The days following the confrontation in the village square were tense, but there was a temporary calm. Padrino had successfully defused the conflict between the villagers and the Outcasts for the moment, but the undercurrent of mistrust remained. The fragile alliance was held together by necessity, but Padrino knew it wouldn't take much to tear it apart. They were walking on the edge of a blade, and any wrong step could be fatal.
Padrino sat alone in his chambers late into the night, poring over maps and war plans by the light of a single candle. The weight of leadership pressed down on him like never before. With every passing day, the impending war with Galdros loomed closer, and the pressure of uniting his fractured forces was beginning to wear on him.
The sound of a knock at the door broke his concentration. He looked up, and before he could respond, the door creaked open. Hinata stepped in, her face illuminated by the flickering candlelight.
"Padrino, you need to rest," she said, her voice soft but insistent. "You've barely slept these past few nights."
Padrino sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "There's no time for rest, Hinata. Every hour we waste brings Galdros closer to our gates. I have to be ready."
Hinata moved closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to do this alone. We're all here with you. Let us share the burden."
Padrino met her gaze, and for a moment, the tension in his chest loosened. Hinata had always been his anchor, the one person who could calm the storm inside him. He nodded slowly. "I know. But sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders."
"It doesn't have to be," Hinata said softly. "We'll carry it together."
The next morning, Rimuru buzzed with activity. The Outcasts had begun to integrate into the village's defenses, training with the local militia and preparing for the inevitable attack from Galdros. Padrino made his rounds through the village, checking in with his commanders and ensuring that everything was proceeding as planned.
As he moved through the training grounds, he noticed Garrik standing with a group of his men, barking orders as they sparred with some of Rimuru's soldiers. Despite the initial tensions, the Outcasts had started to prove their worth. Their experience in combat was undeniable, and their brutal efficiency was something Padrino knew would be crucial in the battles to come.
"Garrik," Padrino called out as he approached. The grizzled leader of the Outcasts turned and gave Padrino a curt nod.
"Penduko," Garrik replied. "We're getting your men ready, but they're green. Most of them have never seen real combat."
"I know," Padrino said. "That's why we need your people. You've fought Galdros before. You know how they operate."
Garrik grunted in agreement. "Aye, we've bled enough against them to know their tricks. But don't get too comfortable. Galdros has grown stronger since we last crossed swords. They're not the same enemy we fought years ago."
"I'm counting on you to help us adapt," Padrino said. "We need every advantage we can get."
Garrik's eyes narrowed. "I'll do what I can, but I won't sugarcoat it. We're outnumbered, and if Galdros decides to throw everything they have at us, it'll be a bloody fight."
Padrino nodded. "I'm aware of the odds. But we're not going down without a fight."
As Padrino turned to leave, Garrik spoke again, his voice lower this time. "One more thing. There's been talk among my men… whispers that not everyone in your village is on your side."
Padrino froze. He turned slowly, his eyes locking with Garrik's. "What do you mean?"
"Someone in your ranks might be working for Galdros," Garrik said bluntly. "I don't know who, but we've picked up on some strange behavior. People disappearing in the night, rumors being passed around. I've seen it before. It's the kind of thing that happens when someone's planning a betrayal."
Padrino's jaw tightened. "Do you have proof?"
"Not yet," Garrik admitted. "But my gut tells me something's off. You'd best keep your eyes open."
Padrino clenched his fists, anger boiling just beneath the surface. A traitor? In Rimuru? The very thought made his blood run cold. He had worked so hard to build this village into a fortress, a place where people could feel safe. But if there was someone undermining him from the inside…
"I'll look into it," Padrino said, his voice hard.
Garrik nodded. "Good. You should. Betrayal's a nasty thing, Penduko. Best to cut it out before it spreads."
Later that evening, Padrino called for a private meeting with his inner circle—Hinata, Marko, Asuna, and Vincent. They gathered in the council room, their expressions grim as Padrino relayed what Garrik had told him.
"A traitor?" Marko scoffed, leaning forward. "That doesn't make sense. Who would betray us? And for what? Galdros has nothing to offer anyone in this village."
"That's not entirely true," Asuna interjected, her voice calm but serious. "If Galdros promised someone power or wealth, they might be willing to turn on us."
Vincent, who had remained quiet, finally spoke up. "We've been growing fast. With so many new faces coming into Rimuru, it's possible someone slipped through the cracks. If Galdros has a spy here, they could be feeding them information."
Hinata frowned. "But how would they even communicate with Galdros? We've cut off all major routes leading out of the village, and we've been keeping a close watch on any strangers."
"There are always ways," Padrino said. "Smugglers, secret messengers… we can't rule anything out."
Marko slammed his fist on the table. "We need to find this traitor, and fast. If they're feeding Galdros information, we could be walking into a trap."
"I agree," Padrino said. "But we need to be careful. If we start accusing people without evidence, it could tear the village apart. We can't afford to cause panic."
"So, what's the plan?" Hinata asked.
"We investigate quietly," Padrino replied. "I'll speak to the guards, and we'll keep an eye on anyone acting suspiciously. In the meantime, we carry on as usual. The last thing we need is to tip off the traitor that we're onto them."
The council nodded in agreement, though the tension in the room was palpable. The thought of betrayal hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over everything.
As the meeting adjourned and the others left the room, Padrino remained behind, lost in thought. His mind raced with possibilities, trying to piece together who might be behind the betrayal. He trusted his inner circle, but trust was a dangerous thing in times of war.
He rose from his chair and moved to the window, staring out into the darkness of the village below. Rimuru was preparing for the battle of its life, but if they couldn't root out the traitor in their midst, they might be doomed before the first sword was even drawn.
The storm was coming, and Padrino knew that the most dangerous enemies were often the ones you couldn't see.
Betrayal, like a hidden blade, was always closest when least expected.