The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 302

302.

Rior de Arnis.

The first prince of the great Arnis Empire, and a man feared by all.

The story of him cutting off someone’s arm for displeasing him was so famous that everyone knew it.

So much so that the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the first prince is ‘tyrant’.

However, despite the widespread rumors, very few people had actually spoken to the first prince.

“He’s the tyrant First Prince……”

“Wow…… I’m actually seeing him for the first time.”

“Shh, watch your mouth. If he hears you, you’ll lose at least an arm.”

“He’s using violence in the city? Is that allowed?”

“What can we do? They’re the law in the Empire.”

But right now.

The tyrant is right in front of me.

Receiving the gazes of countless spectators, accompanied by numerous guards.

Thud, thud.

Clang, clang, clang, clang.

With each footstep, the noisy chatter subsides.

In the chilling silence, only the heavy footsteps and the clattering of armor echoed.

Dohyun nodded.

‘That person is the First Prince, Rior.’

Indeed.

The aura he exudes is different from the frail Second Prince.

The sharply honed spirit is more like a warrior than a prince.

‘It seems there’s a reason why he’s the leading candidate for the next emperor.’

No matter how qualified he may be as a wise ruler, a strong and charismatic tyrant is better than a sick and weak emperor.

Of course, that’s just the imperial family’s perspective; I don’t know how the citizens would feel.

“Ah.”

It was then.

Perhaps due to the unexpected appearance of the tyrant.

A user, lost in thought, [넋 놓고 바라보다 in Korean, meaning to be absentmindedly staring] missed the timing to move out of the way.

The distance to the First Prince was right in front of him.

“Hey, you crazy… hurry up!”

It was obvious that he would be blocking the way, so a user who appeared to be a colleague urgently grabbed his arm, but

Thud.

“……Ah.”

“Who are you?”

Unfortunately, he was a step too late.

He not only blocked the way but also bumped shoulders, albeit slightly.

The user, belatedly regaining his senses, gasped as soon as he raised his head.

The First Prince, frowning, and the menacing-looking guards were looking down at him.

“Wow…… he’s screwed.”

“Why are you spacing out like an idiot?”

“Is he going to see blood as soon as he gets back?”

“Tsk tsk, he’ll definitely make his return known properly [meaning he’ll face severe consequences].”

The user’s face turned pale at the whispering.

It would be fortunate if he only saw blood.

If he got on the wrong side of that tyrant and was imprisoned, he wouldn’t be able to play the game properly for months.

Perhaps a situation might arise where he would have to quit the game.

It might seem like an overreaction to think that something worse could happen just from bumping shoulders, but considering the rumors about that tyrant, anything could happen.

‘I, I’ll beg. If I beg, he might let me off with just cutting off my arm!’

That was the only thought in his head.

He was about to prostrate himself, abandoning his pride, when.

“……Tsk. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“……Huh?”

Contrary to expectations, the First Prince merely clicked his tongue.

Without taking any particular action, he ignored him and continued his procession.

The user, who was about to prostrate himself in vain, was just bewildered.

“What, nothing’s happening?”

“What’s wrong with that tyrant?”

The users who were watching were also surprised.

To bump shoulders with that vicious tyrant First Prince and still survive with all limbs intact.

It was too different from what they had expected.

‘It was unexpected.’

Dohyun also couldn’t help but be surprised, so it wasn’t hard to understand.

“Come to think of it, there weren’t any users who had their arms cut off, were there?”

“They’d have to run into him to get them cut off.”

“Hmm, does he not cut them off because they can just be reborn [respawn in the game]?”

“Madmen are fickle. Maybe he just wasn’t in the mood to cut them off. Maybe he’s on his way to meet the Emperor.”

“Whatever the reason, that guy was lucky. He bumped shoulders and didn’t suffer any harm.”

“Maybe he’ll disappear from the city soon [due to fear or reassignment].”

At that, the users who had been chattering for a while gradually dispersed as the First Prince completely disappeared from sight.

Before long, only Dohyun and a few users were left in this place.

Only then did Jihad, who had been watching, cautiously ask.

-How is it, Master? Is there a reaction?

-Lizardiza [a nonsense word used as a code].

-…….

Charlie also had a stiff face, looking serious yet curious.

Dohyun, who met their gazes, slowly lowered his eyes to the emblem in his hand.

Then he shook his head.

“……No.”

-Huh? What, then it’s not the First Prince either?

-Lizardiza?

Dohyun shook his head once more.

“No. The distance was too far.”

The emblem reacts when the previous owner is within 5M [5 meters].

In other words, it has to be comfortably within 4M [4 meters].

It was already late, and it was difficult to narrow the distance that much through the countless crowds.

-Then what do we do?

“It doesn’t matter.”

However, Dohyun didn’t care.

He had only come because it was noisy in the first place; there was no need to clash with the First Prince here.

Unless he was absent or sick.

Because he had received the Emperor’s promise to allow him to meet the princes whenever he wanted.

‘A tyrant…… he didn’t seem like one.’

Maybe he was hiding something and trying to avoid troublesome matters.

Maybe the rumors were exaggerated.

Or maybe it was just a whim, as the users said.

He couldn’t know yet, but one thing was certain.

[The Eye of Truth is activated.]

‘His whole body was red.’

Like the Second Prince, the First Prince’s body was also dyed red inside.

It was full of things he couldn’t understand.

‘Whatever it is, I’ll find out when I meet him.’

He would soon find out.

* * *

The judgment was quick, and the action was even quicker.

The moment he confirmed that the First Prince had entered the Imperial Palace.

Dohyun went to the audience chamber without hesitation and requested the Emperor to allow him to meet the First Prince.

“As soon as you return from the subjugation mission, you request an audience without even resting…….”

“…….”

“Originally, it would be inappropriate, but you are qualified enough to do so. I will allow it.”

It was a request that could be seen as impolite at first glance, but the Emperor readily granted it.

Perhaps it was because he was the apostle who had first obtained a clue about the Second Prince’s illness, which had made no progress.

Thus, Dohyun was able to face the First Prince directly.

“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”

“It’s not an official occasion, so you can call me comfortably.”

“……What is the matter?”

Moreover, it hadn’t even been five minutes since the story came out.

The First Prince seemed displeased. He didn’t like being summoned just as he was about to rest.

“This is the apostle who brought a clue about your brother’s illness.”

“……This man, you say?”

However, the moment he heard the Emperor’s words, interest flickered in the First Prince’s eyes.

The way he scanned Dohyun looked as if he was trying to assess his combat power.

“In return, I promised to give him a chance to talk to you. Since you’ve returned, I called you first.”

“……I understand. I think that man is qualified enough.”

The First Prince, nodding, approached Dohyun without hesitation.

Soon, he reached out his hand within striking distance.

“I am Rior de Arnis.”

“I am Kaiser. It is an honor to meet you.”

“The ones behind you are…….”

“They are my guardians.”

The First Prince didn’t ask further with the brief explanation.

It was a well-known fact even to the NPCs that apostles brought guardians with them.

However, he had only asked because the unusual combination was noticeable for guardians.

“So, you wanted to meet me?”

“……Yes.”

“Thirty minutes. That is the time I can spare for you. You can ask anything you are curious about. If you understand, let’s move to my room.”

His face and tone were prickly, but there was a subtle sense of goodwill.

Did the fact that he had brought a clue about his brother’s illness also earn him some favor?

I heard they weren’t on good terms, but it was unexpected.

‘Are they still brothers by blood?’

Perhaps the rumors were exaggerated.

‘Rumors…….’

So, the moment he arrived at the First Prince’s room.

Dohyun decided to make that his first question.

“Different from what you heard…… Did you hear that I’m a ruthless tyrant with no blood or tears?”

“…….”

Then, the First Prince, who smirked, replied as if there was nothing to hide.

“I think that sometimes you have to be a tyrant, but I don’t have any nasty hobbies like collecting arms or torturing people.”

“Then why…….”

“Do I just leave the rumors alone? Because it’s advantageous to me. Sometimes, there’s no better means than using fear.”

Dohyun was inwardly impressed.

A tyrant? A madman with no blood or tears?

It was all nonsense.

The First Prince was a man with a large enough vessel to even use false rumors.

“I do keep my distance from that guy Iden after he got sick, but I don’t think our relationship has hit rock bottom to the point where we’re pointing knives at each other.”

“Ah.”

“Honestly, I don’t know why these rumors spread.”

The relationship with the Second Prince, which he asked about next, also turned out to be false rumors.

That was 5 minutes.

“Do you have anything else to ask?”

“Hmm…….”

“Strange. You clearly looked like you were trying to dig into me when our eyes first met, but you don’t seem to have any questions.”

Even though the First Prince expressed it openly, Dohyun had nothing to say.

That was only natural.

[Old Golden Emblem]

‘……Why isn’t this reacting?’

‘What’s going on, Master? Is the Second Prince the culprit?’

‘Lizardiza?’

He thought the First Prince was the most likely candidate.

But when he opened it up, the First Prince was not an accomplice.

He even seemed qualified enough to be the Emperor, let alone a tyrant.

‘……Then is it really the Second Prince?’

If it wasn’t the Emperor or the First Prince, there was only one answer.

Then was the face he saw back then, the face that knew nothing, a high-level psychological warfare?

He was about to think it was a black幕 [black curtain, meaning a hidden conspiracy]-like restraint.

Creak-

“Did you come back from the subjugation mission safely, Rior hyung-nim [hyung-nim is a Korean term for older brother or respected older male]…… Huh?”

“Hmm?”

The door opened and a familiar face came in.

Actually, it was an ambiguous face to call familiar, but in the current situation, it was the most welcome face.

“Iden, what’s wrong with you? You’re not feeling well.”

“I’m fine to this extent. I heard you came back from the mission, so I was going to see your face after a long time…… It’s amazing that Kaiser-nim is here as a guest.”

The identity of the man who opened the door and came in was none other than the Second Prince.

It was Iden de Arnis.

“Do you know this man?”

“I had a brief conversation with him when he came to see Father before. I also heard that he is the one who brought a clue about my illness. I wanted to express my gratitude, but it’s nice to meet you like this. Thank you, Kaiser-nim.”

Saying that, Iden, who turned his gaze to Dohyun, expressed his gratitude with sincerity.

It was a thank you from His Highness the Prince, but Dohyun couldn’t concentrate.

All his nerves were focused on the emblem in his hand.

[Old Golden Emblem]

‘There’s no reaction?’

The moment he entered the room, he had already satisfied the distance.

The distance from the door to the table was less than 4M [4 meters].

Even so, if there’s no reaction, what should I think of this?

He thought about whether there were more of the Emperor’s bloodline that he didn’t know about, but no matter how much he thought about it, there weren’t.

The two princes lost their mother, the Empress, two years ago.

‘Or does the Emperor have illegitimate children?’

For a moment, he had such a thought, but even so, it didn’t make sense.

If there were illegitimate children, they wouldn’t be in the Imperial Palace given the situation, but what is the probability that they would have an old emblem of the Imperial family’s bloodline?

And if I have to find that, the difficulty is absurd.

‘Isn’t this a system error?’

Just as he was seriously thinking that.

Creak-

“Why are you standing outside without coming in, Second Prince Your Highness.”

“Ah, there was Kyung. Right.”

“Heo, when you urged me to go see it together, you forgot about me. Aren’t you too much?”

Someone revealed himself behind the Second Prince through the open door.

At the same time, Dohyun’s eyes widened.

Ting-

[The old golden emblem is reacting.]

The emblem was reacting for the first time.