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

Garan and Gill did not leave the General’s house until late at night, after a long while of discussing strategies.

As for whether Fargo was watching their movements, they couldn’t do anything about that. They could only prepare to be attacked. There was no way, a lord was simply too powerful within his own territory.

”Lords can really see loyalty?”

”Wouldn’t we be discovered soon?”

Gill shook his head. ”No, the minimum is zero, never negative. Zero isn’t conclusive evidence of betrayal. I’m sure a lot of people here have this number.”

Vincent and the others heaved a sigh of relief. Their values were definitely zeroes, but they were sure that at least a third of the territory was the same.

Soon, the group started to discuss the timing of their attacks.

After all, because there was no war yet, they couldn’t deal with Fargo or else the territory would disintegrate.

They also could attack during the territory wars, in which case that was just damaging to oneself.

”We can’t risk anyone else.” The general said.

Henry was a very upright old man, it was just that he married a snobbish socialite and spoiled his only daughter.

”Of course,” Garan said, ”We can only bide our time, strengthen ourselves.”

In the end, they decided to subtly strengthen their force here. In which case, a few of their team will stay.

But not too many as that would raise Amon’s vigilance.

Before adjourning, Garan looked at his small team.

”At least two people will remain. Your task will be to help raise the level of others.” He said, looking at his soldiers and telling them of their mission. ”Raise their levels to a point Fargo wouldn’t be able to do anything to them.”

”Yes, captain!”

Similarly, they would be able to safeguard themselves during the imminent territory war, whenever that could be.

The problem was, if Amon noticed their level increase and made an issue out of it. And also…

”Fargo already had strong aborigines with him, right?”

”That is troublesome.”

”Isn’t there a way to hide levels from the omniscient eyes of a territory Lord?” They asked Gauis, who they let join.

Anyway, slaves were contract-bound never to betray their masters, similar to how hired individuals could not utter anything sensitive related to the hiring territories.

At this, Gauis looked down, very guilty. ”I apologize. But I have not heard of such.”

Silence reigned in the room again, and some were even wondering if it was really safe to stay here.

However, they would be reminded of all the people who would have to suffer under the man’s reign and their consciences attacked them again. At the very least, with them here, Fargo and their forces would control the intensity of their killings.

If they were gone… maybe Fargo’s men wouldn’t care anymore because there would be no one the people could turn to anymore if things got bad enough to risk their lives.

”Just lay low,” Garan said after a while. ”Perhaps… he would be too busy dealing with other enemies now that the Protection Period is over.”

…

Garan’s group prepared to leave first thing the next day. Among Garan’s team, only Vanessa and two others (Leo and Santos) remained with the General.

Oh… and Gian also belatedly decided to stay. Obviously it was because he was still bitter with the captain and didn’t want to have anything to do with him for now.

Anyway, after saying their farewells, they headed towards the East gate where most Edenian refugees seemed to be from, which was where most of them needed to go.

Because of Garan, most of the protected people during their weakest were naturally Edenians.

Not to mention, different nationalities naturally didn’t get along too well in the beginning. Spats, bad decision-making, bad luck, and many others slowly lessened their numbers unnecessarily bit by bit.

Edenians had the highest survival rate not only because Garan was a capable leader, but also because of the unity of the Edenian soldiers.

Among the remaining 14 people, 10 were from Eden. As for the rest, they’ve no clue where to start so it was better to move with the team.

Vanessa, though, wanted to go with them, but there was no valid reason that wouldn’t make her look desperate.

She wanted to at least say a sweet goodbye to Garan, but their eyes didn’t even meet. Unreconciled, she stepped forward to get closer to him. ”Be careful.” She said, and he only nodded politely before turning away with the team.

As the group headed towards the gate, a feminine voice echoed across the whole entrance, making everyone turn their heads simultaneously at the source.

”Wait, Jakey!”

The aforementioned man flinched in terror.

Oh good lord, ’Jakey’?!

Jake tried to hide his embarrassed blush with a palm on his face. It did not help that the people beside him were mimicking her tone of voice.

”Oh, Jakey, wait~”

”Jakey~~~”

”Oh, Jakey-honey!”

He glared at the cackling people he used to call friends, and then glared at the woman who was causing him the embarrassment.

Yiyi ran to them, carrying a woven basket on her arm. She looked at him admiringly but hesitated on speaking.

”What is it?”

”Can I come with you?”

Jake crossed his arms. ”Want us to bring another deadweight?”

”But—” she paused and her head dropped down. ”Okay…”

But... she wasn’t too disappointed. She didn’t expect he’d really take her within him anyway.

She then passed him the basket she worked on last night. ”Here. I made these jerkies and dried fruit for you.”

She had worked part-time in a food processing shop before, and she was actually very good at this.

As for why she didn’t use the jerky, fruit, and baskets to make more money before, it was because she witnessed someone doing business get bullied.

There were too many gangsters and bad guys in the territory, every area pretty much had some asking for ’protection fees’ and more. They couldn’t even keep the money they worked for.

In this world, money without a bit of power wasn’t wealth, it was trouble.

Jake’s sharp eyes stared at the basket and saw the splinter marks on her hands that were holding it. His stance softened a bit in response as he took the basket.

”Just go work for Vanessa. You said you’re a good cook, right?”

”Yes! I worked a total of 34 part-time jobs, 17 of which were related to cooking!” She said proudly. During their ’bonding time’ together during the rescue efforts, she had also told him that she had taken jobs in laundry, cleaning, and babysitting and that she would make a great wife.

His ex-friends didn’t forget to encourage the girl. ”Don’t worry Yiyi! We’ll watch over him for you!”

”Yes, yes, keep him away from those vixens!”

”Yes, yes, I bet those vixens can’t cook as well as our Yiyi!”

It so happened that Yiyi made them some barbeque before, so they knew the girl did have talent.

Yiyi blushed profusely and looked at the group with shining eyes. ”Yes, please! I’ll be sure to make you a lot of food the next time we meet!”

”We’ll take you up on that! Haha!”

The soldiers laughed and made more promises, while Jake just covered his face, not knowing whether it was due to humiliation or embarrassment.

Too bad Yiyi wouldn’t be the same the next time they get there.