The Innkeeper

Alissa Harmony had a long and deep history with the Midnight Inn. Once, long ago, she was naught more than a simple YouTuber who used to upload songs on her video channel. She had a great voice and a natural talent for singing, which made the process easier and fruitful.

She had a decent number of followers, and hoped to become a real celebrity one day. Then, in the Midnight Games, she won somehow.

That not only got her the attention of the many cultivators on earth, but the cooperation of many governments. Even a few powerful individuals and organizations who thought to use her connection with the Inn began to sponsor her, and soon her popularity blew through the roof.

Suffice to say her singing career took off, and she was even introduced to the cultivation world. Moreover, she got herself a cultivation technique expressly suited to enhance her charisma and appeal, further boosting her popularity.

Then the war happened. She became displaced, and all her popularity was for naught. Feeling completely distraught, she escaped to the Inn, and eventually became a refugee in their new Minor realm. Yet the Minor realm was a newly developing escape for humans of earth, and her singing talents had no use, as no one had the time to enjoy songs.

But when the deities came to Earth, she once again found her calling. She returned to Earth, giving up her refugee status, and willfully became an acolyte for Adamas, the deity of diamonds!

Her singing talents were once again put to good use, singing gospels and raising morale. She quickly gained the attention of the deities' strongest messengers, and then she was promoted time and time again.

Before she knew it, she even gained the right to use a small amount of divine energy, sent directly from the deity himself! She took on her new role as the highest priestess of Adamas on earth, and became a true, devout follower!

But lately the situation on earth had come to a stand still. The miscreant Marlo had deceived a way to create spiritual nuclear bombs, or the equivalent using only talismans. Why was this a big deal when actual nuclear bombs existed?

For lower level cultivators, they would be a deterrent, sure. Even if a few Nascent cultivators were targeted the threat could not be eliminated. But there was a fundamental rule of the universe that there were different tiers of energy, and even a small amount of energy from a higher tier could suppress a larger amount of energy from a lower tier.

A nuclear explosion caused by a bomb created through normal technology harnessed the most basic and fundamental energy that operated in the universe, and had no trace of spiritual energy. Enough cultivators could easily suppress the explosion, or perhaps even harness the energy from the explosion for their own use. Just because earth lacked the means or cultivation techniques to do so did not mean others were the same.

A spec of divine energy was enough to contain an ordinary nuclear explosion, for example. But Marlo had created a similar result using spiritual energy. This was no ordinary feat, as the science behind it was completely different from ordinary bombs. Moreover, packaging such a payload into something as nominal as a talisman… it was the result of sheer genius!

The war had to be paused, as the A.I. suddenly became restricted by certain Henali conventions.

But this was only a short delay. The war would resume. The matter had long surpassed the original cause of the conflict, and now became a contest between deities and the A.I. A few interested parties had already started developing the solar system to become the site for many modern conflicts. The natives of the Earth could no longer ever hope to return for a peaceful resolution. They either had to leave, or join one of the camps.

King Marlo and his new empire were the only remnants of the old world, and the last remaining hope of those with the hopeless dream of reclaiming their lands.

During this pause, Alissa did not have much to do. So her heart suddenly yearned to return to the Inn, and spread the glory of the Diamond deity there as well. So long had she spent surrounded by the worship of the deities followers, that the lack of it at the Inn suddenly made her uncomfortable.

Still, she knew much about the Inn, and so did not start any conflicts. She humbled herself and spent some time among the ignorant non-believers.

Soon the feeling of discomfort faded, as she was reminded of her own simple roots. Comparing her life now to what it had been before truly increased her devotion for Adamas. As such, she decided to preach a little while she was enjoying her vacation. Casually she struck up a conversation with one of the workers who was nearby, and asked them what they thought of Adamas.

To her surprise, this worker had never heard of Adamas! She immediately began to preach, but to her increasing irritation, the worker only responded politely but did not seem to be interested at all. This was a stark contrast to what she had experienced on earth, where the pathetic mortals had been easily impressed by the divine might of Adamas.

In the end, the worker could not help but say, "The members of the Inn don't really follow any deities. Besides, even if we had to worship anyone, why wouldn't we worship the Innkeeper? Who is Adamas when compared to the Innkeeper anyway?"

Technically, the worker should not have said that, as it was impolite towards the guests' belief. But no one was perfect, and it just came out.

Alissa was immediately infuriated, and her aura burst out!

"Even if you're the worker of the Midnight Inn, you cannot escape the consequences of being disrespectful to a deity!" she roared, her anger clouding her judgment.

But the worker did not even flinch. Where was this? The Midnight Inn! The security team was no longer inexperienced and ignorant, and they were perfectly capable of handling things. Even without the many powerful workers, who had gone off to war, there were still the entire security team, Young McDonald, Qawain, Lady Anita and many others. Lately, captain Cirk had even learned how to use the massive spaceships security features and so could immediately target anyone within range. Last but not least, Lex continuously had events going on at the Inn so that he could hire the extra security. How could anyone threaten someone inside the Inn and get away with it?

Yet, as it happened, it was none of those who interfered. A large, strong suddenly gripped Alissa's arm, suppressing not only her aura, but restricting her movements as well.

"Actually, they can," said a warm, yet firm voice. A man garbed in full metal armor had mysteriously and spontaneously appeared beside them, and prevented the situation from escalating.

"The Midnight Inn has provided a safe haven for all, irrespective of race. It is a noble and respectable act, and one which takes immense courage and power. I do not know which deity you serve, but there is no reason to create animosity between the Innkeeper and your deity. It would only be a loss to you and your fellow followers."

The man who spoke was Lovis, a paladin knight. Although he had not yet had the opportunity to meet the Innkeeper, he had begun to admire the Inn from the bottom of his heart. He could not tolerate anyone disrespecting such a wondrous holy land.

"It is the Innkeeper who should be careful! Trespassing onto the territory of deities and accepting the worship of others is not a burden so easily borne!" she replied in an agitated state.

But even if she was putting on the front of anger, her heart was quickly filled with fear. She knew the strength of the Inn well. It was not that she doubted Adamas, but there was no reason to put her life on the line. Instantly, she teleported out without letting the situation develop further.

"Thank you for your help," the worker said, "but you really should have let one of the security team members handle it. I would not have the courage to show my face if a guest got hurt on my behalf."

"Nonsense!" Lovis said while laughing. "To be a paladin is to have the heart of a protector! I cannot shy away when I see such actions."

"Lovis, you have been watching too much anime," said an elf who walked up to the man. The elf was one of those guests who perpetually lived inside the Inn, and so had developed many friendships with other guests who similarly spent a lot of time here.

"Such an artform that captures the essence of heroism can never be overconsumed!" he said, once again roaring into laughter.

"Besides, I have not much else to do these days. The Murder Grounds are busy, so I can do nothing but wait. The Paladins and the Diplo can no longer tolerate each other's existence, even if it is as neighbors in the Inn. There must be a resolution to this conflict, but until that happens, I can polish my mind by reviewing the recorded tales of the numerous heroes in anime."

As it happened, just as Lovis said this, there was an announcement inside the Inn.

"General Ragnar of the Jotun Empire had once challenged Warheil Heil Fendal to a fight in the Murder Grounds, but the devil has responded, and selected the Inn's colosseum as the venue of the fight! If he dares to come, Warheil will be waiting there in 24 hours!"

The Inn was suddenly filled with energy and excitement as everyone began discussing the upcoming fight! The challenge was well known and frequently discussed. For so long, the humans had been calling the devils cowards for not accepting yet. But now they had finally accepted, and accepted it with style.

Elsewhere in the Inn, a devil was smirking as he saw the excitement spread, as if he was satisfied with the results of his announcement. Suddenly, a member of the security team teleported in front of him.

"For noise pollution and causing a disturbance without permission, you are fined 1000 MP as a first warning. Please submit the fine as soon as possible to avoid being expelled from the Inn."