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

”Don’t think you are already strong, don’t think that what you’re doing is enough—chances are, it wouldn’t be in the long term, especially when we finally upgrade to Town—an inevitable stage in the territory’s development.

”With me is our Elder for Military Affairs. As someone who had led the team for three months upon their arrival—without the advantage of a Protection Period—to tell you exactly what you will be up against.”

Althea watched as Mathilda called Garan onto the stage.

Garan decided to take this opportunity to bring everyone in the loop about what they could face.

While the aborigines undoubtedly answered honestly when asked and the territory was never stingy with information, there were stark differences in their perspectives that their people may not have truly absorbed.

There might also be cases where the Aborgines simply didn’t think it needed to be said.

For instance, they might think of some dangers as common sense and didn’t think to make a warning.

Primarily, aborigine territories. There were things and concepts they had been born with, which their Terrans would struggle to understand by instinct.

People generally knew about beast tides by now, and a lot of people had been privy to the existence of territorial wars.

However, not enough people understood the implications. For Alterans, the journey had been much smoother than others. For those who arrived early, they’d argue it was too smooth.

This was a double-edged sword. Even with all the warnings and training Altera implemented, these people would understandably be a bit complacent in their cores.

Garan and the others doubted they truly understood how weak they were against the outside world. Perhaps they ’knew’ they were weaker, but how much did they truly understand?

It was still the best to hear from the perspective of fellow Terrans.

Especially… they had already welcomed their first Aborigine guests. There would only be more. The ones they had now were friendly, sure, but it was only a matter of time before they welcomed hostile parties.

They had not forgotten Bart’s warning at all, and they could only prepare so much against unknown enemies.

While her eyes were on her husband, Althea looked at the current status of the territory, determining how much they still had to do in order to prepare for the inevitable conflicts with strong aborigine territories.

[TERRITORY STATS

Status: Level 3 Village

Area: 12,566,400 square meters

Residents: 1915 (503 permanent, 1412 temporary)

Total Population: 4324

Base Resources:

Wood: 12300/20000

Stone: 9200/15000

Money: 13731 Gold, 19699 Silver, 998699 copper

Reputation: 190

Buildings: Village Center (Lv3) , Weaponry Shop (Lv3), Defensive Wall (Lv5), Warehouse (Lv3), Farm (Lv2), Training Hall (Lv1), BathHouse (Lv1)

Bonus Building: Custom Buildingx2

Building Slots: 7/9 (+2)]

She also made a mental summary of the top levels in her territory, not including the aborigines.

Level 22: 1

Level 19: 4

Level 18: 8

Level 17: 2

Level 15: 1

Level 9: 8

Level 8: 78

Level 7: 315

Level 6: 843

”Just a bit more..” she mused, and their levels wouldn’t be too far from fellow villages.

Against towns though, they’d need a bit longer. She ought to determine ways to keep herself from upgrading until they were ready.

Her attention was brought back when she heard his familiar voice echo across the area.

Garan stood tall, gravitas keeping everyone’s apt attention on him. He was handsome, tall, firm, and very very intimidating.

The people were reminded what kind of man led the military strength of the territory. After all, when the public saw him, it was outside the barracks with Ms. Althea.

How approachable he was with her, how scary he was when he stood as a soldier.

”A lot of you already know my team and I have been struggling in this continent for a few months… and I am here to tell you what we will be facing next.

He told them the horrors of territory wars. While the population had been informed about its existence, it was never really detailed. The Aborigines saw it as a way of life already, not seeing much worth to tell.

”In wars, we will be going against fellow humans—intelligent creatures with similar features, walking on two feet, two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Unlike beasts, they had brains, strategies, and the accompanying sinister minds.

”It could be harsher because you may lose your life under the hands of your own kind—as if the monsters outside was not dangerous enough for them.

”They will aim to kill you, if not turn you into slaves. I’m sure you know that the losing territory would give up part of its population, all of whom would automatically be designated as slaves—humans with no will of their own.”

”It could be once a month, once every few months if we’re lucky. But… if a territory is attractive it could be as often as twice in a month.

”Look around you, brethren, see what you have. Tell me: Is it—our Altera—not attractive?”

Silence.

No one could speak for a while, absorbing his words, the implications slowly dawning down on them.

Because Altera was, indeed, attractive—incredibly so—and they would definitely be attacked often.

”Villages generally had level 10 forces, level 8 at best. For towns, it is twice of this.

”If they target our home, would we be able to defend if?”

Garan did not speak, and let the listeners absorb this information. After several beats, he finally opened his mouth, a baritone voice echoing across the square.

”Do you like Altera?”

”YES!”

”Then together, we will protect it.”

Wild cheers echoed in the square. This time, there was no cold water dousing it.

Their propaganda inspired all the guards, aspiring-guards, and citizens alike.

”We will be hiring another 100 guards and every guard above level 10 will receive more benefits and wages than the others.”

As he said so, the familiar ding resounded inside everyone’s minds.

[Hiring! Guards

[Wages:

[Level 5-9: 500 copper/day + 100 contribution points

Level 10-15: 1000 copper/day + 300 contribution points

Level 16 and above: 50 silver/day + 500 contribution points + conditional Permanent residency (after 3 months probation) +Automatic promotion

[One set of complete and well-fitting equipment per month is provided for free.]

More and more cheers resounded.

”In addition, we will also be pioneering a new program for everyone. If you wish to increase your pace of growth, the territory has established teams to assist you.”

”Some of you may already know. The lifespans of stronger people would be much higher. Level 10s tend to have more than 150 years, as long as they didn’t have an accident, and this will only increase as one leveled up.”

On cue, another announcement sounded in their minds.

[Level-carrying Program

Level 1-5: 10 silver for every 8 hours

Level 5-10: 1 gold for every 8 hours. ]

”This program will let non-guards strengthen themselves as well,” he said. After all, the current program focused on the guards. Now that all of the guards had spiked in levels, it was time to distribute their time to the others as well.

”We expect everyone to grow stronger—only when every one is stronger, will our Altera be strong as well.”

…

Mathilda smiled at the atmosphere, and after allowing some moments of solemnity, decided to lighten it up due to the occasion.

She took the amplifying cone again, this time with a smile. ”But before we go full force in strengthening our home… let us celebrate it first!”

The party went in full-swing the next moment, with different prototype instruments sounding. Although the quality was not nearly as good as they were used to, the effect was enough.

The aborigines were absolutely fascinated by the combination of sound, light, and energy.

They even started moving a bit, and Troy immediately guided Brenda to dance in a little corner.

On another side, exclamations about the food were the ones resounding.

”Wow, this food is delicious!”

”Amazing!”

”I need more!”

”HEY! Line up!”

The food was of controlled buffet style, with around three starters, six viands, rice, pasta, and two desserts. They didn’t put out a lot of alcohol either, just some juice, afraid people would get too drunk to keep the next day productive.

While the party was ongoing, Cassandra unconsciously went to look for a figure to see him watching her as well. Their hearts stopped and they both blushed a bit, looking back to their own groups who were celebrating in their own way.

The only difference from a moment ago was that there was a little tilt in their lips now.

Gill’s group—the soldiers—were mostly eating while the more upbeat ones like Mao, Sammy, and Luis were doing weird dances. Sammy was doing something like the robot (except it was more awkward) while Luis and Mao were doing hip hop (or something of the sort).

The new aborigines were much more modest, with the maids and guards nodding with the sounds, while many of the older ones like Clutch had already danced with the Terran locals as soon as the music started to play.

Their eyes were wide as they listened to the opening songs, admiring the lights in stark contrast to the night sky.

It was fascinating. They wondered if there were people outside the territory that could see it.

In towns and larger territories, an infrastructure option of prolonged torches was introduced. These towns could also build towers with fires that only needed wood or gold to maintain, and there was also the optional luxury lighthouse.

But their current territory—a village—was able to build something similar, without having to buy these luxuries.

They also had never seen something like a spotlight before, and they were all staring at it with fascination.

Ansel and the twins’ smiles widened at their reactions, knowing that their future plans for the Entertainment Industry would rake them some money.

Of course, the Terrans were no less amazed.

”We could place this on the sky sometimes… like Batman.” They heard some people mumble beside them.

”It would definitely attract more people to come.”

”Batmen.”

”He-he.”

”I wonder how many people is required to trigger the Town upgrade.”

”I heard the requirements to become a Town is huge! Fortunately, anyone who’s been to Altera is likely to stay.”

They didn’t know how things would change when they became a town, but seeing the village celebrate like this… made them feel incredibly hopeful!