Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 586

Chapter 586

When Levin abruptly appeared and invited Jin Geumho to accompany him, the latter assumed a new portal had linked to some other location. Yet, he could never have anticipated it would lead to such an immense forest.

“Ha ha!”

Astonishment overtook him so completely that laughter escaped before any words could form.

Seo Taeran experienced the identical shock.

Confined to Neo Seoul her whole life, she had never before witnessed a forest of such staggering scale.

Neo Seoul did contain forests of its own. Still, they were dwarfed beyond comparison by the one sprawling before her eyes.

Zeon had dropped a clue beforehand, yet she hadn't envisioned a woodland this grand actually existing.

Jin Geumho turned his eyes toward Serian, positioned next to Zeon.

“I heard you left with Zeon. So you were here.”

“It seems we meet again here.”

“Judging by the look of it, you’ve already spoken with the people here.”

“I met relatives after a long time and talked through the night.”

“That’s good!”

Jin Geumho nodded his head and glanced at the dark elves.

Dark elves patrolled all across the forest.

A single glance revealed it clearly.

Who protected this woodland.

“A forest raised by dark elves?”

“They are the ones who guard it.”

“Guardians? Then that means there are others who raised it.”

“Yes.”

“I’d like to meet them. I want to express my reverence to whoever accomplished such a great undertaking.”

Right then, Go Duwon emerged from the group.

“I am Go Duwon, the village chief and guardian of this forest.”

“I am Jin Geumho, mayor of Neo Seoul. Are you the one who raised this forest?”

“We all joined forces to grow it.”

“You have accomplished something truly remarkable.”

Jin Geumho then lowered his head in a bow toward Go Duwon.

Caught off guard by the unexpected gesture, Go Duwon showed clear surprise.

“What are you doing?”

“Look at the great feat you have achieved. Upon barren sand, you have cultivated such a lush forest. You have created a miracle that no one else on Earth has accomplished. I sincerely respect you.”

Jin Geumho’s voice quivered with emotion.

Faced with such deference, Go Duwon struggled to conceal his embarrassment.

To him, Jin Geumho merited the true admiration.

While he had cultivated the forest with ease owing to Har, Jin Geumho had forged a colossal metropolis from utter desolation.

Neo Seoul stood as humanity's birthplace and primary stronghold.

It was hard for him to accept that a figure of such stature bowed genuinely before him.

Zeon had warned against disclosing Har and the spirits' presence just yet. Should word of spirits spread, El Harun's reaction remained unpredictable.

Thus, Har and the spirits remained concealed deep in the woods.

Even with sections of the forest accessible, Har and the spirits stayed hidden from sight.

Zeon turned to Jin Geumho and inquired,

“What do you think?”

“What do I think? How could something like this be put into words?”

Jin Geumho’s voice shook.

The Steel Fortress had stirred him deeply on his initial visit, but it paled against stepping into the Primordial Forest.

He had believed such an expansive forest lay forever beyond his reach in this life.

Seo Taeran, accompanying him, shared the same overwhelming reaction.

“A forest like this…”

Fissures appeared in her typically icy and serene facade.

Neo Seoul housed a forest too, yet the Primordial Forest brimmed with unmatched vitality.

Even someone as detached as her sensed it vividly.

Her voice wavering, she questioned Go Duwon,

“Would it be possible to go a little further inside?”

“Of course.”

Go Duwon promptly guided Jin Geumho and Seo Taeran deeper into the woods.

Nevertheless, they lingered only at the Primordial Forest's threshold.

Go Duwon explained,

“Please understand that deeper inside cannot be entered, as a barrier has been set up to protect the forest.”

“I see.”

Disappointment flickered across Seo Taeran's face, unmasked. Yet it shifted quickly.

Merely positioned at the woodland's gateway invigorated her spirit.

She extended her hand to softly caress the grass underfoot.

The touch of the blades gliding over her fingers brought exquisite delight.

For the first time, she encountered this sensation, and a smile crept onto her lips unbidden.

Never before had Seo Taeran relaxed her defenses so profoundly.

Jin Geumho, though, comprehended her response fully.

He shared the identical sentiment.

Anyone stepping into this place would react likewise.

“Whew…”

Jin Geumho drew in a profound breath.

Fresh air, utterly absent from Neo Seoul, surged into his lungs.

With that inhalation, his eyes sharpened.

Awe had been savored sufficiently. Now came the moment for sober evaluation and choice.

His attention settled on Serian.

“Will you be in charge of handling exchanges with this forest?”

“Yes. I’ve already finished discussions with the owners of the forest. From now on, communication with this forest will be unified through me.”

“That works out well.”

Jin Geumho nodded approvingly.

His words carried genuine weight.

Serian embodied an elf grounded in practicality.

This stemmed from her long tenure leading other races in Neo Seoul.

She knew perfectly that one has to offer what's due and accept what's coming.

Dealing with a woman like her made negotiations far simpler.

Jin Geumho declared,

“Discuss your desires from Neo Seoul with Taeran. Remember, nothing comes without cost. We demand benefits too.”

“Naturally.”

“Leave everything else to Taeran then. I want to explore the forest some more.”

“By all means.”

Serian replied at once, as though she had anticipated it.

Jin Geumho handed matters over to Seo Taeran and strolled through the Primordial Forest, with Zeon keeping pace at his side.

Soon after, Jin Geumho remarked,

“You assisted them somehow, right?”

“Not certain what you're referring to.”

“Otherwise, they wouldn't show you such deference.”

“I provided minor aid, sure, but they alone created this forest.”

“Really?”

“Indeed.”

Jin Geumho gave a subtle smile at Zeon's prompt, unwavering nod.

“The other races in Neo Seoul will rejoice.”

“Entry won't be open to just anybody.”

“Naturally, that's how it ought to be.”

“Its presence stays hidden for now.”

“Absolutely.”

“Doesn't that disappoint you?”

“Heh. Unveiling the Steel Fortress suffices. Hide your strongest cards—that's precisely why you've concealed this so long, isn't it?”

“Well…”

Zeon hesitated, yet Jin Geumho remained unconcerned.

His spirits were soaring too high.

A colossal figure loomed into sight.

Arkelon lay coiled on the forest's edge.

“Arkelon's here then. Did the Motte tribe tag along?”

“Yes.”

“That old-timer Pabilsa still kicking?”

“Right here.”

Pabilsa emerged from behind Arkelon while responding.

A grin spread across Jin Geumho’s face.

“You're hanging in there.”

“Same to you, Jin Geumho. No way the younger one departs before you.”

“So you're urging me to go first.”

“That how it rings? Anyway, long time no see.”

“I invited you to Neo Seoul, but you declined. Settling here now?”

“Look around—Arkelon loves this spot.”

Pabilsa gave a shrug.

It bordered on cheeky, but Jin Geumho stayed silent.

They shared a deep history.

Back in Neo Seoul's formative years, Pabilsa had aided Jin Geumho greatly.

Through Arkelon, Pabilsa delivered vital resources scarce in Neo Seoul.

Though years had separated them and distance grown, no grudges lingered, letting them converse so casually.

“Arkelon fond of this place?”

“Plain as day—it refuses to budge.”

“You'll miss out on gains.”

“I'm eyeing permanent roots now. Worked Arkelon relentlessly for years.”

“Worked it too much…”

“All its life hauling us over deserts. Time for retirement.”

“Fine choice of spot.”

“Anywhere else, no settling for me.”

“Fair point.”

Jin Geumho nodded in agreement.

Had he commanded Arkelon, he'd have chosen likewise.

“Zeon draw you here too?”

“Crossed paths accidentally, traveled as companions. He led me to paradise. Without him, oblivious to any such haven in the desert.”

“Win-win for you and Arkelon regardless. Congrats.”

“Much obliged.”

Pabilsa inclined his head at Jin Geumho’s earnest tone.

The elders bantered on for ages afterward, while Zeon slipped away discreetly.

＊＊＊

Representing the Primordial Forest, Serian secured a deal pleasing to all with Seo Taeran.

True to her moniker, the Ice Witch, Seo Taeran negotiated with cold precision.

No shred of leniency marked her approach.

Go Duwon or Floa facing her directly would've incurred heavy setbacks.

Desert-born and bred, they lacked Seo Taeran's cunning in politics and bargaining.

Hence Serian took charge.

Belying her pure facade, Serian was a battle-hardened elf.

Far from gullible or clueless.

In fact, against humans in talks, none surpassed her savvy.

Serian matched Seo Taeran as a bargaining master.

She pressed so fiercely that exhaustion flickered on Seo Taeran's face, yielding mutual satisfaction only after prolonged debate.

The Primordial Forest stayed under wraps temporarily.

Serian centralized all contacts.

Jin Geumho, Seo Taeran, and City Hall elites gained visitation privileges.

City Hall affirmed the Primordial Forest's independence, offering maximal aid.

A handful of extra stipulations rounded it out.

No downsides marred the Primordial Forest's terms.

Wearied, Seo Taeran told Serian,

“How do you out-scheme even humans?”

“Picked up plenty from our talks.”

“Ha… Here's to fruitful ties.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

The women gripped each other's hands.

No matter how the talks had unfolded, there was no need anymore to drain or rile up one another's feelings.

A faint smile graced Jin Geumho's face as he observed them.

“Seems like everything turned out fine.”

“Yes, it went smoothly.”

“I've got two extra spots to fret over now. Things will get hectic for me ahead.”

“Keep looking after the underground city too, please.”

“That's always my main focus.”

Importance clung to both the Steel Fortress and the Primordial Forest.

Yet the underground city topped Jin Geumho's list.

Lemura dwelled there, and his sympathy ran deeper for those enduring far crueler existences than humans for endless years.

“Come to think of it, I ought to head to the underground city today.”

“This instant?”

“Why not, with a portal offering such swift passage? I'll take the lead.”

“Alright. Travel safely.”

Guided by Zeon, Jin Geumho along with Seo Taeran passed through the portal.

“Whew…”

Their forms vanished, leaving Zeon to release a heavy sigh.

Merely managing those two had sapped a hefty portion of his mental strength.

‘Only the World Tree village trip remains now… I pray no troubles arise until then.’

Toward the northern skies, where El Harun rested, his eyes drifted.