On another street, a father was trying to pull his daughter back. The man heaved a deep breath, obviously exhausted. He wasn't fully healed yet, okay? Even with their improved physiques and daily drinking of healing potions.
"It's time to go Fiona," he said, just stopping himself from carrying the girl back home.
They were currently in a carnival game called Micro Ring Toss. It was basically Ring Toss, but with much smaller rings and targets. The stall owner said that they had better senses now, so it was only right to make it more difficult.
However, Rebi would argue it was too difficult. The ring was as big as his pinky finger for goodness' sake! And the target? A glorified needle, that's what it was!
Unfortunately, he not only had zero talent in this, but his body was still weak from the sufferings during slavery. There was also the stupid fact that he may have gone outside in an attempt to earn money, and getting lotsa bruises.
He thought he could just stay around the sentries, but he still overestimated himself. Fortunately, a big hero saved his life or his ghost would cry from regrets!
The little girl looked at him with teary eyes. "No! One more try!"
"But you have energy to go out and find monsters to eat you!"
At this, Rebi had no comeback and just did as she wanted. Sadly, they failed again! It was fortunate that each try was only a few copper each or else his empty wallet would sob.
At this time, the Golds happened to be nearby. They saw that the girl (and the big man) looked so pitiful. Oslo couldn't help but step forward, hitting the target for her.
The owner looked at him and pointed at the sign. It said "Level 15 and below only" and it made Oslo's lips twitch.
However, instead of embarrassing himself, Oslo just subtly took out a handful of silvers, and only then did the stingy stall owner allow the little girl to choose her prize.
The little girl gently tugged at his shirt. "Thank you!"
Oslo smiled and walked away with his siblings, joining them to watch and join the various festivities all around the territory. Basically, other than the plazas and park, the avenues—which were lined with shops—were lively and there were activities everywhere. They still had much to explore!
The father-daughter watched the Golds walk away with eyes of gratitude before turning to the stoic-faced store owner. The shopkeeper asked the little girl, "Which toy do you want?"
"The fox!" She yelled, and then she squealed when she finally had it in her arms.
Rebi sighed in relief, already seeing his precious bed. "Now it's finally time to go home."
"Wait, wait! I must give this gift to Gochi!"
Without waiting for her dad's response, the girl bolted in a direction—straight to a certain half-orc doing his rounds. He was eating a large stick of seasoned monster meat.
"Thank you for saving my dad, Gochi!" She yelled, handing it over to him.
The half-orc blinked and then looked at her in puzzlement, before lifting his head to look at the father. Rebi's eyebrows rose as he saw his daughter's gesture, and he broke into a smile.
He nodded at Gochi to take it. "My daughter still has more sense than I do," he said. He did say his thanks to Gochi, but it didn't occur to him to give anything. After all, as a major contributor to the war, the half-orc was actually pretty well-off now.
Gochi remembered them. Rebi was actually one of the newer 'slaves', but he was a bit eager to earn money and went out prematurely. Just this morning, he almost lost his life, barely keeping it until Gochi arrived to the rescue.
And now, the half-orc was getting such heartfelt thanks.
His eyes teared a bit, and his eyes followed the little girl and her dad as they walked away, though not without looking back occasionally, sending him a friendly wave.
This interaction landed in the eyes of the newest aborigine hires, Rona and Mogi.
Although their jobs hadn't started yet, they had been hired by Gaea Restaurant and by the guard team, respectively. They were scheduled to start the next day, and they were instructed to enjoy the festivities because there was a lot of work to be done when they started.
They had been here for a day, but the number of times their minds were blown were already innumerable.
First, the place itself didn't fit their images of villages at all. The activity, the wealth, and the beauty were superior to many towns.
Speaking of towns, they had also seen people from Towns—and Cities— enjoying their time here. It was really unimaginable to their previous selves.
Normally, people from 'stronger' territories would look down on villages. Many would even think it was below them to step on one! But here, they were not only happily roaming around, there was even a level of mutual respect in their interactions!
Of course, the typical response of townsfolk and city dwellers towards Villages wasn't anything abnormal. This was because most villages really were backwater. The houses were small with barely any features, the streets were narrow and dirty, the people were weak and poor, and most walls were not particularly reassuring at all.
Another thing they had a clearer view of was the mindset of its citizens. They had a peek of it during the war, but they realized almost everyone in Altera thought differently from them.
For instance, just now, a child was showing unabashed admiration towards a half-orc—one that had been conventionally seen as slaves or enemies. In their world views, there was no in between, but that little scene put a big crack into it.
In any case, the two continued to peruse the festivities, buying some food and drinks to go—enjoying what they could while absorbing this new entire world at the same time.
While they were walking along one of the avenues, some voices called on to them. "Hey, new guys!"
They turned to see it was their seniors, who were walking around together as well. "Hello, Miss Betty, Mister Clutch, Mister Gauis, Miss Leny."
"Come, join us," Clutch said, as friendly as always. The two approached, feeling honored.
The 'old hires' looked at the new arrivals with friendly smiles, as they would any of their coworkers. "How are you finding Altera so far?"
"Amazing," Rona said, for the lack of a better word. Mogi nodded, agreeing fully.
Clutch and the others felt proud of Altera being complimented. It was as if they, too, were being complimented.
At this, Clutch laughed, encouraging them.
"Work well enough," he paused. "And this could be your home."
The two aborigines thought: that isn't a bad idea at all.