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

After the ceremony, the afterparty began. The ceremony area was transformed into a massive banquet hall, with a large centerpiece at the center.

The centerpiece was an ice sculpture of the couple, lit up by a lighting magic tool and its temperature maintained by a cold-emitting tool—both quite expensive.

There was a stage up front for performances and the like, with round tables spread generously in front of it.

The entire menu, not just appetizers, was served, and people were allowed to mingle around, with the new couple doing the same.

Rather, they would go around the venue and greet guests, and they’d introduce themselves if they were not too familiar to increase their network.

Unlike in many other cities and territories, the brides of Bleulle could mingle after the wedding proper and did not have to wait in the bridal chambers for hours.

This was another thing that Zaol popularized, in fact, though some families (like Gaia’s maternal family) had practiced it in a few weddings even before that, which was where the man got the idea.

They were allowed to join the festivities after the stressful and tiring ceremony. And, indeed, a city party would not disappoint.

The reactions with the couple were mostly congratulatory, of course, as was basic etiquette. Though there were some rivals of either family who had members unable to keep their mouths shut.

For example, there were some younger generations of the Vesto Family, who brought in another woman from a lower noble family. While the couple was at another table, within earshot, considering their levels, they started talking to each other about Eveco’s past relationships.

”If you knew Eveco could marry a lower-level noble, would you have gracefully accepted the breakup?”

”Hmn...I might have tried a bit harder...Eveco was my first man, after all,” she said, appearing cool, but her expression seemed like she was longing for something.

The woman was a very beautiful woman with gentle features and light-colored hair. She looked weak and meek, as if a gentle breeze could blow her away.

It was just that the way her cleavage showed, and the way she subtly postured her body so it could get admired, was quite telling of what really went on in her head.

Eveco’s eyes couldn’t help but linger on her as they headed to the table, while Liaroa’s hands, which were on his arms, tightened around it. She subtly rubbed her breasts on his arms. ”Ah~ I’m looking forward to serving you tonight...” she whispered, and Eveco’s eyebrows rose.

He nodded, and the interaction with the table was indeed shorter than it could’ve been.

Anyway, the party was very lively. There were plenty of performances on stage, plenty of food and wine, supposed to last until late at night, though of course, the couple would excuse themselves a bit earlier for time alone.

Interestingly, fairly early after the party, the different patriarchs and their powerful guests headed elsewhere, including the Lord.

Any man who was invited here had quite a bit of bragging rights.

For instance, there were the heirs of the two families, Ewan of the Sephon family and Rolian of the Vesto Family.

The rest were allowed to enjoy the events, though some were just envious of those inside.

...

”What do you think that’s about?” Kahonn asked, taking a sip of his juice, and his eyes followed the Lord and his Entourage leaving the room.

Kalfene shrugged, looking around for any signs of Otto. No matter what the Lord was up to, it was good that he wasn’t where they were.

Sleuth, the toolmaker in charge of the Voice Maker, was as quiet as always, just following behind them.

Anyway, the three of them just continued to mingle with each other, trying to be as low-key as possible. They got some reverent stares, though, and even a few greetings. Even if the Lord was outcasting them, they were still magic tool makers in the end.

As long as they didn’t offend the Lord, it was good to maintain a good relationship with them. They didn’t linger for too long, however, because being too friendly could do just that. This was something the three were thankful for. Whatever was happening now, they hoped to minimize overall interactions.

Unfortunately, their simple wish was not given because a certain group of arrogant toolmakers appeared, crossed arms, looking at them up and down.

Part of this group was Aetat, Kalfene’s former junior, along with other people who had worked with him before. ”Eh, you’re invited here?” he asked, looking at him as if he snuck in or something.

There was also Menzon, the ’barren’ toolmaker, who was elbowed by Aetat. ”...are you sure you didn’t crash the party?”

Kalfene looked at these toolmakers. A few months ago, they worked under him, respected him greatly as a senior. He just ignored them.

”Well, if you like staying with people like us, you are free to do so. Maybe other people will think I regained the Lord’s favor or something,” he said, voice bored, and sure enough, Aetat—who was determined to do the opposite of whatever he wanted—gritted his teeth and shifted areas.

”I need to go to the garden to cleanse my eyes,” he spat and headed away.

”Wow, you are treated like viruses,” Kahonn whispered to his two companions, who shrugged and just enjoyed the party food.

”As long as we have food,” Kalfene said, subtly looking around for the people who sent messages to them.

So far, there was no one who approached them who seemed to fit.

”Yes, food,” Sleuth said, answering it literally.

It was just that, at some point...they found well-made handkerchiefs in their palms?

Where did these come from?

...

A few meters away, a certain ’pair’ was subtly looking in the direction of the toolmakers. It was very hidden, and they’d often look away, appearing as if they were just observing the events or the surroundings.

They were also standing at a decent distance from others, so even if they were using a voice blocker, no one would be too suspicious if they didn’t hear a sound coming from them.

”Did you do it?” she asked Sean, who nodded.

His fingers, hovering above his stomach, were slowly moving like playing an invisible harp. On cue, some thin upright vines that had been crawling next to the buffet table’s cover slowly descended to the ground until they disappeared.

”What if they don’t use it?” Veronica whispered, worried. Sean shrugged.

”It’s just for our convenience,” he told her. ”They’re coming either way.”