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 41

Everyone present was overwhelmed by Zess’ imposing figure, holding the royal scepter and commanding the white dragon.

Except for one person—Keiras.

**”Recognize your new nation…?!”**

Keiras muttered in a trembling voice, veins bulging on his forehead with fury.

He clenched his teeth so tightly that they seemed about to shatter, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Zess in anger.

Zess calmly met his gaze, and Keiras began to speak in a strained voice.

**”A nation is not something that can be created on a whim! It requires history, roots in the land, and the weight of responsibility! To rule, one must bear that burden with resolve! Someone like you is unfit for such a role!”**

His shout echoed coldly through the throne room.

**”H-Hey, calm down!”**

Feeling a sudden heat behind him, Zess turned around.

Outside the shattered window, Haku was gathering crimson flames in her jaws.

Seeing this, Zess hurriedly tried to calm her down, and she reluctantly closed her mouth with a disappointed look.

*(If she releases ‘Dragon’s Breath’ from that position, we’ll all be caught in it. Not to mention, it would ruin any chance of negotiations…) *

Although the Arclight Kingdom had attacked first, excessive retaliation would only invite criticism.

That’s why the best course of action was to have them recognize the new nation and agree to cease further invasions.

Yet, even now, Keiras stubbornly refused to acknowledge Zess.

As he sensed something unsettling about Keiras’ monstrous determination, a voice suddenly rang through the throne room.

**”—Please wait.”**

A group dressed in pure white robes appeared.

Golden embroidery adorned various parts of their robes.

**”You… why are you here?!”**

Keiras’ eyes widened in shock.

Zess recognized the emblem engraved on their backs.

*(That’s the emblem of the Holy Celestia Theocracy. They made it in time.) *

While Zess smirked slightly, Keiras furiously protested against the delegation.

**”Do you realize where you are?! This is the heart of the Arclight Kingdom! Who gave you permission to enter the throne room?!”**

**”We judged that maintaining formalities was no longer appropriate under these circumstances.”**

Ignoring Keiras’ rage, they replied in an emotionless tone and turned to Zess.

**”We bring a decree from the Spirit King. The Holy Celestia Theocracy acknowledges Lord Zess’ declaration and recognizes the entire Great Jungle as his sovereign territory.”**

**”Wha—?!”**

Keiras’ eyes widened for the third time.

An official letter was presented by the delegation and handed to Keiras by his secretary.

As Keiras held the document, his hands trembled, creasing the paper.

The letter bore the same emblem as the robes—the official seal of the Holy Celestia Theocracy.

*(I never thought they would go this far.) *

While Keiras struggled to grasp the situation, Zess recalled his previous conversation with the emissaries disguised as soldiers.

—

*”The Holy Celestia Theocracy fully supports Lord Zess.”*

That was the message delivered by the emissary who had appeared late at night.

After considering their true intentions, Zess had asked them:

*”If I were to establish a nation here, would the Theocracy recognize it?”*

He hadn’t done anything particularly elaborate to secure their support.

But the Theocracy had shown far more interest in Zess than he had expected, even going so far as to back his actions.

He had never met or dealt with the Spirit King before, so their motives remained a mystery.

Even so, they were a powerful ally in this moment.

**”……”**

After reading the document, Keiras clenched his teeth and hung his head in frustration.

With the Theocracy officially recognizing Zess’ nation, any further aggression would be considered an invasion of a sovereign state.

Regardless of how neighboring countries reacted, the Theocracy would not tolerate such an act.

Furthermore, since the Arclight Kingdom shared a border with the Theocracy and was heavily influenced by the Celestian faith, they could not afford to disregard the Theocracy’s stance.

**”Regarding this invasion of the Great Jungle… We understand your nation’s goal of executing justice and expanding humanity’s territory. However, we cannot overlook the disruption of those who dwell peacefully in these lands. We trust your nation will make a wise decision.”**

That final statement from the Theocracy sealed Keiras’ fate.

He slumped forward in defeat before looking up at Zess with resentment.

**”The Arclight Kingdom will respect the Holy Celestia Theocracy’s decision and recognize the Great Jungle as the nation of Lord Zess—”**

He abruptly fell silent.

*(What’s… happening?) *

A sense of dread filled Zess.

**”Ugh… Guh…! You… are… from the heavens…!”**

Keiras clutched his head and began convulsing.

His bloodshot eyes overflowed with an eerie malice, surpassing mere hatred, as he glared at Zess, Yggdrasil, and Haku.

**”Zess!”**

**”…I know.”**

Responding to Yggdrasil’s cry, Zess raised a hand toward Keiras.

At that moment, a black sludge-like aura erupted from Keiras’ body.

**”I’ll end this right here!”**

**”—[Purification]!”**

As Keiras lunged forward, Zess unleashed a cleansing light.

The pure radiance enveloped Keiras.

With a scream inhuman in its agony, Keiras was consumed by the holy flames.

**”Ah… gah…”**

As the corruption surrounding him dispersed, Keiras collapsed, his eyes rolling back.

*(Was that a divine curse? But… it felt similar to what I saw with Bauman…) *

As Zess approached Keiras’ unconscious body, voices echoed through the room.

**”Ohh! This is the power of the Savior…!”**

Turning towards the sound, Zess saw the Theocracy’s delegation kneeling in prayer.

The sight reminded him of what happened in the dwarven village.

*(Wait, what even is this situation…?) *

In the throne room of the Arclight Kingdom’s royal castle…

The Theocracy’s delegation had suddenly appeared and begun praying, the throne’s master lay unconscious, and the kingdom’s secretaries and soldiers stood frozen in confusion and awe.

**”Grrr…”**

At some point, Hak had shrunk down and perched on Zess’ head.

Hearing her soft, comforting growl, Zess stroked her head while instructing the guards to take care of Keiras.