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 29

The opening of the “Trade Route” transformed the life in Yggdrasil Village into a richer one.

The spices and various ingredients procured from the Silk Trading Company enliven our daily dining table.

The clothes produced outside the Great Tree Sea enriched the daily attire of the villagers and satisfied Zess’s laundry desires.

“Look, Zess.”

Yugushiru, who frequently receives clothing from the Silk Trading Company, shows off every time they get new clothes.

Today, I’m wearing a cardigan in a light green tone.

When she wears green clothes, it feels like her mysterious aura becomes even more pronounced.

“It suits you. As expected of a merchant. You really know what your customers like.”

“Hehe”

Yugushiru proudly snorts and flutters about.

Many clothes are already hanging from the branches and leaves of the large tree.

However, the jacket that Zess first handed over was still the same.

“By the way, I heard you performed the oracle ceremony for Sonia?”

As if remembering, Zess asks, and Yggdrasil nods.

Amazingly, Sonia had not yet undergone the oracle ceremony.

Yggdrasil, having noticed that, brought up the topic of the oracle ceremony to her.

“—【Battle Maniac】. If you say it’s typical of Sonia, then it’s typical of Sonia.”

Having been granted a profession, I have awakened to new skills and have been running around the Great Tree Forest lately, making use of them.

There’s no need to mention their combat abilities at this point.

In response to that, Haku is also diligently engaged in hunting.

I plan to start livestock farming eventually, but it has been postponed due to the efforts of the two.

“Thanks to that, we’ve had more time to be together, so I’m glad I did it.”

Yugushiru said that and gave a small laugh.

Even after becoming a large household, without any particular breakdown, and on the contrary, with life becoming more prosperous, a turning point had come to Yggdrasil Village.

That is――.

“Huh, a baby?”

“Y-yes. My wife is pregnant. Well, it’s been a long time since her last period, and she had been feeling unwell, so I was starting to think that might be the case…”

A pair of dwarves appeared, accompanied by Larrad, to Zess, who was “cleaning” at the laundromat.

The man’s name is Mark. The woman’s name is Zaria.

Zess’s hand stops at their report of being pregnant.

When I looked, Zaria’s belly was clearly bigger.

In this world, where there are no convenient things like pregnancy tests, it takes time to discover a pregnancy.

They must have finally gained confidence by coming here.

“Oh, a baby… oh…!”

It was true that when a person is shocked, they can’t even find the words to say.

Zess stared intently at the swollen belly, and then, as if suddenly realizing something, grasped both hands.

“Congratulations! No, really, congratulations!”

“Ha ha, thank you very much. It’s all thanks to you, Lord Zess.”

“No, no, no, I didn’t do anything. It’s a gift from your love, yeah!”

“Uh, I’m blushing…”

In his excitement, Zess stood up while mumbling strange things.

The two looked up at Zess like that.

“So, Lord Zess… um, if possible, I would like you to be present at the birth…”

“Of course! I’ll do anything I can! Or rather, if there’s anything you want me to do, just let me know!”

Thus, the entire village of Yggdrasil began to mobilize for its first childbirth.

Even in modern Japan, where the healthcare system is well-established, childbirth is a matter of life and death.

In a different world where science and technology are not advanced, especially in the Great Tree Forest, it becomes even more so.

Initially, they asked the Silk Trading Company to move via the “Trade Route” and even considered giving birth outside the Great Forest, but the couple refused.

It seems she wants to give birth in this Yggdrasil village.

The time it takes for dwarves to give birth is shorter than that of humans, and they are born within a month after the belly becomes large.

Therefore, a month after the pregnancy was discovered, the entire village was bustling with activity.

Fortunately, hygiene is at the highest level in modern Japan thanks to Zess’s “cleansing.”

In case of an emergency, Flora, who has healing abilities, will accompany us, and the oldest woman among the dwarves will assist us.

As the perfect preparations were in place, the day finally arrived.

A room where the space itself has been “cleansed.”

Wrapping the mother in clean towels and cloths, while Flora continues to cast “Healing” beside her, Zaria, lying in the center of the room, lets out a groan of agony.

Next to her, Mark was desperately calling out while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

And so, a long time passed, and before I knew it, the sky began to lighten.

“Ngya, gya, ongyaaaah!!”

The cry of a newborn echoed through Yggdrasil Village.

“Oh, thank goodness, thank goodness…!”

As Mark is moved to tears, applause can be heard from outside the building.

As Zess was drawn by the sound and stepped outside the building, despite it being late at night, villagers had gathered around the building, forming a crowd.

Were they all on edge?

Feeling warmth as they celebrate the new life born in this Yggdrasil village, Zess once again addresses Zaria and the others.

“Congratulations to both of you.”

While holding the baby, the two of them smiled bashfully, yet proudly.

◆　◆　◆

The mighty Arclight Kingdom in the eastern part of the central continent was now in turmoil.

The cause lies in the royal family’s unprecedented crackdown on the nobility.

Due to the vast territory of the Arclight Kingdom, the nobles held significant power in the regions.

Meanwhile, when Baumann became the new crown prince, King Keiras, who had been maintaining a stance of watchfulness, began the suppression of the local nobility.

They swiftly suppressed the nobles who opposed them with excessive force and imposed even heavier taxes.

Some of the nobles were subjected to the punishment of being sent to the forest, and the nobles were already stripped of their strength and will to resist, struggling to pay the heavy taxes imposed by the country.

Even so, resources are limited.

The nobles who could no longer stand on their own were making their way to the royal capital, forced to directly negotiate with the king.

“With all due respect, our territory is located near the Great Forest Sea, and we are constantly suffering from monster attacks. If we are taxed the same as other territories, our people’s lives will become unsustainable. Please, could you consider a tax reduction?”

The King’s chamber. A thin man rubbing his head on the ground covered with a red carpet.

He was also one of the nobles suffering under heavy taxes.

In response to the petition, Keiras, seated on the throne, twisted his plump face into a grin, one that had grown fuller over the past few months.

“What are you talking about? The fact that the Great Tree Sea is nearby means there are resources too. Look, if it’s resources, we can just gather them from there.”

“Y-you’re joking.”

“Play? Do you call my words play?”

“Y-you’re too kind!”

At the man’s terrified voice, Keiras nodded with satisfaction.

“Then, there is not even a shred of room for me to consider.”

“B-but!”

“Do you also want to be sent to the forest?”

“……”

Watching the man leave the king’s chamber with a look of regret, Keiras called out to Baumann, who was standing nearby.

“Good grief, those foolish nobles. If it were you, you could easily conquer the Great Tree Sea and seize as many resources as you want.”

“Haha, that’s impossible, Father. Without my skills as a ‘Conqueror,’ taking control of the Great Forest Sea would be utterly, utterly impossible.”

“Hahaha, that’s right. Having such an excellent son makes my sense of things a bit off.”

The laughter echoing through the king’s chamber resonated deeply and widely, reverberating throughout the entire kingdom.