Chapter 75: Flames of War

The sound of battle filled the air as Galdros' forces surged forward, their war cries piercing the night. Padrino stood at the front of his army, his sword gleaming in the fading light as his troops held the line against the overwhelming tide. Dust and smoke swirled around him, but his mind was clear. Every decision he had made had led to this moment, and now, there was no room for doubt.

As the soldiers of Galdros descended upon them, Padrino's battle instincts took over. His sword cut through the air, parrying and striking with deadly precision. The clash of steel was deafening, but he remained focused, his eyes scanning the battlefield for weak points in the enemy's lines.

"Asuna, watch your left!" Padrino shouted over the roar of battle.

Asuna responded swiftly, dodging a heavy blow from a Galdros warrior and countering with a swift slash across his chest. The man crumpled to the ground, and Asuna glanced back at Padrino, her breath heavy but steady. "I've got it!"

To Padrino's right, Marko was directing the archers from the cliffside, ensuring that the narrow pass remained a death trap for any who dared to charge through. The traps they had set earlier had already begun to work, catching several of Galdros' warriors in their deadly snare. But despite their careful planning, the enemy numbers were far greater than expected.

"They're pushing harder than we anticipated," Marko called out, his sharp eyes tracking the movement of enemy commanders from afar. "We need to adapt or they'll overwhelm us."

Padrino nodded, his mind racing through possibilities. "Keep the archers focused on their flanks! We need to funnel them toward the ridge."

Asuna was already moving, her sword cutting through the enemy ranks with fierce determination. "We need to buy more time," she shouted. "If we can force them to the choke point, we'll stand a chance."

The battle raged on, and the forces of Rimuru fought valiantly, but the sheer numbers of Galdros' army began to take their toll. Padrino's troops were tiring, their strength waning with each passing moment. Still, they fought on, their loyalty to their king unwavering.

At the palace in Rimuru, Hinata paced restlessly. Her light magic hummed around her, a constant reminder of the power she could wield, but here, in the heart of the city, she could do nothing but wait. The traitor had yet to show themselves, and every moment of silence made her more uneasy.

A messenger burst into the room, breathless and wide-eyed. "Lady Hinata, there's been movement in the city. A group of unknown figures was seen near the palace walls."

Hinata's heart raced. "The traitor," she muttered under her breath. She gathered her energy and turned to the messenger. "Alert the palace guards. No one leaves or enters without my express order. I'll handle this myself."

As she strode through the grand halls of the palace, her magic flared in her hands, casting soft light against the walls. The palace was eerily quiet, as if holding its breath for what was to come. She made her way to the outer courtyard, where shadows danced beneath the moonlit sky.

There, near the entrance to the palace, stood a group of cloaked figures, their faces hidden beneath hoods. Hinata's magic pulsed with warning, and she raised her hand, light swirling around her fingertips.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp and unyielding.

One of the figures stepped forward, lowering their hood. It was someone Hinata recognized—a member of the royal council, one she had trusted. Betrayal flashed in their eyes as they spoke.

"We've come to end this charade, Lady Hinata. Rimuru's days are numbered. Galdros will win, and we will ensure it."

Hinata's eyes narrowed. "You're the traitor."

The council member sneered. "It's already too late. Our forces are inside the city, and by dawn, this palace will fall."

Without hesitation, Hinata unleashed a torrent of light magic, blinding the traitor and their allies. The figures scattered, but Hinata pursued, her power crackling in the air as she cut them down one by one. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from fear, but from the urgency of the situation.

Back on the battlefield, the tide was turning against Rimuru. The forces of Galdros had managed to push through the traps, their numbers overwhelming despite the tactical advantage Padrino's forces had held.

Padrino fought alongside his soldiers, his blade a blur as he cut through the enemy ranks. But even he could see that the situation was becoming dire. Asuna, covered in sweat and blood, was still holding her own, but exhaustion was setting in.

Marko rushed over, his face grim. "Padrino, we need to retreat. We can't hold them much longer."

Padrino gritted his teeth, hating the thought of pulling back. But he knew Marko was right. If they didn't retreat now, they would be slaughtered.

"Fall back!" Padrino shouted, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "To the ridge!"

The soldiers obeyed, retreating toward the narrow ridge where they had set their final line of defense. As they moved, Galdros' forces pressed forward, eager to claim victory. But Padrino wasn't finished yet.

Once his troops were in position, Padrino raised his hand, signaling the archers to unleash a volley of arrows. The sky darkened as hundreds of arrows rained down on the enemy, halting their advance for a precious few moments.

"Asuna, Marko, with me!" Padrino called, his eyes blazing with determination. "We hold this line!"

Together, they stood at the front of their remaining forces, ready to face whatever came next. The battle was far from over, but Padrino knew one thing: as long as he stood, Rimuru would not fall.

Back at the palace, Hinata stood victorious over the bodies of the traitors. But as she caught her breath, a deep sense of dread settled over her. The battle outside the walls was still raging, and the true danger was yet to come.

With her light magic still glowing around her, Hinata whispered to herself, "Hold on, Padrino. The battle isn't over yet."

The storm of war was far from passing, and the fate of Rimuru hung in the balance.