Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 620

Zeon paid a visit to Tesserina’s residence, a place he hadn’t been to in quite some time.

“I heard some rather serious matters have transpired?” Tesserina inquired, placing a teacup before Zeon as she spoke.

The tea itself originated from World Tree Village, a detail noted as Tesserina served it.

Zeon lifted the teacup, its warm steam gently rising, and responded, “A slight complication arose concerning some illicit substances.”

“And was the situation resolved satisfactorily?”

“Fortunately, our intervention prevented the substances from spreading any further.”

“Illicit substances? Why do humans constantly seek to bring about their own ruin?”

“In this particular instance, humans were not the primary instigators. The trouble originated from a half-elf.”

“Yet, with seventy-five percent of their lineage being human, does that not render them virtually human?”

Zeon offered a soft chuckle in response to Tesserina’s point, replying, “That does not negate the elven blood. Elves, much like humans, are devoted to their desires. What humans crave, elves equally desire.”

“Is that truly the case?”

“Indeed, that is the reality.”

“Tch! Somehow, I feel as though I have conceded the point.”

“You are merely projecting.”

“In any event, the substances have been eliminated, correct? There will be no further production?”

“That possibility exists, however, I cannot control events that have yet to unfold.”

“One supposes you are not a divine being.”

“Precisely! Whatever transpires in the future can be left to the generations that follow.”

“A straightforward approach. I find that agreeable.” Tesserina laughed, concurring with Zeon’s sentiment.

As he sipped his tea, Zeon’s gaze swept across Tesserina’s dwelling.

In stark contrast to Zeon’s own abode, which contained only essential furnishings, Tesserina’s home was adorned with a plethora of rare and precious artifacts.

Among these, a striking sight that captured Zeon’s attention was a small tree standing proudly in the central area of her home.

“What is that tree? Surely, you haven’t acquired the World Tree itself?”

“Even as a dragon, I would not undertake such a preposterous endeavor. It was a gift from the High Elves; they bestowed upon me a sapling that flourishes in proximity to the World Tree.”

“So, the reason for your recent quietude was your dedication to nurturing this tree?”

“Yes! As I am cultivating it indoors, it requires exceptionally delicate attention. Despite bringing soil from World Tree Village, I must personally oversee the sunlight and hydration levels to achieve the optimal equilibrium.”

“Sunlight? How does sunlight penetrate a completely enclosed structure?”

“Have you forgotten the nature of this place? This is a dragon’s lair.”

Snap!

With a snap of Tesserina’s fingers, the building’s ceiling retracted widely, akin to a monstrous maw opening, allowing sunlight to stream in.

“Well then…”

“A dragon’s lair is not merely a repository for treasures. It is a space that reflects a dragon’s will. This location is now indistinguishable from a colossal living entity. Naturally, it is a charming entity that solely adheres to my commands.”

Zeon offered a nod of understanding.

He comprehended fully the significance of a lair to a dragon.

Tesserina had lost her original physical form.

While her chimera body possessed considerable strength, it could not compare to her true form.

When a being of immense power experiences a loss of that power, they often develop heightened anxiety.

Tesserina was no exception to this phenomenon.

This psychological state fueled her obsession with her lair.

She sought to compensate for her perceived deficiencies through it.

Though he had not witnessed it firsthand, Zeon was aware of the immense magical enchantments cast upon this lair.

Not only was a mana accumulation array integrated, capable of supplying Tesserina with a level of mana comparable to her original body’s capacity, but it was also fortified with innumerable defensive spells.

It appeared that neutralizing Tesserina’s lair would be an insurmountable task for anyone short of another dragon.

“In any case, I am relieved to see that you seem to be faring well.”

“I am doing so exceedingly well that it has become a concern. The inclination to leave the house grows weaker with each passing day.”

“A homebody dragon, perhaps?”

“Well, something to that effect.” Tesserina did not dispute Zeon’s characterization.

Upon her initial arrival in Neo Seoul, every element had captivated her.

Consequently, she had extensively explored the city.

However, once familiarity set in, the novelty gradually faded.

Thus, her excursions were now limited to the Primordial Forest, World Tree Village, or the subterranean city, with the remainder of her time spent within her home.

Even so, she never experienced boredom.

Ample activities were available within the confines of her residence.

Nurturing trees, pioneering new forms of magic, engaging in cleaning—even remaining indoors allowed time to pass swiftly.

Setting his teacup down, Zeon announced,

“It feels as though I have encroached too much upon your time. I should depart.”

“Already?”

“Unlike yourself, I have a considerable number of individuals to meet beyond these walls.”

“And where is your next destination?”

“I am proceeding to Steel Fortress. It is time I began to focus my attention on the survivors of El Harun.”

“Has the time for their arrival come so soon?”

“Not yet, but the preparations should commence presently.”

“I see.”

Tesserina inclined her head in slow agreement.

For Zeon and the leadership of Neo Seoul, this was likely a paramount concern.

Steel Fortress served as a critical bastion for Neo Seoul.

Through the portal, a constant stream of individuals journeyed to and from Steel Fortress.

The carcasses of monsters slain in the vicinity of Steel Fortress, along with various commodities, were transported to Neo Seoul via the portal, while Neo Seoul’s advanced civilization, in turn, enriched Steel Fortress.

Despite the vast distance separating them, the portal had effectively forged them into a singular entity.

A crisis befalling Steel Fortress was a crisis that threatened Neo Seoul itself.

Neo Seoul harbored no intention of allowing El Harun to seize control of Steel Fortress under any circumstances.

This determination fueled the acceleration of fortification efforts, ultimately transforming the fortress into a true bulwark of iron.

“Are you departing immediately?”

“Indeed.”

“Understood. Should you require assistance, do not hesitate to call.”

“I shall. Stay well.”

With a smile, Zeon departed Tesserina’s sanctuary.

The moment he stepped outside, the oppressive glare of the sun assaulted his senses.

Zeon paused, standing resolutely in the center of the main thoroughfare, allowing the sunlight to wash over him.

While such heat would normally send an ordinary person scrambling for shade, for Zeon, this intensity was trivial.

At that juncture, he sensed an observant presence.

Turning his head towards the source of the gaze, an unexpected sight met his eyes.

Elves, their skin a pale white, their ears distinctly pointed.

Had they been common elves, he would have paid them no mind and continued on his way.

However, this instance was different.

These were elves who had journeyed from El Harun, and they were looking directly at him.

At the vanguard of the group stood Hera.

As their gazes locked, Hera approached him.

“So, this is where you were.”

“Were you seeking me out?”

“No. We were merely taking in the sights of Neo Seoul.”

“Did the mayor grant you such leave?”

“Permission was granted to explore the outer districts.”

“I see.”

Zeon acknowledged with a nod.

Mayor Jin Geum-ho had not yet fully opened Neo Seoul to them.

The reason was simple: Hera and her kin hailed from El Harun.

Despite their current affiliation with Neo Seoul, the potential for them to shift allegiances during a conflict with El Harun remained a concern.

Consequently, Jin Geum-ho had restricted their access to the slums.

Hera and the elves found this arrangement acceptable.

They had not anticipated earning humanity’s complete trust from the outset.

More significantly, they had become utterly captivated by the allure of the Primordial Forest.

While currently only Hera and a select group of elves traveled back and forth, they envisioned a future migration for all their people once greater understanding and passage of time fostered deeper bonds.

Their excursion into the slums was motivated by a desire to comprehend humans more thoroughly.

Through their observations in the poorer districts, their awareness of humanity’s formidable capabilities intensified.

They were struck with awe at the sheer ingenuity of a race that had erected such a colossal metropolis amidst the harshness of the desert.

Even the slums possessed a certain splendor, making it difficult to conceive the grandeur of Neo Seoul within its fortified walls.

Lost in their exploration, they had serendipitously found themselves in this location, unexpectedly encountering Zeon standing solitary in the street.

“So, you reside in this vicinity?”

“My dwelling is not far from this spot.”

“You occupy a favorable locale. Nevertheless, my preference remains with the Primordial Forest.”

“It is likely that most elves share this sentiment.”

“Do you harbor no desire to relocate to the Primordial Forest?”

“I am content here.”

“Might I inquire as to the reason?”

“Because this is my homeland. Though I have traversed many corners of the globe, I have yet to discover a place superior to this. This is not to disparage the Primordial Forest, mind you. It simply reflects my belief that humans ought to reside amongst their own kind.”

“I comprehend.”

Hera offered a nod of understanding.

“Is there a particular location you would wish for us to visit?”

“Oh? Are you offering a personal tour?”

“If that is your desire.”

“While I appreciate the offer, I must respectfully decline. We have lingered here for an extended period, and a weariness has settled upon me. It is time for our return to Steel Fortress.”

“Is it preferable there?”

“Decidedly more so than here.”

“I see. Allow me to escort you to the portal then.”

“I understand the portal is also a product of your endeavors?”

“I was fortunate enough to be granted its acquisition.”

“I offer my apologies.”

Hera’s expression shifted, and she suddenly spoke with remorse.

Zeon, looking perplexed, inquired,

“For what transgressions?”

“For our opposition when you ventured to El Harun, for El Harun’s populace luring Behemoth towards Steel Fortress, and for the ruinous state into which Earth has fallen. I apologize for all of it. While it may not assuage your heart, we pledge to exert maximum effort so that your people and humanity might one day find it within themselves to forgive us.”

Zeon inclined his head in response to Hera’s earnest words.

“The past is immutable, but through our concerted actions, the relationship between humans and other races can undoubtedly evolve. The timeline for such reconciliation remains uncertain, however.”

“Then we must dedicate ourselves to hastening the arrival of that day.”

“That would indeed be the most favorable outcome.”

A faint smile touched Zeon’s lips.

He and Hera proceeded through the slums, walking side-by-side.

The elves followed in silent procession behind them.

Their striking beauty drew glances throughout their journey.

Yet, no one dared to approach them.

Zeon’s presence beside them acted as a deterrent.

The locals presumed the elves were Zeon’s companions, thus refraining from interference.

As they drew nearer to the portal, the crowd intensified.

The vicinity of the portal now mirrored the bustling activity of Neo Seoul itself.

Imposing structures, once beyond imagination, encircled the portal like a protective wall, while an abundance of shops and eateries had sprung into existence.

Even the Goblin Market had swiftly established an outpost here.

Such was the volume of commerce conducted in this locale.

From a distance, one might easily mistake it for a sector within Neo Seoul proper.

Gazing towards the shimmering portal in the distance, Hera softly murmured,

“That portal is indeed revolutionary, connecting separate domains across time and space.”

“Indeed, both Steel Fortress and the Primordial Forest are now instantly accessible through it.”

“If only Neo Seoul and El Harun had a portal connection before its fall, perhaps the animosity between us could have softened, even a little?”

“As long as Del Roa maintained its might, such a thing would never have come to pass.”

“That is true. Hah...”

Hera let out a sigh.

Contemplating Del Roa and the other races of El Harun brought a tightness to her chest.

Despite her feelings, they had coexisted and clashed for over a century.

Though circumstances compelled her to align with humanity, her heart found no peace.

“Thank you for escorting us this far. We can proceed on our own now.”

“Actually, I am also en route to Steel Fortress.”

“Is it due to the… war?”

“Yes,” Zeon replied truthfully, making no attempt to conceal the fact.

Hera mirrored his honesty.

“Should conflict arise, know that we will exert our utmost effort to assist.”

“I shall count on your word.”

“Then, let us traverse it together.”

Zeon and the elves proceeded towards the portal, walking side-by-side.

Despite the multitude awaiting passage, Zeon bypassed any queue, his access granted top priority under any circumstance.

Then, it occurred.

The portal flared with intense light, and a contingent emerged.

They were escorting the carcass of a Crown Lizard, transported on a sturdy vehicle.

“A monster hunting team.”

“They managed to take down a rather large specimen.”

The sight of the Crown Lizard’s corpse did not elicit significant surprise from the onlookers.

Monster hunting teams frequently returned with such beasts on transport vehicles, multiple times a day.

The hunting party responsible for the Crown Lizard’s demise pushed through the crowd, vanishing leisurely.

With new arrivals from the portal, it was now time for others to depart.

As Hera neared the portal, her expression shifted dramatically.

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

“I detect a familiar scent.”

“A scent?”

“It is from the Shadow Tribe.”

“The Shadow Tribe? You mean those from El Harun?”

“Yes. They possess a unique aroma. Why would their scent linger near the portal?”

“Could it be…?”

Zeon’s thoughts immediately turned to the monster hunting team that had just emerged.

Hera, appearing to arrive at the same conclusion, urged him,

“We must pursue those who just passed through the portal.”