The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 168

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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 168
Chapter 168
Like any nation, the Baltika Empire harbored various political factions.
The Moderate Faction, which believed—much like the Emperor—that adventurers as a new force should be accepted and utilized wisely.
The Pro-Adventurer Faction, smaller in number but convinced that adventurers, ultimately being imperial citizens, deserved genuine acceptance.
And finally.
“Granting fiefdoms to mere adventurers?”
“What could His Majesty possibly be thinking? Tsk, tsk.”
The Anti-Adventurer Faction, which believed adventurers must be unconditionally rejected.
Centered around Duke Winchilsey, it consisted of the Empire’s pure-blooded noble families.
And among them, there was one figure they had been most closely monitoring and countering of late.
“This is nothing short of a disgrace to the Baltika Empire.”
“Indeed, quite right. I concur entirely.”
“That a filthy adventurer should mingle among the pure-blooded nobility of the Baltika Empire, blessed with the Golden Dragon’s essence. How revolting.”
“And if he holds the rank of Marquis, he could even pass it down through generations, could he not?”
“A noble born of adventurer blood? The very sight of it is abominable!”
“The real problem is that he could ascend to an even higher rank!”
“How could that possibly happen? Achieving a higher rank requires tremendous Achievements.”
“Yet this adventurer accomplished such Achievements in mere moments before attaining the rank of Marquis!”
It was Mir.
And recently, even more troubling news had reached them.
“Marquis Mir has apparently established an Achievement in Moeldum.”
“There was no need to grant an adventurer the rank of Marquis in the first place. But what Achievement are we speaking of?”
“He defeated an Evil God that appeared in Moeldum, the city of dwarves.”
“An Evil God?”
“What is that?”
“Wasn’t it precisely by defeating the Evil God at the Red Beast Fortress that this adventurer was promoted to Marquis?”
“Isn’t that an Achievement the Emperor inflated to justify promoting this adventurer?”
I cannot believe it myself. According to my sources….”
“I find it hard to believe as well. An Evil God or whatever—he likely just defeated some slightly stronger chieftain.”
“I agree. The Emperor is surely inflating this Achievement again to promote that adventurer.”
“Surely he doesn’t intend to promote that adventurer again based on this Achievement!”
“We must prevent this at all costs!”
Mir had defeated the Evil God of Moeldum.
The news was spreading among the nobility.
As a result, the possibility of Mir’s promotion circulated, amplifying anxiety throughout the noble ranks.
Then.
“Duke Winchilsey!”
Duke Winchilsey, who could be called their leader, appeared among them.
Gazing down arrogantly at the nobles rushing toward him, Duke Winchilsey opened his mouth with haughty confidence.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already nailed down that matter.”
“Nailed down? What do you mean, sir?”
“What happened in Mueldum is something no one in the Empire could verify. I made it clear that we cannot elevate a title based on unconfirmed achievements.”
“Ah!”
“That’s absolutely right!”
“Truly, you are Duke Winchilsey!”
The nobles erupted in cheers.
In truth, judging by the dwarves’ actions, it was clear that Mir had defeated the Evil God.
But as Duke Winchilsey said, no one in the Empire could confirm that the Evil God had fallen, nor did they even know that an Evil God had appeared in the first place.
While the Evil God that appeared at Red Beast Fortress could be verified through the fortress commander’s testimony, this situation was an exception.
“However, the territory level has been elevated to that of a Marquis.”
“Pardon?”
“Duke Winchilsey! Surely that cannot be allowed?”
“We blocked the promotion, but a Marquis-level territory…”
“Silence. Do you think I made this decision without considering that as well?”
The moment Duke Winchilsey’s expression turned displeased.
The nobles gathered around him flinched and bowed their heads.
Currently, the Baltika Empire was dominated by the Emperor’s faction, but the power of the nobles remained formidable.
And the central pillar of that noble faction was none other than Duke Winchilsey.
Even the Emperor could not ignore him if Duke Winchilsey openly opposed something—such was his standing.
As such, there was not a single noble among them who dared to defy Duke Winchilsey.
Surveying them, Duke Winchilsey continued.
“I have decided to grant the Kalbera Territory to that adventurer.”
At those words, the nobles tilted their heads in confusion.
“The Kalbera Territory?”
“Where is the Kalbera Territory located?”
“I feel like I’ve heard the name before…”
“Is there a territory in the Empire that I don’t know of?”
“I might not know about baronial-level towns, but I should have at least heard the name of any territory at the Marquis level or above.”
And rightfully so—all the nobles gathered here were of pure Baltika noble bloodlines, so they had heard most territory names throughout their lives.
A territory whose name none of these nobles had ever heard of?
Did that even make sense?
As they pondered in bewilderment.
One noble suddenly lit up and exclaimed.
“Ah! I remember now! The Kalbera Territory is a strategic stronghold on the southern front, isn’t it!”
“Correct.”
“Ah! Truly, you are Duke Winchilsey!”
At those words, the nobles could not contain their curiosity and pestered the man for details.
The man then eagerly began explaining the Kalbera Territory.
“It’s a coastal town or small city bordering the Whale Sea. That sort of place.”
“Whale Sea? I’ve never even heard of it before.”
“It’s a coastal town that connects to the southern front lines, and it was used as an important strategic stronghold.”
“What? Then it’s an incredibly important place! How could you entrust such a vital location to a mere adventurer!”
“Please hear me out. That was the situation in the past.”
“And now?”
“Haven’t you heard the news from the south? The front lines have been pushed back steadily due to the strengthened sea creatures.”
“Surely not!”
“It’s true. The retreating front lines will soon reach Kalbera Territory.”
The man looked at Duke Winchilsey, and Duke Winchilsey nodded in agreement.
“Moreover, since Kalbera Territory borders the sea, it’s extremely vulnerable to attacks from sea creatures.”
“Indeed. And if the adventurer loses the territory because of this, what then?”
“Losing a granted territory! Then there would be no need to grant a new one, and we could even strip him of his noble title by holding him accountable!”
“Exactly.”
That was it.
This was precisely why Duke Winchilsey had chosen Kalbera Territory from among countless fiefdoms.
His plan was to deliberately grant the adventurer Mir a dangerous territory, ensure he lost it, and then strip him of his noble title by holding him responsible.
Kalbera Territory was perfect for this purpose.
“At most, he has a month. Within that time, the stain on the Baltika Empire—a noble of adventurer origin—will disappear.”
* * *
I received a brief explanation about Kalbera Territory from the Emperor.
A strategic stronghold in the southern part of the Empire.
As befitted its designation as a strategic stronghold, the location was excellent, abundant resources surrounded it, and as a coastal town, maritime trade was possible.
However.
‘He did mention there were some minor issues.’
It wasn’t simply a perfect place.
The Emperor had consistently smiled and told me it would become the finest territory, but after making inquiries and investigating Kalbera Territory further.
Kalbera Territory was currently in a precarious state.
A fragile lamp standing before the wind of the white sea creatures.
That was precisely the state of Kalbera Territory.
Of course, the sea creatures hadn’t yet reached Kalbera Territory, but it was only a matter of time.
At most, a month, they said?
‘A territory…’
Back in First, I had been treated as a hero by NPCs and even received a honorary noble title.
But this was my first time receiving a proper territory.
Dangerous as it may be, I plan to visit it first.
‘Besides, I have business in the south anyway.’
The white sea creatures.
They were clearly sea creatures influenced by the white aquatic Evil God.
As the All Master, I grow stronger each time I defeat an Evil God according to my Quest, so ultimately I must go defeat the white aquatic Evil God.
Might as well check on the territory while I’m at it.
I plan to head south and defeat the white aquatic deity as well.
‘But first, I need to prepare, don’t I?’
Still, if I’m going to govern a territory, I can’t show up empty-handed.
I need to understand the situation in Kalbera Territory and bring the necessary materials with me.
I can obtain materials through the Simmons Trading Company, so that’s not a major problem, but the real issue is.
‘Manpower.’
I’m short on people.
Even if I go to Kalbera Territory, what can I accomplish alone?
Once I arrive at the territory, I’ll need people to manage it and people to restore it.
And most importantly, I lack combat personnel.
Even though I could defeat the white aquatic being on my own, I can’t possibly defend the entire Kalbera Territory by myself.
As I was thinking about this.
‘…A Guild.’
Kang Ju-hyuk’s words came to mind.
He’d said that if I had no intention of joining a Guild, I should create one myself.
Even if I govern the territory, I don’t plan to be completely tied to it, but creating a Guild to maintain the territory didn’t seem like a bad idea.
‘I should think about this more carefully.’
It’s not just combat roles either.
I’d need architects to construct buildings in the territory, blacksmiths to craft various tools, and so on.
Ideally, I’d like to have various production specialists join as well.
Unfortunately, I knew very little about Guilds, so I’d need to ask Kang Ju-hyuk about it when I logged back into the game.
Well, that’s a matter for later.
“Luke, retrieve the Advanced Mana Circuit Blueprint for me.”
– Yes, Master.
I pulled out an item I’d selected from the treasure vault I’d visited through the Emperor’s reward.
[ Advanced Mana Circuit Blueprint ]
Form: Skill Book
Grade: Legendary
Restriction: Magic Mastery Lv 40 or higher
Description: A blueprint for a mana circuit optimized for modern mages, created by Bryn Selentia, the 12th Magic Tower Master, through a lifetime of research into mana circuits.
That’s right.
This was the treasure I’d chosen as my reward this time.
I’d originally considered choosing a highly liquidable item and listing it on the Auction House again, but it seemed the mythic-grade gauntlets I’d listed this time would bring in sufficient funds.
So instead of a liquidable item, I chose something to strengthen my current combat power.
Of course, an item I didn’t yet possess—something newly added in Second.
Without hesitation, I opened the skill book.
– You have acquired the ‘Advanced Mana Circuit Lv 1’ skill by using the ‘Advanced Mana Circuit Blueprint’.
I was able to acquire the skill immediately.
Let me check the skill’s effects.
[ Advanced Mana Circuit Lv 1 ]
An advanced mana circuit optimized for modern mages has been generated.
When casting magic, mana consumption decreases and mana circulation speed increases, further elevating spell casting speed and magical potency.
The more frequently magic is used and the higher skill levels rise, the more optimized the mana circuit becomes, further enhancing magic.
That was the essence of it.
Simply put, it was a skill that amplified magical power across the board.
I had chosen this skill because it seemed to create excellent synergy with the Arcane Blade I had just completed.
A low hum resonated through me.
‘So this is what it feels like.’
Upon acquiring the skill, I felt the circulation speed of mana within my body accelerate.
Certainly, with this sensation, it was only natural that spell casting speed and efficiency would increase.
Moreover, depending on how I used it, I could likely employ the circuit even more efficiently.
In any case, with the important matter settled, I was about to proceed with the next task.
Ding!
Before my eyes.
An unexpected System Message appeared.
[ Hello, Mir. ]
[ I’m GM Mimic, the auction manager overseeing the Auction House in Second! ]
[ If you have time, would you be willing to share a cup of tea and chat? ]
The GM of Second.
In other words, the Game Master.
The operator of Second had reached out to me.

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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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