After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 1640

Chapter 1640: Another Long Meeting

Ryo and the others arrived at the Center some minutes later. They entered the meeting room to see a group of people of all ages sitting on a large oblong table.

There were various boards parallel to the walls. They seemed to be the Xeno version of whiteboard discussions. They also had writings on them, though some were covered by curtains.

It felt...new, to say the least.

Anyway, the Lords and their cronies entered with a tense atmosphere around them.

They couldn’t help but give Ryo and the others a look. Would they report on their arrogance?

Fortunately, at least for now, the Elders and the others at that table were smiling at them, seeming to be friendly. For now.

"Welcome to Alterra Town," an old woman said. They blinked, belatedly realizing that this was none other than Mathilda Ross, one of the better-known politicians even outside her own country.

She stood up to greet them, and the others followed. The three of them wiped their sweaty hands and went to shake hands with each of them, feeling honored.

Althea and the others also introduced themselves and their main scope of work before they started the meeting. This was to give them an idea of who was handling which item, especially when they were in completely different fields.

The government style impressed the visitors. Back in Terran, many countries had adopted a multitier system, wherein there was one ruling party and several other political parties serving as advisors rather than rivals. However, in those countries, there were still some internal tensions that were somehow absent in this group.

Was there really no Lord? Or was the Lord so indisputable that every elder followed him or her wholeheartedly?

To be honest, after they found out that the token could be stolen during wars, none of them completely trusted anyone. The oaths had their limits and loopholes, after all. The best they could do was give enough power to the people who should have it, but at the same time, still keep an eye out for them to some degree.

They wondered how it was for the Lord here. They really hoped to directly interact with that person if possible.

Everyone took a seat and began the discussions. There were also tea and snacks served by the servants to them.

"This alliance is a certain thing, rest assured," she said, seeing their anxious faces.

"The fact that our people brought you here means your territories are good enough and you at least have a moral compass to strive to make things better for your citizens."

At this, they quickly felt shy and sent shy looks to Ryo.

Ryo: "???"

"We would like you to tell us more about your territories, however," Mathild said. "This will help us facilitate trade and exchanges between us better."

"We will not be asking for your assistance in wars related to us, but we may ask you to assist when we are rescuing a Terran territory," Mathilda said. "The benefits, most likely from the territory we will attack/defend against."

"...can we also ask for your assistance in case an aborigine territory attacks us?" Hodai asked. They had been attacked a few times before this, and there was a very real chance of losing everything in the next one.

"Yes, but there will be a limit, and it will not be for free."

This was the main difference between subsidiaries and allies. They would likely send some support to subsidiaries when needed, in exchange for a fixed percent tribute every month. Allies were more of the ’we don’t attack you, you don’t attack us’ kind of thing, so assistance was much more calculated.

"The main point is that we cannot attack each other or purposely send harm to others’ way. The other goal is to improve communications between the areas, and prepare each other for whatever impending threats may come upon us."

The Lords looked at each other and then at the Elders. This was... really good, and there was no reason for them to refuse.

In retrospect, the recruiting Alterrans were fairly clear that the main thing they wanted was knowledge and information. At the time, it was too difficult for them to understand that a ’peer’ territory was going around and risking their lives to network, but now it felt like a matter of course.

Like this, the group headed down to do their oaths, led by Mathilda and under the witness of several territories, including some visitors who got wind of it.

And so, Alterra received a few new allies that day.