Desolate World

Ace then remembered Geo. If there was a person that could calm Cloud in this situation, it would be Geo. He then used the party channel to call Geo, <Geo, can you calm your grandmother, so she wasn't angry anymore?>

Geo then looked at Ace with a questioning look. 

Ace then realized that his son didn't understand what he meant. Ace then said via party channel, <Just ask if she is okay.>

Geo then nodded. He then looked at Cloud and asked, "Grandma, are you okay?"

It seemed like Geo's question worked. As Cloud took a deep breath a few times and then opened her eyes. 

She then looked kindly to Geo and said, "Of course, grandma is fine. You don't have to worry."

Ace, Sofia, and Sampson then breathed a sigh of relief. As it seemed the storm wasn't going to come.

Cloud then said, "Okay, you win. I will tell you my motive for suggesting it. It is out of my selfishness. Because, I want to pressure Michael to immediately send the 'knight battalion'. 

As I think the prospect of this settlement was great, I want the Union to send the knights here. So Ace could get more quotas. Although I can't be sure what the condition of gaining more quotas is, what I know is, by having more help, the chance of Ace to gain more quotas will be bigger, right?"

It was a rare time for his mother-in-law to talk about himself. But, then he realized that although she talked as if she did it for me, actually it was not. She really wanted to help humanity. As his quotas increased, then more people could be brought to another world. Ace began to see his mother-in-law in a new light.

"Only for that?" Sofia then asked again. She looked at her mother with doubt.

Cloud then said, "You know, if more people can be saved, then it will be easier for us to start up in a different world. And as Ace also held the quotas, no one will complain if your husband holds some power in the new society. And then Geo will inherit it all. It is a win-win deal, right?"

So it was for Geo's future. Although she didn't say it directly, she wanted Ace to be some sort of a lord in the new society. And after years of pioneering the new world, Geo could inherit his position. It was a 'wonderful plan'. And Ace couldn't refuse, as it is for Geo.

But, if it was possible, he didn't want to cause a disturbance in society because of this 'out of selfishness' plan. And he found some inconsistencies in her statement. 

He suspected that she wanted to reveal the truth, to get the Union's and the people's attention. As there was no relation between revealing the truth and promoting this settlement's image. However, he still appreciated her intention. As she wanted to do that for Geo's future.

Ace then asked, "Okay, I must agree with your goal. But, can't we do it with other means? I mean, without revealing the truth to the public, that I'm sure will cause chaos."

Cloud was silent for a moment, then she said, "I'm sure the Union knew that you have already had quotas. Then the problem is our settlement has been starting too late. So, we need more publications. 

I don't know how many people follow Emily's streaming usually. But we need about 100,000 viewers or more, so it would get the Union's and the people's attention.

And…."

"So, it's about the popularity of the settlement, right?" Ace, who wasn't patient, cut her words.

Cloud seemed not to think about the interruption, then nodded. She said, "Basically, yes. What I want is so they think it is worthwhile to support you."

"So, as long as we can attract their intentions, it will be enough, right?" Ace then asked.

"Yes. Do you have an idea?" Cloud asked.

Ace nodded, he then said, "I have a way, but you must promise me not to reveal the truth!"

Cloud frowned. However, she said, "As long as your idea is feasible, then yes. I promise. What is your idea."

Ace then took the blueprint of the tower of glory in front of them and smirked. He said, "I think, with it, everything will be solved?

The first person who took it was Cloud. After checking the blueprint, she looked at Ace fiercely. She said, "Why didn't you show us the blueprint from the start? With it, everything is enough."

Ace then answered, "I would, but Sofia spoke earlier." 

After that, Sofia checked it. She exclaimed, "This! Where did you get it from?"

Ace said, "Of course, it was a reward from the completion of the mission yesterday, I got it with this cloak and my cards."

Sampson then also checked it. He looked at it, as if didn't believe it. He said, "Damn it! How dare you hide it before?"

However, Ace ignored him. He then looked at Cloud and then Sofia. He asked, "How is it? Can we build it by ourselves? Or, do we need the town's help?"

While waiting for Sofia's answer, Geo also wanted to look at it, so Ace gave it to him.

"Of course, we can build it ourselves. But, we can't use it just for ourselves. Such good stuff is impossible to not share with the town. So, I suggest you talk about it with the elders first," Sofia said while knocking the table with her fingers.

"I get it. I of course will talk with Mars, Aria, and the rest. But, wouldn't it be better if we build it by ourselves? And then we can monetize it. You know, like everyone who wants to enter the tower, if he is a townsman he should pay 5 dirac, and if he is a guardian, he should pay 10 dirac. And for the guild's members or personnel, they will get a free quota to enter once a day," Ace then said his opinion.

***