The night settled over Rimuru, quiet yet filled with tension. Fires burned dimly along the walls as the soldiers rested, their eyes reflecting exhaustion but also determination. Despite the success of the counterattack, every soldier knew that the victory was temporary. The forces of Galdros would return at dawn, more organized and determined than before.
Padrino stood at the edge of the wall, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the enemy's campfires flickered like a sea of orange dots. His mind was already on the task ahead: a daring infiltration of the Galdros camp to strike at their commander, Marcellus. It was a plan born of desperation, but one that could turn the tide of the war if successful.
Marko approached quietly, his footsteps barely audible on the stone walkway. "The men are ready," he said in a low voice. "We've selected the team. It's small, as you requested."
Padrino nodded. "Good. We need to move under the cover of darkness. We can't afford to be seen until we're inside their camp."
Hinata arrived shortly after, her face pale but resolute. "I've created a veil using my light magic," she said. "It'll give us some protection from detection, but it won't last long once we're close to their encampment. We'll need to move quickly."
Padrino turned to his two most trusted allies, the weight of the decision resting heavily on his shoulders. "This is our best chance. If we can take Marcellus out, the army will be thrown into disarray. Without strong leadership, Galdros won't be able to press the attack effectively."
Marko crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "You're putting your life on the line, Padrino. Are you sure about this?"
Padrino met his gaze. "It's not just my life, Marko. Every life in Rimuru depends on this. If we stay on the defensive, they'll break through eventually. This is our chance to end it before they do."
Marko nodded after a moment, accepting the resolve in Padrino's voice. "Then we move. We've picked the best fighters. They're waiting by the southern gate."
Hinata stepped forward. "I'll be with you the entire way. My magic will give us the edge we need."
Padrino placed a hand on her shoulder, grateful for her presence. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
As the trio descended the stairs toward the southern gate, the tension in the air was palpable. The soldiers who remained behind were quiet, offering solemn nods of respect as Padrino passed by. They all knew the risks, but they also knew the stakes. This mission could determine the fate of the kingdom.
At the gate, a small group of handpicked warriors stood waiting. They were all experienced fighters, each one hardened by battle and ready to follow Padrino into the heart of enemy territory. Among them were Garrik, a seasoned fighter with unmatched strength, and Asuna, a swift and deadly archer.
"We move in silence," Padrino instructed, his voice firm but quiet. "Our goal is to reach Marcellus. We won't engage unless absolutely necessary. We strike quickly and get out before they know what's happening."
The group nodded in understanding, their eyes glinting with determination.
With one final glance at the village of Rimuru, Padrino turned and led the group through the gate, slipping into the shadows of the night. The path to the Galdros camp was fraught with danger, but the cover of darkness was their ally, and they moved with practiced stealth, their footsteps barely making a sound as they traversed the rugged terrain.
The air grew colder as they approached the enemy lines. In the distance, they could see the glow of Galdros's campfires, hear the faint murmur of soldiers on guard. Padrino motioned for the group to halt, and Hinata stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she cast a shimmering veil over the group, bending the light around them to make them harder to detect.
"We're invisible to the naked eye for now," Hinata whispered. "But it won't last forever. We need to move quickly."
Padrino nodded and signaled for the group to advance.
The camp of Galdros was a sprawling, organized military outpost, with rows of tents, armories, and watchtowers dotting the landscape. The sound of soldiers patrolling the perimeter filled the air, but Padrino and his team slipped past them, unseen and unheard. The veil Hinata had cast was holding, but Padrino knew it wouldn't last long.
As they moved deeper into the camp, Padrino's focus sharpened. He scanned the area for signs of Marcellus's command tent. According to Marko's intelligence, it would be heavily guarded, positioned near the center of the camp. The challenge was getting close without raising an alarm.
Finally, they spotted it: a large, elaborately decorated tent surrounded by guards. Padrino motioned for the group to stop and gathered them in a tight circle.
"That's our target," he whispered. "Hinata, can you disrupt their perception long enough for us to get inside?"
Hinata nodded, her face set in concentration. "I'll create a blinding light at the perimeter. It'll confuse them for a moment, but we need to be fast."
Padrino looked at each of his companions. "We get in, take out Marcellus, and get out. No heroics. We can't afford to get caught."
With that, the plan was set into motion.
Hinata closed her eyes, and a pulse of light radiated from her hands. The guards stationed around the tent flinched, temporarily blinded by the sudden burst of magic. Padrino and his team wasted no time. They moved swiftly, slipping past the disoriented guards and into the command tent.
Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Maps and strategy papers were strewn across a large table, but the center of attention was Marcellus, the commander of Galdros, who stood over the map with a calculating expression. His armor gleamed in the dim light of the lanterns, and his presence radiated authority.
Padrino's heart pounded in his chest. This was the moment.
Without hesitation, he signaled to Asuna, who nocked an arrow and drew her bowstring back. The arrow flew through the air in a deadly arc, aimed straight for Marcellus's heart.
But at the last second, Marcellus moved, as if sensing the danger. The arrow struck his shoulder instead of his chest, and he roared in pain, drawing his sword in a flash. The room erupted into chaos as Marcellus's guards rushed in, weapons drawn.
Padrino cursed under his breath. The element of surprise was gone.
"Take him down!" he shouted, charging forward with his sword raised.
Garrik met the first of Marcellus's guards with a powerful swing of his axe, cutting through their defenses with brute force. Hinata, standing at the back, unleashed a barrage of light magic, disorienting the guards and giving Padrino and Marko the opening they needed.
Padrino engaged Marcellus directly, their swords clashing in a blur of steel. Marcellus was a skilled fighter, his movements precise and deadly. But Padrino fought with the desperation of a man defending his home, every strike fueled by the knowledge that Rimuru's fate hung in the balance.
The fight was fierce and brutal. Marcellus, even injured, was a formidable opponent, but Padrino pressed on, his sword moving with relentless speed. With a final, decisive strike, he knocked Marcellus's sword from his hand and drove his blade into the commander's chest.
Marcellus gasped, his eyes widening in shock as he fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath him. The remaining guards, seeing their leader fall, hesitated for a moment, giving Padrino and his team the chance to retreat.
"Let's move!" Padrino ordered, pulling his sword free from Marcellus's body.
The team quickly gathered, slipping back into the shadows and out of the tent as the camp began to stir with alarm. Hinata cast one final veil of light to cover their retreat, and they disappeared into the night, leaving chaos in their wake.
As they raced back toward Rimuru, the weight of what they had just accomplished settled in. Marcellus was dead, and the army of Galdros would soon be leaderless and disoriented. It was a major blow to their enemy, but Padrino knew that the war was far from over.
For now, though, they had won a crucial victory.
"We did it," Marko said breathlessly as they neared the village.
Padrino nodded, his mind already turning to the next challenge. "This is just the beginning. Now we need to make sure Rimuru is ready for what comes next."