The retreat was harrowing. Rimuru's soldiers moved as swiftly as possible, but the war beast of Galdros continued to pursue, cutting down any who fell behind. Padrino led the way, ensuring as many of his people made it to the capital as possible, but his heart was heavy with the knowledge that many had fallen behind.
The gates of the capital loomed in the distance, and with one final push, Padrino's forces crossed the threshold, the gates slamming shut behind them.
For now, they were safe—but Galdros' army would not be far behind.
A City on Edge
Inside the capital, the mood was grim. Word of the battle had already spread, and the people were terrified. Padrino stood with his council in the war room, staring down at the map of the kingdom.
"We need to prepare for a siege," Marko said, his voice grim. "They'll be here by nightfall."
Padrino nodded, his mind racing. "We need to buy time. Reinforce the walls, set traps, and mobilize every able-bodied person to defend the city."
Hinata entered the room, her face pale but determined. "The reinforcements are too large to face head-on, but if we can hold out long enough, we might be able to wear them down."
Padrino's eyes flickered to her, worry creasing his brow. "How long can we hold them?"
Hinata didn't have an answer.
Preparing for the Final Stand
As the sun began to set, the people of Rimuru prepared for the battle to come. Archers lined the walls, soldiers manned the gates, and every possible defense was put into place. The air was thick with tension, and Padrino knew that this night would decide the fate of his kingdom.
The battle for Rimuru was about to begin.