Chapter 439

Defense Specialization and Pursuit Battle 3

Despite having contributed in various places, the efforts of the [Maple Tree] still wasnt enough. The scale of the preliminary preparations that Lily and Marx prepared was huge. If they were to take a look at the entire map, they could see that many places were on the verge of defeat.

In the main battlefield, a fierce battle was ensuing.

Most of Marxs pillars had already been destroyed, and the overflowing wave of monsters trampled the soldiers and players alike with their enormous bodies. Just then, a wave of flames and bullets eliminated the monsters. In the next moment, the angry ma.s.ses of soldiers surged toward Payne and others like waves.

[Poltergeist]!

As her [Machine G.o.d] fired various laser beams in mid-air, Maple seized them and swung them around as if they were swords in frenzy.

It didnt only spell the end for those soldiers, but also the start of the monster avalanche.

It seems that everyone is doing well!

Alright, lets go!

Upon hearing the battle report of the Maple Tree from Sally, Payne decided to advance further into the enemy camp.

If they were to tread on, itd be impossible to avoid any casualties. At the same time, itd take more effort and time to withdraw. Itd be nice if they could win, but considering that others were under heavy attack, there was a reason to accept the risk.

The news that the [Maple Tree] defense was going well was exactly what theyd been waiting for.

[Blue Flame]!

[Sweeping Fire]

Behind the infinite surge of soldiers, Lily summoned an army of armed robots with scattering bullets, while Miis flame scorched the area.

As the flames and barrages subsided, Maple and the others went to the offensive.

Frederica!

Yes, yes! Look, Sally! This is my special skill

[Mana Ocean]

!

A glittering effect danced around Frederica. But when Sally thought that was the extent of it, Frederica pointed her wand forward and activated her spell

Soon, the reason why she was saving it became apparent.

[Super Multi-Fire Bullet]! Knots [Singing Round]!

A mult.i.tude of red magic circles was deployed behind her. Following that, countless fire bullets rained down on the enemy camp, making Maples [Machine G.o.d] seem like a ripoff of [Multi-Fire Bullet].

[Super Multi-Water Bullet] [Super Multi-Wind Blade]

Eh, wait, whats wrong with your MP?

When paired with Knots skill, it was as if Frederica was unleas.h.i.+ng a single magic, yet the damage output was simply

ridiculous.

Even so, Frederica didnt seem to be running out of MP. Soon, Sally understood that it was due to her aforementioned skill, [Mana Ocean].

So, you have to use it sparingly?

Thats right. Hence why I decided to unleash it here.

After all, if the skill was readily available, then Frederica wouldve used it from the start. Apparently, it was a trump card that had to be used with utmost consideration.

Everyone! Gather!

Every time she casted a skill, Frederica immediately made quick work of the enemys soldiers. Matching her powerful attack, Maple summoned the remaining monsters and narrowed her focus to [Night Castle].

[Awakening]!

[Path of Water]!

Avoiding the enemy-riddled ground, Payne rode on Ray, while Sally swum in the path made of water.

They were within the enemys attack range. Nevertheless, it wouldnt be a problem to a player with high [AGI].

Ray[Meteor], [Full Magic Release], [Light Torrent]!

With the s.h.i.+ning Ray, Payne went straight for the [Night Castle]. Aware that the castle also served as a trap, he intended to destroy the castle with his ultimate blow.

[Holy Dragons Blade of Light]!

[Puppet Wall]!

The endless wave of soldiers became light, and were rebuilt to stand as a wall in front of the castle.

However, with the help of Ray, Paynes blow went through, destroying the Night Castle while also throwing Misery and Marx outside.

As if Ill let you!

Ignis! Wait!?

To intercept, Mii chased after Payne, but Sally emerged from the water, wielding a similarly luminous sword.

One more try, here I come!

What did you say!?

Both Mii and Lily widened their eyes in shock. At the same time, Sallys sword grew even brighter

[Holy Dragons Blade of Light]!

[Angels Protection]!

A torrent of brilliance. Seeing exactly the same skill as Payne, Misery used a skill thatd nullify the damage within range. As powerful as it was, the skill also had strict restrictions, making it an ace up her sleeve.

Regardless, the light didnt disappear, but kept going.

No way!

W-why?

Ignis!

Ignis violently grabbed the bewildered Marx and Misery with its legs, before retreating into the sky while trying to s.h.i.+eld them using its body. Sallys blow hit Ignis, but it soared safely into the sky.

It did no damage to Ignis

Is it an illusion!?

Like Mii, Lily and Wilbert saw no damage and reached a certain conclusion.

After all, looking back at Sallys skills, there were several such skills.

Marx, Misery, time to counterattack!

In order to descend to the ground safely, Mii first checked if Payne was going after her.

I leave it to you, Maple.

Coincidentally, the moment Sally uttered those words, Mii noticed

its

existence.

At the front.

Above the giant turtle floating in the sky, Maple had leaned forward and extended her hand

a gigantic black cylinder emitting blue sparks floated around the [Machine G.o.d] laser weapon as if to reinforce it.

Not only that, it was facing this way.

It didnt take long for Mii to realize that it was a gun.

[Ancient Weapon]! [Commence Attack]!

Along with Maples declaration, the blue and red spark shone brilliantly, before being unleashed all at once.

From the previous match, Mii already knew that not just Ignis, but everyone would be swallowed by it.

Kuh!

They distracted us

After calmly a.s.sessing the situation, Misery made a decision before the worst could happen.

Bell, [Awakening]! [Last Prayer]!

She summoned a tamed monster. Before the event, Bell, who only had pa.s.sive skills, learned a certain skill for the first time. A skill where Misery and Bell would sacrifice themselves to grant wide area invincibility and recovery.

It was literally the last prayer.

Misery wished that she couldve used it more effectively, but as it was, she had no other choice.

Misery!

W-wait, but

Shed already casted the skill. There was no other choice. Although the laser swallowed the three, it did no damage. Mii used that chance to escape, while Misery began to vanish.

Mii, Marx, please do your best.

With the defeat of Misery, the enemy had lost a powerful healer, but Maple also lost all her summons. Overall, the enemy still had the advantage due to Lilys summoned soldiers.

The next

Mii, who tried to consult with Lily, saw Sally riding on Rays back while pointing a huge cannon that looked similar to [Machine G.o.d]. Moreover, it was also emitting blue sparks. Upon seeing that, Mii widened her eyesafter all, it looked exactly the same as Maples canon.

Frederica!

[Multi-Total Teleport]

A bizarre number of buffs began to converge on Sallys body as she called outboosting the attacks power and range by dozens of times.

If you think this is an illusion, why dont you give it a try!?

Lily!

Wilbert called out to Lily, perhaps to convey a hidden message.

If I can do that, then I wont be having a hard time! My bad, Mii[Formation Change]!

[Ancient Weapon]! [Commence Attack]!

Unlike Maples, which was fired mid-air, the blue light filled the ground before diffusing. It was an illusion. After blowing up in the empty enemy camp, it eventually disappeared.

Lets switch to defense! We cant give them any opportunity!

With that as a signal, Payne commanded everyone to withdraw. After all, by pursuing the enemy, theyd only be putting their own base in unnecessary danger.

For the time being, the head-on clash that caused equally ma.s.sive deaths on both sides and the entire battlefield had come to an impa.s.se. The field, where only the remnants of the battle remained, became the silent witness to the intensity of the battle.

***

[Formation Change]it had a similar effect to Maples Ark, in which itd move the position of the buffed players within the range. Thus, Lily had s.h.i.+fted many players to the back.

Lily, thanks for your help.

Huh? Ah, its nothing, Im sorry for making the call to withdraw on my own.

We didnt know whether or not it was an illusion. Therefore, itd be safer to just avoid it.

Itd be nice if Will and I could find a way to ascertain reality before the next full-fledged fight. Sure, itd mean having to rely on Wills sight, but its much better than making a gamble.

By ascertaining it themselves, itd also mean risking death. Therefore, Wilbert was certainly the right person to a.n.a.lyze the illusion and avoid the worst-case scenario.

Soon, therell be no more soldiers. The same goes for Marxs traps.

Thats right. Well, I guess I could re-install some traps where its necessary

Compared to the start of the battle, the number of players had dwindled. From now on, not only large-scale battles, thered also be a surge in small-scale battles that involved ambushes and surprise attacks.

Night is about to fall. Lets try to reduce their number.

Lets do that. Well need Wills Night Vision.

Since Mii stands out too much, she should defend

You have a point.

At night, theyd only draw attention to themselves by using flame skill. Even if that wasnt the case, Miis fighting style was also conspicuous. The same could be said about her tamed monsterIgnis, making the two unsuitable for covert operation.

Although, it seems like the other side isnt pursuing us. Did the kings attack also stop?

Looking at the magic circle that was deployed in the sky and the tremendous amount of magic cascading from it at a distance, Lily exhaled

apparently, they made the right call by not pursuing them.

Are you tired?

Well, yeah

Weve endured too much damage.

Thats right. A single mistake could prove to be fatal.

She couldve done a bit better. She had many regrets regarding the previous battle. Still, considering that a vast array of skills was available in this skill, it was only natural for everyone to have an ace up their sleeve. To be able to foresaw each and every single one of them would be impossible.

We have to make sure to not fall for the same trick twice. Oh, did those two come back?

In the magical sky, Velvet descended with a flash of thunder. However, she didnt plummet into the ground, since Hinata was there to slow her fall and ensure her landing.

How was it!?

Misery has been defeated. While weve defeated a lot of players, the [Congregation of Holy Sword] and [Maple Tree] remain undefeated.

Ugh, is that so?

Im sorry, Velvet. Even though you wanted to partic.i.p.ate in the battle

No, no, it cant be helped! As a guild member, one cant be too selfis.h.!.+?

Well, after that, a lot happened. At that time, I regretted not letting you stay.

Eh!? Did something interesting happen while I was gone!?

Interesting, huh? I guess thats one way to see it.

Hinata smiled wryly at Marx, who overlooked the battle with a bitter look on his face.

Im sure itll be

interesting

For Velvet, anyway.

I agree.

While talking, the six returned to the royal castle.

Oh, thats right. How was the strategy?

Its

perfect

! And while Im at it, I defeat the enemies along the way!

Thats great. Then, our struggle was worthwhile

The situation mightve changed if Velvet and Hinata were present at the battlefield. Nevertheless, the two left because carrying out the strategy was their main priority.

Now that the seeds had been sown, all they needed to do was wait for the right timing.

Lets take a break for a while.

Yes, lets prepare for the ambush.

Still, staying on the battlefield for too long was exhausting. Adequate rest was also necessary to maintain performance.

Thus, the six decided to relax in the castle. Away from the battlefield, the six began to relax