The Festival’s Revival

The sun rose high over Tempest, its golden rays bathing the vibrant city in a warm, gentle glow.

Despite the recent attack, the festival had resumed in full force, brighter and livelier than ever.

The people of Tempest—and the world leaders who had witnessed the battle—

Were in awe of how swiftly and efficiently the nation had handled the crisis.

The fact that a potential disaster was neutralized so effortlessly had only enhanced Tempest's reputation.

The kingdom was no longer seen as merely a rising power—

It was now viewed as a dominant force, capable of withstanding any threat with grace and strength.

The leaders of Dwargon, Blumund, and the Sorcerer's Dynasty of Sarion—

Who had once seen Tempest as a new player—

Now regarded it as a pillar of stability, a beacon of power and protection.

Even the adventurers, nobles, and merchants who had witnessed the attack spoke highly of Tempest's resilience.

Rather than leaving in fear, they stayed—

Their curiosity and admiration for the nation growing stronger.

I sat beside Velzard in the VIP section of the arena, my arm casually draped over her shoulders.

She leaned into me slightly, her cool presence comforting, as we watched the tournament unfold.

The large projection screens displayed the ongoing battles both inside the arena and in the Labyrinth,

Allowing everyone—

Even those outside the coliseum—to enjoy the spectacle.

The crowd roared with excitement as two powerful adventurers clashed in the ring.

Their swords sparked, and their magic spells clashed, illuminating the battlefield with brilliant bursts of color.

"That was a pretty clean feint," I commented, my eyes narrowing slightly as one of the fighters sidestepped a powerful slash and retaliated with a well-placed counterattack.

"But he's leaving his flank wide open."

Velzard, sipping on a glass of wine, chuckled softly.

"You're overanalyzing it," she teased.

"They're just adventurers, not you. Cut them some slack."

I smirked, glancing at her.

"You're not wrong," I replied with a playful glint in my eyes.

"But still, it's hard not to critique when you've fought at the highest level."

Across the coliseum, I could see Rimuru and his generals also enjoying the fights.

Benimaru was leaning forward, his sharp eyes studying the contestants,

While Diablo sat elegantly, watching with an amused smirk, clearly entertained.

Shion was practically cheering at every display of power,

While Souei observed in calm silence, always analytical.

Meanwhile, Gobta was enthusiastically placing bets with Rigur, both of them yelling and laughing as they wagered on different fighters.

Ramiris and Veldora, who had emerged from the Labyrinth, were also present.

Ramiris was buzzing around excitedly, unable to sit still,

While Veldora, now back to his usual carefree self, was munching on a massive drumstick,

Cheering loudly with no regard for volume control.

"Yes! Go for the finishing blow, you fool! No mercy!"

Veldora roared, slamming his fist on the table with such force that it shook the entire section.

Velzard glanced over at her idiot brother, her lips twitching into a faint smirk.

"He's such a child," she muttered with a sigh, though her voice held a fondness only a sibling could have.

I chuckled.

"That's part of his charm, though," I replied.

"At least he's having fun."

After watching a few more fights, Velzard and I decided to leave the coliseum and explore the festival itself.

The streets were teeming with life—

Colorful stalls lined the roads, selling everything from exotic foods to rare trinkets.

Children laughed, chasing each other through the bustling crowd,

While musicians played lively tunes, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Adventurers and tourists moved about, their arms filled with bags of souvenirs,

While merchants haggled playfully with nobles over the price of enchanted goods.

We strolled leisurely through the market, drawn by the mouthwatering aromas wafting through the air.

I spotted a stall selling Tempest-style skewers, the meat grilled to perfection with a glaze that glistened under the sunlight.

"Hey, let's try those," I said, pulling Velzard gently toward the stall.

The vendor, a beastman with thick fur and a friendly smile, grinned proudly.

"Ah! You've got good taste, sir! These are our specialty—

Tempest Grilled Wyvern Skewers with Spicy Drakon Glaze!"

I bought two skewers and handed one to Velzard.

We both took a bite—

The meat was tender and juicy, the glaze adding a spicy kick that made the flavors dance on the tongue.

"Mmm… not bad," Velzard remarked, her eyes shimmering slightly from the spice.

She licked her lips lightly, the motion subtle yet captivating.

I smirked.

"You look like you're enjoying it."

She gave me a side glance, her eyes glinting playfully.

"Maybe I am."

We continued trying out different foods,

From Tempest's signature fruit wines to freshly baked sweet buns, and even some exotic Sarion delicacies.

As we wandered through the market stalls, my eyes caught sight of a small jewelry shop,

Its display shimmering with beautiful necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

I paused for a moment, considering.

Without saying a word, I gently took Velzard's hand and led her inside.

The shopkeeper, a friendly dwarven woman, greeted us warmly.

"Good day, travelers! Looking for something special?"

I smiled softly, glancing at Velzard, whose eyes were scanning the display,

Clearly intrigued but trying to hide it.

I spotted a necklace—a delicate silver chain with a sapphire pendant,

The gem reflecting a deep, icy-blue hue, much like Velzard's eyes.

"That one," I said, pointing at the necklace.

The shopkeeper carefully placed it in my hands,

And without hesitation, I turned to Velzard, my eyes softening.

"For you," I said simply, holding the necklace out to her.

Her eyes widened slightly, caught off guard.

For a brief moment, she looked speechless, her lips parting slightly in surprise.

But then, her eyes softened, and she gave me a rare, genuine smile—

The kind that reached her eyes and made my chest tighten slightly.

"You didn't have to," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

"I wanted to," I replied simply, my gaze unwavering.

"It suits you."

Without saying a word, she turned around, brushing her hair aside,

Allowing me to clasp the necklace around her neck.

The sapphire pendant glimmered softly against her pale skin,

A perfect contrast that only enhanced her ethereal beauty.

I then handed her a small ring—a delicate platinum band with a faint blue hue, matching her eyes.

"And this," I added softly.

She slid it onto her slender finger,

And when she looked up at me, her eyes were shimmering faintly with emotion.

Without a word, she leaned into me,

Her lips brushing softly against mine—

A silent thank you.

And in that perfect moment, with the festival sounds fading into the distance,

The only thing that existed was her and I.