The early morning light filtered through the dense forest, casting long shadows on the ground as Hinata rode away from Dagmir's camp. Her encounter with the warlord had gone as planned—at least for now. The seeds of doubt were planted, but whether they would take root remained uncertain. As she rode toward the next part of her mission, her thoughts drifted back to the conversation.
Dagmir had been intrigued by her proposal, but he was no fool. He would take time to deliberate and weigh his options, suspicious of both her intentions and Korgon's growing grip over the northern alliance. Hinata had made sure to present herself as a neutral envoy, avoiding direct ties to Rimuru, even though she had hinted that Rimuru could be a powerful ally. The delicate dance of politics had only just begun.
As she approached a clearing, her senses heightened. Something felt off. The silence was too deep, too unnatural for this part of the forest. She quickly pulled the reins, stopping her horse, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled with the sense of being watched.
"Show yourselves," she called out, her voice calm but firm.
A rustle in the bushes followed her words, and within moments, a group of armed men emerged from the shadows. They were not Dagmir's soldiers—these were rougher, mercenaries by the looks of them, with no allegiance to any banner. Their leader, a burly man with a scar across his face, stepped forward, smirking as he sized her up.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" he said with a sneer. "A lone traveler in these dangerous woods?"
Hinata didn't flinch, her hand inching toward the hidden dagger at her side. "I have no quarrel with you. If you're looking for trouble, you'll find more than you bargained for."
The man chuckled, clearly unimpressed by her warning. "Oh, I'm not looking for trouble, just a bit of coin. And maybe some fun."
Hinata's eyes narrowed. There was no reasoning with men like these. She knew the type well—they were driven by greed and violence, without honor or loyalty. Talking would only delay the inevitable.
Before the leader could say another word, Hinata's hand moved like lightning. Her dagger flashed through the air, embedding itself in the neck of the nearest man. Chaos erupted as the others drew their weapons, but Hinata was already in motion.
She summoned her light magic, her hands glowing with a brilliant, radiant energy. The forest lit up as she released a blinding flash, disorienting her attackers. In the confusion, she darted forward, using her agility and precision to cut down two more men before they could recover.
The leader snarled, trying to swing his sword at her, but Hinata was too fast. She ducked under his blade, delivering a swift strike to his side with her dagger. He stumbled back, blood seeping through his tunic as his remaining men hesitated, unsure whether to press the attack or flee.
"Enough," Hinata said coldly, standing tall with her magic still pulsing in her hands. "Leave now, and you may live."
The leader glared at her, clutching his wound, but he knew he was beaten. With a growl of frustration, he signaled to his men. "Fall back!"
The remaining mercenaries retreated into the trees, leaving their fallen comrades behind. Hinata didn't relax until they were out of sight. She wiped her blade clean and quickly mounted her horse, urging it forward. There was no time to linger—she had to keep moving, and she couldn't afford to be caught off guard again.
The Northern Keep
By the time Hinata reached her next destination, dusk had settled over the land. She approached the fortress of Warlord Thalos, one of the more ambitious and dangerous members of the northern alliance. Unlike Dagmir, who was content to survive on the fringes, Thalos had aspirations for greater power. He was known for his ruthlessness and cunning, and that made him both a threat and an opportunity.
Hinata had heard rumors that Thalos was dissatisfied with Korgon's leadership, believing he could do better. If she could play on that dissatisfaction, there might be a chance to turn him against the alliance.
The gates of the fortress opened as she approached, and she was escorted inside by a pair of grim-faced guards. Thalos' keep was cold and imposing, with tall stone walls and narrow corridors. As she was led to the warlord's audience chamber, Hinata prepared herself for what could be a very dangerous negotiation.
Thalos was waiting for her, seated on a large throne made of iron and bones. His dark eyes were sharp, studying her intently as she approached. He was a tall, lean man with a presence that commanded attention, dressed in black armor that seemed to absorb the light around him.
"Lady Hinata," Thalos said, his voice smooth but laced with suspicion. "I've heard of your exploits. You've been busy."
Hinata bowed her head slightly, keeping her expression neutral. "Warlord Thalos, I come with an offer that may be of interest to you."
Thalos leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "And what offer would that be?"
"I know of your dissatisfaction with Korgon's leadership," Hinata began carefully. "You've proven yourself to be one of the most capable leaders in the north, yet Korgon holds you back, using fear to keep you and the others in line. But what if there was a way to change that?"
Thalos raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not yet convinced. "You speak boldly for someone in my keep. Why should I believe you?"
Hinata didn't flinch. "Because I know the value of power. And I know that Rimuru would rather deal with someone like you—someone who seeks to rise above the rest—than be crushed under Korgon's heel."
Thalos sat back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "You suggest an alliance, then. Rimuru and I, against Korgon."
"Not just Korgon," Hinata said, her voice steady. "The entire northern alliance. If you take control, you won't just rule a corner of the north—you could rule it all."
Thalos' eyes gleamed with ambition, but he remained cautious. "And what does Rimuru gain from this arrangement?"
"Peace," Hinata replied. "An understanding that Rimuru will not interfere with your ambitions if you keep the other warlords in line. We avoid a costly war, and you gain control over the north."
For a long moment, Thalos was silent, weighing her words. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. "You're either very brave or very foolish, Lady Hinata. But I'll admit, your offer is tempting."
Hinata didn't relax, knowing this was only the beginning. "Consider it carefully, Warlord Thalos. The northern alliance is fragile, and Korgon is not invincible. If you strike now, you can seize what is rightfully yours."
Thalos' smile widened, his dark eyes gleaming with the possibilities. "I'll consider your offer, Lady Hinata. You've given me much to think about."
Hinata bowed once more, then turned to leave the chamber. As the doors closed behind her, she knew that the threads of betrayal were starting to weave themselves through the northern alliance. The warlords were ambitious, and it wouldn't take much to turn them against each other.
But she also knew that betrayal was a dangerous game, one that could easily spiral out of control. The future of Rimuru—and perhaps the entire north—now rested on the choices these warlords would make in the coming days.
And Hinata had only just begun to play her part.