The Walpurgis Hall stood timeless, suspended in a dimension between realms—a majestic, floating citadel bathed in twilight, where the stars shimmered above and the earth swirled far below like a dream.
At the center of the hall was the iconic round obsidian table, etched with ancient runes and radiating a subtle, pulsating energy—each seat infused with the essence of the Demon Lords who had sat there across eons.
Already seated was the crimson monarch himself—Guy Crimson, the Primordial Red, cold yet radiant, elegance and danger woven into every inch of his form. He sat like a god on his throne, legs crossed, chin resting against his fingers, Rain standing loyally behind him.
Beside him was Velzard, the White Ice Dragon, draped in shimmering frost-blue robes that whispered of ancient winters. Though she rarely joined Walpurgis, her presence today was like the arrival of a celestial event—unusual, unpredictable, and powerful. She glanced toward Guy with an amused smirk, already knowing the conversation that would unfold.
The silence was broken by a shimmer of dimensional magic.
Milim Nava burst in like a comet, her aura wild and untamed, skipping her way to her seat. "Yo! I'm not late, am I?" she asked, plopping down and kicking her legs gleefully.
Moments later, Luminous Valentine appeared in a swirl of rose petals, her golden eyes sharp beneath her veil. She offered no greeting, only a subtle nod before taking her seat gracefully.
Draguel entered with a thunderous step, his sheer presence demanding respect. He acknowledged the others with a single nod before sitting down, his expression calm and watchful.
Leon Cromwell strode in like a storm in white and gold, his cloak fluttering behind him, eyes focused and arms crossed. He took his seat without a word.
Frey followed with Carrion at her side—the Sky Queen and Beast King, who had once been enemies now allies. Frey remained regal, while Carrion wore his usual sly grin.
A flash of green light marked the entrance of Ramiris, who flitted to her floating chair, crossing her tiny arms with a pout. "Ugh, I hate formal stuff."
Dino appeared next, yawning mid-step, hair tousled like he just rolled out of bed. "Sheesh… who holds a meeting this early? It's practically midnight..."
Last came Clayman, elegantly dressed, hiding his usual deceit behind a polite smile as he took his seat quietly, though even he felt the tension in the air.
Once all were settled, Guy lifted his hand slightly.
Rain, like clockwork, stepped forward, her voice cool and clear:
"The Walpurgis is now in session."
The atmosphere shifted instantly—gravity itself seemed to grow heavier as the ancient pact that bound the Demon Lords activated. This was not a casual meeting—this was a council of gods.
Guy leaned forward, his voice deep, commanding:
"Today's Walpurgis is special. It concerns a new player who has emerged in our world… and he is no ordinary being."
Murmurs broke out instantly.
Frey leaned toward Carrion. "Another challenger?"
Luminous narrowed her eyes. "Someone bold enough to draw the attention of Guy Crimson?"
But then—
Milim raised her hand, smiling innocently.
"You mean Varvatos, right?"
Guy paused, visibly intrigued. "You know his name?"
Milim nodded eagerly.
"Yup! He came to visit me a while back! We fought! It was soooo much fun! I haven't had a fight like that since forever!"
Everyone stared at her, stunned by her casual tone.
Carrion's brows furrowed. "You fought him? What happened?"
Milim pouted.
"Tch… I used everything I had! I threw punches that could tear down mountains, I even went Boom Milim Mode—and he just… kept up. No, actually—he beat me! ME!"
She crossed her arms in a huff.
"And then—ugh—he started giving me tips on how to fight better! Like he was the expert!"
The hall fell into silence.
Leon narrowed his eyes. "That's impossible."
Frey's mouth hung open. "He… beat Milim?"
Then Guy spoke, his tone calm but laced with respect.
"He visited me too."
All eyes turned to him.
"We fought. Though, it might be more accurate to say… I fought."
He looked away slightly, as if remembering.
"He didn't even use his full power… and still, he defeated me. Not with brute strength, but precision. Elegance. Like a master swordsman humbling a child."
Velzard chuckled from beside him.
"He's being modest. Varvatos wiped the floor with him."
She smiled with a teasing glint in her eye.
"I haven't seen Guy this frustrated in a long time."
Guy sighed, not denying it.
The shock was palpable. Clayman's expression twitched. Dino suddenly looked more awake than ever.
Then, Draguel raised his hand calmly.
"He visited me as well."
Guy arched a brow. "Oh? What happened?"
Draguel's deep voice was resolute.
"We did not fight. I sensed it immediately—his presence was beyond what I could risk engaging. I feared the battle would destroy my land."
He leaned forward, eyes serious.
"But what intrigued me… was that he knew about the Heaven Tower."
The room tensed.
Leon's eyes sharpened. "That structure has been hidden for millennia. How would a stranger know about it?"
Draguel shook his head. "I don't know. But he knew. Not just of its existence, but its purpose."
Luminous looked at Guy. "So who exactly is he?"
Guy looked toward Rain, who nodded and produced a glowing orb. It projected a visual—a vision of the Jura Forest.
"According to my spies," Guy began, "Varvatos has taken residence in the Jura Forest."
The image shifted—to show Veldora, once sealed for centuries, now flying freely.
"He has somehow… freed Veldora from his seal."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"And more than that…" Guy said, leaning forward, voice dropping into a low, intense murmur,
"…he is building a city. A nation. Gathering allies, powerful beings—Kijin, goblins, even ancient magical beasts. He is not just powerful—he is building a power base. A kingdom."
Luminous' expression darkened. "Is he aiming to become a Demon Lord?"
Ramiris sat up. "Wait, wait, wait! But if he's doing all this, then—what's his goal?!"
Guy's eyes burned with curiosity.
"That… we do not know. Yet."
Frey asked, "Should we consider him a threat?"
Milim huffed, "He's fun, but yeah… he's definitely a big deal."
Clayman leaned forward, trying to read the room. "So… are we going to remove him?"
Guy smiled—not a friendly smile, but one full of challenge.
"No. We watch. We observe. For now."
He paused… then added:
"But make no mistake—Varvatos is not a piece on the board. He might just be the one flipping the whole board over."
The atmosphere thickened. The name Varvatos now echoed in every Demon Lord's mind like a thunderclap that refused to fade.
Clayman, ever sly and calculating, adjusted his collar and leaned in slightly.
"If he's building a nation and gathering forces, then surely he must be aiming to disrupt the balance of the world. What if his intent is conquest? Perhaps we should... preemptively intervene?"
His words were like oil on water—slippery, igniting underlying tension.
Leon Cromwell's eyes narrowed.
"You speak as if you could even touch him. From what Milim and Guy have said, even our combined forces might not be enough to bring him down."
Clayman chuckled awkwardly. "I never said I would handle it."
Dino, still lounging lazily, waved his hand.
"Ehhh, you guys are getting too worked up. The guy's strong, sure. But that doesn't automatically make him a villain. Maybe he's just... doing his thing, y'know?"
Carrion leaned forward, tapping the table.
"Power like that always comes with intention. No one that powerful moves without purpose. The fact that he freed Veldora and is building a city suggests he's thinking long-term."
Ramiris nodded nervously, kicking her feet midair.
"I don't like it...
Luminous Valentine's voice sliced through the noise, calm but sharp.
"Let us not forget what the Jura Forest is. It's a nexus of power—ancient, unclaimed. If Varvatos intends to root himself there, he could tap into its ley lines. His power might grow even further."
A sudden silence followed, and all eyes turned to Velzard, who until now had merely watched and listened.
She sipped her crystal wine slowly before finally speaking, her voice cold and regal.
"If he wanted war, you'd all already be dead."
They froze.
"He had the chance to destroy Guy. He didn't. He played with Milim and walked away. He visited Draguel and spoke peace. The question isn't whether he's a threat. It's whether he's inviting us to something greater."
Even Guy gave a side glance, curious at her tone.
Guy Crimson then stood, and for a moment, the entire chamber seemed to bow to his presence.
"What Velzard said has merit. Varvatos doesn't move with malice—at least not yet. But he moves with intent. He is aware of the world's secrets—its ancient structures, its sealed beasts, its lost cities. And now he builds. Which brings us to the real question..."
He extended a hand outward, palm open.
"Do we treat Varvatos as an enemy to fear… or as a variable to understand?"
Frey looked contemplative.
"What if we invite him here? If he's building a nation, he'll want recognition. Why not offer him a seat—let him explain himself?"
Milim immediately brightened.
"Ooooh, yes! Yes! Invite him! He's super fun! Plus, if he acts up, we just smack him around! Well… we try!"
Luminous remained still.
"Inviting him to Walpurgis would mean acknowledging him on our level. Are we prepared for that?"
Draguel finally spoke again, calm and composed.
"Whether we acknowledge him or not… he's already on our level."
That sentence hit like a meteor.
Guy looked over the table, scanning each Demon Lord one by one.
"Very well..."
He raised a hand. Magic swirled in red spirals.
"By the authority of the Primordial Crimson, I cast the vote—to observe Varvatos further, and to extend an invitation to attend the next Walpurgis… as a guest."
One by one, the others nodded or raised their hands:
Milim raised both hands enthusiastically.
Leon nodded coolly.
Draguel raised his hand without hesitation.
Luminous did so, albeit slowly.
Ramiris gulped, but raised her hand.
Frey and Carrion exchanged a glance, then raised theirs.
Dino just gave a thumbs up from his seat.
Clayman, scowling inside, reluctantly followed.
The vote was unanimous.
Then Guy added one more line, ominous and clear:
"If Varvatos accepts the invitation… then we shall see his true face. And if he declines…"
A glimmer of crimson lit his eyes.
"…then we prepare for what's to come."
Rain stepped forward again.
"Walpurgis is concluded."
The magical sigil beneath the table faded. The Demon Lords slowly began to vanish one by one, each left with thoughts of this enigmatic force rising in the Jura Forest.
But as the scene faded… the final image was of Guy Crimson, staring at the empty air with a smirk.
"Let's see what kind of king you want to become… Varvatos."