The next morning, the skies remained dark, and the air was thick with a sense of foreboding. As Padrino assembled his council to finalize the plans for the strike on Galdros' supply lines, a messenger arrived, breathless and pale. He carried with him a sealed letter, its wax bearing the emblem of Earlshide—a kingdom long thought destroyed.
Padrino broke the seal with cautious curiosity. Inside, the letter was brief, but its words struck like lightning.
"To King Padrino Penduko of Rimuru,
Beware the snake within your court. There are those who wish to see your downfall, and they are closer than you think. Trust no one."
The letter was unsigned, and its origin unclear. A cold knot formed in Padrino's stomach. He glanced around the room at his council: Hinata, Marko, Asuna, and Vincent—all loyal and trusted allies. But the words from the letter echoed in his mind. Could one of them be plotting against him?
He folded the letter carefully, tucking it into his robe. Now was not the time for doubt, but the seed of suspicion had been planted.
Padrino rose from his seat, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Our mission to strike at Galdros' supply lines is set. Marko, you will lead the assault team. Choose only the most capable for this mission. Speed and precision are key."
Marko nodded, already mentally preparing. "I've selected a small group of elite soldiers. We will move by nightfall and strike at their weakest point."
"Good," Padrino replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind. "Hinata, you will ensure that our defenses within Rimuru are strengthened. If Galdros is gathering dark sorcerers, we need to be prepared for an assault on the city."
Hinata's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll see to it. Our mages are ready, and I'll personally oversee the reinforcement of our magical barriers."
As the meeting continued, Padrino's mind wandered back to the letter. The words "snake within your court" gnawed at him. He had to be cautious, but he couldn't afford to let paranoia cloud his judgment. His allies had stood by him through countless battles, but now, with Galdros preparing for war, even a hint of betrayal could unravel everything he had built.
The meeting adjourned, and the council members left to carry out their duties. Padrino lingered in the war room, staring at the maps and battle plans. The stakes had never been higher, and now, with the specter of betrayal hanging over him, every move had to be carefully calculated.
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Marko and his handpicked team set out on their mission. Clad in dark armor, they moved swiftly and silently through the forests that bordered the eastern supply routes of Galdros. Every step was measured, every breath controlled. They had only one chance to cripple Galdros' war machine before the full force of their army descended on Rimuru.
Marko, ever the strategist, led from the front, his mind focused on the target. He had studied Galdros' supply lines for weeks, mapping out every possible weakness. Tonight, he would exploit those weaknesses and delay Galdros' advance.
But as they neared the first outpost, something felt off. The usual patrols were absent, and the outpost seemed… deserted. Marko raised his hand, signaling his team to halt. He scanned the area, his instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"Stay sharp," he whispered to his men. "This feels like a trap."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a volley of arrows rained down from the treetops. Marko dove to the ground, narrowly avoiding the attack. His men scattered, taking cover behind rocks and trees.
"Ambush!" one of his soldiers yelled, drawing his sword.
From the shadows emerged a group of mercenaries, their armor emblazoned with the sigil of Galdros. They had been waiting for them. Marko cursed under his breath—someone had tipped them off.
He quickly assessed the situation. They were outnumbered, but not outmatched. "Hold your ground!" he commanded. "We fight our way out!"
The clash of steel echoed through the forest as Marko's team fought valiantly. Despite the odds, they managed to hold their own, but it was clear they were walking into a carefully laid trap. Whoever had orchestrated this ambush knew their plan—and that meant the traitor was real.
Marko parried a blow and drove his sword through an enemy soldier's chest. He had to get word back to Padrino. The ambush meant there was a leak, and if Galdros knew about their attack on the supply lines, then Rimuru could be in even greater danger.
"Fall back!" Marko ordered, signaling his men to retreat. "We need to regroup!"
With practiced precision, Marko's team disengaged from the fight, retreating into the dense forest. The mercenaries gave chase, but Marko's knowledge of the terrain allowed them to evade their pursuers. Bloodied but alive, they made their way back toward Rimuru, their mission a failure.
Back in Rimuru, Padrino paced in his chamber, his mind racing. He had not heard from Marko's team yet, and the tension was unbearable. Hinata had fortified the city's magical defenses, and the soldiers were ready for battle, but something still felt wrong.
There was a knock at the door, and Padrino turned to see Asuna entering the room. Her expression was grave.
"Padrino," she began hesitantly. "I've been hearing rumors among the nobles. Some of them… they're questioning your leadership. They believe we're pushing Rimuru too far, too fast. They say we should have surrendered to Galdros to avoid war."
Padrino's eyes narrowed. "Who's behind these rumors?"
Asuna hesitated, then spoke softly. "Vincent."
The name sent a jolt through Padrino. Vincent had been one of his closest advisors, a key figure in Rimuru's rise. But now, it seemed he had his own agenda.
"Keep an eye on him," Padrino said, his voice cold. "I'll deal with this myself."
Asuna nodded and left the room, leaving Padrino alone with his thoughts. The letter's warning was becoming clearer. The storm wasn't just outside the walls—it was inside as well.
As he prepared for what lay ahead, Padrino knew one thing for certain: the real battle wasn't just against Galdros. It was against the betrayal festering within his own court.