Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert-Chapter 575

Chapter 575

“Welcome back!”

Urtian greeted Zeon.

Zeon, who had just arrived at the Iron Fortress, looked at Urtian—covered in wounds—with a worried expression.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine! Wounds like this heal if you just spit on them.”

“That’s a relief.”

“What about you? Are you all right?”

“My injuries are about the kind that would heal with a little spit as well.”

“That’s good to hear. Then what about Behemoth?”

“I’ve taken care of it.”

“Haa! You’ve worked hard.”

Only then did Urtian let out a sigh of relief.

The moment he realized that the greatest threat to the Iron Fortress’s survival had been eliminated, the pain from his wounds began to throb.

That was how terrifying Behemoth’s might had been to him.

“You killed Behemoth?”

At that moment, two women approached Zeon.

They were Liala and Hera.

“Lady Hera, you were here as well.”

“I had to confirm it with my own eyes.”

“Not only that—you seem to have fought together as well. Am I right?”

“I will first apologize to you and to the humans. Repo and Lamore committed an act they never should have. I merely helped because of that.”

“Thank you.”

“No matter how much I dislike humans, that crossed the line. Their actions clearly went too far.”

Hera turned her head away, avoiding Zeon’s gaze.

It was because she was sincerely ashamed.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“What is there to do?”

“Do you think Lord Del Roa will simply let this pass?”

“Hoo…”

Instead of answering, Hera let out a sigh.

She had already been agonizing over that very issue all day.

In the end, she arrived at a single conclusion.

“If I alone receive punishment, that will be enough. No matter how angered Lord Del Roa may be, he cannot do anything to our entire race.”

“Will that truly be the case?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve only met him once, but Lord Del Roa didn’t seem like the type to think rationally. I heard he ordered you to find and bring a new World Tree—even if it meant killing everyone who resides there. Would someone who gives such an order truly be rational?”

“……”

Hera could not answer.

She did not particularly like humans.

It was because of her memories of Kurayan.

There, elves had been pushed back by humans and forced to hide deep within the forests.

It was not only elves.

Beastmen, the Zella Tribe, dwarves—without exception, they had been persecuted by human tyranny.

In Kurayan, humans were the strong.

Unlike the fragmented heterogenous races, humans united as one and formed vast kingdoms or empires.

There were dozens of such human nations in Kurayan.

No race other than dragons dared to stand against humans.

Countless heterogenous races were taken as slaves by them.

Humans mercilessly exploited the other races, and those memories still lingered vividly in the minds of many.

Hera was one of the elves who had witnessed such atrocities.

Friends had been taken before her very eyes.

Because of those memories, she could not like humans. But that did not mean she wished for their destruction.

In this world turned into a desert, cooperation between races was essential for survival.

However, Del Roa did not think rationally like Hera.

Ever since merging with the World Tree, he had begun to think in dichotomies.

Ally—or enemy.

Those who followed him were defined as good, and those who rejected him were defined as evil.

The Del Roa of the past had not been so narrow-minded.

He had possessed a broad heart and outstanding leadership, which was why many races had followed him.

But after merging with the World Tree, his temperament had gradually become increasingly rigid.

With that personality, he would never forgive Liala—nor Hera.

Both of their actions had gone against his will. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

“Hoo…”

A deep sigh escaped Hera without her realizing.

She did not know what to do moving forward.

Leaving Hera lost in thought, Zeon turned to speak with Liala.

“How much damage was there?”

“Many died. And yet, they remain composed.”

With a hardened expression, Liala looked toward the residents of the Iron Fortress.

Many had lost family or friends.

Though their grief must have been immense, they swallowed their tears and gathered the bodies.

The sight deeply moved Liala and her subordinates.

“They are strong people.”

“Yeah. I think so too.”

“Has your opinion changed?”

“About what? Moving the people of El Harun here?”

“Yes.”

“It’s become even firmer.”

It was not only Liala who felt this way.

Uslan and her subordinates had fought alongside the people of the Iron Fortress, and their bond had grown stronger.

They hoped to live here even more earnestly than she did.

“There is something I wish to discuss in private. Please follow me.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Very well.”

Though she wore a puzzled expression, Liala followed Zeon.

Zeon gathered not only Liala, but also Urtian and the leadership of the Iron Fortress in one place.

They were visibly exhausted from fighting the heterogenous races, yet they waited without complaint for Zeon to speak.

Zeon looked at each of their faces before opening his mouth.

“You’ve all worked hard in this great battle. You must be tired, and I apologize for calling you here without letting you rest.”

“The one who worked hardest here is you, Zeon. So, why have you gathered us?”

“Lord Urtian.”

“Yes?”

“Has your opinion changed?”

“About what?”

“Exchanging with Neo Seoul.”

“After going through this battle, my resolve has only grown stronger. We must establish ties with Neo Seoul somehow. That is the best way for the Iron Fortress to survive in this desert.”

“What if there were a way to travel easily to and from Neo Seoul?”

“Why ask such a thing? Of course we would use it.”

“And the rest of you?”

Zeon looked at the others.

The first to answer was Deborah, Urtian’s wife.

“If such a method exists, of course we must use it.”

“Is that so?”

“Life here is satisfying enough, but we still need the culture and technology of Neo Seoul. If we try to reach that level with our own strength, it would take over a hundred years.”

As it is said that human greed knows no end, the people of the Iron Fortress were the same.

At first, they had wished only for a safe place to live.

But once they gained a secure fortress, they began to desire goods of a higher standard.

Alchemists and many others here created items necessary for daily life, but compared to Neo Seoul, it was no different from the medieval era.

Not only Deborah, but everyone felt the same.

Especially after this incident, exchange with Neo Seoul had become even more urgent.

After confirming everyone’s will, Zeon took out the Teleport Gem.

“What is that?”

“It’s a Teleport Gem.”

“A Teleport Gem?”

“A gem that contains Behemoth’s authority. I’ve heard that with this gem, it’s possible to open a portal that allows spatial movement.”

“Is that true?”

“You’re saying that’s really possible?”

Murmurs filled the room.

“If one is installed in Neo Seoul and one here, travel between them will be possible.”

“My goodness!”

Deborah’s eyes widened at Zeon’s explanation.

She could hardly believe that a way to travel so easily to Neo Seoul—the place they longed for—had appeared like this.

Zeon spoke calmly.

“You must think carefully. Once this portal is opened, people from Neo Seoul will be able to come here as well. Various problems may arise. Even so, will you accept it?”

“Wait. We should discuss this among ourselves first.”

Urtian answered with a grave expression.

He had longed so desperately for exchange with Neo Seoul, yet now that it was within reach, fear surged up.

“Of course.”

Understanding their feelings, Zeon nodded.

Urtian, Liala, and the leadership gathered together and engaged in a heated discussion.

The conclusion came sooner than expected.

“We will install the portal.”

“Understood. Please designate a suitable location, and I will install it.”

“You’ll install one in Neo Seoul as well?”

“Of course.”

“Hoo… I’m looking forward to it.”

“I will have to go to Neo Seoul personally to install it, so it will take some time before it can actually be used.”

“That much, we can wait.”

“Understood.”

After confirming the resolve of Urtian and the leadership, Zeon nodded.

“I would like the installation site to be this plaza.”

“Understood.”

As he answered, Zeon looked toward Tesserina.

Tesserina nodded and cast magic in the village plaza.

To protect the secret of the portal, she created a magic circle with concealment and perception-reduction functions.

Shhhhhh!

An enormous amount of mana burst forth from Tesserina’s body, drawing countless lines in midair.

She manifested the magic circle without any medium.

Tesserina said to Zeon,

“Now, even if you open the portal, those outside the plaza won’t notice.”

“Thank you.”

“Hehe.”

Zeon placed the Teleport Gem at the center of the plaza and infused it with mana. The gem shone brightly, and a large portal appeared.

It was large enough for a vehicle of considerable size to pass through.

Tesserina spoke.

“It’s not fully activated yet. The portal in Neo Seoul must also be activated before it can be used.”

“Hoo! I’m looking forward to it.”

Urtian could not hide his excitement.

After examining the portal, Liala said,

“If such a portal appeared in El Harun as well, relocation would become much easier.”

“You know it can’t, don’t you?”

If a portal were opened in El Harun, not only humans but also heterogenous races would flood in.

The Iron Fortress, which had only just regained stability, could once again be swept into war.

“I know. I’m just saying it’s a pity.”

“When do you plan to bring the others?”

“I was planning to depart soon because of that very issue.”

“Right away?”

“The earlier we arrive before the Giant Dwarves or the Zella Tribe, the higher the chance we can extract the humans safely.”

“That’s true.”

Zeon nodded.

If Del Roa learned of Liala’s plan first, he would never remain still.

Escaping together with the humans before he found out was the best option.

Fortunately, in terms of mobility, they far surpassed the dwarves and the Zella Tribe.

Even if they departed later, they were confident they could arrive first.

Zeon asked carefully,

“What do you think the elves will do?”

“It depends entirely on Hera’s decision. The elves prioritize their leader’s opinion above all else. Still, relocation won’t be easy. This place may be suitable for humans, but it’s not an ideal environment for elves.”

“They would need a World Tree, wouldn’t they?”

“Unlike humans, elves rely entirely on the World Tree.”

“If there were a World Tree somewhere else, there would be no need to cling to El Harun, would there?”

“Do you know of a place where there is a World Tree?”

“……”

“I see.”

Zeon neither affirmed nor denied it. But from his expression alone, Liala was certain.

“Are you planning to install a portal there as well?”

“……”

“If that’s the case, I’ll persuade Hera.”

There was firm conviction in Liala’s voice that Hera would join them.