Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 584
Chapter 584
Upon the dark elves' emergence, Serian and the Black Lake Guardians widened their eyes in shock.
Dark elves were an exceedingly rare sight in Neo Seoul.
The handful that lived there were merely half or quarter-blooded.
Their lineage had blended so thoroughly with human blood that they could hardly be deemed true dark elves anymore. However, those stepping forth from the great barrier were unmistakably pure-blooded dark elves.
For settlers in Neo Seoul, encountering pure dark elves for the very first time delivered a profound jolt.
The dark elves, after a quick exchange of greetings with Zeon, spotted Serian and her companions, filling them with astonishment.
This surprise stemmed not just from Serian being an elf, but from her extraordinary garb and presence.
The dark elves drew near to Serian and her group.
“We are the guardians who protect the Forest of Beginning. What about you?”
“My name is Serian Oliana. I came from Neo Seoul.”
“As expected, elves who settled in Neo Seoul.”
Strong suspicion gleamed in the dark elves' gazes toward Serian’s group.
Serian grasped the root of their caution.
All those left behind in the world, unable to reach Neo Seoul or El Harun, bore the same distrustful look as these dark elves.
Betrayed by kin who had crossed from Kurayan, a deep resentment festered within them.
Though Serian herself had not forsaken them, she bore that guilt deep in her soul.
The dark elf leader addressed Serian.
“Normally, outsiders cannot enter the Forest of Beginning, but since you arrived with Zeon, we’ll allow it this one time.”
“Is there really a forest inside there?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, I’m asking whether a forest truly exists inside the great barrier.”
“Did you not hear from Zeon?”
The dark elf leader glanced at Zeon with bewilderment.
Zeon shrugged and responded,
“Hearing it in words and fully accepting it are different matters.”
“I see. Understood. Please come inside. Then you will know.”
The dark elf leader motioned toward the great barrier's interior. Moments later, ripples spread across it, revealing an entrance.
Beyond the gap lay a verdant forest, leaving Serian and the elves dumbfounded.
“Is that really a forest?”
“A forest that large… My goodness!”
Initially, they suspected an illusion. Yet, the invigorating aura emanating from the forest confirmed its reality.
As if entranced, Serian and the elves stepped through the great barrier.
Zeon turned to Kaylee and Pavilsa.
“Let’s go in too.”
“Ah, what about Arkelon?”
“Of course it can go in.”
“Really, is that alright?”
“Of course. Right?”
Zeon’s final remark went to the dark elf leader.
The leader nodded matter-of-factly.
“Guests of Zeon are our guests as well. Of course you may enter.”
“Huh! To think such a forest was hidden inside a barrier. Thank you truly for letting us in.”
“Thank you so much.”
Pavilsa and Kaylee expressed their gratitude to the dark elf leader before crossing the barrier. Arkelon trailed leisurely behind.
With everyone now inside the Forest of Beginning, the great barrier reactivated.
“A forest this large existed?”
“Look at this! The air is different.”
The elves entering the forest overflowed with delight.
Though hardened by long life among humans, they reverted to childlike wonder before this immense woodland.
Suddenly, dark elves and villagers emerged from various parts of the forest.
News of the outsiders' arrival had spread swiftly.
Then, a girl soared toward Zeon, aided by a translucent spirit.
“Oppa Zeon!”
The girl was Har.
Zeon caught Har gently in his arms and said,
“Hello.”
“What is this? Why did you come after so long?”
“Sorry! I had a lot to do…”
“Hehe! I’m joking. Look, Yuri has grown this much too.”
At Har’s words, the spirit at her back peeked forward.
—Hello! Zeon.
“Hello, Yuri.”
—Hehe!
Yuri giggled exactly like Har.
Spirits truly mirrored their contractors, as the saying went.
Serian and the elves' eyes bulged at the sight of Yuri.
“Th-that’s not… a spirit?”
“That’s right.”
“My goodness! A spirit…”
Upon Zeon’s confirmation, Serian’s knees buckled, and she sank to the ground.
She wasn’t alone.
Rapuel and the other elves, meant to support Serian, also dropped to their knees, fixated on the spirit.
Zeon told Yuri,
“It seems they’re surprised to see you. Why don’t you greet them too?”
—Okay! Hello.
Yuri waved cheerfully at Serian and the rest.
Once a mere butterfly-shaped light cluster at birth, Yuri had since matured into a form akin to Har’s.
While Serian and others reeled from Yuri’s presence, Har’s eyes locked onto Arkelon.
“Wow! A big turtle.”
“It’s Arkelon.”
“Arkelon?”
“There’s a village inside its shell. Want to take a look?”
“Yes! I want to see.”
“Then ask that unni over there to show you around. Her name is Kaylee.”
“Okay!”
Har nodded eagerly and dashed toward Kaylee.
Kaylee was momentarily taken aback by the girl nearing them with a spirit in tow, but she quickly offered a soft smile.
Taking Har’s hand, she presented her to Arkelon and guided her through the interior.
A smile graced Teserina’s face as she surveyed the Forest of Beginning.
“They’ve concealed a spot like this remarkably well.”
The forest’s sweet aroma proved utterly enchanting.
Its freshness differed from that of the World Tree village, invigorating her spirits.
Zeon silently observed the surrounding woods.
Har’s created forest had ballooned far beyond its previous size, now sprawling so vast that the great barrier struggled to hide it completely.
Such rapid expansion stunned Zeon beyond his wildest predictions.
Then, a woman with a strikingly powerful presence emerged from the dark elves’ midst.
Floa served as the leader of the dark elves.
She inclined her head toward Zeon in a polite bow.
“Welcome.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Floa. The forest has flourished even further.”
“Yes! The trees shoot up at an alarming pace. Yuri deserves all the credit.”
“Is that so?”
“Yuri cares for the forest nonstop, accelerating its growth tremendously. Even more astonishing developments await your ears later. Right now, chatting with them takes priority.”
Floa’s eyes shifted to Serian.
Serian dipped her head in initial salute.
“I am Serian Oliana of the Forest Tribe. I greet the Tribe of Darkness.”
“Nice to meet you! I’m Floa.”
Despite her words, Floa and the dark elves displayed rigid faces.
Elves and dark elves had always shared a strained bond.
Furthermore, Floa’s dark elves had endured the brutal desert for ages.
Their nature had toughened accordingly, fostering deep suspicion toward strangers.
Zeon’s escort granted them forest entry, yet unknown motives kept them on high alert.
Just then, a hunter-clad middle-aged man drew near.
Goduwon, Har’s father and village chief, made his approach.
Perceiving the taut air between the groups, Goduwon interjected.
“Instead of leaving our visitors out here, let’s guide them deeper into the woods.”
“Yes, Chief.”
Floa nodded to Goduwon in agreement.
Regardless of commanding the dark elves, she wouldn’t defy the chief.
Goduwon’s intervention allowed Serian and her elves smooth passage inside.
Serian abruptly slipped off her shoes.
The grass’s feel against her bare soles beckoned her.
Watching her, fellow elves swiftly ditched their footwear too.
Rustle! Rustle!
The grassy touch beneath thrilled them deeply.
A subtle smile crossed Goduwon’s lips.
He knew that joy intimately from his own first grass encounter.
Goduwon ushered everyone to the forest’s heart, beneath its grandest tree.
There stood Yuri’s birthplace tree, towering exceptionally over its kin, likely due to its origins.
Beneath it lay a spacious square table ringed by chairs.
This spot marked the Forest of Beginning’s assembly area.
Critical issues drew all here for deliberation and decisions.
“Please, everyone, take seats here.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes.”
Grateful, Serian and the elves settled in.
Left side claimed by them, opposite held Floa and dark elves.
Goduwon and villagers occupied the middle, facing Zeon, Levin, Pavilsa, and companions.
With all seated, children arrived bearing water-filled cups.
Goduwon raised his cup and addressed them.
“We offer little for now, just gorosoe tree sap. Forgive our humble fare.”
“Not at all. Such rare sap fills us with thanks.”
Tree sap ranked above any feast for elves.
Sipping delicately, bliss lit their faces instinctively.
Tears escaped some.
Floa’s features eased at the scene.
Their emotions resonated with her.
That initial gorosoe sap taste had moved her kind similarly.
Humans might deem it ordinary, yet for forest-dependent elves, it rivaled nectar of the gods.
Realizing their long deprivation of homeland flavors sparked sudden camaraderie.
Dark or light elves alike, all mourned lost homes as exiles.
As elves reveled in mere sap, locals eyed Pavilsa keenly.
Truthfully, Arkelon’s back cargo captivated them.
The Forest of Beginning suited humans and elves splendidly, yet missed essentials aplenty.
Hence, none welcomed Pavilsa’s arrival more eagerly.
Zeon swiftly read the room’s vibe.
“How have things been lately?”
“I’ve been so busy enjoying the forest’s growth that I lose track of time.”
“The forest has grown so much that even the great barrier can no longer fully conceal it.”
“That’s what worries me. No one expected the forest to grow this fast. At some point, it suddenly began expanding rapidly. Do you happen to know the reason?”
“I have a guess, but I’ll explain it in private later.”
“I knew you would know.”
Goduwon gave a nod.
“Yes! A major event occurred recently, and it appears to have impacted this forest too.”
Zeon was convinced the World Tree's birth had profoundly affected the Forest of Beginning.
Undoubtedly, the World Tree's emergence had hastened the forest trees' rapid growth. Yet he couldn't reveal it openly with everyone around.
This stemmed not from distrust, but from the World Tree's immense importance.
Zeon proceeded to announce his reason for coming.
“I came here because I think it's time to get ready for dealings with the outside world.”
“The outside?”
“Neo Seoul.”
“Why do you believe that? I still feel it's not the moment to open the Forest of Beginning. The dark elves probably share that view.”
Floa and the other dark elves nodded at Goduwon's statement.
“We lack the strength to defend ourselves yet. Opening without preparations would let humans seize this place.”
“That's precisely why I brought Lady Serian.”
“Do you mean she possesses the power to safeguard this forest?”
Floa cast a skeptical look toward Serian.
“Lady Serian governs Neo Seoul's northern district. She has consistently shielded and harbored other races abandoned from El Harun. With her, the Forest of Beginning can be defended against other districts. Plus, I'll offer my own power too.”
“Hmm…”
Zeon's assured tone drew quiet murmurs from dark elves and humans alike. Spotting their anxiety, Zeon spoke once more.
“A massive shift looms over the world. To face that shift, preparations must start immediately.”