After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 204

"Whoa…" Ansel commented, breaking the NPCs daze. "This is pretty impressive!"

Althea watched everyone’s reaction with a smile. Safe to say, they quite liked her surprise. "Sit down," She told them, going to the table herself.

On her signal, everyone quickly went to their seats, trying to stop themselves from drilling openly.

Althea also took out the few jugs of wine from her space, placing them on the table. She uncorked it and let the aroma whiff out, making all adults drool.

She had prepared these a few days back and buried them under the garden (as system fields also had the added effect of hastening fermentation). Now was the perfect time to finally taste it!

"Yes! I finally get to taste your wine again!" Ansel said, rubbing his palms together and looking like a deprived alcoholic. He extended his claws to the jars and it earned him a soft knuckle on the head instead. _{frёewebnoѵēl.com}

"Ouch!"

"Behave."

"Yes, sister."

Everyone chuckled at the interaction, though their eyes quickly gravitated back to the sumptuous plates in front of them.

The people tried to control their drooling, though to minimal effect, and for a moment Althea didn’t want to make her speech. What if they didn’t listen to her and stared at the food instead?

In the end, with a bit of worry in her head, she still stood up on the small elevated platform at the corner of the room.

Fortunately, they had the tact to focus their attention on her and not on the table. Heaving a deep breath, she began to speak.

"First of all, I would like to thank and congratulate everyone for a job well done," She smiled at them, very gently, to the point they blushed.

"Tonight we celebrate, not only the successful opening of the supermarket, but also to celebrate what it represents: A better territory.

"This could not have been achieved—especially not so quickly—without you guys. So, thank you."

The small crowd shook their heads, feeling very shy. This was especially true for the aborigines who were unused to getting compliments from nobles. The status of the Lord had always been so high, they were just doing their job, how dare they accept such deep compliments without tact?

"Today I’m awarding each of you with 5000 contribution points." She said, "It may not have much impact to you now, as you are either already residents or hired individuals, but eventually we will be opening shops specifically circulating only contribution points.

"Contribution points could also be used to purchase what money could, but with larger values. By that time, it would be helpful to you."

"T-there is no need to explain my Lord, we are already very honored," Lenny said, very embarrassed. She had only helped with the dyeing of the cloth, not nearly as important as the contribution of the others.

Rowan and Betty also spoke out. They barely helped.

"We wouldn’t have been able to develop our thoughts so carefree without the help of the guards and the clinic.

"You don’t have to, my Lord," Brenda spoke up. "I… my professional level which had been stagnant moved." She said, feeling guilty for taking such an advantage.

If anything, she should be paying the lord instead!

"It is the same with me," Clutch said, and the others nodded in agreement.

It was really difficult to accept this with an open heart! They felt like they owed the lord way too much!

Althea’s eyebrows rose, interested in the so-called improvements. Instead of claiming credit, she thought of what else they could do for the territory and was looking forward to their surprises. "Well, then, I’m looking forward to what more you can offer Altera."

They stared at her for a while, absorbing, and when they understood what she meant their hearts that had been filled up to the brim, overflowed.

Renewed strength and inspiration filled their hearts, and they stood up, bowing at an angle, showing the greatest respect. "Yes, milord!"

Such a kind Lord and her people, along with their novel ideas and beliefs had unknowingly crept up their hearts and affected their very being.

It had not even been a month but, truly, their previous lives felt like a lifetime away.

Thinking about it now, they had no doubts: Accepting the job offer from this territory was the best decision they ever made.