When they saw the city from a distance, they weren't sure what they saw, but when they reached the gates, they found it to be more of a town than a city. This didn't surprise them, as they saw in previous timelines, as the city wasn't finished even two years later.
When reaching the city gates, Shu stepped back and stood behind Lǜ Zūn and Armageddon. He didn't want to be seen until he reached the city lord's castle.
Mary considered what she could tell the guards, but ultimately, she decided to let things go as they did in previous timelines. Shu told Lǜ Zūn that he did not need to speak with the guards. And lastly, Armageddon thought that if he attempted to talk to the guards, his notoriety might provoke them, so he chose not to explain why they were there.
"So, why are you here?"
It was the second time the captain of the guards asked them this question, and ever since he asked them, they were busy eyeing each other as if waiting to see who would be the first to fold and explain why did they want to enter the city.
Seeing his allies weren't planning to explain and knowing Muriel had no clue why they were there. Alexander had to step up.
He placed his right hand behind his back and then put it forward. The bottom side of his arm faces the head guard. On his hand was the divine crest, a symbol of the dreamer god, embedded in the arms of those from the dreamer god's temple.
The head guard stared at the tattoo. Evidently, he was annoyed, and Alexander could easily guess why. If the reason was this simple, why couldn't this bunch answer quicker?!
"Followers of the dreamer goddess's temple, hmm. It has been a long while since I have seen members of that temple. Has there been any big changes in the last few years?"
The head guard asked. He was a slave for a long time, but it's not as if he had never seen members of any temple, so he was curious.
"I am from the main temple and still didn't have the opportunity to speak with temple members from this godless realm, so I can only tell you about the head temple."
Alexander tried avoiding the question.
"This is not an issue. I would love to know regardless."
The head guard said with a sincere smile, which made Alexander feel guilty for trying to avoid this conversation.
"Fine then. About four years ago, the Oblivion branch took over the temple, they sent Morpheus to die because he wasn't willing to follow their doctrine, and lastly, three years ago, someone killed many temple followers as revenge."
Alexander counted the most noteworthy things that happened.
It made sense that the guard didn't know about these changes.
The temple in the godless realm has been detached from the head temple in the dreamer god's realm for a quarter of millennia. It is only since the start of the tournament that the doctrine of the Oblivion branch has been spread in the godless realm. And once the competition ends, survivors from the dreamer god's temple will return to their home realms and circulate these principles in the other realms.
As Alexander spoke with the head guard, Muriel could notice he was pissed. She wanted to ask what was wrong but knew this wasn't the right time.
"Morpheus? I guess many things are different at the head temple. Well, have a nice stay in the city."
The head guard said and signaled the other guards to open the gate.
********
After being let into the city, they started looking for an inn and found the only inn in the city. It was a newly built place that wasn't too fancy but was more than enough.
Only one other hotel is being built at the moment, but like other buildings, it is still in the construction stage.
There wasn't a line at the inn, and they could see the surprised expression on the receptionist's face as they went in. Mary and Lǜ Zūn walked over to the counter to speak with her.
"How many people are you?"
The receptionist said with a slow, monotone, and indifferent tone. She was a short elf with bluish-white hair and light blue eyes, and her face showed no emotions.
"Seven and a pet."
Mary answered.
"Until when?"
The receptionist said with the same emotionless tone.
"We don't know."
Mary said with an awkward tone. She knew this question was coming, but she still couldn't help but feel embarrassed that she couldn't give a proper answer.
"Business until further notice, then. This will be a hundred for two rooms or a hundred and fifty for three rooms."
The receptionist said.
Mary looked at everyone else in the group. She remembered Dam telling her to choose two in past timelines, but now, there were more of them.
"Three rooms"
Mary answered.
"Put the Money here."
The receptionist placed a platter on the desk.
Mary placed money on the platter, and the receptionist gave her the keys to the three rooms.
The group went toward their rooms, and Mary didn't think she could ever feel more relieved than at that moment. It wasn't so much the embarrassment, but the monotone atmosphere around the receptionist made her very uncomfortable.
They placed their things in the rooms and agreed to decide what to do after a good night's sleep.
********
In the morning, they all gathered in one of the rooms and talked about what they will do from that point.
"Shu and I are going to the city lord's castle. We need to start preparing for the war. Armageddon, please don't go out because it might cause a problem with the authorities. Everyone else is free to do as they want."
Mary said. Alexander couldn't feel happier to be getting this free time. There was something quite painful that he had to do.