The Schemes of Falmuth – Preparing for War

Inside the grand meeting hall of Falmuth's Royal Palace, a tense atmosphere loomed over King Edmaris and his gathered council of knights and clergy. The room was dimly lit, with flickering candlelight casting long shadows over the high-ranking officials, royal knights, and Archbishop Reyhiem as they sat around an ornate wooden table.

The air was thick with tension, the weight of recent failure pressing down on them like an invisible force.

A scout—one of the few survivors from the first attack on Tempest—had delivered a grim report.

"Destroyed… they were destroyed."

Tempest's defenses were far stronger than anticipated. Their armies were powerful, their warriors fierce, and their counterattack was merciless.

Only a handful of soldiers had managed to return.

King Edmaris clenched his fists, his face red with barely contained rage and humiliation.

"Monsters…! Those damn creatures dare to defy us? They dare to resist the will of God!?"

His knights and noblemen remained silent, their expressions grim. The defeat had shaken them, but they could not afford to back down.

It was Archbishop Reyhiem who finally spoke, his voice cold and calculating.

"Your Majesty, we cannot allow mere monsters to challenge our divine right to rule."

The archbishop's eyes gleamed with fanaticism as he placed a thick parchment on the table.

"I have a solution."

The knights and nobles leaned in, eager for anything that would turn the tides in their favor.

Reyhiem's lips curled into a smirk as he unrolled the parchment—revealing a complex magical formation, written in ancient script.

"This spell is a sacred barrier, specifically designed to suppress and weaken monsters."

Gasps filled the room.

Royal Knight Commander Folgen, one of Falmuth's strongest warriors, narrowed his eyes.

"Explain."

Reyhiem nodded, his fingers tapping the parchment.

"Once activated, this barrier will cover all of Tempest. Every monster within its range will be significantly weakened. Their strength will be cut down, their magic suppressed, their very will to fight diminished."

A moment of silence passed before laughter erupted from the gathered nobles and knights.

"Excellent! If the monsters lose their strength, then cutting them down will be effortless!"

"With this, we will erase them from existence in the name of God!"

King Edmaris, his fury now replaced with confidence, slammed his fist onto the table.

"And who will deploy this spell?"

The Archbishop's smirk widened.

"We will divide our forces into four teams, each stationed at a different corner of Tempest's borders. Four elite teams will activate the barrier in unison, ensuring that the entire city is covered."

Folgen nodded in approval.

"A sound strategy. And what of Tempest's fighters? They are strong, even without their magic."

Reyhiem's grin turned predatory.

"That is where our trump cards come in."

Three figures stepped forward from the shadows of the meeting hall.

Shogo Taguchi – A ruthless fighter with brute strength, possessing the Unique Skill [Berserker], which granted him increased power and durability the more he fought.

Kyoya Tachibana – A swordsman whose Unique Skill [Usurper] allowed him to steal the abilities of those he defeated.

Kirara Mizutani – A manipulator who wielded the Unique Skill [Bewitch], capable of influencing the minds and actions of others.

"These three are our ultimate weapons."

Reyhiem's voice was filled with pride as he gestured toward the otherworlders, each radiating deadly confidence.

Shogo scoffed, crossing his arms.

"So, we just weaken them and cut them down? Sounds boring."

Kyoya smirked, his hand resting on his sword.

"It doesn't matter. We're here to win, not play around."

Kirara yawned, looking bored.

"As long as I get to have fun messing with their minds, I don't care."

King Edmaris's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"With this plan in motion, Tempest will fall. We will purge those monsters in the name of Luminism!"

The room erupted into cheers of approval.

With the plans finalized, Falmuth's army of 20,000 soldiers began their march toward Tempest.

At each corner of the nation, elite strike teams led by powerful clergymen and knights carried the barrier artifacts—ready to activate the grand spell.

The otherworlders moved at the front, eager to test their strength against Tempest's forces.

King Edmaris, who was part of the expedition, was watching from his throne, smirked in satisfaction.

"By the time they realize what's happening… it will already be too late."

As Rimuru made his way back to Tempest, the familiar landscape of the Jura Tempest Federation spread out before him. After his intense battle with Hinata, which had involved a delicate balance of illusion and trickery, Rimuru was relieved to return to the safety of his city. He had left Tempest in the hands of his trusted generals, knowing that the city's defense was robust and its people safe under the leadership of his trusted lieutenants.

However, as he neared the city's gates, something felt off. The usual calm of the city's outskirts had been replaced by a tense atmosphere. Soldiers and patrolling guards were everywhere, and the usually carefree inhabitants seemed to be on edge. Rimuru's sharp senses immediately picked up on the heightened security. He knew something had happened while he was away.

He walked through the familiar streets of Tempest, but the tension was palpable. Benimaru approached him, and Rimuru immediately raised an eyebrow, sensing something was amiss.

"Benimaru, what's going on? Why is the city on high alert?" Rimuru asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

Benimaru bowed, a solemn look on his face. "Lord Rimuru, we were attacked earlier by a force of unknown origin. They came in large numbers, and we managed to repel them."

Rimuru's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger crossing his face. "So, they waited until I left to strike... typical. Bastards." His voice was calm but filled with a dangerous undercurrent. He had expected someone to make a move, but this timing was far too deliberate.

"Who was it? Did we get any intel?" Rimuru continued, his voice steady but with an edge of frustration.

"We believe it was the Falmuth army, my lord," the general replied. "The attackers were organized and well-coordinated, though we couldn't identify their full strength. They seemed to be a mix of knights and some from the holy church."

Rimuru clenched his fist tightly, a dark look crossing his features. "So, they're really starting this now. They'll regret this."

Before the conversation could continue further, a sudden movement caught Rimuru's attention. His right-hand man, Souei, appeared from the shadows, his usual composed demeanor unchanged. His sharp eyes glinted with concern, and his voice was calm but urgent as he spoke.

"Lord Rimuru, I've just received word that an army of around 20,000 soldiers is currently headed towards Tempest. Given the scale and the timing, I believe it is the Falmuth army."

The news hit Rimuru like a ton of bricks. He hadn't expected Falmuth to escalate so quickly. They were clearly not content with just the earlier skirmish—they were bringing their full might this time. His thoughts began racing.

He tightened his fist, his jaw clenching in determination. The soldiers from Falmuth had already tested Tempest's defenses, and it seemed they had underestimated the resolve of Tempest and its people. But to launch another attack so soon—this was no longer just about power. This was personal.

"So they're coming for some more, huh?" Rimuru muttered, his voice low and filled with wrath. "Alright, get everyone ready. We won't back down this time. Make sure our defenses are in place and that everyone is mobilized. I want the Full Force out there. We'll show them what happens when they think they can just walk all over us."

The general nodded, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood, my lord. I'll begin organizing the troops and reinforcing the defenses immediately."

Rimuru turned to Souei, who had already begun to gather his thoughts.

"Souei," Rimuru called, his voice sharp. "I need you to track their movements. We need to know exactly when they arrive, and I want to know if they have any special units or surprises waiting for us. I'll be counting on you to keep me updated."

Souei gave a small bow, his eyes narrowed with focus. "As you command, my lord. I'll ensure we're prepared for any surprises they may have." With that, he disappeared into the shadows once more.

Rimuru took a deep breath, his mind already calculating the best course of action. The thought of fighting another battle so soon wasn't ideal, but the threat posed by Falmuth could not go unchallenged.

He turned back to Benimaru. "Make sure the city is on full lockdown. I want every single soldier, mage, and fighter ready for this. We won't let them through the gates. And get in touch with Hakuro and the others. I'll need their strength on the front lines."

Benumaru nodded again, already on the move. As Rimuru stood there, watching the soldiers mobilize, his mind shifted to the next step.

"Falmuth…" Rimuru muttered under his breath, his thoughts darkening. "They've just made a fatal mistake.

With that, Rimuru began to walk toward the war room, his expression cold and determined. The upcoming battle would be nothing short of a show of strength—and this time, the world would see just how powerful Tempest truly was.