Ranker's Return

A few seconds later, Heizer was finally able to control his expression and said, “It isn’t that I don’t believe it... It is just too abrupt.”

“It is understandable. Being the emperor isn’t a joke.” Hyeonu slowly nodded. Then he added words to persuade Heizer: “However, this isn’t a position for an imperial prince to feel burdened about. Your Highness, aren’t you the only heir to His Majesty Alexander, the former emperor? You can think of it as gaining the position a bit faster.”

‘It isn’t wrong, but...’

Hyeonu’s words were definitely right. Heizer himself was the only one in the current Yusma Empire qualified to succeed Alexander.

‘It is just too quick.’

It was right that he had left the Holy Kingdom to become the emperor, but he never expected to get the chance to become emperor so quickly. He had planned to build up achievements step by step and win the hearts of the people first.

‘Yet taking over the throne now?’

Heizer was flustered at first, but as time passed by, he felt better.

‘The emperor’—these were pleasant words.

“I will rise to the throne.”

“When will the coronation be held?”

Once the opportunity arose, one should not hesitate. Instead, they do it right away. Therefore, Hyeonu wanted to schedule it immediately.

‘I want to leave even a day earlier.’

No variables were acceptable. No matter what, he would hand over the throne.

“Isn’t it too rushed? It isn’t too late to do it after Heizer gets well.” Gang Junggu put his hand on Hyeonu’s shoulder.

‘He is being too urgent.’

In Gang Junggu’s eyes, Hyeonu was too nervous. Heizer was blinded by the position of emperor, so he wasn’t able to see Hyeonu properly. If he just calmed down a bit… he might’ve noticed that Hyeonu was acting strange.

“Ah, I was in too much of a hurry. Your Highness, I hope you understand. I can’t leave the throne empty...” That was when Hyeonu realized his mistake. He realized that he was strangely in a hurry.

“No, I can see your heart that cares about the empire.”

“Will you be okay in three days?”

“I think that should be enough.” Heizer nodded with a pleased expression. Three days was enough time to recover and for him to make his own preparations.

“In the meantime, I will inform you about the coronation ceremony from time to time.” Hyeonu also looked at Heizer with a smile.

***

The news that Hyeonu had appeared in the north and stopped the black knight had reached the ears of many people.

“As expected of Alley Leader.”

“He hasn’t fought in a battle in months, but he is still very proficient.”

“What are you saying? His skills haven’t rusted at all.”

Most people admired Hyeonu’s strength. They once again realized the majesty of Alley Leader that they had forgotten about. This news spread to the faraway Holy Kingdom.

“Heizer was greatly injured by the black knight. Then at the last moment, the interim emperor Gang Hyeonu appeared and stopped the black knight.”

Alexander drank tea with a calm expression. It was as if he didn’t mind the man’s words about how his only child was in danger.

“It is an obvious plan,” Alexander said. The reason why he didn’t show emotional agitation was because he knew that it was all a part of Hyeonu’s plan. He asked, “Is the black knight still being blocked by that guy?”

“Yes, the interim emperor is blocking the black knight alone. It is just like Heizer did.”

“His level of combat must’ve gone up from back then.”

“It didn’t rise all at once, but he is definitely getting fiercer every day.”

Alexander sipped the tea silently. ‘The difference between the two is striking...’

Putting aside Heizer’s talent and good growth, he had yet to reach Hyeonu’s level. The last time he faced Hyeonu, this guy’s level had already surpassed Heizer’s.

“Rumors are spreading secretly in the capital,” the man on his knees said cautiously.

“Rumors? What are the contents?”

“It is rumored that the coronation ceremony will be held again soon. It seems absurd, but given the fact that high-ranking nobles are appearing in the capital one after another... I don’t think it is something that can be passed over as ungrounded.”

“It isn’t a rumor. It is true, so you don’t have to worry too much,” Alexander confirmed it.

“How can you be so sure?” the man asked with a puzzled expression. The man knew what Alexander knew, but he wasn’t as convinced as Alexander. He only assumed that it was a possibility.

“It is obvious when you think about who started the war.”

“The interim emperor?”

“Yes, he made this war. Why? It’s in order to escape from the throne. He dared to try and bring me back... but someone else was caught. It is a very young fellow who doesn’t know much about the world. What judgment would he make in a situation like this?”

At Alexander’s question, the man gathered his thoughts for a moment.

“He will finish everything before Heizer realizes that he has taken the bait.”

“Yes, that is the case.” Alexander smiled with satisfaction at the man’s answer. Just then, he felt someone’s presence.

“Alexander, are you here?” It was a messenger who came to find Alexander.

“What’s going on?” Alexander turned his head toward the messenger.

“A letter has arrived for you from the imperial court of the Yusma Empire.”

The messenger came up to Alexander and gave him a small envelope with gold embroidery on it.

“A letter?” Alexander cocked his head and picked up the envelope. He immediately opened the envelope and read the paper inside.

-This is an invitation.

The coronation ceremony of Imperial Prince Heizer, who will rule over the Yusma Empire in the future...

“This is funny, really funny.” Alexander put down the invitation and laughed. “I have to go back home.”

***

The news that Hyeonu was handing over the throne spread in an instant. This was several times more shocking than the news that Hyeonu had appeared in the north.

-He is giving up the position of emperor? Really?

-No, why did he come down from there? Isn’t he supposed to give it back to the original emperor?

-By the way, he really isn’t greedy. How can he abandon the position of emperor?

Everyone who heard the news talked about it. Most of them couldn’t understand Hyeonu’s behavior.

-It is worth giving up. He is just working all the time. He can’t even hunt. Is that being the emperor? It is no different from an administrator.

-Honestly, is this a game? It is practically a tycoon game.

-I admit that it is an empire-raising game.

-If it were me, I would quit too.

Only a few people respected Hyeonu’s decision.

‘It would be different if they knew the situation.’

Hyeonu was fine with the reactions of these people. He was well aware of how good the position of emperor seemed.

“Do you think my choice is crazy?” Hyeonu asked Gang Junggu, who had come to visit him.

“It is a very natural choice. I would’ve done it as well. It is the same for Hyung-nim. Your choice isn’t wrong.”

“I believe so as well, Hyung-nim.” Hyeonu smiled very brightly. The moment he so longed for was right before him.

“The coronation is about to begin... Let’s go see the prince together.”

“That is why I came to see you.”

This was the reason why Gang Junggu came to see Hyeonu in the first place—Heizer’s call.

“In any case, congratulations. You are free now,” Gang Junggu congratulated Hyeonu on the way to Heizer.

“Not yet, Hyung-nim. We can celebrate once the coronation ceremony is over.”

Hyeonu didn’t let go of his tension. It was still too early to be happy. Everything wasn’t over yet.

“Isn’t this being too careful? In fact, this is probably the end of it.”

“Did you forget that I saw blood a few months ago?”

“That is true...” Gang Junggu scratched his head. He remembered the day when Hyeonu was forcibly made emperor. They walked for a long time before entering a splendid palace. It was the palace where Heizer had stayed as a child.

Without entering the palace, Gang Junggu called for Heizer from the door: “Heizer! You have to go now.”

“I’m coming out now,” Heizer’s voice rang out. Then a moment later, he appeared.

“It suits you, Heizer.” Gang Junggu clicked his tongue when he saw Heizer who was dressed gorgeously. It was an outfit that looked more gorgeous than what Hyeonu wore at his coronation ceremony.

“How does it suit me? It is uncomfortable. My father also didn’t like this type of outfit.” Heizer shook his head. “We shouldn’t do this here. Let’s go. Didn’t you say that the coronation ceremony will begin soon?”

Heizer moved to the place where the coronation ceremony was prepared with a somewhat unnatural gait.

“He seems nervous.”

“It is natural. Isn’t it the emperor? He just suddenly became the emperor, so there is no way he can be at ease.”

Hyeonu and Gang Junggu discussed while looking at Heizer’s back.

“Let’s go as well. We will be late if we continue like this.”

The two of them followed Heizer and moved diligently.

***

The great hall was already crowded by the time Hyeonu arrived. More than thousands of NPCs were neatly lined up there.

Someone spotted Hyeonu and cried out loudly, “His Majesty has appeared!”

After that, many people started to repeat it: “His Majesty has appeared!”

“Be quiet!” Hyeonu raised a hand and closed the mouths of the NPCs. Then he walked without hesitation and sat down on the prepared throne.

“As everyone knows, I am the interim emperor. I temporarily ruled the empire while His Majesty Alexander, the former emperor, recovered his health. Then by chance, His Majesty Alexander’s only son, Imperial Prince Heizer, has appeared, so I want to return the throne to its rightful place.”

The moment Hyeonu’s words were over, the chief of staff opened his mouth from where he was standing behind Hyeonu.

The chief of staff announced, “Imperial Prince Heizer is entering!”

At the same time, Heizer walked down the exact path Hyeonu had walked.

“This is Imperial Prince Heizer. I brought someone to prove his identity in case there are people who don’t believe it.”

A silver-haired man walked after Heizer.

“Duke John Blake, the former commander of the Knights of Keon, will vouch for Prince Heizer’s identity.”

Hyeonu had even called John Blake here in case of an emergency. Meanwhile, Heizer had just arrived in front of Hyeonu.

‘Did he come?’ Hyeonu looked around the NPCs in search of someone. However, he didn’t find the one he was looking for.

“Give me the imperial seal.” Hyeonu gestured toward the chief of staff. Then the chief of staff came to Hyeonu’s side with the tray containing the imperial seal.

“Take this.” Hyeonu picked up the imperial seal and slowly held it out to Heizer.

“Thank you.” Heizer accepted the imperial seal that Hyeonu gave him.

“Heizer, you are no longer an imperial prince but the emperor.” Hyeonu stepped aside and pointed to the empty throne.

“I am... the emperor...” Heizer looked at the throne with burning eyes.

Just then, a low-pitched voice rang out clearly, “It is a nice sight.”

“Your Majesty!” All the NPCs who saw the owner of the voice knelt down to him.

“Father!”

It was the appearance of Alexander, Heizer’s father and the former emperor.