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 26

Today is the day when the merchant who was trading with the dwarf village visits.

Zess was reflecting on the discussions he had with the Rarado and elf chieftains over the past few days while continuing his usual daily life, waiting for the merchant to arrive.

The content of the discussion, if I may say so, is basically about trade.

What do they want, and what can they sell? Zess was listening as a negotiator, but hardly interjected.

However, thanks to that, I understood the village’s situation well.

The two main things this village can offer to merchants are.

The abundant resources of this Great Tree Sea that the dwarves quarry, and the weapons and tools made from them.

And the crafts that the elves weave from grass and tree roots.

In contrast, what the entire village desired was a wide variety of food.

Currently, self-sufficiency based solely on the harvest from the fields is still impossible, and most of the food relied on the dwarves’ trade goods and hunting.

For the further development of the village, I want to somehow address the food issue.

Everyone is thinking about various things for the village, right?

After attending the meeting, I realized how little I had been thinking about the village.

Originally, I just intended to reach out to people in need and gather together, but before I knew it, we had become a large group and were developing into a village.

In Zess’s mind, the faces of dwarves and elves who revere him as their leader come to mind.

“I guess I can’t just stay like this either.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Whoa, when did this happen…?”

I couldn’t help but jump when Flora appeared from behind.

Flora twitched her long ears slightly and looked apologetic.

“I didn’t think you would be that surprised. I’m sorry, Zess.”

“No, not at all. It’s my fault for being so spaced out. But more importantly, what’s up?”

“I brought the laundry.”

“Oh, then just leave it here.”

She placed the elf-made basket she had been holding with both hands in the spot indicated by Zess.

Inside, there are towels packed for use at her clinic.

“So what’s wrong with that?”

“…I wish you would forget my pathetic mumbling.”

“I won’t forget.”

“Flora, you surprisingly speak your mind, don’t you?”

Zess says with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Then Flora stuck out her red tongue playfully and responded mischievously.

“Because you told me it was okay to be selfish.”

Her usual demeanor as an older sister strangely suited her in that moment.

However, at the same time, I can tell that she is concerned about me and tries to lighten the mood, so I do think of her as an older sister.

Zess scratched his head vigorously and revealed his honest feelings.

“I’ve been thinking that I need to do a bit more for this village too.”

“I think Zess is doing enough for the village, don’t you?”

“Really?”

“That’s right. No matter what, Zess always ends up helping the villagers, doesn’t he?”

“Well, it’s not an impossible request for me. I have my own things I ask for too.”

When Zess said that, Flora broke into a fluffy smile.

“Zess-san’s worries are so typical of Zess-san.”

“Are you complimenting me?”

“Of course!”

I can’t quite understand Flora, who nods with a gentle voice.

Even while feeling frustrated, as I was applying “cleaning” to the laundry, I heard the roar of a dragon in the distance.

“Oh, is it already that time?”

Zess stopped his “cleansing” and headed towards the outskirts of the village.

With a rustling sound, Haku descended from the sky and landed in front of Zess.

“Good job, Haku.”

“Growl!”

When inviting the merchant to the village, it was necessary to first guide them from the dwarf village where they had previously lived.

I had asked Haku to guard us along the way, just in case.

At first, Zess tried to go pick him up, but for some reason, he was turned down.

It seems that a true leader should remain composed and not go out of their way, as doing so might make them appear weak.

Haku rubs his large head against Zess’s abdomen.

As Zess was ruffling his head, seemingly demanding to be petted, a voice came from behind.

“Goodness, I can’t believe there’s actually a dragon guarding this place. And this pure aura… Is this really the Great Tree Sea?”

It was a voice that seemed to leave behind a vibrant, youthful energy amidst its depth and richness.

Standing next to the waiting Rarado was a middle-aged man wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

Looking around nervously and letting out exclamations of admiration.

And behind those two were a dwarf guard and a dozen or so humans dressed in the same clothes.

The man wearing the hat noticed Zess, and with a practiced gesture, he took off his hat and bowed respectfully.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Zess. We are deeply grateful for your invitation this time. I am Star-Lord, the chairman of the Silk Guild. Please remember me from now on.”

“Nice to meet you, Star-Lord. It’s a pleasure to meet you too. …Um, how did you know I was Zess?”

Star-Lord bowed his head as soon as he saw Zess, whom he had never met before and had not even introduced himself to yet.

When I asked with suspicion, Star-Lord looked up and smiled cheerfully.

“I understand. When you’ve been a merchant for as long as I have, you can sense who the central figure in a place is. Here, I thought it must be you, and without a doubt, it must be Lord Zess, the leader of the village.”

At Star-Lord’s sycophantic remarks, Zess inwardly sighed.

Here we go again…

Although he is used to hearing it by now, Zess, who is unsure about what exactly makes him a leader, is bewildered by the opinions of those around him.

But well, since I’m standing here as the village representative, I have to behave accordingly.

Zess steeled himself and told Star-Lord.

“Well then, please come this way.”

◆　◆　◆

“Hmm…?”

Yggdrasil, who had been dozing on the great tree, suddenly felt a sense of discomfort and opened his eyes.

After glancing at the outskirts of the bustling village, I gently alight at the foot of the great tree.

The trunk in front of Yggdrasil writhes and twists, opening like a door.

Yggdrasil, having quietly entered the great tree, gazed at the divine relic “Scepter of Divine Authority” enshrined in its center.

The scepter, which had regained its brilliance through Zess’s hands.

Inside the gem set at its tip, the light flickers as if it were pulsating.

“If Zess finds out, he’ll probably hang his head in despair.”

While imagining that scene, Yggdrasil let out a cheerful chuckle to himself.