After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Guía Village (Part 2)
The reporting continued on for another half an hour.

Gaudi, as someone who had been in this place for over twenty years, was also quite helpful, adding details in their reports that they otherwise wouldn’t have noticed.

Although he was a slave for most of his stay in Xeno, he still heard a lot of news especially in his stay at the mercenary hall.

Hearing the detailed reports from the soldiers jogged his memories and some observations he didn’t put to heart at the time.

In particular, just when the soldiers were trying to figure out a way to get information inside the fog—for instance, using low-level birds and hanging warning messages on their legs, hoping it dropped over ‘destined people’.

Although papyrus was very expensive and it was a long shot any information would actually reach Terran hands, it was all they could do.

“The people inside the fog may not be entirely clueless about what goes on outside.”

The others turned their heads to him, a bit hopeful. “My territory before was one of the better ones amongst Nova territories.

“We managed to upgrade our village center just before the protection period was lifted. Our territory hired some aborigines through it. Although it cost us a lot of gold to get information, we did get them.

“We were also certain of their truthfulness because they were contract bound not to cause disadvantage to the hiring Territory.”

“That is hopeful.” Gill nodded, and the others agreed.

“Terrans should be richer, right? Nova had undergone extreme disasters, how much cash could they hold?” Luis mumbled, turning to Gaudi. “No offense.”

“It is fine. I also hope your people do well.” Gaudi said, sincere.

He looked at the variables in front of him, strong people aiming to protect—something his own people didn’t have.

“Perhaps it would be different this time.”

…

Soon it was Vanessa’s turn. Her tasks had to do with medicine, and she—with her head held high—spoke next.

Her task was to study the treatment methods and their costs. Especally, she was embarassed when they just transferred here, because a lot of her knowledge no longer applied in this place.

However, after months of hard work, she really managed to adapt and do well in her field. This was her pride. “The cost of treatment here is very expensive.”

“Although there were no healers here (and if there were, they would likely charge exuberant amounts) there was a pointed lack of medicine.” She smiled. “I have also found a herb that had hemostatic effects.”

While speaking, her pair of dark-colored eyes always landed on Garan.

She had heard his wife was known for her knowledge in plants. If she were to remind him of that woman, he should at least soften his attitude, right?

She never thought she’d put herself so low and start vying to be a substitute, but she couldn’t help herself.

Vanessa really couldn’t sit still anymore. She had begged her father to send her on the same mission as Garan. It had been so long and she hadn’t gotten an inch closer.

Her wish of gaining even a bit of attention was doomed to fail, however, as the man only nodded and turned to the last person to report.

Finally, it was Eagle’s turn, whose investigation direction had to do with logistics.

“They had tamed a few flying monsters to transfer the ores.” He said, looking a bit wishy-washy, which looked stupid on his slightly angular face. “How nice it would be to have a tamer…”

“There is a fifty percent chance of the beasts biting back…” Gaudi couldn’t help but add.

“…” I didn’t ask you.

Eagle selectively ignored this, especially when he recalled something he eavesdropped.

His back straightened up, recalling the wistful longing of one of the tamers: ‘If only I had a space stone, we wouldn’t have to go back and forth in this weather!’

He was lost in his memory, which triggered a bit of impatience in his companions. “Say it!” Luis mumbled, annoyed.

Eagle cleared his throat. “I heard a particular interesting piece of knowledge.” He paused.

He paused a bit too long, so he earned a rather hard ‘pat in the back’ from Jake to get him speaking..

“Apparently,” he began, as he massaged his beat-up shoulder and sending a glare to the culprit. “People need not be limited to 1 cubic meter of space.”

Everyone’s back straightened like his. Their eyes focused as they stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Don’t look at them appearing professional, their bright eyes betrayed their excitement.

“There seems to be a special mineral called Space Stone. It is very rare but it could be used to either make accessories, or merge in our own space. I hear it doubles it, at least!”

“Really?”

Luis even stood up and stared at the ceiling, as if a diety was there to thank. “That’s great! Our space is too small!”

“I want one!”

“Me too!”

Looking at their excited expressions, Gill sneered. “If it’s so easy to get, we’d have heard of this months ago.”

“…”

“…”

They simultaneously turned their head and looked at Gaudi to see what he could add regarding this piece of super-interesting information. The older man looked a little embarassed at the passionate attention and cleared his throat.

“I have indeed heard of this. But I have never met anyone who had one, at least no one announced it.”

He paused, thinking, recalling all the limited information he had on this item. “The only circulating description is that it’s a ‘stone that contains the stars’—the most beautiful gem in the universe.”

“That’s all?” Luis asked.

“Damn. Makes me itchy with curiosity…” Jake couldn’t help but add.

“What I do know is that they’re very difficult to find, and even more difficult to harvest.” he told them, “I have encountered countless of missions looking for it, but in my decades of stay I have only heard it succeed once or twice before.”

“From what I gathered these precious stones could only be found, and mined, by Goblins.

He paused, looking at these new set of masters he had. “And only by Goblins.”