The air in Rimuru was thick with tension as Padrino prepared for the meeting with the remaining commanders of Galdros. Despite the messenger's claims of surrender and truce, the possibility of treachery gnawed at the back of his mind. He couldn't afford to take any chances, not with the lives of his people hanging in the balance.
Hinata stood beside him as they approached the war room, where his inner council waited for the final briefing before the negotiation. Marko had yet to return from his mission, but Asuna, Vincent, and the other key advisors were present, ready to offer their guidance.
"Do you trust this?" Vincent, the head of Rimuru's security, asked, his deep voice cutting through the heavy silence. His sharp eyes flickered with suspicion, as they always did when Galdros was involved.
Padrino shook his head. "I don't trust anything from Galdros. But if there's even a small chance that this could end the war without more bloodshed, we need to take it."
"We can't let our guard down," Asuna said, her tone serious. As the leader of Rimuru's defense forces, she had seen firsthand the devastation Galdros had wrought on their people. "If it's a trap, we'll need contingencies in place."
"I agree," Padrino replied. "We'll approach this cautiously. We'll meet them in neutral territory — in the outskirts of the forest, where neither side has the upper hand."
Vincent nodded, still looking uncertain. "And if they try anything?"
"Then we'll be ready," Padrino said firmly. "I want our best fighters on standby. We'll have a force hidden in the trees, ready to strike if things go wrong."
Hinata spoke up, her voice calm but carrying a weight of caution. "And what of the terms they might propose? What if their offer isn't genuine, or they try to negotiate from a position of strength?"
Padrino met her gaze. "We won't give in to any demands that compromise Rimuru's safety or sovereignty. We'll listen, but we won't surrender anything."
The council fell silent as Padrino's words settled over them. The stakes were high, and they all knew that one wrong move could plunge them back into a full-scale war. But there was also a glimmer of hope, however small, that the conflict could end without further destruction.
After finalizing the details of their approach, Padrino dismissed the council to make preparations. The negotiation would take place at dusk, giving them only a few hours to set their plans into motion.
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as Padrino, Hinata, and a small escort of trusted soldiers made their way through the forest. The air was cool, the trees casting long shadows across their path. The designated meeting spot lay in a small clearing just outside the forest, a neutral zone between Rimuru and the Galdros encampment.
As they neared the clearing, Padrino could see the figures of the Galdros commanders waiting. Three men stood at the center, flanked by a small group of their own soldiers. Their expressions were grim, but there was no sign of hostility — at least, not yet.
Padrino approached slowly, keeping his posture calm and non-threatening, but his hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword. He could feel the tension in his muscles, the readiness to spring into action if needed. Hinata walked beside him, her staff glowing faintly with protective magic, ready to shield them at a moment's notice.
The lead commander, a man with graying hair and a scar running down the side of his face, stepped forward and inclined his head slightly. "Lord Padrino of Rimuru," he said in a low, gruff voice. "I am Commander Varek. These are my lieutenants, Narin and Orthus."
Padrino nodded in return, studying the men carefully. "You've come to negotiate. Speak your terms."
Varek glanced at his companions before speaking again. "With the death of Marcellus, the chain of command within Galdros has been shattered. Many of our soldiers have lost the will to fight, and our resources are stretched thin. Continuing this war would only lead to more unnecessary death, for both sides."
"So you seek peace?" Padrino asked, his tone neutral.
Varek's expression tightened. "We seek an end to this conflict. Galdros has no interest in further bloodshed. We are prepared to withdraw our remaining forces, but in exchange, we ask for a guarantee of safe passage and the release of the Galdros prisoners currently held in Rimuru."
Padrino's eyes narrowed slightly. The release of prisoners? It was not an unexpected request, but it did complicate matters. Many of those prisoners were high-ranking officers or soldiers with valuable information. Letting them go could weaken Rimuru's advantage.
"And what assurances do I have that Galdros won't return in the future, stronger and more vengeful?" Padrino asked, his voice hardening. "How do I know this isn't just a ploy to regroup and strike again?"
Varek met his gaze steadily. "Because Galdros has no leadership to return to. Marcellus was the last strong figure holding the kingdom together. Without him, there is no unified force. If you allow us to leave, the kingdom will dissolve into factions, each too weak to pose any real threat."
Padrino considered this, weighing the risks and the possibilities. Galdros, divided and leaderless, could indeed fall into chaos, rendering them incapable of launching any serious attack. But there was always the chance that some ambitious warlord might rise to fill the void left by Marcellus.
"I will not release all the prisoners," Padrino said after a long moment. "But I am willing to negotiate the terms for some. As for safe passage, I will agree to it, but you will leave behind your weapons and any strategic materials. I won't allow you to regroup with the means to fight again."
Varek's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Very well. Those terms are acceptable."
Padrino stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Know this, Commander. If I even suspect that Galdros is preparing to strike again, I will not hesitate to destroy what remains of your forces. This is your only chance to end this peacefully."
Varek held his gaze, then nodded once more. "Understood."
With that, the terms were set. The Galdros forces would be allowed to withdraw, their prisoners would be partially released, and the remnants of the war would finally fade into the distance. But even as the meeting concluded, Padrino couldn't shake the lingering doubt that gnawed at his mind.
Was this truly the end of the conflict? Or was it simply the calm before a greater storm?
As the Galdros commanders turned to leave, Padrino cast a glance at Hinata, who stood quietly by his side. Her face was unreadable, but in her eyes, he saw the same uncertainty that weighed on him.
The war was ending, but the future remained as uncertain as ever.