The morning sun had barely risen over Rimuru when the first signs of unrest began to emerge. The kingdom had been in a state of celebration following Padrino's decision to accept Galdros' surrender, but not all voices were in favor of peace. Behind the walls of Rimuru and in the newly acquired territories, whispers of dissatisfaction grew louder, fueled by those who believed that Galdros should have been conquered completely and not granted leniency.
In the heart of the Rimuru capital, a quiet but tense meeting was taking place. Marko stood at the edge of the council chambers, listening to the reports from his network of spies and informants. The council had barely reconvened since Padrino's announcement, but the signs of rebellion were already surfacing.
"Your Majesty, the people are uneasy," Marko said, his voice low but clear. "There are factions, particularly among the military, who believe that we should have taken Galdros by force. They see the peace as a sign of weakness."
Padrino leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable. Across the table, Hinata and Asuna exchanged worried glances. The room, once filled with victorious energy, now felt heavy with tension.
"How widespread is the dissent?" Padrino asked, his gaze focused on Marko.
"It's not enough to cause immediate concern," Marko replied, "but it's growing. The military feels like they've fought too long and too hard to settle for anything less than complete victory. There's also a group of nobles who are unhappy with the idea of integrating Galdros peacefully. They fear losing power and influence."
Padrino nodded slowly. "I expected some resistance, but not this soon."
Hinata stepped forward. "Perhaps it's not just about Galdros, Padrino. After years of conflict, many have become used to war. They see power only in conquest, not in diplomacy. It's possible they fear what peace will bring, especially if it means change."
Padrino's expression hardened. He knew she was right. War had become a way of life for many within the kingdom, and peace was an unfamiliar, unsettling prospect. The soldiers who had fought under his banner, the nobles who had supported his rise—many of them had built their fortunes and reputations on the back of conflict.
"We need to show them that peace can be as powerful as war," Asuna added. "If we can bring prosperity to the kingdom and prove that uniting with Galdros will benefit everyone, we may be able to quell the unrest before it grows."
Marko folded his arms. "But we can't ignore the fact that there are those who will never be satisfied with peace. There are always elements that seek chaos, to profit from instability."
Padrino rose from his seat, pacing the length of the chamber. The weight of leadership was heavier than ever. The decision to accept Galdros' surrender was the right one, he was sure of it, but managing the fallout would require careful maneuvering. Rimuru's survival now depended on navigating the delicate balance between peace and the remnants of war.
"We need to act quickly," Padrino said finally. "We'll start with the military. If the soldiers feel that peace is a betrayal of their sacrifice, we must show them the value of what they've fought for. Organize a grand ceremony to honor the warriors who fought in the war. I will address them directly."
Marko nodded. "And the nobles?"
"I'll meet with them personally," Padrino said. "If they fear losing power, I'll remind them that their positions are not threatened by peace—if anything, they'll have more influence in a unified empire. But if they seek to undermine me, they'll learn that my patience has limits."
Hinata frowned. "And if the whispers of rebellion continue?"
"Then we deal with it quietly," Padrino replied, his voice firm. "I won't allow Rimuru to be torn apart from within. Not after everything we've built."
As the sun set over the capital, the grand ceremony to honor the soldiers of Rimuru began. Padrino stood on a raised platform in the main square, surrounded by banners bearing the symbol of the kingdom. The soldiers gathered below him, their faces worn but proud. Among them were the veterans who had fought in the earliest battles against bandits and invaders, alongside fresh recruits who had joined the ranks during the war with Galdros.
Padrino scanned the crowd, recognizing many of the faces that had followed him from the humble beginnings of his rise to power. These were the men and women who had stood by him, who had bled and fought for the future of Rimuru. And now, they looked to him for guidance once again.
"Brothers and sisters of Rimuru!" Padrino's voice boomed across the square, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. "You have fought bravely, sacrificed more than anyone could ask, and because of you, Rimuru stands strong! The Kingdom of Galdros has fallen, not through their strength, but through your courage!"
A cheer rose from the soldiers, but Padrino wasn't finished.
"Yet I know there are those among you who feel that we have not gone far enough. That we should have crushed Galdros entirely, taken their lands by force. But I ask you, what is the true victory? Is it endless war? Or is it the peace that you have earned with your blood?"
The crowd quieted, listening intently.
"We have an opportunity, not just to win a war, but to build a future. A future where Rimuru is not defined by destruction, but by prosperity, by unity. You fought so that your families, your children, could live in a better world. And now, that world is within reach."
Padrino paused, letting his words sink in.
"I will not force you into peace. But I will lead you into a future where Rimuru is greater than ever before. And I promise you this: your sacrifices will not be in vain. The world will remember you, not as conquerors, but as the protectors of a new era."
The soldiers exchanged glances, and Padrino could see the doubt fading from their eyes. Slowly, the cheers began to rise again, growing louder and more fervent until the entire square erupted in applause.
But even as Padrino stood before his people, his heart heavy with the knowledge of the unrest brewing beneath the surface, he knew that this victory was only temporary. The whispers of rebellion would not be silenced so easily, and the true test of his reign was yet to come.