The Return Of The Genius Ranker Of All Times [EN]: Chapter 50

Part 2, Episode 50.

Astra Lavencia.

Alterion Elandriel.

In the past, when Elves and Dark Elves coexisted, everyone knew these two names.

From childhood, they displayed extraordinary genius, and by adulthood, they were comparable to Valkyries [warrior women in Norse mythology] in their prime.

Reaching middle age, they ascended to the top of their respective fields, unmatched by any other.

Their influence extended beyond the Elf village.

Indeed, their impact on other races was even more significant.

-As long as Astra and Alterion are present, the Elf village is unassailable.

-How could such geniuses be born to the same race at the same time?

-These two geniuses will advance the prosperity of our race by a thousand years.

Alterion, master of strategic magic, and Astra, the incarnation of battle.

The strengths of these two, especially in warfare, shone brightest when they fought together.

Whether in large-scale wars or small skirmishes, defeat was unthinkable when they were united.

Their era was widely regarded as the most glorious in Elf history.

Perhaps that’s why…

“Astra and I were both rivals and close friends.”

The two were closer than anyone else.

As close as family.

Being only children, the two elves relied on and trusted each other as if they were blood brothers.

“At first, it was out of curiosity.”

Combat sense comparable to Astra, magic comparable to Alterion…

‘Alterion? What does that guy even do that I get compared to him all the time?’

‘Astra… I’ve heard that name so much, my ears are ringing.’

Each time their genius was recognized, they felt a surge of curiosity and questioned the names that followed them like shadows.

“For me, who was always exploring the truth, no one was as interesting as him. He also felt a sense of rivalry towards me. We knew of each other’s existence, but we had no direct contact. We competed for the first time when we became adults.”

It was during a competition, almost like a festival, in the nymph village. The two elves, already causing a stir, participated as if drawn by fate.

The result was a draw.

It was a marginal difference, but they couldn’t overcome that gap.

It was a novel shock to the two elves, who had never been defeated even after exerting their full power, and they felt a strong sense of rivalry unlike anything they had experienced before.

Naturally, they clashed more often, and each time the result was the same.

“On the day we reached our 100th draw, he and I spoke for the first time.”

Perhaps it was because they had been competing with each other for decades.

It was their first real conversation, but they spoke like old friends, and from that day on, they grew closer faster than either of them expected.

Even in monster subjugation missions.

Even in battles with other races that occasionally erupted in that still-chaotic era.

The two fought side-by-side, protecting each other and relying on each other’s strengths.

For every day they fought back-to-back, there were just as many days when they shared drinks and laughter.

-Only geniuses can truly understand other geniuses.

Was that the truth?

The strange emptiness that had always lingered within them vanished, replaced by a strong bond that could only be described as brotherhood.

How many battles did they lead to victory together?

Around the time they reached middle age, an era of peace dawned, and then…

“I met Elinel.”

Meeting her was a mystery in itself.

They had gone to see the World Tree to offer prayers of gratitude for the arrival of peace, and there she was, nestled in the arms of the World Tree.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, resting comfortably as if the World Tree were her mother.

Shiny green hair sparkled in the warm sunlight.

Snow-white skin.

Long eyelashes and a smooth, curved, sharp nose that seemed perfect even with her eyes closed.

As a race renowned for beauty, the elves were accustomed to seeing beautiful people, but even they couldn’t help but be awestruck by her.

It wasn’t just that her appearance surpassed that of the elves.

“Her beauty was more than just simple aesthetics. It was like seeing something beyond our race, a sense of mystery and awe… It was like beholding the goddess of beauty herself.”

Do Hyun agreed with that assessment.

‘That’s right.’

The scene he had witnessed when Rupalo’s horn broke.

The woman presumed to be Elinel, whom he had seen there, possessed not just beauty, but an appearance that perfectly embodied mysterious beauty.

Anyway, they were taken by surprise.

After regaining their composure, they asked why an outsider was there without permission. She woke up as if from her mother’s gentle prodding and answered.

“She said she was the incarnation of the World Tree.”

At the time, they dragged her away and interrogated her, telling her not to say such ridiculous things. What they discovered was that she wasn’t truly an elf.

Not an elf, not a nymph, not a fairy, nor any other race nearby.

Even her memory was fragmented, so they couldn’t obtain any reliable information. All they could gather was that she was born from the World Tree.

“How could we believe that? Naturally, we were suspicious.”

But that initial vigilance soon transformed into curiosity.

“She was the kindest woman I had ever met. There was no malice in her heart, she was pure, and she was more eccentric than anyone else.”

A woman of a new, unknown race, purer and more beautiful than a child?

They couldn’t help but be intrigued.

Since a thorough examination with magical tools revealed no suspicious elements, they concluded that she posed no danger and decided to observe her.

Naturally, they spent more time with her under the guise of observation and surveillance, and…

“The more time she spent with her, the more often Astra, who was usually so taciturn, wore a faint smile on his face.”

Alterion viewed it as a positive development.

It was the first time he had seen him so cheerful in all the time they had known each other.

Furthermore, he sensed something else.

“I could tell just by looking at his expression. She also loved him.”

It was just that the two of them, who had never been in a relationship, were unable to express their feelings to each other.

The depth of emotion between them was immense.

Ordinary lovers couldn’t even compare.

“It was only natural for her and him to become lovers.”

But no matter how awkward they were, after so many years, their patience was bound to wear thin.

Eventually, the two officially became lovers, and on that day, they witnessed…

“What are you talking about?”

“……A miracle.”

Creating life in the forest, a divine act that no mortal race could ever accomplish.

She demonstrated it.

They had to admit that her words at their first meeting were not false when they saw her stroking Rupalo, who only followed the World Tree, and smiling, saying that her strength had finally recovered and that she hadn’t lied.

That she was truly the incarnation of the World Tree.

“I still can’t forget his shocked face at that time. That taciturn guy’s mouth was wide open……”

Alterion wore a faint smile, as if the memory still amused him.

But that was only for a moment.

As if he had never smiled, his lips turned downwards with bitterness instead of joy.

“I thought we would only experience happiness from then on.”

Until ‘that’ appeared while Alterion left to give Astra and Elinel privacy on their first date as lovers.

“That would be……”

“The eye that swallowed the sky.”

The day a great disaster known as the Abyss appeared.

The peace that was supposed to last for the next century was shattered in an instant.

“The entire Elanis continent was devastated, and as a result, the World Tree consumed a vast amount of power and weakened rapidly. Elinel also became increasingly frail.”

“……”

Before long, she became so weak that she could no longer stand on her own.

The only way to see her was to visit her in her bedroom for nursing, and even then, she could only stay awake for an hour each day.

As if the hourglass was slowly cracking, that hour gradually decreased to 45 minutes, 30 minutes, and then 20 minutes.

And then, she couldn’t stay awake for more than 5 minutes after 10 minutes.

-…Astra, Alterion. I have a favor to ask.

Looking at the two elves with sorrowful faces, Elinel struggled to open her mouth, her voice like a candle flickering its last embers.

-The World Tree has reached its limit. It will take more than a hundred years to recover its full strength. I will return to the arms of the World Tree until then.

-……I can’t. I can’t accept that.

-Astra. Don’t look so sad. It’s not a permanent farewell. Think of it as just taking a short trip.

-…….

Grasping Astra’s hand, who was trying to control his emotions by biting his lip, she slowly continued.

-Astra. Promise me just one thing. Until the day I return, please stay safe and sound, without injury, and welcome me back.

-……I promise.

Looking at her smiling face, trying to lift her unmoving lips, Astra could offer no other answer.

She handed him something with a trembling hand.

-Can I ask you for one more favor? To both of you.

-Anything.

-……I’m sorry, but please…… keep this…….

-This is……?

It was a bracelet made of thin strands.

“……Could that be.”

“Yes. The bracelet you are wearing. She left that to him, and then she closed her eyes.”

“Ah…….”

Then he understood why Astra had reacted so sensitively.

It must have been a precious item, like a keepsake from a loved one.

“Astra changed after that. He was no longer the person I knew.”

As if trying to forget his sorrow, he went to the battlefield more often and became more violent.

The once cold-blooded Valkyrie and brilliant Elf hero were gone.

Only a wounded battlefield ghost remained.

Perhaps that’s why.

In a situation where everyone was consumed by grief over losing loved ones to the Abyss, the Dark Elves were suspected of being contractors of the Abyss.

“There was no choice. I had to avoid suspicion, but he needed time to calm down. But in the end, that was the wrong choice.”

“……”

“The eye that swallowed the sky. I didn’t know that bastard would appear in that village at that time……”

From then on, events unfolded as Astra had described.

A merciless massacre occurred, and Astra, who had come to request support from the Elf village, witnessed the Nymphs and Elves forging a peace agreement.

However, one question remained.

“Then what was the scene of the war with the Nymphs that I saw in the information graveyard?”

“War? Ah, the Nymphs led an army and pressured us to reveal the hiding place of the Dark Elves… I believe that’s the confrontation you witnessed.”

On the other hand, when Astra arrived, they had decided to make a temporary peace agreement due to the circumstances.

So far, it made sense.

The problem was the Valkyries.

“I don’t understand how the Valkyries were alive. Their graves are still deep in the forest.”

“……?”

“It’s also strange that you saw someone wearing a robe. When I heard the news and arrived, there was no one like that in the village. The only people there were Astra, the Nymphs, and the Elves.”

Do Hyun frowned at Alterion’s words.

‘……What’s going on?’

There were three possibilities.

Astra was lying, or Alterion was lying.

Or else…….

“……I thought Astra had finally lost his mind. I felt a deep sense of betrayal. But after hearing your words, I have a different thought.”

“……”

“……There may be a hidden mastermind behind all of this.”

Someone who wanted the Elves and Dark Elves to be divided.

At this point in the story, Alterion, with a serious expression, removed the ring from his finger and handed it to Do Hyun.

[You have acquired the half key of the fifth piece of destiny, ‘Ring of Oath.’]

[The ring will react when it gets close to the remaining half key.]

“Elinel made a request before she closed her eyes.”

The request to Astra was to stay healthy and accept the bracelet.

And the request to Alterion was…….

“In the future, when a man wearing a bracelet comes, be sure to hand over the ring I am wearing.”

At the time, he couldn’t understand why she was giving the bracelet to Astra and saying such things, but now he understood.

“Elinel may have known this in advance. Also, that only you can resolve this misunderstanding.”

“……”

“I know someone who has the same ring as this. If she possesses the eye of foresight, she must have seen the truth of what happened that day. You must meet her.”

“Who is it?”

He looked directly at Do Hyun with a serious gaze.

“The Nymph Queen, Aridna.”

“……Yes?”

At that moment, a cheerful notification rang, messages popped up, and Do Hyun’s eyes widened as he read them.