Desolate World

It made Ace happy. It meant that his business was prospering. He and Sofia had agreed to not take too much profit from their businesses. Because, after knowing that sooner or later they would leave this world, they didn't have much urge to accumulate wealth. After all, they would leave it behind when the time came.

Most of the management of the restaurant, the shop, and the guild house were done by the 7 merchants that she had recruited a few months before. They were helped by other recruited townsmen.

Sofia only gave them an outline of what they had to adhere to. Yesterday, after the auction house was opened, the merchants had surveyed the price of the materials, equipment, potions, scrolls, and weapons. And then, they arranged the price of the goods in the shop. 

As far as Sofia knew, their prices had already been pretty low, so they only needed to raise them a bit, so the difference in prices would not be too large. Although they didn't want to take too much profit, it didn't mean they wanted to disturb the market. As they didn't want to be criticized by other shops in the town.

Because of that, their shop and restaurant could only give a 5% discount to the personnel and the members of the guild. However, even if it was only a 5% discount, it was already much cheaper than the goods' price in the auction house. So, many new guardians decided to join the guild. 

What should they consider anymore, if they had gotten the experience bonus as the effect of having a guild house, various available quests or missions and guild activities to choose and participate, generous rewards for every quest or mission that they cleared, and cheaply priced equipment, weapons, scrolls, and potions. 

What's more, the personnel of the guild were from all races that resided in the town. So no one would feel like being a stranger in the guild. Furthermore, they heard Ace —the master of the guild— was an elder in the town. So, it was guaranteed, no one would dare to bully them. 

However, the personnel of the guild always warned them not to bully other guardians or townsmen, as anyone that dared to disgrace Ace's name would automatically be kicked out of the guild, and would suffer the consequences of offending a town elder. In short, they wouldn't be able to live well in Laketown.

So, at least until that morning, no one dared to make trouble. And he hoped no one did. As he didn't want his personnel to make a scene.

***

Ace and his family didn't enter the guild house. They went directly to the mana pool location. Although it was considered a town facility, its location wasn't on the roadside. It was inside the town hall. To be exact, behind it just after the padestal where the city core was placed. Because of that, many town guards were stationed there. Ace even had to make a schedule for elite night guards to protect the city core. 

After entering the entrance of the town hall without problems, they went deeper directly. The personnel of the town hall had already been familiar with Ace and Sofia, so they had to stop a few times just to greet the personnel.

Ace didn't see Aria, as she was in her office room. And he didn't come to meet her. 

After passing some security procedures by some town guards that were in charge of guarding the town hall, they could enter the place where the city core was placed.

In front of them was a garden with many kinds of plants. There were many human-size statues that held real weapons inside it. Ace knew their number well. They were 30. All of them were fighting golems that were placed by three golem masters. In fact, they were only the visible golems, as there were more golems that were buried in the ground.

After passing through the rows of golems, Ace saw an ace and an angel sitting on chairs that were created from marble. Between them was a marble table with some plates of snacks, a few cups, a water jug, and a teapot. 

Behind them was a pedestal where a colorful ball was floating above it. It was the city core of Laketown. The most important object in the town.

"Thanks for your hard work, Eve, Uriel," Ace greeted his two elite subordinates that were on shift to protect the city core.

""Director,"" The two of them said and then saluted Ace.

"It's almost time for the shift rotation. You can go home after that. Just be a little bit patient," Ace said.

""Yes director,"" The two answered at the same time. 

Eve then looked at Geo and the rest. She then said kindly, "Good Morning Sofia, Cloud, Geo. Geo, It's already been a few days since I saw you. How are you?" 

Eve then talked with Geo and the rest. As Ace talked with his 'disciple' Uriel'. Ace inquired about his and the two dragons' schedule for today. After knowing that they didn't have anything to do, Ace asked him to go with the two dragons to stand by in the outpost near the Bones Prairie to wait for Jordan's appearance and prepare if something went wrong. He said the angel could take a rest after arriving there.

Uriel nodded. After a few months of education, Uriel was no longer a reckless and arrogant angel. He could lead Eric and Erica well. As for the two dragons, they had been willing to do Ace's order. But, for their characters, they didn't change much. 

Eric was still indecisive when he was around his sister. And Erica still liked to do anything she pleased. But, at least, the two listened well to Ace's order and didn't dare to make trouble with anyone from Laketown.

On the other hand, Eve invited Geo and Cloud to her house, as her mother and little sisters had missed Geo very much. Cloud agreed, as they didn't have anything to do after this event.

After saying goodbye to the elf and angel, they then walked further inside and found a small pool. However, there wasn't any water there. There was only golden mist that filled the pool. 

*Ding*

[You have entered the mana pool area. Your mana consumption for activating all skills becomes zero as long as you are here]

***