Chapter 696: Inner Shelter

Reylin’s group all laughed quietly, the first genuine one in days...

Then, after finishing their drinks and savoring the last crumbs of their pastries, Reylin and her officers reluctantly rose from their seats, leaving behind the comforting warmth of the café.

As they went outside, they couldn’t help but appreciate the scent of roasted beans, bread, and something faintly floral nearby...

It wasn’t something they could appreciate in their previous shelters after all.

In any case, Edwin then led them once more to look around the shelter since Shane wasn’t ready yet.

"There’s more I’d like you to see before your meeting with Lord Shane..." he said with a smile. "A shelter’s soul isn’t built on walls alone."

They continued down the main avenue, where a shift in atmosphere met them...

Aside from another Shane’s monument, they saw a row of taverns and merchant houses. They came upon a modest open-air inn, and some of them were even alive with music.

There was even a small stage that was probably used for rallying soldiers, but for now, it was being used by a bard.

"She’s beautiful..."

"There’s even a bard here..."

"I wonder if it’s her talent or simply a skill."

"How come we’ve never had a chance to have something like this before?"

"I visited the Overlord Clan’s Shelter Two before... Not even their Clan could compare to Shane’s third shelter. This is incredible." Reylin muttered.

The beautiful bard had long black hair and dark skin... She also had a string instrument that seemed to be from ancient times. Her voice caught every survivor’s attention as she actually sang about how they rose from ruin, and how they must remember those who had fallen for their future.

Maria slowed, her eyes wide. "Her voice... had some effects. It’s definitely not a simple skill... It’s a system-related ability."

"That’s right... Her name’s Jillian. Among all the bards or musicians in the shelter, she had the highest grade talent." Edwin said with pride.

"It’s impressive. She’s really skilled." Reylin commented.

She then looked around to see if she was collecting donations. However, she didn’t see any collections happening and could only wonder how she was earning from this...

"We believe entertainment is as vital as fortifications. After all..."—he turned to glance at them with a knowing smile—"joy is a shield too."

Reylin and the others somewhat understood what he was trying to say and nodded.

They listened to her for a moment longer. Even the soldiers nearby had taken a brief pause, some leaning against stone railings with soft expressions while others were quietly mouthing the lyrics of her song.

It wasn’t just a performance.

"It must be related to the Culture Points." Reylin said in a soft voice.

"Culture Points?" Maria repeated as she heard Reylin’s whisper.

Reylin wryly smiled, then explained.

"That’s right... Apparently, I know a few people with Territory Talents. They have talents, like Landlords, Land Caretaker, Territory Inheritor, Land Claimer, and others. I heard from them that once you obtain a Land through the system’s help, you have to keep up with the Culture Points, or there’s a possibility that your residents will become unproductive or worse, they might start leaving."

This topic had caught everyone’s attention as they didn’t know anything about it at all.

Since none of them planned to control a land, this subject didn’t cross their mind. Still, it certainly made sense as they also recalled that their talents had various details as well that wouldn’t be noticed by others unless they also had similar talents.

"Enough about the Culture Points... What is that?" Maria said.

She was drawn by the rising scent of sweetness and spice...

Edwin knew what she was talking about and led them there.

None of them asked as they followed Edwin toward a stretch of small bakeries. There was warm yellow light pouring from their windows. Inside, young bakers shaped loaves and pastries while ovens radiated heat behind them.

Outside, children in simple clothes ran past laughing, chasing each other with bread rolls in hand.

One girl reached up to a tall soldier walking by, and he crouched to let her place a flower behind his ear.

"This... Is Shane arranging this for us to see?" Reylin couldn’t help but mutter after seeing such a cliché dramatic scene.

Although it didn’t feel rehearsed, it just doesn’t feel right how they were promoting the shelter’s positiveness!

’Right... Now that I think about it. Shane called us here, but he was suddenly busy... He’s definitely not busy and has arranged this welcoming tour. Those children must be paid actors.’ Reylin couldn’t help but suspect.

A boy then shouted, "Mom says Eclipse Bread is the best!"

It seemed to be another advertisement, but she decided not to point it out, considering all her friends were just so happy to see the scene.

’Well played, Shane...’ She thought to herself.

Maria, on the other hand, just chuckled. "They even branded their bread... Eclipse Bread, huh..."

"It smells delicious..." Maz admitted, surprised by her own words as she caught the scent of cinnamon and butter drifting through the air.

It was incredible.

However, as they had already filled their stomach, they decided to just pass through this place after buying a few bread for the people back in the shelter.

Apparently, as Edwin walked through the inner shelter, they were soon brought into the industrial sector of the Shelter...

They were soon surrounded by production machines and humanoid machines.

There was actually an oil refinement facility operating in full swing inside the shelter!

It was guarded by metallic fences and automated turrets.

The Warden Units were working as guards, but some of them also moved barrels and slabs of dark stone into grinding tanks.

Black, tar-like fuel was being extracted from what seemed like ores...

They had no idea where it came from, but it was definitely one of Shane’s many secrets.

"This is our main fuel processor..." Edwin explained, waving toward the refinery. "Used for vehicles, generators, Warden Units, and some modified weapons."

Reylin was impressed. She hadn’t even considered that such infrastructure could still exist.