章 81: Chapter 81: The Fall of Fort Emberhold
The air was thick with tension as Padrino and his council stood atop the ridge overlooking Fort Emberhold. The once-impenetrable fortress that guarded Rimuru's southern border now looked vulnerable, its walls cracked from recent skirmishes. A fierce battle was inevitable. Below, the armies of Galdros were amassing, preparing to strike at dawn. Padrino clenched his fists, the weight of his decisions pressing on him more than ever before.
Marko, always calm and collected, studied the battlefield below. "Their numbers are overwhelming," he remarked, his voice low but steady. "But we have the terrain. We can force them into a bottleneck."
Hinata, her eyes glowing faintly with light magic, nodded. "If we can hold them at the entrance to the pass, I can use my abilities to blind their frontlines. It will give us the advantage, but only for a short time."
Padrino turned to them, his mind whirling through possibilities. "We must protect the people of Rimuru at all costs," he said, his voice firm. "But we can't afford to lose this fort. If Emberhold falls, Rimuru is exposed."
Prince Benimaru, standing beside Padrino, frowned. "We have to push them back, not just defend. If we sit and wait, they'll only grow stronger. We strike first."
The council debated tactics deep into the night, their voices blending with the crackling fire in the center of the room. Padrino listened intently, absorbing their suggestions while formulating a plan in his mind. As the leader, every choice he made now carried the weight of life and death.
Morning came too quickly. The sun rose behind dark clouds, casting a grim shadow over the battlefield. Padrino donned his armor, a simple but sturdy set that had been reforged countless times throughout his rise. His sword, gleaming despite the overcast skies, felt heavier than usual in his hand.
As they approached the battlefield, Padrino mounted his horse, riding ahead of his troops. Behind him were the warriors of Rimuru, a mixture of seasoned soldiers and villagers who had taken up arms to defend their home. The sight of their king at the forefront brought murmurs of hope.
Standing at the front lines, Padrino raised his sword to the sky. "For Rimuru!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the ranks.
"For Rimuru!" his men echoed, their spirits ignited by their leader's defiant stance.
The battle began with a deafening roar. Galdros' forces surged forward, crashing against Rimuru's defenses like a tidal wave. Hinata was at the heart of the battlefield, her light magic slicing through the enemy ranks with blinding precision. Marko's strategic brilliance shone as he directed archers to rain arrows on Galdros' most vulnerable points.
Despite their efforts, the sheer numbers of Galdros' forces began to take their toll. Fort Emberhold's walls shook as battering rams collided with them, and the gates groaned under the relentless assault.
It was then that Padrino made a fateful decision. With his sword held high, he charged into the thick of battle, his personal guard following close behind. The sight of their king fearlessly leading the charge emboldened the soldiers of Rimuru, and they surged forward with renewed ferocity.
Padrino cut through the enemy ranks with precision, his movements fluid and deliberate. He had no magic, but his swordsmanship had been honed through years of training and countless battles. Every swing of his blade was calculated, every strike lethal.
Amidst the chaos, Padrino spotted the enemy commander, a hulking figure clad in dark armor. This was the heart of the Galdros assault—the one who had orchestrated the siege of Emberhold. With a determined grimace, Padrino spurred his horse forward, cutting a path through the enemy until he faced the commander directly.
The two clashed in a furious duel. The commander was strong, his strikes heavy, but Padrino's agility and sharp mind kept him one step ahead. Sparks flew as their swords collided, and the battlefield seemed to still around them, soldiers from both sides watching as the two leaders fought for control of the field.
With a swift move, Padrino disarmed the commander, his sword flying from his hand. For a moment, the Galdros forces hesitated, their confidence wavering as they watched their leader fall to his knees before the king of Rimuru.
Seizing the opportunity, Padrino raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow, but something gave him pause. He glanced at the fallen commander, seeing the desperation in his eyes. This was no ordinary soldier—this man had been driven by orders, by loyalty to a kingdom that had sent him to die. In that moment, Padrino understood the weight of his power, of every life he took in this war.
He lowered his sword. "Surrender, and I will spare your life."
The commander looked up in disbelief, but he nodded. "I yield."
With that single act of mercy, the tides of battle shifted. Galdros' forces began to retreat, their morale shattered. The soldiers of Rimuru, emboldened by their king's victory and his display of mercy, pressed forward, driving the invaders back.
As the sun set on the battlefield, the remaining forces of Galdros retreated into the mountains, leaving Fort Emberhold intact. Padrino stood at the gates of the fort, his sword still in hand, watching as his men cheered and embraced one another in victory.
But Padrino did not smile. He knew this was only the beginning. The war with Galdros was far from over, and the cost of victory weighed heavily on him. The lives lost, the destruction wrought—it all lingered in his mind.
As his council gathered around him, Padrino turned to them, his face solemn. "This victory will buy us time, but we must be prepared. Galdros will return, and next time, they will not underestimate us."
Marko nodded, his usual calm replaced with determination. "We'll be ready."
Hinata placed a reassuring hand on Padrino's shoulder. "Together, we will protect Rimuru. We'll face whatever comes."
With a final glance at the battlefield, Padrino sheathed his sword. The fall of Fort Emberhold had been a costly victory, but it had shown the world that Rimuru was no longer just a village—it was a force to be reckoned with. And as long as Padrino stood at its helm, it would continue to rise.
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