Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 626

Zeon murmured, observing Levin's effortless traversal of the skies as if he owned the very air around him.

"He's certainly performing admirably."

Unlike the terrestrial monsters, aerial threats presented a far more formidable challenge.

The scarcity of Awakeners possessing flight capabilities, coupled with the dizzying speed of airborne monsters, made them exceptionally difficult to contend with.

A typical Awakener would swiftly become prey the moment they dared to ascend into the domain of flying beasts.

However, Levin defied such expectations.

He wielded a remarkable ability known as Ghostification, a power that rendered ordinary physical assaults utterly ineffective against his form.

This alone was impressive, but upon reaching the S-rank, his Ghostification underwent a significant evolution.

In his Thunder God Transformation, Levin's flight speed surpassed that of the monsters, and their attacks simply phased through him.

Furthermore, he unleashed torrents of lightning, overwhelming most flying-type monsters and leaving them no chance.

With Levin's intervention, a crucial reprieve was secured in the airspace above the fortress.

The Awakeners, previously engaged with the colossal monsters attacking from below, could now redirect their full attention and might against the aerial assault.

Kwaang! Boom!

Thunderous volleys from the massive mana particle cannons echoed across the battlefield.

While their precision was challenging against the agile flying monsters, these cannons proved devastatingly effective against the immense, lumbering behemoths of the ground.

—Kwoooar!

Monsters caught in the path of the mana particle cannons were violently flung aside.

Against larger creatures, these blasts inflicted significant damage, but for smaller monsters, the cannons were nothing short of annihilation.

Swarms of smaller monsters, adept at evading the mana particle cannons, surged forward with terrifying velocity, only to be abruptly halted by an insurmountable obstacle.

A colossal wall, standing ten meters tall, had erupted from the earth.

This was a formidable barricade, constructed by the Steel Fortress with the express purpose of repelling the monstrous onslaught.

Normally concealed beneath the ground, it emerged during attacks, forming an imposing barrier.

While ineffective against monsters exceeding its height, it served as a perfect deterrent against the smaller species.

Mana particle cannons and a hail of bullets rained down, ensuring the demise of the smaller monsters trapped against the barricade.

Innumerable lesser monsters perished in the onslaught.

Yet, any sense of relief was premature.

The medium-sized monsters and larger, boasting formidable defenses, remained unyielding.

Kwachik!

With relentless force, the giant monsters advanced, their sheer power reducing the immense barricade to rubble.

Small and medium-sized monsters surged over the fallen defenses, pressing their assault toward the Steel Fortress.

Gwaaaang!

At this critical juncture, colossal transport vehicles, resembling battering rams, charged directly at the medium-sized monsters.

Equipped with massive, ram-like battering horns at their forefront, these vehicles were specifically engineered to engage and neutralize medium-sized monstrosities.

Their engines were pushed to their limits, maximizing their weight and destructive potential, while the formidable horns were designed to pierce the creatures' thick hides.

The destructive impact was nothing short of spectacular.

Kwachik!

Thud!

Unable to evade the charging vehicles, the medium-sized monsters were impaled by the colossal battering horns.

Gored and writhing, the impaled monsters struggled, but the immense weight of the enormous vehicles pinned them, rendering them immobile.

Now, the initiative passed to the Awakeners.

"Go!"

"Uwaaaah!"

The waiting Awakeners surged forward, unleashing a merciless barrage upon the pinned medium-sized monsters.

The giant monsters, capable of intervening and aiding their endangered kin, made no such move.

Indeed, the concept of mutual aid was entirely absent from the monsters' brutal hierarchy.

They were known to consume their own if weakness was detected, making any assistance to another being solely out of altruism unthinkable.

The giant monsters, indifferent to the fate of the medium and small monsters perishing around them, continued their relentless advance.

These colossal beings had not initiated this invasion by their own volition.

Under the mental dominion of an artifact wielded by Del Roa, they were compelled forward, their singular objective being the breach of the Steel Fortress.

Their directive was to clear a path, not to provide succumbing monsters of other species with any form of protection.

Thud! Thud!

The ground trembled with each heavy footfall of the advancing giant monsters.

Even the Awakeners engaged in dispatching the medium-sized monsters yielded passage to the giants.

Specialized forces were tasked with confronting these behemoths.

Only the elite units and overwhelming numbers of each district possessed the capability to hunt such gargantuan foes.

"Let's move out!"

Seong Hoyeon, the leader of Numbers, spearheaded the elite forces into the fray against the encroaching giants.

—Kaoooo!

"Uraaah!"

The earth itself seemed to groan under the simultaneous eruption of the giant monsters' roars and the Awakeners' battle cries.

Kwarrr!

The clash between humanity and monster sent shockwaves through the land, creating tremors akin to a violent earthquake.

The intensity of the quakes was palpable even within the confines of the Steel Fortress.

Inside the fortress, Urtian stood in watchful anticipation alongside the assembled Awakeners.

“Everyone, brace yourselves. The raiders are about to break through. They’re in our hands now.”

“Uoooooh!”

The Awakeners let out fierce battle cries, their fighting spirit flaring.

Although a multitude of Awakeners and civilians had gathered within the Steel Fortress, not a single soul displayed fear.

Many of the fortress’s original residents had once been scavengers—hardened survivors who had endured the harsh desert for years.

The Awakeners who were dispatched from Neo Seoul were no different.

They were fully prepared to sacrifice their lives to defend their home.

Regardless of the enemy's strength or numbers, not one coward was willing to retreat silently.

Someone observed these Awakeners with deep admiration.

It was Hera, the leader of the elves.

She, along with her subordinates, had also made the journey from Neo Seoul to the Steel Fortress.

Standing beside Hera was Riala and her own followers.

Riala had already been informed by Hera about the events that transpired in Neo Seoul.

“That was a narrow escape. If Lady Serian had defected to their side, the tide of this battle would have turned far more challenging for us.”

“Had the portal been destroyed, an even greater catastrophe would have unfolded. This place would have become entirely cut off.”

“Not only that, but the passage to the Forest of Origins would have been severed as well.”

“I am uncertain how Lord Del Roa came to know about the portal, but his plans are not going to succeed.”

The Forest of Origins represented the ideal sanctuary for the elves.

For the present moment, only a portion of it was accessible, allowing a limited number of elves to enter and exit. However, as time advanced and the forest expanded significantly, all the elves who accompanied Hera would eventually find their permanent home there.

Furthermore, although Zeon had not yet disclosed the information, a World Tree was flourishing somewhere in secret.

If they could establish a connection to the forest that harbored the World Tree, the elves would be able to reside in an environment reminiscent of Kurayan.

The actions Del Roa was undertaking were tantamount to attempting to obliterate the future of the elves.

Hera had placed her trust in and followed Del Roa for over a century, more than anyone else, yet she could never passively witness such destructive endeavors.

Hera cherished and held the elves dear, far more than Del Roa did.

Consequently, she had no alternative but to align herself with the elves' cause.

The elves who had established their settlement in the Steel Fortress alongside Hera shared the same sentiment.

Initially, coexisting with the inhabitants of the fortress felt awkward, but over time, they gradually began to comprehend each other's circumstances.

Some had even developed romantic feelings for humans.

For the time being, they continued to observe the reactions of those around them, but it was evident that with the passage of time, they would establish families.

These two races, which had long harbored mutual rejection, were rapidly merging into one.

This was precisely why, despite the importance of the Forest of Origins, they could not bring themselves to abandon the Steel Fortress.

The elves stood fully armed, awaiting Hera’s command to engage.

The humans, led by Riala, cherished the Steel Fortress even more deeply than the elves did.

They were putting their lives on the line to safeguard the Steel Fortress, a place where they could raise their children free from persecution and discrimination by other races.

Should the situation deteriorate, they were fully prepared to intervene at any given moment.

Abruptly, Hera’s gaze shifted towards Zeon, who was positioned at the entrance.

A brutal conflict raged just outside the Steel Fortress, yet for reasons unknown, Zeon remained motionless.

“Why has he not acted yet? If he were to intervene, he could halt the monsters’ advance in mere moments.”

No matter the colossal size of the giant monsters, if Zeon truly willed it, he possessed the capability to carve a vast chasm before the Steel Fortress, one that would not be easily traversed.

To others, this might sound like madness, but Hera was aware that Zeon commanded such formidable power.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Zeon merely observed as the Awakeners engaged the monstrous horde.

Riala voiced her thoughts.

“I suspect he wishes for us to conquer this trial through our own might.”

“Our own strength?”

“Most likely.”

“Then what about his own battle?”

“I cannot say for certain, but I sense he is making preparations for an even grander conflict.”

“A feeling?”

“Yes. That is the impression I receive.”

“Hmm.”

Hera emitted a low, thoughtful sound.

She found herself unable to dispute Riala’s assertion, as she herself had begun to perceive a similar sensation.

Zeon wielded a power so immense that it defied the notion of him being simply human.

It was as if he had manifested in this realm to confront an entity other than humanity.

“It is indeed fortunate that he stands with us.”

“Indeed.”

Just as Riala echoed Hera’s sentiment—

“Uwaaaah!”

A deafening roar erupted from beyond the fortress walls.

Having resided in El Harun for an extended period, both Riala and Hera instantly recognized the cry belonging to the other races.

The primary force of the other races, driving the monsters before them, had finally arrived near the Steel Fortress.

The two women hurried towards the entrance where Zeon stood.

They could now discern the other races arrayed behind the monstrous vanguard.

Upon the appearance of those with whom they had once shared both arduous times and moments of joy, the expressions of Riala and Hera grew rigid.

“They have arrived.”

“Hoo…”

Their countenances darkened ominously.

Whether they liked it or not, the fact that they now had to wage war against people they had lived alongside for over a hundred years weighed heavily on their hearts.

But Riala soon shook off the unpleasant feeling.

Now they were enemies.

Showing sympathy toward the enemy would be a betrayal to the people of the Steel Fortress.

Like Riala, Hera quickly cast aside her lingering attachment and steeled her fighting spirit.

Their gazes turned toward Del Roa, standing proudly at the center of the allied races’ army.

---

“So the traitors are over there.”

Del Roa frowned as he looked at Riala and Hera standing at the entrance of the Steel Fortress in the distance.

They each had their own circumstances, but to Del Roa, they were traitors.

No matter the circumstances, they never should have betrayed him after living alongside him for over a hundred years.

“Grit! I’ll tear those bitches apart and feed them to the monsters.”

“They are mine.”

Standing behind Del Roa, Krudu glared at Riala and the others with hostility burning in his eyes.

Among all the races, the giant race led by Krudu had paid the greatest price on the journey here.

If they had not blocked and subdued the attacking monsters, they would never have been able to preserve this many troops.

Suddenly, Del Roa’s gaze shifted toward Zeon beside Riala.

“The Sand Mage!”

In that instant, Del Roa’s boiling blood turned cold.

Simply facing Zeon caused his body to react instinctively.

That was how unsettling Del Roa found Zeon.

The overwhelming might Zeon had displayed until now naturally forced him into tension.

Del Roa frowned.

“So they failed to recruit the queen of the other races after all?”

If only Serian had crossed to their side, the Steel Fortress would have fallen into chaos.

Yet there was no sign of confusion within the fortress.

Rather, everything was orderly, and their fighting spirit seemed ablaze.

Instinctively, Del Roa realized his plan had gone wrong.

“And the portal… is safe as well?”

“It seems Osollo and the Shadow Tribe failed their mission.”

“This has become troublesome. But we cannot give up now. If we fail to seize this place, there will be no land left for us.”

“We will absolutely capture that place. Once we destroy the portal afterward, Neo Seoul will no longer be able to interfere here.”

“I’m counting on you alone, Krudu.”

“Leave it to me. I will personally kill that Sand Mage, seize the Steel Fortress, and offer it to Lord Del Roa.”

“Go, Krudu! Show the humans the might of the giant race.”

“Yes!”

Thud! Thud!

Krudu stepped forward with his reply.

Behind him followed the vast giant legion.

The true war had begun.