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 30

The chaos of childbirth had finally settled down, and Yggdrasil Village was returning to its daily routine.

The first baby born in Yggdrasil Village was a boy. He was named Rarases.

It seems that the names of the dwarf clan leaders, Larrado and Zess, are the origin.

Seeing Zaria’s proud and happy face as she talked about it, Zess couldn’t bring himself to say, “Stop it.”

The villagers, whenever they get the chance, visit the Zaria family to see Rarases sleeping and bring along some food.

After all was said and done, Zess was one of them too, and today, on his way back after finishing his morning chores, he stopped by the Zaria family’s house to gaze at the rapidly growing baby.

“The wind has started to get a bit chilly.”

Zess, who had been gazing at the baby, stepped out of the house and shivered slightly at the wind that blew against him.

According to Star-Lord’s information, Yggdrasil Village is located in the southeastern part of the continent.

Just like the Arclight Kingdom, Zess’s homeland, there were seasonal changes similar to the four seasons, and it was just about to enter autumn.

The trees in the area that were once all green are now partially turning red.

The trees of the Great Tree Sea do not wither in winter due to the power of the evil god, and they do not change color.

However, this area had been freed from such influences by Zess’s “Purification” and Yggdrasil’s “Spirit’s Blessing.”

Among them, only the great tree towering at the center of the village remains adorned with lush green leaves.

The great tree is imbued with Yggdrasil, so her life force is directly reflected in the essence of the great tree.

While gazing at the branches and leaves of the great tree that can be seen from anywhere in the village, Zess heads home.

The villagers passing by were also gradually dressing a bit more warmly.

Washing clothes becomes a hassle in winter, you know?

As I felt the cold wind, I suddenly remembered the castle maids.

They always had their fingertips bright red in winter as they did the laundry with water drawn from the well in the backyard.

While I was thinking about such things, I heard the sound of an argument.

In front of the exchange, young dwarves and young elves are shouting.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Lord Zess!”

When I called out to them, both parties who had been at odds turned to face me at once.

The merchant of the Silk Guild, caught between the two parties, let out a sigh of relief.

(――Alcohol, huh)

Their story was like this.

The young dwarves tried to add alcohol to the imported goods in the deal with the Silk Trading Company.

It is said that the young elves who happened to pass by outright denied that luxuries that do not contribute to the village’s development should be postponed.

Well, dwarves like alcohol and elves dislike it. It’s a difference in values, you know.

Currently, Yggdrasil Village is so united as a community that there is almost no individual property.

The items made in the village are the property of the village, and when buying goods through trade, they must be beneficial to the entire village.

Spices and such are relatively easy to distribute, so they are purchased, but it becomes difficult to judge when it comes to further luxury items.

It’s probably better to allow individuals to hold assets and collect a little money from them for the village to use on public works… but if we go that far, it would become a nation.

As I was pondering how to deal with this issue, Larrado, having heard the commotion, appeared and began to admonish the young dwarves.

It seems that Larrado was also refraining from alcohol, and he is furious, wondering what on earth is going on with prioritizing one’s own interests.

“Come on, just let it go.”

“Lord Zess, however…”

“You were buying it through trade in the previous village, right? If it disappeared after coming here, then of course there would be complaints. I don’t want you to have to endure it either. If you have the means, I think it’s fine to buy it. I mean, it would have been better if you had mentioned it during the initial negotiations.”

“Well, but…”

“However! You must also buy some other treats for those who don’t drink. That’s the condition. And don’t go ahead and make decisions on your own. Got it!”

At Zess’s words, the dwarves and elves faced each other and eventually nodded in agreement.

After all, the young elves have no complaints as long as they are given something.

“Goodness gracious, I am truly embarrassed beyond measure.”

As the conversation settled down and the young people discussed with the merchants, Larrad shrank back and approached Zess.

“The dwarves’ love for alcohol is famous, you know. It’s my fault for forgetting.”

“Not at all, Lord Zess has not made a single mistake. Really, I must firmly tell him later that it is unacceptable to unilaterally change the trade agreements decided by the entire village.”

Zess gives a vague smile to Larrado, who has veins bulging on his forehead.

In fact, it is true that I was causing trouble for the merchants by trying to add items without permission.

In the first place, the final decision-making authority regarding trade with the trading company is entrusted to Zess.

Even if they try to proceed with the trade talks without going through him, the merchant has no choice but to refuse, and the earlier commotion was just an unnecessary hassle.

“At least, please tell them to consult with me about trade from now on.”

“I’ll make sure to tell them properly.”

In Larrado’s voice, which seemed to suppress something, Zess worried about the safety of the young dwarves.

And then, as if returning from a hunt, Haku, with his massive form intact, descended into the plaza.

“Growl!”

Gently lowering the prey it had been holding in its large mouth to the ground, it croaks proudly.

“Today’s prey is smaller than usual, isn’t it…?”

As Zess approached her to commend her efforts, he grimaced at the prey lying at his feet.

“Z-Zess-dono, this is…!”

“You’re a person, right…?”

What was lying there was a human man.

The clothes he is wearing are fine, but they are tattered, and his body is covered in wounds and bruises.

Even so, it seemed to be breathing, with its chest rising and falling slightly.

“Ha, Haku, what’s wrong with this person?”

Hastily sending someone to call Flora, Zess cautiously asked while performing a “cleaning” for the time being.

“Growl, growl!”

“—I found you collapsed in the forest, so I brought you here. That’s what I’m saying.”

“Yggdrasil…”

Yggdrasil, who appeared out of nowhere, speaks on behalf of Haku.

“How did a person dressed in such fine clothes end up collapsed in the forest…?”

What suddenly crossed my mind was the possibility of maybe.

It was none other than Zess himself who experienced it.

――The punishment of being sent down the river in the forest.

“Zess-san, I heard someone got injured…!”

“Ah, yes, this is the person. Could I ask you a favor?”

“Of course!”

Just as I was considering one possibility, Flora, accompanied by an elf, appeared.

She hurriedly began to cast “Healing” on the man lying on the ground.

The light of “healing” envelops the man, slowly healing his wounds and bruises.

I’m really glad Flora is here. …Still, I feel like I’ve seen this person somewhere before.

A pale, thin face. The round glasses with scratches on them look somehow familiar.

Even as Zess retraces his memories, the man’s complexion improves.

And then, with a faint groan, the man’s eyes opened.

“Um, are you okay?”

When Zess peered into that face, the man’s unfocused eyes slowly opened wide.

And then, as if murmuring in delirium, I whispered.

“Ah, to think I would meet Lord Zess… So this truly is the afterlife, isn’t it?”

The moment he heard that voice, Zess remembered.

You should recognize the face.

“Could it be… Robert?”

When his name, the treasurer of the Arclight Kingdom, was mentioned, Robert nodded with tears of emotion in his eyes.