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 40

“What on earth is going on?!”

In the king’s chamber. Keiras, who had been observing the situation from the perspective of the subjects, was unleashing angry shouts.

After Zess declared the founding of the nation, the vision of the soldiers sent into the Great Forest was cut off in an instant.

Given the situation, Zess must have done something.

However, I don’t know what I did.

That only further fueled Keiras’ irritation.

And above all, every time I lose sight through the “subject’s perspective,” I feel like I’m being told, “You are not fit to be a king.”

“Y-Your Majesty, please calm down.”

The secretary who shows concern with a polite demeanor.

However, even towards him, Keiras’ “Subjective Perspective” is rejected.

That eloquently told the story that this secretary also did not worship himself.

“Shut up!”

Keiras, growing increasingly frustrated, slammed his fist onto the armrest of the throne.

(At this rate, Baumann must have been captured. There’s no choice but to leave the Great Forest alone for now. — He wouldn’t go so far as to kill his own brother. He must know that doing such a thing would lead to his own ruin. Even if he boasts about being a nation, it’s just a tiny village in the end. There’s no military force to invade.)

Keiras, who regained his composure from the throbbing pain in his hand, pondered in his mind.

(That’s right, demand Baumann’s extradition and summon him to the royal capital. After that, everything will fall into place.)

Exhaling deeply, Kelas carved a sly smile.

“How can we ignore someone like a mere cleaner claiming to be a king?”

Recalling Zess’ declaration of nationhood, I spit out in annoyance.

And at that moment, a fleeting doubt crossed Keiras’ mind.

“…Why do I dislike that guy so much?”

It was only natural to feel disappointment and despair upon being given an unroyal profession, possessing a worthless skill like “Cleansing.”

It was only natural that my younger brother Baumann, having discovered a promising career, lost interest in Zess.

But what was the impulse that led to the decision to disinherit Zess?

“—No, I am right. If we reclaim Baumann and expel Zess, that great forest will belong to us.”

While igniting ambition within his heart like a raging inferno, Keiras clearly set the course for the future.

It was at that time.

“Your Majesty! This is terrible!”

Suddenly, the door to the king’s chamber bursts open, and a guard appears.

“What is the meaning of this? Do you know where you are?”
“R-ryu, ryu, a dragon!”

Ignoring Keiras’ reprimand, the confused guard pointed outside the window.

“A dragon! It has appeared in the royal capital!”

As the guard shouted, a shadow fell over the king’s chamber.

The moment Keiras turned his gaze to the large window letting in the sunlight, he gasped.

Golden eyes were peering in.

The oval pupils glared around the king’s chamber and fixed on Keiras.

At that moment, Keiras felt a sense of awe as if his heart had been grasped.

It was a dragon. Outside the window, a white dragon was soaring brilliantly, its pure white scales shimmering in the sunlight.

Why is the dragon here?
Before I could even entertain such doubts, the massive jaws of the white dragon opened.

“――ッ”

What crossed Keiras’ mind was the flame unleashed by the dragon.

It was the “Dragon’s Breath,” a symbol of tyranny that burned everything to ashes.

As everyone in the king’s chamber senses the impending future and embraces resignation, the roar of the white dragon rumbles violently, shattering the windows into countless pieces.

The air trembled, and as Keiras searched for an escape route, almost being blown away, he saw a presence that shouldn’t be here.

“Sorry for the trouble. But well, let’s call it even on that point.”

Zess, who landed on the windowsill as if leaping off the back of the white dragon, spun words with an air of nonchalance that was utterly out of place for the situation.

◆　◆　◆

“Ze, su…?”

With Haku’s roar, Keiras, who had dropped his crown and disheveled his hair, muttered his name as if in a fevered dream while half-kneeling on the throne.

Zess, drawn by that voice, slowly opened his eyes wide as he looked at him.

“Are you going to kill me…?”

Zess was surprised by Keiras, who was looking at him with a trembling voice and terrified eyes.

――It was small.

The figure of my father, which used to seem so large.

That father, who held absolute power as a king and who was so formidable that even the thought of rebellion was foolish.

“If you kill me, do you know what will happen? I am the king of the Arclight Kingdom, Kelas Arclight! The world will not stand idly by if you kill its ruler!”

“…………”

Zess silently watches as Keiras pleads for his life, speaking rapidly.

At that gaze, Keiras’ expression stiffened.

“……What are those eyes?”

“――――”

“Are you pitying me…?”

“It’s more humiliating than being killed,” Kelas shouts to the soldiers gathered here.

“What are you doing! Quickly, capture this person!”

“Ugh, I can’t do it…”

The instructed guards were completely cowed.
Overwhelmed by the brilliance of Zess holding the royal scepter and the aura emanating from Yggdrasil standing beside him.

I am in awe of the white dragon’s presence, which seems to observe everything from outside the window.

Everyone in this place realized that they must not and cannot defy.

“Keiras Arclight”

To Keiras, who was grinding his teeth at the guards not moving, Zess, with a calm tone that completely changed the earlier atmosphere, spoke.

“The reason I came here is not to kill you, nor to throw this kingdom into chaos. My only demand is this: recognize the establishment of my nation and cease any further invasions. That’s all.”