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 4

“Haku, can you get closer to that giant tree?”

“……Grrr”

When Zess called out, Haku began to descend towards the great tree, as if saying, “Well, well, what can you do?”

It’s clear that this is a dangerous place, as I can feel it from the atmosphere, but more than that, I can’t resist the impulse rising from within me.

Because in a forest covered in green, there’s no way I can just leave one spot black like that…!

If there is even a little bit of dirt left on clothes that have been washed clean, it bothers me—it’s just my nature.

It is questionable whether that dark area can be spoken of in the same breath as laundry stains, but I am confident that it can be cleaned…

And one more thing. There was a reason not to overlook the pitch-black domain.

Perhaps because the branches and leaves of the towering trees block the sunlight, the area around the base of the trees is not densely packed with other trees, and a natural flatland spreads out.

There was also a river nearby, and if one turned a blind eye to the abnormality of it being black, it perfectly matched the conditions Zess was looking for in a settlement.

“Grrr!!”

Haku, who had been continuing the descent, suddenly applied the brakes and took evasive action.

Looking closely, countless jet-black leaves detached from the branches of the great tree, floated into the air, and were shot towards Zess and the others like bullets.

“Growl!!”

“Whoa, wait, wait, I told you fire is bad!”

I hurriedly restrained Haku, who had opened his mouth wide to burn everything down.

It’s a candidate for a settlement that we finally found. It would be a shame to burn it down.

“Besides, burning it is just like running away from dirt! You have to face it properly!”

“Garuu…?”

Haku’s golden eyes were tinged with confusion.

Instead of releasing the “Dragon’s Breath” I intended, a sigh-like breath escaped.

Still, that black mist… it’s the same as what was clinging to Haku, isn’t it?

While avoiding the attacking leaves (Haku), Zess calmly observes.

If it’s the same stain, it can definitely be removed with “purification.”

“Even so, with a barrage like this, I can’t even get close…”

Leaves are released like endless bullets.

Haku is managing to avoid it by keeping his distance, but the closer he gets to the great tree, the more intense the barrage becomes.

It was at that moment when I was wondering how to approach.

Help me.

“……?!”

A voice echoed in Zess’s mind.

“Haku, did you hear that just now?”

“Garuu…?”

In response to Haku tilting his head, I harbor doubts, wondering if it’s an auditory hallucination.

However, a voice echoed again in Zess’s mind.

Help me, guide me――

Help me, purifier of impurities――

Help me, the one who protects the world――

“Could it be from over there?”

The mysterious voice that seemed to speak directly to my mind felt oddly like it was coming from the great tree I was about to approach.

At that heartrending cry, Zess remains calm.

“……That’s right, how foolish I am.”

Countless leaves approaching. They are all painted black.

The once lush green, now stained pitch black, only looks like dirt to Zess.

“How could I have overlooked the approaching filth?”

While shaking his head, he gently extends his hand forward.

Just now, I used that skill against the barrage of leaves that Haku was desperately trying to dodge.

“Purification!”

Each and every leaf is suddenly covered in light, losing its momentum.

The leaves, having regained their lush green, finished their role as projectiles and fluttered down to the ground.

“Alright! I’ll take care of the leaves, so Haku, go to the base of that giant tree!”

“Growl!!”

In response to Zess’s call, Haku vigorously flapped his wings.

◆　◆　◆

Continuing to cast “Purification” and fending off Kuroha’s attacks, Zess leaps from Haku’s back to the ground.

At that moment, Haku let out a pained roar.

“Haku…?”

When I turned back at that scream, Haku’s pure white body was starting to be stained black from the tips of his toes.

Zess hurriedly casts “Purification” on Haku.

It’s more like a curse than a stain…

However, for some reason, nothing unusual happens to Zess himself.

Zess looked around before telling Haku.

“Haku, I’m fine, so wait in the sky.”

“Growl”

“I seem to be fine as you can see. Come on, go ahead.”

“Growl”

When I tried hopping around, Haku hesitated for a moment before taking off.

Zess, now alone, looks up at the great tree once more.

“From the ground, it looks even bigger.”

The height of the trees is such that even Yakushima’s famous thousand-year-old cedars seem to fade in comparison.

It seems eerie that such a massive tree is dyed pitch black.

Zess promptly approaches the base of the great tree to place his hand on the pitch-black trunk.

However,

“Whoa, that was close!”

The countless roots supporting the great tree suddenly emerged from the ground, whipping like whips as they attacked Zess.

Zess, who had dodged at the last moment, unleashed a “Purification” towards the roots of the tree stained in pitch black.

“Whoa! Become beautiful!”

I feel like my mental fatigue is piling up because I’ve been using “Purification” consecutively since earlier.

Even so, not collapsing might be the benefit of leveling up.

As the roots of the tree began to regain their original color, Zess ran towards the great tree.

And then, placing my hands together on the trunk of the great tree,

“Purification!!”

The light envelops the trunk.

However, only a small part of the pitch-black mist was dispelled, and attacks from leaves and roots continued from above and below.

While dealing with them, Zess smirked.

“Alright! The more stubborn the dirt, the more satisfying it is to clean! Whoa, Purification, Purification, Purification, Purification, Purification!!!!”

Gradually, the large tree is regaining its original color from the ground up.

As if the dirt is gradually seeping out, the black mist disperses into the air.

Looking up at that scene, I endure the throbbing pain in my head while layering the “Purification” spell.

“This is nothing compared to doing the dishes in the cold season!”

Eventually, the light of purification completely envelops the great tree, peeling away the pitch-black mist.

And then, the pure white light that overflowed from the great tree became a massive pillar, piercing through the white clouds floating high in the sky.

The lush green branches and leaves that cover the sky, the massive trunk brimming with vitality, and the strong roots that support them.

Having witnessed it all, Zess murmured with satisfaction.

“My win. …Or rather, what was I even fighting against…?”

While engaging in self-questioning, Zess, having completely exhausted his mental strength, collapses backward.

Before I knew it, the ground that had collapsed had also regained its original color.

“Come to think of it, I think someone asked for help…”

While capturing the sight of Haku descending from the distant sky, Zess slowly closed his eyes, recalling the mysterious voice that had reached his mind.

The area under my head feels somehow soft.

The first feeling that Zess had upon regaining consciousness was that.

Did Haku do something for me?

Thinking that, I slowly opened my eyes, and a beautiful girl’s face was peering down at me.

“I finally woke up.”

It was a clear voice like the wind, yet strong like the earth.

The large, jade-colored eyes are staring intently.

From the position, it didn’t take long to realize that I was being given a lap pillow by the girl.

In a state of confusion, as he traced her beautifully wavy green hair, Zess realized a certain fact.

“Wait! Why are you naked?!”

Zess jumped up with a scream.