The city of Rimuru was caught in a deadly struggle. Dark creatures continued to pour in from the eastern horizon, their inhuman forms tearing through Rimuru's defenses. The air was thick with the stench of blood and smoke, and the sound of battle echoed through the streets.
Padrino stood at the frontlines, his sword slick with the remnants of shadowy beasts. Every strike cut down another dark figure, but they kept coming—relentless and seemingly endless. The men around him fought valiantly, but Padrino could see the fatigue setting in. His own muscles burned with exhaustion, but he had no time to rest.
"Hold the line!" Padrino roared, rallying his soldiers. "We can't let them reach the city center!"
Beside him, Hinata was a radiant beacon amidst the chaos. Her light magic was devastating against the dark creatures, disintegrating them with every blast. But even she was beginning to tire, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she continued her assault.
"I can sense it," Hinata shouted over the noise, her voice strained. "There's a source—something fueling these creatures. It's close, but I can't pinpoint it."
Padrino's heart sank. They needed to find that source quickly, or Rimuru would be overrun. He scanned the battlefield, searching for anything unusual, but the dark creatures seemed to be attacking from every direction, obscuring any sign of a central power.
Just as he was about to shout another command, a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Padrino! We found something!"
Padrino turned to see Marko running toward him, his face streaked with dirt and sweat. In his hand was a torn map, which he waved urgently.
"There's an old ruin to the east of here," Marko said, panting. "Our scouts found signs of dark magic there before the attack started. It might be the source we're looking for."
Padrino's eyes widened. "How far?"
"Less than a mile," Marko replied. "But the creatures are concentrated in that area. It's heavily guarded."
"We don't have a choice," Padrino said, his voice firm. "If that ruin is the source, we need to destroy it. Otherwise, this battle will never end."
Marko nodded grimly. "I'll gather a strike team. We'll need to move quickly if we're going to get past their defenses."
"Make it fast," Padrino ordered. "Hinata and I will cover you."
The Strike on the Ruins
As Marko assembled a small team of elite soldiers, Padrino and Hinata prepared for the assault. The city was still in chaos, but Padrino could sense that the tide of battle was shifting. If they could destroy the source of the dark magic, they might just have a chance to save Rimuru.
Within minutes, the strike team was ready. Marko led the way, his sharp mind already devising a strategy to infiltrate the heavily guarded ruins. Padrino and Hinata followed close behind, their senses on high alert.
As they approached the ruins, the air grew colder, and the very ground seemed to pulse with malevolent energy. The ruins themselves were ancient, their stone walls covered in strange, glowing symbols that radiated dark magic. Shadowy figures moved among the crumbling structures, guarding the entrance to what appeared to be a central chamber.
"We'll never make it through unnoticed," Hinata whispered. "There are too many of them."
"We don't need to go unnoticed," Padrino said, gripping his sword tightly. "We just need to create a distraction long enough for Marko to get inside."
Marko nodded. "Once we're in, we'll plant explosives around the central chamber. That should be enough to bring the whole place down."
Padrino and Hinata exchanged a glance, and with a silent nod, they moved into position. As soon as they were close enough, Padrino gave the signal, and the strike team launched their attack.
The dark creatures reacted immediately, rushing toward them with terrifying speed. Padrino and Hinata fought side by side, cutting through the enemy with lethal precision. Hinata's magic flared, her light burning through the shadowy figures as Padrino's sword cleaved through their ranks.
"Go, Marko!" Padrino shouted over the din of battle. "We'll hold them off!"
Marko and his team slipped past the chaos, heading toward the central chamber. Padrino could only hope they'd make it in time. The creatures were growing more aggressive, their attacks becoming more coordinated. It was as if the dark force controlling them had realized the strike team's plan.
"We can't keep this up much longer!" Hinata called out, her voice tinged with desperation. Her magic was faltering, the strain of the battle beginning to take its toll.
Padrino gritted his teeth. "Just a little longer…"
Inside the Ruins
Marko and his team reached the entrance of the central chamber, where the dark magic was strongest. The air was thick with an oppressive energy that made it difficult to breathe, but Marko pushed forward. The chamber itself was vast, and at its center stood an altar pulsing with dark, ethereal light.
"This is it," Marko muttered. "This is the source."
He quickly directed his team to plant the explosives around the chamber, working as fast as they could. The dark magic seemed to react to their presence, and the shadowy figures guarding the chamber began to close in.
"Hurry!" one of the soldiers shouted. "They're coming!"
Marko's heart raced as he set the last explosive. "It's done! We need to get out of here!"
The strike team sprinted toward the exit, but the creatures were already closing in. Marko knew they wouldn't make it out in time unless someone stayed behind to trigger the explosives manually.
"I'll hold them off!" Marko shouted. "Go!"
The soldiers hesitated, but Marko's fierce gaze left no room for argument. Reluctantly, they fled, leaving Marko behind. He turned toward the advancing creatures, his hand hovering over the detonator.
"For Rimuru," he whispered, pressing the button.
The Fall of Darkness
Outside the ruins, Padrino and Hinata were still locked in combat when they heard the distant explosion. The ground trembled, and a shockwave of energy burst from the ruins, sending the dark creatures reeling.
In an instant, the creatures began to dissolve, their forms disintegrating into nothingness as the source of their power was destroyed. The battle was over.
But at what cost?
Padrino and Hinata stood amidst the aftermath, breathing heavily as they watched the ruins collapse in the distance. There was no sign of Marko or the strike team.
"Marko…" Hinata whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
Padrino's heart clenched with grief, but he forced himself to remain steady. Marko had made the ultimate sacrifice to save the kingdom.
"He knew the risk," Padrino said quietly, though his voice was thick with emotion. "And because of him, Rimuru stands."
The city had been saved, but the shadow of Marko's loss hung heavily over them. As the sun began to set, Padrino knew that Rimuru's future would be shaped by this moment—a victory won by sacrifice, and a new dawn marked by sorrow.