Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 547: Golden road

Chapter 547: Golden road

When the soldiers finally caught sight of the fortress, broad smiles lit their faces. In a Doomsday World, these bastions of civilization were the only places where people could feel truly secure—the only locations that might offer them the luxury of peaceful sleep. The imposing sight of those towering walls and ramparts brought relief as palpable as the air they breathed.

"On guard!" Zalasar roared, urging the caravan onward. Though he spoke loudly, there was an undercurrent of excitement in his voice, as if returning to the safety of Graecia’s stronghold gave even this seasoned warrior a measure of solace.

Within minutes, Vlad, Jormugandr, Ouroboros, and Fafnir found themselves standing beneath the dazzling canopy of golden flames that illuminated the sky above the fortress. At first glance, the phenomenon looked like a shimmering aurora, but as soon as they stepped beneath its glow, the robotic voices of their respective A.I. Chips echoed in their minds:

[Beep! Radiation detected. It is invading the Host’s body. Does the Host wish to block it?]

All four Depravitas exchanged meaningful looks. The source of this radiation clearly lay in the colossal fiery sky that stretched for over a thousand kilometers around the fortress. Vlad’s expression turned grim, and he mentally communicated with his A.I. Chip.

"Is there any harm in allowing the radiation to enter my body?"

The response was immediate:

[Beep! This radiation is tuned against chaotic beings—particularly those aligned with The Darkness. It should not damage the Host, but there is no certainty how your Depravita Constitution will react.]

A flash of understanding crossed Vlad’s eyes. Evidently, the golden sky acted as a subtle test, revealing anyone affiliated with The Darkness. If Vlad or any of the other Sky Seed Depravitas displayed symptoms of distress, their fledgling alliance with Graecia would unravel in an instant. Moreover, they were so close to the fortress walls that failure to pass this test could leave them trapped in a deadly predicament.

After a quick glance toward Jormugandr, Ouroboros, and Fafnir, Vlad gave a decisive nod. None of them resisted the infiltration of the golden radiation, hoping their Depravita Constitutions would adapt without issue.

At first, the sensation was jarring. A burning heat surged through their limbs, flaring within their muscles and searing their veins. But mere seconds later, all four Depravitas felt a profound shock that gave way to delight.

Instead of harming them, the radiation fed directly into the Depravita Seeds dwelling within their Soul Dimensions. This unusual energy nourished a core component of their cultivation, the part that connected them to their path toward True Depravita Bodies—and ultimately, to the promise of an immortal flesh.

"Amazing," Vlad murmured under his breath. Jormugandr, perched on his shoulder, nearly burst into laughter as the golden glow bolstered them rather than burned them. Fafnir grinned, his draconic eyes alight with new vigor, and even Ouroboros allowed a small smirk to tug at his lupine features.

Meanwhile, Zalasar and Agamenon observed the four in perplexed silence. Based on their knowledge, the golden radiance blanketing the fortress was intended to scorch and repel creatures imbued with the power of chaos aligned with The Darkness. However, its nature was entirely offensive, and even if you were not harmed, there was no reason for it to empower you.

Yet Vlad and his companions looked healthier than ever, as though the flames were fortifying them. A swift, silent exchange of glances passed between Zalasar and Agamenon. Although they found this puzzling, it also allayed any final suspicions that the newcomers might be affiliated with The Darkness. With that doubt dispelled, the caravan advanced in a buoyant mood.

They soon approached the massive walls, rising over three hundred meters high, that encircled the exterior of the fortress. To Vlad’s surprise, there was no queue of travelers awaiting entry, nor any sign of merchants or civilians coming or going. For a fortress of this magnitude—one that presumably hosted hundreds of thousands of inhabitants—its entrance seemed surprisingly quiet.

He then noticed two statues flanking the gates, each as tall as the walls themselves. Fashioned from a peculiar silver-steel alloy, they bore intricate runic engravings that glowed with the same golden flames that lit the sky overhead. Their eyes pulsed with mystical energy, suggesting an awareness that went beyond mere decoration.

Still running at an easy pace, Vlad shot Jormugandr a questioning look. Of the four Depravitas, the small yellow cat excelled in alchemy and construction-based knowledge. Jormugandr studied the statues for a moment, his tiny feline face adopting a grave expression.

"The energy matrices inside these things are unlike anything I’ve seen before," the Depravita of Gluttony commented, speaking in a hushed but intense voice. "They function at what you might call a ’quantum level’—far beyond standard runic forging. Even a Sage-tier warrior would be torn apart if these statues came to life."

Vlad took a slow breath as he realized the scale of Graecia’s defensive measures. A single statue could likely decimate an entire squad of Sage-tier beings if roused to battle. With two statues standing guard—and who knew how many more inside—the fortress was an impenetrable fortress indeed.

As the caravan reached the gates, the eyes of the statues glowed with amplified brilliance. A resounding, dispassionate voice echoed between the ramparts.

"Only high-ranking nobles of Graecia may pass through the Golden Gate. Identify yourselves."

Agamenon stepped forward without hesitation, revealing a faint golden sigil on his forearm that flared with potent radiance.

"I am Agamenon, son of Duke Solaris," he declared. The orb of light on his brow pulsed once as if confirming his claim.

Both statues seemed to scrutinize him for a tense heartbeat. Then, they stamped their spears against the ground in unison, causing the colossal gate to split open. With a low rumble, the doorway swung inward, revealing the interior of the fortress.

Zalasar and Agamenon urged the caravan forward, guiding the wagons through the massive opening. On either side of the main road, slender golden pillars rose like silent sentinels, their surfaces etched with the same archaic runes visible on the statues. Although the avenue stood empty, Vlad could see a bustling metropolis beyond the pillars—a city of shops, dwellings, and workshops humming with life.