The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 103
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 103
Chapter 103
At the time when rumors of Mir were spreading through the Imperial Palace.
News of Mir’s existence had reached far beyond the ordinary attendants and knights.
“I can barely believe the Orc Lord appeared, but to think he defeated it single-handedly? Does that even make sense?”
“The Capital Defense Commander and the White Wyvern Knights have both volunteered as witnesses.”
“Hmm, at that level it doesn’t seem to be a lie. Still, it’s hard to believe.”
The Knight Commanders of each Knight Order.
They too had learned of Mir’s existence.
Of course, even for them, it was difficult to fully believe the rumors that Mir had defeated the Orc Lord.
Even with the Capital Defense Commander and White Wyvern Knights volunteering as witnesses.
In truth, it was only natural.
Not a single one of them had ever seen the Orc Lord that supposedly appeared eighty years ago.
A legendary existence known only through history books.
How could one possibly believe that such a legendary being had defied the ages, emerged, and been defeated by an unknown adventurer?
“It does appear to be true. Traces of the Orc Lord continue to appear even as our investigations proceed.”
“All the orcs across the continent were migrating toward the Dry Ravine.”
“So that rumor was fact.”
Yet as the investigations continued, evidence emerged confirming the rumors were true.
Unable to contain their curiosity in such circumstances, the Knight Commanders began moving to seek out Mir.
And what they witnessed upon arriving at the Training Ground was.
“Extraordinary.”
“Truly the talent of a Sword Emperor!”
“Swift reloading, rapid fire, quick shots, multi-shot, and even long-range accuracy. It’s like witnessing the legendary Heavenly Archer from the old tales.”
It was extraordinary.
Though still at a low level, possessing strength that transcended level itself.
Had it been merely physical prowess on display, they would have simply found it remarkable.
What the Knight Commanders marveled at was Mir’s pure technique.
Swords, spears, bows, and more.
There seemed to be no weapon he couldn’t wield.
Those who typically mastered such a diverse array of weapons usually lacked proficiency in any single one.
Yet Mir wielded every weapon flawlessly.
For them, who harbored preconceptions about adventurers, it was a talent of historic proportions that made their mouths water.
And yet.
“What a shame.”
“Someone with such talent is merely an ‘adventurer.'”
“Taking him into the Knight Order would be… difficult.”
Still, they could not accept him into their orders.
The reason lay with the current Emperor of the Baltika Empire.
Outwardly, the Emperor was known as a benevolent ruler who accepted adventurers and treated them as equals to the Empire’s citizens.
The Knight Commanders knew.
The Emperor did not favor adventurers.
Those who lived within the Empire yet harbored no loyalty to it—adventurers who reaped its benefits while championing freedom—could never earn his approval.
And yet, not long after.
“His Majesty spoke of the adventurer in such terms? Is it truly so?”
“Well, the adventurer did slay the Orc Lord and preserve the Empire’s peace.”
“Even so, I never imagined His Majesty would open the Golden Treasury itself.”
“His Majesty is arranging an audience with the adventurer.”
Word arrived that the Emperor held Mir’s accomplishments in the highest regard, bestowing magnificent rewards and desiring a personal meeting.
News only Knight Commanders of sufficient rank would hear.
The moment they learned of it.
The Knight Commanders began to think.
‘Might such a talent not be worthy of joining our order?’
‘A prodigy blessed by the heavens! With merely a touch of refinement, he could ascend to Vice Commander in no time! Perhaps he might even surpass my own station! Haha!’
‘If His Majesty regards him so highly, then accepting this adventurer might win His Majesty’s favor.’
Their thoughts differed in particulars, yet their conclusion remained identical.
To accept Mir into their respective orders.
Upon hearing this rumor, the Knight Commanders immediately tracked Mir’s schedule and made their way to the Training Ground.
“What brings you all here?”
“That’s my line.”
“Surely… you haven’t all come to recruit Mir the adventurer?”
At the Golden Spear’s Training Ground, Knight Commanders from each order began gathering unexpectedly.
* * *
The sight that greeted me upon entering the Training Ground was nothing short of spectacle.
“One so beloved by mana is truly rare. Moreover, our order cultivates mage-swordsmen, mage-warriors, and mage-archers alike—would this adventurer not be the perfect fit?”
The Knight Commander of the Blue Moon, the Empire’s supreme magical knight order composed entirely of mages.
“Can mana’s talent be confined to magic alone? Mana is essential for wielding mana swords and auras. How could one blessed with such swordsmanship not wield a blade?”
The Knight Commander of the Red Wolf, the Empire’s sharpest knights, renowned as the gathering place of the Empire’s greatest swordsmen.
“If all that mana were inscribed upon muscle itself, then the body becomes the ultimate shield! Truly, the very bulwark of the Empire!”
The Black Shield Knight Order, existing to protect the Empire and the Emperor—the Empire’s supreme shield.
Beyond them, the Ash Dust Knight Order and the Silver Eagle Knight Order as well.
And following behind me, even the Knight Commanders of the Golden Spear and White Wyvern orders.
Every single Knight Commander of every order in the Empire had gathered here.
‘What in the world is happening?’
I had never harbored the slightest intention of joining a knight order.
I had never even hinted at such a desire.
Why were the Empire’s Knight Commanders suddenly converging to extend recruitment offers?
“Ah, if it isn’t Mir!”
“You’ve finally arrived!”
The Knight Commanders who had been engaged in their subtle contest within the Training Ground spotted me.
Behind me stood the Knight Commanders of the Golden Spear and White Wyvern Knights who had followed me in, making escape impossible.
In such circumstances.
“Adventurer Mir! Join our Black Shield Knights, the Empire’s mightiest shield! We implore you!”
“Surely you’ve heard of our Red Wolf Knights? If you wish to walk the path of the sword, there is simply no other choice but us.”
“You know well that our Blue Moon is the Empire’s finest gathering of mages, do you not? Then the answer is already decided, is it not? Hehehehe.”
“If you join Ash Dust… we’ll make you capable of killing anyone. Even these fools standing here.”
“What? You thief!”
“Watch yourself on the night roads.”
“I’ll cut you down in broad daylight!”
After making their proposals to me, they erupted into conflict once more.
According to what I’d heard from Lugard, the Empire’s knight orders were already prone to fierce rivalry among themselves.
Witnessing it unfold before my eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder what in the world was happening.
It was someone who mediated this chaos.
“If you show such behavior to someone making a recruitment offer, won’t they refuse to join even if they were inclined?”
“…What brings you to this place?”
Another figure appeared in the Training Ground.
The Capital Defense Commander.
Of course, he hadn’t appeared solely to mediate the situation.
Indeed, the moment he opened with those words and the chaos settled, he turned to me and said.
“Mir. Would you not consider using your strategy—the one that defeated the Orc Lord and his army of thirty thousand—for the Empire’s sake?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll be direct. Join me as my chief strategist. With experience and accomplishments, reaching my position won’t be difficult.”
“Commander! What are you doing!”
“What do you mean? Isn’t this gathering precisely to make recruitment offers to Adventurer Mir? I’m simply presenting a position and future befitting such an adventurer.”
He offered me the position of chief strategist in the Capital Defense Command.
Though it felt entirely different from the knight orders, a strategist position in the Capital Defense Command would certainly be no ordinary role.
To offer me such a position…
Influenced by this, the Knight Commanders began competing to present distinctive offers.
“Haven’t you grown fond of the Dragonsteed? Join the Golden Spear, and I’ll recognize the Dragonsteed as your exclusive mount… no, as your very own possession.”
“If you join the White Wyvern Knights, I’ll entrust you with a sub-alpha born of our alpha!”
“Hehehehe, join Blue Moon, and I’ll not only teach you the Empire’s finest magic but also conduct research with you on applying magic to your weapon techniques.”
“Join the Red Wolf Knights, and you’ll receive the Empire’s greatest swordsmanship and a position as my direct disciple!”
“Join the Black Shield Knights, and you’ll gain the honor and glory of wielding a shield at the Emperor’s side!”
“As for Ash Dust….”
I couldn’t fathom why they were going to such lengths.
Among the proposals the Knight Commanders presented, there were quite a few I found genuinely tempting.
‘The Empire’s greatest swordsmanship, they say.’
Each knight order was a gathering of the Empire’s finest talents, organized by their respective weapon specialties.
Whichever I joined, I could learn the skills of the strongest in that field throughout the Empire.
Having mastered weapon techniques for every weapon type during my time in First, I couldn’t help but be curious about the Empire’s greatest weapon techniques.
‘Blue Moon’s offer is quite tempting too.’
Despite my mastery of all forms of martial arts, I’m actually unfamiliar with magic.
Back in First, I was unable to acquire magic.
The reason I can use magic reasonably well and handle mana effectively is thanks to my memories of wielding unique magics through items like staves and wands via martial techniques.
But to teach me such magic.
And the Empire’s finest magic at that.
They’re even offering to help me apply magic to my combat techniques.
“What do you say?”
“Of course, you’ll be joining our Red Wolf Knights, won’t you?”
“I’ll give it careful consideration.”
These are all excellent opportunities.
Since Second opened and two years have passed, not a single user has received such proposals.
As I pondered whether it would be too wasteful to refuse all of them, a thought occurred to me.
‘Can’t I use this situation to my advantage?’
That’s what I thought.
After all, these Knight Commanders are only trying to recruit me for their own personal gain, aren’t they?
Though their reasons differ, each came to me seeking their own benefit.
So why shouldn’t I use them for my own benefit as well?
Having quickly assessed the situation with that thought, I spoke to the Knight Commanders who were forcing a choice upon me.
“As you all know, I am an adventurer.”
“We know that much. Normally, adventurers aren’t permitted to join knight orders, but you’re an exception! What do you say, joining our order…!”
“Especially since I’ve only just arrived in the Empire and know nothing whatsoever about its knight orders.”
“Even so, surely you’ve heard the name of the Red Wolf Knights?”
“I haven’t.”
“The White Wyvern Knights, who could be called the very symbol of the Empire!”
“I first saw them at the Cliff.”
“Surely you’ve heard of the Black Shield Knights, who serve as the Emperor’s shield….”
“I haven’t.”
The Knight Commanders’ expressions turned hollow at my words.
Well, all the Knight Commanders here must be representatives of the Empire.
Hearing that I didn’t even know their names, they couldn’t help but be bewildered.
Regardless, I continued speaking.
“Therefore, even with all you’ve said, I cannot judge how beneficial joining a knight order would be.”
“Huh….”
“So.”
“So?”
“Would you not show me the strength of you Knight Commanders?”
That’s right.
Rather than formally joining their knight orders and learning their techniques, I intended to observe their skills through demonstration.
Perhaps as I observed their techniques, I might even feel something compelling enough to actually consider joining.
You’re saying I can’t master skills just by observing?
That’s fine.
Observation alone won’t let me fully master the Knight Commander’s techniques.
‘The Observation System.’
But it’s more than sufficient to leverage the Observation System that’s carried forward since First.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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