As the summit's first day closed, the skies above Nyvaris bloomed into twilight lavender. Magic lanterns floated into the sky like soft, radiant jellyfish, casting a surreal glow over the Crystal Gardens of Elenthera, the chosen venue for the evening banquet.
The gardens were alive—literally. Bioluminescent vines curled around golden statues, fountains shimmered with enchanted moonwater, and every flower bloomed in rhythm with a subtle melody in the air. A colossal transparent dome covered the area, showing a perfect view of the stars above while preserving the gentle warmth of spring.
Long arched tables—made from fused aetherwood and glass—glowed faintly with swirling runes. They were set with a feast prepared by Shuna herself, with contributions from Filtwood's forest beasts, Raja's sea delicacies, and Siltrosso's alchemical delicacies.
With a ripple of thunderous fanfare, King Gazel Dwargo arrived, flanked by elite dwarven guards and wearing regal armor embedded with sapphire stones. His gaze scanned the venue, clearly impressed.
Gazel (chuckling):
"By the Forge... Varvatos, Rimuru, I didn't imagine this."
Rimuru greeted him with a grin.
Rimuru:
"And you're fashionably late, as always."
Gazel:
"Only because I had to drag along five new merchants demanding permits to set up shops here!"
They laughed, and behind them Velzard made her entrance with majestic calm, dressed in a glacial-white gown laced with shards of living frost. She glided beside Elmesia, whose golden hair was braided into a crown of light.
Elmesia (smiling):
"You're drawing in half the world, Rimuru. I expect school applications from all twelve human nations by next week."
Velzard (coolly):
"And draconic lords sending emissaries too. They want to understand how a mortal city can command so much divine respect."
"We can zone a section of the southern tier for your lumber and beast-trade network. But we'll need joint patrol teams—too many merchants trying to sneak in without proper documentation."
Lord Doral:
"Agreed. We can train squads to work with your Sentinels. Also, we're hoping to lease three forested zones in Nyvaris' north for rare beast taming."
Benimaru:
"Let's make it two. The third is a habitat reserve. But I'll introduce you to Madox—he leads our Wildlife Preservation Command."
They sipped sea-salt champagne while lounging under a tree whose leaves rang like wind chimes.
Marina:
"I want our artists to collaborate. This city deserves an opera. A real one."
Shuna:
"Then we'll build an amphitheater on the western cliffs. Let's start with a seasonal cultural exchange. You send five artists, we send five."
Raja Minister:
"We also hope to establish seasonal markets—tourism is surging already. Your festival footage reached even our outer atolls."
Shuna (smiling):
"Good. We're planning guided tours, underwater caverns, sky-rail observatories. Let's make Nyvaris a wonder."
Souei, Archsage Amarineth & Siltrosso's Security Envoys
They stood quietly by a floating silver pond that reflected memories instead of reflections.
Souei:
"We're introducing layered visa tiers. Diplomatic, Trade-Class, Academic, and Tourist. But we'll need rune-verification."
Amarineth (nodding):
"We'll help encode them into personal soul-locks. Undetectable, unforgeable. And I'd like to sponsor a magic ethics school branch here."
Souei:
"We welcome it. And you'll find no shortage of gifted minds in Nyvaris."
Elmesia:
"I propose a universal academy—students from every alliance nation. Call it the Lumen Institute. All disciplines: science, magic, philosophy, art."
Velzard:
"Let it be built within the Silver Veins of Nyvaris. I'll personally bless the mountain range."
Education Minister of Filtwood:
"We'll offer instructors from our druidic lineages. Our best."
Rimuru (joining them):
"Then we begin construction in two weeks. First semester opens next year."
The grand banquet was a harmony of culture, culinary mastery, and political subtlety.
Filtwood's envoy marveled at the gentle integration of nature and infrastructure.
Siltrosso's high-mages were fascinated by the soul-reactive architecture.
Raja's sea envoys dipped their hands in the floating water orbs, enchanted with oxygen-rich bubbles that let them sing beneath the surface.
Queen Elmesia, sipping twilight nectar with Velzard, spoke in hushed tones with Rimuru.
Elmesia:
"When you were first named king by Varvatos, I had my doubts. But this… this city is no illusion. You've nurtured something more than an empire."
Rimuru:
"I'm only keeping the promise I made—to protect, to unify, and to ensure that power is never abused again."
Velzard (smiling faintly):
"And he's doing it well so far. You've earned your throne."
Benimaru:
"Your soldiers want to train in the mountain passes? We'll set up mock-battle arenas. But no flying beasts—those hills are protected."
Filtwood General:
"Agreed. In exchange, we'll help reinforce your frontier guard towers. Trade routes will need full coverage."
Shuna:
"We've just finalized the land lease policy. Tourism and vacation zoning will open next month."
As desserts of astral fruit and cloud-petal cream were served, the subject turned to the future.
Velzard:
"We've already received over eight hundred foreign requests for land leasing."
Rimuru:
"We'll prioritize cultural, educational, and medical establishments. Recreational and economic ventures will need screening."
Gazel:
"What about education? I hear Queen Elmesia has a plan?"
Elmesia:
"Yes. The Lumen Institute—Nyvaris' inter-realm university—will host the best minds and talents. All races. All walks of life."
Varvatos, finally speaking again, raised a hand and the air seemed to vibrate.
Varvatos:
"Let this be the place where gods and mortals study together. Where knowledge defies war. Where purpose outweighs pride."
Silence followed. Then applause.
Souei:
"We intercepted encoded messages from rogue agents trying to cross through the Mistral Line. Some are using mimicry spells—others hide within caravans."
Amarineth of Siltrosso adjusted her monocle, eyes narrowing.
Amarineth:
"This proves my earlier warning. There's an entire shadow network that could be probing for weak spots in Nyvaris' defenses."
Erald Grimwald:
"With so many nations converging, this summit is the perfect stage for someone to slip through."
Velzard, standing nearby with arms crossed, was about to speak—when the wind itself paused.
Reality bent.
A divine pulse shimmered through the air.
Varvatos had turned. He had been quietly sipping from a crystalline chalice beneath the marble archway. Now, his voice rang like the chords of a celestial harp—calm, but absolute.
Varvatos:
"You speak of spies and invaders as though they can walk freely beneath my gaze."
The air shifted. The garden's torches flickered blue. The world held its breath.
Everyone turned.
Varvatos walked forward, each step echoing like thunder in the minds of those present. Stars pulsed faintly in his pupils as he looked toward the gathering.
Varvatos:
"Nyvaris is not like the mortal cities of old. I did not simply build towers and roads—I embedded my will into the very fabric of this kingdom."
He extended his hand, and the skies above parted just enough to reveal a vast sigil circling the city like a galactic ring. A celestial barrier—alive, conscious, and vigilant.
Varvatos:
"The Judgment Ward surrounding Nyvaris filters all intent. Anyone who carries malevolence, treachery, or ambition forged in chaos will find themselves... repelled. Or worse."
A ripple passed through the delegates—some in awe, others visibly unnerved.
Rimuru, smiling knowingly, added gently:
"It's why our guards never stop strangers at the gates. The barrier already knows whether to allow passage or not."
Velzard, now smirking slightly:
"You'd be amazed how many attempted assassins found themselves turned to mist five paces from the outer veil."
Marina, eyes wide:
"So… you're telling me no one can sneak into Nyvaris?"
Varvatos:
"Not without my permission."
He turned toward Souei, his voice quieter—but it carried more weight than any shout.
Varvatos:
"Let the world plan. Let the shadows gather. Nyvaris is not merely protected—it is watched. At all times."
Elmesia, placing a hand on her chest, exhaled slowly.
Elmesia:
"So that's the true face of the capital you've built... Not just a paradise—but a living will of order."
Amarineth, somewhat pale, bowed low.
Amarineth:
"Then forgive our worries. Clearly, we are far beneath such defenses."
Varvatos (smiling faintly):
"Your concerns are not unwelcome. But remember this: I built this realm so the innocent may sleep unafraid, and so that the wicked may never awaken again."
A moment of silence followed—then applause. Not out of formality—but reverence.
The music picked up once more. Plates refilled. Goblets raised. The evening resumed—lighter, somehow—as if everyone could now breathe easier knowing they dined under the eyes of a god.