Desolate World

"Good, I didn't pick the wrong guy. That's the spirit," Mars nodded in satisfaction.

The other elders then congratulated him one by one. Getting warm responses, Ace thanks them all. For Ace, who was a former gambler, this achievement was very special. The trust that he got, the feeling for his works to be recognized, it felt wonderful.

Who was he in his original world? Except for being a fertile man that had a wife and a son, he was known for nothing. Even his reputation among his neighbors was bad. Even George had been bullied by his friends for being the son of a gambler.

He was a bronze citizen not because of his hard work. If he was an infertile man like his brother, he would become a white citizen that spent his time in the casino and bars while receiving the support of the Union. After all, what he was good at was only playing cards. And that was definitely not a glorious life, even if he could earn much money from it.

Maybe because of that, he liked to leave his family for weeks or even a month. He wanted to make a name for himself. He wanted to make an achievement in his life, so his wife and son could be proud when somebody asked what his job was. 

But being a gambler was not a glorious thing. Sometimes he got jealous when he saw the workers who were busy doing their job as staff of the sanctuary. Maybe their job could only give them 700 to 1,000 credits a month, but theirs were 'real jobs'. Something that they got for doing well in their school years. They were chosen because their achievements had been recognized by the government or some big companies.

Even if he would always brag to his brother that he could get thousands of credits from gambling. He knew well, deep down, he did that because his brother was doing well in the army. Although there was no real opposing country anymore as the world had been united, and only some terrorist groups who became threats. Becoming a soldier always became the dream of countless boys. And his brother who was selected to become a soldier always made him envious. 

'Why not me? If he could, why couldn't I?' This ugly thought always haunted him in his years of becoming a college student, and became worse when he knew that he was not selected for any jobs out there. 

He would feel despair if not because he was a fertile man that was expected to produce a new generation to preserve humankind's existence. It sounded glorious and noble, but society often joked that someone like him was a 'children factory'. It definitely was a blow for the prideful Alex —who was the brother of a soldier— could only become a 'children factory'.

He wasn't happy with that. But, he was helpless. After all, that was the real him. An insignificant person whose presence was no different than millions of idle people who lived by getting subsidies from the Union.

Of course, he didn't complain about what he got. After all, the Union gave him far better treatment than he deserved, and maybe everyone also thought so. Although their world was crumbling, no one became a hobo, freezing under the bridge or got hungry. Not like the era before the war.

But, while the abundance should be grateful for, people's needs were not only that. They wished for a partner to live their lives with and a job to brag or complain about.

Although he couldn't get a job that he could be proud of. He was grateful to meet Vira and marry her. From the document that he got while being matchmaking by the Union, she was definitely the best candidate. She was beautiful, the best graduate from the best university on the moon, and from a golden citizen family, as her mother was an important figure in the human Union.

Until today, he didn't know the reason why she chose to be his wife. As she would be able to get a better husband just from her achievement and her mother's status. But, whatever her reason, was not important anymore, as in these years they formed a family, they came to love each other and could tolerate each other's shortcomings.

And now, after he got this elder position, he really wanted to tell Sofia and Geo. to share his joy with his family. Of course telling Cloud and Sampson was a must. As he wanted to get the recognition of the two. That he was no longer an insignificant person like before.

But, he must tell them casually. So his cool image wouldn't be destroyed. He was so happy. It was a good day.

***

After declaring that Ace had become the elder of Laketown Village, Mars continued the meeting.

"What we will discuss this morning are about the division of tasks to prepare the activation of the city core and what shall we do to some rascals that made some commotion yesterday?

Although yesterday's event didn't cause any injury and death, such undisciplined and irresponsible acts couldn't be tolerated. 

I'm sorry, Aria. About their actions, I can't tolerate it. We must punish them, so no such thing ever happens in the future," Mars said unambiguously.

"I understand, Boss. But, you must consider it well. If you punish dozens of them, there will be a crack at the harmony of the villagers in the future. The angels still haven't had a sense of belonging to this village. I am just worried there will be a problem in the future, because of this incident," Aria said.

Ace thought that what Aria said held some truths in it. He had never heard or read that many people were punished for a mistake. At most, their leader was the one that was punished as the masterminds. In this case, it was Uriel. 

But he couldn't say that, as he was Aria's brother. He didn't want to offend Aria for this matter. 

***