The sun dipped behind the crystal spires of Nyvaris, casting the council chamber in golden light. Rimuru's excitement had sparked the flame, but now the room burned with shared energy.
Varvatos crossed his arms, his gaze sharpening as he addressed the group.
"If we're opening the gates to everyone, even those the barrier would normally reject, then we'll need a countermeasure. The Aetherveil cannot be bypassed without consequence."
Veldora tilted his head. "Like what? Extra guards? Veldora-san standing at the door with a really big stick?"
Varvatos shook his head. "Too crude. I'll cast a conditional Aether Mark—a spell placed on every visitor during the festival. They'll be allowed entry, but the mark will ensure that—when the festival ends—they are forcibly expelled from Nyvaris. Peacefully, but absolutely. No exceptions."
"And no way to resist it?" Rimuru asked, intrigued.
"Not unless they're as strong as me," Varvatos said with a smirk. "And even then, it won't matter. The mark will be tied to the fabric of Nyvaris' spatial flow."
Rimuru blinked. "...Spatial flow?"
Veldora leaned closer and whispered, "Just nod, Rimuru. Magic mumbo jumbo."
Rimuru did. "Sounds great!"
Elmesia, elegant even while leaning over the table, added,
"We'll need to send invitations across the continent. To kings, warriors, merchant guilds, performers. This needs to feel like the event of the century."
Rimuru looked thoughtful. "True. But that could take weeks, maybe months if we're doing it through couriers or teleporters… unless…"
Before he could finish the thought, the doors to the chamber swept open, and a cold, regal presence rolled in like winter air.
Velzard.
Her snow-white hair shimmered like silver thread, and her eyes sparkled with knowing amusement.
"How about," she said, striding in like a queen entering court, "Varvatos projects a message to every country at once?"
Rimuru gasped. "That's—wait, can you do that?"
Varvatos chuckled. "Of course I can. A planetary-scale mental projection. They'll see me standing right in front of them. Clear image, no distortion. I can even include background music."
Veldora clapped. "Make it dramatic! Add lightning when you appear—like KRAKOW!"
"Please don't add lightning," Elmesia muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We're trying to look peaceful, not like a villain announcing world domination."
Rimuru laughed. "Alright then. A seven-day festival, open to the entire world, with the strongest magical security in place and invitations broadcasted by literal god-tier magic. I love it."
They gathered around the central table as Velzard joined Varvatos at his side, Elmesia on Rimuru's left. A crystal panel hovered in the air, displaying a glowing calendar.
Rimuru:
"So let's map it out. Seven days of events, variety, and magic. We start with something big to get attention."
Varvatos:
"The invitation day. I'll appear in every nation to make the invitation. That night, we light the sky with Celestial Fireworks."
Elmesia:
"And day two begins the Tournament of Realms. Fighters from across the world—demon lords, generals, adventurers—all competing for legendary weapons or armors."
Rimuru's eyes lit up. "We'll create custom rewards. Mythical gear forged here in Nyvaris. Diablo can oversee the enchantments."
Diablo, who had been silently sipping tea in the corner, smiled darkly.
"With pleasure, my Lord. I shall make them worthy of legend."
Velzard:
"We should also include an open market—let merchants from every country trade, barter, and showcase their cultures."
Elmesia nodded. "Sarion will send our best artisans, singers, and the Silverleaf Orchestra. Elven music is woven with emotion—no one forgets it."
Veldora:
"We need food too! A feast day! Let's do a massive culinary battle. Chefs from across the lands, cooking live!"
Rimuru clapped. "That's perfect for day four! Call it the Feast of Flames and Flavor!"
They all laughed—even Varvatos.
As the laughter faded, Rimuru leaned in seriously.
"Varvatos… can I ask something kind of crazy?"
"You already did about twenty times today. Go on."
"Can we get Ramiris to build a Labyrinth here?—layers of challenges, monsters, traps. But make it fun. Adventurers enter, fight their way through floors, and face boss monsters for treasure."
Velzard raised a brow. "That's… actually brilliant. A dungeon that resets every day? Dangerous but rewarding?"
Varvatos grinned. "No need to call Ramiris. I can build one myself. We'll shape it under the cliffs of Nyvaris. I'll ensure it reshapes itself each day.
Let's call it…"
"The Eternal Spiral." Elmesia suggested, a faint smirk on her lips.
"Perfect," Rimuru said, almost breathless with excitement. "Every floor can have unique environments, elemental themes—lava, frost, forests. With each floor, the monsters and traps get harder. At the bottom…"
Veldora grinned. "A guardian that makes even I pause. Heh."
"We'll need to design unique bosses," Rimuru said, already imagining it. "Maybe even let volunteers from Nyvaris act as guardians, infused with temporary boosts to power."
"I want to be a boss," Diablo whispered ominously.
As the room quieted, Varvatos looked around, seeing the gleam in their eyes—dreamers, warriors, rulers, artists, all bound by the same goal: to make Nyvaris the heart of the world for one unforgettable week.
"Then it's decided," he said, voice regal. "Tonight, we gather the generals and strategists of Nyvaris. We'll divide tasks, appoint festival commanders, and prepare our city for a miracle."
Rimuru stood, practically glowing. "Let's make history. Not with war… but with unity."
The chamber burst into motion—Velzard and Elmesia discussing logistics, Diablo silently disappearing to begin forging legendary gear, and Veldora already sketching out a hot springs corner for day six.
Later that night....
The crystalline spires of Nyvaris shimmered under the silver light of twin moons. The air was cool and serene, filled with a quiet hum of magic that pulsed gently through the veins of the Aether Citadel. Inside the citadel's Star-Crowned Hall, an obsidian table stretched in a crescent shape, polished so finely it mirrored the constellations above through the enchanted dome.
At the head of this table sat Varvatos, draped in a regal black-and-gold cloak. His presence was timeless, an embodiment of strength so overwhelming yet refined it inspired both reverence and comfort. Beside him sat the graceful Elmesia, dressed in moon-white robes, her eyes brimming with quiet brilliance and charm. On Varvatos' other side, Velzard, regal and cool, observed the gathering with interest, while Veldora, ever lively, sat upright and alert. Diablo, composed and quietly smiling, stood just behind Rimuru, who looked around the chamber with subtle curiosity.
The final guests entered in sequence—Benimaru, Hakuro, Shuna, Shion, Gobta, and Rigur, each pausing slightly upon stepping inside, taking in the majestic glow of the hall and the intensity of its host.
They hadn't known what to expect from a direct audience with Varvatos. But this…
This was another realm of grandeur.
Once the group had settled into the provided seats, a moment of soft silence fell. Then Varvatos spoke, his voice calm and commanding—smooth as flowing dusk.
"You are here tonight," Varvatos began, "because we are about to begin something unlike any endeavor before. The Festival of Nyvaris. A celebration that will invite not only the strongest of warriors, but the curious, the inspired, and the ordinary from every corner of the world."
A gentle ripple of surprise moved through the council.
Benimaru raised an eyebrow. "Everyone? As in, anyone can come into Nyvaris?"
Gobta blinked. "Even... random travelers? What about criminals?"
Varvatos nodded serenely. "All will be permitted entrance. This city will become the world's heart for seven days. But worry not—every being who passes through the city's gates will be marked with a magical sigil, woven directly into the leyline."
He lifted a hand, conjuring an image of glowing threads of magic wrapping around each person entering the city.
"The spell will not affect their behavior, but once the festival concludes, they will be instantly and gently transported out of Nyvaris. No exceptions."
Benimaru leaned back, impressed. "A passive failsafe... that's efficient. In that case, I'll personally lead the defense squads. We'll rotate Crimson Vanguard units with Nyvaris Aether Knights to ensure public order remains smooth during the festivities."
"A wise precaution," Hakuro agreed. "I'll also devise a silent sentinel system, enchanted detection wards across all districts. Any surge of malicious energy will trigger a localized response."
Varvatos gave a small nod of approval, his golden eyes thoughtful. "Perfect. I knew I could rely on your precision."
Velzard, reclining elegantly, tapped the table lightly.
"We'll also need extravagant lodgings. Many of the guests will be nobles, dignitaries, and rulers—some with egos larger than Veldora's appetite."
Veldora's head popped up. "Hey!"
She continued smoothly. "They will demand luxury, privacy, and flair. A single palace won't be enough."
"I anticipated that," Varvatos said with a smirk. "I will expand the Crescent District, enlarging it with multi-tiered magical residences. They'll come with starlit courtyards, self-regulating climate enchantments, and personal attendants forged from ethereal constructs."
A pause.
Then Rimuru—who had been quietly observing—smiled.
"I might have a few ideas to add to that," he said, eyes sparkling. " I could help design lodgings that adjust to each person's comfort zone—heat, humidity, even scent and color palettes."
"Fascinating," Elmesia said, her voice melodic. "Your creativity is more refined than I expected, Rimuru."
Shion beamed. "Rimuru-sama is amazing like that!"
Veldora suddenly slapped the table.
"We'll need more public baths!"
Everyone stared.
"What?" he shrugged. "It's not a festival without a good soak. People will be walking, fighting, dancing, eating—baths are essential. And we should make them themed! Like volcanic baths, snow mist baths, maybe even a gravity-defying sky bath—"
"...He's not wrong," Shuna said thoughtfully. "Guests will want to relax. A whole district dedicated to wellness could work."
"Then it shall be done," Varvatos said. "I'll commission three new public bathhouses in different sectors. One near the arena, another near the outer market, and a high-tier hot spring cliffside sanctuary for nobles and VIPs."
Then, from the end of the table, Gobta cautiously raised a hand.
"Um… what about transport? Nyvaris is huge. Nobles won't wanna walk from their lodgings to the coliseum. Heck, I wouldn't."
A gentle laugh escaped Elmesia's lips. She placed a hand on Varvatos' arm.
"He already thought of that, little one."
She looked at the others with quiet pride.
"Varvatos will create floating magical carriers. Elegant, silent, fast, and entirely climate-controlled. Some will even have dining compartments for longer routes or personal guards. Nobles, merchants, or travelers—no one will need to walk unless they choose to."
"Ooooh," Gobta said, practically glowing. "Can I ride one with snacks?"
Shion flicked his head. "Only if you don't drool on the nobles again."
Diablo, who had been silently watching with his usual intensity, finally spoke.
"This festival... it will be more than an event. It will be a stage for diplomacy, rivalry, alliances. And chaos, if managed poorly. But under Varvatos' will... it may become a legend."
Varvatos simply smiled.
"That is the intention, Diablo. A world united in awe, even if only for seven days."
He looked at them all.
"Each of you has your strengths. Benimaru, Hakuro, Shuna, Rimuru… even you, Gobta. Lend me your creativity, and I will give the world a miracle."
They all nodded.
The seed of the festival had been planted.
And soon, the world would witness its bloom.