Chapter 83: Into Enemy Territory

The journey to Galdros began under the cover of night, the moon shrouded by a thick blanket of clouds. Padrino and his strike team moved silently, traveling through dense forests and narrow mountain passes to avoid detection. The tension in the air was palpable, every step taken with caution, knowing that one misstep could alert the enemy. For hours, they navigated the treacherous terrain, driven by the knowledge that Galdros would not hesitate to strike Rimuru again if given the chance.

Padrino led from the front, his eyes sharp and focused. His mind was constantly assessing their surroundings, anticipating danger. Behind him, Sera moved like a shadow, her steps light and nearly imperceptible. As their scout, she had the most dangerous role—moving ahead to ensure the path was clear, watching for any signs of enemy patrols.

Grendar, with his heavy armor and massive frame, kept to the rear, ready to defend the group should they be discovered. Niko, ever the tactician, was already mapping out potential points of attack, his mind working tirelessly to stay one step ahead of the enemy.

As they pressed deeper into Galdros territory, the landscape changed. The forests gave way to barren plains, and the temperature dropped, a biting cold creeping in from the north. The group took shelter in a rocky outcrop as the first rays of dawn began to break over the horizon.

"We'll rest here for a few hours," Padrino whispered, glancing over his team. "We need to conserve our strength. The border fort isn't far now."

The team nodded in agreement. They had trained for months for missions like this, but even so, exhaustion was beginning to creep in. They were only human, after all.

As they settled into their temporary camp, Sera quietly approached Padrino. Her expression was tense, her brow furrowed with concern.

"I scouted ahead," she said in a low voice, "and I spotted something… unusual."

Padrino's eyes narrowed. "What did you find?"

Sera hesitated for a moment before continuing. "There's a village not far from here, near the border fort. But it's not like any of the Galdrosian villages we've encountered before. It looks… abandoned."

Padrino frowned. "Abandoned? Or a trap?"

"I don't know," Sera admitted. "There's no movement, no signs of life. But something about it feels off."

Padrino considered the information carefully. A deserted village so close to a border fort was unusual. Galdros was known for its strict control over its territory. Villages were always heavily populated and patrolled, especially near key military points.

"Let's check it out before we move on to the fort," Padrino decided. "If it's a trap, we need to know before we walk into it."

The group rested for a few more hours before moving out again. They approached the village cautiously, weapons at the ready. As they drew closer, the eerie stillness of the place became more pronounced. The houses, once sturdy and well-kept, now stood in disrepair. Windows were shattered, doors hung loosely from their hinges, and the streets were littered with debris.

"This place has been abandoned for a while," Grendar muttered, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.

"But why?" Niko asked, scanning the area. "Galdros wouldn't just leave a village like this. Not so close to their borders."

Padrino was about to respond when he noticed something—a faint glimmer in the distance, reflecting off the morning sun. He raised his hand, signaling for silence. The group halted immediately, their eyes following Padrino's gaze.

There, just beyond the village, they saw it—a large Galdrosian patrol, heavily armed and moving quickly toward the border fort. But what caught Padrino's attention was the figure leading them.

"That's no ordinary patrol leader," Padrino whispered, his voice tense. "That's one of Galdros' high commanders."

Niko's eyes widened. "If we take him out…"

Padrino nodded. "We could cripple their chain of command in this region."

The team huddled together, quickly forming a plan. They would wait for the patrol to move into the village, then ambush them from the shadows. It was risky, but the potential reward was too great to pass up.

As the Galdrosian patrol entered the village, Padrino gave the signal. In perfect synchronization, his team launched their attack. Sera's arrows flew from the rooftops, taking down the soldiers at the rear. Grendar charged from the side, his massive axe cleaving through armor and bone. Niko and Padrino moved swiftly through the chaos, targeting the high commander.

The commander was skilled, his blade flashing in the early morning light as he parried Padrino's strikes. But Padrino was relentless, his movements precise and calculated. With a final, powerful blow, Padrino disarmed the commander and knocked him to the ground.

"Tell me why the village was abandoned," Padrino demanded, his sword pressed against the commander's throat.

The commander sneered, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "You think you've won something here? You have no idea what's coming."

Before Padrino could respond, the commander reached into his cloak and pulled out a small vial, downing its contents in one swift motion. Within moments, his body convulsed, and he collapsed, dead.

Padrino cursed under his breath. They had been so close to getting answers.

"Whatever he knew," Niko said quietly, "he was willing to die to keep it a secret."

The team regrouped, their victory tainted by the unsettling nature of the encounter. As they moved away from the village, Padrino couldn't shake the feeling that something far more dangerous was brewing in Galdros—something that went beyond a simple military conflict.

The echoes of war were growing louder, and Padrino knew that the next battle would be unlike any they had faced before.