Chapter 115: VOL 2 Chapter 60: Aranta.
The capital city of the planet Aranta seemed to have sprung straight from the heart of nature, with majestic palaces of marble and gold rising toward the sky, adorned with gigantic pillars bearing intricate carvings. These carvings intertwined with beautiful trees, vines, and vegetation of all kinds, creating a striking yet at the same time harmonious and elegant scene.
Beyond the magnificent marble palaces stretched the homes of Aranta's inhabitants. Built with a material similar to concrete, these houses were anything but ordinary. Each facade was a canvas for unique artistic expressions, with various designs blending harmoniously into the lush greenery surrounding them.
The streets of Aranta were a spectacle in themselves. Paved with perfectly cut and leveled stones, they formed paths that gently intertwined with the surrounding vegetation. Their integration was so natural that it seemed as though the streets had been drawn by nature itself.
As the sun set, a magical display came to life in Aranta. Floating lanterns, with soft and warm-toned lights, began to glow as they drifted gracefully above the roads. Beyond their practical function of lighting the streets, these lights symbolized the magic that infused the city, turning Aranta's nights into a dreamlike stage.
In addition to its beauty, the streets of Aranta were the center of social and cultural life. Open-air markets offered all sorts of local handicrafts and foods, while street musicians and artists filled the air with melodies and visual performances, gathering people around them in small groups.
But if anyone were asked what was the most representative feature of the planet, the first answer would undoubtedly be the "Bazaar of a Thousand Aromas", a place where city life manifested in its fullest. Upon entering, visitors were greeted by a symphony of scents: exotic spices, fresh flowers, and the tempting aroma of traditional dishes cooking at small stands. The vendors, proud of their products, invited passersby to taste their delights—from artisanal sweets to fruits unknown to a foreign palate.
Amid the bustling, cheerful street stood Erik, dressed casually in a short-sleeved navy-blue shirt and beige pants, simple leather shoes that matched his shirt, and sunglasses—his style contrasting sharply with the predominant attire of the locals, who seemed to prefer light and flowing fabrics like silks and fine linens, adorned with all sorts of geometric patterns in bright colors.
Accompanying Erik were Eleonora and Sigrún, each holding one of his arms in an intimate embrace, both wearing beautiful outfits that also stood out from their surroundings. Meanwhile, the ever-professional and perfect maid, Seraphina, followed close behind in attire slightly different from what she normally wore.
"How do you like the planet Aranta?" Sigrún asked with a smile as she offered Erik a skewer of assorted grilled and lightly seasoned vegetables, holding it directly to his mouth.
Sigrún was wearing a gorgeous summer dress with wildflower prints and transparent sleeves, paired with a rope belt that accentuated her curvy figure. Atop her head, she wore a lovely wide-brimmed hat made of what seemed to be straw, which matched her leather purse and strappy sandals.
"It's an interesting place, quite different from the university." Erik commented in a calm tone after taking a bite of the skewer—which tasted quite decent—while looking around curiously.