The Innkeeper

All eyes were once again on Lex. As an outsider, besides the backing of someone powerful, Lex needed something concrete to remain relevant as things progressed. One way or another, he planned on figuring out the reason for the anomaly from the group gathered here. Also, yes, it would be nice if they can save the realm, thereby ensuring the continued existence of trillions of living beings or perhaps even more.

But life would not end once he completed those tasks. He would continue with his other endeavors, and his connection with the Crystal realm would also continue to persist. In that case, the best case scenario would be if he used this current opportunity to build a strong relationship with these people.

But building a relationship wasn't enough. He had to make it so that they would be the ones to consider him an important contact to have. Having the solution to a destabilizing realm was one of the ways he planned on achieving such an image.

"Before we can fix anything, we have to identify how the problem was caused. Unless we know what exactly is causing the realm's decline, there is no solution that will work. Or at least, I don't know any way to go about it."

Instead of elaborating on the issue further, Lex became silent and stared at the group. Now it was up to them. If they knew what the issue was, they would have to tell him. If they had suspicions, they had to confirm it. If they had neither, then he would direct them. Either way, he would come out as the winner since he could complete this long pending quest.

As if to insinuate that the issue might have something to do with what they were speaking of before, Lex turned to look at Ezio.

He only had an awkward expression on his face, as if he was struggling to say something.

"Alright, I've seen enough of this," said Aizel, her voice cold and frigid. One could not say her voice was emotionless, for one could clearly discern annoyance and irritation in her voice.

"A long life at the top of the food chain has made you falsely arrogant and prideful. There is no shame in bowing one's head when one is weaker. The matter at hand is quite simple. Since you know of many matters, have you heard of Ventura?"

"I have heard of it," said Lex, refusing to elaborate on the extent of his knowledge. He remembered Luthor once brought the matter of Inn workers possibly going to Ventura to progress their study, but Lex had refused. It posed too many risks.

"It only makes sense that you have. Ventura is the foremost academy for cultivation in the entire universe. They accept students from any race so long as they are skilled or talented enough, and of course as long as you can afford their tuition. Or, if you are specially recruited or go through some scholarship program, in which case you can avail all that they have to offer for free! We even have some of their… top performing students among us." She paused, momentarily, to look at Cornelius, followed by Elena. Neither of them shied away from the stare, and continued to listen in silence as if they were not the ones being talked about.

"Such an organization, due to its massive size, naturally requires many resources. It also needs to continuously gather extremely talented students. One of the ways to do both is to assume control over a realm still in its early development, and artificially manufacture a conflict. There is no greater motivation to improve oneself than the threat of death."

Lex noticed that both Sabr and Edward reacted the strongest to the news, betraying their ignorance. Yet as Sabr was about to speak, or no doubt scream and yell, Kritter put one of its bony legs on his shoulder, as if to dissuade him. Ultimately, the Varn remained silent and kept on listening.

"You're saying that Ventura purposefully sent the Kraven here to wage war in the hopes of spurring the growth of multiple talented cultivators who could be students," Lex said calmly, as if he was making sure what he heard was correct. Yet oddly, as he spoke, his voice was devoid of all emotions.

"You probably use the academy to nurture talents, and pick out potential students for Ventura no doubt," Lex continued, looking at Cornelius.

"But, based on what I'm hearing, Ventura has no reason to want to harm the Crystal realm. For all intents and purposes, the realm is a resource they can continue to use indefinitely as it grows. They can control its history for perpetuity, and benefit for an untold number of years. Why would they give up such a cash cow?"

"Things are not so straight forward," Cornelius explained this time. "Ventura is an extremely large organization, the likes of which is beyond our understanding. As such, there are many subsidiary branches as well, such as Ventura Gold or Prima, as well as others. 

"The branch that has control over the Crystal realm is Ventura Chaotic-Gold. As such, the management of Ventura falls completely under the control of that branch head for Chaotic-Gold, and he can do as he wishes. Who knows what he's thinking. 

"You said yourself that the Cosmic Erosion Elixir was an extremely precious resource, but its production was mere happenstance. Who knows what other resources he can take out if he meticulously designs the destruction of the realm."

Lex pursed his lips and frowned as he considered what to do. He received no notification, which meant that the Quest was not complete. Knowing that Ventura was somehow controlling the realm to farm out students did not seem to be enough to count as figuring out what the anomaly was. He needed specific answers.

Moreover, since the anomaly was what resulted in him accidentally entering the realm from the Origin realm, he suspected it had something to do with that.

"This seems fine, but won't the students who join Ventura be resentful when they learn that Ventura was the one causing war in their realm?"

"Just because Chaotic-Gold Ventura controls this realm, it does not mean that is where students will have to go. Which academy a student is put into is the result of an extensive and rigorous test. If a student is talented enough, and contributes sufficiently to the academy, they can apply to have the realm left alone. I myself have also transitioned from a student to an aide. If I make enough contributions, or if I get promoted enough to rival the branch manager for Chaotic-Gold, I can also apply to have control of the realm transferred."

"Alright, so we have concluded that Ventura is likely the reason for the anomaly. How do we progress from here? Unless the anomaly itself is identified, there's nothing we can do to remedy the situation."

Aizel was about to continue speaking when Lex's eyes widened in horror! A massively powerful attack had landed on the formation surrounding the tavern, and instantly destroyed it! Before he could react, another attack landed on the building.

The entire tavern trembled, and even seemed to wobble as an extremely savage aura swept through it! Although the building had survived the attack, for some reason Lex did not know yet, all the windows had shattered. Much of the furniture seemed to survive inexplicably, but an immense amount of destruction was also wrought!

The spatial formation Lex used to control the space around the tavern, as well as all its protective formations and the Dragon's Wake formation had all been destroyed!

But that was far from all. As Lex entered his Overdrive state, which allowed his brain to work faster and more efficiently than normal, he swept the tavern with his senses and discovered that all of his workers were injured! Betty, Big Ben's wife, seemed to be in the worst possible condition.

He immediately teleported away, not bothering to give any one of the leaders in the room any instructions. Although the power of the attack was far beyond anything Lex could manage or even hope to handle, he was able to identify the kind of signature it carried. It bore the unique aura of a Kraven in the immortal realm. He was sure they would take care of things without his prompting.

Lex teleported over to the kitchen, where Betty and Nani lay unconscious. Looking at the scene, Lex felt extremely aggrieved as well as furious. Due to the fact that he was here as a projection, his instincts were dulled and he was not able to anticipate the attack. As a result, the worst case scenario was happening. He teleported again, this time to the only person he could give orders to at the moment.

"Rick, take the golden keys and crush them in each person's hand. Send them to the Inn immediately!"

Rick, who had a loyal follower in the form of a monster catfish, had managed to survive the attack with the least amount of damage. Though that was not saying much, as even with the protection of the monster fish, he looked like he was on death's door. Lex had already given all of his workers golden keys to use in case of an emergency. It was unfortunate that the attack had come so unexpectedly that no one had a chance to use them at all.

With orders given, Lex teleported to the roof with murder in his eyes. He wanted to see who the hell was attacking his tavern!