The last rays of light from the fireworks faded gently into the night sky. The celebration had come to its natural close, but Nyvaris still shimmered with a warm, magical glow. People wandered the glowing streets with soft smiles and bittersweet hearts, not wanting to leave.
Families from Filtwood took slow walks by the floating gardens. Adventurers from Siltrosso took pictures near the enchanted statues that danced at dusk. Even nobles from Sarion and Dwargon lingered a little longer in the Courtyard of Flavors, quietly sipping sweet sparkling fruit wine, hoping time would slow.
Elderly Dwarf from Dwargon:
"Aye… I've seen many wonders in my day. But this… this was beyond any dream."
Young Sarion mage (holding hands with her little brother):
"Do we really have to go?"
Rimuru (smiling as he stood at the city gates, waving goodbye to a group):
"Don't worry… you'll always be welcome in Nyvaris."
Though the festival ended, its impact lingered. Within days, leaders from many kingdoms began reaching out to Nyvaris. Countries that once stayed neutral or distant now wanted to form official alliances. Letters poured in from distant islands, snowy mountain kingdoms, and floating sky cities—all declaring friendship, admiration, and respect.
Later that night, the stars above Nyvaris shimmered brighter than ever. At the peak of the Grand Tower of Radiance, a massive round table was prepared beneath a starlit dome. It was a private banquet—a gathering of those who had shaped the fate of the world.
Varvatos sat at the head of the table, calm and regal. On either side of him sat Velzard and Elmesia, both gently leaning into him, warmth and pride in their eyes.
To his right were Rimuru, Diablo, Veldora, Testarossa, Ultima, Carrera, Shion, Shuna, Hakuro, Gobta, Rigur, and Ranga.
To his left sat Guy Crimson, Milim Nava, Draguel, Leon Cromwell, Shizu, Luminous Valentine, Carrion, Clayman, Frey, and the ever-relaxed Dino.
Golden trays of food floated gently in the air. Magical torches flickered above them, casting soft light across their faces as laughter, clinking glasses, and sizzling food filled the air.
Gobta (with food stuffed in his mouth):
"I can't believe I got to ride that magic coaster five times!"
Shion (laughing):
"You cried three times."
Gobta (blushing):
"No I didn't! That was wind in my eyes!"
Shuna (softly):
"The mochi stand was lovely. Rimuru-sama, thank you for including so many dishes."
Rimuru (grinning):
"Hey, I promised last time I'd make it bigger and better. Looks like it worked."
They all laughed.
Then Guy, swirling his wine glass, turned slightly serious.
Guy Crimson:
"So, Varvatos… there's something I've been meaning to ask you."
The room quieted slightly, all eyes turning to the legendary being at the head of the table.
Guy (eyes narrowed but curious):
"You've changed. Even I can tell. You feel… different. Heavier. Greater. And those orbs floating around you…"
Everyone looked.
Indeed, around Varvatos were six glowing orbs—each a different color, slowly rotating in a soft circle behind him, like planets around a sun. Each one pulsed with energy so vast it was almost impossible to look directly at them.
Milim (eyes wide):
"Woahhh! I thought those were decorations! Are they magic bombs or something?!"
Leon (serious):
"No… those are something else. I can feel it in my core. They're… alive."
Veldora (pointing, squinting):
"Yeah, I noticed earlier, but I didn't wanna ask. I thought it was, like… a fashion thing?"
Varvatos chuckled softly, his voice calm but strong—like waves crashing on the shore of infinity.
Varvatos:
"You're not wrong to sense something. These orbs… are universes. Six of them."
Silence. Pure, stunned silence.
Even the sound of the wind outside seemed to pause.
Shizu (gently):
"Wait… universes? Like… entire worlds?"
Varvatos (nodding):
"Yes. This world we are in now, this universe, is one. I am its God. But after the fall of Noctis Nihilo, something awakened. The other six… they're not just visions. They are real. And they're waiting to be born."
Elmesia (softly, in awe):
"You're the god… of seven universes…"
Velzard (smiling, voice proud):
"He is more than he once was. He's becoming who he was always meant to be."
Clayman (shaking slightly):
"That's… that's beyond anything I've ever heard about."
Diablo (bowing his head):
"Such majesty…."
Rimuru (looking up, wide-eyed):
"So what happens now, Varvatos? What will you do with those universes?"
Varvatos leaned back in his seat, his hands folded, the orbs still rotating gently behind him.
Varvatos:
"Each one holds the potential for life. Stories. Civilizations. Love. Struggle. I will not rush them into existence. I will shape them—each unique, each with its own balance and heart. But before that…"
He looked around the table, his eyes glowing softly with divine light.
Varvatos:
"…I want to enjoy this world. Our world. Together. With all of you."
The group sat in stunned awe, not in fear—but in wonder. They had fought beside Varvatos. They had seen him love, protect, bleed, and rise. Now they sat beside a god—not distant or cold, but their friend.
And for the first time in centuries, the rulers of the world felt peace.
Draguel (raising his glass):
"To a new era."
Rimuru (smiling):
"To friendship."
Milim (grinning):
"To more parties!"
They laughed again, and the night stretched long into starlight and dreams.
Their faces, once alight with playful joy, had shifted into solemn awe and deep curiosity.
Rimuru (leaning forward, eyes sparkling with wonder):
"So… what kind of universes are you going to make? Will they be like this one? Or… something else?"
Milim (cheeks puffed from dessert):
"Yeah! Will they all have Demon Lords like us? Or dragons?! Can I name one? Call it… Milimverse!"
Everyone chuckled, but the question hung in the air.
Guy (arms crossed, serious):
"Don't dodge the question, old friend. What kind of civilizations will these new universes hold? What kind of rules will govern them?"
Varvatos closed his eyes briefly. The six orbs circling behind him pulsed gently, like hearts of creation beating in rhythm with his thoughts.
He opened his eyes, and they shimmered like stardust.
Varvatos:
"Let me explain this first…"
He stood slowly, lifting a hand. With a soft hum, the ceiling of the tower faded into a shimmering veil of stars—a live projection of the cosmos. Galaxies spun, lights danced. And then, with a wave of his hand, one massive cluster glowed brighter.
Varvatos (calm, deep voice):
"This is our universe. The one you call home. The Cardinal World is only one of the many worlds within it."
Suddenly, golden threads branched out from the cluster—countless lines webbing outward, each connecting to a bright point.
Varvatos:
"Millions of worlds. Some thriving with technology that makes even this world look like toys. Others, ruled by beings of pure thought. Some live in oceans of fire. Some, in endless winter. Others… still waiting for life to begin."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Leon (softly):
"…We always believed we were the center. That the Cardinal World was the peak of creation."
Varvatos (smiling gently):
"You were never the only story. Just one of many… yet one that matters deeply to me."
Diablo (deep in thought):
"Then… the six orbs... each one will become a universe like this?"
Varvatos:
"Yes. Each one a full universe. Vast. Endless. Alive. Each will contain millions of worlds. But none will be copies of this one. Each will be different—shaped by the flow of energy I pour into it, but not dictated by my will."
Shuna (whispering):
"You're going to let them… evolve on their own?"
Varvatos (nodding):
"Exactly. I will create the laws that govern space and time, light and gravity, spirit and substance… but I will not interfere with how life grows. Just like here, in this universe."
Varvatos:
"The best worlds are not the ones controlled by gods. They are the ones where people choose who they become."
A soft silence followed. Shizu smiled faintly. Veldora nodded solemnly. Even Guy seemed to relax a bit, sitting back in his chair.
Draguel:
"So in these universes… will there be Demon Lords? Gods? Heroes?"
Varvatos:
"Maybe. Maybe not. Some may have no magic at all. Some may be entirely spiritual. Some may birth beings greater than any of you."
Carrion (raising an eyebrow):
"And if one of them goes rogue? Becomes another Noctis Nihilo?"
Varvatos (eyes gleaming with light):
"Then, as always, creation will answer. Balance will find its way. Not through my hand, but through the courage of those who rise within it."
Milim (grinning):
"That's kind of awesome. It's like… every universe is a story waiting to be written!"
Luminous (nodding slowly):
"A thousand civilizations… gods, kings, commoners… each with their own destiny…"
Dino (half-asleep in his chair):
"Man, that's heavy... Can I nap in one of them?"
Everyone: "Dino!"
Laughter erupted again. But behind the smiles, their minds swirled with wonder.
Later, as the night stretched deep into the quiet of stars, most of the guests wandered to the balcony of the tower. The view of Nyvaris glowed below them—crystal rivers, floating gardens, lights drifting like petals.
The six orbs still circled behind Varvatos, but now they felt more… beautiful. Not intimidating. Not divine relics. But promises.
Rimuru (standing beside Varvatos):
"You're not just a god now… you're like a dreamer."
Varvatos (smiling):
"Aren't we all? The only difference is … I have the canvas."
He looked out into the horizon.
Varvatos:
"And tomorrow… I begin the first stroke."