The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times - Chapter 149

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 149

Episode 149.

When he lost his mother at the age of six.

-It’s okay. It’s okay, Jei. Just trust me. I’ll protect you even if I have to give everything I have.

Father was everything to Jei Ruddel.

He had been a guide in life, wonderfully filling the void left by his mother, and was a wise ruler respected by the people.

He was more than just a reliable pillar of support. Jei Ruddel respected such a father.

He had always resolved to become an excellent lord who wouldn’t tarnish the Ruddell name.

And when he lost that father.

“Ah.”

Jei Ruddel’s world collapsed.

All around him were only adults who coveted the position of the lord’s successor or tried to manipulate the young Jei Ruddel.

That’s when Jin Ruddell appeared.

-Oh my, how can such elderly gentlemen act so petty? How about I shake you all down a bit? Can you handle it?

-Old folks who’ll die soon anyway, what kind of wealth and glory are you trying to enjoy? Have some shame!!

Father’s younger brother who had cut ties long ago.

Uncle Jin, whom he had only vaguely known existed and heard was a shameless bandit, was actually a truly righteous and free person, contrary to what he’d heard.

He didn’t get involved in bothersome power struggles and lived his own life.

Though he had bad habits with his hands, he only committed thievery for causes he personally believed were right.

-Why do I steal? Well… because they won’t give it up nicely when asked?

Ah, let me correct that.

To be precise, it was closer to not hesitating to use theft as a means to achieve what he wanted, rather than causing trouble because he wanted to steal.

-Adults, you see, hide so many things. And nine times out of ten, they’re all dirty things. Think about it. Could you willingly reveal your secretly hidden soiled underwear?

-…Why would you hide soiled underwear? Just wash it.

-It’s a metaphor!

-…Ew. That’s weird.

-Right, I am weirdly handsome. Do your dad… I mean, father and I really share the same genes?

-…

…Though he was a somewhat eccentric uncle.

That eccentricity was enough to heal the depressed Jei Ruddel.

Following his uncle around, he would always end up laughing from the absurdity, and somehow found himself free of worries and concerns.

This was possible because after his uncle appeared, the adults whose weaknesses had been exposed no longer dared to bother him.

-Jei. I won’t be able to come for a while. I still have some business left to take care of.

But the farewell with such an uncle came suddenly.

-…Can you come back soon?

-You brat. When have you ever seen me break a promise?

-What are you talking about. Uncle, you’re always late.

-Ah… haha… Well, that’s true. I always say it like a habit, don’t I? What’s the most important thing?

-Freedom… but isn’t being late kind of wrong, Uncle?

-This kid’s gotten cheeky as his head got bigger. Are you going through puberty?

His uncle, who ruffled his hair with a smile, left looking the same as always.

-I’ll be back soon. Wait well for me.

And that was the last sight Jei Ruddel saw of him.

Spring passed and outlaws invaded.

Summer came and countless soldiers and the knight commander died.

Autumn passed and winter arrived, and even as Jei Ruddel was dying from a curse like falling leaves.

His uncle never appeared.

* * *

“Uncle!!!”

-Oh my.

That uncle is right before his eyes.

Right now, only that fact was visible to Jei Ruddel.

The dignity he had to maintain as a lord, the composure he should show to the hero who saved the city.

Such things didn’t enter his mind right now.

“Why… Why are you only coming now! You said you’d be back soon…!!!”

-Geez, this kid. I heard you weren’t feeling well, but your voice got even louder. Still going strong, huh?

“Is that what matters right now!?”

Jei Ruddel embraced him tightly, shedding tears.

At his nephew’s spoiled behavior, Jin Ruddell chuckled and patted his head.

Though they were ghosts and couldn’t feel any warmth or sensation from each other, it didn’t matter.

The warmth from back then was still there.

-Sorry. For being late again this time too.

“…It’s fine that you came now. I heard from the Hero. What have you been up to?”

-Hey, don’t even get me started. Do you know what I went through this time? You’ll be shocked… That’s why… In the cave… Then right here I went bam! Keu…

There was no dying lord here now.

Just a boy who hadn’t even become an adult yet and his uncle.

“My lord…”

Was he overwhelmed with emotion at that sight?

The head butler took out a handkerchief and wiped his reddened eyes.

-Risa… Risa…

-Sniff…

-Mm-hmm…

Were the guys feeling just as sad?

Jihad was openly sniffling, and Charlie turned his head away pretending not to care, but his eyes were mysteriously moist.

Especially among them, the one with the most intense reaction was Eliza.

-Risa…

More sentimental than usual, she was busy wiping her eyes with her fluffy fur.

Then Jihad, who made eye contact with Eliza, flinched.

-S-sorry, Eliza.

It was instinct.

Somehow he felt like he’d become the world’s trash if he didn’t apologize.

Whether his instinct was correct, Eliza, who had been staring at him, soon turned her head away again.

-Mm! Well done.

Jihad aging ten years and Charlie patting his shoulder in comfort.

And Eliza, busy being sad.

Watching the guys still putting on their usual comedy show, Dohyun also turned his gaze to Eliza.

‘Come to think of it, Eliza waited for 150 years.’

As such, wouldn’t she understand the lord’s current feelings better than anyone?

Feeling somehow sorry for her, when Dohyun stroked Eliza’s head with his index finger, she rubbed her head against it as if she had never been sad.

Seeing things like this, the dog-like creature was really a simple one.

“Hero.”

In the meantime, the touching reunion moment had ended, and Jei Ruddel approached.

Though still full of illness, his face looked much more at ease.

And the same was true for Jin Ruddell.

-Thank you so much. Thanks to you, even though I became a ghost, I got to have a proper conversation with this kid. How can I repay this debt… If I could, I’d want to get you anything you want, but being a ghost, there’s nothing I can do.

Though it was Jin Ruddell’s characteristically light tone, his heart was full of sincerity.

[Jin Ruddell’s favorability increases greatly.]

[The effect of the title ‘Max Favorability from the Start?’ activates. Favorability increases even more.]

[Jin Ruddell’s favorability is at maximum.]

Not just his expression and gestures, but the messages themselves were proving it.

The message wasn’t over yet.

[You have cleared the quest ‘Savior of Ruddell’.]

[As a reward, you acquire an Advanced Skill Draw Ticket, absolute support and favorability from the Ruddell Family, and the Faith of Ruddell.]

[You have acquired the title ‘Savior of Ruddell’.]

….

[Your level has increased.]

[Conditions met. The Third Trial, ‘Disciples’ Achievement’ has been generated.]

[Disciples’ Achievement]

-Grade: Third Trial

-Description: One who seeks to graduate from Sargis, the third city of the Main Continent.

You must pass the trial of God.

While proving and being recognized as a Disciple is important, every Hero has achievements befitting their status.

How many achievements you have accumulated as a Disciple will be measured numerically, and the rank of your reward will be determined accordingly.

-Clear Condition: Reach level 49, prove yourself as a Disciple

-Clear Reward: Differential distribution by rank. (D~S Rank)

-Time Limit: None.

[Checking how many achievements you have accumulated as a Disciple.]

[Measuring rank.]

‘Nice!’

With this, I’ve reached the graduation level and obtained the reward I wanted.

[This is an unbelievable achievement.]

[Measurement time will be somewhat delayed.]

It was somewhat disappointing that the measurement took time again, but rather, that wait felt sweet.

‘What will they give me this time.’

After all, I had confirmed that rewards obtained from unbelievable achievements were enhanced compared to before.

I wondered what Sargis’s S Rank reward would be.

Even that wait felt sweet as honey.

While Dohyun was grinning and his eyes were sparkling.

“I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. The grace of lifting me up when I had given up and saving the city. I will never forget it for the rest of my life.”

Jei Ruddel, who had approached at some point, bowed his head deeply.

The talkative Jin Ruddell, the stern Butler.

And Jihad, Eliza, and Charlie were all looking at him.

Dohyun straightened his expression and gave a somewhat formal response.

“I only did what had to be done.”

An answer anyone could give.

His attitude was so indifferent that it wouldn’t even be moving, but it seemed Jei Ruddel didn’t receive it that way.

His sparkling gaze was full of respect.

“No. No one could do what you did, Hero. Who else would risk danger and eliminate those Outlaws, those objects of terror! This isn’t something you can do just because you want to.”

“….”

“And yet you act as if it’s nothing, showing consideration so we don’t feel burdened… Ah…. You’re truly like a hero from a fairy tale. I think I understand why women fantasize about princes on white horses.”

He seemed moved by how Dohyun remained calm as if the kindness he showed was nothing special.

-That’s right, exactly. That’s why all the women fell for me. Seeing it like this, I understand anew. Even I, as a man, would fall for you, Hero.

“…That’s news to me, Uncle.”

-Huh? Look at this guy? When I was young….

Even Jin Ruddell, who was still talkative, was just clumsy with expression, but his gaze had changed.

‘…Hmm.’

It was something I had to catch anyway to get the Fragment of Fate.

I helped thinking I might as well get more rewards, but seeing them react like this made me feel awkward for no reason.

Then Charlie smiled warmly and spoke quietly.

-My lord. This humble sword knows. Even though you say that, you actually wanted to help them. Smiles don’t lie.

…That’s not it though.

My eyes rolled back seeing the quest reward.

Seeing the respect in Charlie’s eyes, who had completely misunderstood, deepen even further, I wondered if it was just my imagination that I felt like a bad guy for having my eyes roll back at the reward for a moment.

‘Well, it’s not bad though.’

Still, as Charlie said, it didn’t feel bad.

[Jei Ruddel’s favorability increases greatly.]

[The effect of the title ‘Max Favorability from the Start?’ activates. Favorability increases even more.]

[Jei Ruddel’s favorability is at maximum.]

Is this why people do good deeds?

Seeing these messages and reactions, I knew they were NPCs, but it was true that I felt proud.

Watching Dohyun subtly raise the corners of his mouth, Jei Ruddel’s eyes lit up.

“If there’s anything you want, please tell me anything. As long as it’s within my authority, anything is fine.”

He asked with the momentum to even give up his position as Lord if needed, and this time Dohyun’s eyes lit up.

He thought this was the moment.

Since Dohyun had been hesitating about how to bring this up, he didn’t miss the opportunity and answered.

“Is really anything okay?”

“Yes.”

“Exactly how far is permitted?”

“At least anything within this castle is fine.”

In that case….

Dohyun turned his head and asked carefully.

“Is that also possible?”

“You mean the Moon Pendant. It was made by a very skilled blacksmith, so it’s a great item… Are you really okay with just that?”

“No, behind it.”

“…Behind?”

Jei Ruddel, who had been staring intently at where Dohyun was looking, blinked.

No matter how he looked, all he could see was the pendant, an old box, and the Moon Bell visible on the terrace….

“…?”

Jei Ruddel, whose eyes showed he was thinking ‘surely not’, quickly turned his gaze.

Dohyun, whose eyes met his, was nodding as if that was correct.

“Give me the Moon Bell.”

“…What?”

Jei Ruddel doubted his ears.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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