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

Back in Alterra, while the Elders and the Lords’ meeting was ongoing, the new elementalists—thousands—entered the territory and gaped at what they were seeing.

It wasn’t like they didn’t ask ’how Alterra was like’ to the locals who escorted them there. However, what they got was mostly ’very good’ and ’you’ll see when you get there’.

And ’see’ they really did.

”Whoa...” Yulia mumbled, looking at the various bikes and broats passing through the avenues. Then she admired the pretty plants and buildings, and she was just in disbelief.

”So this is another town...” she mumbled. She only knew Voumi outside the village she came from. ”I... so different.”

”Way too different!” another gasped, feet moving to follow a broat. He was only held back by the shirt by his companions. Otherwise, who knew which cart he’d have gotten into?

The others barely noticed this as they were all gaping at different features of the new, magical place.

”This is... far beyond my imagination,” Gina mumbled, turning to her father with a smile. ”This is great....”

William smiled, patting her head. ”Indeed.”

His heart was warm and full. So many months of suffering had come to this. Most importantly, he was still with his family.

Even though both of them were extremely damaged, they were still fine in the end, which was much more fortunate than so many others.

Here, they could at least recover and—eventually—stand up again.

This place... gave him that impression.

The group continued to walk along the main avenue. They were a huge, huge, group that created a long line that still extended to outside the territory.

Such a long procession naturally attracted the entire territory to watch, so now the newcomers also had to handle being watched like zoo animals.

They didn’t feel offended, of course, just very very self-conscious. Also... what was that half-animal critter with a handsome face?!

”Are those...”

”H-Half-orcs?”

”They’re just walking around...” another said. Staying in towns exposed them to a few things.

There was once a traveling merchant accompanied by a half-orc, and it was a fascinating sight except for the fact that the poor thing’s state was horrible.

Whether they pitied a human or an animal, they couldn’t tell. They also knew some of the basic knowledge too, like how they were treated generally, and it was not good.

They felt pity, but they were slaves as well. What could they do? They were busy with their own problems.

But now...

”That bunny one is adorable...”

”That huge tiger is eating cotton candy WTF—”

Also...they could see more audience from balconies. In one of the balconies... they saw... green things.

Goblins!?

There were so many of them too, piling up so the others could see the view. So now the newcomers could see a group of green balls squished against each other with their eyes following their every movement.

It was both uncomfortable and cute.

The dwarves from before still felt like a dream to them. What was this now?!

However, the line was long and no one could stop and check out for themselves. Thousands of them were waiting to be registered after all and someone slowing down because they were curious about something naturally annoyed people at the back.

So, thousands just walked along like this, well behaved, though everyone’s eyes were elsewhere—whether it was looking at the buildings, the atmosphere, or the people.

The difference between Voumi and this place was palpable. Here, the people looked so healthy and happy—maybe they looked even better than how they were back in Terran!

It could be because increasing one’s level added lifespan and, therefore, Youth, but it was also a testament to how they had been living in Alterra.

It was quite interesting. Despite lives being threatened often by the various dangers of the world, people became even brighter. Was it because they appreciated Life even more now that it wasn’t as static as before?

One by one, the former slaves were registered in the Center. They were asked to make oaths (to be charged along with what they owed) and would become nominally free until they paid the minimum fee the system itself asked for.

”I, William Spears, vow never to betray Alterra and do my part in contributing to its growth,” he said, and the light of vows surrounded him. This was followed by a ding inside his head.

[You have gained probationary freedom.

You may finalize your freedom from slavery by paying 5 Gold or its equivalent in Contribution Points (varies, please check the guide for the current exchange rate).

Would you like to avail this benefit? Yes | No]

His eyebrows rose. The messages were so new and customized. He wondered if it could be done because the Center was so beautiful.

Sadly, he did not have the money yet, so he could only regretfully say no. He waited for his daughter to finish before they exited the Center.

It was amazing. Although they hadn’t officially been freed yet, it felt like the world was lighter than before.

Before they entered, Sammy and the others told them about some options for what they could do. For people who absolutely didn’t have anything on them, the best way to start was to gather some resources to sell to the center, rent a bed in the dormitory, and buy some cheap food in the Marketplace.

So now they were headed to the large interior forest nearby (there were street signs on every corner) to gather some resources. Although they managed to get a few hundred coppers against monsters on the way here, since it was still early, they wanted to earn as much as they could before going on a shopping spree.

Every local was all neat and tidy. They did not want to look like beggars!

One had to know that back in Terran, William and Gina were very well-off!

Unexpectedly, from the crowd watching them, someone recognized them before they could head to the forest.

”Boss?”

They turned to the side and saw the spectators parting to give way to a familiar old man.

”H-Harold!!”