Altera
Some time prior, just after Althea left, its citizens went on with their lives as usual within the safety of Altera's walls.
It was morning and about an hour or so before the standard working hours. Some people were hunting, some people were preparing for their work, and some were on a break for their 'spirits'.
This type of lifestyle by the way was something the Golds had only seen in nobles—there was no such thing as 'balanced lifestyle' for commoners at all.
Of course, people knew of the assistance alarm—though because it was so rushed and it was the first time, the territory didn't call out a mission for others to join in.
However, they all knew who was going there so they weren't really worried at all. If anything, they didn't want to slow down progress because of worry.
This was what the Golds observed while they hung around happily.
Of course, when Bleulle was also called for assistance, the citizens also handled it similarly. However, this was because Bluelle was already highly established and their guard team was one of the best (as Obi would remind them every so often).
Altera was a village. And it was amazing that it could already give such a sense of security to its citizens.
At the same time, it made sense because the force and defense level of this place was really town level and it might even be meeting the requirements for upgrade much sooner than anyone thought.
Regardless of what the requirements were, this meant that—at least for a while—Altera would be stable.
They knew this because Bleulle had been historically one of the fastest Villages to gain Town status, and it gained it only after a couple of years after its establishment.
This was because they had a very important resource sought after by everyone: The Blu. This allowed the territory to develop rapidly and gain important backers.
But how did Altera do it? With ingenuity, innovation, and unity.
Anyway, seeing such trust at the Village level was unprecedented and it was quite novel to witness it.
The people were so relaxed that children were still running around. Even Miss Althea's baby-mascots were being strolled around by two old women as if their parents weren't going to war somewhere else.
Speaking of kids, Olga could be said to have been attached to them, especially the children.
When she saw them with Ansel at that time, she often looked for them and actively joined in their morning walks.
The past few days, they met Beany, Theo's father, and the lovely Winona, who was Ms. Althea's Best friend and one of the leading proponents for the Research Center.
The Center was something that fascinated them so, though they didn't have access to—at least not yet.
They did get word that Ms. Althea wanted to talk about partnership with them. It was just that the war cry happened and it was delayed.
"I wonder how they'll handle their first war?" Olga mumbled, drinking something called soy milk. It felt new, refreshing, and filling. Partnered with the softest bread with so-called meat floss, she moaned a bit as she ate.
She had just finished a short walk around with her new friend Winona, with her brothers buying some other breakfast somewhere nearby.
"They'll do well," Winona said, drinking juice after her morning run, "They always do."
At this time, the group was hanging around in the park with a couple of other families in the park. This park had a couple of standalone concessionaire stalls rented out to business folks.
Beanie was getting better psychologically and had joined Theo in the mornings to play and then he got acquainted with Jun and his daughter Mimi.
Maya and Horus were also around, running, and socializing everywhere (note: Maya was dragging little Horus around, forcing the introverted child to socialize).
The Golds merged in quite nicely, as the Alterans were really great in hospitality. Whether it was pride of their territory or the promise of wealth aborigine tourists gave, there were plenty of reasons for the Golds to get special treatment.
The Golds were nobles and were naturally used to special treatment, but this kind without the insincere bootlicking felt very refreshing.
They watched as the two old women set up a thick fabric on the grass and then placed some toys. They then took the babies from the stroller and carried them to the fabric to play.
They watched as the babies crawled happily—to their toys, to their watchers, and then to their friends—their cute milky giggles entering the air and poking their hearts.
Olga couldn't help but go there and join them.
"Why are the kids here so cute?" Olga mumbled with hearts in her eyes, gently poking their cheeks and tummies.
"Wanna give birth to one?" Obi said from a distance away. This earned him a glare from his sister.
"Shut up."
"Well, whatever," he said, shrugging, before turning to the other men he had been chatting with.
Somehow the three men—Obi, Otto, and Beany—started to chat around, though low-key trying to get information (and gossip) from the others.
Beany was very good though, and they only realized the 'juiciness' of what they said either after they already said it, or after the chubby man asked a follow-up question.
The women's side was much more carefree. At some point, Winona had lain down with the babies, while Olga watched them fondly.
Lola chuckled and extended her hand to reveal a ceramic bowl filled with her cookies. "Want some?"
"Oh, thank you," Olga said, nibbling on the delicious snack as she gracefully sat there.
"You are so beautiful, I wonder how you're still single."
Lola had a very kind face and gentle voice, it made younger generations like talking to her.
Olga awkwardly scratched her nose, "I haven't found a man who interested me. If they do express their interest in me, all I see is greed for my money and status."
In fact, most women would be fine with this—even flattered—especially if they were praised for their beauty.
It was just that Olga was Gaia's daughter.
They were rare strong women who wanted gentleness and loyalty in their men—the type who would look only at them.
Their conversation was cut when the loud giggles and yells of children resounded nearby.
"Oh, oh, it's Gochi and the others!"
There was a guard team making rounds, checking this area in particular at this time because there were a lot of people. The Golds were surprised to see the half-orc right next to the leading guard—who was quite handsome by the way.
At this time Maya and Mimi were playing tag, and Maya miscalculated a small slope and fell down.
She happened to have fallen near the guards and the leading man immediately went to her to guide her up. "Be careful," he gently said, patting the dirt off.
"Thank you, Drake!"
"No problem, Maya."
From afar, while chewing on her cookie, Olga couldn't help but make a thoughtless comment. "He'll make a great father," she said but froze when she realized what she just said.
She flushed when she saw the two old women looking at her with mysterious smiles.
"That's not what I meant!"
"That's Drake, he gets very intimidated by beautiful women, so I suggest easing into it very gently."
"That's not what I meant!"
Yana nodded, "Judging by his body proportions, he should have good body strength and strong seeds."
"YOU!"
Olga was aghast. How could they discuss this so openly?!
"Is it Drake or not?" Winona asked, blinking, uttering the right questions.
Olga blinked a bit.
In fact, it wasn't entirely just Drake. She found herself attracted to the manly and stable quality about them. Like true strength that came from within, one that didn't need to hover their power over others.
She pursed her lips and uttered it out, making the gossipy women make 'owh' faces, nodding in understanding.
"I see you have a type."
"Well, our guard team have plenty of those. Shall I arrange some blind dates?"
Olga's eyes twitched, though she wasn't as against the idea as she usually was.
Soon the bell rang, signifying the working hours started. Immediately, most of the people stood up and scuttled, heading to work or hunt or to train.
The Golds looked at each other and smiled, continuing in their vacation.
Otto stretched his arms. "I'm gonna go back to the Casino."
Obi immediately stood up, "I'm coming with you!"
Olga shook her head and looked at her maids. "We'll go to the spa later," she said, though she looked at the babies crawling and laughing and the children playing around and making the most of their 'school-free' time while it lasted.
Unbeknownst to many, it was not only the Golds who were observing the uniqueness that was Altera… there were also other men, though they were obviously hostile, looking at everything in amazement and greed.
"This is really a great target," One said to his companion, who was observing everything as if they already owned it.
"It's time to go back to Fargo."
"Eh, maybe later," the other said, chewing on his barbeque. "I feel that we could still see so much more."