Days had passed since their arrival in Rivelune.
As they approached one of the specific points in the inner city, they noticed a golden circular object.
It was placed on top of a pedestal and towered over them.
The object itself was magnificent, with intricate designs and engravings that sparkled in the sunlight.
They gathered around the pedestal of the object, trying to figure out what it could be used for and why it was placed in this specific spot.
Several emblems were etched onto the surface of the object, but no one could read the language, not even Rumia or Lamperogue.
Archibald had already learned about three languages, but even he couldn't identify it.
Lutessa stepped closer to the object and tried to decipher the language.
"This looks like early Esesian English," she said.
"I can make up a bit of the language, but I can only read what's written on the pedestal. It says, [Rankers]." (Lutessa)
As Lutessa spoke, Larc happened to be passing by after buying new materials for his alchemy experiments.
He heard her mention the word "Ranker" and his attention was immediately piqued.
"I know who the [Rankers] are," Lamperogue spoke up.
"And I recently learned a thing or two about them." (Archibald)
As the group examined the golden object and its emblems, Lutessa admitted she had never heard of the [Rankers] before.
Larc, observed the monument.
He recognized the symbols on the object and nodded with familiarity.
"The Rankers," he said. "These emblems represent the eleven strongest people on the Eses continent."
Lamperogue shrugged and said, "Not everyone knows all the [Rankers], Lutessa."
"I see," Lutessa replied.
"But actually, some people do know the names of all the [Rankers]," Larc said confidently.
"That's impossible," Lamperogue retorted.
"Actually, that could be possible," Rumia cut in. "Maybe the names of the Rankers are written on the monument."
It was merely a guess, but the correct one.
Larc's expression lit up. "That's right!" he exclaimed. "You're sharp, Rumia."
Archibald took this opportunity to ask Larc if he could share more information about the [Rankers].
Larc decided to give a comprehensive lecture, explaining that the Rankers were established by Newton, the first Ranker in the year Augustus 621.
"As I've said before, the [Rankers] are the eleven strongest people on the Eses continent," (Larc)
They all nodded.
"Originally, Newton was the strongest of the eleven, but as time went on, he got older and could no longer maintain the title of strongest. The 9th Ranker, Vulturnus, Sword God of the East, is now considered the strongest." (Larc)
Lutessa asked if Vulturnus had battled and defeated the previous strongest.
Larc replied, "It's not clear, but it's possible."
Rumia nodded, impressed. "That's right."
Lamperogue was intrigued by Larc's previous claim to know the names of all the [Rankers] and asked him to share.
Smiling mischievously, Larc said, "Sure, I can tell you all their names."
Larc then proceeded to teach them the names of the Rankers.
But, there was a question about to be asked.
He paused.
Lutessa furrowed her brow, "But what if someone who becomes the eleventh Ranker is stronger than, say, the fifth Ranker?" she asked.
Larc chuckled, "It is all a matter power my dear, so the order in which you became a Ranker doesn't necessarily matter."
She smiled and chimed in, "I understand, Mr. Larc. Please continue with the names."
The eleven strongest were:
9th Ranker "Vulturnus" — Position One,
4th Ranker "Oppenheimer" — Position Two,
1st Ranker "Newton" — Position Three,
8th Ranker "Arthur Pendragon VI" — Position Four,
2nd Ranker "Runteria Ahelios" — Position Five,
7th Ranker "Percival" — Position Six,
3rd Ranker "Cyler" — Position Seven,
6th Ranker "Dario" — Position Eight,
5th Ranker "Dendrossa Storm" — Position Nine,
10th Ranker "Ciel" — Position Ten,
11th Ranker "Rachel Vaude" — Position Eleven,
That was the line up in the order of strongest.
Lutessa listened intently as Larc explained the purpose of the [Rankers].
"I've never heard of this before," she said, looking puzzled.
"It's probably because you've been holed up in a temple for most of your life," Rumia teased with a small grin, earning a light chuckle from Archibald.
Larc continued his explanation, "The reason we made this system was so that we would know who to call upon when the continent was in peril."
Archibald's eyes widened in surprise, "Wait, someone from my bloodline is one of the [Rankers]?"
Larc nodded, "Yes. Arthur Pendragon VI, one of the most powerful swordsmen in the land."
Archibald was impressed, "I never knew that. It makes sense, though. Even I am a swordsman."
Larc then added that Vulturnus might be the strongest swordsman on the continent, but Arthur was a close second.
"Arthur is known as the Sword Saint King for his mastery of the [Sword Saint Arts]... he uses those skills to protect and rule over Camelot." (Larc)
"(If I remember correctly, that's the most powerful house of the three Pendraig Houses.
Felmodeus Pendragons of Camelot,
Graviant Pendragons of Alakatasia,
Melvis Pendragons of Benatleb.
Why did I have to get the lamest house dammit.)" (Archibald)
Lutessa's eyes shone with amazement, "That means Vulturnus is the strongest swordsman!"
Lamperogue disagreed, "Maybe on this continent, but there's Aquilon from the Dragnyr continent and the Sword God himself, who resides in Oruin."
Rumia had been silent for most the discussion, lost in her own thoughts.
She realized someone important was on the monument.
Ciel.
Rumia nodded, her expression pained, "That's great.."
The group looked at her confused as to what she meant.
"Nevermind." (Rumia)
As Rumia thought about Ciel, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if one of the [Rankers] turned out to be scum.
"What if one of the [Rankers] is actually evil?" Rumia asked.
Larc rubbed his chin, "That hasn't happened because most of the [Rankers] aren't necessarily do-gooders. Only very few."
Archibald, with a mischievous grin on his face, added, "Like Runteria. He's one of the [Rankers], but he's just weird."
Larc raised an eyebrow and questioned Archibald, "You've met Runteria in person before?"
Archibald chuckled, "Yeah, we met him in the Rabastines."
Larc almost fainted at the realization, "You've met one of the [Rankers] before? I'm almost jealous!"
Lamperogue, who was usually stoic, remained quiet throughout the conversation.
Larc cleared his throat, "Anyways, you guys should never bring up the topic of [Rankers] around Rolo."
Lutessa asked why and Archibald, interrupting, replied, "They probably kicked his ass or something."
Everyone burst out laughing, except for Lamperogue, who remained silent.
Larc, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, finally spoke up, "Actually, Archibald is right. Rolo fought against the 11th Ranker, Rachel Vaude, and lost."
Archibald quipped, "Sucks to be him."
The group erupted in laughter again, but Lamperogue just shook his head and said, "You guys are ridiculous."
Larc was packing up his things, preparing to depart and deliver the materials he had just purchased.
As he was about to leave, he looked back at the group and grinned, "Oh, by the way, guys. I forgot to mention something interesting about the monument."
Lutessa leaned in with curiosity. "What is it?"
"Well," Larc began, "every time someone is recognized as one of the Rankers, their name and emblem will appear on the monument along with their rank."
Rumia's eyes widened. "Wow, that's amazing! Do they do that in other cities?"
Larc nodded.
"Yes, many other cities have monuments that represent the names of the Rankers. There's even one located in the grand hall of the Castain territory in the Ixtal Kingdom." (Larc)
Archibald scribbled something down in his notebook.
"That's good to know for future references." (Archibald)
Lamperogue seemed uninterested, muttering something under his breath.
Lutessa smiled and thanked Larc for sharing the fascinating information.
As Larc made his way back to the base, he felt accomplished.
He had shared an interesting fact with his close friends, and it felt good to be able to fascinate them with his knowledge.