Chapter 459
Defense Specialization and Waiting for Morning
As Maple emerged from inside the purple dome created by Hinata, Sally rushed to her side. After making sure that Velvet was nowhere in sight, she dispelled the illusion of thunderbolt and restored Maple’s HP.
“Good job, Maple.”
“Thanks! What about Velvet?”
“She seems to have retreated.”
Although Velvet was unlikely to have a hidden skill like [Godspeed] to ensure her escape from a fierce and uncertain battle, Sally couldn’t let her guard down.
Sally prioritized Maple’s safety.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sally! You were amazing!”
“Really? Thank you. Maple also didn’t stop attacking back then.”
“Hehehe, I believe in you!”
“I’m glad I delivered.”
The timer couldn’t be checked during battle. Only Sally was capable of calmly counting the time during the penultimate moment.
Against two opponents who had enough power to defeat them head-on, they used their respective strengths to triumph.
“Phew, we made the right call by ending it with [Break Core]. Anyone who had never seen it would have a problem avoiding it.”
There weren’t many enemies that Maple tried to defeat by self-destructing with her skill.
Only the members of [Maple Tree] knew the exact range of the powerful explosion.
“You did a good job researching it! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to use it!”
“I agree. Certainly, it’d have been unusable if left as it was.”
For a long time, Maple had apparently misunderstood about [Break Core]. She managed to survive not because of her defensive power, but because of the [Bomb Eater] she’d obtained a long time ago.
Because of that, she was able to survive even after self-destructing despite receiving defense debuff from Hinata.
By changing her perception, she was able to choose that grand move for the finishing blow.
“I’m glad it went well… But, I’m a bit tired…”
That was another reason why they didn’t pursue Velvet. Sally, who had improved her performance for that battle, was at her limit. Her focus dropped, while her body became sluggish along with her reaction time. She didn’t think she could deliver the same performance again.
Ray descended from the sky to help the two.
“Are you two okay!? What happened!?”
“Hinata lost. But I think Velvet has retreated.”
“Kasumi has fallen. I don’t think they’ll attack for a while because of the debuff. …I’m sorry.”
“They are forced to stop. I want to defeat Velvet once and for all, too.”
Although the majority of the plan went without a hitch, Maple’s [Indomitable Guardian] wouldn’t be up for another day.
It’d have been better if they could defeat Velvet, but that part went awry.
“Uhm, Sally is reaching her limit…”
“Because she has been fighting all day. I know.”
She didn’t have to force herself. Without Hinata, Velvet’s defensive power and mobility should’ve dropped dramatically. Another opportunity would arise.
“There’s a message… Mai and Gilmen from the [Congregations of Holy Swords] were taken out. However, it seems that they defeated Marx and some other guild members.”
“It would’ve been a disadvantage in terms of numbers, but leaving that aside, the results are great.”
Thus who were up against the [Kingdom of the Flame Emperor] must’ve had it rough.
Even so, they managed to prevent the invasion, and the opponent also suffered some damage. Therefore, it could be considered quite a success.
“Velvet, Mii, and Lilyare still alive, which is a cause for concern… We should launch the next wave of monsters.”
“I’m also thinking the same.”
They’d add pressure using [Darkness of Rebirth]. Last time, its advance was stopped by Hinata’s [Frost Country], but next time it wouldn’t be the same.
It was time for another big group battle. In the end, this small-scale battle was part of their ultimate goal, which was to win in a large-scale group battle.
“Let’s rest. If Wilbert starts sniping Maple again, Sally is probably the only one who can block his shot.”
“Where did that come from? But well, I agree.”
Payne let the three hop on Ray’s back and flew towards the royal castle.
Thus, the midnight battle came to a wrap.
***
After that, there was no battle, and when the four returned to town, they were greeted by the sight of their respective guild members. Both the members of [Congregations of Holy Sword] and the [Maple Tree] were exhausted.
“Welcome home…”
“It seems that you were able to withdraw safely.”
“It was hard, you know! Magic kept flying towards us! Mii is going scorched-earth!”
Mii wouldn’t lose anything by riding Ignis and setting fire to the whole area. If she could increase the death count, then it was worth it.
“On the way, I tamed a fire-resistance monster and had it serve as a wall.”
“I also lost my invincibility skill when I aided Mai and Yui in escaping.”
Kanade laughed embarrassedly.
The magic book that backed Kanade’s strength couldn’t be replenished easily, so he couldn’t fight in the same way next time.
“I lost all my walls and machines, so for the time being I can only use bombs.”
Like Frederica, the members of the [Congregations of Holy Swords] seemed weary. Among them, only Yui was unfazed.
“It’s because everyone protected me…”
“It’s part of the strategy.”
“You deal more damage than all of us combined.”
The tower shield users responded, “Don’t worry about it, that was the plan from the start.” To defend the main damage dealer no matter the casualties.
The strategy had the highest success rate when Mai and Yui were present.
“Everyone, let’s rest. I’ll keep an eye on the outside for a while.”
“He’s such a hard worker. Hmm, I guess I’ll take your word for it this time.”
Although she looked mostly the same, Frederica certainly seemed tired. After stretching, she returned to the royal castle with her guild members.
“Let Sally rest too, Maple.”
“I will!”
Sally obediently followed her and decided to take a rest.
She’d have to keep a close eye on Maple tomorrow as well. In order to fulfill her responsibilities, she’d need to rest.
Thus, Sally went to sleep with the [Maple Tree]. Upon confirming that neither Mii and Velvet were close, Payne also took a rest in preparation for the battle after the sun rose.
While Maple and the others were resting, Mii was also taking a break in town after saving Velvet.
“Had you told everyone, it wouldn’t have ended like this. Is there a need to go this far? What’s with you three?”
Lily and Wilbert were in no condition to fight due to Kasumi’s debuff, while Velvet’s stats were greatly reduced due to the demerit of [Thirst for the Top], and to top it off, she was exhausted.
Although their strength didn’t only consist of the three, now they’d have to proceed without them.
“The plan was to defeat those three.”
However, Kasumi closed in on them, and because they were preoccupied with taking her out, they couldn’t leave the range of debuff in time.
“As expected, I’ll pass tonight. I’m too tired…”
“The next big battle will be the turning point. Our debuffs should be gone by then.”
“My status will also return to normal.”
“Then there’s no problem.”
“Then, the real question would be how to defeat them.”
The wave of monsters triggered battles. At that time, the first problem was the existence of Maple.
Lily and Wilbert were fixated with defeating Maple because they wanted to prevent the invasion born from [Darkness of Rebirth].
“After my recent battle with her, I’m not very sure.”
“I can see why. If Mii and my attacks are also dodged, then there’s nothing we can do.”
A torrent of light from Payne’s holy sword would ransack the earth. From there, Maple’s monsters would emerge.
That development was bound to happen. On top of that, the four of them didn’t think they stood a chance.
Usually, they’d buy time before the enemy could unleash a big move, and defend against powerful blows.
The defeats of Hinata, Marx, Misery, and Shin—who were in charge of those—created a gaping hole in their strategy.
“Unfortunately, we have no real solution.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Lily glanced at Velvet and Mii, wondering how they were doing.
“I have one.”
“I also have one.”
“Nice. Very nice.”
Lily listened to the two’s plan, trying to make it the last meeting before taking a break.
After hearing that, Lily and Wilbert nodded in agreement.
“Sure, then we might be able to reverse this situation. It’s worth trying.”
“I agree.”
“I need to make some preparations.”
“Yes. Right now, the enemy is probably on guard, too. If we go out to see someone, we’ll be caught.”
Whatever the plan may be, they better start acting on it after their status had reverted to normal. As such, they’d have no choice but to rest for the day.
“Lily, Wilbert. If you decide to do it, then [Rapid Fire] will probably become the center.”
“I know. It’s my forte.”
Before the monster invasion tomorrow, they decided to share the strategy with as many players as possible, before going to rest.
“It’s going to be a tough battle.”
“If there’s a way to win, that’s good enough for me.”
There were several things that must be prepared before the battle. Tomorrow, they’d have to start making preparations early in the morning.
“As expected, it took the last day of the battle to bring forward that idea.”
The two fell asleep while thinking that tomorrow would be their last battle.