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 3

The sun had completely set, enveloping the Great Forest in darkness.

In front of the campfire, which emitted a light that seemed far too feeble compared to its vastness, Zess was grilling fish.

I caught it in the nearby river.

“Maybe because there are no people, there are plenty of fish and animals, so it doesn’t seem like food will be a problem.”

Muttering while watching the fish cook.

The Cursed Forest is a dangerous area inhabited by many monsters, but after wandering around for half a day, I didn’t encounter any.

“……Is it because you’re nearby?”

I smile at the kitten-sized white dragon lying right next to the campfire.

Then the white dragon proudly growled, “Grrr.”

Why has the white dragon, which used to have a massive body capable of crushing people, become so small?

The background goes back to dusk.

Zess, having established the campsite near the river, was starting a fire using the knowledge he had picked up in his previous life.

The white dragon, who had been watching Zess, suddenly tried to unleash the “Dragon’s Breath.”

Zess, realizing that the white dragon was trying to help despite its dejected appearance, offered words of comfort after hastily stopping it.

“While I appreciate you making a fire, it ends up burning down the whole forest. A smaller fire would be better.”

Then, the white dragon quickly shrank in size, and from its small mouth, a breath of dragon fire the size of a lighter was released, securing the fire.

“Dragons can change their body size at will, huh…”

There are still many aspects of dragon biology and abilities that remain unexplained.

Occasionally, dragons would descend upon human settlements, rampaging and causing immense damage, which made them objects of fear and reverence. It was believed that even investigating them would provoke their wrath.

“Sure, I was surprised when they attacked, but I don’t feel that way now.”

When I offered a freshly grilled fish to the white dragon, it bit into it with great enthusiasm.

That appearance was just like that of a kitten.

With a smile, Zess also bites into the fish.

While savoring the juicy, well-marbled meat, I mentally chanted “Status.”

What appears in my field of vision is the same as what I confirmed during the day.

Compared to when I was in the royal castle, my level has risen from 3 to 18, and various statuses have improved from F to E. My mental strength, which was originally B, has also increased by one level.

And, there is also a display of “Purification” in the skill section.

It is said that statuses such as strength and defense exist in nine ranks from F to SSS.

These increase as the level rises, but even seasoned warriors and mages are considered top-tier if they have even one status at A.

The very existence of S-rank and above statuses is dubious to begin with.

While it is possible to train your strength and other attributes on your own, it is negligible compared to the status increases gained through leveling up.

Therefore, the majority of people in this world choose a way of life that allows them to utilize their skills and professions to level up.

Well, that’s probably why, even though I was the crown prince, I was disposed of as soon as I was no longer needed, being just a “cleaner.”

The right to the throne is given in the order of birth.

To legally pass the throne to my younger brother Baumann, there is no choice but to disinherit Zess.

“If you had told me, I would have given up my claim to the throne… Then I could have left the castle and freely started a cleaning business.”

As I was grumbling, the white dragon looked up at me with a worried expression.

While stroking my head, I reconsider my status.

“Even so, why has the level increased so much?”

Even if you live according to your skills and profession, you won’t reach this level.

As a standard, it is said that the average level of a twenty-year-old human is around 10.

“Besides, why is your mental strength so outstanding? Humans shouldn’t have any status boosts.”

Each race has statuses that tend to increase more easily with level-ups, as well as statuses that tend to increase less easily.

The human race was also a species that did not receive any such positive or negative adjustments.

When mental power increases, not only does the mind become tougher, but skills with cooldowns also have their cooldown times shortened, and skills that consume mental power can be used more frequently.

“I don’t feel like I have a strong mentality, but I guess it’s fine as long as it’s high. After all, I have to live in this forest from now on.”

Even if Zess, who was exiled for treason, were to return to the kingdom now, he would surely be captured and executed this time.

Even if he escapes to another country, I can’t imagine them overlooking the former royal family member, Zess.

The leisurely life that Zess desires.

To make that happen, we have no choice but to live in this dangerous area.

“Well, whatever will be, will be. For now, I guess I need to find a place to settle down.”

“Ruff!”

At Zess’s murmur, the white dragon rises vigorously.

Zess was bewildered by such a white dragon.

“I’m planning to walk quite a distance from here, but are you really going to follow me? No family or friends… you don’t have any dragons, do you?”

“……Grrr!”

“Oh, I see. Well, I’m okay with it.”

It’s strange how we can communicate, but the White Dragon puts so much emotion into its expressions and movements.

Realizing that the white dragon was determined to follow him, Zess extended his hand towards it.

“Even though it’s a bit late, let me introduce myself. I’m Zess. Nice to meet you. You are… um, calling you ‘you’ feels a bit strange, doesn’t it?”

As I was struggling with what to call it, the white dragon suddenly spread its wings wide.

And then, with a “huff huff,” they are breathing heavily.

“Could it be that you want me to choose a name for you?”

When asked, the white dragon hopped up and down on the spot.

It seems like it’s correct.

The pure white figure is illuminated by the light of the campfire, shining brightly.

While imagining that figure and the pitch-black appearance when it attacked, the name of a certain hand soap crossed Zess’s mind.

“Like ‘Clean, clean'”

“Growl!”

“I-I told you, it was a joke!”

While explaining to the dissatisfied white dragon, I reconsider.

“There’s no twist to it, but… how about Haku?”

This time, it seemed to like me, and after flapping its wings vigorously, it rubbed its head against me.

While thinking of Haku as cute, Zess drinks the river water that has been “purified.”

“What should I do starting tomorrow?”

Searching for a place to settle in this vast forest of giant trees is quite a laborious task.

However, it is also the point where you cannot cut corners the most.

The immediate conditions are a place with few monsters, a water source, and vast flatlands.

It was when I thought I had no choice but to walk around.

Haku tugged at Zess’s clothes with his mouth, moving his wings as if to show off.

“—I see.”

◆　◆　◆

“Whoa, this is amazing!”

The next day, Zess was riding on the back of Haku, who had returned to his original size, flying through the vast sky.

Looking down at the ground from the height of the clouds.

The view from the plane is similar, but the sense of presence is incomparable.

Zess, despite being excited, was searching for a permanent settlement as originally intended.

A vast forest filled with dense greenery.

Even so, there is change.

Cliffs and waterfalls, small ponds, and flatlands with no grass growing.

As I was absentmindedly gazing at them, an unusual sight suddenly caught my eye.

“What’s that over there…?”

In one corner of the Great Tree Sea, a pitch-black space spread out.

The trees and ground are completely covered in black, making it truly deserving of the nickname “Cursed Forest.”

In the center, a single towering tree emanating a sinister aura stands tall.

“Growl……”

As Haku let out a voice that seemed to be on guard, Zess, who was straddling his back, thought to himself.

“I want to make it beautiful…”

“Grr?!”