Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 578
Previously on Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert...
Just like Jin Geumho before him, Seong Hoyeon positioned himself at the Steel Fortress entrance, surveying the sprawling desert vista.
A faint smile curved his stern features.
“Good! Very good!”
“What’s so good about this wasteland?”
Urtian voiced his blunt opinion right next to him.
“Everything about it is good.”
“You’re crazy. What could you possibly like in this godforsaken spot?”
“It has walls to shield us from monsters, room to house endless crowds, and plenty of water to drink. No other colony ever boasted such conditions. They all crumbled quickly. Next to them, this is like paradise.”
“Hmph! What does someone who’s always been safe in Neo Seoul understand?”
“You think Neo Seoul was always secure? Do you believe it began as a huge metropolis? It started just like here. On a tiny patch monsters couldn’t reach, people gave their lives to erect walls and construct buildings. Don’t underestimate the sacrifices that built today’s Neo Seoul, Urtian.”
“I’m… sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“It’s okay! Most folks think like that.”
“I spoke out of turn. Can I sit next to you?”
“As much as you want.”
Seong Hoyeon slapped the ground beside him invitingly.
Urtian accepted without hesitation and settled in close by.
“You mentioned you lead the Numbers?”
“I’m embarrassed to admit it.”
“From your perspective, does the Steel Fortress hold promise for growth?”
“Word is the El Harun folks are moving here too. Doesn’t that prove it already?”
“Is that true?”
“No need to worry. This place is truly exceptional. It’s the finest spot since Neo Seoul itself. Neo Seoul can push human frontiers even farther through here.”
“Does humanity’s territory include my kids? As you see, they’re Halfs.”
Urtian glanced at his playing children off to the side.
His offspring with Deborah were Half Elves.
Seong Hoyeon grasped his worry instantly.
“By humanity, I refer to all non-monster beings. Anything bipedal with intelligence. Your children won’t face discrimination. If we’d only cared for pure humans, elves and dwarves couldn’t dwell in Neo Seoul. They’d have been driven out ages ago.”
“Is that the case?”
“Exactly. But if you’re still concerned, I’ll be godfather to your kids.”
“You mean that?”
“I vow it on my honor and the Numbers’ honor, Urtian.”
“Then I pledge full cooperation with Neo Seoul.”
“We’ll make great allies.”
Their hands clasped tightly.
＊＊＊
An pact formed between Steel Fortress and Neo Seoul.
Neo Seoul would share tech to boost Steel Fortress growth, while Steel Fortress acted as Neo Seoul’s desert outpost.
Agreement sealed, Jin Geumho grinned at Zeon.
“Busyness awaits us now.”
“When will you disclose the portal publicly?”
“Right after you hand over admin rights here.”
“City Hall will oversee it directly, right?”
“Naturally. Portal travel requires official City Hall applications only. No scavengers or crooks allowed.”
“That works for me.”
Zeon nodded.
Jin Geumho’s promise carried weight.
He’d honor it without fail.
Zeon could revoke rights anytime if abused.
“Admin transfer happens soon as we’re back in Neo Seoul.”
“Thanks! Also, add another portal while we’re at it.”
“Where to?”
“Magic Stone mine. Place one at the new open-pit mine’s fortress. It’ll slash transport times for Magic Stones.”
“Got it. We’ll handle it.”
Zeon agreed instantly.
He’d planned the mine portal anyway.
“Main portal location?”
“You’ve got a spot picked.”
“Slum square.”
“Beyond the walls?”
“Slum dwellers deserve a chance too.”
“Hm.”
Jin Geumho pondered Zeon’s idea.
Portals typically went inside Neo Seoul for safety.
But slums overflowed, excluded from the city.
Their divide from citizens was vast; no portal access would widen it forever.
Soon, he decided.
“Approved! Slum square it is. But with top-tier defenses and direct City Hall control.”
“Perfect.”
Zeon consented easily.
“Back to Neo Seoul then. Quick moves for relocation and setup.”
“Sure.”
“Oh! We’re taking some Steel Fortress folks on the return trip.”
Deborah and other women insisted on seeing Neo Seoul.
They craved a firsthand glimpse of the ultimate city.
Jin Geumho okayed it.
Post-opening, masses would use it anyway. Early preview harmed nothing.
“Wise choice.”
“Let’s head out.”
“Yes!”
Zeon portaled back to the Mayor’s office with Jin Geumho and company.
“Wow!”
“This is unreal!”
Deborah and crew gasped upon entering.
Neo Seoul’s skyline through the window mesmerized them.
Desert-bound lives made the towers an alien wonder.
Seo Taeran summoned a secretary aide.
“Escort these guests around Neo Seoul.”
“Yes, sir.”
The aide responded promptly.
As Zeon pocketed the Teleportation Gem, he announced,
“Time to go.”
“Starting now?”
“No reason to wait. Install it immediately.”
“One hour first.”
“Why?”
“Shouldn’t everyone witness this epic event? Better to unveil it grandly for all to see.”
Zeon caught Jin Geumho’s intent at once.
“Kicking off with a bang.”
“Hiding it delays the inevitable. Better to launch spectacularly in the spotlight.”
“Your call. I’ll prep at home.”
“Square rendezvous in one hour.”
“Got it.”
Zeon exited City Hall straight to Tesserina’s den.
Recounting the night’s events, Tesserina lit up.
“Slums get it? I’m thrilled.”
“Single-person admin power is risky.”
“I’ve fixed that.”
“How so?”
“Bind authority to an object, not a person. City Hall handles it.”
“Feasible?”
“You forget my nature sometimes. Dragon, magic’s source. Child’s play.”
“Handle it then.”
“Hold on. Got the perfect thing.”
Tesserina pulled items from her subspace, crafting swiftly.
Soon, a big panel emerged.
Zeon eyed it curiously; Tesserina beamed.
“Link the Teleportation Gem to this. Authority shifts to the panel, not a human. Manage via panel—no power monopoly.”
“Reclaimable anytime?”
“Absolutely. Sync now? Need your go-ahead.”
“Sync away.”
“On it!”
Tesserina worked fast.
Done in seconds.
She passed the panel and Gem.
“Ready to roll.”
“Thanks.”
“Can I spectate?”
“Definitely.”
“Hehe!”
Tesserina grinned at Zeon’s nod, trailing him.
They beelined for the square.
Jin Geumho and hordes of Awakened waited there.
City Hall Awakened plus district leaders and their elites attended.
District overlords included.
“What’s this farce?”
“More stunts from them?”
“They hogged manpower for Behemoth. Now this show—what next?”
Sudden call irked the rulers, their annoyance plain.
True hatred meant skipping.
But unease dragged them: Jin Geumho’s big spectacles hid massive schemes.
Missing risked fallout.
Serian, Northern District head, spotted Tesserina by Zeon.
Chills raced her skin.
“No way…”
“Problem?”
Borin eyed puzzled Serian.
She couldn’t reply calmly.
Ancient elf, dragon auras hit her hard.
Ignoring the Kurayan pinnacle? Impossible.
Thus, her stare fixed on Tesserina.
Sensing it, Tesserina met her eyes, finger to lips in hush.
Serian got it, zipped silent.
She’d figured Zeon out.
Wrong—vastly.
Then Jin Geumho advanced.
“Grateful you came on short notice. I know you’re wondering why the gathering.”
“Hope it’s not worthless.”
Xiaolun griped, but Jin Geumho’s grin held.
“Today, you’ll rejoice attending. All of you.”
His assurance puzzled rulers on his confidence source.
Luckily, Jin Geumho cut to chase.
“Curiosity kills, so behold today’s purpose now. Zeon!”
“Here!”
Ready Zeon joined him.
Jin Geumho directed.
“This spot works.”
“Roger.”
Zeon set the Teleportation Gem down as pointed.
“What’s that?”
“Some gemstone?”
“Why ground it?”
Unaware murmurs rose.
Zeon gave Jin Geumho the panel.
“Mayor should launch it.”
“How?”
“Mana in, password. It’s…”
Zeon whispered.
Jin Geumho’s smile widened.
“Gotcha!”
Tap tap tap!
Password entered flawlessly.
Instantly, portal bloomed from the Gem.
“What…?”
“A portal?”
Neo Seoul exploded in uproar.