What is the Ranking of Kings?
"Does he have many prominent knights in his service?"
"Does he have many subjects, and are his towns thriving?"
"And most of all, is the king himself as powerful as a hero?"
These conditions determine the ranking of each nation's king.
Prince, did they pick on you again?
It's all right. You are a strong boy.
You can make it through lots of unpleasantness.
Then you have to become the greatest king in all the world.
Promise me.
Face dewy with tears and sweat
With your own unique beauty
Smile for me
Panting with exertion, you shine brighter than anyone
"Ranking of Kings"
You melted into these almost listless days
Energy faded like soda gone flat
As a duckling you spread your wings
And dream of flying as a swan
If you have to wander, then enjoy it as much as you can
Nothing fun about just taking shortcuts, right?
You took your time, took the hard road
But you couldn't get there
You keep chasing the sunset as many times as it takes
Now run far
Your dirty shoes and footprints will head steadily into the future
Panting with exertion, you shine brighter than anyone
"Episode 1: The Prince's New Clothes"
Who the heck are you?
Hey, wait!
I haven't seen you around here. Plus you're wearing that crown.
Who are you?
I'm talking to you! Are you ignoring me?!
Hmph, fine, then.
Okay, if you value your life, give me all your money.
Speak up! I told you to hand over your money!
What's your deal? You can't talk?
You can't hear, either?
So how am I supposed to get through to you?
What? You don't have any money?
Can you tell what I'm saying by watching my mouth?
Do I understand what you're saying, you ask?
I guess. I don't know how I understand you, but I do.
Wait, that doesn't matter!
If you don't have any money then take off all your clothes and leave them here!
Nice and obedient, aren't you? That's good for a poor guy like me.
You're doing the right thing here.
You show some promise, you know that?
All right, bring me some more expensive clothes tomorrow.
And remember, don't tell anyone else about this.
Good, now get going.
There sure are some stupid kids out there.
What's going on there?
That's the First Prince, Prince Bojji.
That's the prince?
I'd bet he got held up by a highwayman somewhere.
Oh, but he was smiling.
He's stupid. What's more, he can't hear or talk, either.
To make matters worse, I hear he can't even wield a children's sword well.
He's a waste of a prince.
He's not coming...
H-He's... not planning on having me arrested, is he?
Hey.
What are you so happy about?
You're happy to have someone you can talk to?
What's the matter with you? That's something that makes you happy?
Oh.
You can't hear and you're an idiot, so nobody engages with you, is that it?
"That's right. You really do get me."
You idiot!
I'm making fun of you!
You sure are hard to deal with.
What? You're bringing lots more clothes tomorrow, too,
so you want me to be here?
Hmph, I don't take orders from anyone.
What's your name?
Bojji, eh?
I'm Kage.
Don't overdo it. Let's do this again tomorrow, Bojji.
First time I've ever met anyone like that.
Well, his clothes will fetch a pretty penny,
so I guess I'll wait for him.
Whoa, so you're the prince who lives in that castle there?
Then you'll be the king someday.
You're gonna be the greatest king in the world?
There's no way you'll ever be a great king!
For one thing, you're deaf, and on top of that, you're dumb.
You really are an idiot, huh?
Wh-What? You'll be a great king anyway?
Okay, fine.
Become the king, and make the world a fun place to live in.
I'll be waiting patiently for that day.
Uh-huh, they're laughing at him.
Of course, I'm to blame for that.
I've seen him out of his clothes every day, lately.
It's unsettling to think that he might be the next king.
Why don't you have any clothes on?
Hey, did you hear what she asked?
--How come? --How come?
He can't hear them.
Hey, you there!
The prince is unable to hear anything.
Why not? He has ears, doesn't he?
Some people have ears, but still can't hear.
Then he can't hear us if we insult him, right?
Stupid! Stupid!
Hey, now...
Hey, would you say something?
He says "ungh-ungh"!
Poor boy.
--Ah, he left! --Wait up!
If you can't talk, then just say you can't talk!
Don't be ridiculous.
This...
is where that guy lives? That kind of makes me angry, somehow.
Hey, he doesn't have any clothes on again.
Pathetic.
I doubt he even realizes how big of a fool he is.
Ignorance is bliss.
I can't believe you actually go out undressed.
What exactly is the meaning of this, Prince Bojji?
"Queen Hiling, mother of Second Prince Daida" What exactly is the meaning of this, Prince Bojji?
"Queen Hiling, mother of Second Prince Daida" Well, it's likely that
"Justice Minister Sandeo" Well, it's likely that
"Justice Minister Sandeo" he got mugged by highwaymen.
"Big Four, 'Swordmaster' Domas" he got mugged by highwaymen.
"Big Four, 'Swordmaster' Domas" How can something like that happen to one of our princes? Pathetic.
"Prince Bojji's swordsmanship tutor" How can something like that happen to one of our princes? Pathetic.
"Big Four, 'Spear of the King' Apeas"
"Big Four, 'Shield of the Queen' Dorshe"
Domas...
"Big Four, 'Shield of the Queen' Dorshe" Your Majesty?
Go and catch this highwayman. He must be put to death.
Very well.
What? I have it wrong?
You were playing a game by yourself?! What sort of game is this?!
You are tarnishing the dignity of the royal family,
and furthermore, you are disturbing the kingdom's harmony.
Ordinarily, these would be grave offenses that you'd lose your head for.
But now, I think it is quite clear...
...that this boy is not fit to be the king.
You don't have to translate that!
Daida is a hundred times more fit to be the king. Huh?
The boy appears to be quite shocked. He can't hear me, right?
That is our understanding.
Hmph. Let's go.
How is he First Prince, while Daida is Second Prince, anyway?
I wish this were a meritocracy.
Your uniform is rumpled! Off with your head!
I-I am terribly sorry!
What's up with that hysterical brickhouse old biddy? She's a queen?
Prince...
The king was asking for you. Please get dressed and go see him right away.
So he's...
...been holding himself back and acting like he's been okay this whole time.
Hold on, which way did he go?
You're a member of the shadow clan, aren't you?
"Big Four, 'Snake Handler' Bebin" You're a member of the shadow clan, aren't you?
"Seconnd Prince Daida's swordsmanship tutor"
"Second Prince Daida's swordsmanship tutor" That accursed clan of assassins. I heard they had been completely wiped out.
You're still just a child.
Enter.
"Ranking of Kings 7th Place, King Bosse"
You're here,
Prince.
It happened without any warning.
Despite suffering many losses,
the villagers fought with everything they had...
What is that?
...but when they saw a horde of monsters large enough to engulf the field,
the villagers cursed their fate.
A man appeared out of nowhere.
The way he fought was truly a sight to see.
This was the beginning of the Kingdom of Bosse.
Bojji, I hear you've been walking around town lately with no clothes on.
"Premier Sorii" What is the meaning of this?
We of the royal family must be those upon whom the people can rely.
Were you attacked by highwaymen? Or perhaps someone bullied you.
It doesn't really matter.
The issue is that you allowed the situation to happen--
King Bosse!
Remain calm.
You are the son of the late first queen,
and I adore you so much I can't bear it. However,
my heart aches for the country once I am gone.
Your hands are soft and weak.
Daida's hands are hunks of effort and training.
I have given you Domas, the greatest swordmaster in the land, as your teacher.
There's no reason why you can't grow stronger.
Domas...
Majesty?
I want you to train the prince more rigorously.
Yes, Majesty.
Devote yourself to your training, my son.
Now go.
Who sent you, and who are you here to kill?
Unless you answer me...
Look, I told you!
I don't do any killing!
--Ee-yow! --Assassination is the shadow clan's livelihood.
You were once the in-house assassins for the Kingdom of Bo.
And once you choose your ruler, you never betray them.
Stop talking about that!
But then, suddenly, after attempting to kill the king,
your entire clan was killed, weren't they?
Hey, out with it, already--
Tch, blended into the shadows, did you?
Be on alert. I doubt he can do anything serious, though.
You're on a rampage, huh?
Why, Prince Daida...
"Second Prince Daida"
How is my brother coming along? Has he gotten any stronger?
Huh?
I'd like to spar with him for a bit.
Well, that would be premature.
Then, Domas, let me spar with you.
Huh? Me?
Yes. I can take you on, can't I?
Oh, well...
I heard he clobbered the Order of Bebin's top captain.
He's completely overconfident now.
I'm not inclined to do so, but very well.
I guess I can take him down a peg.
Such intensity...
He's the spitting image of King Bosse!
O-Outstanding!
How do you like this? Come on, come on...!
Your swordsmanship is magnificent.
He will grow even stronger. This is the swordsmanship of a king.
I want to teach him my ways.
Prince Bojji?
What's this?
You want to take me on?
For heaven's sake, I followed that guy here, and now look at the mess I'm in.
I've gotta get out of this freaky place right now--
Hey, did you hear?
Word is that Prince Bojji and Prince Daida are fighting each other.
Let's go watch.
Him, in a fight?
Such a commotion. What's going on?
It would appear that Prince Bojji and Prince Daida are fighting.
Hmm. A fight between those brothers? How preposterous.
Prince Bojji is no match for him. What in the world is he thinking?
Hey, which one do you think will win?
What are you talking about? Prince Daida took down the top captain, Bohen,
after which Bohen quit the order.
Good point. Still, that one time...
I guess we'll find out for sure during this match.
All right, I'm about to start the match.
Are both of you ready?
Domas's pupil and your pupil are having a match.
Hmm... Well, we already know how this will turn out.
Brother, I'm not going to hold back.
Begin!
I knew it! It wasn't just a fluke!
That thing he did back there...
Damn it!
He hit him!
He dodged him, then hit him!
Hey, he's not bad!
You're not bad, Bojji!