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

Altera.

The group of hundreds couldn’t help but stare at the 3-meter tall wall, nearly double the size of theirs, and so very reassuring to see for those who stayed inside.

Then they looked at the extremely dense sentry towers—powerful-looking, menacing, and protective.

”Are those sentry towers?” Matthew asked in a quiet voice, eyes fixed on the towers. Micheal nodded.

”It’s only available for higher level walls,” he said. He knew this because Juno commented on it when he expressed his worries. It was just that only high level villages with rich background or low level towns tended to have this due to the expenses.

To see it in a fellow Level 2 village… was both depressing and inspiring at the same time.

Micheal and Matthew followed the locals and led their respective teams into the gate.

Other than the inexpensive fees, what surprised them was the quaint but vivacious surroundings that greeted them.

The entire area was developed—no, bustling—from the get-go.

The streets were wide and there were two-storey structures on both sides, with a small amount of people moving to and fro, some of which gave them curious glances.

However, they were quick to lose interest and proceeded on where they were headed: the shops.

Shops?

”Did you have a commercial building?” Matthew asked Micheal. He believed he was one of the poorest lords out there, so he wouldn’t be surprised if he missed out on a bit.

”No.”

”No?” Matthew uttered, surprised.

And there was also another very obvious detail they noticed. The architectural styles of these buildings were unfamiliar to them.

Was it not the same for everyone?

The two lords looked at each other and compared notes, soon realizing they had the exact same options. ”What do you think?”

”I’m not sure…” Matthew uttered and he wanted to ask.

This issue was something for later, however, and they decided to focus on the issue at hand, i.e. the current development of this territory.

”Did the lord here develop the entire territory?” He asked, and the blonde next to him looked back at the walls, narrowing his eyes.

After a beat, Micheal spoke, ”The lord here didn’t choose to expand…”

”What?” Matthew looked around. Although it wasn’t visible normally, he noticed the curve of this wall was indeed more pronounced, meaning the circle was smaller than theirs.

They couldn’t help but recall the empty space that opened up in their own territories when they upgraded and then looked at the wide prosperous streets in front of them.

They felt a little ashamed. Subconsciously or not, they chose the choice with more power—something associated with a larger jurisdiction.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly an erroneous decision on their part.

From what they’ve gathered, their population was several times more than that of Altera, so it was still a factor in their expansion. They had to expand even if just for the added resources they could get inside the safety of the walls.

The provision of a safe place to forage without the worry of poisonous plants and insects alone was a direct effect of their expansion.

However, they did still envy how well-planned this place was. It seemed like even if they didn’t expand, no area was wasted, but at the same time it didn’t feel claustrophobic.

They continued to walk and observe, taking note of the features of the village even near the gate. There was traffic so far from the center, and with the rate the territory was going, this area will definitely be prime shops in the future.

They also saw a lot of stores that weren’t occupied yet, and those that were seemed to still be under renovation. With their business senses, both of them felt tempted.

Especially, at the rate this village was going out and extending its claws everywhere, this road would not just be filled by locals, it would soon be filled with ’tourists’ like them.

This was definitely prime real estate right here.

”Can a non-resident own a shop here?” Micheal asked, turning to the woman beside them. She seemed to have been watching them in amusement which made them feel a bit embarrassed.

Silvia didn’t comment on it though and answered their question. ”The commercial areas can only be rented by residents. It is also a little more expensive than the permanent residents.

”This is the same as the houses. Only permanent residents have the right to purchase their own property. Residential status (temporary or permanent) would also be needed to rent it.”

The two nodded, thinking that it made sense. If they had a lot of funds, they’d have considered this in their own territories, but not at the moment.

After all, they still needed the gold that was roused from selling land and property.

Sighing at his own poverty, Matthew turned to look at a building. ”Do we just go in?”

”Well, generally, everything can be done in the village center to avoid conflicts and people entering other people’s territories… but you can go directly to shops you hope to rent. You won’t be able to enter if it’s owned.”

The two nodded, it was how residences worked in their territories as well.

It was around this time that a guard went to Silvia and said some stuff, sending looks at the immigrants. Silvia nodded and then turned to them, smiling apologetically.

”Excuse us, we will take the immigrants to the village center to register.” She said, ”They will also pay for their residency there.”

This puzzled the two lords. ”People had to go to the village center?”

”Yes, there is still a lot of information missing that the territory hopes to learn. People register under system oath.”

You could swear an oath under the system?

A few minutes in and they already learned so much.

Anyway, the new residents followed the guards to the village center for the so-called registration.

Meanwhile, the two Lords also instructed their fellow tourists that they would meet here in the afternoon of the next day.

This was, of course, assuming they’d want to go back.

To be honest, they thought that someone would stay to guide them around. Even if they were poor, they were still lords, right?

However, they quickly realized why they were left so carelessly.

Before Silvia and the others had completely gone out-of-sight, they were surrounded by many local people. And, considering this timing, they were definitely waiting for Rowan and the others to leave.

They all had amicable smiles on their faces, stopping just outside their personal space. ”Welcome to Altera Village~” They said, very friendly.

The visitors flinched, taken aback by the passionate welcome.

One of them was a redhead with orange-ish hair and a freckled face. He had a confident stance as he looked at them.

”Welcome to Altera–!” He said, opening his arms, ”My name is Fred, the head of the Glorious Hospitality Team.

”If you wish to have a tour of the territory, you may hire any one of our guides for a very affordable 30 copper per hour, for a maximum number of 10 people per group.”

The visitors looked at each other.

Would going around a small territory still need a guide?