The stars over Nyvaris glittered like scattered diamonds, their light reflecting off the pristine spires of the city. Deep within the royal citadel, the grand banquet hall was alive with music, warmth, and laughter. Golden chandeliers swayed gently above, casting a soft glow on long polished tables adorned with ornate dishes and fragrant food, freshly prepared by Shuna and the finest chefs in Nyvaris.
The occasion was a rare and joyous one—an official banquet to welcome Testarossa, Ultima, and Carrera into the ranks of Nyvaris.
Elmesia had just returned from Sarion, her silver gown catching the moonlight. The Queen of Elves glided into the garden, her eyes curious and alert.
Inside, everyone was already gathered.
Rimuru sat near the head of the long banquet table, relaxed and smiling. On one side of him sat Shizu, her soft expression tinged with nostalgia as she watched everyone laugh and chatter. On his other side, Shuna gracefully served dishes, her eyes glowing with excitement. Benimaru, regal as ever, held a wine glass but hadn't touched it yet, watching everything with a strategist's calm. Souei stood quietly nearby, always the shadow on the edge of action. Shion was polishing off a plate of grilled wyvern ribs, chatting loudly with Gobta, who was halfway into telling one of his "epic survival" stories.
Varvatos' elite generals. Though technically they were not Rimuru's subordinates, the respect they held for him was clear in their attentive glances and courteous mannerisms.
As if on cue, the grand doors to the banquet hall opened slowly, revealing three striking figures. A hush fell over the room.
Testarossa led the trio, her silver hair cascading elegantly, her crimson eyes calm and composed. Ultima followed with a mischievous glint in her violet eyes, her stride almost playful. Carrera trailed with confident swagger, her golden locks glinting under the chandelier light. Their formal attire shimmered with magical threads, and their auras—though carefully concealed—sent subtle ripples through the room.
Rimuru stood, his voice warm and clear. "Everyone, allow me to introduce the newest members of Nyvaris. These three will be working closely with us going forward—Testarossa, Ultima, and Carrera."
The room was silent for a beat—then a wave of surprised murmurs passed through the generals.
Elmesia blinked, visibly stunned. "They're even more beautiful—and terrifying—in person."
Benimaru leaned toward Shion. "I'm guessing those rumors weren't exaggerations."
Shion narrowed her eyes. "I can't place it, but there's something... ancient about them."
Hakurou, ever the wise observer, nodded slightly. "Their presence... it's like staring into a storm that's calm only because it chooses to be."
Ranga, curled near Rigur, let out a low but friendly growl. "They don't smell hostile."
Souei remained silent, studying them sharply, while Diablo—his usual smirk in place—watched his sisters with quiet pride.
Carrera plopped herself into a chair with a wide grin. "Relax, everyone! We don't bite. Unless you're into that sort of thing." She winked at Gobta, who immediately turned red and nearly choked on his drink.
Ultima took the seat beside Shuna, offering a pleasant smile. "You're the one who made this food? I can feel the magic in it. It's absolutely delicious."
Testarossa, poised beside Hakurou and Benimaru, gave a soft nod. "Thank you all for welcoming us. We look forward to contributing to Nyvaris."
Still, the tension lingered until Rimuru broke it.
"Oh, by the way," Rimuru said, casually sipping his drink. "They're primordial demons. Just like Diablo."
The entire room froze.
Gobta dropped his chopsticks.
Benimaru's eyes widened. "Wait. You're saying all three of them?"
Shion looked between them and Rimuru. "Seriously?!"
Souei finally spoke. "I thought Diablo was an anomaly… but you brought three more?"
Rimuru chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yup. But don't worry—they're on our side."
Elmesia exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I knew this was part of your plan, darling, but seeing them face to face is… different."
Varvatos merely smiled. "Nyvaris needs the best. And soon, when we open our gates to the world, these three will help maintain peace and order."
Benimaru recovered first. "Well, I can't say I'm not glad. With power like that on our side, Nyvaris will be stronger than ever."
Gobta raised a hand. "Hey, as long as none of them blew up a dimension before, we're good."
Carrera raised an eyebrow, amused. "We never blew up a dimension."
Ultima nodded solemnly. "Not entirely."
The room erupted in laughter.
After the laughter died down, Veldora tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at Rimuru.
"You've changed, Rimuru. You feel… different. Stronger. Way stronger."
The others turned to Rimuru, who touched his head and chuckled awkwardly.
"I guess I should explain," Rimuru said. "Thanks to Varvatos, I've evolved. I'm now the first-ever Draconis Nostra—a new species that combines the power of a true dragon and a slime."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Elmesia turned to Varvatos, eyes wide. "What have you done, darling?"
Varvatos grinned, arms crossed. "I created a new species. Rimuru is going to be the King of Nyvaris. He must have power that lives up to the kingdom's name."
Shion smirked. "So that's why your aura's been driving me crazy lately."
Benimaru folded his arms. "I thought it was just me."
Souei nodded. "I sensed it too. But to become something new... impressive."
Veldora slapped the table. "Then we need to spar! Rimuru! Let's test this power!"
Rimuru raised both hands. "Maybe later. I'm still digesting that draconic transformation."
Velzard, who had been quietly watching from her seat across the room, spoke up with a knowing smile. "You'll be surprised, Veldora."
As the night wore on, drinks were poured freely, stories shared, and laughter filled the hall. Gobta regaled everyone with tales of his supposed heroism—battles against beasts twice his size, treasure hunts in cursed ruins, and a flirtation with a princess that clearly never happened.
Ultima was fascinated. "So… you defeated a whole hydra with a frying pan?"
Gobta puffed his chest. "Of course! It was enchanted!"
Benimaru rolled his eyes. "He tripped and knocked it out by accident. I was there."
Carrera roared with laughter. "I like him."
Shuna and Testarossa exchanged recipe ideas, quickly bonding over presentation styles and magical flavor enhancement techniques.
Shizu leaned closer to Rimuru. "You've come so far, Rimuru. It feels like only yesterday that veldora brought you in."
Rimuru nodded, smiling warmly. "I wouldn't be here without you."
Even Diablo had a rare moment of sincerity. "It's good to see the primordials finally join a cause worthy of our strength."
Rimuru turned slightly, his golden eyes landing gently on Shizu, who sat beside him in quiet contentment, a soft smile playing on her lips as she sipped tea. He stared at her for a moment, the past dancing in his mind—her request, her legacy, and the children she had entrusted to him.
Then, with a sudden warmth in his tone, he said, "Shizu… I haven't forgotten. About the kids. I have a plan."
Shizu looked at him, her eyes widening slightly in surprise and anticipation. "You… you really didn't forget?"
Before Rimuru could continue, Varvatos leaned forward with a grin and clapped his hands once, drawing all attention. "Ah, those children you're speaking of! Yes, quite special indeed. But Rimuru, he winked. "So I decided to handle it myself."
Then, with the most casual gesture imaginable, Varvatos snapped his fingers.
A golden ripple of divine energy shimmered across the air like sunlight dancing on water.
Suddenly—whoosh!—in a flash of warm light, five young figures appeared in the middle of the hall. Chloe, Kenya, Alice, Gale, and Ryota stood frozen, their eyes wide in confusion and shock.
The music had stopped. The laughter paused.
Plates clattered quietly as all heads turned toward the kids.
The five children looked around, completely bewildered. One moment they were in their room in Englassia, the next… here.
"Where are we?!" Kenya shouted, instantly putting his arms in front of Chloe protectively.
"W-What is this place?!" Alice clung to Ryota's arm.
And then—like the spark of lightning cracking through a dark sky—their eyes locked onto one figure.
"Shizu-sensei!!!" all five shouted in unison, their voices breaking into sobs of recognition and joy.
Shizu gasped, tears bursting from her eyes as she leapt from her seat. "KIDS!!!"
She ran forward, falling to her knees and pulling them all into her arms as the kids crowded her with sobs, laughter, and desperate hugs. "You're all safe… all of you…" she whispered, voice trembling as she held them tight.
The entire banquet was frozen in awe.
Gobta dropped his chicken skewer. "Wha…what just happened?"
Souei blinked once, then leaned slightly toward Benimaru. "Did Lord Varvatos just summon them… out of thin air?"
Benimaru looked equally stunned. "He rewrote reality… in the middle of dinner."
Rimuru stood up slowly, looking at Varvatos, a stunned smile pulling at his lips. "Varvatos… what did you… how did you…?"
Velzard, her tone both amused and stern, narrowed her eyes at her husband. "Darling. You just plucked children from another country and dropped them into our dining hall?"
"Won't the people of Englassia notice?" Shion added, eyebrow twitching, hand halfway to her sword out of reflex.
Elmesia also jumping in "Yes darling, what just happened?"
Varvatos waved her off with a carefree chuckle. "Relax, relax. I didn't just teleport them here. I adjusted Englassia's timeline—reality itself was rewritten. In their memories and records, those children never existed."
"WHAT?" Shuna's teacup shattered in her hand. "You rewrote reality?!"
Carrera, mid-drink, coughed violently. "K-KOFF!"
Testarossa leaned forward, crimson eyes wide, her voice a near-whisper. "So this is why Lord Rimuru said he's the Supreme One…"
Ultima, clutching her wine glass tightly, nodded. "He bends reality like it's clay…"
Even Diablo had gone momentarily speechless, nodding in deep reverence. "As expected of Lord Varvatos…"
Meanwhile, the generals looked equally impressed and slightly unsettled.
Hakuro gave a slow, approving nod. "His power is vast. To rewrite history as if breathing…"
Rigur whispered, "this…"
Shizu was still crying, laughing softly as she looked at the children, inspecting their faces. "You've all grown so much…"
Chloe wiped her eyes. "Shizu-sensei… I had dreams about you… all the time…"
Alice added, "We missed you so much…"
Rimuru placed a hand over his heart, watching the reunion. He looked toward Varvatos. "You really went and did it… Thank you."
Varvatos grinned. "Like I said, Rimuru. If you're going to be king of Nyvaris, you need more than power. You need people worth fighting for. This reunion is a symbol of that."
The kids were now introduced to everyone properly. They looked around in wonder at the massive banquet hall, at the strange but smiling faces—Veldora, who greeted them with a loud "HOHOHO! More youngsters!", Benimaru who gave them a polite nod, Shuna who offered them napkins and sweet buns, and Shion who flexed a bit too hard trying to look cool.
Gobta ran over excitedly. "Hey hey! You kids eat meat? You ever tried grilled wyvern?!"
Kenya blinked. "What?"
Ranga curled up near Chloe, who gave him head pats without hesitation. "A talking dog?!" Ryota yelped.
"I'm a Direfang!" Ranga corrected proudly.
The banquet resumed with renewed energy. Laughter returned, louder than before. Conversations flowed, the clinking of cups and plates mixed with stories old and new.
The Primordials, now seated among them—Testarossa between Souei and Benimaru, Ultima near Shuna, and Carrera beside Gobta—watched the scene unfold. For once, they weren't feared, but welcomed. Even the children didn't sense any fear from them—only curiosity.
Carrera leaned in to Testarossa. "You know, this… this is kind of nice."
Ultima added, "I never imagined being part of something like this."
Testarossa smiled softly. "Maybe… we finally found the right place."
The night continued under the glowing chandeliers of Nyvaris, filled with joy, love, and new beginnings.
And Rimuru, now Draconis Nostra—the first of his kind—sat beside Shizu, the woman whose dying wish had guided him here, watching her laugh with the children she loved so deeply.
He looked around at everyone: the Primordials, the generals, Varvatos and Velzard, his allies, his family.
This, he thought, is what I was meant to protect.