire could still end her.

Use 【Ruthlessness】 to endure once. Bet on not taking damage. Accept it directly.

Options flicker through her mind. Maple trusts her instinct. She tightens her grip on the short blade. Her choice matches Sally’s.

“【Change of Form】! 【Divine Concealment】!”

Sally and Maple exchange positions. The great sword, aimed at Maple, cuts empty air.

Sally, having avoided the attack using the skill 【Divine Concealment】 borrowed from Crom, called out to Maple, who had fully encircled the demon lord’s back.

“Leave the rest to you! Maple!”

Maple drove her short blade into the demon lord’s rear.

The crystallized magic, accumulated in the great shield by 【Evil Consumption】, shattered with a sharp sound.

The technique, long wielded and trusted, was unleashed at last.

“【Poison Dragon】!!”

A massive three-headed poison dragon lunged at the demon lord, devouring him whole. Venom erupted, swallowing the demon lord, staining the ground.

“My ambition, my long-held desire… I did not expect it to end so soon. But remember, hero! When I awaken again, I shall destroy all of you… and this world… completely…”

The Demon King vanished into the dark, leaving only the last words. Even in the moment of dissolution, his gaze remained fixed upon Maple, filled with murderous intent.

Thus, the ultimate 【Poison Dragon】—charged with every ounce of magical power—was unleashed, forged through the combined strength, connection, and trust of all present. It struck the Demon King’s HP with absolute force, ending the final battle.

As the Demon King disappeared, a crimson brooch remained in Maple’s hand. The domain that had trapped Maple and the others dissolved. The original field returned.

……We did it! We did it, we did it, we did it!

Nice work, Maple! Actually won in one go!

Yeah! It was all because of everyone!

Maple shared her joy with Sally. Immediately after, the members of 【Maple Tree】 rushed forward.

Oh! We did it! I mean, when that true form showed up, I really thought we were done for.

Now that the goal is achieved. To finish this safely—finally, a weight lifts.

Crom! Thank you, 【Guardian】! Kasumi, too—thanks to 【Mind's Eye】, we were saved!

Haha, glad I could be of use!

I agree. Phew, the exhaustion is hitting hard now.

The Demon King and the aberrations took massive damage with every direct hit. The front-line fighters, who never stopped battling, are drained.

We were using up our items so fast, it’s truly a miracle we won.

Yes. My spellbook is spent—no more spells left.

We only get to gather like this on days like this…

I was so afraid we’d fall midway. Really, it’s a relief we made it.

We’ll have to celebrate again when we return. Mmm, if we’re stepping away from the game, I’d like to gather what Izu used first.

No need to worry about it. But I’m glad you said that. I’ll just keep the expectation.

Yes!

As 【Gathering Holy Sword】 praised each other’s efforts, the representatives from the various guilds who had contributed more than enough as reinforcements arrived at Maple’s side.

An enemy stronger than expected. But we managed to fulfill our role as 【Gathering Holy Sword】.

Thank you so much for coming! Things would’ve turned out completely differently if you hadn’t been here…

Yeah. I mean… what was that!? Totally different from what we expected!?

Haha, just like 【Maple Tree】 to pull something like that! And fighting a strong enemy—it was fun, wasn’t it?

Yeah. Now we’ve got something to aim for… Still, doing it again sounds exhausting.

The one called Demon King, though unlike the foe the Gathering Holy Sword has faced—different in appearance, different in motion.

The Gathering Holy Sword’s new goal is not to seek aid, but to strike down that Demon King as the Gathering Holy Sword itself.

There remain enemies to defeat beneath the tenth layer. That has become the new motivation for Pain and the others.

"I agree. Never thought a Demon King would take such a form. The Flame Emperor’s Kingdom may need to try again."

"Yeah. We were already discussing whether to search for rare drops. Now that we know such a thing exists, it's even more necessary."

"I should prepare a while longer... Though we endured, even this group reached the limit at the Night Castle."

"We must train again. Many events beneath the tenth layer remain undiscovered."

"Mi, thank you! Your final spell was incredible. I'm glad we won together!"

……Ah, if I was of any help, that is best.

Mii smiled slightly, softening only for Maple.

Velvet arrived, voice bright, energy unspent by battle. A flicker of surprise crossed Lilie’s face, but she followed anyway.

Meipuru! Fought an amazing enemy—so much fun!

Was I of any use?

Yes, definitely! You and me together with gravity control—brilliant! Velvet dealt massive damage, and zapped countless small foes with lightning!

Hinata held the defensive line beside Maple. Velvet’s pinpoint strikes were decisive.

Hmm. I meant to end it with Dark Rebirth… but it did not work out. I am sorry.

The Demon Lord was strong. I didn’t expect it to counterattack again… but! Because of that, 【Rapid Fire】 received a buff, and only Wilbert’s attack could have blocked that beam!

I couldn’t participate in attacks after that, so my bow has a flaw I can’t ignore… but hearing you say that makes me glad.

Victory achieved through each one fulfilling their role.

Winning in a single attempt was the result of rare fortune, and the steady accumulation that made that fortune meaningful.

"Oh, right—Maple. Didn’t you get something when you defeated the Demon Lord?"

"That’s right! Um… wait!? A rare item, Sally!"

The others stirred at Maple’s words.

A Demon Lord appears out of nowhere, and then one shot yields a rare item—no wonder they were startled.

Oh—nice! That’s the kind of thing only Maple would pull off. So, what’s the effect?

Um…

Demon’s Heart

A brooch once held by a Demon Lord, embedded with a crimson gem of unknown origin, deep as blood.

It was named Demon’s Heart, after the appearance of the gem, like a heart of a Demon Lord.

A portion of the Demon Lord’s magic remains within the gem.

[Demons Heart]

When activated, summons aberrations into the air around the user.

You’re doing it again!

Summoning more aberrations! That’s a bad habit!

I agree… I do.

Frederica shrieks. Markus has no good memories of things called aberrations.

Well then… um… [Demons Heart]!

Maple equips the brooch and activates the skill. From behind her, a large black aberration materializes.

The creature holds twin blades as tall as Maple, its head devoid of eyes or nose, a gaping maw revealing a glow that might be the source of a laser. It resembles closely what the Demon Lord had summoned.

The only difference is color.

"Name and title—true Demon Lord, then."

"Ah, the skill name confirms it."

"So we really did become the Demon Lord's forces on the human side."

"Ah, yes, that's true."

"Perhaps we should—"

"Should we dress her in a gown?"

"Fufu, let's make it a keepsake!"

"Eh? Ehh?! M-Monster was the one we defeated!"

Maple speaks, yet the words around her shift—succession, overthrow, triumph. The notion settles. She is, in name and deed, now the Demon Lord.

"Ugh! Um, after this, we're having a celebration! At the 【Maple Tree】 Guild Hall!"

Maple says this, shifting the conversation. The human-side Demon Army—more precisely, Maple and her allies—decide to head toward the Guild Hall for a victory feast.