The next morning, Padrino stood at the highest balcony of the palace, his eyes fixed on the city below. Rimuru, the kingdom he had fought to protect and nurture, seemed tranquil from this vantage point. But he knew better. Beneath the surface, hidden behind the stone walls and bustling streets, there was unrest—like a sickness slowly spreading through the kingdom.
Padrino had gathered his closest allies in the council chamber. This meeting was unlike the others. The stakes were higher now, and the enemy was not just beyond the borders of the kingdom—it was within.
"Marko, what have you found?" Padrino's voice was measured, but the tension was unmistakable.
Marko, always calm and calculating, unfolded a scroll and laid it out on the table. "Vincent's informants have identified several key players in the rumor campaign. As we suspected, Lord Adrien is heavily involved, and Countess Elara is funding much of the operation. They've been planting seeds of doubt in the marketplace, spreading the word through traders and travelers."
Padrino's jaw tightened. "And the common folk are buying it?"
"Not all of them," Vincent interjected. "But enough. The people are restless. They see the tension among the nobles, and they fear another war. The rumors feed on that fear."
Hinata, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "We need to address this directly. The people trust you, Padrino, but if they don't hear from you soon, their trust will wane. We can't let these lies fester."
Padrino nodded. He had already made up his mind. "I'll address the people today. But that won't be enough to stop this. We need to send a message to Adrien and Elara."
Vincent smiled grimly. "I thought you might say that. We've already begun preparations. We can't move against them openly without proof, but we can disrupt their operations, weaken their influence."
"Good," Padrino said, his eyes hard. "I won't let them tear this kingdom apart."
Later that afternoon, Padrino stood before a massive crowd in the heart of Rimuru. The square was packed with villagers, merchants, soldiers, and nobles—all waiting for their king to speak. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the gathering. As Padrino stepped forward, the murmurs of the crowd quieted.
"My people," he began, his voice carrying over the square, "I stand before you today, not just as your king, but as one of you. I was not born to this crown. I earned it, just as you have earned the right to live in peace and prosperity."
There was a ripple of agreement from the crowd, but Padrino could sense the unease beneath it. He continued.
"I know there are rumors. I know that some of you have been told that I am losing control, that I no longer have your best interests at heart." His tone hardened. "These are lies. Lies spread by those who wish to see this kingdom fall."
He looked out over the crowd, meeting the eyes of those closest to him. "I have fought for Rimuru since the day I was reborn in this village. I have bled for it. I have stood with you against bandits, against armies, and against tyrants. I will not allow those who seek to undermine us from within to succeed."
The crowd stirred, some nodding in agreement. Others remained silent, their expressions unreadable.
"This kingdom is strong because of you—because we stand together. But there are those who wish to divide us. They spread fear and doubt because they know that united, we are unstoppable."
Padrino's voice grew louder, more resolute. "I ask you now to trust in me, as you always have. Together, we will root out those who seek to harm this kingdom. Together, we will stand strong against any threat, whether it comes from beyond our borders or from within."
There was a moment of silence, and then the crowd erupted into cheers. The sound of their voices echoed through the streets of Rimuru, a roar of support that filled the square. But as Padrino looked out over them, he couldn't shake the feeling that the battle for Rimuru's soul was only just beginning.
Back in the palace, Padrino retreated to his chambers, exhausted but determined. Hinata joined him, her presence a comfort in the midst of the chaos.
"That was a powerful speech," she said softly. "I think you got through to them."
"I hope so," Padrino replied, sinking into a chair. "But words alone won't be enough. Adrien and Elara aren't going to stop just because I gave a speech."
Hinata sat beside him, her hand resting on his arm. "We'll deal with them. One step at a time."
Padrino looked at her, grateful for her unwavering support. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out," she replied, smiling gently.
Meanwhile, in a darkened room on the outskirts of the city, Lord Adrien stood before a small group of nobles and mercenaries. His face was twisted in anger as he slammed a fist onto the table.
"Did you hear that speech today?" he growled. "He's trying to turn the people against us."
One of the nobles, a nervous-looking man with thinning hair, spoke up. "But the people love him, Adrien. They've always loved him."
Adrien sneered. "That's exactly the problem. We can't let him continue to hold the hearts of the people. If we're going to take control of Rimuru, we need to act soon—before he rallies them completely."
A woman, dressed in elegant robes, leaned forward. Her voice was cold, calculating. "We have resources, Adrien. Elara's money and your influence can still sway the right people. But we need to be careful. If we move too quickly, we'll provoke him."
Adrien scowled, pacing the room. "I don't care about provoking him. He's already preparing to move against us. We need to strike before he has the chance."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Adrien stopped pacing and turned to face the group, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "We'll cut the head off the snake. Once Padrino is gone, the rest of Rimuru will fall in line."
There was a tense silence as the others exchanged nervous glances. Finally, one of the mercenaries spoke.
"You mean to assassinate the king?"
Adrien nodded. "Exactly. We'll find the right moment. And when the time comes, Padrino Penduko will be no more."