The Innkeeper

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lex asked. A system's greatest weakness was another system. So was his system supposed to help him out in looking for other system users?

"That is all I can say," Mary said, shaking her head.

Lex mused on everything he had learned today, and thought about things he needed to do in the future. One very important thing to take note of was that if he was outside the Inn or tavern, the prescience of a treasure within his soul might become perceivable. While the system could hide itself, as it had once done when he encountered Loretta's dad, Lex needed to take a more active role in its protection. If he was on the lookout for more systems, there would be others as well.

He didn't want to spend too much time thinking about these things, for he hadn't forgotten that he had guests waiting for him.

"What's the update on the Inn?" Lex finally asked. "Did I miss anything important?"

"Many things," Mary replied in an exhausted tone. "The Lady Cosmos is nearing its end. Only two contenders remain, but a few days ago an incredibly strong cultivator arrived claiming that one of them was her slave and that we should return her immediately. The dragon managed to subdue him, and the security team managed to kick him out of the Inn, but now the contestant is too afraid to go on. She is very concerned that, once the competition ends, and she returns to her planet, someone will show up to turn her into a slave."

Lex narrowed his eyes. He truly had no solution for what someone might do outside of the Inn.

"Tell me about her," Lex said.

"Her name is Jill. She is a Fox from Nibiru that underwent an evolution and became able to convert into a human. She claims that she has lived her whole life on Nibiru and has always been free. The person who claims to be her owner is from a species known as Galati, and was very strong. Even Qawain was unable to deal with him, and only the dragon's assistance resolved the situation."

"Well, what's the issue, then? If he's not her master, then there's no way he'll be able to locate her or her planet. I believe everyone was very carefully informed not to share personal information during the show."

"She did not reveal anything, but someone from Nibiru recognized her and spread her information. Although the person hunting her may never be able to find her planet, she is extremely afraid of returning - he was just that strong. She's been completely crippled with fear. Even if that Galati can't find her, she's too afraid of being found by others."

Lex nodded and said, "I'll create a new room called the Hot tub room. Send her there to relax and relieve the stress on her mind first. Afterwards, send her to Harry and have him help her out in removing the excess fear that has taken hold of her mind. In the meantime, we'll think of solutions. In fact, send me her details. If she's skilled and has a good personality, we can hire her as a staff member and then she can live here. That'll solve her problem."

Mary nodded and said, "Since you've brought up Harry, there's also a matter concerning him. He's been asking me to find out... if he gets married, can his wife live at the Inn with him as well?"

Lex was genuinely startled by the question. Harry was 17 years old, or maybe he was 18 now. Either way, he was extremely young. Why was he thinking of getting married?

Not waiting for Lex to ask, Mary explained how Harry and quickly developed a relationship with one of the contestants for Lady Cosmos. Though she did not win, she had made it to the top 5.

Once the competition was over for her, she and Harry had spent so much time together and had developed feelings quickly. As abrupt as it seemed, both wanted nothing more than to get married at once, hence the question.

After all, without the Inn, they both lived on different planets and would not be able to have a life together.

Lex, of course, knew a bit about what was going on between Harry and Hailey, but this was a little too much. Still, he was happy for them, and allowed them to live at the Inn together once they got married. After all, Harry already had a room at the Inn.

Next were a few other miscellaneous problems, including the children's area Lex requested. At the time, he had allocated a massive empty plot of land at the Inn and wanted to turn it into some kind of childcare/ festival type area, where parents or guardians could temporarily drop off their kids.

The design was ready and, after getting Lex's approval, he spent 2 million MP to make it happen. It wasn't too elaborate since it was targeted towards kids. It was mostly just colorful and full of play areas that were child friendly.

While Lex was receiving a report of the Inn's situation, at the Inn, near the area where the kids' area was designed, two kids were riding Peacocks across the lawn.

The peacocks, which had lived at the Inn for nearly a year, had naturally been nurtured by the turtle and had grown powerful enough to support the weight of fully grown men, let alone two children.

"Princess Layla, new territory straight ahead," said the boy, looking through a pocket telescope at the new structure that was plainly visible to the naked eye.

"Well then, deputy commander Captain Jimmy, full speed ahead! Peacock warriors, we will conquer all these lands!"

As if to answer her declaration, a few other children riding peacocks appeared on the horizon. The battle for the playground was nigh, but would the staff of the Midnight Inn be able to handle the merciless onslaught that awaited them?