Chapter 585

“Phew!”

Zeon let out a sigh as he looked up at the sky.

His face was filled with fatigue.

That was how difficult the situation had been.

Zeon had informed the residents of the Forest of Beginning about the existence of a teleportation portal.

The residents were shaken upon learning that there was an easy way to travel back and forth to Neo Seoul.

The humans wanted to interact with Neo Seoul, while the dark elves were reluctant to allow outsiders into the forest.

Because of that, arguments broke out among them as well.

Even at this very moment, they were engaged in a heated debate.

Among them were Serian and the elves.

Zeon believed that Serian could play the role of an excellent mediator, so he left them behind and stepped outside.

It was then.

“I can see how much you’ve been troubled.”

It was Goduwon.

He had quietly stepped outside as well.

“No, is it alright for you to come out alone, leaving the others behind, Chief?”

“It’s something the elves and dark elves must settle among themselves.”

“Still…”

“The dark elves may not, but for the humans, exchange with Neo Seoul is essential. That’s why you came here as soon as you obtained the teleport portal.”

“Yes.”

“The issue is the timing and pace of opening. That’s something the elves and dark elves must now discuss and decide.”

“It won’t be easy.”

At Zeon’s words, Goduwon stroked the large tree trunk as he spoke.

“There is nothing easy in this world. It took Har’s effort for the Forest of Beginning to sprout. If Har had not nurtured the spirit’s egg, such a miracle would never have happened. Unless Har opposes it, I intend to open this forest. Of course, humans can only be accepted in a limited way. If too many humans enter, the forest will become noisy, and it won’t be good for its growth.”

“That issue can be handled by entrusting the management of the portal leading here to Lady Serian and Lady Floa. Though they are of different races, they are both tribes that love the forest more than anyone.”

“That’s why I stepped out as well. To let them come to an agreement on their own.”

“That’s wise.”

“Heh, I’ve just gotten better at reading the room.”

Just as Goduwon gave a faint smile—

“Oppa Zeon!”

Har called out to Zeon as she ran toward him. Her face was flushed red with excitement.

Reaching Zeon and Goduwon, Har spoke in an excited voice.

“Did you see inside Arkelon? There’s a village! There are so many things, and so many people too.”

Har was in an extreme state of excitement.

That was how amazed she had been after looking around inside Arkelon.

“Carrying such a big house on its back while moving around—Arkelon is really amazing. But Arkelon says it’s tired now.”

“Arkelon said that?”

“Yes! It says it’s getting old now and wants to rest in one place and only move around sometimes. Dad! Can’t we let Arkelon stay with us?”

“You like being with Arkelon?”

“Yes! I like it. Yuri likes Arkelon too.”

“If Har and Yuri like it, then I like it too. But we can’t decide this alone, so let’s ask the other residents. If everyone agrees, then we’ll welcome Arkelon as part of our family.”

“Okay!”

As if pleased with Goduwon’s words, Har beamed brightly.

Originally, Har had been introverted, but after the spirit Yuri was born, she had become more outgoing.

While chattering excitedly, Har suddenly asked as if something had come to mind.

“But why didn’t Briel come with you?”

“Briel returned to her hometown.”

“Why?”

“A forest was created in Briel’s homeland as well.”

“Really?”

Har’s eyes widened in surprise.

Goduwon was also surprised and asked Zeon,

“Is that true?”

“Yes. A World Tree was born in Har’s village. That’s probably why this forest has grown as well.”

“A… World Tree? That sounded like something only in elven legends. It really exists?”

“Yes.”

“My goodness!”

Goduwon couldn’t close his mouth in shock.

Zeon began walking as he spoke.

“As the World Tree grows, the world will undergo rapid changes. The Forest of Beginning will grow even larger, and eventually it will be exposed.”

“Then many will begin to covet it.”

“Yes. Everyone will desire this place.”

“Hmm.”

“There are signs of division in El Harun, the city built by other races. Many will be driven out or leave on their own. If they discover this place…”

“They will naturally become greedy. That’s why you came, to connect this place with Neo Seoul before it’s too late.”

“Yes. In any case, Neo Seoul holds the strongest force on Earth right now and is the only place maintaining proper civilization.”

“So opening it was not a choice, but an inevitable outcome.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? Without you, the Forest of Beginning wouldn’t even exist. Ah, you said you had something to show me, didn’t you?”

As the mood grew heavy, Goduwon changed the subject.

Zeon smiled.

“I’m ready to be surprised.”

“You won’t be disappointed. Har!”

“Yes! Dad.”

“Let’s go there.”

“Okay!”

Har smiled brightly and led the two deep into the forest.

As they went deeper, the laughter of children could be heard.

“Giggle!”

“Haha!”

Indeed, many children were playing in the forest under the protection of adults.

There were human children and dark elf children as well.

They were all mingling together without any prejudice.

Among them were familiar beings.

Small translucent entities like Yuri.

“Those are?”

“Yes. Spirits. Three more were born after you left. All of them have formed contracts with children.”

“Congratulations.”

“They didn’t contract with me, so why would I be congratulated?”

“It’s proof that the Forest of Beginning is growing properly.”

“That’s why I’m grateful. I haven’t really contributed anything, yet the forest is growing well on its own.”

Before they knew it, Har had joined the children and was playing with them.

It was an incredibly peaceful scene.

Zeon stood there for a long time, watching the children play.

＊＊＊

“It’s a good place. I never imagined there would be a place like this besides the World Tree village.”

That was Teserina’s impression after looking around the Forest of Beginning.

Levin, standing beside her and drinking gorosoe sap, grumbled.

“It’s nice that the village has grown, but the kids are too healthy, that’s the problem. They kept clinging to me endlessly. Ugh!”

The moment Levin showed his ghost-form ability, all the boys had swarmed him.

Kids, no matter the era, loved things that could fly.

Because of that, Levin had to play with them until he exhausted all his mana.

Teserina asked Zeon,

“You’ll install a portal in the World Tree village too, right? I improved it, so we don’t have to use Neo Seoul as a hub anymore.”

“We should.”

Zeon nodded.

Of course, he only intended to install the portal, not open it to Neo Seoul.

Opening only the Steel Fortress and the Forest of Beginning to Neo Seoul was sufficient.

Instead, Zeon planned to connect the World Tree village and the Forest of Beginning.

Originally, it had been impossible since the teleport gem in Neo Seoul was the main system, but Teserina had found a way through her research.

A dragon’s innate curiosity and competitiveness had ultimately uncovered the secret of the teleport gem.

Thanks to that, it became possible to travel between the Forest of Beginning and the World Tree village without passing through Neo Seoul.

That would be enough for Briel and the High Elves to accept.

“I hope it connects soon. Then we’ll be able to see Briel and the World Tree whenever we want.”

“Me too.”

At Teserina’s words, Levin’s face filled with excitement.

With his ability, Levin could go to the World Tree village anytime, but it still took time. With a portal, he could go instantly whenever he wanted.

Though it required coming through the Forest of Beginning.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the room where Zeon’s group was.

When they opened it, Floa was standing there.

“Lady Floa?”

“I know it’s late, but may I come in for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Zeon let Floa inside.

As soon as she entered, Floa bowed her head to Teserina.

“I greet a great being.”

“Looks like Serian told you.”

“That is correct, great one.”

“Just call me Teserina.”

“Yes! Lady Teserina.”

“Alright. What brings you here so late?”

“I came to seek your wisdom. I wish to know whether opening the Forest of Beginning to Neo Seoul is truly the right choice.”

“As expected.”

“We wish to hear the guidance of a great being on what we should do.”

“You already know, don’t you? You just don’t want to do it.”

“I…”

“I understand that you fear change. But I believe now is the time to change.”

At Teserina’s firm words, Floa could not say anything. She did not dare to refute a dragon.

Teserina soon softened her expression.

“If you’re worried, just open part of the forest.”

“But the great barrier…”

“If it’s the barrier, I’ll adjust it. Creating one from nothing wouldn’t be easy even for me, but strengthening an existing barrier is nothing.”

“I understand.”

“Looks like you’ve made your decision.”

“Yes. As you said, we will open only part of the forest.”

“You made the right choice.”

Teserina smiled.

Floa looked at Zeon.

“Zeon!”

“Yes?”

“Can you install that portal right away…?”

Floa raised her tone slightly, glancing at Teserina. It was difficult to speak casually to Zeon as before, now that he was a dragon’s companion.

Zeon smiled.

“You can speak comfortably. Teserina doesn’t mind.”

“Re…really?”

“Yes.”

“Then can you install it right away?”

“I can do it immediately.”

“Then can we watch?”

“Of course. Let’s go outside first.”

“Okay!”

When they stepped outside, many people had gathered.

The elves and dark elves, who had initially been awkward with each other, now seemed to have grown closer and were talking.

The village residents were also conversing with the people of Arkelon.

Pavilsa and Kaylee were smiling.

They had lived their entire lives on Arkelon’s back because they had nowhere to settle.

They couldn’t bring such a massive Arkelon into Neo Seoul, so they had no choice but to live in the desert.

For them, this place was an extremely attractive settlement.

The forest was vast enough that even with Arkelon inside, it felt natural.

Arkelon also seemed to like the Forest of Beginning, resting comfortably.

The children of the forest stayed near Arkelon, and Arkelon willingly became a playground for them.

There was no need to ask.

It was clear that the Mot tribe and Arkelon wished to settle in the Forest of Beginning.

‘Well, who wouldn’t want to stay in a place like this?’

Zeon nodded and walked toward the clearing at the forest’s entrance.

Everyone’s gaze focused on him.

Their faces were filled with anticipation.

Before them all, Zeon took out the teleport gem.

As he infused mana into it, the teleport gem activated immediately.

“Wow!”

“That’s the portal? It’s my first time seeing it.”

Those seeing the portal for the first time murmured in amazement.

“Levin!”

“Yes, hyung!”

At Zeon’s call, Levin responded immediately.

“Go over there and bring the mayor.”

“Got it!”

With that, Levin immediately passed through the portal to Neo Seoul.

Seeing Levin disappear, the people realized that the portal truly had teleportation capability.

After a moment, the portal rippled again, and Levin appeared in the clearing.

Beside him were Jin Geumho and Seo Taeran.

Seeing the vast forest, Jin Geumho let out a baffled laugh.

“Heh…”

He was so shocked that no words came out.