Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert-Chapter 520

Chapter 520

Zeon’s group left the place where Tesserina’s lair had once been.

As she crossed over a sand dune, Tesserina suddenly stopped and turned back.

The place where her lair had once stood was gone without a trace.

The sandstorm that had blown through overnight had buried even the remnants of battle.

It would be a lie to say she felt no regret.

This had been the first place she established after crossing over to Earth. Abandoning such a place and moving on to somewhere new was not easy.

Even so, she cast aside her lingering attachment.

The dragon Tesserina no longer existed.

She now had to live the life of a chimera—no, of a human named Tesserina.

Her self-awareness was that of a dragon, but in any case, the outward form of her body was no different from a human’s.

Tesserina bid farewell to the lair.

“Goodbye. Thank you for everything.”

With that, she tossed her regrets away.

Following after Zeon, Tesserina’s steps felt noticeably lighter.

Though she had lost her lair and her main body, it had been a journey with much gained.

Zeon and Levin had grown stronger by another step, and Brielle had gained a great deal of experience as well.

Because of that, their steps on the way back were quite light.

Brielle asked Zeon,

“Are we going straight to Neo Seoul?”

“We need to pick up Remura.”

“Then we’ll be stopping by our village?”

“We will.”

“Hehe! I’m excited.”

Brielle hopped in place with delight.

It hadn’t been long since she left the High Elf village, yet she already missed it.

She wanted to rest to her heart’s content beneath the World Tree’s shade, feeling the cool breeze.

Levin smiled as he watched Brielle bounce around.

“Is she really that happy?”

He said that, but Levin also wanted to rest freely beneath the branches of the World Tree.

The feeling he had when standing before the World Tree was truly something else.

He could understand why elves and other races were so obsessed with it.

The fake World Tree he’d seen in El Harun and the real one were on entirely different levels. The refreshing energy of the true World Tree was so mysterious that anyone who hadn’t experienced it could never understand.

‘It’s like a drug that’s good for your body.’

It didn’t make sense, but that was how it felt to Levin.

The journey to the High Elf village where the World Tree stood was easier than when they’d come.

For one thing, there were no attacks from magical beasts.

That was because of Tesserina’s presence.

Though her status was lower than when she had her main body, the presence of a dragon had not vanished completely.

The magical beasts sensed her status from afar and fled in fear.

Thanks to that, the four of them could walk comfortably without worrying about attacks.

With no need to hurry, the four walked slowly, as if on a picnic.

When the sun set, they made camp at a suitable spot, and when it rose, they resumed walking toward the World Tree village.

They walked like that for several days, yet not a single one of them was tired.

Even Brielle, the weakest among them, had stamina comparable to a decent awakened, and with the help of her spirit Liri, she didn’t feel fatigue.

Thanks to that, by the time they were almost at the World Tree village, there wasn’t a hint of exhaustion on any of their faces.

It was just as they were nearing the World Tree village.

Kwarrr!

Suddenly, thunder boomed from the clear sky.

Looking up at the sky, Zeon muttered,

“The guardian of the World Tree village is coming.”

“Looks like it. He probably sensed our arrival.”

No sooner had they finished speaking than a massive serpent appeared in the sky.

The enormous snake, with two horns on its head and a fearsome gaze, was none other than Arisedon, the imugi who served as the guardian of the World Tree village.

Arisedon lowered his huge head before Zeon’s group and spoke.

— I sensed an intense aura and came to see, and it turns out it was you.

“It’s been a while. Nothing unusual happen?”

— Nothing happened here, but it seems something did for you. Your statuses all seem to have risen.

“A lot happened.”

— Congratulations.

Arisedon congratulated their achievements with a pure heart.

Perhaps influenced by the World Tree, Arisedon’s eyes were far clearer and more radiant than before.

Now he was exuding the dignified aura befitting a guardian of the World Tree.

Knowing that if he continued absorbing the World Tree’s energy, he would one day become the dragon he so desired, Arisedon did not envy the rise in their status.

Suddenly, Arisedon’s gaze turned toward Tesserina.

— You’ve changed a great deal as well. Has that side become your main body now?

“Yeah. It just sort of turned out that way.”

— That appearance suits you as well.

“Thanks. You look good too, Arisedon.”

— Thank you. I will open the path to the World Tree.

As soon as Arisedon finished speaking, empty space rippled and a passage leading to the World Tree village opened.

The four passed through the passage and entered the World Tree village.

— Piiiii!

The moment they entered the village, Gaia came flying over.

In the short time since they’d last seen her, Gaia had grown even bigger.

— Pii!

Gaia flew around Zeon and Brielle, clearly delighted to see them again. And Gaia wasn’t the only one flying about.

Many spirits were flying alongside her.

Brielle’s mouth fell open.

“So many spirits were born in the meantime?”

There were over twenty visible spirits alone.

The spirits seemed to be having the time of their lives, following Gaia around and laughing merrily. Their laughter was so loud it almost made one’s ears hurt.

— Waaah!

Liri, Brielle’s spirit, beamed brightly as she watched the spirits following Gaia.

The successive births of spirits made Liri happy.

Now promoted to an intermediate rank, Liri drew the envy and attention of all the spirits.

The spirits now followed Liri around, chattering away about this and that.

“Brielle, you’re back.”

At that moment, High Elves appeared, led by Brielle’s mother, Ratrisha.

“Mom!”

Brielle smiled brightly and threw herself into Ratrisha’s arms.

Ratrisha held her warmly, then greeted Zeon, Tesserina, and the others as well.

“You’ve all returned safely. It’s good to see you again.”

“Have you been well?”

“As you can see.”

Ratrisha replied while looking at the spirits pestering Liri.

“So many spirits have been born.”

“Yes. Now every elf in the village has contracted with a spirit.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Yes! Thanks to that, the village is brimming with vitality.”

Elves become complete only when they contract with a spirit.

From the elderly elves to the youngest, with everyone having formed a contract, the High Elf village had become whole.

It could truly be called a blessing of the World Tree and Gaia.

Ratrisha said,

“Would you like to see the World Tree?”

“Let’s.”

“Yeah!”

“Yes!”

“I want to see it.”

All four answered at once.

Smiling, Ratrisha led them to the World Tree at the center of the village.

“Wow!”

“It’s gotten even bigger.”

Brielle and Levin gaped at the World Tree’s overwhelming presence.

While they had been away at Tesserina’s lair, the World Tree had grown to an enormous size.

It had grown so vast and tall that it couldn’t be taken in at a glance.

It was as if the World Tree covered the entire sky. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

“Hahaha!”

“Kyaa!”

Beneath the World Tree’s shade, young High Elves were playing with spirits.

“Hya!”

Suddenly, a young High Elf kicked off the ground and leapt upward. A sylph blew wind, lifting the child even higher.

The young High Elf soared nearly ten meters into the air, did a somersault, and landed.

It was a feat that would have been impossible before.

Seeing that, other High Elves began doing somersaults of their own or kicking off the World Tree’s branches to perform tricks.

The spirits made sure their contracted High Elves didn’t get hurt, or lent them their strength.

Thanks to that, the High Elves could perform their stunts without so much as a scratch.

Now, the young High Elves were learning how to live together with spirits.

It was one of the greatest changes to occur in the World Tree village.

Children who grew up with spirits from such a young age would become reliable warriors in the future.

The older High Elves who had once contracted with spirits back in Kurayan were already regaining their former skills and instincts.

Ratrisha said,

“The other High Elves have gone to subjugate magical beasts together with their spirits.”

“Even with Arisedon guarding the area, do beasts still approach?”

“Oh! No, that’s not it. They’re deliberately going far away to gain experience.”

“I see.”

“All of this is thanks to you, Sir Zeon. Thank you once again.”

“Mm.”

As Zeon made an awkward expression, Ratrisha smiled softly and said,

“By the way, when will you be heading to Neo Seoul?”

“After resting for two or three days.”

“Won’t you stay a little longer?”

“I’ve been away from home for too long.”

“That makes sense.”

“But Remura doesn’t seem to be here?”

“Oh! Remura went to subjugate magical beasts with the adults.”

“Remura did?”

“She said she wanted to gain experience too. The adults will protect her well, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Hehe. You must want to rest, and I’ve kept you too long. We’ve kept the place you used before vacant, so feel free to use it anytime.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Then I’ll be on my way—please rest comfortably.”

After giving Zeon a slight bow, Ratrisha left.

Only then was Zeon able to sit down and settle in at a suitable spot.

The World Tree’s leaves swayed as a gentle breeze blew.

It felt as though the World Tree itself were giving Zeon a gift for all his hardships.

“Nice.”

Zeon lay down on the grass and closed his eyes.

Tesserina, Brielle, and Levin lay down beside him and drifted off to sleep.

It was the moment they had all been longing for.

Before they knew it, spirits gathered one by one around them, scattering light.

＊＊＊

That evening, all the High Elves who had gone outside returned.

“Zeon oppa! Levin oppa! Brielle unni!”

Remura, who had returned with the High Elves, came hopping over.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes! Oppa, unni, nothing happened to you either, right?”

“How could nothing have happened? A lot happened.”

“Me too. Do you know how many adventures I had following the adults around?”

“Really?”

“So then…”

Remura, Brielle, and even Levin joined in, chatting excitedly.

They had so much to say that Zeon and Tesserina could only shake their heads at the sight of the three of them talking nonstop.

Still, they didn’t dislike this atmosphere.

Zeon looked up at the World Tree.

Even after the sun had set, the High Elf village didn’t feel dark or desolate, all thanks to the World Tree’s blessing.

He wanted more people to enjoy the benefits of the World Tree, but for now, protecting it came first.

There was Arisedon, the guardian spirit, and the spirits themselves, but it still didn’t feel like enough.

Until the World Tree grew larger and Arisedon became a true dragon, the World Tree village had to remain completely isolated.

‘If El Harun were to learn of the true World Tree’s existence, they’d definitely covet it.’

Given Del Roa’s personality—someone who chose to merge with it out of obsession with the World Tree—he might even choose war to seize this place.

For the time being, this place’s secret had to be kept absolutely hidden from him.

Fortunately, the only outsiders who knew of this place were Zeon, Levin, Tesserina, and Remura.

None of the four would ever leak this secret to the outside.

“Phew.”

“Don’t worry. This place will be safe.”

As if reading Zeon’s concerns, Tesserina spoke firmly.

“Anyone who tries to invade this place—I won’t forgive them.”