But in the end, nobody else was around.
Only Pain, Chrome, and Kasumi had managed to get a good look at them right before their disappearing act.
“What do we make of it? Is this for real?”
“We would not have missed them easily. Safe to assume they were gone before we started looking.”
“I had a good view up above. I’m sure nothing flew away. And I saw no unusual skill effects, either.”
That left Polar Flash. A column of lightning that briefly hid them from view—and took them with it. That was the only explanation.
“……We’ve gotta assume they have a powerful retreat skill. It explains why Velvet and Hinata were on board with such a risky assault.”
“That does make sense.”
“And with Formation Change in the mix, they knew they could get home even from within our walls.”
“Right, but they didn’t bust that out the second their plan failed. Which suggests the skill has conditions.”
All three of them believed the escape must be skill-based.
Given the flow of this clash, it made sense that they’d never planned to leave on foot—they’d always meant to use that skill.
“They got us there.”
“Yeah. Oh well. Thank god for Sally.”
“Her reflexes really are incredible. Did she even see that arrow coming?”
“Come on, we need to focus on our next steps. We’re not taking these guild leaders down without considerable risk.”
Maple Tree’s offensive was built around the game’s best defense. The Order’s was based around numbers and buffs. Both often found themselves soaking the enemy’s attacks, and then striking back with counter-like moves—but that meant letting the enemy go first.
They needed to take the lead. Without Dread, that was hard for The Order—but with Maple Tree involved in the plan, the wheels in Pain’s brain were already spinning.
✦ ✦ ✦
Abandoning the search, they went back into town, where they found Maple and Sally waiting.
“Any luck?”
“Afraid not. No sign of them.”
“We believe they used an escape skill. And planned to all along.”
“I doubt they’ll try that again. Without Formation Change, the escape won’t go as smoothly.”
Pain told Sally he was working on a plan—and if they wanted it to succeed, his guild and Maple Tree would need to work together.
“Makes sense. Chrome, can you escort Maple back inside?”
“Sure thing. Safety first!”
Sally had done her part, and Chrome wasn’t about to blow his. He hefted his shield to emphasize that. Meanwhile, Maple looked dejected—her choice had come back to haunt her.
“I’m so sorry, Sally!”
“Ah-ha-ha, don’t worry about it. I mean, it’s nice to protect you for a change.”
That helped mollify Maple somewhat.
“……Sure! Next time I’ll do better!”
“Yup, that’s the spirit!”
“I’ll head back in myself. Call me if you need anything,” Kasumi said.
Flanking Maple, they left Pain and Sally behind and headed back to the castle, keeping an eye on the outside walls all the while.
“Can I get a rundown on what happened after?”
“Yeah, I meant to start there.”
Pain brought Sally up to speed, and she nodded, considering the facts.
“I’m on board with the skill theory. It’s unsettling that we can’t even be sure of that, but a teleport sounds far more likely than a speed boost.”
“Agreed. Ultimately, they pulled it off—and only our side incurred any losses.”
“So we’ve gotta make a move ourselves.”
“Exactly. If they make a run like that every time this escape skill comes off cooldown, we’re gonna take a beating.”
“……So you want to take those four down?”
“You took the words right out of my mouth. If Maple Tree has any schemes in mind, I’m all ears.”
“……………”
Sally had a long think about that one.
“I take it you do, but it’s risky?” Pain asked.
“Well…yeah.”
“Then we’re likely thinking along similar lines. How about I go first? I want to put Maple in the fray.”
“We kinda have to, huh?”
In that last fight, Wilbert could have easily sniped Chrome, Kasumi, or Pain without them ever realizing it.
They’d discarded that opportunity and forced Velvet and Hinata into a long, risky battle just so they could take down Maple.
It was hard to target a specific player without doing what they’d done and forcing opponents to act. They could aim for those four, but there was always a chance the bait might be ignored.
They had to give their foes a reason to join the fray—load that trap with cheese.
“I can’t force you. I’m sure you know the risks. I’m aware it’s the last thing Maple Tree wants to do.”
“Yeah, I’d happily avoid it if we could. But…”
Personal feelings aside, Sally was very aware that they needed a plan like this.
“I also don’t have any better ideas. Me going out there alone wouldn’t be enough to draw out all four of them.”
“No other player carries the sheer value Maple does.”
Her involvement was critical to the plan’s success, and it had to be done while she still lacked Indomitable Guardian. Once the date changed, this scheme’s effectiveness would crater.
“You’ll have to ask Maple yourself. I can’t make this choice.”
“And if she agrees?”
“I’ll get ready. Gotta warm up first.”
“Very well. I’d be happy to join you there.”
“Please.”
She needed her performance at its peak. She could not afford a single mistake.
“It’s Maple’s call, but if she’s in, we’ll sort out the details, then move out.”
“Okay.”
With that, Pain turned, and headed off to the castle after Maple.
“……I know she’ll agree. That’s who Maple is.”
Sally knew her friend well enough.
That’s why she hadn’t suggested the idea herself.
It wasn’t that Maple couldn’t tell if a plan was good or bad—she’d know just how vital taking out those four was.
And if the cost of that was Maple herself, then Sally knew she wouldn’t mind.
“Whew…gotta focus.”
It was on her to knock away all attacks. If she couldn’t, this would never work.
Muttering to herself, Sally headed to the training area to start her warm-ups.