The Arcane Guardians Chapter 77: Chapter 71: At Heaven’s Gate

Read chapter 77 of The Arcane Guardians by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

If one were to depict the residing place of demons, a peaceful paradise would be the last thing on their minds. And yet before them stood a vibrant, golden world, where children played and adults reeled in their days of long-lost serenity. How they laughed and smiled in the resplendent wonders of their world, as though they knew nought of the horrors they have wrought on the others. Conscious in all perceivable ways yet harbouring not even a single thought in their immortal brains, the residents of this man-made Heaven received the four mortals emerging from the portal with loving arms. “Unbelievable. How is this place so… beautiful?” Marcia breathed, turning in a slow circle to admire her surroundings. “It’s like we stepped into a children’s bedtime story.” Titus walked forward slowly, his head craned up at the golden sky peppered with light purple clouds. “It feels so nostalgic, even though it’s our first time here,” Orpheus commented. “It’s almost as if every treasured memory of the past has been frozen in time in this world.” “That may not be too far from the truth, actually.” Felix looked around. The obsidian buildings around them were not as technologically advanced as those of Titus’ world, but their cobbled stone architecture gave them a quaint and cosy feel. “Our surroundings may look beautiful, but they’re hollow on the inside,” he continued to muse out loud. “If I’m guessing this right, what we’re seeing are just projections of reality.” Felix gestured at a group of children playing in an amusement park nearby. “So are these people. There’s literally nothing going on in their minds, if they even have minds in the first place,” the psychic said grimly. “It might be very possible that they’re actually just mere thoughts given physical form.” Marcia pointed at a man approaching them before Felix could continue postulating. “Is that guy an Unending?” she whispered. “He doesn’t have black scales, but I’d recognise those golden eyes anywhere.” The neatly dressed man came within earshot before Felix could reply, so the group turned their attention to him instead. His striking red hair was slicked back neatly and he looked no older than thirty. Felix tilted his head slightly; this young man looked oddly familiar. “Welcome, friends!” The man broke into a wide smile, his gestures bold and confident. “Visitors from another world! What an honour to receive such esteemed guests!” Marcia folded her arms, her gangster scowl returning to her face promptly. “How’d you know where we came from? Who are you?” “Why, all of you only have one soul, of course! So you must hail from somewhere else.” The man’s golden eyes flickered. “As for who I am…” He stepped back and broke into a deep bow. “My name is Alcaeus Vulcan, and you may address me as so. It is my pleasure to guide our world’s first tourists.” It took all of Felix’s effort not to flinch visibly, but Marcia was not as composed. Her mouth hung open as she staggered back like she had been shot multiple times in the torso. “Fath— Alcaeus Vulcan?! ” she blurted out. Vulcan tilted his head slightly in confusion. “Yes? Is there something amiss, my good lady?” Marcia shook her head frantically after a brief moment. “N— No… Nothing wrong at all,” she stuttered. “P— Pray forgive me for my outburst. I was just… I— I’m sorry.” “Apologies, but we’re not here for a tour,” Orpheus cut in. “We’re seeking a celestial artefact called ‘The Winter Solstice’. It’s a tome of sorts.” “Ah, I see! So you don’t require a full tour of our beloved world,” Vulcan said without a hint of disappointment in his voice. “No matter, I can still guide you to someone who knows all about spellcrafts. Do pardon me for my lack of expertise; I was just a humble tour guide back in my living days.” “I beg your pardon?” Felix asked, wide-eyed. “What do you mean ‘back in your living days’?” “Of course! This must all seem very foreign to you.” Vulcan smacked his forehead lightly. “The residents of our world have long since tr