Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 601

“Sniff…!”

A wave of tears flowed from Hera and the elves as they knelt. They found themselves surrounded by a forest so dense the sky was obscured and lush grass that reached their knees. Amidst the greenery, Dark Elf and human children tumbled and played together, their laughter echoing through the trees. Despite their different ancestries, the children interacted with an innocent lack of distinction.

“Kyahaha!”

“You won't catch me!”

The children’s faces, dotted with pearls of sweat, were flushed with exertion as they raced. Their breaths came in heavy gasps, yet their pursuit did not wane. Witnessing this pure joy, Hera and her kin felt a profound sense of shame.

They were currently in the Primordial Forest, a place Zeon had brought them to with Serian’s consent. Upon hearing of their kin’s arrival, Serian herself had journeyed there through a portal. The instant they laid eyes on the Primordial Forest, their tears began to fall, an outpouring of emotion more intense than any they had experienced even in El Harun.

Back then, the verdant bounty of their home had been taken for granted. It was only after it was consumed by lava that they grasped its true value—the precious, irreplaceable gift it had been. Leaving El Harun and traversing the desolate desert had brought them to the brink of despair, their tears often flowing with the conviction that they would never again witness a living forest.

And now, here they stood, enveloped by greenery once more. But what truly resonated within their souls was the sight of children from disparate races mingling without prejudice. The interaction between the Dark Elf and human children, who in theory should never have mixed, running and laughing together, ignited a deep shame within them. It served as a stark reminder of their own past in El Harun, where they had harbored prejudice and exploited humans for over a century.

Zeon and Riala observed the weeping elves in silence. Riala, too, felt a complex swirl of emotions as she gazed upon the Primordial Forest. “To think this magnificent forest grew from the devotion of a single child. Might I have the honor of meeting them? I wish to convey my deepest reverence.”

Riala’s sincere wish was to meet Har. Zeon granted her request. “Har!”

Responding to his gentle call, Har emerged from the undergrowth. “Zeon oppa!”

“This person wishes to express her gratitude. Please greet her. This is Lady Riala, from El Harun.”

“Hello, Lady Riala!” Har offered a polite bow.

At this, Riala knelt on one knee, inclining her upper body. “O’ one of great will. I offer my reverence for your devotion and profound effort.” This was the highest form of respect Riala, as a human, could bestow. She was not alone in this gesture.

Hera and the elves, who had been overcome with emotion, now also knelt on one knee, heads bowed low. “We offer our sincere gratitude for your immense devotion.” “Thank you, great child!”

As Riala and the elves demonstrated such profound respect, Har became visibly flustered. She turned to Zeon, her eyes seeking his assistance. Zeon nodded and addressed Riala and the assembled elves. “That is sufficient. Har feels overwhelmed.”

At his words, Riala and the others rose. “We did not intend to burden you, child,” Riala began gently. “We were simply so overcome with gratitude that we acted impulsively. Please, do not feel pressured by our actions.” Hera echoed her sentiments with a soft smile.

Har nodded, her cheeks flushing, still unaccustomed to such attention from outsiders. Just then, another figure emerged from the bushes. “Ah, we have esteemed guests.” It was Floa.

The appearance of the Dark Elf caused a flicker of tension to cross Riala and Hera’s faces. They instinctively recognized Floa as an important figure within the forest. Floa maintained a calm demeanor. “There is no need for such apprehension. I bear no ill will towards you.”

In times past, Floa would likely have been unreceptive to the presence of humans and elves. Dark Elves, ostracized by both races, had often harbored resentment. However, life within the Primordial Forest had softened her once-hardened heart, fostering a newfound tolerance. “I shall guide you deeper into the forest. Please, follow me.”

“Thank you.” “We are deeply grateful for your kindness.”

The two women and the elves followed Floa into the depths of the forest. With each step inward, Riala and Hera’s astonishment grew. The trees here were colossal, their growth far more dense than the forest’s edge had suggested. Consequently, the air felt remarkably fresh and invigorating.

“To imagine such a place exists within the desert.”

“Who would have thought a forest like this lay beyond El Harun. We were truly like frogs in a well. Hoo…” Hera sighed, a wave of regret washing over her for her past complacency in El Harun, settling for restoration efforts rather than true renewal. The elves traveling with her shared this sentiment.

While a mere child had single-handedly resurrected a forest of this magnitude, they pondered their own inaction, filling them with self-reproach. Floa, having experienced similar feelings herself, understood the elves’ inner turmoil. She led them to a grand wooden table situated at the forest’s heart, laden with provisions prepared by the forest’s inhabitants. “This is…?””

"These are dishes made from things grown in this forest. Let’s eat together and speak openly."

Floa offered seats to Riala, Hera, Serian, and the others.

---

After introducing Riala, Hera, and the others to Floa, Zeon returned to the Steel Fortress.

Jin Geumho was waiting for him there.

"How was the atmosphere?"

"It wasn’t bad."

"That’s a relief."

Jin Geumho nodded at Zeon’s answer.

In an instant, their numbers had increased by tens of thousands.

Moreover, all of them were capable of combat.

It meant their military strength had surged enormously. But nothing in this world came without effort.

The world was not so simple.

They were people who had lived in different regions, cultures, and ideologies.

For them to fully become residents of Neo Seoul, the Steel Fortress, and the Primordial Forest, they would have to go through much turmoil.

"Now that they’ve gathered in one place, I suppose the first step has been successfully taken."

"Yes. Whether they fight or clash among themselves now is up to them."

No matter the outcome, Zeon had no intention of intervening.

He had already done his part by setting the stage.

Now it was time to focus on the pressing issues.

"How is the situation at the Steel Fortress?"

"I’ll show you. Follow me."

Jin Geumho headed outside the Steel Fortress.

As they went down by elevator, they could see numerous weapons and traps being installed along the slope of the sandstone mountain.

All of them were items produced in Neo Seoul.

Every weapon developed to protect Neo Seoul had been mobilized.

That was how much Neo Seoul was committing itself to defending the Steel Fortress.

"It’s incredible."

"We’re planning to install barriers as well, not just weapons."

"Isn’t that too much?"

"I have no intention of giving up the Steel Fortress, the mana stone mine, or the Primordial Forest. To protect these places, I’m prepared to make any sacrifice."

For over a hundred years, humanity’s domain had been limited to Neo Seoul alone.

There were small survivor villages and fairly large colonies, but their influence was negligible.

The Primordial Forest held the possibility of Earth regaining its former greenery, and the Steel Fortress was a crucial bridgehead for advancing into new lands.

What mattered was that through these, Neo Seoul’s influence could expand explosively.

Such precious places could not be taken by others.

That was why Jin Geumho had deployed Neo Seoul’s weapons and elite Awakened in full force to defend this place.

The Steel Fortress was truly becoming a fortress of steel, just as its name suggested.

Even so, Jin Geumho could not relax.

"Hundreds of thousands of prisoners have escaped from the prison called El Harun. It’s as if hundreds of thousands of scavengers have been released into the world. The world will grow that much more chaotic."

"Ordinary colonies or survivor villages will be swept away in an instant."

They were people who had created a place called El Harun to survive among themselves, completely blocking outside access.

Now, they had suddenly lost their home and been released into the world.

To survive, they would not hesitate to commit any cruelty.

"The desert will be stained with blood."

"There will be changes in the habitats of the monsters as well."

"A chain migration will begin."

"Yes. No matter how powerful a large monster is, it cannot withstand hundreds of thousands of people."

All those hundreds of thousands released into the world possessed exceptional abilities.

The Giant Dwarves and Giants were powerful from birth, and other races possessed strong magical abilities.

Unlike humans, who had to Awaken to use their power, their starting point was entirely different.

When such powerful beings moved in the hundreds of thousands, it was inevitable that the ecosystem of monsters would be affected.

If S-rank or large monsters moved to avoid the other races, lower-ranked monsters would also have no choice but to relocate to survive.

As monsters migrated in chains, the ecosystem itself would change drastically.

And once that happened, all previously gathered data would become useless.

They would have to start again from zero.

It had already happened several times, but leaving it unattended would only lead to greater disaster.

For Neo Seoul, it was a significant loss in many ways.

"When do you think they will appear here?"

"No matter how fast, it will take at least three to four months."

"Because of their numbers?"

"Moving hundreds of thousands at once is no easy task."

"There will be quite a few deserters as well."

"Yes. In El Harun, Del Roa’s orders were absolute, but without the World Tree, it’s uncertain how much authority he still holds."

When the World Tree had been intact, Del Roa’s authority had been absolute.

Leaving the World Tree was unthinkable for them, so they had no choice but to follow his orders, even if they were unreasonable.

But now that El Harun’s World Tree had been destroyed, it was unclear how much control he still had.

Jin Geumho nodded.

"I see. There could be fractures."

His eyes gleamed coldly.

Lately, Jin Geumho had been projecting an image of benevolence towards everyone.

Ever since he resumed his public activities, he consistently presented a facade of ease and a pleasant demeanor.

However, one should not be deceived by this outward projection.

After all, he was the very individual responsible for erecting Neo Seoul upon the remnants of devastation.

Anyone with even a modicum of awareness regarding the immense bloodshed and the countless shattered lives that paved the way for this achievement would never label him a good person.

In that era, Jin Geumho was truly a figure of dread.

All who dared to oppose him faced brutal purges, and any entity that posed an obstacle to Neo Seoul's advancement was annihilated without the slightest hesitation.

By leveraging the Numbers and an innumerable host of Awakened, he systematically crushed all opposition that stood in Neo Seoul's path.

Even now, the leaders of each district refrained from challenging him, deeply remembering the man he once was.

The specter of those times continued to hold them firmly in its grip.

Such was the profound and indelible impression he had imprinted upon their minds.

And now, this very Jin Geumho had arrived, fully prepared for a situation that promised to be a veritable battlefield.

It was evident that he harbored no intention of settling for anything less than a complete resolution.

Jin Geumho then directed a question towards Zeon:

“Will you continue to reside at the Steel Fortress?”

“Seeing as there's still ample time, I intend to relax at home.”

“Indeed, you have borne the greatest burden of labor thus far.”

It was Zeon who had undertaken the arduous journeys between Neo Seoul, the Steel Fortress, the Primordial Forest, and the mana stone mine, meticulously establishing the portals.

His monumental contribution lay in creating a network of portals that connected all major territories.

There was no one who failed to acknowledge the significance of this accomplishment.

“Entrust the matters here to us and take the proper rest you deserve. You will not be disturbed for some time.”

“Thank you. I shall see you again, then.”

After exchanging farewells with Jin Geumho, Zeon departed from the Steel Fortress, accompanied by Brielle and the others.

As they traversed the portal, a scene both familiar and yet subtly altered materialized before them.

It was the square in the slum district.

An area that had recently been desolate was now teeming with numerous structures, and a multitude of Awakened were patiently awaiting their turn to utilize the portal.

Witnessing the dramatic transformation of the slum, Brielle's eyes widened in astonishment.

“Wow!”

Responding to her exclamation, Zeon spoke:

“Welcome back to Neo Seoul.”