Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 576

Chapter 576

Zeon himself remained ignorant of whatever conclusion Liala and Hera had arrived at.

Upon wrapping up their discussion, the pair of leaders swiftly departed the Steel Fortress alongside their followers.

No one could predict if Liala might successfully escort the humans back safely or if the elves would align with them.

The outcome hinged entirely on their choices.

Neither Zeon nor anyone else in the Steel Fortress possessed the power to assist or sway them.

Aware of this reality, the Steel Fortress residents silently pressed on with their tasks.

Directed by Urtian and Deborah, construction of a massive structure encircled the spot where the portal stood.

This served as a safeguard for the portal.

Tesserina wove multiple spells into the edifice encasing the portal.

Entry grew impossible for outsiders without clearance from the building's overseer and the portal's controller.

Deborah, Urtian’s spouse, earned the role of portal overseer.

Having acted as a bridge between diverse groups, she fostered harmony among varied inhabitants.

Numerous folks respected Deborah, so her appointment as portal manager gained easy approval.

After transferring portal control to Deborah, Zeon promptly exited the Steel Fortress.

After traveling some distance from the Steel Fortress, Levin abruptly glanced back and commented.

“Looks like this will be the last time we walk all this way.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“I’m saying it because I like it. I hope the portal connects to the World Tree village soon as well. Then Brielle would be able to come and go freely too.”

“We need to think a little more about installing a Teleport Gem in the World Tree village. The High Elves won’t want it.”

“That’s true.”

Levin nodded swiftly in agreement.

The World Tree transcended mere enormity as a tree.

Within its vast embrace, spirits and myriad enigmas sprang forth.

Should the World Tree restore its true form, Earth’s transformation would prove profound.

A treasure like the World Tree demanded restricted access.

Thus, even with a portal, only a select few could enter the World Tree village.

Consequently, usage would remain limited to a handful.

Zeon declared,

“Let’s visit the World Tree village later and discuss it then.”

“Got it, hyung!”

Levin replied without a trace of regret.

Witnessing Levin’s demeanor filled Zeon with relief.

At their initial encounter, Levin had existed as one among countless thoughtless youths. Now, he stood as a formidable warrior besting a hundred foes single-handedly.

He had evolved into Zeon’s most reliable ally.

Once sufficiently distant from the Steel Fortress, the trio soared skyward without delay.

Zeon harnessed a sandstorm for flight, Levin shifted to ghostly form, and Tesserina cast a levitation spell.

In this realm, likely no others traversed the desert with such effortless freedom, unbound by vast distances.

Tesserina’s distinctive aura repelled airborne magical beasts from nearing.

This allowed the three to glide serenely through the heavens, swiftly arriving at Neo Seoul.

Upon Zeon touching down, he announced,

“Everyone must be tired, so let’s rest well today.”

“Sounds good!”

“Hyung, I’m going to stop by the office. I left it to the kids, but I’m still a bit worried.”

Tesserina yearned to revisit her long-vacant lair, while Levin fretted over the problem-solver office’s status.

Zeon grinned and said,

“Then let’s disband for today.”

“Disband!”

“Yes, sir!”

Thus, the three separated, each bound for their own path.

Zeon headed directly home without detours.

“Hoo…”

Entering home, he slumped onto the sofa.

The sofa’s embrace cradled his form luxuriously.

No comparable sofa existed elsewhere.

Rare materials formed its construction, rendering it unique.

From the sofa, Zeon gazed through the window.

The towering city hall loomed into sight.

It seemed city hall—or Jin Geumho himself—beckoned him.

“Right. It’s not time to rest yet.”

Back in Neo Seoul, he ought to confer with Jin Geumho and settle the portal matter promptly.

Zeon exited his home at once, making for city hall.

Encountering Jin Geumho proved effortless.

Jin Geumho had anticipated his arrival.

“Welcome.”

“You knew I would come?”

“I had a feeling.”

Jin Geumho replied with a grin.

Observing him anew, Zeon noted his softened features.

Previously razor-sharp eyes now curved gently.

Zeon readily deduced the source of this shift.

‘It must be because of Lemura.’

Aware of the underground city, Jin Geumho visited often.

Ostensibly for inspections, truly to see Lemura.

Lemura alone regarded Jin Geumho fearlessly, like a true grandsire.

Jin Geumho grew genuinely attached to her.

Through this bond, mutual influence softened Jin Geumho’s visage.

Jin Geumho indicated a chair and invited,

“Please sit.”

“Thank you.”

Zeon accepted the offered seat gracefully.

Jin Geumho brewed coffee personally and presented it.

“Have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be thankful. Thanks to you, Neo Seoul remained safe.”

“It was thanks to everyone’s help.”

“Yes. The sacrifices were great. Because of that, both city hall and the districts will find it difficult to project force outside for a while.”

Jin Geumho sighed softly.

Neo Seoul reigned supreme in his priorities.

Safeguarding it demanded abundant awakened warriors.

Halting Behemoth consumed many, delaying replacements.

“It would have been nice if we had at least obtained Behemoth’s corpse, but I heard it turned to powder and disappeared.”

“Yes.”

“That’s unfortunate. If we had obtained the corpse alone, we could have made up for all the losses. For the time being, we’ll have to tighten our belts.”

Hunting magical beasts and raiding dungeons demanded funds.

Successes yielded ample rewards, yet failures abounded.

City hall fared better, bolstered by superior wealth and tech versus districts.

Districts lacked such sturdy bases.

Behemoth’s clash inflicted pure devastation upon them.

They craved compensation methods.

Zeon eyed Jin Geumho briefly before voicing his intent.

“What would you think… if it became easy to travel to and from the Steel Fortress?”

“Then Neo Seoul’s territory would expand accordingly. And if Neo Seoul’s territory expands, that means humanity’s domain grows as well.”

Jin Geumho’s gentle gaze hardened abruptly.

Golden radiance gleamed in his pupils.

His Heavenly Eyes ignited.

He uttered,

“So there is a way.”

“Yes.”

“What price must I pay?”

“Please acknowledge the Steel Fortress’s autonomy.”

“Autonomy… Very well.”

Jin Geumho embraced Zeon’s offer instantly, sans deliberation.

Zeon found his swift assent startling.

“You’re accepting it that easily?”

“Why? Is that strange?”

“Yes.”

“One thing I realized while running Neo Seoul is that nothing should ever be monopolized. Monopoly hinders development, and excessive concentration of power only obstructs growth. I swear on my honor, Neo Seoul will never infringe upon the authority of the Steel Fortress.”

“I believe you.”

Zeon inclined his head.

He trusted not mere words, but Jin Geumho’s character.

In such affairs, deceit eluded him.

“But there is one thing you should know.”

“What is it?”

“If you establish exchanges with the Steel Fortress, you may become complete enemies with El Harun.”

“So what?”

“…Pardon?”

“Have you forgotten? Who do you think caused Earth to end up like this in the first place? They were my enemies from the beginning. I simply left them alone because I lacked the strength at the time. But if they come at us on their own? Then I should be grateful instead.”

A icy smile of murderous intent curved Jin Geumho’s lips.

Confirming Jin Geumho’s determination, Zeon nodded.

“Then you can come with me.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

“That’s possible?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Like this.”

Zeon produced the main Teleport Gem, channeling mana into it.

The portal sprang to life instantly.

Jin Geumho’s eyes bulged.

“This is…?”

“It’s the gate to the Steel Fortress. Would you like to come with me?”

“Gladly.”

Jin Geumho responded without pause.

Zeon stepped through first, Jin Geumho trailing.

Vertigo and crushing pressure surged through him.

Jin Geumho kept eyes peeled, absorbing every feeling wholly.

Whoosh!

Brilliant light flashed, scenery shifting in a blink.

Moments prior, atop Neo Seoul’s pinnacle.

Now, amid a modest structure’s heart.

Turning, the grand portal loomed behind.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

“Lord Zeon?”

Deborah, the middle-aged woman at the entrance, stared.

She had entered upon sensing the portal activate.

Zeon bowed in greeting.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly, Lady Deborah.”

“That’s not the issue… Did you really come from Neo Seoul?”

“Yes.”

“Then the person next to you…?”

“He is Lord Jin Geumho, the mayor of Neo Seoul.”

“Gasp!”

Deborah clasped her mouth instinctively.

Never had she envisioned Jin Geumho, Neo Seoul’s sovereign, as the portal’s inaugural visitor.

In Urtian’s scavenger days, facing Jin Geumho lay beyond dreams.

He soared sun-like, untouchable.

Now, confronting him personally stunned her.

As Deborah stood petrified, Jin Geumho spoke first.

“I apologize for visiting so late at night. I am Jin Geumho, the mayor of Neo Seoul.”

“I am Deborah, the wife of Lord Urtian, the ruler of the Steel Fortress. It is an honor to meet you.”

Deborah curtsied formally.

She then queried Zeon,

“Then does that mean we can go to Neo Seoul through this portal right now?”

“Yes. You can go straight to the mayor’s office.”

“You’re not planning to keep the portal in the mayor’s office forever, are you?”

“Of course not. It will be relocated to another place, somewhere everyone can use.”

Neo Seoul’s installation site awaited deliberation with Jin Geumho and leaders.

Jin Geumho addressed Deborah.

“Would you guide me around the Steel Fortress?”

“Of course. Please follow me.”

Deborah swung open the portal building’s door.

A fresh realm, worlds apart from Neo Seoul, revealed itself to Jin Geumho.

“Hahaha!”

Jin Geumho’s hearty laughter resounded across the Steel Fortress.