The trial of Korgon had set a new tone for Rimuru—a kingdom of justice, not tyranny. Padrino's decision to spare Korgon, and instead subject him to a public trial, had garnered both admiration and suspicion across the land. As the kingdom slowly settled into a fragile peace, whispers of discontent started to rise from the shadows. But in the depths of Padrino's mind, one truth remained: the past was never truly dead, and it would soon return to haunt them.
The early morning sun bathed Rimuru in a soft glow, but Padrino felt no warmth as he sat at the council table. His most trusted advisors, Hinata, Marko, Asuna, and Vincent, were gathered around him, their faces reflecting the same quiet unease that hung in the air.
"We've handled the trial well," Marko said, his voice steady, though his eyes flickered with concern. "But there's something more at play here. Korgon's followers aren't the type to fade away easily."
Padrino nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. He had felt the same. Despite Korgon's imprisonment and the collapse of his northern forces, a deeper threat loomed. The warlord's influence still lingered, not in the form of armies, but in the hearts of those who harbored grudges against Rimuru's growing power.
"I've received reports from the northern territories," Asuna chimed in. "Small skirmishes have broken out near the border. They're disorganized, but it's clear that Korgon's sympathizers are still trying to stir up trouble."
"We can't afford more conflict," Vincent added grimly. "Not with our resources already stretched thin after the battle. If this escalates, we might be facing a rebellion from within."
Hinata, who had been silent until now, looked at Padrino with a solemn expression. "And that's not the only concern. There's something else—something darker. I've sensed disturbances in the magical currents. They're subtle, but growing stronger. It's as if someone, or something, is manipulating the forces of magic in ways I've never seen before."
Padrino's eyes narrowed. Magic had always been a mysterious and unpredictable force in Xandros, but if it was being used against them, the threat could be far greater than any physical army.
"Could Galdros be behind this?" Padrino asked, his voice edged with suspicion. The Kingdom of Galdros had been a thorn in Rimuru's side for as long as he could remember, and though their open conflict had subsided for the moment, their thirst for revenge had not.
"It's possible," Hinata replied, "but I'm not sure this feels like Galdros. Their use of magic has always been more straightforward—brutal, but without subtlety. This… this feels different."
Marko leaned forward, his expression dark. "Then we need to find out who's pulling the strings, and fast. If there's some unseen force working against us, it could unravel everything we've built."
A Visitor from the Past
Just as the meeting was coming to a close, a loud knock echoed through the council chamber doors. Padrino exchanged a glance with his advisors, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his sword, before nodding for the doors to be opened.
The guards stepped aside, revealing a cloaked figure standing in the doorway. The stranger stepped forward, his face obscured by the hood of his cloak. But as he entered the room, a cold, familiar voice drifted from beneath the shadows.
"Padrino Penduko… it's been a long time."
Padrino stiffened, his heart skipping a beat. He knew that voice. It belonged to someone he had thought long dead—someone who had vanished from his life years ago. Slowly, the figure pulled back his hood, revealing the gaunt, pale face of a man Padrino had once considered his closest ally—and later, his greatest enemy.
"Talon," Padrino muttered, his hand tightening around his sword. "I thought you were dead."
Talon's lips curled into a thin smile. "That's what everyone thought. But death has a way of eluding those with… unfinished business."
Marko stood, his eyes flashing with recognition and anger. "You betrayed us! You sold us out to Galdros all those years ago!"
Talon's eyes flickered toward Marko, but his focus quickly returned to Padrino. "Betrayal is a matter of perspective, my old friend. I did what was necessary to survive. And now, I've returned with an offer—a chance for us to work together once more."
Padrino's mind raced, memories flooding back of Talon's treachery, his alliance with Galdros, and the chaos that had ensued in the early days of Rimuru's rise. But there was something different about him now. Talon's presence was more than just a reminder of the past—it carried an air of danger, as though he had gained knowledge or power that made him far more formidable than before.
"I should kill you where you stand," Padrino growled, his anger barely contained. "After what you did, you deserve nothing less."
Talon's smile never faltered. "Perhaps. But I think you'll want to hear me out first. You see, I know about the disturbances in magic. I know about the forces gathering against you. And I know who's behind it all."
Silence fell over the room as Talon's words sank in.
"What do you know?" Hinata asked warily, her magical senses on high alert.
"I've been… elsewhere," Talon said cryptically, "in places where magic flows differently, where the rules of this world don't apply. And I've learned things—things that could help you. If you're willing to listen."
Padrino's eyes remained cold, but he knew he couldn't dismiss Talon outright. If this former ally-turned-enemy had truly uncovered something important, ignoring it could spell disaster for Rimuru.
"Speak," Padrino said, his voice firm but laced with caution. "But know this: if I sense even a hint of deceit, I'll finish what should have been done years ago."
Talon nodded, his expression serious now. "There's a power rising in the north—beyond the remnants of Korgon's forces, beyond even Galdros. It's ancient, and it's tied to the magic disturbances you've felt, Hinata. This power seeks to bend the natural order of magic to its will. And it's growing stronger with each passing day."
Hinata's eyes widened slightly, the unease in her expression deepening. "What kind of power?"
"A dark force," Talon replied. "One that hasn't been seen in centuries. It's older than any of us, and if it isn't stopped, it could tear the fabric of Xandros apart."
A New Threat
The weight of Talon's words hung heavily in the chamber. Padrino exchanged a glance with Hinata, whose face had grown pale. If what Talon was saying was true, the disturbances in magic weren't just a local issue—they were part of something far greater, something that could threaten the entire world.
Padrino stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Talon's. "If what you say is true, why come to us now? Why not use this power for yourself, like you always have?"
Talon's smile faded, replaced by a grave seriousness. "Because I've seen what this force can do. It doesn't care about power or politics. It consumes everything in its path, and it will consume me, too, if it isn't stopped."
Padrino's jaw clenched. Trusting Talon was the last thing he wanted to do, but the danger was real—and growing.
"Then we'll find this force and stop it," Padrino said, his voice resolute. "But if you betray us again, Talon, there won't be anywhere in Xandros you can hide."
Talon's eyes met Padrino's, and for the first time in years, there was no trace of deceit—only the grim acceptance of a man who had returned from the edge of oblivion.
"Understood," Talon replied quietly. "Let's stop this, before it's too late."
As Padrino turned to his council, he knew that the days ahead would test him in ways he had never imagined. The shadows of the past had returned, but so had new threats from powers older and darker than anything Rimuru had ever faced.
The real war was only just beginning.