As the dust settled over Rimuru, the city bore the scars of war. The once-bustling streets were strewn with broken weapons, shattered shields, and the remnants of a battle that had threatened to tear the city apart. The citizens, who had either hidden in fear or fought alongside Padrino's forces, now emerged cautiously, their faces etched with a mixture of relief and sorrow. Rimuru had survived, but the cost of victory was evident in every corner.
Padrino stood at the central square, surveying the aftermath. His eyes swept over the buildings, some of which were reduced to crumbling ruins. He saw villagers tending to the wounded and soldiers gathering the dead. The stench of smoke and blood lingered in the air. Though they had won, it hardly felt like a victory.
Marko approached him, limping slightly from a wound sustained during the battle. His face, usually stoic, was tight with exhaustion and grief. "The remaining Galdros forces have fully retreated," he reported. "It'll take them weeks to regroup, if they even try to come back."
Padrino nodded, though his mind was already thinking ahead. "Weeks may not be enough time. We need to start rebuilding immediately. Strengthen our defenses, train the troops, and prepare for their inevitable return. This was only a taste of what Galdros will send next time."
Marko agreed, but his expression softened slightly. "The people need to recover, Padrino. We all do. If we push too hard now, we'll break ourselves before Galdros can even reach us."
Padrino sighed, knowing Marko was right. The battle had taken its toll not just on the soldiers, but on the very spirit of the city. "You're right," he admitted. "We'll give the people time to mourn, to rebuild their homes. But we can't stay idle for long."
Hinata's Struggle
Meanwhile, Hinata sat in a quiet room of the castle, her body wrapped in bandages and her staff resting beside her. The strain of using so much magic during the battle had drained her nearly to the point of collapse, and her recovery was slow. Despite her exhaustion, her thoughts were restless. She couldn't shake the feeling that she hadn't done enough.
The door creaked open, and Asuna stepped in, carrying a tray of herbs and water. "You should rest more," she said gently, placing the tray on the small table beside Hinata's bed. "You've done enough for now."
Hinata gave a faint smile but couldn't hide her frustration. "It wasn't enough, Asuna. If I'd been stronger, faster… maybe fewer people would've died. Maybe we could've avoided the destruction."
Asuna knelt beside her and took her hand. "You can't carry all of this on your shoulders, Hinata. You saved countless lives. You held the gates for longer than anyone else could have."
Hinata shook her head, her gaze distant. "It doesn't feel like a victory. Galdros will return. And next time, I'm not sure we'll be as lucky."
Asuna's grip on her hand tightened. "We'll be ready. All of us. You're not alone in this."
Rebuilding Rimuru
Over the next few days, the city of Rimuru began to pick up the pieces. The villagers, though weary, worked together to rebuild their homes and strengthen their walls. Padrino led the efforts, organizing teams to clear the debris and construct makeshift barricades in case of another attack.
Despite the city's outward resilience, tensions simmered beneath the surface. The nobles, some of whom had suffered significant losses, began to voice their concerns more loudly. Padrino's leadership, though respected, was now being questioned in private circles. Some murmured that Rimuru should not continue fighting Galdros, that they should seek peace—even at the cost of their independence.
In a hastily arranged council meeting, Padrino stood at the head of the table, listening to the voices of his ministers and advisors. Prince Benimaru, seated beside him, looked equally weary but determined to stand by Padrino.
"We've lost too much already," one noble said, his voice shaky. "We cannot afford another battle like this. If Galdros returns, we may not survive. Perhaps… we should consider negotiations."
"Negotiate with the people who slaughtered our families and burned our villages?" Marko snapped, his eyes blazing with fury. "Galdros wants one thing—to see us under their rule or dead. There's no negotiating with that."
Padrino listened in silence, his hands clasped behind his back. He could feel the weight of the room, the tension pressing down on him from all sides. These were the people he had sworn to protect, but the cost of that protection was growing steeper by the day.
"The people are scared," another noble added. "They've seen what Galdros can do. We're outnumbered and outmatched. If we don't find a way to secure peace, we're condemning ourselves to endless war."
Padrino's gaze hardened. "There is no peace with Galdros. They see Rimuru as a threat, and they won't stop until they've erased us from the map. Our only choice is to fight back."
The room fell silent as his words hung in the air. Even those who had suggested peace negotiations knew, deep down, that Padrino was right. But the fear of another attack weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
A Kingdom on the Brink
As the council dispersed, Padrino remained in the hall, his mind racing. Benimaru approached him quietly. "You did well," he said softly. "But you can sense it, can't you? The doubt."
Padrino sighed. "They're right to be afraid. I am too. But we can't let fear dictate our decisions. If we give in to Galdros now, we lose everything we've fought for."
Benimaru nodded, but his face was grim. "I agree. But we need more than just resolve. We need allies, stronger defenses, and more soldiers if we're going to survive what's coming."
Padrino stared out the window, his gaze focused on the horizon. "There are still other kingdoms out there," he said, almost to himself. "If we can form alliances, bring in outside support, maybe we can stand a chance."
Benimaru raised an eyebrow. "The other kingdoms have remained neutral so far. Why would they risk getting involved in this war?"
Padrino turned to face him, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Because they won't have a choice. Galdros isn't just a threat to us—they're a threat to everyone. If we can show the other kingdoms what's at stake, we might be able to turn the tide."
The Decision
That night, Padrino called a private meeting with Marko, Hinata, and Asuna. They gathered in a small room, away from the prying ears of the nobles and council members. The mood was somber, but there was a shared sense of purpose among them.
"We need to reach out to the neighboring kingdoms," Padrino began, his tone firm. "Send envoys to the rulers of Estrielle and Varn. Tell them what's happening here. If they don't act now, Galdros will be at their gates next."
Marko nodded, already planning the logistics in his mind. "I'll lead the envoy myself. We need to make this appeal in person."
Hinata, still pale from her injuries, spoke up. "I'll strengthen our magical defenses in the meantime. The next attack will be harder to repel, but we'll be ready."
Asuna added, "I'll focus on rallying the people. If we show them that we're seeking allies, it might ease some of the fear that's spreading."
Padrino looked at each of them, his heart swelling with gratitude. He wasn't alone in this fight. They had survived one siege, and together, they would survive the next.
"We've been pushed to the brink," he said quietly. "But Rimuru isn't finished yet. Not by a long shot."