After getting over the sight, they realized there was a really wide paved road in front of them.
There were about 6 lanes divided in half by trees and landscaping. There were even a few meters of elevated sidewalks on the sides, also lined with trees.
Although there were no cars, they walked out of the carriageway and started walking along the colored sidewalk.
It was odd to see such wide avenues in the middle of the forest, but it was a human construction and it was enough. After all, a pathwalk must lead to somewhere, right?
Anyway, it took them about ten minutes of hopeful walking before they could finally see buildings.
And they finally felt their hearts get in place.
At this time, Althea was looking at the screen as she saw something interesting.
She saw a new person in the population page, with the former job indicating politician in green font.
Among the scores of people in the territory, except for her, only 2 people had the green font.
One of whom was Eugene, and the other was a forty-year-old man named Cooke with the talent for cooking.
This man had been one of the people who bought a commercial space, likely to be used as a restaurant.
It could be said that people with green fonts represent the Pinnacle of their professions.
Thinking of it this way, poor Eugene really lived miserably for someone with such achievements.
More importantly, she also knew this person. The retired minister of foreign affairs. Famous for her feat in the Yuta Country next to their Eden country.
Due to centuries of exploitation the planet's natural resources had been used up. When a mineral resource was found between the borders, war almost broke out. Mathilda went and stopped it, even winning their country very good terms.
She also knew Mathilda personally. She could be loosely considered a familial elder of hers.
They had met through her youngest son, Gill, her husband's right-hand man, and they had met several times in events and official parties.
They had only gotten close from there.
It was very amusing how a tactless guy with such poisonous mouth came out of a famous diplomat's stomach.
She added two more farm villas, and 4 more duplex residential units, to comfortably accommodate the newcomers.
"I heard there are newcomers? Shall we take a look?" Sheila said, looking gossipy.
Althea nodded and followed the girl out of the village center, with Harold and Eugene following closely behind them.
They stood at the square and watched the scores of newcomers appear in their sights with various emotions, especially when they saw people with aura among them.
"That firework was a very good idea, Eugene." Althea said to Eugene, who sheepishly rubbed his curly hair in embarassment.
"I would love to make contributions, boss."
Seeing him shy, Sheila couldn't help but giggle at him. She looked at Althea, "Boss, if your compliments could be currency."
This made Althea think.
"Althea?" A woman from the crowd called, breaking their conversation. At this voice, Althea wordlessly walked forward to meet them.
Althea smiled as she approached, her poise calm and collected, but the brightness in her eyes betrayed her excitement.
"Auntie." She paused and looked beside her. "Drake."
The man blushed in embarrassment and Mathilda looked at them in amusement, knowing the usually brave young man's weakness towards women.
She then stepped forward and held her hand. She then turned to her companions, "Get settled first. I will find you."
The people looked at each other and then to Drake, who looked at the younger girl in embarrassment.
Althea smiled pointing at the village center's door. "Just go inside, you'll be able to rent or purchase a place of stay."
"Thank you…" he said, and the others followed her, though not before stealing glances of the beautiful Althea.
"I'm sorry for the impoliteness," Mathilda said as her sharp eyes watched her team enter the building.
"Would you like to stay with me temporarily? We have a lot to talk about."
"We sure do." She paused, giving her a vague look.
"Altera... Althea .." she voiced out to no one in particular, Althea only smiled as if it had nothing to do with her.
"Well, I seem to have a destiny with this territory."
Mathilda just smiled and nodded. Althea looked at the older woman with a similar smile.
If there were others watching them, they'd just be very confused.
Hey, just like old times.
Although there was no furniture, it was still much more comfortable than in the open sun.
There were also hotel pillows to sit on.
Behind closed doors, Mathilda let go of her intimidating aura, finally relaxing.
She held Althea's hand as soon as she sat next to her. Her strict unapproachable aura softened considerably, turning to a mother hen.
"How are you, child?" She asked, and looked at her protruding belly. Her eyebrows furrowed and she frowned, looking heartbroken, "How wronged you are...
"You must've suffered greatly the past few days."
Althea shook her head and smiled, comforting. "I'm fine auntie. I was in the villa area when it happened…I'm very well now. The territory is fine."
Speaking of the territory, Mathilda's worry eased and she looked at her with a smile. "Hmm, I agree… you built it well."
"..." Althea touched her nose, a bit shy.
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me." The old woman just said, looking melancholic.
"It's good to hide this power, people tend to blame those in power when they're accessible.
Then, as if recalling painful memories, Mathilda heaved a sigh. "If only Garan and Gill were here…" the old woman's voice cracked when she mentioned her son's name. "You wouldn't have had to take this burden in your condition."
This time it was Althea who held the other's hand. Mathilda had been the strongest voice in finding the soldiers, the reason she retired was because she couldn't handle the pain of losing her son.
Althea thought for a while before saying anything, and decided to tell her her intuition regardless.
"I feel they should be here." She told her., "My gut tells me he is closer to me than the past few months."
Since she got here, she had occasional dreams. She never remembered any of them, but the feeling after she woke up was similar to the feeling of comfort when she was with her husband.
Mathilda's furrowed eyebrows stretched to one of surprise, and she looked at Althea hopefully. The younger woman just wrapped her arms around the older woman.
"Gill will be fine; They both will."
Mathilda embraced the young woman. "I believe so, too."