Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 295

Romina exited the slums and entered Neo Seoul.

“Ugh! That rotten stench. I feel like my nose is going to rot away.”

She still felt as though the foul smell of the slums clung to her body.

Romina shook out her clothes, trying to rid herself of the lingering odor.

The peculiar musty smell of the slums was nothing short of torture for a sensitive Elf like her.

That was why Romina disliked coming to the slums, even when duty demanded it.

“But I have no choice. I can’t defy Eli’s orders.”

The one who had instructed her to contact the Helbrin mercenaries was none other than Eli, the second-in-command of the Northern District.

Before entering the Northern District, Romina discarded her robe, revealing a black suit that clung to her body like a second skin.

Without hesitation, she headed toward Eli’s residence.

Eli’s dwelling was located in a remote area of the Northern District.

It was shockingly modest—hard to believe someone of Eli’s status lived there.

But Eli was currently under disciplinary confinement.

She had been punished for mobilizing troops against the White Bear Caravan without authorization.

When she first received the order to stand down, Eli had been confident it wouldn’t last long. However, much time had passed, and Serian still hadn’t summoned her back.

Eli’s frustration had reached a boiling point.

Romina knew better than anyone that she couldn’t afford to give Eli any reason to lash out at her.

If Eli became upset, someone would inevitably become her target—and Romina didn’t want that to be her.

After spraying herself with perfume to mask the smell of the slums, Romina knocked on Eli’s door.

“Lady Eli! It’s Romina.”

“Come in!”

When she entered, she found Eli seated in a chair, sipping from a glass of wine.

Romina knelt on one knee before her.

“I’ve returned after carrying out your orders.”

“How did it go?”

“It went well. The Helbrin mercenaries agreed to capture one hundred slaves for us.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes! They’ve taken full responsibility for the task.”

“They’d better.”

“Um...”

Romina hesitated, causing Eli to narrow her eyes.

“What is it?”

“Do we really need to acquire slaves?”

“Are you questioning me?”

“No, I’m just concerned—”

Smack!

Before Romina could finish her sentence, her head whipped to the side.

Eli had struck her cheek without warning.

Romina’s face swelled instantly, her lip split, and blood began to trickle from her mouth.

She bit down on the groan threatening to escape, knowing full well that crying out would only make Eli angrier.

Eli grabbed Romina’s chin, forcing her to look up at her.

“Are you, of all people, worried about me?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“So, you think I’m just some washed-up has-been now, is that it?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then why are you questioning my orders?”

“I’ve committed an unforgivable sin.”

“You shouldn’t be committing sins in the first place. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, you’re absolutely right.”

Romina quickly nodded.

Eli slapped her cheek lightly a few times before returning to her chair.

“Everything I do is necessary. Everything is calculated. All you have to do is follow my orders. Understood?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You’d better.”

Finally, a satisfied smile graced Eli’s lips.

She picked up her glass from the table, which contained a wine as red as blood.

After taking a sip, she spoke.

“Do you think I’m going to sit around like this forever? I’ll return to my position. No, I’ll rise even higher than before...”

Romina instinctively covered her mouth to stifle a gasp.

Though Eli was exiled here, she remained the second-in-command of the Northern District.

Many still followed her, which was why Serian hadn’t completely removed her. Instead, she had been confined to this place.

But even in exile, Eli’s status as second-in-command hadn’t changed.

‘Higher than second-in-command... Could she mean Serian...?’

Romina suppressed a scream, her heart pounding so loudly it felt as though it might burst from her chest.

Eli set her wine glass down and continued.

“If you want to rise to greater heights alongside me, then stay diligent. Don’t question my decisions.”

“Yes! I’ll do exactly as you say.”

Romina bowed her head in submission.

Eli’s crimson lips curled into a smile at the sight of Romina’s unwavering obedience.

Eli’s gaze turned toward the window.

In the distance, she could see the tallest building in the Northern District—the one where Serian resided.

‘Just wait a little longer, Serian. I’ll be back soon.’

* * *

Old Man Klexi placed a dish in front of Zeon and asked

“So, you didn’t find them?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You really went and searched the whole area just because of what Brielle said? You’re something else.”

“It’s better to be thorough.”

“Well, that’s true. I’ll check if anyone’s seen a Beastman and a Dwarf around here lately. That’s an unusual pairing, so if they did come through, someone would’ve noticed.”

“But Beastmen look just like regular humans, don’t they? Will you be able to find them?”

Beastmen, as the name implied, were humans who could transform into animals.

The most well-known were Lycans—Werewolves.

They were a rare species, even in Kurayan, and had come to Earth along with other non-human races.

Their main characteristic was that, in their human form, they looked indistinguishable from ordinary humans.

While subtle differences could be discerned upon close examination, their outward appearance made them almost impossible to identify.

“Still, it’s worth trying.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“You don’t need to ask. Brielle’s practically family to me, so it’s only natural for me to step in.”

“Thank you.”

Zeon smiled.

With the eyes and ears of the Argos network at work, finding the Beastman and Dwarf would become much easier.

Their influence extended throughout the slums.

‘That’s one less thing to worry about.’

If the pair were indeed Brielle’s kidnappers, Zeon could bring them to justice. If not, no harm would come of it.

With that reassurance, Zeon picked up his chopsticks.

Old Man Klexi had served him a noodle dish filled with plenty of meat.

It resembled beef noodle soup, though it was unlikely real beef was used.

Not knowing the meat’s origin was probably for the best.

Slurp!

Zeon lifted the bowl and shoveled noodles and meat into his mouth.

Old Man Klexi asked.

“How’s it taste?”

“Fantastic.”

Zeon gave a thumbs-up, and Old Man Klexi smiled, clearly pleased.

Zeon quickly polished off the meal and stood up.

“Thank you for the food. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Come by more often. I could use some company.”

“I will.”

Zeon nodded slightly and headed home.

He’d spent half the day dealing with Brielle’s concerns, but it didn’t feel like wasted time.

It was better for both him and Brielle to have clarity.

As Zeon walked, he recalled the Elf he had encountered recently.

‘What was an Elf doing in the slums?’

Non-human residents of the Northern District rarely visited the slums, as they disliked the dirty environment.

Elves, in particular, preferred clean surroundings and almost never ventured there.

‘Could she be connected to the others?’

The coincidence of non-humans entering the slums at the same time nagged at him.

Zeon knew all too well that seemingly unrelated events often turned out to be deeply intertwined.

Sometimes, even inexplicable intuition could prove surprisingly accurate.

“Hm!”

Zeon paused to think when—

“Huh?”

Someone ahead gasped upon seeing him.

Zeon looked up to see an Elf wearing a French coat.

‘Seems I’ve been running into Elves a lot lately.’

The Elf was someone Zeon recognized.

“Is that... Captain Borin?”

The woman was none other than Borin, leader of the Blue Leaves Special Force in the Northern District.

Borin frowned slightly as she approached him.

“So, it really is you… Zeon.”

She wanted to address him informally, as she had the first time they met, but she couldn’t.

Though she despised humans, Zeon’s strength was undeniable—even terrifying.

This was the man who had single-handedly subdued the unpredictable monster Balrog.

She didn’t have the courage to speak casually to someone so powerful.

Naturally, her demeanor toward him was cautious.

“I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“Likewise. What brings you here, Captain Borin?”

“I’m here on personal business.”

Borin replied evasively. She couldn’t reveal that she was scouring the area under Serian’s orders.

But Zeon’s response was unusual.

“Is that so? I thought you might have come with that other Elf I saw earlier.”

“Another Elf? You saw someone else?”

At first, Borin didn’t think much of it.

Though Elves disliked the slums, they weren’t completely barred from entering.

However, Zeon’s next words startled her.

“You know, the one with the Spider Queen.”

“What?”

“I mean the second-in-command of the Northern District. She was with that Elf.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m certain. I saw her with Eli during the White Bear Caravan raid.”

A chill ran down Borin’s spine.

“Are you sure about this?”

“I have a good memory. I’m sure.”

“You’re saying Eli’s subordinate came to the slums?”

“Yes.”

“Why would Eli’s subordinate...”

Borin muttered to herself.

Eli had been exiled for her role in the White Bear Caravan raid. Though officially labeled a demotion, it was closer to house arrest.

‘But now she’s sending her people to the slums? Why? What’s she after?’

Borin no longer cared about Serian’s orders.

She had been searching Neo Seoul for the source of the mysterious phenomenon for a while now without any leads.

She was tired of chasing shadows.

This was different—a clear, tangible lead.

Borin decided she needed to investigate the Elf Zeon had mentioned.

Cautiously, she asked.

“Do you know her name or any other details?”

“I don’t know her name, but she had striking red hair. It stood out.”

“Red hair?”

“Yes, a vivid, flame-like red.”

Zeon’s answer made Borin’s eyes gleam.

There was only one Elf under Eli with such fiery red hair.

‘Romina.’

Borin knew her well, and not fondly.

She addressed Zeon.

“It was good seeing you today. I’d like to talk more, but I have urgent business to attend to. Until next time.”

“Of course.”

“Goodbye...”

As Borin hurried off, Zeon murmured to himself.

“It seems something is stirring in the Northern District.”

Their meeting might have been a coincidence, but Zeon had deliberately mentioned the other Elf.

By planting that seed, he was certain it would yield a reaction.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]