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

The next morning, in contrast with most others, some people’s moods were a bit dour.

First, there was Vanessa, who was extremely envious of the nice place. She had barely slept the previous night despite hanging out in the spa for hours. She relaxed in the spa after the ’working hours’, which was something she really missed.

However, the experience got muted because she kept hearing that woman’s name in various discussions!

First, there was a group lounging in the pool area who kept talking about how amazing that woman’s beauty products were. They would exclaim how smooth their skins had become, and how it had recovered to their pre-apocalypse luster.

They would call her the beauty goddess, not just for her face, but also for her ability to elevate women’s beauty!

Then, in the restaurant, there was a group who talked about her medicines. One woman fawned how good they were, saving her son’s life!

Then there were envious chatters of how lovely her family was, how perfect her children were, and what a great match she made with her husband.

Couldn’t these women be quiet?! She had mused with gritted teeth. However, she was still raised well so she didn’t show a hint of it on her face.

They’re like shrews, chattering like they want everyone to hear their discussions!

However, wherever she went, there would always be some mention of her somewhere.

Couldn’t she just relax?!

The bitterness attacked her even after she left and went to bed, entering a foul mood as soon as she woke up.

Then there was Jonathan’s party, who had already extended their stay and were no longer able to run away from their responsibilities.

Of course, a lot of the civilians and other visitors who came with Jonathan would remain in Alterra for a while longer. So, even if Jonathan left, Alterra still had dozens of aboriginal visitors, not including the Golds, spending good cash in the territory.

Jonathan and the rest felt very reluctant and melancholic, knowing he’d really miss this place a lot. At the same time, he was also looking forward to how he could improve his own place based on what he had seen.

He had always thought his town was the best, but he now knew that his vision was still too narrow.

Of course, he could do limited amounts because his town had already been built and integrated. However, he could still implement some policies like increased garden spaces (he may have two or three lots he could clear out), as well as the strengthening of the citizens themselves.

He would also consider implementing his own contribution point system, allowing for territory-exclusive perks for those who contributed to the place.

For one, it would improve the lifestyle in his territory. Second, it could lessen the amount of people who would be too tempted to move to Alterra once it became a Town—which, to be honest, was an inevitable thing.

”I’ll miss this place,” Kory said beside him, twirling his dark curly hair. Beside him, Ping nodded in agreement.

”Well, with the deals we secured, we can bring a bit of it back home.”

”That’s true.”

It was too late for them to completely mimic Alterra, but they could definitely mimic a part of it.

Anyway, the party grouped together and prepared to go, bringing in a lot of chests and items that could no longer fit in their space. It was estimated that even the top of carriages would be occupied at this rate.

Jonathan looked at the party setting up and raised a brow, realizing there was someone missing.

He looked at the guard next to him. ”Where’s Cassandra and Veronica?”

…

Cassandra and Veronica were indeed coming this time. To be accurate, Cassandra had to.

Although she could just write a letter, she didn’t want her family to send forces to Alterra to push her out.

Although she knew Alterra could handle whatever subsidiary Jacoba Town would send, she didn’t want unnecessary trouble to this place that she was slowly thinking of more as ’home’ than Jacoba.

It was amazing. How long had she been here? But for the first time, she felt truly free, that she had the power to shape her own self and her own future.

She truly wanted to return. Hopefully, she could manage to handle things at home in her favor.

The two women waited in the barracks for the men. Their training extended so they were a bit late for the gathering time of Jonathan and the others.

When the training was done, the men were immediately informed of their guests. It also seemed urgent so they went to them as soon as they could.

Gill and Brandon arrived a few minutes later, a little sweaty and very sexy with how their shirts clung to their muscles.

Gill saw Cassandra and approached. He was puzzled at first, but it was replaced by a frown when he saw her expression.

She raised her head to look him in the eye. ”I need to go back to see my family.”

”What?” He exclaimed, surprised. However, a moment later he forced himself to calm down.

Of course, she would go see her family. What was he thinking?

Instead of asking too many questions, he just asked one. ”When will you be back?”

Before she could answer though, the interaction next to them caught their attention.

”Aren’t you going to say anything?” Veronica just stared at Brandon who looked at her blankly.

”I’m going to visit my family,” Veronica repeated. ”But I’ll be back.”

”Okay.”

Veronica pursed her lips, and looked at the side. Her expression morphed to one of shock and amazement. ”What a big crossbow!”

Brandon immediately whipped his head in the direction. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw none, immediately turning to look at Veronica with a puzzled facial expression.

Choo!

The next thing he knew, something soft met his lips.

”...”

Face flushed red, the woman skittled away, forgetting about her companion.

Cassandra shook her head. Although Veronica was flirtatious, she had always only held hands with the men she found fancy to. This was actually a new thing—kissing, still on the lips.

”Good job,” she told Brandon who just blinked, as if in a daze. He left then, leaving the two of them alone by the receiving area.

”I’ll come back to you for sure,” she told Gill, belatedly answering his question. She played with his large, warm palms that never failed to reassure her heart. ”I really like it here, after all.”

He nodded, gripping her palms on his. ”Well, if you don’t then I’ll come and find you.”

She whipped her head to look at him. She wouldn’t want him to venture out for her, but the thought he’d be willing made her happy nevertheless.

Gill leaned down to meet her lips, already expressing his longing. Cassandra wrapped her arms around him and they felt each other’s heat, as if remembering each sensation.

They didn’t say so out loud but—considering the distances and circumstances—they both knew they wouldn’t see each other again in quite some time.

When they parted, the two of them were lacking breath. Placing their foreheads against each other, they smiled.

”See you soon.”