The wind was brisk, colder than usual for the early autumn season, as Padrino stood on the balcony overlooking the city of Rimuru. Below, the citizens went about their day, unaware of the precarious situation their kingdom found itself in. Soldiers patrolled the streets, and the sounds of blacksmiths hammering steel echoed through the air, a constant reminder of the preparations being made. War was looming, and everyone could feel it, even if they didn't fully understand the scale of what was coming.
Padrino's thoughts were clouded with uncertainty. The negotiations with the warlords, despite Vincent's best efforts, were tenuous at best. He knew that the northern alliance of warlords was unpredictable, driven by greed, power, and survival. If they decided to attack Rimuru, the kingdom would be in for the fight of its life. Though Padrino had fortified the city and trained his army well, he understood that diplomacy was their only real chance at delaying an inevitable conflict.
Behind him, footsteps approached. He didn't need to turn around to know it was Marko. His old friend always had a way of sensing when Padrino needed counsel.
"They've sent word," Marko said, stepping beside him.
Padrino's eyes narrowed as he continued to stare out into the distance. "And?"
"They'll give us two more weeks," Marko replied, his voice low. "Two weeks of supposed 'peace' while they deliberate our offer."
Padrino turned to face him. "Deliberate? They're stalling us as much as we're stalling them. Every day we wait, they strengthen their forces, just as we do."
Marko nodded, a grim expression on his face. "I agree. This is a temporary reprieve. We're going to need more than two weeks to prepare for what's coming."
Padrino sighed. The responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders. "How are the defenses coming along?"
"The walls are reinforced, and the soldiers are in better shape than ever. But... morale is starting to wane," Marko admitted. "They can sense what's coming, and uncertainty breeds fear."
Padrino crossed his arms, thinking deeply. "Then we need to give them something to rally around. A victory, a sign of strength."
Marko raised an eyebrow. "A victory? Do you mean in battle?"
"Not necessarily," Padrino replied, his mind already racing with possibilities. "We need to show our people that we're more than just waiting for the storm to come. We need to make a bold move, something that catches the warlords off guard."
Marko's curiosity was piqued. "What are you thinking?"
Padrino didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward the balcony's edge, staring down at the bustling city below. The people were working hard to prepare for the uncertain times ahead, but they needed hope, a reason to believe in more than just survival.
"We need to disrupt their alliance," Padrino said quietly. "There's discord among the warlords already. We need to exploit that. If we can sow enough division, we can break them apart before they even march on Rimuru."
Marko's eyes gleamed with understanding. "You want to send someone to stir the pot."
Padrino nodded. "It's risky, but if we can convince one or two of the warlords to turn on the others, their alliance will crumble. We won't have to face their full force, just fragments."
"And who do you have in mind to carry out this delicate task?" Marko asked.
Padrino paused. There was only one person he trusted enough to handle something this dangerous. "Hinata."
Marko's expression shifted. He knew the depth of Padrino's trust in her, but he also knew the risks involved. "Are you sure? If she's caught..."
Padrino cut him off. "She won't be. Hinata knows how to handle herself. Besides, her magic could give her the edge she needs to escape if things go wrong."
Marko wasn't convinced but nodded nonetheless. "I'll send for her."
A Dangerous Proposal
An hour later, Hinata stood before Padrino in the war room. Her bright eyes were serious, and the usual calm, gentle energy that radiated from her seemed more focused now. She knew something important was coming.
"You asked for me, Padrino," she said.
Padrino glanced at Marko, then back to Hinata. "I have a dangerous mission for you, Hinata. It involves going north, to the warlords."
Her expression didn't falter. "Tell me what needs to be done."
He admired her courage, though it made the weight of his request feel even heavier. "We need to drive a wedge between them. They're holding their alliance together with ambition and fear, but it's fragile. If we can convince a few of them to turn on the others, we can prevent an invasion before it even begins."
Hinata nodded, her face solemn but resolute. "And you want me to be the one to stir this trouble."
"Yes," Padrino said. "You have the skills, and your light magic can help you escape if things go wrong. But I won't lie to you—this is incredibly dangerous. If they catch you..."
She smiled softly, cutting off his concern. "I understand the risks, Padrino. But I trust your judgment. If this is what needs to be done, I'll do it."
Padrino felt a swell of gratitude for her loyalty, though a part of him still hated the idea of sending her into danger. "You'll need to leave immediately. We don't have much time."
"I'll gather what I need," Hinata said, bowing her head slightly before turning to leave.
As she walked away, Padrino called after her. "Be careful, Hinata."
She paused at the door, looking over her shoulder with a small, confident smile. "I always am."
The Path to the North
That night, under the cover of darkness, Hinata set out on her mission. She rode a swift horse, cloaked in a simple traveler's robe to conceal her identity. The road north was long and treacherous, but Hinata was no stranger to peril. She knew the terrain well enough and had planned her route meticulously to avoid detection.
The warlords were unpredictable, and Hinata understood the delicate balance of diplomacy and subterfuge she would need to employ. Her goal was to meet with one of the lesser warlords first—someone who could be easily swayed by promises of power and independence from Korgon's leadership. Warlord Dagmir, a man known for his ambitions but also his paranoia, seemed the perfect target.
As Hinata rode through the dense forests of the northern borders, her mind was sharp, calculating every possible outcome. If Dagmir could be turned against Korgon, it would send a ripple through the entire alliance. She would have to play her cards carefully.
She arrived at Dagmir's camp just before dawn. His sentries spotted her immediately, and she was brought before the warlord in a matter of minutes. Dagmir was a short, wiry man with sharp features and cold eyes that flicked over her with suspicion.
"What's this?" Dagmir sneered. "A lone woman coming to my camp, unarmed?"
"I come with a message," Hinata said calmly. "One that could change your fate."
Dagmir raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Speak quickly, then. I have little patience for games."
Hinata's heart raced, but she kept her voice steady. "You know that Korgon's alliance is fragile. He rules through fear, but you—Dagmir—you could be more than just one of his lackeys. You could rule the north."
Dagmir's eyes gleamed with interest, but there was still suspicion in his voice. "And why would you tell me this? What do you gain?"
Hinata smiled faintly. "Let's just say that the Kingdom of Rimuru prefers alliances with those who seek power, not those who cower under another's rule."
Dagmir leaned forward, intrigued but cautious. "Go on."
Hinata knew she had his attention, but now came the difficult part—planting the seeds of discord without revealing her true intentions. If she could get Dagmir to doubt Korgon's leadership, the alliance might begin to crumble, and Rimuru would have bought itself more time.
But the game was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.
4o