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

”We come from a Terran Village called Limestone Valley,” he said. ”Although it had jumped ownership, it had essentially been a Terran territory since its Inception.

”As you can see, it’s definitely a much better place to be. We never once lost to an aborigine territory, and we are allied with various other Terran villages, creating a network of sorts. You don’t have to settle down in our place. You can choose to go elsewhere, though you’d have to pay for things yourselves.”

The more they hear, the more of a daze they find themselves in.

”If you want to leave this place, then for those approved, please follow our guards outside the territory and enter the array.

”All slaves who would not push a friend in front of beasts can also come. If you do, then please stay here.”

They watched as the number of slaves was filtered like this. This was one of the perks of this system. Although not perfect, they could at least weed out those who’d be more trouble than what they’re worth.

”The rest of you just stay here and work hard to gather resources and fight beasts as per need and survive according to your own common sense,” he said.

This was basically setting them free to live their own lives. Since Limestone Valley owned them now, and it was unlikely that permanent residents from there would stay here, then there was pretty much no one who’d order them around.

”Ah, before I forget, all slaves shall hop with one leg until you are ordered to stop.”

This made many confused, but their bodies followed anyway. The guards walked around, checking everyone with sharp eyes.

There were many reasons why they were saying so many things. The first reason was to filter out the decent ones by making the evil ones stay behind. The latest order, on the other hand, was in case there were some who’d pretend to be slaves; they made the last order.

If they were truly slaves, then they’d push their limits to hop on one foot the entire time. Even if they fall down, they will push themselves to the ground.

Of course, even if someone still passed through this layer, they would likely be going to work as prisoners of war anyway, because being sent to main areas, interacting with citizens, meant they had to make an honesty oath.

Non-slaves could also come, if they wanted to, but they’d also need to make an honesty oath and go through an interview. They had to options to head to Limestone Valley. If they had money or were willing to borrow, they could go through the array. On another, they could go with Henry and them and walk on foot. It wasn’t too far, anyway.

Whichever it was...they did not see any disadvantage. Anywhere was better than here.

”Wu...”

”This is too good to be true...”

”I’m still going. There’s nothing here anyway.”

”Anywhere is better than here...”

And so, a good portion of the Terrans were guided to the array, where the guards explained that they could be treated like decent humans and get jobs. They could also buy their own freedom.

Because the earlier test was physically exhausting, most of them chose the array, afraid of being abandoned on the way due to their weaknesses.

They gasped. Even if many had gone through the array during the previous war, the sensation was difficult to get used to, especially at their weak states.

They were afraid to be attacked by monsters too, but fortunately, there were none of that.

At this point, like Alterra, the immediate surroundings of Limestone Valley were quite safe from monsters due to good defense and continuous hunting of monsters by the guards and the citizens.

The people coming from Inko Village emerged through the array and saw the wall, well-guarded by strong-looking guards.

Limestone Valley and Iron Mountains also had uniforms. However, they were made mostly of normal fabric and had different color schemes to properly identify each team, especially in joint missions.

To the newcomers, though, they just looked amazing and reliable. When they entered the village, they also gaped at how beautiful and neat it was. So far, there had been no village they had been through that could compare.

”Terrans... Terrans built this.”

It’s really unbelievable!

...

Later that day, Victor and Juni, carrying their baby, went out to get some breath of fresh air as a celebration for another successful war.

Not far away, they encountered a large group that was led by a guide. Tacky and his friends were walking parallel to them, and when they saw Victor, they ran to them and gave a respectful greeting.

”They’re newcomers from Inko who aren’t slaves,” Tacky said. ”There were also slaves who had friends and family who helped them buy out their freedom.”

”There are also those who met relatives or friends here.”

Like in all cases, especially now that they were actively rescuing Terrans from other territories, every movement through the array was monitored.

This was not just for enemies, but people were also looking out for relatives and friends. As a satellite, the citizenship in Limestone Valley was also gatekept with contribution points, but like in Alterra, relatives could use it to buy citizenships for others, too.

They saw how Tacky, one of the main proponents during the war, greeted a handsome man in uniform so respectfully. They looked curiously and couldn’t help but admire. They also saw Juni, who was an actress, and they couldn’t help but whisper excitedly amongst themselves.

”So handsome!”

”He must be a soldier. A legitimate one!”

”That’s Juni! Juni!”

”I can’t believe I’m seeing my idol in the flesh—”

”They look good together!”

”Do they even have a baby?”

Among the excited newcomers, though, there was someone looking at the couple with a complicated expression on her face. She was a beautiful woman with soft, caramel hair.

Her eyes were fixed on the handsome man in uniform, who was now teasingly poking a baby’s cheek.

”Victor?”

This made the couple turn to the sound.

”Georgina...” Victor said, blinking. Juni’s eyebrows rose, sending the woman a look.

It was Georgina, whom she knew to be Victor’s ex-fiance.