After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 1607

Chapter 1607: The Red Settling Down (Part 2)

Eventually, Estra raised her head and looked at them. "What are the jobs that will be available for me? What about you ladies? What do you do here?"

The tea shop talk was long, but it was mostly centered on Estra. She was also still in shock and wanted to see more of this place so she hadn’t thought of asking before.

She looked at Cassandra, curious about their own jobs. "I assume you’ll stay at home," and then she looked at Veronica. "You’ll probably go home soon."

Cassandra paused at this. "For now, I gather contribution points by spending a couple of hours clearing mobs," she said. "I also help part-time with Olga’s business.

"Otherwise, I stay at home with my baby. I plan to do this until she is a bit grown up, then I’ll join Gill in the Guard team."

Estra couldn’t help but look at her. "I have indeed seen a female guard making rounds," she said. "Didn’t you find it odd?"

It couldn’t be helped; they were conditioned to be certain things, and guards were never one of the career options for noblewomen. Even if there were territories that allowed for them, there was a particular stigma involved.

In the few places where female guards were allowed, they most likely had the same perception as whores simply because they were doing a man’s job and were also surrounded by many men on a daily basis.

Cassandra and Veronica knew this, and they were also shocked when they saw it first. In Alterra though, those women were treated with respect no less than the men. Not to mention, the women could even become captains!

"Why not? In terms of level, we’re above average here," Cassandra said. "I also learned a lot of our family skills, so I’m an asset."

On the other hand, Veronica was pouting, going underneath the water before lifting her head again as if to clear her head. Indeed, she had a Town she called home, so she couldn’t stay here.

Estra looked at her. "What about in Hubble Town? What could be the possible jobs?"

"What?"

"Alterra is much better than Hubble Town, especially for a woman."

"Yes, but you and your brother are going home one of these days."

"You’re... coming with us?"

Estra didn’t answer, but her expression betrayed everything.

"My brother won’t marry you," Veronica said, straightforward now that they were in their own turf.

Vaughn had a type. He liked the gentle, demure ones who could handle the household with calmness.

Estra... was—as what Terrans called them—a beautiful firecracker.

And her brother would never like her. They simply wouldn’t fit.

Estra looked badly at her and Cassandra immediately intervened before it turned sour. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"You have a much better chance here," Cassandra said. "Besides, even if we don’t want to dismiss the possibility of you and Vaughn—the fact is that now is not the time for that."

"Don’t look for men at this point in time," she told her. "Focus on yourself and what you truly want to do outside of a relationship."

Cassandra emulated the many ideologies she learned in Alterra. "It is said that to be truly loved, you have to love yourself first."

"But I do—"

"You wouldn’t be so obsessed with men if you were."

"..."

Things were quiet between them, and then things got a bit more awkward when two new women entered the spa and settled in the tub on the opposite side of the room.

It was none other than Sahara and her mother. This was one of their weekly bonding sessions. As for the child, if it was Helios’ off day, he’d take care of her, but if not, Mathilda’s house was always welcoming of the children for an occasional babysitting session.

Estra’s eyes constricted at the sight of them, a barrage of memories associated with the light-haired woman slamming in her head and slapping her face.

Sahara...one of the people Estra bullied back in Bleulle.

She squirmed in place. She did not know that the other woman was here at all. She was reminded of those scenes back in Bleulle, when she had believed the other woman was going after Otto.

She was desperate to put her in place, scare her a bit, but realizing her reputation and what seemed to happen to the women she targeted like this before, it made her feel heavy.

Not to mention, she really did hurt them—or her servants, at least. Although they were fine—something she knew the Golds made sure of—was that something that could be forgiven?

Silence reigned as various thoughts passed by Estra’s head. For a moment, she thought of just standing up and leaving the room. She wanted to escape, unsure of how to face one of the many people who had endured her bullying and had really suffered from it.

Cassandra and Veronica were aware of what had happened in Bleulle. They were friends with Sahara, too. In fact, when the mother-daughter entered, Cassandra’s eyes met with theirs. It was just that the two avoided their tub on purpose, and they understood why.

"She’s settled here for good, you know," Cassandra said. "She’s married to a local and they even have a child. You’re going to be encountering her more often."

It was a bit weird to have a serious talk with someone you wronged in this setting, however, so the bathhouse was definitely not the place for a heart-to-heart.

If she really wanted to integrate in Alterra...she’d have to settle this issue first. At the same time, they didn’t want her to just apologize to resolve potential issues for herself. They hoped she was truly remorseful, which was the foundation of being a decent human being.

Regardless of whether the intensity of her ’evil’ was her intention, the fact of the matter was that she had hurt people.

But... as for how Estra was planning on apologizing, or making up, to the other woman, that was all on her, and that was something she had to go through with on her own.