The Grand Tempest Festival

The morning sun shone brightly over Tempest, its rays reflecting off the towering buildings and the sprawling streets that were now alive with activity.

The once-quiet nation had transformed overnight into a vibrant hub of entertainment and festivity.

Merchants filled the streets, their colorful stalls brimming with exotic goods, rare magical trinkets, and fragrant foods.

The aroma of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and spiced wines drifted through the air, making the entire city feel like a feast.

As the festival commenced, dignitaries from all over the Cardinal World began to arrive.

The first to enter Tempest's grand gates was King Gazel Dwargo, accompanied by his elite Pegasus Knights.

His golden armor gleamed under the sun, and his scarlet cape billowed behind him as he rode his majestic steed.

"Tempest never fails to surprise me," Gazel muttered, glancing around at the sheer scale of the event.

His steel-gray eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the massive crowds and the technological marvels Rimuru had introduced.

Walking beside him was Dolph, his trusted general, who grinned slightly.

"Heh… to think Rimuru would gather so many people this quickly," Dolph mused.

"And now he's holding a tournament. Truly, Tempest is a force to be reckoned with."

Following behind them were the representatives of Blumund, their carriages adorned with silk banners, and Youm king of Falmuth, who had come representing the new Falmuth.

Even Elmesia El-Ru Sarion, the Empress of Sarion, made a grand entrance, her golden robes shimmering as she gracefully descended from her royal carriage.

"So this is the fabled Tempest…" Elmesia murmured softly, her amber eyes gleaming with curiosity.

She glanced around at the majestic streets, the lively crowds, and the imposing labyrinth entrance in the distance.

"It's almost too perfect."

The centerpiece of the festival was the colossal arena, an architectural marvel designed by Rimuru himself.

The structure gleamed with polished marble and enchanted steel, its banners billowing in the breeze.

Thousands of eager spectators filled the stadium, their roars echoing across the city.

Above the arena, large projection screens—crafted with magical technology—hovered in the sky.

These arcane displays showed live feeds of the battles, allowing even those who couldn't enter the arena to witness the spectacle from the streets and plazas.

In the VIP section, the leaders of various nations took their seats.

King Gazel, Elmesia, and other rulers were escorted to their lavish thrones, each positioned for optimal viewing of the arena.

Gazel's sharp eyes scanned the arena, noticing the meticulous security Rimuru had put in place.

"Tight formation," he noted, glancing at the guards strategically positioned at the entrances and around the royal stands.

"Impressive as always, Rimuru."

Meanwhile, Elmesia elegantly crossed her legs, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I do hope they have some fine wine," she mused, smirking softly.

"I'd like to enjoy a drink while I watch some poor fool get pummeled."

The arena floor was filled with combatants from across the world.

Adventurers, knights, mercenaries, and even monsters had come to test their strength.

Hulking beastmen, swift elven archers, and heavily armored warriors stood in line, their weapons gleaming in the sun.

Among them were notable figures, including Albert, a swordsman known for his mastery of the blade, and Bacchus, a massive ogre with earth-shattering strength.

Whispers filled the crowd, rumors spreading like wildfire.

"Did you hear?" one man murmured to his companion.

"They say Demon Lord Rimuru himself is overseeing the event. And some of his generals will be participating!"

"Wait, what?!" the other man gasped, his eyes widening.

"I thought they were just spectating!"

Meanwhile, just beyond the horizon, Yuuya and Velzard finally arrived.

The two soared through the skies, their aura concealed to avoid attracting too much attention.

Yuuya glanced down, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the thriving city below.

"Looks like Rimuru's event is a success," he mused, his voice low and relaxed.

He turned toward Velzard, who flew gracefully beside him.

"You ready to make an entrance?" he asked, his lips curling into a smirk.

Velzard's icy eyes gleamed, and she gave him a playful glance.

"Hmm…" she purred softly, her voice low and sultry.

"You mean the kind that'll make everyone wet their pants in awe?"

Yuuya grinned, releasing a small pulse of energy, his Conqueror Sovereign aura briefly flaring around him.

The sky darkened slightly, the clouds swirling overhead.

A low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, though there was no storm in sight.

A thin veil of frost and shimmering ice particles began to cascade from Velzard's wings, creating a glistening icy trail as they descended.

The entire city froze in place.

The crowds turned their eyes upward, sensing the aura of supremacy washing over them.

Merchants stopped mid-bargain, adventurers paused their boasting, and even the nobles in the stands turned toward the skies.

"W-What's that?!" someone shouted, pointing at the sky.

"Is it… a monster attack?!" another yelled, their voice trembling with fear.

But Rimuru, who was standing with his generals in the royal stands, simply smirked.

"Nope…" he murmured with a small chuckle.

"That's just Yuuya being dramatic as usual."

In a dazzling display of power, Yuuya and Velzard landed in the center of the arena, their feet touching down gently.

The ground subtly rumbled, and frost spread outward in elegant patterns beneath Velzard's feet.

The entire crowd fell silent.

The leaders, fighters, and spectators all stared in awed disbelief.

Velzard's icy-blue eyes scanned the crowd with a cold, regal grace, while Yuuya's golden gaze glimmered with a sharp, confident intensity.

They looked like celestial beings, far beyond the comprehension of mortal men.

Elmesia, reclining in her royal chair, suddenly sat up straight, her eyes widening.

She slowly set her wine glass down.

"That's Yuuya…" she whispered softly.

Her lips parted slightly, her breath catching in her throat.

"And… Velzard?"

King Gazel's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching slightly.

"So he's finally here…" he muttered, his voice low and thoughtful.

Rimuru raised his hand, silencing the murmuring crowd.

He stepped forward, his voice amplified through the projection screens.

"Ladies and gentlemen…" he began, his voice strong and confident.

"Welcome to the Tempest Festival."

The crowd erupted into cheers, and the tournament was officially about to begin.

Unlike the kings, queens, and other prominent figures who made grand, attention-grabbing entrances, Luminous Valentine opted for stealth and subtlety.

She came alone, leaving Louis and Ghunter behind in Ruberios, not wanting to draw attention or reveal her presence.

Disguising herself with a simple illusion spell, she appeared as a beautiful yet unassuming noblewoman.

Her silver hair was now chestnut brown, and her striking scarlet eyes were masked by a shade of soft blue.

She wore a modest yet elegant cloak with a hood, blending in seamlessly with the crowd.

As she walked through the festival streets, she observed the vibrant city and its lively atmosphere.

Her keen eyes scanned the crowd, eventually locking onto a familiar figure near the VIP area.

Yuuya.

The moment she spotted him, her heart skipped a beat.

He was seated beside Velzard, both of them watching the tournament from their luxurious seats.

Despite her usually calm and regal demeanor, Luminous' breath caught for a moment.

She could feel her chest tighten slightly, a mix of excitement and longing welling inside her.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself, then slowly made her way through the crowd.

Her footsteps were silent and graceful, her presence unnoticed by the cheering spectators.

Without alerting anyone, Luminous approached the VIP section from the side, ensuring she was out of sight from the crowd.

She quietly slipped behind the rows of nobles, walking along the shaded back corridor, her eyes never leaving Yuuya.

When she was close enough, she gently dispelled her illusion.

Her silver hair shimmered softly in the dim light, and her scarlet eyes gleamed faintly with emotion.

Yuuya, who was casually conversing with Velzard, sensed her presence immediately.

Without turning around, he smirked slightly, already knowing who it was.

"Took you long enough," he said in a calm, teasing tone.

Velzard's eyes narrowed slightly, catching the subtle shift in Yuuya's demeanor.

She turned her head, her icy-blue gaze meeting Luminous'.

For a moment, neither woman spoke, their eyes locking in a tense stare.

The atmosphere around them grew colder, and although no words were exchanged, the silent rivalry between them was unmistakable.

After a brief pause, Yuuya finally turned, his eyes softening slightly when he saw Luminous.

He offered her a genuine smile, his tone softening.

"I was wondering when you'd show up."

Luminous' lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes were filled with subtle longing.

Her voice was soft and melodious, barely above a whisper.

"You noticed me that quickly… of course you did."

Velzard, who was still leaning against Yuuya, smirked faintly, resting her hand possessively on his arm.

Her icy gaze lingered on Luminous, as if silently staking her claim.

"Hmm… I'm surprised," Velzard purred softly, her voice dripping with playful dominance.

"I didn't think you would come alone, vampire queen. Where are your lapdogs?"

Luminous' eyes flickered toward Velzard, her expression calm and composed, but there was a subtle sharpness in her gaze.

She replied coolly, her voice steady and refined.

"I didn't want any distractions. This visit… is personal."

Her words carried weight, making Velzard's eyes narrow slightly.

Yuuya, sensing the tension rising between the two women, chuckled softly, clearly amused by the situation.

He leaned back in his seat, draping his arm casually around Velzard, but he kept his eyes locked with Luminous'.

"You could have told me you were coming," he said, his voice low and teasing.

"I would've prepared a more… fitting welcome."

Luminous' eyes softened slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I didn't want you to know…" she admitted softly.

Her eyes flickered with a mix of longing and regret, as though she had missed him more than she was willing to admit.

Velzard's grip on Yuuya's arm subtly tightened, her gaze growing colder, but she said nothing.

Instead, she simply rested her head against Yuuya's shoulder, making her claim crystal clear.

A Private Conversation – Away from Prying Eyes

Sensing the tension, Yuuya suddenly stood, stretching slightly.

He turned to Velzard, giving her a reassuring smile.

"I'll be right back, Vel," he said softly, brushing a strand of her hair aside.

"Just catching up with an old friend."

Velzard's eyes narrowed slightly, but she gave a small nod, though her expression remained cool and distant.

"Don't take too long," she said smoothly, though there was an undeniable edge to her voice.

Yuuya chuckled softly and turned to Luminous, motioning her to follow him.

Without a word, they left the VIP area, walking into the shaded corridors of the arena, away from the crowd's gaze.

Once they were alone, Luminous finally exhaled softly, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.

She glanced at Yuuya, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You look… well."

Yuuya smiled faintly, his eyes glimmering with familiar warmth.

"And you look as enchanting as ever," he replied softly, his voice carrying a gentle fondness.

Yuuya then pulled Luminous towards him and gave her a tasty kiss, deep inside Luminous was shacking with happiness, after a while they went back to their respective seats.

Velzard looked at yuuya and said "so you seduced her didn't you?"

Yuuya just chuckled and told her "she will be your new sister"

Velzard understood and kept watching the event.

From afar, Rimuru and his generals watched the exchange with amusement and intrigue.

Benimaru smirked, leaning back.

"Whew… I think we might need to build a second arena for this battle," he joked.

Shion snorted, grinning.

"Forget the tournament. I want to see those two women fight over Yuuya."

Rimuru chuckled softly, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Tch… that guy really knows how to attract trouble."

As the festival continued, the tournament battles raged on, but all eyes were on the growing tension between Luminous, Velzard, and Yuuya.