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

The people interested in the job openings were now lined up in the Village Center, hoping for a bit of stability in this dangerous world.

For one, that salary was really good! They could finally live decently if they got those jobs! Secondly, Victor and the others promised to train them well—whether it was the guards or the miners—so they could defend themselves. This was worth more than any salary!

Of course, there were still a few people in the line who were a bit more cynical. ”So far less than half of those who came in got accepted. Obviously, the standard isn’t low this time. I don’t think I’ll pass.”

Before, as long as one had a decent level, they could get hired as a guard. They would get booted (or maybe even killed) if they were slow to follow orders though.

The number of former guards who refused to join in the abuse and died right after was not few.

In fact, it was fortunate the people weren’t as queasy or as sensitive as before—who could afford to do so?—otherwise the number of applicants for the Guard position would be much lower, as they would be affected by ’trauma’.

”I have low chances, too, but it’s worth a try.”

”For sure.”

”I also heard those who fought during the war had much higher chances.”

This made a few people eavesdropping to grumble. Some people even slapped themselves, nagging for being a coward.

Anyway, the queue was well-behaved, but it was also very lively.

...

The hiring lasted a few more hours before the slots were filled. At this time, a certain group of aborigines looked at the activity with complicated moods.

They pondered whether to apply for a future job, but they knew they wouldn’t even be considered. They were women after all, and for the longest time they believed that women were only good for specific things.

These were a group of women, led by Umi, Fargo’s former favorite.

”What do you think will happen to us now?” One asked, though no one answered. They were also wondering the same thing, and it was the question that lingered inside everyone’s mind soon after Fargo lost the war.

They knew they were not needed anymore in the new ’Limestone Valley’. There were a few men who still used their services, but they could tell the ruling party couldn’t care less for them.

This was very bad for them.

Despite everything, Fargo Village was still much better than most villages. This was true even when Fargo was in charge, because they had been through much worse.

”What do we do, Sister Umi?” Wana, one of the youngest, asked. She was very worried.

She wanted to stay here. They were really reluctant to part with this place, especially now that life seemed to be improving for everyone.

In all territories, they were treated as if they were slaves.

There was no case outside of Fargo Village that they did not get seriously hurt during the act.

The question was just how bad it was. How many bruises they got? Did they get slapped? Punched? How many times? How long before they could stand and walk normally again?

While most of Fargo’s men still hurt them, it was mild compared to what they had been used to, at least outside the Rongo Mercenary Hall.

To be honest, back at the height of Fargo’s reign, seeing the Terran women fight and look so tortured when touched by the other men—or when the men fight in an attempt to ’rescue’ the women—was completely new to Umi and the others. However, they thought they were stupid, because the rebellions caused them their lives in the end.

It was even better now after Alterra took over. Here—although there was an obvious dislike for them and although there were barely any customers—the locals wouldn’t do anything to them at all. At worst, they’d be ignored, but that was that.

Here…, they were treated as human beings. Disliked ones, but human beings nevertheless.

It had also been the first time since starting this ’profession’ that they had not been pulled into an alley for an entire day.

They were used to getting pulled anywhere to do what they were ’supposed’ to do, to accept whatever was thrown at them, and yet there would be many times when they wouldn’t be paid for their work at all.

It was why, for them, it was best to invest in getting hired in the Chancery, because they’d have at least a guaranteed salary on top of some bonuses from ’customers’ if they got lucky.

Another problem that’d arise if they didn’t get rehired was the fact that they’d have to pay a few gold again in the Chancery. Most of them couldn’t afford that anymore.

Their worried thoughts were interrupted when the people around them moved towards the center. They saw a woman and others bringing over tubs of tasty gruel.

The movement wasn’t slow, with a few men holding a large pot (which they would later find out to be made of condensed earth (by earth users), and then fired to a certain temperature to harden and waterproof by fire elementalists.

The group was led by that beautiful woman, who had a special attractive temperament about her.

Umi recognized her as the very cause of her ’fall from grace’. Umi didn’t have much hate for her though. After so long in her industry, she had seen how prevalent it was for men to feel tired of the old—no matter how beautiful—and look for something new.

It was nothing personal, it was just their way of life.

They watched as Juni and the others settled at the center of the square. Immediately, a lot of people gathered nearby, stopped at a distance by several guards.

”This will be food for everyone,” Juni said with a gentle smile. ”This will be done twice a day for 3 days—and only for three days.

”This is the territory’s way to help feed you when most of you are too weak to go outside and fight.”

The people cheered and congregated to where she was, and for a moment it seemed like chaos was inevitable.

”Wait!” Juni said, appearing cool. ”Please form a proper line, otherwise you will be disqualified from taking anything for the entire 3 days.”

A lot of murmurs resounded but they lined up properly anyway. The guards next to her assisted in their proper arrangement.

Umi and her companions watched in fascination as they watched everyone follow her orders, most of whom were willing and with smiles.

Seeing women fight in the war was already shocking to them, and then they saw that ’Miss Althea’ was so loved and respected, which came as a bigger shock. Now, there was even this woman.

”That’s who they called Ms. Juni right?” Wana said, looking at Juni with sparkling eyes. ”She saved a lot of girls from Rongo.”

”She’s not very strong, but she’s quite admirable.”

Umi’s eyes were bright, enlightened. She walked over and queued up.

”Where are you going?” the other girls followed. ”Oh, so we’re getting food. Of course we are.”

”Well that’s one thing,” Umi said, smiling. ”She’s so beautiful yet so powerful. I want to follow her!”