Of all the things Mary had been expecting from this conversation, a helping hand in Inn defenses was not one of them. This was a conversation that Lex or the Innkeeper should have had, but that wasn't possible given his current situation. The issue was, even if she were given a mountain of gold on a silver platter, she would not be able to accept on behalf of the Inn. She was literally restricted by the system in what she could do though those restrictions had eased up regarding certain topics as of late.

At the same time, while she did not think that Eclipse would need to probe them if she wanted to harm them in any way, asking such a question as a Dao Lord was borderline an attack on its own!

It wasn't that the question in itself was harmful, Mary could just deny it. But that, as a Dao Lord, one needed to be cautious about everything. There was literally no way of knowing what an enemy was capable of, so one's guard needed to be always up.

For example, if this question were asked from a normal Dao Lord, even if they didn't answer, the question itself would prompt the listener to think of some of their most critical defenses. That thought alone could stir countless universal forces, too abstract to list but each one incredibly real. By detecting which of these forces was stirred, and then tracing them back to the source, the person who asked the question could glean hints or even direct details about the defences.

Fortunately, that would not work with Mary as the system protected her thoughts firmly - mostly to keep a hold on them. Whether Eclipse had any ulterior motives while asking the question or not, Mary did not know. What she did know was that she could not get involved in this conversation at all.

"I am not at liberty to discuss any of the Inns' defences," Mary stated directly and professionally. "If you wish to learn any details, or provide any assistance, you may discuss the matter with the Innkeeper."

Eclipse only chuckled upon hearing the question. This was exactly the loyalty she had been thinking about. Mary had not even considered hearing her suggestion in the slightest - at least as far as Eclipse could tell.

"I can give you a suggestion and you can pass it on to the Innkeeper on my behalf," said Eclipse. "The Frozen Time-Space Stone is a genuinely valuable item that even I used in the moulding of my realms laws. But utilizing it to its maximum potential requires someone with incredible control over time.

"I had Nulli here help me out with it, but forging a Seat of Power is a very private thing - not everyone can take external help with it. Thus, before using it, I recommend the Innkeeper head to the Barren Planes atop Mount Jaferi in the Ferax realm. What few know now is that those planes are barren because of an eternal time storm above it.

"Well, I call it eternal, but it's just because it has been going on for a long time with no end in sight. It's a good place to train with time. If the Innkeeper can manage to learn something there, he might be able to use the Time-Space stone to form an isolated Time-Space barrier around his realm.

"That is one of the most powerful realm barriers I have ever encountered, making it almost impossible for the barrier to be breached regardless of the size of the attacking force. Of course, certain races such as the Nullith are less bothered by it, so it's important to pair that barrier with others for maximum effect, but you get the point. With a barrier like that, it won't matter if there's an invading force of a thousand Dao Lords at your gate. Which one of them will be willing to breach a Time-Space barrier? Only the ones tired of living and searching for a quick and easy end."

The name Ferax realm seemed to trigger a distant memory, but when Mary thought towards it, she found it missing. The memories were missing due to her incomplete soul rather than the system's restrictions, she could tell. It seemed that this Ferax realm was an unordinary place.

"I will pass on the message to the Innkeeper, Mary said, not commenting on it in the slightest.

"Come on guys, let's not talk about such serious topics," said Nulli as she put down her drink. "It's so rare for us to relax like this. This is a tea party after all. Let's talk about something light and fun for once. It's always doom this, gloom that, self defence this, kill enemies that. How about you help a girl find a good masseuse? I would find that a whole lot more useful than some stupid barrier. The last time I stepped through time, I discovered that the whole damn race I used to use for massages went extinct!"

Eclipse looked at her friend for a minute and tried to remember how they became friends in the first place. Why was she always so non-serious?

Oh right, because she'd never felt threatened her whole life. That would do that

to a person.

"Fine, fine, if you insist," said Eclipse as she clapped her hands, promptly summoning Harriot.

"Send the Waddle Brigade to the tavern, and while you're at it, arrange for some entertainment as well. The Innkeeper isn't the only host here, so am I, so I guess I should do my part in entertaining the guests."

Harriot nodded, as if he had been given a mission of utmost importance.

"It will be done at once, my lady. If there's anything specific you have in mind, let me know. Otherwise, I will convene the senate."

Eclipse waved her land, letting Harriot decide on his own. The poodle, well aware of his mistresses' habits, understood and teleported away. While the Dao Lords of the garden were convening to decide on entertainment for Eclipse's guests, Harriot showed up beside a massive lake, covered by thick mist.

Hidden behind that mist... was the legendary Waddle Brigade!"