The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 140
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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 140
Chapter 140
The rank of sub-marquis was essentially nothing more than an honorary title.
The title wasn’t hereditary through bloodline, nor could one manage imperial territory.
It was technically nobility, yet true nobles dismissed it as a fake aristocratic rank—that was the sub-marquis.
Still, since it was nobility, I’d heard that quite a stir arose among the nobles when I first received the title.
‘A marquis, no less.’
I’d suddenly been promoted to a true marquis.
From marquis onward, hereditary succession through bloodline became possible, and one could receive and manage territory from the Emperor.
It meant I’d become true nobility.
Even though the Emperor had favored me, I never expected him to grant a marquis title to someone like me, a Player.
I’d become a marquis far faster than anticipated.
I’d worried the nobles might resist, but.
“Ahem.”
“Hmm… An adventurer as a marquis.”
“Shh. Keep quiet.”
Surprisingly, the nobles were accepting the current situation quietly.
“Since the Empire’s circumstances are not favorable at present, we shall deliberate further and grant Mir Marquis territory befitting his station.”
“Thank you.”
“Furthermore, in honor of Mir Marquis, who hails from the adventuring profession, I shall grant you the opportunity to select one additional treasure from the Imperial Palace Treasure Vault!”
Excellent.
Now I’d have another chance to visit the treasure vault.
I could finally choose the treasure I’d missed last time while selecting Luke’s fang.
Satisfied with this, I thought it was over, but.
The Emperor’s gaze remained fixed directly upon me.
I could tell from that look in his eyes.
The true matter was only now beginning.
“Let this suffice for the commendation. How is it, Mir Marquis? Does it please you?”
“Thank you.”
I still wasn’t entirely sure about the marquis rank itself.
The right to choose a treasure was certainly an extraordinary reward.
The special enhancement token and Luke’s body wouldn’t remain available, of course.
But even taking just one treasure from those piled in the vault and selling it would earn me an enormous fortune.
Of course, I preferred to choose rewards with an eye toward the future rather than immediate gain, if possible.
“Good. Then, let us proceed to the main matter.”
The commendation ceremony was now concluded.
What followed was the true subject.
“Mir Marquis, do you know anything of the Evil God?”
It was a question about the Evil God.
And upon hearing that question, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
‘Do you know about Evil Gods?’
The Knight Commander had no knowledge of Evil Gods.
At best, he could only infer the identity of the Red Beast God through the legends surrounding Red Lion.
That’s why I thought even the Emperor wouldn’t truly understand Evil Gods.
Yet here the Emperor was, bringing up the subject first.
I could feign ignorance here.
‘No.’
Now that the continent’s geography had been overturned.
It seemed wise to quickly identify the locations of Evil Gods with the Empire’s assistance.
However.
“I have read texts concerning Evil Gods.”
“Interesting. Evil God texts are classified materials even within the Empire, yet it seems some copies still exist in the world.”
Of course, the fact that I had defeated all the Evil Gods during my time in First was a secret I would keep.
“Then we can proceed efficiently. The continent currently faces a threat from Evil Gods. The Red Lion you defeated is also known to be one of them.”
The Emperor already knew that Red Lion was an Evil God.
Perhaps that’s why he immediately promoted me to Marquis?
If so, the Emperor’s next words would likely be….
“For that reason, I have a request for you, who has defeated an Evil God.”
As expected.
He intended to use me.
If this were a Quest, it would certainly bring substantial rewards, but my priority now was finding the Dwarf Smithy.
So even if it was the Emperor’s request, I was prepared to decline as tactfully as possible….
“The dwarves of Black Rock Mountain have requested rescue on the condition of alliance. Would you not visit them?”
“…Dwarves, you say?”
Unexpectedly, the Emperor’s request and my destination had aligned perfectly.
* * *
“Duke Winchilsey. Is this truly acceptable? Not even a sub-Marquis, but a full Marquis! How could His Majesty the Emperor bestow a noble title upon such a mere adventurer?”
After Mir’s audience with the Emperor concluded.
Nobles began gathering around Duke Winchilsey, whispering amongst themselves.
The topic of conversation was, naturally, Mir.
A hot potato—Mir, who had risen from adventurer to Marquis in an instant.
“Other adventurers are already running wild thinking they too can become nobles! If this one actually receives a noble title….”
“Enough.”
As the nobles continued their chatter about Mir.
Duke Winchilsey, the highest-ranking among them, finally spoke.
“His Majesty has promised us. We may choose the territory to be given to that adventurer.”
“Is that truly the case?”
Even an Emperor could not force through every decision arbitrarily.
Particularly, granting or promoting someone to a noble title was an exceptionally important matter.
For that reason, the Emperor had already discussed this with Duke Winchilsey beforehand.
“It was only a matter of time before that adventurer became a marquis.”
The adventurer Mir.
I disliked the title “adventurer,” but his abilities were genuine.
Duke Winchilsey had watched the footage of Mir defeating Red Lion alongside the Emperor.
Even if I blocked Mir’s promotion now, he would inevitably bring another achievement and eventually ascend to marquis regardless.
Because of this, the Duke devised an alternative approach.
“If something cannot be stopped, then redirect its path instead.”
“What do you mean by that, Your Grace?”
“It means showing him how utterly worthless it is for an adventurer to be promoted to nobility.”
I would be able to choose the territory to grant Marquis Mir.
Then it was simple.
The absolute worst territory in the Empire.
Useless for anything, and governing it would actually result in losses.
Beyond that, I would grant him a worthless territory that would inevitably crumble within a short time.
“Ah, I see!”
“If you grant him a territory that will be seized or disappear anyway, he’ll end up as a marquis in name only, without actual lands!”
“It would serve as an excellent example for adventurers seeking to become nobles for territorial gain!”
“As expected of Duke Winchilsey! Haha!”
A noble without territory posed no threat whatsoever.
A noble in name only?
One could simply ignore them.
Even if Mir were later promoted to count or earl.
Without territory, if the other nobles refused to acknowledge him, he would remain nothing but a noble in name.
“Well then, let us select the territory to grant our Marquis Mir.”
“Excellent!”
The nobles began examining the map with desolate smiles.
* * *
Click.
“Gather them quickly.”
I had entered the Imperial Palace Treasure Vault.
This was my second time entering, but the vault remained breathtaking.
Still.
“It doesn’t compare to my vault. Wouldn’t you agree, Luke?”
– Of course, Master.
No matter how well the Imperial Palace had accumulated treasures, it was child’s play compared to my vault.
If I could enter Luke’s subspace, there would be a warehouse at least ten times larger than this place, with every conceivable item meticulously organized.
“Now, what should I select?”
Even so, I couldn’t help but deliberate.
Setting aside weapons and armor, I examined skill books, elixirs, and other items that could immediately benefit me.
And the item I ultimately chose was.
[ Will you select ‘Mystery of Starlight’s Touch’ from the Imperial Palace Treasure Vault? ]
[ You only have one chance. ]
[ Once you select an item, you will exit the Treasure Vault. ]
This was it.
[ Mystery of Starlight’s Touch ]
Form: Elixir
Grade: Legendary
An item that didn’t exist in First.
Reading the description, it was a peculiar type of elixir that boosted a hidden stat called ‘Dexterity’ rather than the typical five core attributes.
In other words, it was an elixir that would greatly benefit production-class professions.
Since all production-class skill levels were linked to All Master, I would likely use production skills frequently going forward, so I chose this.
Besides, I needed to visit the Dwarf Smithy soon to process mythic-grade materials.
[ You are exiting the Imperial Palace Treasure Vault. ]
After exiting the Treasure Vault.
My business at the Imperial Palace was finished, so I headed outside and rented a room at an Inn.
The moment I did.
– You activate the skill ‘Alchemy’.
I began processing the ‘Mystery of Starlight’s Touch’ elixir using Alchemy.
But that wasn’t all.
Since my level had risen considerably from the battle at Red Beast Fortress, I used newly available elixirs to maximize efficiency.
Especially since my current Alchemy skill was linked to my All Master skill level, making it exceptionally high.
“A higher skill level makes this so much easier.”
My work speed increased, and my touch became far more refined.
Before long.
[ Alchemy has succeeded. ]
[ Judgment: Critical Success ]
[ Artisan’s Passion Elixir ]
Form: Elixir
Grade: Legendary
Requirement: Level 200 or higher
Description: A mysterious elixir created by harmoniously blending various elixirs centered on the Mystery of Starlight’s Touch, greatly enhancing Dexterity.
A legendary-grade elixir had been born, befitting the grade of ‘Mystery of Starlight’s Touch’.
[ You have consumed ‘Artisan’s Passion Elixir’. ]
[ Dexterity increases dramatically. ]
[ Success rate of production-class skills increases dramatically. ]
[ Output quality of production-class skills improves. ]
….
The moment I drank the elixir, various stats, including Dexterity, surged dramatically.
Truly, this was the effect worthy of a legendary-grade elixir.
Now that I’d made the elixir, the next step was.
“Simons.”
“Ah, welcome. Mir Sub-Marquis… or rather, I should call you Mir Marquis now.”
“You’ve already heard?”
“My position is sensitive to political matters, you see. Moreover, Mir Marquis’s existence has become quite the hot topic in Imperial Palace politics—it would be impossible not to know.”
It was time to meet with Simons.
The reason was obvious.
“Thanks to Mir Marquis, I was able to establish a favorable relationship with Lionheart Marquis. Here is the payment for our transaction.”
“Isn’t this more than what the contract specified?”
“I included a bonus for your service as a mercenary escort, and more importantly, this is compensation for the opportunity to begin supplying the Imperial Army, including Lionheart Marquis, thanks to Mir Marquis.”
The amount of gold was staggering.
With this much, I could easily earn over 100 million gold if I put it up for auction right now.
“I heard you’re going to meet with the dwarves.”
“Yes.”
“If possible, I’d like to send my caravan along to establish trade with the dwarves, but since His Majesty the Emperor has given you a commission, I can’t afford to have my caravan delay you.”
“That’s true.”
“Should you happen to acquire a large quantity of ore from the dwarf mines or dwarf-made equipment, I will purchase them at a premium price.”
That made three reasons for me to seek out the dwarves.
First, to use the Dwarf Smithy to process the Red Beast God’s messenger’s hide.
Second, to purchase dwarf equipment and resell it to Simons at an even higher price.
And the most important third reason.
‘The Evil God.’
To eliminate the Evil God that appeared there at the dwarves’ request.
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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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