Chapter 464

Defense Specialization and the Final Battle

Around the time when Maple and the others were about to besiege the outer wall, a barrage of spells flew at Mii, who was moving towards the enemys royal castle.

Thats fast!

Because not everyone could fly, Miis guild members walked by foot to raid the castle.

Even if she reached the castle first, shed just run out of strength. Thus, Mii lowered Ignis att.i.tude and landed on the lava-covered earth, where smoke from the volcano was billowing.

What awaited them were players from several guilds. They were probably lying in wait in the unlikely event of a surprise attack.

Convinced of their advantage in teamfights, they advanced immediately. Some of the players kept an eye on the enemys backline.

It turns out that my hunch is right. I wish I was just overthinking

Buff, please.

Lets keep some distance from Mii. If things get dangerous, Ill protect Frederica.

Okay, okay

Frederica poised her wand. Specializing in long-range attacks, Fredericawho deftly applied buffs and debuffs, along with recovery and defensewas the center of the defense force.

After spreading buffs in succession, Frederica casted [Multi-Total Teleport] and left the battlefield immediately. As a result, she was able to take part in this defense. Worried for this exact development, she took some countermeasures.

Let me through.

My barrier will stop the flames.

Just like Lily, Fredericas role was to buy time. If Mii couldnt reach the royal castle, her efforts so far would be in vain.

I got my hands full with Velvet, too!

After all, Payne sent her a short message saying that Velvet was traveling at high speed.

First, she had to deal with Mii, who was heading straight for the royal castle.

Alright, everyone, lets do it!

Yeah!!!

After declaring so, Frederica unleashed her full combat skills.

[Mana Ocean]!

[Scorching Flame]!

A fierce wave of flame surged towards her, threatening to swallow her. In response, instead of the tower-s.h.i.+eld users, Frederica was the one who stepped forward.

[Super Multi-Barrier]! Knots [Amplification] [Singing Round]!

A mult.i.tude of barriers was deployed.

If Miis fire could break through 10 layers of barriers,

how about 100 of them?

After receiving Miis flame, Fredericas barrier was very much intact.

Good. Look, its still good, so just push through!

[Super Acceleration]!

[Roar of Battle]!

Seeing that Frederica had deflected Miis attack, everyone advanced. As it was, Frederica could take care of the whole defense just fine.

[Rain of Arrows]!

Hmph, [Super Multi-Barriers] [Super Multi-Flame Bullets]!

After blocking the volley of arrows with barriers after barriers, she rapidly deployed one magic circle after another behind it.

The flame bullets, which had their strength doubled with Knots supports, attacked the enemy with a power that could rival Miis flame.

Even in close combat, Fredericas barriers got in the way. Although the activation period of [Mana Ocean] was limited, her infinite MP caused her skills to have no cooldown. It went without saying that the inexhaustible barrier erased the meaning of damage trading.

Mii!

This is tough!

None of my attacks did anything

Fredericas magic was originally a one-off skill that fired a tremendous amount of damage.

This skill was extremely difficult to block, because it was similar to Payne and Sallys combo, which exploited the gap in damage nullification skill.

[Eruption]! Were moving! Bear with me for a bit!

Understood!

After pus.h.i.+ng them away, Mii and the others started to withdraw to recover.

As if

Frederica and the others would let them.

Im curious about Velvet, though Any thoughts?

I think its bad either way.

Your skill also has a time limit, right? Without it, itll be difficult to face Mii, no?

Okay, got it. Then, lets go. [Super Multi-Acceleration]!

With unified goals, they charged towards Mii together. The rumbling of thunder could be heard from a distance, but they didnt let it get to them.

The distance made by the wall of flames was quickly closed by Fredericas buff.

I wont let you escape!

I was about to say the same.

?

However, unlike what they previously thought, Mii didnt seem to have any intention of backing down. Frederica gripped her wand with a sense of unease.

Youre right,

Marx.

No one knows.

With the volcano in the background, flame swirled through Miis body. For some reason, alarm bells were blaring in Fredericas head.

[Inferno]!

[Super Multi-Barriers]!

In order to counter Miis flame, Frederica deployed yet another instance of barriers. Unexpectedly, the destination of Miis flame was the ground.

Mii gripped the bursting flame and slammed them into the ground. The flames that were supposed to rampage along the surface of the earth sunk into the ground, and red flowing fissures spread over a wide area.

Then, a colossal pillar of fire rose up towards the sky, dying it red, mercilessly smas.h.i.+ng Fredericas barrier.

After the pillar of fire subsided, Mii manipulated the huge, raging flame. Like a dragon, it floated in the fire, and at its center was a fireball burning with the intensity of the sun.

It took me a long time to get here.

Whats that?

Its a terrain effect that Marx found. You didnt know that, did you?

What set Marx apart from other players was the way hed set traps. Apparently, he was also the one who realized the existence of this living flame.

The flame began to envelop the weapons of the enemy players. The blazing ground around Mii seemed to tell the extent of the area of influence.

Haa

Everyones too messed up!

Haha, coming from you, Frederica?

Because of the limited activation period, the [Kingdom of Flame Emperor] especially chose a country of water and nature to trigger that flame attack. It was a shame but they did what they could. No one should be able to complain if a flame of that degree took down the castle, right?

As promised, Ill push through.

If it doesnt look good, go to Velvet!

Understood!

Nothing was stupider than burning everyone. First, measure the threat level. While preparing another set of barriers, Frederica pondered about Miis next course of action.

[Flame Emperor]!

Mii spread her arms, manifesting a fireball in each of her palm. The flames undulated, and expanded several times, before descending upon Frederica. Her field of vision burned red.

[Super Multi-Barriers]! Knots [Amplification]! [Singing Round]!

Fredericas role was to stop Mii. She deployed another wave of barriers, and the two meteorite-sized fireb.a.l.l.s soon crashed onto them.

[Blue Flame]!

Blue flames were mixed with red flames, flying after the fireball.

Hey, sorry, but please cover for me!

[Spirit of Light]! [Cover]!

Charge!

Frederica couldnt stop it, and the huge fireball burned the surroundings. Taking advantage of that, the [Kingdom of the Flame Emperor] turned on the offensive, wielding a weapon clad in flames, and slashed at Frederica.

[Cover]!

[Flash Spear]!

While protecting Frederica, the allied players also charged at the approaching enemy. Even so, the flame buff compensated for the status advantage Frederica had created, and the resulting match was unlike before.

[Super Multi-Flame Bullets]!

[Scorching Flame]!

Without losing momentum, Miis h.e.l.lfire swallowed Fredericas flame bullets.

It was like the volcano itself. The intensity of the raging flame was already that of a disaster.

The tower-s.h.i.+eld users used the same [Cover Move] as Maple to move at high speed. Those who could run used [Super Acceleration] and grabbed Frederica, before retreating.

Shes seriously bad news!

Frederica, can you do something about it!?

No way, no way, no way! Youre just asking for the impossible!

Stopping here and trying to stop the advance wouldnt buy much time either. Within a few more battles and defenses, the flames that strengthened the entire [Kingdom of Flame Emperor] would swallow them whole.

Run to town! We still have to watch out for Velvet!

I know!

The enemys attack was more severe than theyd expected, and Frederica and the others rushed to the town, promising that theyd never do a high-stake gamble or an a.s.sault with the resolve to crush the enemy.

Apparently, the enemy had been focusing on this one point

their last chance to win.

By the time they got back to town, the effects of [Mana Ocean] would probably wear off. She was worried about the defensive strength, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Ill just cast some buffs! Ill do something about it! We have no other choice!

Ill do as you say.

Ill protect you until all the tower-s.h.i.+eld users peris.h.!.+

Leaving aside Mii, who was exuding flame, Fredericas buff could be used against the guild members of the [Flame Emperor] who received the buff.

[Super Multi-Flame Bullets] [Super Multi-Wind Blades]!

Frederica, who was carried on a certain players back, turned around and continued to fire a barrage of magic until [Mana Ocean] was worn off.

The flames used by Mii enhanced firepower, and didnt increase defensive power. Her research paid off.

Ugh, what a huge responsibility.

If we manage to protect it, I expect more than praise.

They better win!

Frederica and the others retreated as flame pierced the sky. The enemy would never retreat no matter what.

As long as the throne was safe, it should be fine.

***

Velvet disappeared with some players, and Lily summoned the soldiers to fill in her place.

Even if a horde of them was laid to waste, another would just replace them, hindering Maples advance.

The biggest wall was

literally

the outer wall that protected the town. Not everyone could leap through it. If they open a large hole by destroying the area round the gate that had low durability, everyone might be able to rush in, but Lily would probably just cover it using her soldiers.

[Holy Dragons Light Sword]!

[Puppet Wall]!

When Payne attacked the wall, the summoned soldiers blocked it instead.

Although he could slay the soldiers, the wall itself remained intact.

In order to lower the firepower even a bit, Chrome waited for an opening while protecting Yui and the others from the enemy players. Some of the enemy were prepared to die, and charged relentlessly at their backline.

If possible, he wanted to deliver Yui safely to the wall.

Everyone began to feel a bit impatient. Behind, a tremendous pillar of fire pierced the sky. They could tell from a glance

Thats definitely Mii.

Sally, what do you think?

It might be a bit bad

Knowing that the remaining players, led by Frederica, were in charge of the defense, she couldnt say that theyd triumph over the large-scale attack of Miis flame and Velvet.

What should I do!? Should I head back!?

If it was Maple, there was a high chance theyd make it in time by using [Machine G.o.d] to fly through the sky, but

We have to proceed with the attack. Besides, everyone is supported by damage reduction and equipment.

Kanade

A huge black cylinder that Maple deployed. Her [Ancient Weapon], which regularly fired lasers forward, was indispensable for defeating the summoned soldiers.

But, will they be alright?

Then, theres one thing I want to ask you.

Kanade took out a pure white book from the bookshelf.

I can return by myself, but I cant come back.

In other words, Kanade was asking Maple, the guild master of [Maple Tree].

If I go back to buy us some time, can you win?

Leave it to me! Ill do my best!

Okay, lets do it. Actually, Im also worried about them.

Sally, whod learned about Kanades skill, was also aware of it.

As long as we can break down the wall, we can win.

If an avalanche hit the town, their movement wouldnt be so restricted anymore. The footholds wouldnt function as well as they did now.

Then, Ill go back too. There has to be a way.

Chrome couldnt contribute much to the castle siege. Therefore, given the chance, hed like to protect the base.

If they didnt limit their options, there was always a way.

I see, it has come to this, huh?

Ill be fine.

The six quickly exchanged opinions and called out to the tower-s.h.i.+eld users nearby. Having decided how much risk theyd tolerate and what the final operation of the operation would be, the six immediately jumped into action.

There was no room for hesitation.

Overseeing the battlefield from above, Lily confirmed some suspicious movements from the [Maple Tree].

A white magic circle unfolded beneath Kanade, as players boarded the gigantic black sphere that Iz had taken out one by one.

Thats

Lily couldnt understand exactly what they were doing, but there was no doubt they were planning something.

Lily sent her soldiers, and the surrounding players also joined in and charged.

Maple, stop them!

Of course! [Predator]!

Iz was the first to evacuate into the group, while Maple and Sally protected Kanade, who was chanting. Chrome and the others joined onboard while Yui stood in front of them until the preparations were done.

[Commence Attack]!

Haze [Shadow Clone]!

Kuh!

Dont falter!

[Predator] pounced on the members of [Rapid Fire] who slipped through Maples line of fire.

Even if they escaped halfway, they wouldnt win. In the first place, the objective was no longer to escape and survive.

Be it players receiving damage, or the crumbling summoned soldiersall of them were used as s.h.i.+elds to rush at Yui and Kanade from all directions.

If they set up a piercing attack and used [Dedicated Affection], they might be able to take out Maple.

However, the preparations of Kanade and Yui were completed just before that.

Please win, Maple!

Leave it to me!

[Teleport]!

Kanade vanished into the light.

Next to him was Yui, holding up a sledgehammer.

Chrome, I leave it to you!

She swung the sledgehammer right at the sphere prepared by Iz.

A roar, and then a shock. The sphere carrying the tower-s.h.i.+eld users flew through the sky. The pile of buffs that were applied before the decisive action shook off everything and blew Chrome and the others into the sky.

Soon, all that was left behind was Yui, and players rushed towards her. Yui couldnt deal against that many opponents, and if nothing was done, shed surely be taken out.

Still, Yui had one responsibility left.

Tightening her grip around the sledgehammer, Yui turned her attention to the towering wall. Maple and Sally got her back. After weighing the remaining time, they decided to take advantage of a certain idea.

[Ancient Weapon]!

[Flash Flood]!

With a thud, Maples weapon changed form. Maximum firepower commensurate with energy consumption. After Maple blew away the soldiers in front, the water created by Sally toppled them, was.h.i.+ng them away.

Only a brief delay until the next resummoning. However, as of the present, their path was certainly clear.

[Weapon Throw]!

Yui didnt waste that opportunity, and channeled all her strength into her arms, before releasing eight iron b.a.l.l.s along with the sledgehammer held by [Helping Hand].

Leaving a trail behind, the weapon slammed onto the outer wall in front of them, and at the same time, the blades of the enemy reached Yui, who chose to neither evade nor counterattack.

After that, was a roar that was incomparable to when Chrome and the others were launched into the sky.

The weapon Yui threw played the role of a battering ram with power that you wouldnt expect from a single player.

The towering outer wall exploded from the front, and beyond the dancing sand smoke, was a townscape.

At last, the chance had arrived for Maple and the others to advance.

Do your best!

A step closer to victory. Seeing her allies defeating the soldiers before rus.h.i.+ng into town over the broken outer wall, Yui disappeared in relief.