Cherreads

Chapter 107 - A New Dawn of Loyalty

The portal shimmered with soft azure light as Rimuru stepped through, followed closely by Diablo, his cloak swaying with silent grace. Behind them came the three reborn Primordials—Testarossa, Carrera, and Ultima—their new forms glowing faintly with auras of refined power. Their steps were hesitant, but their eyes burned with curiosity.

As they stepped out onto the smooth, gleaming stone road, they paused.

"This is... Nyvaris?" Testarossa asked, her voice quiet but astonished.

Before them spread a magnificent city unlike any they had ever seen. Unlike the chaotic, floating demon capitals or the rigidly structured human nations, Nyvaris was a harmonious blend of order and power. Marble buildings with shimmering runes stood beside towering spires of dark stone engraved with ancient magic. Lush gardens, alight with soft-glowing flowers and enchanted vines, lined wide, clean roads.

At the city's edges, massive enchanted walls pulsed with a faint glow—a magical barrier embedded directly into the city's foundations. It wasn't just a shield; it was watching.

Even the walls felt alive.

Carrera blinked. "Is it just me or… does it feel like the city is studying us?"

Diablo chuckled softly. "That's the barrier. Every corner of this city is under its gaze. No lies, no treachery, no hidden intent goes unnoticed here."

Ultima scowled slightly. "Creepy."

"Effective," Rimuru replied calmly. He turned to face them. "Welcome to Nyvaris."

As they walked deeper into the city, the Primordials took in the diversity of its population. Humans walked alongside orcs. Lizardmen shared outdoor cafes with elves. Slimes, dwarves, and even dragons in humanoid forms moved peacefully throughout the streets. Magic was everywhere—used for transport, for building, for lighting—yet it wasn't flaunted.

It was simply a part of life.

"This place…" Testarossa murmured, "it's alive. But it's… peaceful. This isn't a city of conquest. It's one of purpose."

Rimuru nodded. "Exactly. Nyvaris isn't built on fear or dominance. It's built to endure. Every soul here has chosen to live under its rules—and under the supreme one will."

The three women looked at each other, genuinely impressed.

They eventually reached the heart of the city, where a wide stone path led up to a beautiful mansion nestled against a tall ridge. Unlike the cold palaces of the Demon Lords or the grandiose temples of the East, this home felt... warm. Elegant white stone, a garden filled with everblooming flowers, and a soft aura of magic flowing through the air like wind.

"Is this your home?" Ultima asked, glancing at the entrance.

"No," Rimuru replied with a small smile. "This is where the one I serve lives."

All three Primordials turned to him.

"You serve someone?" Carrera asked incredulously. "But you… you defeated us like we were nothing."

"And yet I am still just a student under someone far more powerful," Rimuru said plainly.

They didn't speak. They simply followed.

Inside, the mansion was simple but elegant. Beautiful wooden floors, enchanted lanterns floating near the ceiling, and wide windows that bathed the rooms in golden light.

The scent of fresh herbs and tea lingered in the air.

As they entered the living room, they were met with a casual scene that felt strangely surreal.

Varvatos was sitting comfortably on a couch, a tea cup in hand, his silver-white hair loose over his shoulders. Across from him sat Velzard, draped in a soft blue robe, her eyes half-closed in quiet amusement.

They looked so… normal.

Testarossa whispered, "That's him?"

"Yes," Rimuru said, stopping a respectful distance away. "That is Varvatos—the Supreme One."

Varvatos looked up and smiled warmly. "Rimuru. Welcome back."

Rimuru gave a respectful nod. "It's good to be home, Varvatos."

Varvatos's gaze turned toward the three women behind him.

"Ah. So these are the ones?" His voice was calm, almost gentle—but there was something underneath it. A strength not flaunted, but impossible to ignore.

The Primordials stepped forward and bowed instinctively. Not out of fear, but something deeper. A recognition. Their instincts screamed power, but their minds were stunned by his serenity.

"I'm Testarossa," she said with a faint bow.

"Carrera," the yellow-eyed woman added, still watching him carefully.

"Ultima," said the third, who for once didn't smile.

Varvatos gestured to the seats across from him. "Sit. I don't need worship. I just want to meet the people Rimuru brought home."

They hesitated—then obeyed. Velzard poured them each a cup of the fragrant tea.

Carrera tasted it and blinked. "This is… real tea? No blood or mana?"

Velzard smirked. "Not everything has to taste like a battlefield."

Varvatos leaned forward slightly. "Rimuru gave you names. That means he sees potential in you. More than just power—you're part of something now. A kingdom that will stand even when the world changes."

Testarossa spoke first. "With all due respect… I've never felt anything like this.

He…" she glanced at Rimuru, "He changed us. Not just our strength. Something inside us shifted."

"That's purpose," Varvatos replied simply. "True purpose doesn't come from dominance. It comes from knowing who you are meant to serve—and why."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Ultima exhaled. "So… what now? We just serve Rimuru? Train? Fight?"

Rimuru smiled faintly. "You'll do more than that. You'll become the new pillars of Nyvaris. But before that… we start from the beginning. Understanding each other. Earning trust. And building this city together."

Varvatos raised his cup in a casual toast. "To beginnings, then."

The three women slowly lifted their cups in return.

Varvatos leaned back slightly, fingers resting against the carved wooden armrest of his chair.

With a calm, deliberate voice, he finally spoke.

"Nyvaris has existed for a long time," Varvatos began, his silver gaze steady. "Hidden from the world. Untouched. Guarded." He glanced toward the large window that overlooked the city beyond. "The barrier you felt—the presence watching you as you entered—it wasn't just a defense mechanism. It was a seal. A choice to remain untouched by the chaos outside."

Testarossa shifted slightly. "Why stay hidden for so long?"

Velzard was the one who answered this time. Her voice was smooth, almost melodic, but laced with quiet wisdom. "Because the world wasn't ready. And neither were we. Nyvaris was built not just to survive, but to preserve—knowledge, balance, ideals. For centuries, it remained asleep."

Rimuru rested his elbows on his knees, eyes thoughtful. "But then... things began to change. The Cardinal World started shifting. I suggested to Varvatos that maybe—just maybe—it was time to act. To open the gates."

Varvatos nodded, a small smile on his lips. "So we held a festival. For the first time in recorded history, Nyvaris opened its doors to the world."

Carrera raised an eyebrow. "You threw a festival… and invited the world?"

Rimuru grinned. "Hey, if you're going to make a statement, make it big."

Ultima tilted her head. "And… how did it go?"

Diablo folded his hands behind his back. "It was a masterpiece. Representatives from across the Cardinal World arrived. The reactions? Reverence. Curiosity. Envy. Awe."

Varvatos continued, his voice turning serious. "And the aftermath was clear. Nations—rivals, allies, even long-isolated regions—are now seeking ties. They want alliances. Trade. Cultural exchanges. Protection. Some even wish to relocate part of their population under Nyvaris' wing."

Testarossa, silent for a moment, finally whispered, "So the city will no longer be hidden…"

"Correct," Velzard said gently. "Nyvaris will no longer be a myth."

Varvatos leaned forward, his gaze intense yet kind. "The people of Nyvaris voted. They chose to move forward. And with that… we chose a King."

He turned his gaze to Rimuru, whose eyes widened slightly, even now still humbled by the decision.

"We chose Rimuru to be the king," Varvatos said. "He is the new King of Nyvaris."

The Primordials looked at Rimuru in stunned silence. He smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah… it's still sinking in," Rimuru admitted.

Ultima blinked. "Wait, you're not joking?"

Testarossa looked at him with fresh eyes. "You're really…?"

Diablo stepped forward. "There is no one more suited. Rimuru sama has always carried the will of progress. Of unity. And he has the strength to enforce peace without falling to tyranny."

Carrera snorted. "And I thought this was just another pretty kingdom. Guess I misjudged things."

Varvatos chuckled. "Now that the doors are open, we need more than a face. We need a system. Diplomatic arms. Economic policy. Cultural integration. Defense strategies. Schools. Libraries. Training grounds. Parks. Families."

He gestured out the window again, where beyond the gardens, dozens of new buildings were being raised by teams of humans, ogres, and sorcerers.

"Nyvaris is evolving," Velzard added. "We're building more than a city. We're building a model for the world."

Varvatos turned his attention directly to the Primordials now. His tone grew more pointed, but never harsh.

"Diablo vouched for you three. He believes you're more than just powerful assets—he believes you are capable of becoming leaders. And I agree."

Testarossa straightened. "What exactly are you asking of us?"

Rimuru stepped in here. "I want you three to help govern. Not rule through fear or dominance—but by example. I'll be the King, yes. But I can't do this alone. We're forming new departments. Defense, diplomacy, education, infrastructure. Each one needs strong, capable people—people I can trust."

Ultima tapped her chin. "So… what do you want from each of us, specifically?"

Velzard smiled. "That depends on your strengths—and your interests."

Rimuru pointed toward them one by one.

"Testarossa, your strategic mind is brilliant. I want you in charge of external diplomacy and internal law. You'll build the foreign relations department—and draft the legal code of Nyvaris."

Testarossa's red eyes widened, then narrowed thoughtfully. "You want me… to be the voice of Nyvaris to the world?"

"Exactly," Rimuru nodded. "With your charisma and discipline, you'll be perfect."

He turned to Carrera. "You're a battle freak. So you'll love this—I want you as our new Marshal. Not just to lead the military, but to train it. We're forming new elite units, and I want you to build the doctrines from the ground up."

Carrera grinned. "Now that's more like it."

Finally, Rimuru looked at Ultima. "You've always had an eye for knowledge and a love of experimenting. You're going to oversee education and research. Magic institutes. Scientific development. Libraries. Even youth training programs."

Ultima blinked. "Me? Teaching?" She laughed, then smirked. "Alright. I'm in."

Varvatos smiled. "Your new titles, your new responsibilities—those will come. But today marks something greater. The day you stop being remnants of the past… and become architects of the future."

Silence fell for a long moment.

And then, slowly, one by one, the Primordials stood.

Testarossa stepped forward and bowed. "Then allow me to serve—faithfully, and with purpose."

Carrera cracked her knuckles. "This is gonna be fun. You've got yourself a Marshal."

Ultima gave a half-smile. "Fine. I'll turn this city into a beacon of magic and intellect."

Rimuru nodded. "Good. Then let's get to work."

Velzard raised her cup gently. "To the birth of the new Nyvaris."

They all raised their tea in unison.

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