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 32

Zess, who took Robert from the exchange and invited him to his home, asked him about his family there.

Then Robert, as if breaking a dam, started to tremble uncontrollably, took off his glasses, covered his eyes with his arm, and began to speak in a tearful voice.

“My wife Anna and my daughter Sara, I wonder how they are doing without me… They must have been kicked out of the castle too. Anna is smart, so she probably won’t be wandering the streets, but you never know what could happen. Ever since I was banished to the forest, I’ve been so worried about the two of them.”

Finally, she collapses onto the floor, sobbing with regret.

“How many times have I thought about rushing to their side! But even if I, who have been sentenced to death, were to go and fetch them, this time my wives might be held accountable as well. No, to begin with, someone like me would probably die before even reaching the kingdom!”

“So, that’s why you didn’t tell us anything.”

In response to Zess’s question, Robert nods slightly.

“Lord Zess, you too are in a position of being exiled from the kingdom. If it were to be known that you are alive, what would happen? …This place is already far too valuable to the current kingdom! …It would be unthinkable to repay the people of Yggdrasil Village, who saved my life, with such an act.”

Robert, who had spoken as if to expel everything he had been carrying until now, let out a deep breath, wiped his eyes after a few breaths, and stood up.

“I apologize for losing my composure—Zess-sama?”

Robert, with red eyes, looked at Zess’s face and tilted his head.

Because Zess had relaxed his lips and was wearing a gentle expression.

Zess, sensing Robert’s confusion, opened his mouth as if struck.

“Oh, well, I was just wondering why everyone is like this.”

“What do you mean by ‘this’?”

“For some reason, there are a lot of people who prioritize others over themselves. Since we’re living together here, I don’t want everyone to have to put up with it as much as possible, but it’s just full of people like that, and it’s really troublesome.”

As I shrugged my shoulders and spoke, a voice came flying from the entrance of the house.

“Even if Lord Zess, the foremost among you, says such things, it lacks persuasiveness.”

“Mr. Larrado”

Behind Larrado, there are several dwarves and elves.

They were all uniformly wearing incredulous smiles.

“Why are you here?”

“Lord Zess was leading Lord Robert with a serious expression. I thought something must have happened, so I, rather presumptuously, eavesdropped.”

“Well, if I may be so bold…”

While grimacing at Larrado, who boldly reveals that he was eavesdropping, he looks at Robert.

“However, I never imagined there were such circumstances. I’m not trying to borrow Lord Zess’s words, but it would have been better if you had revealed this sooner.”

“Eh”

Robert’s eyes widened at Larrado’s words.

Zess also nods in agreement.

“Robert. If you want to see your family, I’ll do my best to make it happen. There isn’t a single person in this Yggdrasil Village who would be bothered by that. Because Robert, you’re already one of our precious friends.”

Robert gazes at Zess and Larrado with a look of astonishment.

To him, Zess asked again.

“Robert. What do you want to do?”

“I want to see my family.”

“Understood. I’ll do everything I can, and so will everyone else.”

◆　◆　◆

“Are you looking for someone?”

After introducing Robert to Star-Lord, who had appeared at the business meeting, Zess brought up the topic.

“Yes, these two people here.”

Saying that, Zess handed over a parchment summarizing information about Robert’s family.

Star-Lord followed the text on the parchment with interest, murmuring softly.

“…Hmm, the Arclight Kingdom.”

“Originally, the two were living in the dormitory within the royal castle, but now we don’t know where they are. They might be in another city outside the royal capital, or even abroad. We would greatly appreciate it if the Silk Trading Company could lend us their assistance.”

To the Star-Lord, who shows signs of deep thought, Zess further elaborates.

“And if the two are found, I would like to use the ‘Trade Route’ as well. …What do you think?”

“How about this one?”

Star-Lord receives the additional parchment with a puzzled expression.

“This will be the fee for the request. It will take a little time to deliver, but we will definitely make the payment. Of course, we will adjust it within the range that does not interfere with our previous transactions.”

“Hmm…”

Star-Lord sees Zess and Robert, as well as the Larrado and elves gathered around the trading post.

And then, I tucked the parchment containing the information about the two people I had received earlier into my pocket.

“I understand. I don’t know how far we can go, but let’s do as much as we can.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?”

They were taken aback by Star-Lord’s easy acceptance.

I haven’t even talked about what position Robert is in yet.

“Considering the situation in that country and the fact that Lord Robert’s family lived in the castle dormitory, one can somewhat guess the situation. Sometimes, it’s better to leave things as they are once you’ve guessed them.”

Star-Lord, speaking as if he had attained enlightenment, suddenly looked at Zess and softened his expression.

“So, my assessment was indeed correct, wasn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“No, please don’t worry about it. After all, what we merchants should do is respond to our customers’ requests. Especially for those with whom we wish to build a good relationship. Therefore, I cannot accept this.”

Saying that, Star-Lord pushed back the last piece of parchment he had handed over.

“That’s not going to work.”

“Please don’t worry about it. If you absolutely must, it would be fine to return it in some form eventually.”

With a gentle smile, Star-Lord chuckled, but Zess stood firm.

“No, I still feel that I should repay you in some way. I trust you, Mr. Star-Lord, but that’s exactly why I don’t want to create any debts.”

“—Haha, hehe, kukuku, kuhaha haha!”

“Star-Lord…?”

When I looked at Star-Lord, who suddenly started laughing, he scooped up the tears that had formed at the corners of his eyes with his fingers and spoke with genuine delight.

“I sincerely apologize for this. As a merchant, this was the worst thing I could have said. Oh dear, I am truly sorry.”

Suppressing a lingering smile with great effort, Star-Lord finally switched to a serious face and leaned forward.

“Well, I don’t mean to impose, but I have something I would like to ask of you, Lord Zess.”

“Me?”

In response to the confirmation, Star-Lord nodded vigorously.

“Yes. — It’s something only Lord Zess can do.”