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 35

The vast primeval forest that stretches vertically through the central part of the continent.

The southeastern part. The area including Yggdrasil Village had become a sanctuary where the power of the evil gods was dispelled and no monsters were born, thanks to Zess’s “Purification” and Yggdrasil’s “Spirit’s Blessing.”

Zess had ventured out of his sanctuary for the first time in a long while on this day.

After several hours of heading southeast from Yggdrasil Village.

On the way, they encountered several monsters but easily repelled them with “Purification” and arrived at their destination.

“I don’t intend to deny Zess’s enthusiasm, but are you really going to do it? I think it would be fine to wait until your status improves.”

“No, I’ll do it. If people from the kingdom are going to be sent to this forest, it’s better to create places where monsters won’t be born as much as possible.”

This time, Zess went outside the barrier for the purification of the Great Forest Sea.

Zess’s “Purification” will cause a place that has once been cleansed of the evil god’s power to be tainted again by the evil god’s power if it is not under Yggdrasil’s “Spirit’s Blessing.”

Therefore, the purification of the Great Tree Sea had not been carried out until Zess’s mental strength status improved.

However, Zess felt a sense of crisis as people were continuously sent from the kingdom to be exiled to the forest.

Thanks to Haku and Sonia’s efforts, many people were rescued, but it still won’t be possible to save everyone.

If they could create even a place where monsters wouldn’t be born, Zess thought that the survival rate would increase.

In response to Zess’s request, Yggdrasil proposed a solution by giving the barrier a directional focus.

For some reason, the power of the evil god does not leak outside the Great Tree Sea.

So, it was decided that first, they would “purify” the southeastern part of the Great Tree where Yggdrasil Village is located.

“Got it? Unlike before, you can’t try to ‘purify’ everything from the start. Imagine gradually expanding the range of your skills.”

“I’ve heard it many times already.”

“Not going to happen”

“……Yes”

With his usual cool expression, Yggdrasil adds an unsettling sense of intimidation.

Zess nodded weakly in response, letting out a sigh inwardly.

How much do they not trust me…? I don’t want to go through that kind of thing again either…

It was when I had exhausted my mental energy trying to use “Purification” across the entire Great Tree Sea.

The feeling of weakness and fatigue that overwhelmed my entire body. Above all, the headache, nausea, and the discomfort in my organs are something I never want to experience again.

“It’s okay! Even if Zess-san does something reckless as usual, I’ll heal him with my ‘Healing’!”

Receiving a certain kind of trust from Flora, who was accompanying him, Zess felt exasperated but composed himself and crouched down on the spot.

And so, placing his hand on the ground, Zess imagines gradually expanding his domain as Yggdrasil instructed.

“Haa――”

I will determine the limits of my current mental strength.

In the image of Zess, the ground, the space, and the sky are enveloped in brilliantly shining particles of light.

Just as the black stones in Othello turn white, the sediment etched into the world is being reversed.

Thus, Zess suddenly opened his closed eyes and used his skill on the specified range of the world.

“— ‘Purification'”

The image in Zess’s mind becomes reality.

Particles of light fill the heavens and the earth, becoming a torrent that rushes around.

The purifying light that dispels the power of the evil god.

No matter how many times she witnesses it, Flora, filled with an unwavering sense of awe, simply stands there, entranced by the scene before her.

And then.

In the space created by Zess’s “Purification,” Yggdrasil continues.

“Blessing of the Spirits”

A barrier that prevents monsters from approaching. At the same time, it also repels the encroachment of the evil god’s power.

The barrier that was once spread in a dome shape centered around the great tree of Yggdrasil Village now has a directional nature, expanding towards the southeast.

Light and light. In the turbulent force that arises there, the curse rooted in the world creaks and is repelled.

Eventually, Zess wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood up unsteadily.

“……Phew, I guess this will do for now.”

“I don’t want to settle for something like this. Zess’s ‘Purification’ has a range that’s too wide, and my ‘Spirit’s Blessing’ couldn’t cover it completely. …We need a bit more time to expand it further.”

Pouting, Yggdrasil said with dissatisfaction.

Yggdrasil’s “Spirit’s Blessing” doesn’t use mental energy like Zess’s; it seems to require a cooldown period.

That’s why it takes time to purify the entire Great Forest.

“Mr. Zess, thank you for your hard work.”

Flora rushes over and performs “Healing” on Zess’s body.

Her “Healing” was effective not only for physical injuries but also for mental fatigue, playing a significant role in alleviating Zess’s exhaustion from pushing his skills to the limit.

“Haah~ I’m so glad Flora-san was here. I was really on the verge of collapse from all the range restrictions.”

“That’s why I said it. Don’t push yourself.”

Contrary to the astonished Yggdrasil, Flora blushed while keeping her hand on Zess’s chest.

“Um, if standing is difficult for you, you can lean on me if you’d like?”

“No, I’m fine. Thanks to ‘Healing,’ I’m feeling better.”

“Oh, is that so… Yes, I see…”

While suspiciously watching Flora as she reluctantly let’s go of his hand, Zess suddenly looks at Yggdrasil.

Yugushiru, having sensed the intention behind that gaze, nodded slightly.

“Zess, did you notice too? …There are a lot of people over there. And they’re coming closer.”

“Forest teleportation, but there are quite a few of them. Plus, there was a strange sensation during the last ‘Purification’… Yggdrasil, stay here with Flora for a bit. I’ll go check things out.”

“Are you, um, okay?”

To the worried Flora, Yggdrasil responded with a smile.

“It’s okay. Even if you’re cursed, we can clean it up.”

◆　◆　◆

“Wha, what the…!?”

Baumann, who had returned to the royal capital of the Arclight Kingdom, was in the king’s chamber with his father, Keiras.

Due to King Keiras’s skill, the void in the king’s chamber is displaying the vision of the legion sent into the Great Tree Sea.

The two who were watching the footage were stunned.

“Is it Zess?”

At Keiras’s words, Bauman also stared wide-eyed at the images ahead.

Until just a moment ago, Keiras and the others had been on cloud nine.

Thanks to Baumann’s skills, the army unit that became death soldiers by forgetting their fear continued to defeat the monsters that appeared one after another, despite suffering great losses.

The territory under control had already far exceeded the target.

In the midst of all this, a figure suddenly appeared.

A human with black hair and black eyes. In contrast to the soldiers filled with murderous intent, the boy with a carefree demeanor was a face the two knew well.

Former Crown Prince. Zess Arclight.

Due to the punishment of being cast into the Great Tree Sea, where one cannot survive alone, it is a ghost that should have long since become a corpse.

As doubts about it being a bad joke arose, Zess in the video raised his hand towards the soldiers.

And then, just as I thought something was enveloping me in light, the image cut off there.

Keiras’s skill, “Subject’s Perspective,” can reflect the viewpoint of the subjects he governs.

However, for its activation, it is necessary that the target of the skill be subordinate to the nation and worship Keiras.

The fact that the footage has been cut off means――.

Keiras gritted his teeth in frustration, but directed his attention to the more pressing issue.

“Why! How is that guy still alive!”

The angry voice echoes through the king’s chamber.

As the civil officials shrink back, suddenly a secretary appears from outside the king’s chamber and rushes over.

“Your Majesty, this way.”

“What the heck! I’m busy right now!”

“That is, a protest letter from the Holy Celestia Kingdom against the invasion of the Great Forest Sea.”

“What?”

After reviewing the document, Keiras slammed the armrest roughly.

“You filthy followers! As soon as you see that we have the upper hand, you start talking about having no righteousness!”

“However, Father, if it’s an army strengthened by my skills, it’s only a matter of time before we control the abundant resources of the Great Forest Sea. Letting go of that… and besides, if we find out that Zess is alive, we can’t back down even more!”

“I understand. …Wait, if it’s for a noble cause, isn’t there?”

Keiras, who nodded at Baumann’s words, suddenly twisted the corner of his mouth and spoke to the secretary.

“The punishment of being cast adrift in the forest is predicated on the premise that the condemned will die. Now that we know this has not been fulfilled, the justification for enforcing and upholding the law lies with us.”