Chapter 357: Extra (19)
So, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi bade farewell to Emperor Leopold and followed Sino into the back hall.
The Roland Imperial Palace was not as lavish as they had imagined; instead, its ancient architecture conveyed a profound sense of history.
Passing through the palace into the garden, their eyes brightened at the sight before them—lush greenery, blooming flowers, and a vibrant scene full of life that softened the palace’s solemn atmosphere.
Walking further along the garden path, a beautiful lakeside view soon came into view.
By the lake, they saw a silver-haired, purple-eyed young boy sitting on a swing, quietly gazing at the shimmering water.
Beside him stood a familiar figure—Sisheng, the imperial marshal known as the “Guardian God of Roland.”
The scene was as beautiful as a painting.
“Sino.”
It wasn’t until Sino spoke that the silence was broken.
The boy looked toward them with a slightly puzzled expression. After a few seconds, he recognized them and quickly hopped off the swing, running joyfully toward them.
“Elder Brother!”
Sino stepped forward and steadied him, and after just a few steps, a thin layer of sweat appeared on the boy’s forehead.
A few steps behind, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but curiously observe him.
Sino Roland—this was the name they had often heard recently.
While touring the Imperial City, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi finally understood why this Third Prince had such a high reputation.
Twelve years ago, Roland faced a catastrophic disaster when the entire Imperial City was engulfed by a wave of beasts.
In that critical moment, the Third Prince sacrificed fifty years of his own lifespan to activate an ancient array, allowing Roland to survive the beast tide. At the time, he was less than six years old.
Over the past twelve years, through his ingenious ideas, he also reformed Roland’s system for selecting and training Elementalists, significantly increasing their numbers.
The combination of more Elementalists and the protection of the ancient array gave Roland a chance to recover, gradually stabilizing and eventually gaining the strength to reclaim its territories…
Unfortunately, the Third Prince had no magical talent.
This meant he had the same lifespan as ordinary people—just seventy or eighty years. After sacrificing fifty years of his life, he would likely die young, perhaps before reaching thirty.
Thus, whenever Roland’s people spoke of him, their words were full of gratitude and sorrow.
As Li Zhecheng had said, in the Roland Empire, it was absolutely forbidden to show disrespect to the Third Prince, lest one invite the enmity and wrath of the entire populace.
Tang Yu’an also admired and felt curious about the prince, realizing that Emperor Leopold’s desire for longevity elixirs was likely for him.
The boy looked younger than Tang Yu’an had imagined; though his coming-of-age ceremony was imminent, he appeared only fourteen or fifteen years old.
He had the same silver hair and purple eyes as his father and brothers, but his appearance carried a different kind of beauty and aura.
Marshal Sisheng also approached, standing silently beside the boy in a protective stance.
The Empire’s Guardian God, who could slay over a thousand interstellar beasts in one strike, took a humble and respectful posture next to this fragile young boy.
His gaze toward Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi remained cold, showing warmth only when looking at Sino.
After Sino’ introduction, the boy finally noticed Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi.
“Hello, I’m Sino.”
He greeted them slowly and politely, obediently, like a soft little lamb, making Tang Yu’an want to pat his head.
Of course, with Marshal Sisheng’s watchful gaze, Tang Yu’an didn’t dare to do so.
“Hello, I’m Tang.”
He introduced himself and presented a gift.
“I heard that Your Highness is about to come of age soon. This is a gift we prepared for you. We hope you like it.”
Sino didn’t show much interest in the gift; after politely thanking them, he let Sisheng take it.
Guided by Sino, they moved to a round table beneath a trellis.
Once Sino sat down, Sisheng took a thin blanket from a maid and draped it over the boy’s shoulders. Then he carefully took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from the boy’s forehead.
The boy’s cheeks flushed slightly, showing some embarrassment, yet he remained obediently seated until Sisheng finished and stood again by his side.
Sino, appearing unbothered, smiled and said, “It’s windy by the lake, make sure you keep warm.”
Sino replied softly with a “yes.”
Then Tang Yu’an spoke up. “We are wandering merchants from another world. We are very interested in the magic of Roland and would like to enroll in the Elementalist Academy.”
“Would Your Highness be willing to write us a recommendation letter?”
After he spoke, Sino paused for a moment, processing the words. “Another world?”
“Yes, we come from another world,” Tang Yu’an explained. “Not another planet, but a world completely different from this one…”
Sino stared blankly at Tang Yu’an, then gradually furrowed his brow. His once rosy face quickly turned pale.
Noticing his distress, Tang Yu’an asked with concern, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
Sisheng immediately crouched down, anxiously checking on Sino.
“Your Highness?”
“Sisheng… I… I have a headache…”
Sisheng hurriedly lifted him, and then they vanished from sight in an instant.
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi were stunned.
Sino gave them a reassuring smile, though his face was full of worry. He looked toward his brother’s chambers and said, “Sino has suffered from headaches since he was little… it’s never been cured.”
Because of this unexpected incident, they wouldn’t be able to get the recommendation letter today.
Sino escorted them out of the palace and hurried to check on Sino’ condition.
“I wonder if Light Healing would work on Sino?” Tang Yu’an said softly, feeling sympathy for the young prince given his short lifespan.
Zhou Qi shook his head. “Roland has Light Elementalists as well.”
In a magical civilization like Roland, their own abilities would be almost redundant.
“What about my divine power?” Tang Yu’an whispered.
Zhou Qi wasn’t sure.
“I feel something is off about this prince,” he said. He cultivated by natural laws and could sense a power in Sino that felt similar to the natural force, and remarkably pure…
“Kind of like that deity.”
Hearing this, Tang Yu’an’s eyes widened in surprise. He whispered again, “You mean the one beside Langze?”
Zhou Qi nodded.
Tang Yu’an instinctively looked back at the palace. Sino had mentioned that Roland once had beliefs in deities—could it be that gods really existed in this world?
“Let’s go back and make the Constitution Egg,” Zhou Qi suggested. “That should help a little.”
If Sino couldn’t cultivate, the only way to extend his lifespan would be to strengthen his constitution.
“Alright!”
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi returned to the inn, but for the time being, they wouldn’t be able to see Prince Sino again.
His coming-of-age ceremony was about to take place, and the entire Imperial City was busy preparing for it. Sino, who also had to supervise the construction of the teleportation array, was no exception.
It wasn’t until after the ceremony that Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi saw him again.
However…
“Sisheng has taken Sino out on a journey,” Sino explained. “Before he left, he asked me to give this to you.”
Tang Yu’an looked and realized it was exactly what they had needed—the recommendation letter!
“This is perfect!”
Despite meeting only briefly, Prince Sino remembered their request. Since he was able to go on this journey, his health must have improved.
“Thank you, Your Highness Sino,” Tang Yu’an said.
He handed the prepared Constitution Egg to Sino and then took Zhou Qi to register at the Elementalist Academy.
After seven years, they were finally back at school, once again becoming students.
And this time, what they were going to study—Was magic!
