As dawn broke over the kingdom of Rimuru, the air was thick with anticipation. The streets of the capital were quieter than usual. The people who remained had already gathered in their homes, bracing for the storm that loomed on the horizon. Soldiers prepared their gear, sharpening swords and donning armor with steely resolve. Today would be the day the kingdom was tested like never before.
Padrino stood at the gates, overseeing the final preparations. His commanders were already leading their units out of the capital, moving quietly towards the designated ambush points. Hinata and Marko were with the troops, ensuring their morale remained high and that the plan was executed flawlessly.
"Everything is set," Marko said, stepping up beside Padrino. "Our units are in position, and the scouts report that Galdros' forces are heading straight for the forest pass."
Padrino nodded. "Good. Now we just need them to take the bait."
The trap was simple in theory: lure Galdros' army into the dense forests surrounding the capital, where their sheer numbers would be less of an advantage. Then, using hit-and-run tactics, Rimuru's smaller, faster forces would whittle down their ranks, disrupting their organization and morale. Once the enemy was sufficiently weakened and confused, Padrino's army would close in for the kill.
But plans were rarely so simple in practice.
The First Strike
In the forests just south of Rimuru, the tension was palpable. Hidden among the trees, Rimuru's soldiers lay in wait, silent and still, their eyes fixed on the path that wound through the woods. Marko had carefully chosen this location for the ambush. The terrain was rough, with dense foliage and narrow passages that would slow down Galdros' advancing army and leave them vulnerable.
Hinata was stationed with one of the forward units. She could feel the pulse of magic in the air, ready to be unleashed. Her role was crucial—she would be one of the first to strike, using her light magic to disorient the enemy and create the opening needed for the rest of the ambush to unfold.
"Stay sharp," she whispered to her soldiers. "Wait for the signal."
Minutes passed like hours as they listened for the sound of Galdros' army approaching. The faint clinking of armor and the rustling of leaves grew louder, signaling the enemy's arrival.
From her vantage point, Hinata could see the front ranks of the enemy. They moved cautiously, but they were unaware of the trap that awaited them. She waited until the bulk of Galdros' forces had entered the forest before raising her hand, signaling to the others.
In an instant, the silence was shattered.
A brilliant flash of light erupted from Hinata's outstretched hands, illuminating the forest and blinding the enemy soldiers. Cries of alarm and confusion filled the air as Galdros' men stumbled, shielding their eyes from the sudden burst of magic. In that moment of chaos, Rimuru's soldiers struck.
Arrows flew from the trees, finding their marks in the disoriented ranks of Galdros' army. Swords clashed as Rimuru's warriors descended upon the confused enemy, using the element of surprise to devastating effect.
Hinata kept up the pressure, casting bursts of light that disoriented the enemy further, while Rimuru's soldiers moved in coordinated strikes, cutting down their foes before they could regroup.
Galdros Strikes Back
But Galdros' army was not without its own discipline and strength. As the initial shock of the ambush wore off, their commanders barked orders, rallying the soldiers. The chaos began to subside, and soon the enemy was fighting back with ferocity.
Padrino watched from a ridge overlooking the battle. He could see that Galdros' commanders were starting to regroup their forces, and the element of surprise was slipping away. He turned to Marko, who stood beside him.
"They're starting to recover. We need to press harder."
Marko nodded. "We expected this. Time for phase two."
With a signal from Marko, Padrino's reserve units began moving into position. These troops had been held back specifically for this moment—to hit Galdros' army once more, now that they were beginning to reorganize.
Down below, Hinata and her unit were locked in intense combat. The initial advantage of surprise was gone, and now it was a brutal fight, blade against blade, magic against steel. Despite the enemy's numbers, Rimuru's soldiers held their ground, using their superior knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver their foes.
Suddenly, the air was filled with the sound of battle horns. Padrino's reserves charged down the ridge, crashing into Galdros' flanks with overwhelming force. The timing was perfect—just as Galdros' commanders were starting to regroup, they were hit by a fresh wave of attacks.
Padrino himself led the charge, his sword gleaming in the light as he plunged into the thick of the battle. His presence on the battlefield was electrifying. The men of Rimuru rallied around their king, fighting with renewed vigor as they cut through the enemy ranks.
The Tides Begin to Turn
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Rimuru's strategy was working. Galdros' forces were being stretched thin, forced to fight on multiple fronts, and their morale was beginning to falter. Rimuru's hit-and-run tactics, combined with their knowledge of the terrain, were proving too much for the invaders.
Padrino fought with a single-minded focus, cutting down any enemy that stood in his way. But even as he fought, his mind raced with thoughts of the bigger picture. This battle was just one step in the war against Galdros. Even if they won here today, there would be more challenges ahead.
But for now, the tide of battle was turning in their favor. Rimuru's soldiers pressed forward, driving the enemy deeper into the forest, where their numbers meant little and their ability to maneuver was crippled.
A Critical Decision
Just as victory seemed within reach, one of Padrino's scouts came rushing through the trees, his face pale with urgency.
"My lord!" the scout shouted, breathless. "A second army approaches from the east! It's Galdros' reinforcements—far larger than the first!"
Padrino's blood ran cold. He had anticipated that Galdros might send reinforcements, but not so soon. The second wave would hit them while they were still engaged with the first, and they were already stretched thin.
Marko's face darkened. "We need to retreat to the capital. If we stay here, we'll be overrun."
But Padrino hesitated. Retreating now would mean giving up the ground they had fought so hard to win. It would also leave the villages to the east vulnerable to Galdros' forces.
"We can't retreat," Padrino said, his voice firm. "We hold the line. If we fall back, they'll sweep through the villages and reach the capital unchallenged."
Marko frowned. "Then we need to find a way to delay their reinforcements. We can't fight them head-on, not while we're still dealing with this first wave."
Padrino nodded, his mind racing. The battle was far from over, and now they faced an even greater threat.