The Innkeeper

Under the influence of his vigorous cultivation, as well as many techniques that he learnt specifically for this day to keep him in top shape, Pvarti looked fresh and seemed energetic as he went through one ceremony after another. For some ceremonies he was required to act, for example pledging his allegiance to the royal family, while for others he had to sit in the middle of a crowd while they used him as a prop. The situation was… less than ideal, but fortunately he would only have to go through this awkward procedure only once - hopefully, since if he had to go through it again it meant he was once again getting married.

Despite his appearance, however, the man was actually feeling quite nervous and uneasy. Although he was making the best decision for his future, and if all went well with the war, the resources at his disposal would be tremendous. His ascent to greatness would become but a matter of time. Yet he could not really claim to be… completely enamored by his intended. Her personality was slightly extreme, and even now he could not forget how she had used him so blatantly all in the efforts to test out his loyalty.

But… there wasn't much he could do about that anymore. He would have to learn how to get along with her. Hopefully things would work out for the best. For a moment he became weak in the knees, but there were too many techniques and medicine keeping him in top shape so he recovered instantly.

For some unknown and completely unrelated reason, Pvarti made a resolution to surpass the Earth Immortal realm and ascend from the Crystal realm as quickly as possible. He wasn't losing out if he didn't make it, but he had to at least try.

"Don't worry bro, just another hour of this before you get to see your lovely bride," teased his sister. How could she not know his thoughts? Would she really be his sister if she didn't tease him about exactly what scared him?

"As a special surprise gift for you, I've already made arrangements for you two to attend a special honeymoon vacation with a group of five other newly married couples. Love Island is highly recommended by all my friends."

Despite all eyes being on him, Pvarti couldn't help but groan. The day had started so beautifully with an amazing sight of a new flock on the horizon. But just as the flock disappeared and took the beautiful hues in painted in the sky with them, so too was Pvarti's confidence disappearing.

*****

Edward, who was sipping on a warm malt, paused and smiled as all eyes turned on him. As uncomfortable as he felt under Cornelius' scrutinizing gaze, it wasn't as if he was afraid. Much like Zagan, who had the title of Ocean King, he too had a title that had been passed down the ages.

His current gentle and mellow demeanor was a result of him gaining sentience and thus being able to suppress his urges, but that was not how history had described him. Back in his youth, when he was a little wild, due to his inborn hatred for light he hunted down and fought with many Sol birds. In fact,  he had hunted them and managed to kill so many young ones that the divine energy flowing through their bodies had altered his own body, making him immune to heat, and giving him an aspect of divinity. Thus, he was called Edward, the Divine Retribution!

All of that was a way of saying that essentially, he was not a weakling. He just had new hobbies these days, and avoided fighting when possible.

"I don't know why you say we monsters are new players," he said between sips, the foam hanging on his upper lip like a mustache. "Monsters have been fighting Kraven from the very beginning. Their territories are laden with darkness since all the blasted birds left, and are like a safe haven for monsters. So many of the territories you have forsaken, we monsters have already reclaimed!"

This news came as a surprise to everyone except Lex, who had been receiving detailed briefs from Rick about his conversations with Edward.

"Free from the interference of your races, and with only the Kraven who are more focused on expansion than maintaining their lands, we have founded our own country! We thought it would be hard, but since the Kraven always focus on invading your lands, they can barely spare the power to fight us. In fact, the horde of immortal Kraven also bypassed our lands entirely, still only focusing on you! It was quite convenient. It won't be long before the realm is held by not only seven major races, but eight!"

A shocking silence filled the room as everyone tried to wrap their heads around what the monster was saying! They had never, not once, taken the monsters seriously. They had existed for millions, or even hundreds of millions of years but there had never been a precedent as such! Why were these unusual things happening now?

"Oh wait, if you count the Kraven, that makes nine races."

Lex was all too content to fade into the background and continue to listen to the conversation between rulers, but something unusual grabbed his attention. Two especially powerful immortals entered the Inn. Though they looked like normal humans, for some reason Lex could not focus on their appearance at all! He teleported away to address the situation.

"The Kraven will never be counted as a dominant race of this realm! They are not rulers, they are nothing but vile vermin! They are a plague, nothing but a virus that has infected this realm, spreading disease and absorbing its life force. A pest dedicated to being the biggest nuisance it can be. But in the end, that's all they'll ever be. It's only a matter of time before they're wiped out!" said Kritter, his voice absolutely dripping with hate and disgust.

There was no race that hated the Kraven quite as much as the Poloids, and even among them Kritter was especially hateful. Even now, he was restraining himself because of the company he was in.

"It is not up to a loser to define the place of a winner," said a soft yet firm voice, startling not only Kritter, but everyone in the room!

Until they heard the voice, no one even noticed the arrival of the two new guests who had joined them. A handsome man stood next to a beautiful woman, both radiating an aura of power and peace. They stood casually yet it was as if they demanded absolute worship and obedience. Moreover, none of them could recall the appearance of these two!

"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Firin," Cornelius said looking at the man, his voice both humble and solemn. "Likewise, Lady Aizel, I am extremely honored. I have always wanted to meet you both."

The rest of the leaders also all extended their greeting - all except Edward who only looked at the two with a mix of aggression and fear!

Lex, who had already met the two, did not say much but he completely understood the feeling these leaders were experiencing. After all, to ensure there were no problems, Lex had scanned these two guests as soon as he went to them. The results had surprised him.

Name: Firin

Age: 1,430,000,001

Sex: Male

Cultivation Details: Earthen Deity (Earth Immortal Equivalent) 

Species: Sol Bird

Midnight Inn Prestige Level: 1

Remarks: A true worshiped deity! No mortal may gaze upon the face of a deity - in case they are ugly and not worthy of worship!

Name: Aizel

Age: 1,430,000,001

Sex: Female

Cultivation Details: Earthen Deity (Earth Immortal Equivalent)

Species: Frio bird

Midnight Inn Prestige Level: 1

Remarks: A true worshiped deity! No mortal may gaze upon the face of a deity - in case she is too beautiful and you fall in love with a grandma that predates your entire ancestry!

He had no idea how they knew about this meeting, considering he never sent them an invite, but the primogenitors of the Sol and Frio bird had arrived to attend the meeting. Moreover, their arrival had confirmed a suspicion Lex had which was that the Sol and Frio birds were deities.

But based on that logic, weren't there… too many deities in the Crystal realm? He was under the impression that deities were rare and powerful, but it seemed not. To be fair, he had drawn conclusions without doing much research on the matter, something he would remedy soon.

But now, looking at them, another suspicion formed in Lex's mind. Once, long ago, he found a seemingly ordinary rock which produced the divine essence, something he had used on himself and even sold at the Inn. Now he had confirmed that the realm was teeming deities in the form of Sol and Frio birds, though he suspected the original two were the only ones that counted as 'true deities'. Considering the very limited time he had spent here, there was a very real possibility that there were many more deities here as well. Maybe the Crystal realm… was especially suited to giving birth to deities.

Depending on how easy or hard that was in other realms, that may be a significant feature someone from a stronger realm might covet.