Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert-Chapter 365
Chapter 365
Floa and the dark elves stood in a daze, staring as the orcs and dark elves struggled against the overwhelming deluge of sand.
The massive sand dune had once been like a fortress wall.
It shielded the dark elf village from the outside world and had served as a guardian that allowed it to survive for over a hundred years.
Over the long years, countless dunes had formed and disappeared, yet that particular sand mountain had always remained. So they believed it always would.
But that belief was shattered by Zeon.
The colossal dune, which had seemed like it could last another thousand years, was crumbling from a mere gesture of a single human.
Rumble!
With a roar like a beast in pain, the great dune collapsed and flowed downward.
It was Zeon who had brought it down.
The dune had responded to his control, cascading at his will.
Had Zeon not carefully controlled the speed of the sand’s descent, the dark elf village would have been obliterated without a trace.
Zeon adjusted both the mass and velocity of the sand to ensure minimal damage to the village.
Thanks to that, both orcs and dark elves who had been caught in the torrent were able to survive.
Fear was evident in the eyes of Floa and the dark elf warriors as they looked at Zeon.
This kind of power was beyond imagination.
A human who could freely manipulate sand in a world consumed by desertification?
They didn’t know why such an ability had awakened in a human and not in an elf, but one thing was clear—they were not dealing with someone they could oppose.
Zeon spoke to the stunned group.
"How long do you plan to just stand there? The orcs will regain their senses soon. Save the children before that happens."
"R-Right."
Snapping back to her senses, Floa led her warriors toward the house where the children were held.
As they moved away from Zeon, one of the dark elf warriors spoke in disbelief.
"Is he really… human?"
"What do you mean?"
"Could he… be a dragon in disguise?"
"Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think a High Elf would be following a dragon around?"
"Oh, you’re right."
Only then did the dark elf look relieved.
That’s how terrifying dragons were.
Zeon’s display of power had been so incredible, it made even the idea of him being a dragon seem plausible.
Though the brand on their necks had been removed, a deeper fear seemed to be etched in its place.
Floa felt the same terror as her subordinate but tried hard not to show it.
Zeon was an ally now.
Had he been an enemy, it would have spelled utter catastrophe—but as an ally, he couldn’t be more reassuring.
She spoke up.
"If we miss this opportunity, there won’t be another chance to save the children. Everyone, stay focused."
"Yes, ma’am!"
"Understood, Captain!"
The dark elves responded quietly.
Navigating the chaos of the village, now in ruins from the sand, wasn’t difficult for them.
"Ptui, ptui!"
"Chwit! Help me out of here."
The orcs that had been swept up in the sand began emerging one by one.
Now was the time to save the children while the orcs were still in disarray.
Luckily, Floa and the others reached the house where the children were being held without being noticed.
Two unusually large orcs were standing guard at the entrance.
They were Chuangkar’s elite warriors.
They had not yet realized the brands on the dark elves had been removed.
At that moment, fury exploded from Floa and her warriors.
"Hyah!"
"Die!"
With all their strength, they launched their attack.
"You’ve gone mad, dark elves."
"Chwit!"
Though startled, the orc warriors tried to retaliate. But Floa and her warriors were faster.
Slash!
Their swords shredded the orcs before they could react.
The elite orcs collapsed without even a scream.
"Ptui! Filthy pig bastards."
Spitting on the corpses, Floa walked up to the door.
There was an alarm spell placed on it.
Forcing the door open would summon Chuangkar and his orcs immediately. But the dark elves no longer feared them.
Without hesitation, they smashed the door.
Inside, young elves huddled together came into view.
"Are you okay, children?"
"We’re here to rescue you. No need to be afraid."
Floa and the others reassured them.
"Really?"
"You really came for us?"
Tear-streaked faces rushed into the arms of Floa and the dark elves.
Floa gritted her teeth as she hugged the children tightly.
Their fragile, trembling bodies filled her with seething rage toward the orcs.
She couldn’t even imagine the fear these young ones had endured during their captivity.
That rage burned within her like a volcano ready to erupt.
"You dare betray me?!"
Chuangkar’s enraged voice rang out from outside.
He had rushed over after hearing the alarm spell.
Floa turned to her warriors.
"Block the entrance! Don’t let them get in, no matter what!"
"Yes, ma’am!"
The dark elves quickly rushed out to stand guard.
Chuangkar and his orcs were already arrayed outside.
"You dare deceive me? I’ll bring hell’s pain upon you!"
Chuangkar raised his bone spear and began chanting.
He was trying to activate the brand.
But no matter how long he waited, the dark elves at the door showed no reaction.
"Chwit! Wh-What is this?"
"Something’s off."
"The dark elves… they’re fine?"
Only then did the orcs start to sense something was wrong, exchanging uneasy glances.
Chuangkar glared at the dark elves’ necks with horror.
"Don’t tell me… you erased the brand?"
"That’s right, old orc!"
Floa, having calmed the children, strode out to face him.
Her entire body radiated a fierce killing aura.
Her intensity made the orcs flinch and step back.
Floa raised her sword and pointed it at Chuangkar.
"This will be the grave of you orcs."
"Arrogant black elf. So removing a mere brand gave you some backbone?"
Despite the unfavorable situation, Chuangkar showed no sign of fear.
"You must be relying on something."
"Ugh, the stench of orc is giving me a headache."
At that moment, Zeon, Levin, and Brielle appeared through the swirling sandstorm.
When the three of them arrived, Chuangkar’s expression shifted completely.
"So you were behind this… humans!"
"Something’s not right."
Zeon tilted his head.
Brielle looked up at him.
"What’s not right?"
"That orc is way too smart."
"That’s true."
Brielle agreed.
Every race has its average intelligence level.
No matter how clever an individual may be, surpassing the limits of one’s race is almost impossible.
In Brielle’s knowledge, orcs had significantly lower intelligence than humans or elves.
Even the smartest of them couldn’t rival humans or elves in logic and reasoning due to their overpowering instincts.
Only the war chief or the priest-class orcs Zeon had encountered had been exceptions.
Chuangkar, however, was neither of those—just an old orc.
And yet, he seemed to grasp the entire situation just by looking at them.
It didn’t make sense.
Chuangkar pointed his bone spear at Zeon and shouted.
"Chwit! I will never forgive you! Everything that happens from here on is your fault!"
"You even know how to shift blame like a human…"
"Igh! Kill them all!"
Finally, unable to hold back his rage, Chuangkar gave the command.
"Gwuik!"
"Die!"
The orcs charged at the dark elf warriors, axes raised.
Floa sliced through the charging orcs as she rushed at Chuangkar.
"You’re mine."
"Chwit! You think you can take me?"
Thud!
Chuangkar slammed his spear into the ground.
In an instant, brilliant light exploded from the spear, enveloping the area.
"Kruk!"
"My strength… it’s overflowing!"
The orcs exposed to the light grew in size and power several times over.
In contrast, the dark elves caught in the light felt their bodies grow heavy like soaked sponges.
"Ugh! Damn it…"
"What’s going on?"
Weakened, the dark elves couldn’t withstand the enhanced power of the orcs.
Crash!
Boom!
"Kyaa!"
"Gah!"
The brutal assault of the orcs left dark elves screaming as they fell.
Floa was no exception.
She couldn’t even summon her signature Aura Blade.
Crack!
Chuangkar grabbed Floa’s neck and glared into her eyes.
"Did you think I branded you because I feared you? Don’t delude yourself, black elf! You’re no match for me."
"Urgh!"
"A tool should act like a tool. I’ll give you a new brand that’ll never be erased—one you’ll carry for eternity."
Chuangkar tried to use the spike on his spear handle to brand her neck.
But his attempt was foiled—by Zeon.
Crack!
A Sand Blaster fired by Zeon deflected Chuangkar’s spear.
Chuangkar turned toward his attacker.
"How dare you!"
"Dare what, exactly?"
"……"
Chuangkar’s eyes bulged.
Zeon was right in front of his face, so close they could feel each other’s breath.
As he met Zeon’s cold, level gaze, a wave of terror swept through him.
"Y-You…"
Boom!
Just as Chuangkar was about to speak, Zeon’s fist slammed into his gut.
He flew back dozens of meters, slamming into the ground with a thud.
"Captain!"
"Kruhk?"
The nearby orcs rushed at Zeon in a panic—but Levin moved faster.
He stepped in front of Zeon and unleashed Purple Lightning.
With no dark elves acting as meat shields, Levin released his lightning at full power.
The violet thunder spread from the lead orc outward, electrocuting every orc nearby.
"Gwaaah!"
"P-Please…!"
Orcs screamed in agony, their bodies blackened from the scorching current.
It was a terrifying display of destructive power.
Levin brought down dozens of orcs in one fell strike.
"GRAAAH!"
Just then, Chuangkar, who had been slammed into the ground, rose with a furious scream.
Seeing his charred comrades, his eyes turned blood-red.
"You dare kill my men? I’ll never forgive you!"
Dark energy erupted from Chuangkar’s spear.
Suddenly, the dark elves collapsed with screams of pain.
"Aaaah!"
"Help us!"
The cursed brands on their necks responded to the black aura.
The pain, like being scraped from the bone, sent most of them writhing on the ground in agony.
Only Floa and the dark elf warriors remained unaffected.
Chuangkar burst into crazed laughter.
"Heh heh…! If it’s come to this, then let’s all go to hell together!"
At that moment, Zeon’s icy voice rang out.
"These damn orcs. If you want to die, die alone. Why do you always have to drag others down with you?"
BOOM!
A Sand Viper slammed into Chuangkar’s head.
