Building a Safe Zone with My Harem In The Post-Apocalyptic World-Chapter 63: Possible Future Business

The party carried on long after the speech ended. Soft drinks flowed endlessly as Delilah worked alongside the Freebound men, hauling out crates into the courtyard while skewers of meat sizzled over open flames.

Smoke rose into the night air, blending with laughter and music. Summer, full of energy as always, sang at the top of her lungs with Kilian to some unfamiliar song Gideon did not recognize. She never seemed to run out of stamina.

The gathering had spilled far beyond the house itself. His yard could not possibly contain that many people, so the celebration expanded outward into the open space, lively and warm.

Gideon eventually retreated to lean against a corner wall. He was exhausted from talking to everyone.

They meant well, but none of them wanted to leave him alone, and his social battery was not infinite. Watching quietly suited him better than being the center of attention.

From his vantage point, he observed the atmosphere instead. The residents looked genuinely content, especially with the drinks. He remembered how Aaron had practically declared them brothers over a single cigarette.

’If I sell alcohol and cigs, I’d probably get rich fast,’ he thought.

His mind immediately shifted into calculation mode. ’Perhaps a portion of the agricultural sector could be dedicated to cultivating tobacco.’

’But would the climate here even support it? I should check the agricultural sector. Maybe there’s some kind of environmental buff.’

Before he could explore that line of thought further, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned and saw Jade standing beside him, nodding knowingly.

"You’re thinking about business again, aren’t you?"

Gideon blinked. ’How did she even guess?’

"If you’re wondering how I know," she added with a slight smirk, "haven’t you heard the saying, great minds think alike?"

He narrowed his eyes on her. "Maybe I need a separate advisor for these business deals. I have a feeling you’d take advantage of me if I’m not careful."

Jade gasped in exaggerated offense. "That’s cruel. I would never take advantage of you. Ask my subordinates. They’ll all say I’m an honest person. How are we supposed to build a strong alliance if you don’t trust me?"

He remained unconvinced. "I’ll still need other merchants to compare prices."

She smacked his back lightly. "Seriously, Gideon? I’m the one person you won’t regret trusting."

"She’s right."

A calm voice joined the conversation, and they both turned. Elaine approached them, still wearing her doctor’s robe.

"Thank you for your hard work," Gideon said sincerely.

Elaine had barely rested since they brought the wounded in. Climber Rift only had five doctors and around ten nurses for thousands of residents, which was already too few.

When the travelers arrived, only two doctors and two nurses had been available to help her. It had been exhausting work.

Her white coat still carried faint stains of dried blood, subtle but impossible to ignore.

"Listen to her. She’s a doctor. She’s smart," Jade said, casually slinging an arm around Elaine’s shoulder.

"Because she’s too dumb to be cunning," Elaine replied flatly.

Jade immediately sprayed her drink out in shock. "Wow. What an asshole. After I single-handedly marketed and edited your hentai manga, you dare say that?"

Elaine remained completely unfazed. "You also own thirty percent of the rights. So you’re profiting too. You shouldn’t complain."

Then she turned to Gideon. "And yes, you’ll need more merchants if you’re serious about developing a place this isolated. I have connections in the guild. If you want an introduction, I can arrange it. I don’t need anything in return."

"Hey! Don’t say it like that. I’m still your friend, aren’t I?" Jade protested, and the two of them immediately fell into another round of bickering.

Gideon listened, but one particular detail caught his attention.

"You make hentai manga?"

Elaine glanced at him, slightly guarded. "Yes. Is it surprising to see a woman doing it?"

He understood the defensive tone. Some people would judge without thinking.

"It’s not that," he said calmly. "It’s just the first time I’ve met a mangaka or anyone working in that field. How do you even produce it? I thought most plants turned into aberrants."

Gideon is also kinda interested in it. He loved reading manga, comics, and novels in his old world.

"They did," Elaine replied. "But certain aberrant variants can be processed into pulp. I make my own paper. It’s not that complicated."

"In fact, one of Climber Rift’s main export items is high-quality paper and ink," Jade added proudly. "We produce it in large quantities."

Gideon nodded thoughtfully. The way people adapted never ceased to impress him. Even in a world overrun by aberrants, humanity found ways to manufacture goods, experiment with mutated livestock, cook dishes from monster meat, and carve out industries where none should exist.

"So," Jade said, snapping him out of his thoughts, "what business idea were you cooking up earlier?"

"Alcohol," Gideon answered, taking a sip from his cup. "Maybe a winery. Possibly tobacco too."

Jade froze. In his mind, he could practically see gold coins flashing in her eyes. She grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?! WORK WITH ME! GIVE ME THE WINE AND ALCOHOL! I’LL BE YOUR FIRST BUYER AND YOUR ONLY DISTRIBUTOR!"

Her shout was so loud that half the courtyard turned to stare. Even Summer stopped singing mid-song and looked over suspiciously.

"We’re discussing business," Gideon said smoothly to the crowd. "Please continue."

Slowly, the party resumed.

"Calm down," he told Jade, lowering his voice. "It won’t be easy. The climate might not support vineyards or tobacco farming."

She groaned. "Why are you deciding it’s impossible before trying? You can literally construct military trucks out of nowhere. Don’t tell me you can’t produce alcohol."

She wasn’t wrong.

With the system, he could purchase stock directly and balance it by selling cores back. It would create a sustainable loop, especially if agriculture focused primarily on food crops for the residents.

He exhaled slowly. "Fine. You’re right. Let’s do it."

Jade inhaled sharply, about to scream in excitement—

But someone beat her to it.

"AAAHHH!"

Every head snapped toward the source of the sound.

It was Kanna. Water pooled beneath her feet as she clutched her stomach, eyes wide.

"My water broke!"