The flames from Fort Ormellan flickered in the distance as Padrino's forces retreated deeper into the forest. Each step felt like a victory, but Padrino knew this was only a small battle in the grand scheme of things. They had crippled the Galdros army's supply line, but now they would retaliate. It was only a matter of time.
As dawn began to break, the strike force regrouped at the designated safehouse—a small cave hidden beneath the thick canopy of the forest. Exhaustion weighed heavily on their faces, but there was no time to rest. They needed to plan their next move before Galdros could react.
Inside the cave, the atmosphere was tense but focused. Padrino, Aelin, Niko, and Elda gathered around a rough map of the region, marking their next potential targets. Padrino's thoughts were clouded, however. He could feel the weight of leadership pulling him in multiple directions.
Aelin spoke first, breaking the silence. "Ormellan is burning, but they'll regroup faster than we think. We need to keep them off balance—another strike, and soon."
Padrino nodded but remained silent. His eyes were fixed on the map, his thoughts elsewhere.
Niko, ever the sharp observer, noticed his hesitation. "Something's on your mind. What's the plan, Padrino?"
Padrino sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We've hurt them, yes. But this… this was just a single victory. Galdros will come back stronger, angrier. And when they do, they won't just be defending their borders. They'll be coming straight for us."
Elda, who had been silent until now, spoke softly. "You're thinking of Rimuru, aren't you?"
Padrino's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the image of his village—his home—flashed in his mind. Rimuru had grown into a thriving city under his leadership, but it remained vulnerable. If Galdros focused their wrath on it, everything he had built could be destroyed in a single, devastating attack.
"We have to strike at the heart," Padrino said finally. "Their army can keep marching as long as their leadership is intact. If we want to stop Galdros, we need to cut off the head of the snake."
Aelin frowned. "You're suggesting we go after the capital?"
"No," Padrino replied, his voice steady. "Not the capital. Not yet. We target Duke Halvard."
The name sent a ripple of surprise through the group. Halvard, one of Galdros' most powerful nobles, was not just a military commander but also the political mastermind behind much of the kingdom's expansionist ambitions. Taking him down would send shockwaves through Galdros.
"He's the one orchestrating their campaigns in this region," Padrino continued. "If we eliminate him, it will destabilize their operations long enough for us to regain the upper hand."
Niko leaned against the cave wall, arms crossed. "That's a bold move. But getting to Halvard won't be easy. He's well-guarded, and his estate is a fortress in itself."
"We won't need to storm the estate," Padrino said, eyes narrowing with determination. "We'll draw him out. And when we do, we'll be ready."
Aelin studied the map, her brow furrowed. "And how exactly do you plan to draw out a man like Halvard? He's not going to fall for simple traps."
Padrino smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "He'll come if we threaten something he values more than his own life—his power. We spread word that Galdros' southern territories are ripe for rebellion. We make it seem like there's unrest within his ranks, that his allies are turning against him. He won't be able to resist the urge to crush dissent with his own hands."
Elda's eyes lit up with realization. "A false rebellion… That could work. He wouldn't trust anyone else to handle it."
Padrino nodded. "Exactly. And when he moves to put down this 'rebellion,' we strike."
The group exchanged glances, the weight of the plan settling in. It was dangerous—perhaps their most dangerous mission yet—but it was also their best chance at turning the tide of the war.
Aelin's expression hardened with resolve. "Then let's get to work. We need to plant the seeds of this rebellion, and fast. Galdros won't wait."
Niko grinned, his daggers glinting in the low light. "I'll spread the word among the right people. If there's one thing I know, it's how to sow chaos."
Elda stood, her hands already weaving faint trails of magic. "I'll make sure the rumors feel real. Halvard won't suspect a thing."
Padrino watched as his trusted companions leaped into action, his mind already racing ahead. If this plan worked, it could cripple Galdros and buy them the time they needed to fortify their defenses. But if it failed…
No. He couldn't think like that. Failure wasn't an option. Too much was at stake.
As the group dispersed to carry out their tasks, Padrino took a moment to himself, stepping outside the cave and into the early morning light. The forest was quiet now, but the distant sounds of war were never far off. The horizon was tinged with the faint glow of Ormellan's smoldering ruins, a reminder of the path he had chosen.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing—something darker and more dangerous than they had faced so far. Duke Halvard was only part of the puzzle. There were larger forces at play, forces that threatened not just Rimuru, but the entire realm of Xandros.
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of smoke and the promise of battles yet to come.
Padrino tightened his grip on his sword.
The war was far from over.