Days After the Summit – The Ripple Effect....
Word spread like wildfire.
At first, it was whispers in the halls of merchant guilds and noble salons. Then came inked declarations, sealed by three crests: Raja, Filtwood, and Siltrosso—nations historically cautious and fiercely independent—had officially signed a pact of alliance and exchange with Nyvaris.
It wasn't just a trade deal.
It was a partnership of vision.
An agreement not only for resource flow, but for cultural exchange, technological collaboration, and even educational migration.
And at the heart of it was a city forged by the Supreme One himself—Varvatos—who built Nyvaris as a sanctuary of peace, progress, and balance. The one he entrusted to rule was not of royal blood, but of remarkable potential: the new King, Rimuru.
King Edmaris, dressed in his formal blue-and-gold regalia, tapped his ornate scepter lightly against the floor as he read the sealed scroll from Siltrosso.
Edmaris:
"So… they've made it official. Three kingdoms aligned with Nyvaris. Varvatos' city is drawing them like moths to divine flame."
His military advisor, General Calron, stepped forward.
General Calron:
"Should we consider sending a diplomatic envoy, sire?"
Edmaris (with a furrowed brow):
"Not yet. Not until we know more of this King Rimuru. The city's origins we know… but its ruler is still a mystery."
Luminous Valentine, Demon Lord and Empress of Light, sat upon her radiant throne, her long silver hair flowing like moonlight.
Hinata Sakaguchi, her loyal knight, bowed respectfully.
Hinata:
"The reports from Raja and Siltrosso are confirmed. Their alliance with Nyvaris is no rumor."
Luminous (softly, with a knowing smile):
"It's as expected. Varvatos built Nyvaris. Of course it would flourish. I felt Varvatos power, you do not want to mess with him."
Hinata:
"And Rimuru?"
Luminous:
"A curious one. He is not yet known to the world… but the trust Varvatos placed in him speaks volumes. Keep your ears open on him, Hinata."
Emperor Rudra, the legendary tactician and sovereign of the East, stood before a map of the continent, hands clasped behind his back.
By his side, the crimson-haired dragon in human form, Velgrynd, observed him.
Rudra:
"Three nations now walk beside Nyvaris. It won't be long before more follow."
Velgrynd:
"You admire Varvatos… yet even you didn't expect this much movement, this fast."
Rudra:
"Varvatos is order given form. He doesn't seek dominion. He breathes stability into chaos. The world listens to that."
Velgrynd (smiling):
"Shall we make contact?"
Rudra:
"Not yet. But prepare a respectful offering. We must honor him properly when the time comes."
The Grand Chamber of Ingrassa
The large oval table was filled with nobles, guild masters, and political envoys. At the center, presiding over the meeting, stood Grandbell Ross, leader of the Ross family and head of the Western Council.
A former noble of Siltrosso, Grandbell's voice carried weight.
Grandbell:
"I lived in Siltrosso for decades. I know the weight of their decision. If they've allied with Nyvaris, it's not born of fantasy."
Countess Florielle:
"Nyvaris is becoming a hub. We risk falling behind if we stay idle."
Grandbell:
"And we risk much more if we approach it unprepared. Study the city. Learn the players. Then we move."
In the halls of white marble and sapphire glass, King Sauzer Coleus sat beside a glowing fireplace, sipping chilled nectar.
Sauzer:
"The desert blooms… and the flowers whisper 'Nyvaris' now."
His advisor nodded.
Advisor:
"Shall I dispatch envoys?"
Sauzer:
"Soon. But not from the crown. From the merchants. Let them build the bridge first."
Carrion, clad in his usual sleeveless robe and tiger-pelt mantle, scratched his chin with interest.
Carrion:
"Filtwood and Raja don't trust easily. If they've opened doors to Nyvaris, then Varvatos has earned their loyalty."
Yomal, the Lion Claw Captain:
"You witnessed first hand Varvatos power didn't you?"
Carrion:
"Aye. And he is the definition of power."
Leon Cromwell, the Demon Lord and sovereign of Eldorado, stared at the city reports, arms folded.
Leon:
"So Rimuru has begun to act."
Elphina, his protégé:
"Do we respond?"
Leon:
"Not yet. But I'll make my way there. As Demon Lord, and as witness."
The atmosphere in Nyvaris was vibrant. Caravans arrived daily. Scholars, traders, nobles, and adventurers flooded the newly opened embassy halls.
In the central hall, Varvatos stood beside Velzard and Elmesia. Below them, Rimuru, Benimaru, and Diablo coordinated the new influx.
Velzard:
"The world is waking up to your vision, my love."
Varvatos (calmly):
"It is not my vision they seek. It is peace… and meaning. We simply gave it a place to grow."
Rimuru:
"We're getting reports of nobles wanting land leases, merchant guilds setting up branches, and even academies requesting teaching licenses."
Diablo (grinning):
"And still not a single spy has entered. The barrier sees through every deception."
Varvatos turned to face them all, his voice calm yet absolute:
Varvatos:
"Let them come. Let them witness. The Barrier of Nyvaris judges all who draw near. No evil shall step within its light."
A new chapter was beginning.
And Nyvaris stood as its radiant centerpiece.
A dimly lit chamber in the Free Guild's top-secret hideout buzzed with an unusual mixture of tension and intrigue. The round stone table at the center glowed faintly with magic inscriptions that ensured privacy, and gathered around it were the core of the Harlequin Moderate Alliance: Yuuki Kagurazaka, the enigmatic and ever-smiling leader of both the Alliance and the Free Guild; Kigali, the ever-calm former Demon Lord cloaked in mystery; Laplace, the eccentric and unpredictable jester; Footman, the oversized brute wearing a twisted grin; and Tear, the cold and graceful killer dressed in melancholy.
Yuuki leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled before him, eyes gleaming with thought. "So... Varvatos has named a successor. Nyvaris has a new king. Rimuru. Never heard of him."
Kigali's eyes narrowed. "Neither have I. No movements in the dark underworld, no whispers, no tracks. It's like he just appeared out of nowhere. Which is impossible… unless someone like Varvatos pulled him out of obscurity."
Laplace twirled his hat, smirking. "Well, now, ain't that the spicy part? Ol' Clayman told me some tales after that big festival in Nyvaris. Said the Demon Lords stayed behind after the festivities to take on a thing called the Labyrinth. Guess what? They got crushed. I mean brutalized. Even Guy Crimson only made it to floor twenty. He called it quits. And when Guy quits, you know it's serious."
Footman's grin widened, but not in joy. "Heh... If even Guy couldn't clear it, then that means this Rimuru fella has either some insane backup... or he's hiding something deeper."
Yuuki's voice turned sharp. "Exactly. And now look. Raja, Filtwood, Siltrosso—and Dwargon—they've all formed alliances with Nyvaris. They're starting to build something... maybe even something to rival the Western Council or the Empire."
Tear's cold voice cut in. "You're forgetting the barrier."
All eyes turned to her.
She continued with her usual detached tone, "That barrier around Nyvaris... It's not just some magical dome. It's judgment incarnate. If you bear ill will or criminal intent, the barrier repels you. And if you get in by chance, the city itself will not let you act. The streets, the walls, the trees—everything is alive. Watching. Judging. There is no room for darkness there."
Footman chuckled, though unease lingered in his tone. "It's like the whole place is a living sentry. You blink wrong, and you're gone. Not even spies can sneak in. It's worse than Ruberios."
Yuuki tapped the table with a finger, deep in thought. "So, infiltration is impossible. Manipulation, unlikely. Which means if we want to reach Rimuru, it'll have to be through open diplomacy. And I hate open diplomacy."
Kigali crossed her legs, her voice like silk soaked in venom. "We don't know him. We don't know his goals, or what Varvatos sees in him. But that's our angle. Everyone else is going to start kissing his feet. Let's not. Let's offer something real. The Guild can provide something that even Nyvaris lacks—global reach. Trade networks. Adventurers. Intelligence."
Laplace laughed. "Well, well, sugar, you makin' sense. But we gotta be careful. One wrong move, and those flowers they plant in Nyvaris might just strangle us in our sleep."
Yuuki stood. "Alright. Prepare an envoy. Not to ask for an alliance... but to offer something useful. Something that will make Rimuru want to see us again. Let's find out who this new king really is."
The room fell silent as the Harlequin leaders exchanged knowing looks. There was much to plan, much to consider. The game had changed.
And Nyvaris had become the board.