The Innkeeper

Chapter 1309  Can I ask you a question?

"It's pointless. Ventura is an academy, not a police force. As long as their internal paperwork is filed and they're following the regulations of the academy, it does not matter what they do. Of course, if they go too overboard, the academy will step in - and that's only because they don't want the reputation of the academy to plummet.

"Realistically speaking, the examinees won't really allow the realm to be destroyed, so Ventura won't mind what they do. Besides, this is the domain of the Chaotic-Gold Ventura branch. As long as they approve of what's going on here, it's very hard to do anything against them officially. No, the only thing I can do is fight them head on fair and square, using my identity as King, not as a member of Ventura."

"Well I can't help you with that, but there is something I can help you with," said Lex. "I am here for Belail. I don't know the hierarchy of the Kraven, but the last time I saw him, the tiny Kraven seemed like he was someone important. Either way, I am going to kill him, and anyone else that stands in my way. I came to you for any and all information that can help me complete that task."

"Belail, huh?" Cornelius mused as his mind wandered. He had learned that the Kraven prince who had attacked the Midnight tavern all those years ago had taken to hiding in a panic room for years, which is mostly what saved him from Vinei's wrath. Though the monster remained at the peak of Earth immortal, its strength far outstripped common Heavenly immortals. He was nearly invincible within the realm, only the two Deity birds barely matching up to it.

It was only after the exam began that he was forced to leave his panic room. Yet Vinei was no longer as unbridled in his conquest anymore, simply because he too had been targeted by those examinees, much like Cornelius had - and much like Cornelius, he had also been injured.

"It won't be easy to get to him, he never comes to the front lines, always commanding the war from the back. I'm sure you noticed that his build was much smaller than a regular Kravens. That's because, among Kraven, there is a genuine difference biologically between commoners and nobility.

"In exchange for being much smarter than their brethren, noble Kraven are actually somewhat physically weaker, but the spirits are much stronger. So their poisonous slime and healing factor are weaker, but they're still much more dangerous. They also don't mindlessly ravage the land like the rest of their race.

"But it's not fighting him that you should be worried about. Instead, it's all the immense defenses and protection of the entire Kraven empire that should worry you. Even if you can hide from detection, and make your way to the capital, you'd likely only get a single attack before the entire city starts fighting you.

"It's not such a simple task. If you'd take my advice, I'd recommend that you let go of this idea. If he ever comes to the front lines it would be different. But unless you want to lead the entire war, and push the Kraven back to their capital, it isn't very dangerous."

Lex rubbed his chin for a while. Actually, he wasn't concerned about being able to kill the Kraven at all. It was not overconfidence, it was just a fact that very few Earth Immortals could face him right now.

But even so, in the spirit of being careful, Lex decided to come up with a single, overpowered attack to use during an assassination. It should be his strongest attack - greater than anything he can unleash normally. It wouldn't hurt to have an ultimate move tucked in the back of his pocket.

In truth, his Golden Inferno was already stronger than the strongest attack of most immortals. But since he could use that normally and so easily, it didn't feel like a main attack.

"Even so, any information you can give me on their capital, how to get there, what to expect, I'd be grateful. I'll judge the situation myself once I get there. Although, if you don't mind, there's one more thing I'd like to ask you."

"Giving you all that information is no problem at all. In fact, I wish you the best. You're right in saying that the death of Belail would be a great boon to the situation in the realm right now. And yeah, sure, go ahead. What do you want to ask?"

"I've heard, from quite a few sources, that you're exceptionally strong as far as an Earth Immortal is concerned. I normally wouldn't care, but the people who told me that have a very high standard. I'm curious if you'd be willing to spar with me. I'm very interested in learning from you."

Cornelius actually laughed when he heard that, suddenly grinning.

"Kid, of course I'm strong. Everyone suppressing their cultivation forcefully instead of moving to the next realm would be strong. My situation is simple. If I enter the Heavenly Immortal realm, I can no longer lead my empire. At the same time, I cannot stay at my current strength forever. So I have spent a lot of time developing ways to increase my strength. I've dissected the art.

"If you're interested in learning from me, I don't mind teaching you. In fact, considering who your other teacher is, I'd consider it an honor to be able to teach you anything."

"In that case, let's go somewhere private. No time like the present."

Cornelius looked at Lex and smiled. He teleported the both of them away from the city, and to a barren mountain range. The mountains were made entirely of rock and the valleys were willed with desert sand. It did not look like anyone would miss this place in case he went a little overboard. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Lex, let me ask you a question," Cornelius said, as he took off his royal armor, and instead put on a different one. "Where do you think strength comes from?"