Original subtitles

What is the Ranking of Kings?

"Are there many prominent knights in his service?"

"Are his subjects fruitful, and are his towns thriving?"

"And above all else, does he himself bear the power of a mighty hero?"

These are the measures by which nations determine the Ranking of Kings.

Are they picking on you again, my little prince?

It's all right.

You are a strong boy.

You are capable of overcoming countless obstacles.

Then you have to become the greatest king in all the world.

That's a promise.

That sheen of sweat and tears

Is unrivaled in allure

So give me a grin

Breathing ragged from exertion

You're sublime without compare

Ranking of Kings

Feeling flat like a drink without the fizz

You slowly melted into languid days

But even a duckling can spread its wings

And dream of soaring the skies as a swan

Rather than wander aimlessly

Let's savor everything that we've awaited

Taking only the shortcuts leaves you unsatiated

Taking your time, taking the hard road

You just couldn't make it

Are you still going to chase the sunset?

Well, run into the distance!

Your muddied boots and muddier footprints surely lead to the future

Now break into a dash!

Breathing torn from exertion

You're sublime without compare

Episode 1

The Prince's New Clothes

Who the heck are you?

Hey, wait!

I haven't seen you around here before.

And what's with the crown?

Who are you?

Are you trying to ignore me or what?!

Hmph, fine.

All right, now hand over your money if you value your life.

Speak up, will ya?!

I told you to hand over your money!

What's your deal, kid? Can't talk?

Perhaps you can't hear, either?

So how am I supposed to get through to you?

What? You don't have any money, you say?

You can tell what I'm saying by watching my mouth move?

Now you're asking how I can tell what you're saying?

Heck if I know. But I somehow understand you fine.

Hey! Don't change the subject on me!

If you got no money, then take off your clothes and leave 'em with me!

Yeah, you play along real nice.

Makes things easier for us less fortunate types.

You're doing a good deed, kid.

You show some promise, you know that?

Now come back here tomorrow with some more fancy clothes.

And hey, don't tell anybody about all this, all right?

Good, now scram.

There sure are some dumb kids out there.

What's going on there?

That's the First Prince, Prince Bojji.

That's the prince?

My guess is he got waylaid by a highwayman somewhere.

Oh, but he was smiling.

He's an idiot.

Deaf and mute, to make matters worse.

And to top it off, he could barely swing a children's sword from what I've been told.

A real waste of a prince.

He's not coming...

H-He's... not planning on having me arrested, is he?

Hey.

What's got you in such a good mood, bucko?

You're happy to have somebody you could talk to?

And that's all it takes to make you smile, huh?

I get it.

I guess no one wants to try talking with an idiot boy who can't hear, do they?

"That's right. You really do get me," you say?

You dunce!

I'm making fun of you!

You sure are hard to deal with.

What?

You're telling me to stay here so you could bring even more of your clothes tomorrow?

Well, I don't take orders from anyone.

What's your name?

Bojji, eh?

I'm Kage.

Don't push yourself.

I'll be counting on you tomorrow as well, Bojji.

Never met anyone like that.

Well, his clothes fetch a pretty penny, so I guess I'll wait for him.

What, you're the prince who lives in that castle there?

That means you're gonna be the king some day.

And you'll become the greatest king in the world?

There's no way you'll ever be a great king!

You're deaf and can't talk!

You really are an idiot, huh?

Wh-What? You'll be a great king anyway?

All right, I get it.

Become the king, and make the world a more fun place to live in.

I'll be looking forward to it.

Sure enough, he's the butt of all their jokes.

Course, I'm partly to blame.

I've seen him out of his clothes every day lately.

It's worrying to think that he might be the next king.

Why don't you have any clothes?

Hey, she asked him.

How come?

Can't hear them, huh?

Now, now!

The prince is unable to hear anything.

Why not? He has ears!

Some people can't hear even if they have ears.

Then he won't know if we say mean stuff!

You big dummy!

Now, now...

Hey, why don't you try to say something?

He says "Auh-auh"!

Poor boy.

Ah, he ran away!

Wait up!

If you can't talk, then just say you can't talk!

There's a sharp one.

No way.

This is where the little runt lives?

Dunno why, but that kinda bugs me.

Hey, he doesn't have any clothes on again.

It's a sad sight to see.

I doubt he even realizes how big of a fool he is.

Ignorance is bliss.

I can't believe you actually go out undressed.

And what, pray tell, compelled you to do that, Prince Bojji?

Queen Hiling

Mother of Second Prince Daida

Most likely, the prince was accosted by highwaymen.

Justice Minister Sandeo

Big Four

'Sword Master' Domas

How could something like that happen to one of our princes?

Prince Bojji's swordsmanship tutor

Pathetic.

Big Four

'Spear of the King' Apeas

Big Four

'Shield of the Queen' Dorshe

Domas.

Yes, Your Majesty?

The culprits must be put to death.

Go out and apprehend them.

It shall be done.

You say I have misunderstood?

You put yourself in this state for some game?!

What sort of game is that?!

Your actions will tarnish the dignity of this royal family.

And what's more, they'll disrupt the harmony of our kingdom!

Ordinarily, these would be grave offenses that you'd lose your head for!

With this, I think it is quite clear that this boy is not fit to be the king.

You don't have to translate that!

It couldn't be clearer that Daida is more apt for the throne.

Hmm?

The boy appears to be quite shocked.

He shouldn't be able to hear me, right?

That is our understanding.

Let's be off.

How could it be that he is next in line for the throne and not Daida?

I wish this were a meritocracy.

You, straighten that uniform or lose your head!

F-Forgive me, Your Majesty!

What's up with that hysterical brick house old biddy?

She's the queen?

Prince...

The king was asking for you.

Please go see him as soon as you're dressed.

This kid...

He's been holding himself back and acting like he's been okay this whole time.

Huh?

Where did he go?

You're a member of the shadow clan, aren't you?

Big Four

'Snake Handler' Bebin

That accursed clan of assassins.

Second Prince Daida's swordsmanship tutor

I heard they had been completely wiped out.

You're still just a child.

Enter.

7th in the Ranking of Kings

King Bosse

There you are,

Prince.

The attack came without 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.

And so began the Kingdom of Bosse.

Bojji.

I'm told you've been wandering about the town in the state of undress.

What is the meaning of this?

Premier Sori

We of the royal family must provide a good example for the people to follow.

Were you attacked by bandits?

Or perhaps you were simply being bullied?

In any case,

you are ultimately responsible for being in that situation—

King Bosse!

Remain calm.

You are the son of the late first queen,

and I adore you more than I can bear.

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've assigned you Domas, the greatest sword master in the land, as your teacher.

There's no reason why you can't grow stronger.

Domas.

Majesty?

You are to be more rigorous in training the prince.

Yes, Majesty.

Devote yourself to your training, my son.

Now go.

Who hired you, and who are you here to kill?

If you don't answer...

Look, I told you!

I don't do any killing!

Ow!

Assassination is the shadow clan's livelihood.

You were once the chosen assassins for the Kingdom of Bo.

And once they pledge loyalty to a ruler, they'd never betray them.

Don't you dare talk about that!

But then, suddenly, after they attempted to kill the king,

your entire clan was eradicated, weren't they?

Hey, out with it, already—

Hiding in the shadows, I see.

Be on alert.

Though, I don't suspect he poses a real threat.

You sure are being rough.

Why, Prince Daida...

Second Prince Daida

How is my brother coming along?

Has he gotten any stronger?

Huh?

How about a brief spar so I can see what he could do?

My apologies, but I don't believe that would be prudent.

Then instead, Domas, may I spar with you?

Huh? With me?

Yes. It's fine if it's you, right?

Well, perhaps...

I heard he easily defeated the top captain in the Order of Bebin.

He's completely overconfident now.

Against my inclination, I accept.

If he insists, 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.

He wields the sword like a king.

I want to teach him my ways.

Prince Bojji?

What's this?

You want to take me on?

For cryin' out loud.

I follow the little twerp out here and look what I get tangled up in.

I've gotta get out of this creepy place right now—

Hey, did you hear?

Word is that Prince Bojji and Prince Daida are going to have a match.

Let's go watch.

Him? A match?

What's this commotion? Someone explain.

It would appear that Prince Bojji and Prince Daida are going to have a match.

A fight between those brothers? How preposterous.

Prince Bojji is no match for him.

What in the world is he thinking?

Hey, who do you think will win?

You're not seriously asking, are you?

Prince Daida took down the top captain, Bohen.

He resigned from the order after that, you know.

True.

Still, back then...

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?

It would appear Domas's pupil and yours are having a match.

Hmm...

Well, we all know the outcome is hardly in doubt.

Be warned, Brother, I won't hold back.

Begin!

I knew it!

It wasn't a fluke!

It was his own ability!

Damn it!

He hit him!

He dodged and countered!

Hey, he's not bad!

You're not bad at all, Bojji!

Don't leave me all on my own

I wonder when I became so accustomed

To days of bearing such heavy burdens

You can put the hard stuff off till later

'Cause the night is awaiting lonesome little me

Don't let me feel so torn

By desolate solitude ever again

When remembering those nights

Please don't call it loneliness

If you're feeling vulnerable

I'll be vulnerable with you

So if you're just acting tough

I'll softly embrace all your weakness

I won't let you feel alone