The air in Rimuru was heavy with the weight of anticipation. It had been weeks since the battle with Galdros, and though the village had fortified itself, the looming threat of another invasion kept everyone on edge. Padrino stood in the heart of the training grounds, watching as Benji drilled the new recruits. The clashing of wooden swords and the grunts of exertion filled the air, a far cry from the peaceful sounds Rimuru once knew.
"You're pushing them hard," Marko said, approaching from behind. His usually sharp eyes were tired, worn from the endless work of fortifying defenses and planning for the next battle.
"We don't have a choice," Padrino replied, his voice tense. "We've been lucky so far, but luck won't last forever."
Marko crossed his arms, watching as a pair of young villagers sparred with surprising precision. "True, but we need more than just training. We need information—on Galdros' movements, their plans. If we wait for them to strike first again, we might not be able to hold them off a second time."
Padrino nodded. He knew Marko was right. Defense had kept them alive, but they couldn't win this war by reacting to Galdros' every move. They needed to be proactive.
"Any word from Asuna?" Padrino asked. She had left days ago to make contact with the Outcasts from the Shattered Plains, hoping to secure an alliance that could tip the scales in Rimuru's favor.
"Not yet," Marko said. "But if anyone can sway them, it's Asuna. She has a way of… persuading people."
Padrino grimaced. Asuna's methods were often ruthless, but they needed that edge now more than ever. Rimuru's future depended on it.
As dusk approached, Hinata made her way to Padrino's side. She had been spending most of her days tending to the wounded and practicing her light magic, trying to increase her endurance after the toll it had taken during the last battle.
"You seem tense," she said, her voice soft but steady.
"I can't shake the feeling that something is coming," Padrino admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Galdros is regrouping, and when they come back, it won't be a simple skirmish. They'll throw everything they have at us."
Hinata touched his arm, her magic bringing a faint warmth through his body. "We'll be ready. We're stronger than we were before. And if Asuna succeeds, we'll have allies."
Padrino exhaled, the weight of leadership pressing down on him. "It's not just about strength, Hinata. It's about timing. We need to be smarter than them, outthink them at every turn."
"You always have," she said with a small smile. "And you always will."
He appreciated her confidence in him, but the burden was growing heavier with each passing day. The weight of Rimuru's survival rested on his shoulders, and failure was not an option.
Later that night, the sound of hooves echoed through the village as a lone rider approached the gates. Padrino was summoned immediately, and when he arrived, he found Asuna dismounting from her horse, her face grim.
"We need to talk," she said without preamble, brushing dirt from her cloak.
Padrino led her to the war room, where Marko and the others were already waiting. Asuna didn't waste time.
"I made contact with the Outcasts," she said, pacing in front of the table. "They're willing to fight with us, but it won't come cheap. They want resources—food, weapons, and land in exchange for their help."
"Land?" Marko asked, raising an eyebrow. "We barely have enough for ourselves."
"They're desperate," Asuna replied, her eyes narrowing. "Galdros has been hunting them for years. They've lost more territory than we can imagine. If we offer them a place to settle, they'll be loyal—for now."
Padrino considered her words. It was a dangerous offer, but one they might not be able to refuse. "And what about their leader? Will they follow us into battle?"
Asuna's lips curled into a smirk. "They'll follow me. I made sure of it."
Marko shot her a skeptical glance. "You can't trust mercenaries. What happens when they decide the price isn't worth it anymore?"
"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Padrino said, cutting in. "For now, we need them. Galdros is coming, and we don't have the luxury of turning away potential allies."
He looked around the room, seeing the uncertainty in their faces. They were all thinking the same thing—this alliance was a risk, but war was full of risks.
"Prepare the village," Padrino ordered. "Make room for the Outcasts. We'll give them what they need, and in return, they'll help us hold the line."
Asuna nodded, satisfied. "I'll bring them in by tomorrow. But Padrino—keep an eye on them. They're not like us."
"I'll watch them," he promised. "And if they betray us, they'll regret it."
As the council dispersed, Padrino remained in the war room, staring at the map of Xandros laid out before him. Galdros' influence spread like a dark stain across the land, inching ever closer to Rimuru.
The storm was gathering. And soon, it would break.