Snowbound Flames

Chapter 30: The Eve Of Founder's Festival

The banquet hall was alive with the hum of excitement. Tonight marked the eve of Founder's Festival, and the grand celebration had already begun. The feast brought together allies and adventurers from across the world. Rimuru, seated at the head table, was surrounded by leaders from the allied nations. Beside her was Guy Crimson, whose calm presence added a sense of quiet authority to the otherwise bustling atmosphere.

The hall was adorned with ornate decorations, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of a feast prepared by some of Tempest's finest chefs. Each dish showcased a harmony of flavors from different regions, reflecting the unity that Rimuru had worked tirelessly to build.

As Rimuru scanned the room, her eyes fell on Elmesia Elru of Thalion, the elegant Elven Empress, who had just arrived with her trusted advisor, Erald. They moved gracefully through the crowd, their royal aura drawing the attention of everyone around them.

"Ah, Elmesia, Erald!" Rimuru called, rising to greet them. "Welcome to Tempest. I hope the journey wasn't too taxing."

Elmesia smiled warmly. "Not at all, Rimuru. Thank you for hosting us. The festival is as grand as I imagined."

Erald gave a slight bow. "We're honored to be here. It's an impressive gathering."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two joined the festivities, mingling with other guests.

Not long after, King Gazel Dwargo approached Rimuru with a serious expression. "Rimuru," he began, his voice low, "you've done well to gather so many allies here, but remember, not everyone's intentions may be as pure as they seem. Be vigilant."

Rimuru nodded, appreciating his wisdom. "Thanks for the advice, Gazel. I'll keep an eye out."

The grand doors to the banquet hall opened again, and all eyes turned as Frey, the former Demon Lord and now Sky Queen, entered. Her regal poise was undeniable, and her sharp eyes quickly scanned the room before settling on Rimuru.

Rimuru stepped forward to greet her, accompanied by Milim, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Frey, it's so good to see you," Rimuru said with a warm smile. "Thank you for coming."

Frey nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Thank you for the invitation, Rimuru. It's always a pleasure to visit Tempest."

As they spoke, Rimuru's gaze drifted to the menu, where the roasted chicken dish caught her attention. A sudden thought made her stomach twist. Frey's race... what if she took offense?

"Um, Frey," Rimuru began hesitantly, "I hope you don't mind, but there's chicken on the menu tonight. I promise it wasn't intentional—"

Frey's sharp gaze locked onto Rimuru. "Are you calling my race livestock?" she asked, her tone dangerously serious.

Rimuru froze, her face pale. "No! I swear, that's not what I meant!"

Before Rimuru could dig herself deeper, Milim burst into laughter, and Frey's expression softened into a smirk.

"I was just testing you, Rimuru," Frey said with amusement. "Relax. But it's good to see you've learned to apologize quickly when you're at fault."

Milim, ever enthusiastic, chimed in, "See, Frey? Rimuru's teaching me to apologize properly too! She says it makes you a better person when you grow up."

Rimuru shot Milim a teasing look. "That's right, Milim. And it might even keep you out of trouble."

Carrion, who had been listening nearby, chuckled. "You're giving Milim life lessons now? Good luck with that."

Frey turned to Carrion, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You think you're funny, don't you?"

Before Carrion could respond, Frey playfully smacked him on the head, eliciting laughter from everyone around.

As the evening progressed, Hakurou and his daughter, Momiji, entered the hall carrying a massive swordfish—a prized catch from both eastern and western waters. Its sheer size and shimmering scales drew gasps from the crowd.

"It's not just for show," Hakurou announced with pride. "This is a delicacy, served raw."

The room fell silent. The idea of eating something so exotic—and potentially dangerous—had the guests visibly hesitant.

Sensing the tension, Rimuru decided to take the lead. She stood confidently and declared, "I'll have one."

The chefs quickly prepared a slice and served it to her. Just as Rimuru was about to take a bite, someone slid into the seat beside her.

It was Guy.

"Feeling brave, are we?" he asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Rimuru grinned. "If I can eat Shion's cooking, I can handle this."

Guy chuckled, taking a piece for himself. "Fair point."

As the two began eating, their calm reactions seemed to ease the crowd's apprehension.

Then Milim appeared, plopping into the seat on Rimuru's other side. "If Rimuru can eat it, so can I!" she declared loudly.

Hinata approached the table, eyeing the swordfish warily. "Fine, I'll try it," she said, "but no wasabi. That stuff burns my nose."

Rimuru raised an eyebrow. "No wasabi? What are you, a kid?"

Yuuki, who had joined them, laughed. "You're missing out, Hinata. Wasabi's half the fun."

Hinata glared at them, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's not about fun. I just don't like it."

Rimuru and Yuuki exchanged amused glances before teasing her in unison. "Sure, sure. You're totally not a kid."

Milim, who had taken a generous helping of wasabi on her slice, let out a loud gasp as the spice hit her. "It burns! Why didn't anyone warn me?"

The exaggerated reaction had the entire hall laughing, and soon the guests began ordering their own portions of swordfish, emboldened by the leaders' example.

As the feast continued, Rimuru found herself caught in lighthearted conversations, but the teasing questions about her relationship with Guy resurfaced once more.

"Rimuru and Guy sitting together again," Carrion said with a sly grin. "What a coincidence."

"Such a perfect match," Frey added, her tone playful.

Even Milim chimed in, her voice loud and teasing. "Rimuru, are you two going to get married or what?"

Rimuru groaned, her face flushing slightly. "Oh, for the love of... Can't we just enjoy the festival without all these questions?"

Guy, ever composed, smirked but said nothing. His silence only fueled the speculation, much to Rimuru's annoyance.

Despite the teasing, Rimuru couldn't help but reflect on the bonds she had formed. As the laughter and chatter filled the hall, she realized how much these moments meant to her. This wasn't just a celebration of Tempest's growth—it was a celebration of the friendships and trust that had brought everyone together.

And as she glanced at Guy, she wondered—just for a moment—what the others saw that she didn't.