"I didn't know this was going to be that kind of tea party," spoke the Supreme ruler as he grabbed the lemonade mug and eyed the others. "Is Divine aware of this?"

Lex did not hear the second sentence that the ruler spoke, though he had a feeling that this new guest had said something.

Immediately, Nuwa's aura wrapped around the Innkeeper to protect him as Nuwa, Ventura and Eclipse all three drew their weapons.

"Hold your tongue, Asho, Ventura ordered, not a shred of his former civility left behind. Or maybe he really was being civil, because Eclipse's reaction was even stronger.

"I will cleanse the universe of your race if you dare toy with me!" she declared. For moment, Lex felt that behind her he saw the illusion of a massive and terrifying spider, with its webs extending far into the universe. Although Lex had no proof, he could sense that those webs seemed to be moving closer to countless Henali.

Lex had a feeling that if Nuwa's aura hadn't been protecting him, he might have already died. He did not know what exactly had provoked such a sudden stand off, but clearly offering more lemonade was not going to resolve the situation.

Nuwa drew forth a whip of her own, and though she glared at the ruler, she forcefully calmed herself down.

"This is a tea party, nothing more. If you have come to pick a fight, go elsewhere," said Nuwa, putting away her weapon first, though she did not withdraw her aura. Instead, she concentrated it around the ruler as a small reminder of who he was talking to.

For a moment, silence fell between them as the parties stared at one another. Despite his desire to do something, the Innkeeper remained standing. Eclipse, however, couldn't help but notice that it looked more like the Innkeeper was watching a show with an amused smile than caught up in a fight between peak powers. Even now, his soft, amused smile remained.

The ruler looked from the others towards the Innkeeper, and then at the drink in his hand. He swirled it, but did not take a sip.

"I have only one purpose in coming here today," the ruler spoke, showing no signs of being intimidated by any of them. "It is to declare openly that if any of you are behind the ongoing wars, and you dare to target the Henali, then I will show no decorum. I have no intentions of adhering to rules I did not create"

His words seemed to lack the same depth of provocation his first sentence had, but he had not really backed down by much.

"Understood," said Eclipse, nodding. "But since I did not start the previous wars, it will be perfectly fine for me to target the Henali, right? Do you think you can get away with provoking me without a cost?"

Ah yes, having a tea party with some of the strongest beings in the universe. What could possibly go wrong? Was this the second, or third possible universal war he was facing?

The Innkeeper did not change his expression, but wrapped in Nuwa's aura, Lex focused his thoughts towards a certain idea he had, seeking her permission to

act.

Since the Host Attire seemed no barrier to her whatsoever, there was no reason his thoughts should be hidden from her either. Just as he expected, a moment later, he sensed a small nudge of approval in his mind, as if Nuwa was allowing him to act. It was really important he get her support before acting because...

Eclipse had spoken, but before the ruler could respond, or anyone else could add to the situation, the Innkeeper moved once again, now standing face to face with the ruler.

In keeping with the theme, Lex could not see the ruler's true appearance. Instead, all he saw was a blurry figure.

"Dear guest, it seems there has been some kind of misunderstanding," the Innkeeper said with a warm smile. "I am hosting this tea party so that my guests can enjoy themselves, and chat among friends. If you have other intentions,

then perhaps you should find a more suitable time and venue."

The ruler chuckled, as if he had heard some kind of joke.

"Are you really kicking me out of your party? Can you really bear the consequences of crossing me?" he asked, his voice actually becoming the

calmest it had been since he arrived.

"Do not think of this as an eviction, the Innkeeper. "Instead, think of this as an invite. To be more specific, an invite to host your own party or event where you may do as you wish. Of course, if you can find it in you to enjoy the tea like the others, then you are more than welcome to stay. As for bearing the consequences... I'm still standing right here, aren't I?"

Dead silence. No one spoke, though Ventura used that moment to take a sip from his lemonade. This was the most drama he'd seen in billions of years. Why weren't any of his parties ever as entertaining?

Nuwa, on the other hand, quietly continued to protect the Innkeeper. The truth was, of everyone here, the Innkeeper was the only one who had no idea of what the conversation was actually pertaining to. Yet it was exactly because of his ignorance that he could get away with saying certain things, which is why she had allowed him to carry out his plan.

The ruler, or Asho as Ventura had called him, did not immediately reply, and instead continued to stare at the Innkeeper silently, before turning to look towards Nuwa.

"It seems I was mistaken," he finally said, all hostility absent from his voice. "When I sensed a meeting taking place, especially within the domain of the Primordial Queen, I imagined something else entirely. Now that I know that it is a simple tea party, with no ulterior motives, I have no more reservations." Nuwa snorted, and Ventura chuckled. Eclipse was still disgruntled, wanting to avenge the insults she had suffered, but she understood well that this was not the time or place to pick a fight. She would not forget this incident, though. "Speaking of meetings, we should now disperse," Nuwa said firmly, almost commandingly. "If we have any more unexpected guests, then things may really get out of hand."

For once, it seemed that the entire group was in agreement, though Ventura showed no intentions of leaving.

Nuwa turned into smoke once more, and returned to the Innkeeper's body. Asho, too, left the Primordial Garden, though his voice lingered even after he

was gone.

"Previously I thought the little spider was joking, but you are quite the courageous one. Who knows? Maybe Lady Nuwa is finally a mother after all."