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

A few more days passed, Alterra was now celebrating the grand opening of a new construction.

The Grand Hotel.

It was deferred for a bit due to the other construction projects that were much more urgent.

But now that the heatwave was over—and with the injection of new manpower—the construction went full force.

Also, after much study, Althea’s worry about the manual constructions being much more susceptible to attacks versus system buildings was more or less unfounded.

This was because the Limestone—or any other construction material—in Xeno was also doused in Aether. It was much stronger than what could be built in Terran! As long as they constructed it well, it would be just as fine as system buildings.

It was similar to the strength of residential buildings and the custom houses from the system except theirs was better because of the methodology.

Further, they used hydrated lime, which would ensure the concrete they had was self-healing. Basically, they wouldn’t have to worry about the concrete quality even after a hundred years.

Of course, the defense of manual buildings could not be compared with those with defense arrays like Walls and Sentries.

When she figured out how to create defense arrays like those placed on the walls, then she’d have no problem creating virtually indestructible buildings.

Back in Fargo, the bombs she made only damaged the walls and some loose parts of the building. For example the roof, as well as some ledges.

If she wanted to destroy buildings here easily, like how bombs from Terran could wreck Terran structures, she’d have to create a bomb that would attack the structure or the molecular bonds of aether itself.

But that was a dangerous weapon she was pretty sure she didn’t want to dwell on for now.

Speaking of that, she also added several clauses in the oath of her researchers. She couldn’t have a mad scientist deciding to study such a thing without her permission!

However, while a valid worry, Althea actually worried too much about this.

Aether was still too mysterious. Even to locals who lived for hundreds of years—and even to people who had the resources of books and knowledge of previous generations—this wasn’t something they could fully grasp, especially not enough that they’d be able to create such a weapon.

Even several geniuses working together for years wouldn’t be able to figure it out so easily!

Anyway, at this time, a good part of the territory stood in front of the magnificent 7-storey building.

It was massive but its design and ornaments allowed it to blend with the surrounding streetscape. There was also a sizeable easement with a beautiful garden in front of it so it didn’t feel too in-your-face for the people coming in from the streets.

It also had large windows that were like the classic Youli windows but much more transparent. They were larger now, making it seem like each floor was floating.

The structure’s approach was lined by generous gardens and gazebos, the trees’ foliage effectively framing the entire entrance. There was a large fountain in front of the building, making a centerpiece with the entrance canopy right behind it.

Considering it was a building with a much taller height than the buildings around it, it did not seem so heavy and overbearing. In fact, it seemed light and airy and comfortable.

Speaking of building heights, Althea had decided that even if they became a city, she would limit the building heights to 7 floors, even if they were perfectly capable of going higher.

One, it looked better and less suffocating. Although having high-rise buildings was convenient, after a lot of consideration, she realized she didn’t want it if she could help it.

In Terran cities, tall buildings blocked the path of winds and the sun. It even created wind tunnels that could be dangerous. She wanted everything to be less cluttered and less suffocating for the people actually using the space.

Second, the infrastructure and utilities would require a lot more to build and maintain. Even if she could afford it, if she decided to add the costs over the years, she was sure she’d fall ill.

Finally, she heard that Towns and above could attract the stronger flying monsters. Territory walls could only guard against enemies it could physically block.

If the monsters flew above 100 meters, then her current sentries wouldn’t reach it. Of course, seven-floor buildings would only be 25 to 40 meters in height in total, which could easily be guarded by sentries.

Her goal was for comfortable and clear living spaces for everyone. Seven floors should be enough even if they used much of the space as open spaces and gardens.

They also had tunnels now, which could also provide extra living spaces. They would also carve a few houses along the mountainsides, creating terraced communities with gardens on top.

But that was something of the future.

For now, everyone was admiring the grand building that was so intricately designed, some people disbelieving that it was done within a few months.

”This was really manually done?” Pieto asked, amazed. He had extended his stay because he knew something happened every few days. Look at this now.

”Yes, I have been watching its rise when it started construction again,” one of his cronies said. When the heat wave happened, the construction stopped, but the progress after that was impressive.

There had been very few manual construction in this world due to their impracticality. They cost a lot and took a lot of time. Besides, they used bricks or wood which was not as durable as just buying modular houses. There was simply no point in doing it most of the time.

However, after seeing what Alterra had been doing the past few months, it was proven that they were still too narrow-minded.

Soon, the guests were invited inside, while the others looked on in envy and enthusiasm as they were led to the large door.

The ones invited in the opening weren’t commonfolk. They didn’t want the opening of a high-end place to appear like a market street.

The people invited were those with at least 50 gold in their wallets, so everyone who managed to get the system invite suddenly had new bragging rights.

This wasn’t encouraging elitism, the Elders said, this was euphemistically called ’balancing the wealth’. With the spending of rich people, what benefited the most was Alterra itself, after all.

In any case, the large beautifully-carved double door creaked open, and the guests were greeted by a grand lobby with a high ceiling. There was a large uniquely-designed chandelier above that made people think there was a fairy on top.

The lobby was large and stylish, with flooring made of polished stone. When one walked past it, they would feel like they were walking to another world that made them feel both comfort and pride.

People stopped in the middle of the grand lobby, staring in front of them. There, the Elders were standing in front of the grand staircase, wearing beautiful semi-formal clothing.

They, too, would be patronizing the place. However, as the faces of Alterra, they naturally had to play host for a while.

They smiled at their guests, greeting them with warmth fitting for what would be a top hospitality establishment.

”Welcome to Alterra’s first Grand Hotel!”