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

While one team had managed to get the toolmakers out of the banquet area, Veronica’s side was in a bit of a pinch.

They were actually not far behind Kalfene’s group at all—only a few meters away.

They were very near the gates to the Beast Inn area, but they realized that Lady Zinnia was holding on to Lady Octavia!

The plan was to lessen the effect of the poison by handing out handkerchiefs to cover the smell when there were actually antidotes inside. They were, of course, designed to dissipate after a set amount of time so that even if they were dropped to the ground, they wouldn’t become evidence.

Besides, it was doubtful that people would put two-and-two together so quickly. This was Grandmaster Hoffen’s and Lady Althea’s work, after all.

It was more likely that even if they found it, they wouldn’t have any idea what it was until it expired. However, they did like to avoid trouble as much as possible, and Lady Althea’s foresight always felt divine-sent.

Even touching it had some effect, though the user would definitely still feel dizzy if they didn’t continuously inhale the antidote.

Unexpectedly, Zinnia would shift the handkerchief from her and Octavia! Silva, who was there as Marcus’ guard, had no choice but to block them all from the crowd.

Lady Octavia was assumed to be the enemy of the Golds! They couldn’t have her find out what they were doing.

Fortunately, the effect of the smoke had reacted and even with their level, it had such a good effect, so even Octavia felt dizzy and was practically unconscious.

Master Hoffen and Miss Althea’s combined work was really something!! This was something they had literally just released and sent with Rin when he arrived a short while back.

That said, Miss Althea had already created a poison that affected level 30 back then, too, but it was only now, under Master Hoffen’s tutelage, that she could create one that could affect people past level 40!

Rather... it was not exactly poison, but something to mimic its effects.

And this, frankly, was something even more difficult to accomplish.

They didn’t know much about alchemy, but killing people with something was definitely much, much easier than just targeting particular symptoms so convincingly!

Anyway, to work so well on people with such high levels was no small feat!

Well, that wasn’t the point right now. They could admire the Lady Althea-Grandmaster Hoffen pair later when they were safe.

First, they needed to get Miss Zinnia and the rest of them out! They were still some distance away, unfortunately, and it wasn’t easy to get there considering these people averaged level 20 or more.

And then Veronica saw her brother’s pink hair from the crowd. She blinked. He was just an extra and wasn’t a direct part of this operation though...

”Brother!” she yelled. ”Here!” She yelled, raising her arm to get his attention.

It was just that he...was also carrying an uninvited guest.

Vangh... was carrying Estra, Otto’s obsessive stalker.

Veronica’s eyes twitched, and it wasn’t because of the smoke.

Should she have just ignored him? All of them had taken the antidote beforehand, so all they had to do was pretend to be affected, anyway.

”What are you doing with that, Brother?” she asked, absolutely confused. Her brother was set to roam around during this time, feign to be poisoned, and pull people down by ’accident’ as needed.

But... What was this?!

”She needed help...” he mumbled as if that explained everything.

”But—”

Veronica was stopped by Sean next to her.

Sean sighed. ”Good job, now leave her here, please,” he said, pointing at a corner covered with shrubs. ”She’ll be safe here.”

Vaughn nodded and gently placed the woman there. He made sure she was hidden enough that no one running away would run over her or take advantage.

He didn’t notice that the woman flinched and turned, seeing the light coloured hair of her rescuer.

Veronica shook her head, and they struggled with the crowd to get closer to Lady Zinnia.

She wanted to curse. She was originally near them during this time. However, someone decided to bully Marcus, and the women had to be there to intervene, so when the ’bombs’ exploded, they were at another corner of the banquet hall, which was one of the smoke’s main areas of effect.

Well, that brat of a bully now had a foaming mouth, which was satisfying.

At some point on her way to Zinnia, she blinked when she didn’t feel much pushing anymore. She turned to look at Sean, who was shielding her with his body.

He probably used his ability to keep himself stable, considering his level wasn’t higher than most people here.

Veronica’s eyes flickered, and she turned away, focusing on their task at hand. Soon they did reach their destination, grabbing Zinnia away so she could talk with her.

Margaery went with instinct.

She activated the voice blocker. ”They sent us here,” she said. ”We have to go. We cannot wait for the Lord and the others to arrive.”

”But Octavia—”

”Please let Miss Octavia go, the smoke isn’t poison—it just gives the appearance of one.”

Even the people with bubbling mouths should wake up soon.

”No, I–”

Zinnia pursed her lips and let Octavia go, but made sure she was sitting on one of the plantboxes there. Silva made sure she and Esstia were out of the way, too.

”Mother, let’s go,” Margaery said, excited to finally escape.

Zinnia looked at the half-dazed pregnant woman and her heart clenched. ”I can’t leave her.”

”What?”

This caused everyone to gape at her, not expecting this at all.

”Take my children out with you,” she said, holding Veronica’s hand tightly, just before letting go. ”Please take care of them.”

Marcus and Margaery looked at her in disbelief. ”Mother???”

”It’s fine... I will feel happy to know you are safe and happy with them,” she said. ”I can also be reassured you can experience the life that you deserve.”

She looked at Veronica. ”Hassen City is planning something. Let me stay to send news. I’ll find a way.”

She pushed them away, eyes a bit teary, but also very determined.

”Go!”