Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 593
Previously on Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert...
Floa, after sobbing for some time, straightened her attire and stood up from her chair.
She inclined her head in a bow toward Latricia.
“I am Floa, leader of the Dark Elf clan. Please forgive me for displaying such an embarrassing sight.”
“Not at all. The High Elf clan heartily welcomes Lady Floa’s arrival.”
“Thank you.”
“I am Latricia.”
“Yes! Lady Latricia.”
The pair of elves exchanged profound, lingering looks.
High Elves and Dark Elves had never gotten along well in the past.
Their complexions and temperaments differed greatly.
They stood as complete opposites.
In Kurayan, that divide was so immense they simply stayed separate like oil and water. Yet, all of them had suffered unimaginable trials on Earth.
Those extraordinary ordeals allowed them to comprehend each other’s plights more profoundly.
Latricia grasped Floa’s hand and declared,
“Let me show you around the World Tree village, Lady Floa!”
“Thank you, Lady Latricia!”
Floa eagerly took hold of Latricia’s hand.
Together, the two elves wandered the World Tree village, whispering in soft conversation.
Har found himself encircled by High Elves, deeply immersed in talks.
Left by himself, Go Du-won murmured in stunned awe,
“The World Tree… My goodness.”
“Sorry for dragging you here out of the blue.”
Go Du-won shook his head at Zeon’s apology.
“No way! I’m thrilled beyond words, so don’t worry. Does that mean we can reach the World Tree village via the portal?”
“Exactly!”
“Whoa… This is unbelievable! In the best possible sense.”
Go Du-won drew in a deep breath.
The Primordial Forest boasted pure air too, but it paled in comparison.
Influenced by the World Tree, the atmosphere here felt even cleaner and more invigorating.
It was like his whole body underwent a purifying cleanse.
“This is incredible.”
“They say the World Tree and Primordial Forest will swap spiritual energy via the portal.”
“Really? That sounds perfect.”
Go Du-won nodded calmly, showing no shock.
Swoooosh!
A mighty surge of energy emanated from the portal.
True to Zeon’s words, right from the portal’s activation, the World Tree and Primordial Forest started trading spiritual energy.
The pure essence from the Primordial Forest streamed into the World Tree village through the portal, as the World Tree’s vast spiritual force rushed into the Primordial Forest like a massive wave.
Shhhhh!
Every tree in the World Tree village rustled simultaneously, creating an eerie whisper.
Tesserina grinned and remarked,
“The forest is rejoicing with a joyful melody.”
“A joyful melody?”
“Indeed! They sense their bond. The trees here in the World Tree village and those in the Primordial Forest.”
Zeon gazed at the portal in wonder.
The fact that trees could detect each other across that tiny portal was astonishing.
‘Behemoth’s revival became a hidden boon.’
Previously, despite awareness of one another, contact remained impossible.
Without Behemoth’s teleport gem, this wonder would never have occurred.
Through the portal, the World Tree and Primordial Forest detected each other and shared spiritual essence.
They would undoubtedly thrive, nurturing one another with positive energy.
Zeon lifted his eyes to the World Tree.
He could almost hear its gratitude.
Smiling, Zeon stepped under the World Tree’s canopy.
“Mr. Zeon!”
“Play with us!”
High Elf kids flocked around Zeon.
Spirits trailed behind the children.
Thus, Zeon got swarmed by kids and spirits alike.
---
What astonished Floa most in the World Tree village were the vast fields brimming with all sorts of crops.
Countless varieties, unknown in the Primordial Forest, covered the plains.
“How did you obtain all these?”
“Mr. Zeon and Briel fetched seeds from a seed vault.”
“A seed vault?”
“Humans built it before the Great Cataclysm to preserve crop seeds.”
“Such a place endured?”
“Mr. Zeon called it sheer luck. We planted those seeds anyway.”
Latricia beamed with pride as she explained.
With the High Elves’ diligent tending and the World Tree’s blessings, the seeds germinated rapidly and flourished.
Floa inquired tentatively,
“If you have spare seeds, might you share some with our village?”
“Absolutely. No extras now, but we’ll prioritize sending them to the Primordial Forest after harvest.”
“Thank you immensely.”
“No thanks needed. It’s what families do.”
“Whatever the World Tree village requires, we’ll provide it.”
“Oh! I heard the Primordial Forest is linking with Neo Seoul, right?”
“Yes! We’re opening just a portion.”
“Is that okay? It’ll get really bustling.”
“We’re prepared for it.”
Floa smiled in response.
Latricia was taken aback by Floa’s reply.
Elves typically shunned hustle and bustle. Yet opening the Primordial Forest would inevitably bring it.
Floa stated,
“The Primordial Forest doesn’t house solely Dark Elves—numerous humans dwell there as well. We cannot simply prioritize our own gains.”
“You must consider every angle.”
“Exactly! There’s yet another factor.”
“What’s that?”
“Rumors say elves from Elharun could be expelled. Accepting them requires Neo Seoul’s vital support.”
“Ah!”
“Were you aware?”
“Well, truthfully…”
Latricia shared with her completely how Elharun had been obliterated.
Floa’s face turned grim.
“So it concluded like that in the end. They sealed themselves away, claiming self-preservation alone.”
“Indeed. In a sense, it feels like divine retribution.”
“Hoo…”
Floa released a deep sigh.
Her chest weighed down heavily by itself.
No matter the situation, hundreds of thousands losing their homes and being thrust into the desert marked a gravely dire event.
Latricia continued,
“Mr. Zeon anticipates an impending war.”
“A war?”
“He thinks Elharun’s survivors will launch invasions to claim livable territory.”
“That seems highly likely.”
Floa responded, her features stiffening.
The Dark Elf clan had endured ages in the harsh desert. Thus, they understood better than most the terror and brutality of the homeless.
Hence, she found it no surprise if Elharun’s remnants became desperate raiders.
Floa declared,
“The World Tree village must stay hidden at all costs. Should they learn of the World Tree’s presence, Del Roa will assault with full force.”
“You’re right.”
“Until the World Tree reaches full maturity, let our forest serve as its barrier.”
“Won’t that impose too heavy a load on you?”
“We can handle it. If this aids the World Tree’s growth, even indirectly…”
Floa gazed at the enormous World Tree, her eyes sparkling in awe.
Merely beholding it filled her heart to the brim.
As in ancient Kurayan, once the World Tree rooted deeply on Earth, verdant realms like the Primordial Forest would flourish across the land.
Whatever the cost, protecting the World Tree was imperative.
Just then, Latricia ventured cautiously,
“Could I perhaps visit the Primordial Forest?”
“Certainly. Ready to head there now?”
“Yes!”
“Follow me.”
Grasping Latricia’s hand, Floa stepped through the portal into the Primordial Forest.
“Ah!”
Latricia gasped in wonder.
The Primordial Forest exceeded her expectations in thickness.
“It pales compared to the World Tree village.”
“Not at all. It’s utterly breathtaking. Imagine such abundant trees and flora thriving without the World Tree’s grace… astonishing.”
Latricia expressed sincere awe.
“All credit goes to Har and Yuri.”
“The World Tree holds deep gratitude toward them too.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Suddenly, the portal glowed intensely as a figure emerged.
Latricia’s eyes bulged at the unauthorized intruder.
It was a spirit.
Evidently, a spirit from the World Tree village had trailed them here.
—Kya-ha-ha!
The low-rank spirit, delighted by the alien Primordial Forest, chuckled while soaring freely overhead.
Floa stared at the spirit in confusion.
“Do spirits traverse portals freely? I’ll convince it to return.”
“No need for that.”
“Excuse me?”
The spirit darted to Floa, who looked baffled.
—Hello!
“Uh, hello? Greetings!”
—Will you form a contract with me?
The spirit offered a pact to Floa.
“Contract with you?”
—Yes!
Floa, stunned by the spirit’s eager nod, glanced at Latricia.
Latricia beamed and affirmed.
“It appears to fancy you, Lady Floa. Proceed with the contract.”
“Is that truly fine? I’m no elf from the World Tree village.”
“It makes no difference to it. The spirit selected you, after all.”
“Very well…”
Floa agreed and faced the spirit.
Witnessing Har bond with a spirit had stirred profound envy in her. Yet she never imagined such fortune for herself.
Spirits, being pristine entities, bonded only with untainted elves.
She, however, strayed far from purity.
Not merely due to her Dark Elf heritage, but from enduring countless ordeals.
Prior to entering the Primordial Forest, rage had consumed her heart. She’d resigned herself, believing no spirit would choose her. Surprisingly, this World Tree spirit approached her first.
The unnamed spirit regarded Floa with eager eyes.
—Hurry!
“Okay! Let’s form the contract.”
—Okay!
Instantly, radiant light erupted from both spirit and Floa.
With the pact sealed, their souls linked.
In that instant, Floa sensed profound wholeness.
Her form and essence completing themselves, her body quivered involuntarily.
Drip…
Heavy tears flowed down her face.
The spirit brushed away her tears and asked,
—Are you upset about contracting with me? Why the tears?
“I’m overflowing with joy.”
—Happy yet weeping?
“When you’re too happy, you can cry.”
—I see.
A smile appeared on the spirit's face as it discovered this novel concept for the first time.
“You’re an Undine. A water spirit!”
—That’s right! I can control water as I please. Now, will you give me a name?
“Sally!”
Floa named the Undine instantly, without any delay.
With its new name acquired, the spirit burst into joyful laughter while ascending into the heavens.
—My name is Sally now.
Tears continued streaming from Floa's eyes as she gazed at Sally twirling high in the sky.
Latricia grasped Floa’s hand and spoke,
“Congratulations on forming a contract with a spirit.”
“Thank you.”
