After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 174

Baron turned his attention back to Althea, seeming to be reminded of something. "How’s old Eugene?"

"Still working on your project." She said. She knew that he was partnering with Eugene to create bicycles. Oslo created metal for them, but producing permanent metal was so much work, and only a few grams a day had been produced.

It had been several days, but there was still no movement.

But from what she heard at home, it seemed that Eugene had made some progress. Something about minimizing the need for metal lugs.

Eugene also got the largest share of this project, and he promised her (the boss) some shares as well.

It seemed like she’d take about 10% of the profits without having to do anything at all. It was very nice of him.

In fact, even if Eugene wasn’t a teammate, such a share was very smart to give to the Lord, as it would ensure the proper support for its development.

In this topic, she also heard Baron’s woodworking factory was working on wooden wheels and axles.

Even if it wasn’t bikes, rickshaws, and maybe carriages (if someone could tame beasts) would arrive in the territory soon.

For now, they produced rickshaws because no one knew how to tame animals to carry people.

Anyways, whichever mode of transportation would be introduced, Althea would welcome them with open arms.

There were a lot of people in the territory who were looking for safe jobs with minimal skills. They had a minimum requirement for training so she didn’t worry too much about their strengths stagnating.

There were also quite a few people—a lot of whom used to be strong men—who had lost arms and hands before reaching her territory. They were thus unable to do most of the jobs needed in the territory. This job would suit them just fine.

In any case, although the development for transportation would not be seen within these few days, she could already see her bustling territory with its own transportation.

She was looking forward to it.

And… she really wanted to reward those who were making these things a reality. Althea silently took note of adding a good amount of contribution to the people who would make this happen.

Reward those who deserved it: This was the way to keep innovations going.

"I’ve already applied to rent another factory," Baron told her. "Focusing on these wheeled contraptions."

She nodded, congratulating him. With this, Baron was now renting 4 factories. One for household furniture, one for other wood shenanigans, one for tanning works, and the currently being built factory for the aforementioned wheeled contraptions.

Because factories were only for rent, the 5 owned real estate limit didn’t apply. Similarly, when Althea ’rented’ tens and tens of farmland, no one questioned her.

"Well, I’m sure you’ll succeed." She said pointing at the stroller. "I can personally attest to the quality of your products."

Bianca and Joe, who were the main technical talents of Baron’s company, blushed at the compliments.

Especially Bianca, who had worked very hard for the babies’ accessories.

At the mention of the children, Barons, and his companions’ eyes had instantaneously landed in the covered crib.

But they—at least those other than Bianca and Baron—weren’t close enough to Althea to handle the babies with ease.

Now that Althea herself opened the topic they were happy to jump in.

They really, really, liked these kids very much. Not only because they were supremely adorable, but also because they were their unwitting muses.

It was Althea’s requests for toys and playgrounds that actually inspired them to create the product line in the first place.