After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World

Baron turned his attention back to Althea, seeming to be reminded of something. ”How’s old Eugene?”

”Still working on your project.” She said. She knew that he was partnering with Eugene to create bicycles. Oslo created metal for them, but producing permanent metal was so much work, and only a few grams a day had been produced.

It had been several days, but there was still no movement.

But from what she heard at home, it seemed that Eugene had made some progress. Something about minimizing the need for metal lugs.

Eugene also got the largest share of this project, and he promised her (the boss) some shares as well.

It seemed like she’d take about 10% of the profits without having to do anything at all. It was very nice of him.

In fact, even if Eugene wasn’t a teammate, such a share was very smart to give to the Lord, as it would ensure the proper support for its development.

In this topic, she also heard Baron’s woodworking factory was working on wooden wheels and axles.

Even if it wasn’t bikes, rickshaws, and maybe carriages (if someone could tame beasts) would arrive in the territory soon.

For now, they produced rickshaws because no one knew how to tame animals to carry people.

Anyways, whichever mode of transportation would be introduced, Althea would welcome them with open arms.

There were a lot of people in the territory who were looking for safe jobs with minimal skills. They had a minimum requirement for training so she didn’t worry too much about their strengths stagnating.

There were also quite a few people—a lot of whom used to be strong men—who had lost arms and hands before reaching her territory. They were thus unable to do most of the jobs needed in the territory. This job would suit them just fine.

In any case, although the development for transportation would not be seen within these few days, she could already see her bustling territory with its own transportation.

She was looking forward to it.

And… she really wanted to reward those who were making these things a reality. Althea silently took note of adding a good amount of contribution to the people who would make this happen.

Reward those who deserved it: This was the way to keep innovations going.

”I’ve already applied to rent another factory,” Baron told her. ”Focusing on these wheeled contraptions.”

She nodded, congratulating him. With this, Baron was now renting 4 factories. One for household furniture, one for other wood shenanigans, one for tanning works, and the currently being built factory for the aforementioned wheeled contraptions.

Because factories were only for rent, the 5 owned real estate limit didn’t apply. Similarly, when Althea ’rented’ tens and tens of farmland, no one questioned her.

”Well, I’m sure you’ll succeed.” She said pointing at the stroller. ”I can personally attest to the quality of your products.”

Bianca and Joe, who were the main technical talents of Baron’s company, blushed at the compliments.

Especially Bianca, who had worked very hard for the babies’ accessories.

At the mention of the children, Barons, and his companions’ eyes had instantaneously landed in the covered crib.

But they—at least those other than Bianca and Baron—weren’t close enough to Althea to handle the babies with ease.

Now that Althea herself opened the topic they were happy to jump in.

They really, really, liked these kids very much. Not only because they were supremely adorable, but also because they were their unwitting muses.

It was Althea’s requests for toys and playgrounds that actually inspired them to create the product line in the first place.

Even without seeing the babies, they were already considered their muses. But seeing them now and their cute chubby cheeks and large colorful eyes, their position as forever muses of the product line was cemented into stone.

So… cuttteeee!!

”Are they awake?” Bianca asked, eyes so eager no one could refuse. ”May I hold them?”

Althea was just gesturing to nod and Bianca was already holding a baby.

”...”

The group doted on the children very happily, making the kids laugh in glee. They already started discussing a toy line for children and giving the children several copies for free.

They also began to explore more playground features. They seemed very passionate about this.

”When the wheels are made, we could make those seesaws, spinners, and merry-go-rounds.”

”Eventually, when we get the technology, we could make things like carousels!”

”Very cool, but we must use Terran animals as seat models. If we use the local beasts, maybe the kids would think they’re friendly and try to pet them!”

He gasped at the image. ”Can you imagine? A child running towards a monster, thinking it was their friend—gasp!”

”You realize they’re babies.” One said, rolling their eyes. ”They won’t even go outside.”

”But we have a few children. They won’t be unused!”

”Yesyesyes. Our territory is amazing and safe, soon children will be running around for sure!”

”Ah~ how lovely that would be. Children running around, going to school, giggling and making our hearts happy….”

”Yesyesyes!”

”Someone better develop paper already! How are we going to have books for school?!”

”A team’s perfecting it already!”

”Can I write an autobiography? Do you think it will sell??” Another one thought out loud, ”No, even better, novels! I should get my wife to write novels again.”

”You idiot. People would be interested in knowledge first!”

”No, you’re the idiot! I remember you read e-novels instead of studying when you were a little brat! So of course novels would sell!!”

”You don’t know. People have their basic needs now, what better way to meet spiritual needs than a good book?!”

This went on for a while, and Althea watched fondly.

She looked warmly at the group of people doing their part to improve lives.

When people were working hard for the territory, she, as the Lord, felt both proud and energized to continue doing what she had been doing.

Everyone was sincerely working for the territory. Whether it was for themselves or their families, it was a great thing for the solidarity of the land.

A community with one mind could always perform miracles.

Althea had a feeling they were already starting.