Original subtitles

This guy's name is Bojji.

He can't speak or hear.

On top of that, he's an unbelievably kind-hearted idiot.

But his fancy clothes caught my attention,

and before I knew it, I'd followed him straight into the predicament I'm in now.

They found out I'm a member of the shadow clan, who used to make their living as assassins.

As if society hadn't thrown enough grief my way.

I should've just ran away when I had the chance.

And yet, when I heard that he was having a match with Daida, his skilled younger brother,

I got curious for some reason and went back.

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 2

The Prince and Kage

Hide!

You can't hide forever.

Hey!

They got someone from the light clan.

Kage, I need you to keep running by yourself now.

What about you, Mommy?

Mommy will go take care of all of them.

I'll be too concerned about you to fight them if you're around, so run on ahead without me.

We'll meet up again in the toxic forest up ahead.

Okay? Got it?

'Kay...

You're so precious to me, my sweet Kage.

Truly precious.

Okay. Go now.

Quickly!

Hurry, okay?

I'll take care of them!

White!

There you are.

One got away! After it!

You're not going anywhere!

You're all-powerful when hiding in the darkness,

but you're at your weakest once you've been spotted.

Rather bold of you.

Geslan, what poison have you whispered in the king's ear?

Hey, I hardly see any call for such accusations.

Look around you.

I will make your death as painless as theirs, so just hold still.

Where's the toxic forest?

Still that far away?

M-Mommy!

Goodness, you're a stubborn one.

Kage, did you get away?

It looks like Mommy won't be catching up.

I don't know if you're buying time or whatever,

but I believe the brat has been caught by another patrol.

Why, if it isn't the little countess, Poise.

Did you see a shadow clan child come by here?

What a creepy little girl.

Fled to the forest, as expected.

You have our thanks.

Did you finish it?

No, sir, it appears to have fled into the toxic forest.

Hurry and get after it.

M-Mommy!

Wh-What's the matter?

Please, be on your way, sirs!

You're frightening the young lady!

We beg your pardon.

Lord Geslan, let's be off.

As servants of King Bo, we offer you our aid.

Though, this is all that we have to give.

You'll reach another kingdom further down this path.

You should be safe there.

Th-Thank you very much.

Good luck.

Will that little guy be okay?

He's still of the shadow clan, fallen though they may be. He'll land on his feet.

Come, we too must be on our way.

Kage!

Here's your birthday present!

Really?

Hooray!

Yay! Thanks, Mommy!

Can I trade you this for an apple?

Huh?

If you wanna buy something, bring money.

I'll take four of these.

Comin' right up!

Stop! Thief!

What?!

What are you looking at?!

I'm feeding you for nothing, you know!

You got some kind of problem with that?!

No, none.

Come to think of it...

I need to get you to earn some money.

Get inside and unlock the door.

You can do that, can't you?

Y-Yes.

Nice work.

Awesome!

You pulled it off, shadow dude!

Good, good, well done.

Here you go.

Damn it, I lost again.

I won't stand for this.

Mommy, you all are some super-powerful assassins, right?

Tell me, what kind of bad guys have you gotten rid of?

Let's see...

We'll kill anyone if we're ordered to, be they women, children, the ill, or elderly.

Y-You're kidding.

No, it's true.

That's why we have no right to say anything if someone else kills us.

Why do you do that stuff?

Maybe because we were born with the perfect forms for doing awful things.

But listen to me.

We do whatever we can to serve the interests of the people who need us.

That's what our light is.

Oh no. They're coming!

Kage, wake up!

There it is!

It went outside!

After it! After it!

It's no use. It's using the darkness for cover.

Who's there knockin' at this hour?

You?!

Don't come back here, you idiot!

I'm done with you! Go somewhere else!

Shoo! Shoo!

N-No, stop!

You're the one who hit me first, remember?!

Hey...

Aw, he's done for.

Scram! Leave!

Another big haul today.

This haul ought ta keep me fed for a good long while.

Who the heck are you?

Hey, wait!

I haven't seen you around here before.

Why did I come back here for a runt like him?

Begin!

Damn it!

You're not bad at all, Bojji!

I never knew Prince Bojji had this kind of talent.

However...

I-Impossible!

That's it, Bojji!

Your eyes and insight are sharp enough to read a person's words just by watching their lips move!

Your pupil, Prince Daida, looks like he's going to lose, doesn't he?

Is that how it looks?

He clearly seems unable to defend himself.

Prince Bojji shows absolutely no sign of beating him.

And if by some miracle he does win,

he'll lose whatever regal qualities he has.

Hey, the way Prince Bojji fights seems kind of dirty, huh?

Yeah. You might even say it's cowardly.

It's underhanded.

It's sickening.

It's sneaky.

That's it, Bojji! You got it!

He'll turn them all against him at this rate.

It looks like he's making fun of someone who's desperately fighting.

But it's the only way someone as powerless as Prince Bojji can fight.

So, what will it be, Prince Bojji?

Damn it!

You fight dirty, Brother!

What?

What did he say?

Surely you needn't say it so coldly, Domas.

All the same, it was a wise decision.

Hey, why aren't you dodging?!

Why don't they stop him?!

B-Bojji...

S-Stop!

Apeas...

That's the match!

Prince Daida is the winner!

Prince Bojji!

Someone get a doctor. Now!

Bojji...

Apeas, I know what you're trying to tell me.

I'm sorry, but you must understand.

Brother was fighting dirty.

I made sure he'll never recover from that.

Hey, what exactly did Domas say to him?

Your Highness, he said "That is not the swordsmanship of a king;

you must exchange blows with him."

Everything is proceeding exactly as predicted.

Welcome back.

Yes.

It seems my path to the throne is clearing quickly, just as you said it would.

However superb he is at dodging,

if he doesn't have the strength to wield even a short sword,

he cannot defeat his foes.

I truly grieve for the boy.

He was born under a star that keeps him from growing stronger.

I shall return.

So that was Domas?

I know his type—you could never count on guys like that.

That's dirty swordplay!

You coward!

That is not the swordsmanship of a king.

Hey, where are you going?

You have to stay in bed, you know.

Bojji...

You've got nothing to be embarrassed about.

I watched your match, and you looked so cool.

You won that fight.

Hold your head up high.

No matter what anyone else says, I think your style is just fine as it is.

No, I'm not taking anything from you anymore.

You may not know how to take this, coming out of the blue and all...

but I...

I want to be in your corner from now on, no matter what happens.

I mean what I'm saying.

I mean it, 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