Desolate World

Ace shook his head. He then stared at Andrea's eyes, and said, "Do you know the condition of the world after it changed, right? You will never live peacefully if you don't have a settlement. 

The Undead and other races would clash with each other to determine who will rule the continent. 

So, I think you must start thinking about joining or creating your own settlement." 

Ace's saying made the shadows talk among themselves. Andrea then smiled bitterly. She said, "We understand about the settlement, and how to build one from the undead. However, we didn't have a shadow lord. Maybe, there is one somewhere, but our family does not have one. 

As for joining the settlement, I think it won't work. As you know, a settlement can only shelter one race. Even if we get the protection of another race's settlement, it won't truly become our own home. Besides, only no race will agree to provide us a shelter."

"Why?" Ace asked. 

He was originally glad that Andrea knew the difficulty of building a settlement. Then he would offer an olive branch to them. He believed, with their village's characteristics, he could easily convince them. But it seemed their circumstances were more complicated than he thought.

In fact, when he heard that they were wanted by the undead, he thought that something was odd. However, he ignored it that time. So, he decided to hear it out.

"Nothing, I'm sorry. It's not something you should be concerned about. Thank you for your concern," Andrea seemed to not want to talk about it.

Ace sighed. It seemed he was too enthusiastic to recruit them, he forgot that they might have a secret that they hoped others would not know.

Ace was confused about how he would handle it. After all, this chance wouldn't come often. It was impossible for him to meet refugees frequently. 

'It seems there is no other way,' Ace concluded.

Ace sighed. He then said, "Let me be frank here. My village is special. It can shelter multiple races without a problem. You may have heard about the destruction of a strong skeleton platoon 2 weeks ago. It was my village head who did it. The monsters became crazy and overwhelmed us, who wanted to save human refugees in the wild. So my village head killed all of them. By the way, my village head is a dragon."

Everyone was surprised. Even Andrea widened her eyes. Ace was satisfied with the result he got. As he saw many shadows showing their interest, he was sure the outcome had already been sealed. But to his surprise, Andrea shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ace, although your invitation is tempting. But our circumstances are special. I have to refuse with much regret," Andrea said with a bitter smile.

"Can you tell me the reason?" Ace asked. He really didn't expect to hear rejection. 

"No, it's just... It will be impossible for us to merge into your village. Please, just understand. We have a different path with you," Andrea said with a firm voice. As if wanted to discourage Ace to persuade them any further.

After hearing it, Ace knew that it was impossible for him to persuade them anymore. It was such a letdown. But, he couldn't force them, right?

Ace smiled bitterly, as he wanted to say goodbye, he heard Jordan's voice, "Andrea, just tell him our reason. Maybe… maybe he can accept us."

Andrea sook her head. 

"Sorry! My decision is final," She said.

Ace then said goodbye to them. He turned into bats and flew East like his initial intention. However, his thoughts were always preoccupied with the shadows' refusal. He seemed to forget about something that was important. But, as he tried to recall it, he failed.

After 10 minutes of flying, he stopped. It was because he felt someone was following him. As he transformed became human. He shouted, "I know that you are following me. If you have something to talk about, I will listen."

He then waited for a minute, but no one appeared. But he was still patiently waiting. He knew that the one who followed him would appear sooner or later.

Ace then sat down and took a monster core from his inventory and began to meditate. He didn't want to waste his time. So, when waiting, he thought it would be more productive to meditate than being idle.

Ten minutes later, the shadow finally decided to come out. It was Jordan. He appeared about 10 meters away from Ace. Ace wasn't surprised. As only he, who seemed to be enthusiastic about the idea of joining Laketown village.

He then said, "I want to ask. Is it true what you said about the village?"

Ace nodded. He then said, "As you can see, I'm human. It's impossible for me to join the dragon's settlement."

Jordan nodded. He then asked, "Could you tell me about your village?" 

"Sure, our village is beside a large lake in the West," Ace then explained the Laketown village. Jordan seemed to be interested in the village. When Ace told him that they had a cave under the waterfall near the village, his eyes shone. 

Ace assumed that the shadow preferred living in a dark place. But, Ace had expected it from seeing how they could enter the darkness. It seemed, they could use the shadow of something to enter a special space that only they could enter.

"What kind of races live in the village?" Jordan.

"As I have said, Mars is a dragon, he is the village head of Laketown. At the moment, only one other dragon lives there. But, many others will come these days. 

There are also us, humans. There were more than 700 humans there. All of us are refugees from the North.

There are also goblins. They are small people who are good at farming and crafting.

Soon, elves, dwarves, gnomes, and angels will join in. Actually, an angel who has an idea of the creation of a settlement that can shelter multiple races. She is like our caretaker. As you know, dragons can be so carefree. He pushes almost all of his responsibility to her. Hahaha…," Ace said, he then found that Jordan's expression became bitter.

"What is it?" Ace asked. 

"Sorry, Ace. I thought that there is hope for us, shadows, to be able to assimilate with your village. But, it seems Andrea is right. It is impossible," Jordan said.

***