Chapter 34: The Unyielding Prince
Hearing the voice, everyone turned to look.
They saw a young man walking over with a gentle expression.
"Greetings, Prince Leo."
Kennan and Corvin quickly bowed to the young man.
This was Park-Leo, the third prince of the Bork Empire, only 21 years old but already a Five-Star Grand Archmage. His talent was considered exceptional.
"There's no need for formalities from either of you. I didn't expect to find you both here. Is there something special about this place?"
Leo smiled at the two as he spoke.
He had been present during the Sloe family trial earlier, as Masi was the Grand Mage of the Bork Empire. Even if the emperor himself couldn't attend, a representative had to be there.
After witnessing Kennan's performance, Leo had developed an interest in forming a connection with him.
Although Leo was the third prince, he had two older brothers above him.
With his current influence, it was highly unlikely that he would become emperor.
The Sloe family, as one of the top magical families, was naturally an attractive ally to any political figure.
However, Masi had always refused to involve the family in political power struggles, turning down any offers of alliance.
So, Leo had set his sights on Kennan.
If his calculations were correct, Kennan was likely the future head of the Sloe family.
Establishing a good relationship with him now would certainly be beneficial in the future.
"We're both just here to buy some pills."
Kennan replied when Leo asked why they were there.
"Pills?"
Leo raised an eyebrow. As a prince, he had seen many strange and rare things, but he had never heard of such a thing as pills.
"Yes, pills. Boss, didn't you say before that you have some that can boost my strength? Can I take a look?"
Corvin asked Sylvus, looking hopeful.
"I do, but not today."
Sylvus glanced over at Meylan. "Close the shop."
"Huh? Boss, please make an exception and sell me just one. Money isn't a problem."
Corvin hurried to Sylvus, pleading.
He had already come all this way—he couldn't just leave empty-handed.
"The business hours are over. If you hadn't been chatting just now, you would've had time to buy one."
Sylvus said flatly.
The shop operated for only three hours each day.
Any pills sold outside of this window wouldn't be counted by the system.
Besides, Sylvus had plans to head upstairs and break through to the next level of cultivation.
Corvin frowned at Sylvus's words and couldn't help but glance at Prince Leo.
In truth, if Leo hadn't shown up unexpectedly, he would have had time to buy the pills.
Leo, sensing Corvin's slightly accusatory glance, felt a bit embarrassed.
"Boss, I am the third prince of the Bork Empire. Could you perhaps make an exception and sell Corvin one pill as a favor to me?"
Leo asked, looking at Sylvus.
As a prince, no one in the Holy City had ever dared refuse him.
"A prince? Even if you were the emperor, you'd still have to wait until tomorrow. Meylan, escort them out."
Sylvus glanced at Leo without the slightest hint of respect.
A mere prince? He dared to act high and mighty in front of Sylvus? Even if the emperor himself showed up, Sylvus wouldn't change his stance.
"Right this way, gentlemen."
Meylan said, smiling as he gestured for the three to leave.
Leo's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected his status as a prince to carry no weight with Sylvus.
Could this man really possess the power to stand against the Bork Empire?
"Third Prince, if there's nothing else, we'll be heading out now."
Kennan had no intention of lingering. He had already purchased what he needed.
"We should leave together."
Corvin hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to give up.
He knew Sylvus well enough to understand that once Sylvus said no, there was no changing his mind.
After all, Corvin had witnessed firsthand how Sylvus had stripped a Saint Mage of his power. He didn't dare provoke him.
Shortly afterward, both Corvin and Kennan left, and Meylan closed the shop.
Now, only Prince Leo remained, standing awkwardly in the deserted alley.
"Interesting. I didn't expect to be brushed off like this in such a small shop. Tomorrow, I'll come back and see just what's so special about this place."
Leo shot one last glance at the shop before turning to leave.
Meanwhile, Sylvus had returned to his room, consumed a pill, and began his cultivation.
---
That same day, news of Kennan's impressive performance in the Sloe family trial spread throughout the Holy City.
Everyone now knew that the Sloe family had produced a genius with the potential to rival even the God Mages.
With this news, the Sloe family's gates were flooded with visitors.
The emperor of the Bork Empire even issued a personal decree, granting Kennan the title of Baron.
Moreover, the emperor planned to marry off his daughter to Kennan.
In short, from this day onward, Kennan's name had become famous.
As long as he didn't meet an untimely end, Kennan was destined for greatness.
---
In the Imperial Palace of the Bork Empire:
"What? You're telling me that Leo has already made contact with Kennan? What did they talk about?"
A young man asked with a frown as he looked at the elderly man standing before him.
This young man was none other than Park-Nat, the crown prince of the Bork Empire and the first in line to the throne.
Barring any unexpected circumstances, he would one day become emperor of the empire.
However, if Leo succeeded in winning over the Sloe family, Nat's position as the primary heir might not be as secure as he once thought.
"Your Highness, they did indeed meet, but we don't know exactly what was discussed."
Nat squinted his eyes, realizing that he had underestimated his younger brother.
It seemed he would need to find a way to undermine Leo's plans.