The Innkeeper

With new directions, Z got over the sense of loss he felt at being unable to use his new technique. Logically speaking, it was a good thing that they hadn't been pushed to the point of hopelessness. Not to mention, they were hardly safe yet. Who knew, maybe the devils would return from the void having gained immense power seeking vengeance. Isn't that how background characters later became named characters later on in some of the comics he read?

With renewed motivation, the mech launched itself into the escaping demons and cut its way to the already damaged monument. To be specific, it had been split into two as the ground beneath it split open, but the structure on both sides was, more or less, still standing.

Unfamiliar with how this monument was supposed to work, he decided to take no risks and destroyed it by smashing it repeatedly with his spear. He was not concerned about the spear getting damaged in the process, for the pieces of metal it was made of were actually extremely well refined, very specific parts used to make this spear. The yellow light that held the pieces together also strengthened them, and allowed them to display greater strength.

Once that was done, the mech turned towards the escaping demons. Truth be told, ordinarily, Z would never attack escaping enemies. After all, they had lost their will to fight, and were no longer a threat.

Unfortunately, these demons were not here to fight in a war, but to specifically target them. Moreover, all it would take was a single devil for them to once again take up arms against the battalion. As such, he could not give up such an opportunity to reduce the number of his future enemies. It was clear, though, that his actions lacked the same level of motivation he displayed earlier.

An hour later, the battle was more or less over, and the mech returned to the site of the monument, waiting for the Marzu to finish their hunt. Unlike him, they seemed particularly vindictive in hunting down the demons, and did not want to spare even a single one. But that gave him a good opportunity to rest and recover.

Although he did not disable the mech form, in case negotiations with the Marzu did not go well, or in case they were not even there to negotiate in the first place, the battalion was now nearing exhaustion.

They were not at their limit yet, especially since they were taking this opportunity to replenish their spiritual energy, their physical exertion was now getting to them. They had not slept or eaten anything in a while, and had been fighting nonstop. No matter how much discipline and determination they displayed, it would not fill their stomachs. But, for now, all they could do was endure.

Fortunately, due to their battlelust, the Marzu took their time in pursuing as many demons as they could, giving the battalion enough time to recover somewhat.

When the massive feathery magicians returned, their formidable figures painting an impressive sight, they surrounded the mech, their eyes filled with a menacing glow. Their leader was one step ahead, and stood directly opposite to the mech, staring it down.

Z did not cower under the scrutiny, or show a hint of nervousness. Instead, he studied the creature back. Although they had never had a Marzu as a guest at the Inn, he had studied a lot about them. After all, they were quite famous. The achievements of their race were not few, and most of them either had to do with warfare or magic! Both were topics Z took great interest in.

From the mech, the Marzu leader shifted her gaze to the rubble that was formerly the half built monument, and a trace of recognition flashed in her eyes.

"I am Feyore, Witch of the Hidden River. Your courage and strength are commendable, and your ways of fighting unified are even moreso. Tell me, do you recognize this monument and its evils, or have you fought the devils for another reason?"

"They are planning to pull this planet into the Void, and take it away. The monument will allow them to do that, which is why we came to destroy it," answered Z, calmly. "They have this planet cut off from the alliance, but somehow they have not let the alliance realize as much. We have called for our own reinforcements, but the enemy is aware of it as well, which is why we sought to disrupt their plans, lest they find a way to speed up."

"If you have called for backup, why not have them inform the alliance as well? Once the alliance realizes something is amiss, their response will be strong and swift."

The mech shook its head, as if disagreeing.

"You have too much faith in others. If the alliance was so unified or so formidable, something like this would never have happened. Infiltration, sabotage, causing internal conflict, these are the basics of warfare. Since the alliance is at war with the Fuegan, they should already be riddled with such infiltrators. We cannot trust them."

The contrasting views came from their different levels of perspective. The Marzu, regardless of how strong they were, were a subordinate race of the Henali. To them, the power and influence of the Henali was unmatched, so they could not even imagine a flaw in their design. Whereas to the Midnight Inn, the Henali were equal. At most, they had a little leverage due to the fact that the Inn was within their realm, but that was temporary to begin with.

The Marzu leader was not swayed by Z's words. The reason it became silent, instead, was because arguing was pointless, and convincing the other of Henali supremacy was not a part of their objective.

"Are you certain that your reinforcements will be enough?" Feyore asked. Although she had her doubts, currently they were stranded with no other way of communicating with the outside. She was dependent on the other for this.

"They will be enough. Whether it's facing the enemies, or extracting us from this planet, neither should be an issue." After all, the Innkeeper had sent them - whoever they were.

"Would it be possible to facilitate our extraction as well? We will pledge our staff and wands for combat until the deed is done, protecting us all."

Z hesitated, and asked Luthor the specific terms he wanted. It was always good to make sure. He was glad he did, for Luthor had a very firm stance on the matter, although Z could not decide if he was not surprised at all, or extremely surprised to hear it.

"Whether you pledge to fight or not, we would help you leave regardless. That is the way of the Midnight Inn. Whenever anyone in the universe seeks refuge and rest, they are welcome to the Midnight Inn for as long as they wish. But, if you wish to fight, then instead of protection, we ask that you find and destroy other monuments such as the one that was here."

"You mean there are more of these?" Feyore asked, her eyes narrowing. Although she had not mentioned it, she and her kind knew more about the monument than the battalion. That was because they could detect the magical signatures it gave off. Reading the residual energy, they could detect its purpose. Simply pulling the planet into the Void did not seem like it encompassed all that the monument was being designed to do, it was merely one of its many aspects.

"I cannot say for certain, but I suspect as much. After all, since the enemy has access to the entire planet, why build a monument so close to two parties of survivors?"

Feyore turned to look at her subordinates, and seemed to communicate with them telepathically. It was difficult to discern what they were saying, but all of them looked incensed.

"We will join you in your hunt for the monuments," Feyore finally answered, after she finished communing with her own group. She was agreeing to hunt down the monuments, but at the same time, she did not want to separate from the battalion. After all, although they claimed that they would help, there was no guarantee. It was best to remain close together in such circumstances.

"In that case, we will move out after a short rest. If you can search the other monuments somehow in the meantime, that would be very useful. If not, we'll figure something out."

With the agreement made, the mech dissolved to once again form 1000 different soldiers.

They stood, side by side, and in battle formation, though fatigue was apparent in their eyes.

They waited to see if the Marzu had any reaction to seeing them like this, but they had already seen through the mech. Although they were not familiar with humans, they did not discriminate against them.

After all, when compared to the Marzu, all other races were equally inferior. There was no point in discrimination between them.

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