Ranking of Kings (王様ランキング)

What is the measure of a king?

Are there many prominent knights in his service?

Are his subjects fruitful, and his towns thriving?

And above all else does he, himself,

bear the power of a hero?

These are the measures by which nations determine

the Ranking of Kings.

Oh, Prince, were they bullying you again?

Never you mind them. You're stronger than they know.

You can persevere through all of that ugliness.

And then, you must become the greatest king in all the world.

Promise me.

Huh? Who the heck are you?

Hey, Get back here!

I haven't seen you around here before.

Who are you, and what's up with that crown on your head?

Are you trying to ignore me or what?!

Heh. Fine. I'll make it easy for ya.

Your money or your life! What'll it be?!

Uh... Uh, uh--

Better speak up, little runt!

Your money or your life, I said!

Uh... Uh...

Huh? What's your deal, kid?

You can't talk or somethin'? And you can't hear, either?

That's gonna make it kinda hard

to get the idea across.

Ah... Ah... Ah...

Guess you're telling me you don't have any money on ya.

Au!

Are you figuring out what I'm saying by watching

my mouth move?

Au!

Now you're asking how I'm figuring out what you're saying?

Heck if I know, but I understand you fine.

Hey, don't go changing the subject!

If ya got no money then take off your clothes

and leave 'em with me!

Ah!

Yeah, you play along real nice.

Makes things easier on us less fortunate types.

It's a good thing you're doin', kid.

You show some promise, you know that?

Au!

Now, come back here tomorrow with

some more fancy clothes!

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

-- Hmm! --Get outta here.

There are some dumb kids around nowadays.

What is this about?

It's Prince Bojji, the king's eldest son.

The prince? That boy?

My guess is, he was waylaid by a highwayman

and lost his clothes.

But wasn't he smiling just now?

He's an idiot.

Deaf and mute, to make matters worse.

And to top it off, he can barely swing a children's sword,

from what I've been told. A real waste of a prince.

He's not coming.

Or maybe...

...he's gonna bring me in!

-- Ahh! --

Hmm?

Au!

Au?

--Hey. --Ah!

What have you got to be so happy about, kid?

Ah! Au-wa!

You're happy to have somebody to talk to?

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

Hmm! Mm!

I get it.

I guess people don't really wanna engage with an idiot boy

who can't hear or talk, do they?

Ah, ah, au!

"It's good to meet someone who understands," you say?

You dunce!

Don't you know when you're being made fun of?!

What am I gonna do with this kid?

Ah, ah, ah, au.

Hold on. You're telling me to stay here

so you can bring me even more of your clothes tomorrow?

Heh. Well, don't expect me to take orders from you.

What's your name, anyway?

Oh-ee.

-- Bojji, huh? -- Hmm!

I'm Kage.

Aeh. Ah-eh.

Don't strain yourself.

Let's do this again tomorrow, Bojji.

Ah!

Never met anyone like that.

But I'll get quite a bit for his clothes.

Might as well stick with it.

Ah-eh!

Ah, ah!

Ah. Eh! Ah. Eh. Ah-eh!

Ah! Ah, ah, ah!

Oh, wow, you're the prince livin' in

that great big castle.

That means you're gonna be king someday.

Wah! Ah, ah, ah!

You seriously believe you're gonna be

the greatest king in the world?

You've got none of what it takes to be a great king, fool!

How're you gonna lead people when you're deaf

and don't talk?

You really are some kind of idiot, aren't you?

Ah-em, ahm, aum!

Eh. And even if all that's true,

you're still gonna be a great king?

Yeah, whatever.

You go become a great king, and make the world

a more fun place to live.

Au!

Heh, heh. I'll be lookin' forward to it.

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

'Course, that's really 'cause of me.

I've seen him out of his clothes

every day, lately.

Who knows what will become of us

if he ends up our next king.

Wah!

Hey. Why don't you have any clothes?

Did she just say that...?

Where are they?!

He can't hear them...

You three!

The prince isn't able to hear anything.

--Whoa! --He has ears!

Why not?!

Some people have ears, but still can't hear.

Then he can't hear us if we say mean stuff!

--Ya big dummy! --

Easy, now...

Wow...

So, you... Can't you say anything?

Ah, heh-woh?

"Wah-hewoh!"

-- -- You poor boy.

-- --Wait, you!

Hey, don't run away!

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?

I dunno why, but that kinda bugs me.

He came back here naked again.

It's sad to see.

He doesn't even understand

how big of a fool he is.

Ignorance is bliss.

You walked out among the public, undressed?

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

Most likely, the prince was accosted by highwaymen.

How could something like that happen

to one of our princes? Pathetic!

Domas.

Aye?

The culprits will be put to death.

Go out and apprehend them.

It shall be done.

You say I've 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!

Normally, these offenses would cost you your head!

But no, there is hardly a need.

Clearly, this boy is not fit to be a king.

Oh...

Don't translate that!

It couldn't be clearer that Daida is more apt

for the throne.

He appears to be rather shocked at what I just said.

I thought he couldn't hear me.

That is our understanding.

Hmph. Let's be off.

How can it be that he is next in line for the throne,

and not Daida? Does merit count for nothing?

You! Straighten that uniform or lose your head!

F-Forgive me, Your Majesty!

Either her corset's cinched up way too tight,

or she's just crazy. Is that a queen?

Prince.

The king was hoping to speak with you.

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

Huh...?

This kid...