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

”The new prison welcomed its first strong prisoner,” Althea said, reading the real-time reports on the Aether letter on hand. Garan sighed and patted her shoulders. She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder to feel relaxed.

When she confirmed that Guia was going to attack, Althea reluctantly used a building slot to finally buy the Prison. It was located deeper into the territory near the barracks and the mountain areas, so few people had witnessed its construction.

There was no way, the manual construction couldn’t have taken strong enemies, especially elementalists.

They needed a place that could truly contain strong enemies—which Guia Village undoubtedly was.

…

While the undercurrents of the oncoming war brewed, many people still remained blissfully unaware. For instance, the new aborigine visitors who were just there to buy things, explore, and be tourists that they were.

Although as citizens of Towns, they didn’t have to worry about getting enslaved, they still would’ve preferred peace during their excursions. Alterra had just gone to war, how could they know it’d undergo another one so soon?

These people happily spent the day roaming around and shopping. Among them, a nice-looking blonde and his partner went to the weapons store, surprised to see a familiar face there.

”Brenda?” He said, startled.

The woman flinched and turned to the direction of the voice, becoming similarly surprised. ”Rapthen? Oh my elves!” she yelled, going out of the counter to go to him.

They greeted each other arm to arm. It was a casual friendly greeting, though a bit touchy-feely for Troy’s eyes.

He cleared his throat as he followed her out, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. ”Who is this?”

”It’s a childhood playmate from back home.”

”From Glaston?” Troy asked, feeling a little jealous. Brenda looked at him being all salty and realized what it was about. She giggled, amused and warm.

”He likes men,” she gently explained to him, pointing at the other man who was standing to Raphten.

The man looked awkward though he greeted her with politeness. Brenda smiled at him. ”That is his partner, in dual senses.”

Troy blinked, his hostility calmed down immediately. ”Oh.”

Raphten though was a little startled and a little hurt. Brenda noticed this and immediately explained herself. ”No, no, your... situation is normal here.”

In Xeno, the treatment of homosexuals varied greatly depending on one’s power. If one was still weak, it was greatly frowned upon. After all, procreation was still important and most humans by instinct disliked the situation because it hindered procreation.

At the same time, if one was powerful enough—whether in terms of abilities or position—it was much more flexible. For instance, in Jonathan’s case. After all, procreation was harder at his level and there were fewer expectations for him regarding that.

Xeno was essentially still a place that put the most importance in power, and a Lord of a powerful town naturally could do whatever the heck he wanted.

Raphten and his partner were among the former, so they were forced to keep things a secret. ”They don’t promote it, but they’re accepting of everyone who wants to contribute to Alterra’s growth.”

”I… see…” the men said, albeit not quite absorbing her words. However, their surprise was pushed down by the gladness of seeing a friend. ”You seem to be doing well here.”

”Yes, I am,” she said, a bit proudly. Though her stance turned a bit serious as she the image of their home passed by her head. ”How’s my dad?”

”Missing you,” he said. ”He was hoping you’d be home.”

This made Brenda feel a deep pang of guilt. She hadn’t been home for a while. She usually took some day off every six to twelve months or so, depending on her location, so she could visit him and stay there for a few weeks.

In fact, before getting to Alterra, she had been planning on staying only for a month before leaving. But she got too attached and there were so many things that had to be done, so she couldn’t bear to leave.

After a few moments of thought, she looked at her old friend. ”Can you tell us your itinerary?”

”Well, we just went to this area to sell our stuff in the Ferrol fair. We got curious about this place and tagged along. Otherwise, we’re heading back home.”

”Ricky… so you’re going back to Glaston aren’t you after this, right?”

”Well, yes…”

”Can you please send a letter to dad?” she said, going back in the counter to get a paper and pen. ”I want to ask him to move here… but I know it won’t be easy.” The old man was a bit… stubborn, for the lack of a better word.

She looked at the blonde. ”Go to the guides, they will let you know the place well, and be sure to tell my dad.”

Raphten was very surprised. Everything they had was in Glaston, and Brenda was asking her father to move?

But then again… from what he saw, Alterra was really a unique place. He felt there was still a lot more to discover.

”I will study and tell him what I saw with honesty.”

Brenda smiled. ”That’s good enough for me.”

…

Speaking of letters, certain mercenaries also received one each. One was for Gill, from Cassandra, and another for Brandon, given by Veronica. It was delivered to him by Knauf.

Brandon wasn’t sure what to do with it, so the other teammates dragged him to a corner of the dorm in the table, and asked him to open it up with them.

It was followed by hoots and teasing and a very confused Brandon.

In fact, Veronica had only even kissed a few men and nothing else. It was just that a noblewoman holding hands with different men would give them a reputation similar to that of a harlot.

She was actually quite innocent and her letter was sweet and pure.

Amusingly, it had to take a few explaining of her metaphors before Brandon’s face found a tinge of a blush, which successively got him a few more hoots and teasing pats.

Gill shook his head and went to his own private area to open his own letter.

He did not expect it to only have one sentence.

/Let’s break up./

Someone dropped a thing behind him and he realized a few people were peeking.

”Wow… Boss Gill got broken up… in text,” Luis gulped, looking pale. Another one shook his head and stepped back, as if it clear himself of the crime of peeking.

”I know Sammy got broken up through text before. He could barely get up from bed the next day…”

This earned him a knuckle on the head. ”HEY!”

Beside them, Jake whistled. ”Well, it was about time. I’m surprised he hadn’t been dumped sooner—”

”SHUT UP!”

They all flinched when Gill yelled and they immediately separated to do their own tasks, leaving the aborigine who delivered the letter in place.

Knauf flinched, raising his hands. ”I had no idea what it was!” he said and also walked away to give the boss some private space.

Alone, Gill crumpled the paper in his hands, his dark eyes sharp with annoyance.

”That woman!” he yelled, gritting his teeth. ”Wait til this war is over and I will spank you myself!”