Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 585
Previously on Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert...
Chapter 585
“Phew!”
Zeon gazed skyward and released a heavy sigh.
Exhaustion marked his expression.
The circumstances had proven that grueling.
Zeon had revealed to the Forest of Beginning's dwellers the presence of a teleportation portal.
Shock rippled through the residents upon discovering this simple path to and from Neo Seoul.
Humans yearned to connect with Neo Seoul, yet dark elves hesitated to welcome strangers into their woods.
This sparked fierce disputes among them.
Right now, they continued their intense arguments.
Serian and the elves stood among the debaters.
Trusting Serian to mediate effectively, Zeon had exited, leaving them to hash it out.
That's when it happened.
“I see you've been deeply troubled.”
Goduwon appeared.
He had slipped out quietly too.
“Chief, is it okay for you to leave them and come out alone?”
“The elves and dark elves need to resolve this themselves.”
“Even so…”
“Humans desperately need ties to Neo Seoul, unlike the dark elves. That's why you rushed here right after securing the teleport portal.”
“Yes.”
“The key lies in when and how gradually to open it. Elves and dark elves must negotiate that now.”
“It won't be simple.”
Goduwon caressed the massive tree trunk while responding to Zeon.
“Nothing in this world comes easy. Har's dedication allowed the Forest of Beginning to emerge. Without nurturing the spirit’s egg, this miracle wouldn't exist. Unless Har objects, I'll open the forest—but only limitedly to humans. Too many could disrupt its peace and hinder growth.”
“Lady Serian and Lady Floa can oversee the portal to here. Despite their differing races, both cherish the forest above all.”
“Exactly why I left them to it. Let them reach consensus independently.”
“Wise move.”
“Heh, I've sharpened my sense for situations.”
As Goduwon offered a subtle smile—
“Oppa Zeon!”
Har dashed toward Zeon, calling out. Excitement flushed her cheeks bright red.
Arriving beside Zeon and Goduwon, Har burst out enthusiastically.
“Did you peek inside Arkelon? There's a whole village! Tons of stuff and people everywhere.”
Har buzzed with utmost thrill.
Her tour of Arkelon's interior had left her utterly astonished.
“Arkelon hauls such a huge house on its back while roaming—it's incredible. But now Arkelon feels weary.”
“Arkelon told you that?”
“Yes! It's aging and craves rest in one spot, moving only occasionally. Dad! Can Arkelon join us here?”
“You enjoy Arkelon's company?”
“Yes! I love it. Yuri adores Arkelon too.”
“If you and Yuri approve, so do I. But we can't choose alone—let's consult the others. With their okay, Arkelon joins our family.”
“Okay!”
Har's face lit up with joy at Goduwon's reply.
Once shy, Har had blossomed outgoing since spirit Yuri's birth.
Mid her animated chatter, a sudden thought struck Har.
“But why didn't Briel join you?”
“Briel went back to her homeland.”
“Why?”
“A forest sprouted in Briel’s hometown too.”
“Really?”
Har's eyes bulged in astonishment.
Goduwon, equally stunned, queried Zeon.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. A World Tree emerged in Har’s village. Likely why this forest flourished.”
“A… World Tree? That's pure elven legend. It truly exists?”
“Yes.”
“My goodness!”
Goduwon gaped, speechless.
Zeon resumed walking as he explained.
“The World Tree's expansion will swiftly transform the world. The Forest of Beginning will expand vastly and eventually reveal itself.”
“Coveters will swarm then.”
“Exactly. All will crave this haven.”
“Hmm.”
“El Harun, the other-race city, shows rifts. Many will flee or be expelled. Spotting this place…”
“Greed will consume them. Thus your urgency to link here with Neo Seoul first.”
“Yes. Neo Seoul boasts Earth's mightiest power and sole true civilization now.”
“Opening wasn't optional—inevitable.”
“Sorry.”
“No need. Without you, no Forest of Beginning. Oh, you mentioned something to show me?”
Heavy air prompted Goduwon to shift topics.
Zeon grinned.
“Prepare for amazement.”
“Won't disappoint. Har!”
“Yes! Dad.”
“Head there.”
“Okay!”
Har grinned wide, guiding them deeper into the woods.
Deeper in, children's laughter echoed.
“Giggle!”
“Haha!”
Sure enough, kids frolicked safely under adults' watch in the forest.
Human children and dark elf kids were present too.
All of them mixed freely, showing no bias whatsoever.
Familiar figures appeared among the group.
Tiny, see-through beings just like Yuri.
“Those are?”
“Yes. Spirits. Three additional ones were born since you departed. Each has bonded with a child through a contract.”
“Congratulations.”
“They didn’t form a contract with me, so why congratulate me?”
“It shows the Forest of Beginning is thriving as it should.”
“That’s precisely why I feel thankful. I’ve done little to help, but the forest expands beautifully by itself.”
Without realizing, Har had slipped in among the kids, joyfully playing alongside them.
The sight was utterly serene and heartwarming.
Zeon lingered there, his gaze fixed on the playful children for quite a while.
＊＊＊
“What a wonderful spot. I never dreamed of another haven like this outside the World Tree village.”
Teserina shared her thoughts after exploring the Forest of Beginning.
Levin, next to her sipping gorosoe sap, complained with a groan.
“The village’s growth is great, but those kids are overly energetic—that’s the issue. They stuck to me without end. Ugh!”
As soon as Levin revealed his ghost-form power, every boy rushed toward him in excitement.
Children across all times adored anything capable of flight.
This forced Levin to entertain them until his mana was completely drained.
Teserina turned to Zeon and inquired,
“You’ll set up a portal in the World Tree village as well, won’t you? I’ve enhanced it, eliminating the need for Neo Seoul as the central hub.”
“We should.”
Zeon gave a nod.
Naturally, his plan was just to place the portal, without linking it directly to Neo Seoul.
Allowing access from Neo Seoul solely to the Steel Fortress and Forest of Beginning would suffice.
Rather, Zeon aimed to link the World Tree village directly to the Forest of Beginning.
Previously impossible because Neo Seoul’s teleport gem served as the core hub, Teserina’s studies had revealed a solution.
A dragon’s natural inquisitiveness and drive to compete had finally unlocked the teleport gem’s mysteries.
Because of this breakthrough, direct travel between the Forest of Beginning and World Tree village became feasible, bypassing Neo Seoul entirely.
This setup would satisfy Briel and the High Elves.
“I can’t wait for the connection. Soon, we’ll visit Briel and the World Tree anytime we please.”
“Me too.”
Levin’s face lit up with eager anticipation at Teserina’s remark.
Thanks to his powers, Levin could reach the World Tree village whenever, yet it always consumed time. A portal would enable instant trips on demand.
Even if it meant routing through the Forest of Beginning.
Knock, knock.
Right then, a knock sounded at the door of the room housing Zeon’s companions.
Opening it revealed Floa waiting outside.
“Lady Floa?”
“I realize it’s late, but could I step inside briefly?”
“Of course.”
Zeon welcomed Floa in.
Upon entering, she immediately bowed deeply to Teserina.
“I greet a great being.”
“Serian must have informed you.”
“Indeed, great one.”
“Simply call me Teserina.”
“Yes! Lady Teserina.”
“Fine. What matter brings you here at this hour?”
“I seek your sage advice. Is opening the Forest of Beginning to Neo Seoul truly wise?”
“As I thought.”
“We yearn for direction from a mighty entity on our path forward.”
“You know the answer already, right? You simply resist it.”
“I…”
“Your fear of change is clear to me. Yet, this moment calls for transformation.”
Floa fell silent before Teserina’s resolute statement, unwilling to challenge a dragon.
Teserina’s features soon relaxed.
“If concerns linger, reveal only a portion of the forest.”
“However, the grand barrier…”
“The barrier? I’ll refine it myself. Forging a new one from scratch would challenge even me, but bolstering an established one is effortless.”
“Understood.”
“Seems you’ve decided.”
“Yes. Per your words, we’ll expose just part of the forest.”
“Wise decision.”
Teserina beamed.
Floa turned her gaze to Zeon.
“Zeon!”
“Yes?”
“Could you set up that portal immediately…?”
Floa’s voice pitched up a bit as she glanced at Teserina. Treating Zeon casually felt awkward now, given his bond with a dragon.
Zeon grinned.
“Feel free to talk at ease. Teserina won’t object.”
“Re…really?”
“Yes.”
“Then, install it now?”
“Right away.”
“May we observe?”
“Certainly. Let’s head out first.”
“Okay!”
Stepping out, they found a crowd assembled.
Elves and dark elves, once stiff around one another, had warmed up and chatted amiably.
Villagers mingled with Arkelon’s folk as well.
Pavilsa and Kaylee wore bright smiles.
Having spent their lives roaming on Arkelon’s back without a home, this was ideal.
Neo Seoul couldn’t accommodate the enormous Arkelon, forcing desert life.
To them, this settlement shone irresistibly.
The expansive forest accommodated Arkelon seamlessly, blending perfectly.
Arkelon itself appeared fond of the Forest of Beginning, lounging at ease.
The forest children lingered around Arkelon, who eagerly turned into their playground.
No questions were necessary.
Obviously, both the Mot tribe and Arkelon longed to reside in the Forest of Beginning.
‘Well, who wouldn’t want to stay in a place like this?’
Zeon nodded before heading to the open clearing right at the forest entrance.
All eyes locked onto him.
Anticipation shone brightly on their faces.
Right in front of everyone, Zeon pulled out the teleport gem.
Once mana was poured into it, the teleport gem sprang to life without delay.
“Wow!”
“That’s the portal? It’s my first time seeing it.”
First-time viewers whispered in awe.
“Levin!”
“Yes, hyung!”
Levin replied to Zeon’s call right away.
“Go over there and bring the mayor.”
“Got it!”
Levin then dashed straight through the portal into Neo Seoul.
As Levin vanished from sight, the onlookers grasped the portal’s genuine teleportation power.
Soon after, the portal shimmered once more, and Levin reemerged in the clearing.
Jin Geumho and Seo Taeran stood right beside him.
Upon beholding the immense forest, Jin Geumho uttered a stunned chuckle.
“Heh…”
Shock left him utterly speechless.