The Cursed Forest Where I Was Exiled Had Somehow Been Designated As A Sanctuary. - Awakened to the Purification skill, I, Surrounded By Divine Dragons And Great Spirits, Become The King of A Nation - Episode 2

“As expected of the Cursed Forest. A dragon just shows up out of nowhere…”

Dragons are said to be the oldest creatures in the world, born on this earth during the mythological era.

With wings that effortlessly lift its massive body, and a fierce jaw.

The flames known as the “Dragon’s Breath” released from there.

In name and in reality, it is the strongest creature reigning at the top of the natural world.

“— That’s not something you should be saying right now!”

Even during this time, the dragon was soaring towards Zess, letting out a roar as if it were in a frenzy.

Zess, who was lying on the ground with his hands and feet bound, sprang up in a panic, his whole body moving like a spring.

However,

“Gyoooooaaaaaaahhh!!”

The dragon, which had charged through the forest, tearing off branches and leaves above its head with a crunch, landed before Zess and spread its massive wings.

Just that alone creates a tornado-like wind pressure at this spot, causing the surrounding trees to rustle.

And then, facing Zess who stood frozen on the ground, the dragon opened its mouth wide.

The surrounding air crackles with tension as energy converges deep within the dragon’s throat, which harbors a darkness akin to the abyss.

Burning everything around, “Dragon’s Breath.”

In the face of the ominous sign of violence that was far too excessive to unleash on a small person, Zess thought to himself.

Oh, dragon fangs are quite dirty, huh?

The countless sharp teeth that grew evenly on the inside of the mouth were yellowed and filthy.

I can’t help but be concerned. Even though I know I shouldn’t be worrying about such things right now, I can’t help but be concerned.

Or rather, there’s no way for me, the “cleaning guy,” to escape from a dragon, so if I’m going to be eaten anyway, I might as well be cleaned up first.

With a somewhat escapist mindset, Zess uses his skill towards the dragon’s mouth.

“Cleansing”

“Gyah?!”

All the fangs designated as skill targets are enveloped in a bubble-like light.

At that moment, the “Dragon’s Breath” that had been gathering deep in its throat dissipated into mist, and the once-rampaging dragon let out a cry of confusion.

Without paying any mind to the dragon’s will writhing in midair, the light of “Cleansing” settles.

What appeared were pure white fangs polished to the point that the whitening industry would turn pale.

“Oh… as expected, ‘cleansing’ is amazing.”

As he held a deep sense of emotion that made him shudder, the dragon took off, fleeing from Zess.

It rises into the sky through the gaps between the branches and leaves that were just cut down.

Zess, who had thought for sure he would be eaten, looked at the dragon’s back with a sense of anticlimax and thought.

“Somehow, that dragon looks like it has some kind of black mist or dirt on it…”

The dragon that seemed to have a pitch-black body. However, upon closer inspection of its massive form, it gave the impression of being smeared with dirt from above.

Yes, just like ink spilled on Baumann’s ceremonial robe.

“I wonder if I can do it neatly.”

A pitch-black mist that looks like dirt.

But there was a sense that it couldn’t be removed by “cleaning.”

Even so, in the face of dirt, we cannot ignore it.

It was when I muttered to myself, driven by the impulse that welled up within me.

A new skill flashed in Zess’s mind.

“Purification…”

The information about the skill, its effects, and usage restrictions flows into my mind as smoothly as if I were breathing.

Zess knows this feeling.

The supernatural skills said to be bestowed by the gods. It’s the sensation of awakening to them.

Just as he had understood how to use the cleansing skill in the past, Zess, having grasped the use of his new skill, murmured as he gazed at the dragon soaring in the sky.

“Purification”

At that moment, an extraordinary sense of weakness struck Zess, and at the same time, a divine light overflowed into the sky.

The source of that light was that dragon.

It’s different from the light of “cleansing.” It’s a torrent of pure light that washes everything away.

In the midst of it all, the dragon let out a roar filled with agony.

The brightness that could be mistaken for the moon during the day will gradually converge.

What emerged from that light was the figure of a white dragon, its pure white body and outstretched wings shimmering as they reflected the sunlight.

“……Beautiful.”

Looking up at the white dragon, Zess slowly collapses to the ground.

It must have been a skill that consumed an enormous amount of mental energy.

Mental fatigue has weighed down on me.

However, apart from that, an immense sense of achievement filled my heart.

A dragon once again glides down towards Zess.

While overlaying that scene with the memory of his death in a past life, Zess let go of his consciousness.

◆　◆　◆

“Growl…”

With the sensation of warm air tickling near his face, Zess’s consciousness begins to surface.

As I slowly opened my eyes, the face of that dragon appeared before me.

“Whoa?!”

Startled, Zess jumped up and realized that his hands and feet were no longer restrained.

On the ground nearby, there was a rope that had been used for restraint.

“Could it be that you took it off for me?”

When I asked the white dragon lying on the ground, it let out a gentle growl, “Garu.”

Zess, who had thought it was something edible, thanked the dragon despite being bewildered by its transformation.

“Anyway, it really helped. Now I can finally walk around properly.”

“Growl”

Not bothering much with thanks, Zess looks around.

How much time has passed?

The once blue sky had completely turned crimson.

As soon as I was sent here, all sorts of things started happening, and I almost forget, but I have to live in this cursed forest from now on.

Zess, reflecting once again on the utterly hopeless situation, bids farewell to the white dragon and begins to walk away.

For now, we need to secure a fire and a place to sleep before it gets completely dark.

“Shall we go over there?”

Thud thud.

When Zess starts to walk, the ground shakes with a rumbling sound in response.

When I looked right behind me, the white dragon from earlier had started to follow me.

I shift my gaze forward and continue walking.

Thud thud.

I look back. The white dragon is behind me.

Thud thud.

Look back. Still there.

“Uh… could it be that you’re coming with me?”

When Zess asked, the white dragon let out a cheerful “Grrr.”

Is it just my imagination? The jewel-like golden eyes were filled with a friendly light.

“……Well, whatever.”

I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you’re willing to follow me, there’s no one more reassuring than you.

Zess, having made up his mind, decided to continue this survival life together with the white dragon.

“Oh right, it’s been a while since I checked my status.”

In this world, by living a life that utilizes the professions and skills bestowed by the gods, one’s level increases, and consequently, various statuses also improve.

In Zess’s case, he couldn’t properly use his skills as the crown prince, so his level was low at 3 compared to his peers, and his status was basically at the bottom, with an F rank.

Therefore, while staying in the royal castle, I rarely checked my status.

However, recalling that he had just awakened a new skill, Zess muttered “Status” to himself.

In response to that call, letters appeared before Zess’s eyes.
Name: Zess

Race: Human

Occupation: 【Cleaner】

Level: 18

Muscle strength: E

Defense: E

Agility: E

Mental strength: A

Endurance: E

Skill

Cleansing Purification

“…to?”

In front of the displayed status, Zess lets out a voice of confusion.

Next to Zess, the white dragon tilted its head curiously and said, “Garu?”