The air in Rimuru felt heavy, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the silence. Padrino sensed it, the subtle tension that lingered among his people. While the surface of his kingdom appeared calm, like a peaceful lake at sunset, he knew there was turbulence beneath. It was only a matter of time before the undercurrents of dissent erupted into chaos.
In his chambers, Padrino sat with Marko and Vincent, their expressions grave. Marko laid out a map of Rimuru on the table, marking various locations where suspicious gatherings had been reported. Vincent, the kingdom's head of intelligence, leaned over the map, pointing to several spots.
"These are the places we've confirmed meetings have taken place," Vincent said, his voice low but urgent. "Lord Adrien's movements are becoming more erratic. He's been meeting with several other nobles in secret, and we've noticed increased traffic to Countess Elara's estate."
Padrino rubbed his temples, the weight of the kingdom pressing down on him. "How many are with them?"
Marko glanced at the intelligence report, his face set in a grim line. "It's difficult to say exactly. We suspect there's a core group of about twenty nobles, but they've likely been working to sway others to their side. Elara has deep pockets, and Adrien... well, his anger is enough to pull in anyone who harbors even the slightest grudge."
"We need to move before they gather more momentum," Vincent said firmly. "If we wait, they'll think they're untouchable."
Padrino remained silent for a moment, his thoughts churning. He knew Vincent was right. If they allowed the dissenters to continue gathering support, they could soon face a civil war that would rip Rimuru apart. But he couldn't just strike without evidence—he needed to maintain the loyalty of the people and the appearance of justice.
"I don't want to act recklessly," Padrino said, finally speaking. "But we can't let this grow any further. Marko, I need you to double our surveillance. I want to know every move Adrien and Elara make. If they step out of line, we'll have the justification we need to act."
Marko nodded, his sharp mind already working through the logistics. "I'll see to it. I'll make sure our informants are placed in key positions."
Vincent leaned in, his expression intense. "Padrino, we need to be prepared for the worst. Adrien is proud, and if he senses we're watching him, he might act sooner than we expect. We need to be ready for anything."
Padrino nodded, standing from his chair and pacing the room. "I know. We need to keep our army on alert without raising suspicion. And if Adrien makes his move... we'll be ready."
Meanwhile, Hinata had been quietly observing the shift in the kingdom's mood. She had felt Padrino's growing unease, and though he tried to shield her from the political complexities, she was not naive. She had spent enough time by his side to understand the pressures he faced.
One afternoon, as she walked through the streets of Rimuru, she noticed something odd. Conversations quieted as she passed, and people glanced at her with a mixture of admiration and wariness. There was a tension in the air, and it wasn't just about the nobles' discontent. The people were uneasy—whispers of doubt about the king were spreading, subtle but undeniable.
Hinata decided to visit one of the more remote districts of Rimuru, where the common folk lived. She had always made an effort to stay connected with the people, using her light magic to heal and bring comfort when she could. Today, however, she wasn't there to heal. She wanted to understand what was happening in the minds of the people.
She approached a small market stall where a group of villagers were talking in hushed voices. As soon as they noticed her, they fell silent, bowing their heads respectfully.
"Good afternoon," Hinata greeted them warmly, her tone gentle. "How are things going here? I wanted to see how the people are doing in these difficult times."
One of the older women, who had always been fond of Hinata, stepped forward hesitantly. "We're... managing, Lady Hinata. The king has done much for us, but..."
"But?" Hinata pressed, sensing the hesitation.
The woman glanced around nervously before continuing. "There are rumors, my lady. Some people are saying that King Padrino is losing his edge, that he's making decisions that will lead us into ruin. I don't believe them, but... it's hard not to hear these things."
Hinata frowned but kept her expression calm. "Where are these rumors coming from?"
The woman shook her head. "I don't know. They just... spread. It's like a shadow over the city."
Hinata thanked the woman and moved on, her heart heavy. The rumors were worse than she thought. It wasn't just the nobles who were restless—someone was spreading doubt among the common folk as well. The storm that was gathering wasn't just in the court; it was seeping into the very fabric of the kingdom.
Later that evening, Hinata returned to the palace and found Padrino in the war room, discussing military strategies with Marko and Vincent. She waited until they finished before approaching him.
"Padrino, we need to talk," she said softly, pulling him aside.
He looked at her, concern flashing in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I went to the markets today," she began, "and I heard some unsettling things. It's not just the nobles who are unhappy. The people are starting to doubt you as well. There are rumors spreading, saying you're losing control."
Padrino clenched his fists, the frustration evident on his face. "I expected the nobles to stir up trouble, but the people... I've done everything I can to protect them."
"I know," Hinata said, placing a hand on his arm. "But someone is feeding them these lies. If we don't address it soon, the unrest will spread."
Padrino's mind raced. The rebellion wasn't just a matter of a few disgruntled nobles. If the people began to lose faith in him, it would be almost impossible to stop the kingdom from descending into chaos.
"We need to stop this before it gets out of hand," Padrino said, his voice firm. "I'll speak to the people directly, explain what's happening. They need to hear it from me."
Hinata nodded. "That's a good start. But we also need to find out who's spreading these rumors. If we don't cut it off at the source, they'll just keep coming."
Padrino agreed. "Marko, Vincent, we have a new priority. Find out where these rumors are coming from. We need to root out whoever is trying to undermine the kingdom—before it's too late."
The storm clouds over Rimuru were gathering, but Padrino wasn't going to wait for the storm to break. He would face it head-on, and if it came to war within his own kingdom, he would do whatever it took to protect Rimuru—no matter the cost.