The calm that followed the public forum was fragile. Though Padrino had managed to pacify the crowd and, for the moment, keep Lucan's influence in check, he knew that the underlying discontent remained. Rimuru had grown too quickly, and with growth came the inevitable divisions between those who supported the new order and those who longed for the past. The Earlshide refugees were only one part of the equation—there were other factions within the city, each with their own interests and loyalties.
Padrino found himself in the war room once again, this time surrounded by not just his council, but also representatives from the various sectors of Rimuru's growing population. Farmers, merchants, artisans, and soldiers—all had their voices in this room now. He had invited them for a reason: to create unity where there were fractures. But unity was proving elusive.
"We can't keep treating this like a refugee camp," said Gerald, a merchant leader who had been instrumental in establishing Rimuru's trade networks. "The city's outgrown that, and the refugees have too. If you keep giving special privileges to those from Earlshide, the people who've been here from the start will start to resent it."
Padrino nodded, understanding Gerald's point. "We can't ignore the fact that the refugees bring value to Rimuru. Many of them are skilled craftsmen, soldiers, and traders. We need to integrate them properly."
"Integration is one thing," Vincent chimed in from his corner of the room. "But we can't let them have too much power. Lucan's growing bold, and if he stirs up enough unrest, he could make a legitimate move for leadership. We have to find a way to neutralize him."
Hinata, standing near the window, turned toward the group. "Neutralize, but not alienate. If we strike at him too hard, we risk rallying the refugees behind him even more. We need to be strategic about how we approach this."
"I agree," Padrino said. "We need to find a way to undermine Lucan without turning him into a martyr."
"Perhaps there's a way to show the refugees that Lucan isn't the savior he's pretending to be," Marko suggested, his eyes scanning the room. "If we can find out where his loyalties really lie—whether he's truly invested in their cause or just using them to gain power—we can expose him."
Padrino leaned forward. "Do we have any spies within his ranks?"
Marko frowned. "Not yet. Lucan's careful about who he allows close. But we've been monitoring his movements, and we've identified a few of his key supporters. One of them, a former Earlshide noblewoman named Lady Elara, seems to be close to him. If we can turn her, we might be able to get valuable information."
Padrino considered this. Elara was an influential figure among the refugees—her support had been instrumental in Lucan's rise. If they could sway her, it would be a significant blow to Lucan's efforts. But it wouldn't be easy.
"Let's make contact with Elara," Padrino said finally. "Find out what she wants, what her motivations are. If she's open to negotiation, we can offer her something that Lucan can't."
The plan was set in motion. That night, Hinata and Marko arranged a secret meeting with Lady Elara. It was held in a secluded tavern on the outskirts of the city, far from prying eyes. Padrino didn't attend—his presence would have been too conspicuous—but he trusted his council to handle the delicate negotiation.
As Hinata and Marko entered the dimly lit room, Elara was already waiting for them. She was a striking woman, her features sharp and regal, with the air of someone who had once commanded respect in the courts of Earlshide. But there was something guarded in her expression, as if she had learned not to trust easily.
"I was told you had an offer for me," Elara said coolly, not wasting any time.
Hinata nodded, her voice calm but firm. "We know that Lucan is positioning himself as the leader of the refugees. But we also know that not everyone in his camp agrees with his methods—or his ultimate goals."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "And what are his ultimate goals, according to you?"
"Power," Marko answered bluntly. "He's using the refugees' loyalty as a stepping stone to seize control of Rimuru. But he doesn't care about rebuilding Earlshide or protecting its people. He cares about consolidating power for himself."
Elara's lips twitched into a faint smile. "And you think I don't know that?"
Hinata's gaze didn't waver. "If you know, then why support him? You have influence. You could help shape the future of Rimuru, but only if you align with someone who truly has the city's best interests at heart."
"And that would be Padrino?" Elara asked, her tone skeptical.
"Yes," Hinata said. "Padrino has fought to protect this city, to build it into something stronger than Earlshide ever was. He doesn't seek power for the sake of power. He wants to create a place where everyone—refugees, citizens, and nobles—can thrive."
There was a long pause as Elara studied them, weighing their words. Finally, she spoke. "Lucan has promised the refugees that he will restore what was lost. Earlshide was our home. It's not easy to let go of that."
"And Rimuru can be your home now," Marko said. "We're not asking you to forget Earlshide. But clinging to the past won't bring it back. Lucan is selling false hope. We're offering a future."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "What exactly are you offering me?"
Hinata didn't hesitate. "A place on the council. Influence. The power to help shape Rimuru into something greater than Earlshide ever was. You have the respect of the refugees. Help us guide them in the right direction."
Elara leaned back in her chair, considering the offer. She was quiet for a long time, the tension in the room thickening with each passing second. Finally, she spoke.
"I'll think about it," she said, standing up to leave. "But don't mistake my hesitation for indecision. If Lucan offers me a better deal, I'll take it."
As she walked out of the tavern, Hinata and Marko exchanged glances. It wasn't the definitive answer they had hoped for, but it was a start. The seeds of doubt had been planted, and now they could only wait to see if they would take root.
Back in the city, Padrino received their report with cautious optimism. Elara's support wasn't guaranteed, but it was clear that she wasn't fully loyal to Lucan either. It was a crack in his foundation, and Padrino intended to exploit it.
But even as they worked to undermine Lucan's influence, there were other storms brewing. The northern territories, once controlled by Galdros, had begun to stir. Reports of bandits, rogue warlords, and mercenaries flooding the region had reached Padrino's ears. Rimuru's defenses were strong, but he knew it was only a matter of time before these factions turned their attention southward.
The city was beset by threats from within and without. Padrino had always known that leadership was a battle fought on many fronts, but now those fronts seemed to be multiplying. As he looked out over the city from his war room, he could feel the storm closing in.
And he knew that the time for careful strategy was coming to an end.