Chapter 534: The City Of Arcadia
Northern leaned with his hands on the rails of the ship, staring into the distant clouds with squinted eyes.
After a while, the mutterings died down, but the gazes didn't stop. One way or another, they looked at him.
Some wore heavy curiosity tugging at their expressions, while others bore crude and naked fear. Some were even so fearful that their legs seemed to sink into an imaginary ground as they walked around him.
But he paid no heed to them, instead enjoying the gentle breeze that caressed his cheeks.
After half an hour, the clouds began to part, and Northern could see something in the distance. At first, it was faint, but the landscape was marked by white and brown.
As the airship drew closer, the sky seemed to transition from a celestial white to a cerulean blue, with smaller clusters of clouds dotting the horizon.
From above, the city of Arcadia slowly came into view.
Arcadia was a harmonious blend of modern and traditional ingenuity, a delicate masterpiece that effortlessly spread out beneath the cerulean sky.
The streets, paved with timeworn stone, wove between timber-framed houses with gabled roofs. Their windows were trimmed with flowering vines and wooden shutters.
Above the city-though still below the airship-hot air balloons drifted lazily in the sky, their soft shadows rippling over the terraced city like silent whispers of adventure.
Towering spires from ancient cathedrals rose alongside newer buildings of polished stone and glass, an architectural handshake between past and present.
Beneath the shade of several trees, pink petals swirled gently in the wind. A quiet bench waited for travelers to pause and take in the beauty.
Gardens brimming with carefully tended flowers and lush greenery lined the pathways, offering bursts of color and the scent of fresh blooms.
The whole city seemed to breathe, alive with a sense of peaceful progression-a place where time didn't move hastily but flowed gently, as if savoring every moment.
The airship slowly descended onto a platform at the edge of the city's grand square, an expansive space bordered by towering trees and fountains that sparkled in the warm light of the late afternoon.
The platform itself was a seamless mix of polished wood and gleaming stone. As the airship touched down with a soft thud, Northern could hear the faint hum of mechanisms engaging, the gentle hiss of the ship's release valves decompressing.
The crew moved about briskly, preparing for the passengers to disembark, though eyes still lingered on him.
Northern straightened from the rail, feeling the weight of the many stares fixed on him.
His gaze sharpened as the full visual of Arcadia unfolded before him, now at a much closer and more magnified level.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the distinct scents that only a city like Arcadia could offer. The crispness of the high-altitude air mingled with the faint aroma of fresh flowers and the ever-present rhythm of life below.
As he made his way to the gangplank, his eyes scanned the cityscape again. A subtle wariness burned in the depth of his eyes, barely noticeable but there nonetheless.
Shin and Ryan followed behind, with Alystren arriving a bit late.
They all stepped off the airship and onto the platform, taking a spiral staircase downwards.
A sailor hurried after Northern as they descended the stairs.
"Young man, young man," he called.
However, Northern didn't stop until he was close to Shin and the others. Shin tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
Northern looked back, his eyes worn and filled with weariness.
Even Shin was a bit shocked and questioned internally, What's wrong?
Northern had faint lines beneath his eyes, stretching down slightly. He looked back with a frustrated groan.
"What is it?" he asked, only to pause as he recognized the sailor's familiar face.
"What?" he repeated, more directly this time.
"Young man, sir, I have come to apologize for the other time." The sailor bowed his head slightly as he spoke.
"I treated you like a kid when you were being cautious. If I had paid attention to your questions, perhaps I could've warned the others, and we wouldn't have had to bother you so much. But I am sincerely grateful for your help. Thanks to you, we reached Arcadia safely." Northern stared blankly for a moment before finally blinking and sighing.
"It's fine," he said, waving the man away with his hand before turning to continue his descent.
Shin smiled and glanced between Northern and the sailor, who was already heading back. After a few moments of walking, they found themselves amidst the people of Arcadia, moving through the square with a sense of purpose.
There was an air of relaxation, as if the city itself encouraged its inhabitants to take their time.
Northern stopped and turned to Alystren, who tried hard to hide the obstinate expression on his face.
"First, we should find a place to settle down. Since there's a friend of a friend who owes me a favor, that part should be easy, so follow me."
He immediately turned left, leading them away from the square and into a narrow street.
Regardless of which corner they turned, towering buildings reflected the rays of daylight into the air of every street channel.
Lampposts with delicate ironwork lined the roads, their lights dormant in the daylight but ready to illuminate the streets with a warm glow come nightfall.
High above, birds soared alongside the balloons, their wings brushing the currents of air in perfect rhythm with the city's quiet but ever-present pulse of life.
The blend of modern and traditional wasn't just in Arcadia's buildings but in its people and their attire as well.
The majority of the population, particularly those walking the bustling streets and tending to their businesses, wore garments inspired by both classical and contemporary styles.
Men donned long coats or waistcoats made from fine fabrics like linen or wool, paired with trousers that tapered slightly towards the ankle, tucked into boots or simple shoes.
These coats bore subtle embroidered patterns-nods to family crests or personal symbols of Arcadian pride-though the designs remained minimalist, echoing the city's elegant restraint.
Many men also sported simple hats or head coverings, whether for utility or fashion, and there was an air of casual refinement in the way they moved, confident but not boastful.
Women's attire reflected the same balance.
Flowing dresses, belted at the waist, made from lighter fabrics such as silk or cotton, allowed
for both elegance and movement.
Some women wore tunics paired with leggings or skirts, layered with shawls or scarves
draped artistically over their shoulders.
The traditional influence was visible in the pleats and cuts of their clothing, with earthy tones dominating the palette-soft browns, greens, and muted golds-with occasional pops of vibrant color, especially in accessories.
In contrast, others embraced a more modern look, with tailored jackets, high-collared blouses, and longer skirts, the fabrics shimmering slightly with hints of metallic thread or
intricate stitching.
Each passerby carried a unique scent with them, and walking amidst such a crowd almost made Northern feel like he was back on Earth.
He couldn't help but admire every single person that walked past, though his eyes still looked
worn out.
After a few minutes, they finally reached a gate nestled in the heart of a light forest.
Alystren announced heartily, "Welcome to the house of the governor of Arcadia." Northern frowned. "The governor... is your friend of a friend?"