>VROOM<
The heavy gate started to budge, creaking heavily as it did. It parted on both ends and opened inwards.
Slowly, Byron and his people were able to get a glimpse of the world within the large walls.
The first thing they felt was the satisfying warmth that rushed through from within, as the gates opened.
A delicious warmth coursed through their bodies, soothing their cold bodies due to the chilly atmosphere that was prevalent outside the settlement.
'Where is this warmth coming from?' Byron had no idea.
He turned back to see that his people were also enjoying the strange, but pleasant atmosphere.
First the walls, then the gate, and now this warmth. This was entirely unusual, it was as though they had stepped into an alternate universe!
"Chief Byron, it's nice to have you back!" Carl, one of the members of the settlement smiled at the middle-aged man.
Although he was supposed to recognize the man instantly, they were members of the same settlement after all, he was quite startled due to Carl's change in appearance. fre ewebn ovel
"C-Carl… is that you? What are you wearing? You look…"
Not only were the villager's clothes drastically different from anything he had ever seen, the quality was also far superior to the ragged outfits worn by the Chief and his elite team.
A mere villager had an even better getup than the leader. Strange things were happening indeed.
But, that wasn't all.
Carl's face looked fresh, and his skin seemed extremely radiant as he spoke.
'He's been bathing regularly. There's also no sign of frosty, flaky or dry skin. Just what happened? Have they been using up our meager water resources for trivialities such as bathing?'
Byron didn't want to believe that his people had lived wastefully while he was away, but there were so many things he didn't understand yet, so he avoided jumping to conclusions.
"Why are you dressed strangely, Carl? What's with the walls? Why do you look so good? You even smell nice too. And this warmth, where is it coming from?"
The one who shot this barrage of questions at Carl was not the Chief, but the curious girl beside him.
Her hand was on her chin as she stared at the somewhat flustered villager.
"A-ah, about that… Ah, where to begin…" Carl laughed.
Even though he appeared hesitant, only happiness and a distant sense of respect could be seen on his face.
The reason he didn't speak was because his mind was too muddled with how and where to begin the tale of the complete transformation that their settlement had undergone.
"Don't worry, Carl. I'll take things from here." A sonorous voice came from behind him.
This caused the man addressed to sharply turn and bow.
"U-understood, Miss. Sarah!"
Byron noticed that there was a lot more respect inherent in Carl's tone and in his demeanor to Sara than before.
'That's probably my imagination…'
The blond girl approached Byron and the expedition members, wearing a gown that could only be described as exquisite.
She looked even more beautiful than before, and her clear skin couldn't be compared to anyone on the Chief's end.
Even Lucy, who was often compared to Sarah in terms of beauty, could no longer compete with this new version of the Priestess.
"Welcome back, Chief Byron." She bowed slightly.
Sarah then proceeded to address everyone else in her usual polite tone.
"Tch." Came a dissatisfied sound from Lucy.
It wasn't news that Sarah and the girl didn't really get along due to their contrasting personalities, but Lucy had never displayed her emotions so brashly before.
It could have been due to the vast difference between the currently exquisite Sarah and the worn and torn Lucy.
"Looks like you've been enjoying yourself quite a bit, Sarah." Lucy sneered, hinting that while she had been working her butt off for the town's resources, the Priestess had done nothing but act all high and mighty, probably lounging all day.
That was probably why she was able to gain such fair skin. Lucy didn't have an excuse for the clothes and accessories, though.
"Yes. You are indeed right. I have been enjoying myself. And it's all thanks to him." The Priestess' eyes gleamed with admiration, though the newcomers present didn't know who the 'him' she referred to was.
"I know you're all confused. You have every right to be. I'll do my best to explain all that has happened."
Byron snapped out of his thoughts the moment his Deputy Chief glanced in his direction.
'She has really changed…'
"You must be feeling uncomfortable by just standing outside. Please, come in." Sarah led them through the gate, causing the people to feel even more of the warmth that permeated the entire surrounding.
It was unlike the polluted heat gotten from burning firewood. This seemed completely natural, it was crisp and clean soothing the tense, frozen muscles of the travelers.
But, the surprise everyone had experienced thus far was nothing compared to the sight that greeted them as soon as they stepped into the town completely.
>SLAM!<
The gate behind them closed, and their eyes widened at the seemingly new world they just entered.
"Welcome back, Chief… to the new and improved town."
Everyone had the same thoughts as their jaws dropped and they tried to comprehend the phenomenon that was occurring before their very eyes.
Not only was the town extremely larger than its previous state, it was in a far cleaner and more organized state than it was before.
The tents that served as houses were fitted into one corner, and they could see other structures arranged in an orderly setting.
'I-is that…?!!' Byron's eyes bulged as he witnessed what he had only seen in a few settlements.
Plants! Growing crops that were edible—all of them!
The Chief was lost in a world he had never envisioned, not even in his wildest dreams.
It was difficult for him to even begin to understand a majority of the new facilities he observed around him —including the bathhouses and toilets—Byron simply gawked at their magnificence.
He also saw the large pillar that towered high into the heavens.
Byron didn't even know what Solar Panels were, so he could only be in awe and gawk like the ignorant man he was.
He wasn't the only one, too. Everyone with him had the same idiotic looks on their faces as they were bamboozled by the wonderful sights they had never seen before.
They would probably have remained in their daze forever, until—
"Chief Byron, everyone, your surprise is to be expected." Sarah affirmed.
Like robots, everyone looked at Sarah the Priestess. Their eyes yearned for answers.
"Do not fret. I will explain everything."
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