The weight of Galdros' looming reinforcements hung heavily in the air, threatening to upend the battle that Padrino and his forces had fought so hard to gain control of. Rimuru's soldiers had gained ground in the forest, but they were stretched thin, and their reserves were already committed to the fight.
Padrino looked to Marko, who was studying the map with an intensity that betrayed his own anxiety. They needed a plan—and fast.
"We have two options," Marko said, voice steady but tense. "We can attempt to fortify our position here and face the reinforcements when they arrive. Or, we send a smaller, more mobile unit to delay their advance while we finish off this first wave."
Padrino thought for a moment, weighing the risks. Delaying the reinforcements was the best way to ensure Rimuru's forces weren't overwhelmed, but the smaller unit would be in serious danger, likely outnumbered and isolated.
"I'll lead the diversionary force," Hinata said, stepping forward. Her face was set with determination, her eyes blazing with resolve. "With my magic and a small, swift unit, we can harass them, slow them down enough for you to deal with the army here."
Padrino frowned, his mind torn. "It's dangerous, Hinata. You'll be facing a much larger force."
She met his gaze, her voice soft but resolute. "It's the only way."
Hinata's Mission
With the plan set, Hinata quickly gathered a handpicked group of elite soldiers, their numbers small but each one highly skilled. They moved swiftly through the forest, leaving the bulk of Rimuru's forces behind as they headed east to intercept Galdros' reinforcements.
As they moved, Hinata kept her senses open, searching for any sign of the enemy's approach. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife drowned out by the distant clash of battle. They needed to reach the reinforcement army before it got too close.
Hours passed before they finally spotted movement through the trees. Hinata signaled for her group to stop, crouching low as they surveyed the enemy's approach. Galdros' reinforcements were large—larger than anticipated. Hundreds of soldiers marched through the forest, their armor gleaming in the fading light.
"This is it," Hinata whispered to her unit. "We can't let them get past us."
With a deep breath, she raised her hands, summoning the familiar warmth of her light magic. A bright flash erupted from her palms, sending beams of blinding light toward the enemy's front lines. Shouts of alarm and confusion filled the air as the reinforcements faltered, momentarily blinded by the sudden attack.
Her unit moved quickly, striking hard and fast before the enemy could recover. Arrows flew from the trees, finding their marks, while Hinata's magic disoriented the soldiers, keeping them off balance. For a few brief moments, it seemed like the plan might work—that they might actually hold the reinforcements at bay.
But then the full might of Galdros' army began to push back.
Back at the Main Battle
While Hinata fought to delay the reinforcements, Padrino and his forces were fully engaged with the first wave of Galdros' army. The dense forest continued to serve as an advantage, allowing Rimuru's smaller, more mobile units to harass and outflank the enemy. But it was a grueling fight, and the enemy wasn't giving up easily.
Marko, directing troops from a hilltop, watched as the battle raged below. He could see the toll it was taking on both sides. Rimuru's soldiers fought valiantly, but they were tiring, and without the advantage of reinforcements, their chances of sustaining the fight for much longer were slim.
"We need to finish this soon," he muttered under his breath. "Or we'll be overrun."
Just as those words left his lips, a distant horn echoed through the trees—the signal from Hinata's unit.
Marko turned to Padrino, his face grim. "That's the signal. The reinforcements have arrived."
A Desperate Move
Padrino knew they were running out of time. He could hear the sounds of battle growing closer, Hinata's unit clearly struggling to hold off the reinforcements.
"We have to end this now," he said, turning to Marko. "We need to break their lines."
Marko nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll rally the troops. We'll make one final push."
As Marko moved to give the orders, Padrino drew his sword, his heart pounding. This was it—the moment that would decide the fate of the battle. If they could break Galdros' army here and now, they might have a chance of surviving the onslaught of reinforcements.
The order was given, and Rimuru's forces gathered for one final, desperate charge. Padrino led from the front, his sword gleaming in the dim light as he charged toward the enemy lines. The soldiers followed, their war cries echoing through the trees as they clashed with Galdros' forces in a furious melee.
The fighting was brutal, chaotic. Padrino cut down enemy after enemy, his mind focused on one goal: breaking their resolve.
And then, just as it seemed the tide might turn in Rimuru's favor, a thunderous roar shook the battlefield.
The Beast Unleashed
The ground trembled as a massive figure emerged from the treeline. Padrino's eyes widened in shock—it was a creature of legend, a war beast of Galdros, its enormous form towering over the battlefield. Covered in thick armor and bristling with weapons, the beast tore through Rimuru's ranks, scattering soldiers like leaves in the wind.
"Retreat!" Marko's voice rang out through the chaos. "Fall back to the capital!"
But even as the retreat was ordered, Padrino knew they were too late. The war beast was unstoppable, and with Galdros' reinforcements closing in, there was no chance of holding their ground.
Padrino's mind raced, searching for a way out. His gaze flickered to the forest, where Hinata and her unit were still fighting desperately to slow the enemy. If they didn't get out now, they would be crushed between the reinforcements and the beast.
With a heavy heart, he gave the final order. "Pull back! Everyone, to the capital!"
The soldiers of Rimuru began their retreat, moving as quickly as they could through the forest, but the battle was lost. As they fled, Padrino knew this was only the beginning.