The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 735 The City of Solen

"They're taking too long," Rei voiced, his tone laced with anxiety and impatience.

Roseline offered a calming pat on his shoulder. "Relax, Evalyn and the others will be back shortly."

Rei drew a deep breath, a slight nod indicating his acceptance.

Another five minutes passed before distant silhouettes began to materialize.

The figures spanned the horizon, unmistakably the army that had just clashed with Demon General Malgrion and his host.

"They're back!" a soldier exclaimed, joyfully pointing towards the approaching throng.

"Great!" another soldier cheered, the sentiment quickly echoed by the rest.

A smile bloomed on Rei's face. For reasons he couldn't quite articulate, a profound sense of pride washed over him. Evalyn, his successor and future descendant, had triumphed. Witnessing her victory over Malgrion filled him with immense joy.

As the army drew nearer, Evalyn became clearly visible at the forefront.

Rei offered a satisfied nod, which Evalyn promptly returned with a radiant smile.

Upon reaching the camp, Evalyn dismounted and approached Rei and Roseline.

"The task is successfully completed, Ancestors— no, wait, Hero of Light Rei and Your Highness," she declared, clasping her hands together.

"Hahaha! That's wonderful! Excellent work!" Rei's hearty laughter boomed as he patted Evalyn's shoulder. "Well done, Evalyn."

Roseline, too, smiled and nodded with evident satisfaction.

Evalyn beamed, basking in the praise, especially from the Hero—and her own ancestor.

"There is much I wish to discuss with you. However, this is hardly the place. Let us retire to my tent," Rei suggested.

Evalyn agreed with a nod; she too had important matters to broach.

The two departed, leaving Roseline standing alone.

Roseline rolled her eyes, though without malice; she understood Rei's deep concern for Evalyn's safety.

Her gaze then shifted to the soldiers, settling on Reinard's downcast expression.

Driven by curiosity, she approached him. "How did the battle fare? What transpired?"

With Evalyn occupied by Rei's side, Reinard was the most logical source of information.

"The war concluded successfully, Your Highness," Reinard replied, taking a measured breath. "However…"

His demeanor darkened with shame and distress. "I committed a grievous error."

"A grave mistake?" Roseline's eyebrows arched in surprise. "What happened?"

Reinard, unable to conceal the truth, recounted the events in detail.

Upon hearing his account, Roseline's expression shifted dramatically.

"You abandoned Evalyn to confront Malgrion?"

"That is correct, Your Highness," Reinard confirmed stiffly. "B-But I did not flee alone. I ordered the remaining soldiers to fall back as well. Malgrion, in his berserk state, is a danger to all, even his own subordinates. Thus, I decided to withdraw with the others. And…"

He straightened, continuing with renewed resolve. "I advised Commander Evalyn to retreat, but she steadfastly chose to engage him. Truly, she did. If you doubt my word, you may ask Commander Evalyn herself."

He raised a finger, as if taking an oath.

Roseline fell silent, her face betraying a clear undercurrent of anger.

Fleeing the battlefield, regardless of the circumstances, was strictly forbidden for soldiers.

Reinard's unauthorized retreat was a blatant breach of military conduct.

Fortunately, Evalyn's decisive victory over Malgrion had salvaged the situation.

Roseline inhaled deeply, fixing Reinard with an intense glare.

"You have committed a grave offense. However, I shall defer judgment for the moment. Do not presume too much—I will render my decision after conferring with the Hero of Light."

With those words, she turned and departed, leaving Reinard in a state of dejection.

His fists clenched, a surge of anger rising within him.

Yet, ultimately, he acknowledged his culpability and understood he had no grounds for protest.

ȧ­ ȧ­

Within a region bordering the eastern continent stood a renowned institution: the Tower of Silence.

For millennia, the Tower of Silence had stood, nurturing countless powerful mages within its hallowed halls.

Even the Demon Emperor himself hesitated to challenge this bastion, recognizing such an act would be akin to self-destruction.

Consequently, the territories under the Tower of Silence's dominion remained the most secure havens from the Demon Emperor and his forces.

"Fresh produce here! My vegetables arrived just this morning! Unbeatable prices, less than two silver coins!"

"Juicy fruits from the central continent! A mere ten bronze coins per kilogram! Buy now before prices shift tomorrow!"

The bustling streets of Solen resonated with the cries of merchants hawking their wares.

Solen, alongside Doria and Aria, constituted one of the three cities governed directly by the Tower of Silence.

Its location was quite strategic. Compared to the other two, Solen was the closest city to the Tower of Silence.

So, it was not surprising that this city was considered a thriving metropolis, sought after by many as a place to live.

"Hey, young man. Want to buy my keychain?" An old man stopped a young man in a black cloak. "This keychain was made by a mage from the Tower of Silence! Anyone who wears it will have good fortune in their life! Buy it. It's cheap—just two gold coins!"

The old man grinned and rubbed his index finger and thumb together.

The young man stared at the keychain, which was shaped like a magic orb, and spat. "If that's what it does, why don't you use it on yourself? I'm sure you'd get rich and wouldn't need to sell it anymore."

His words made the old man's smile freeze.

"Damn it! If you don't want to buy it, just say so! Don't insult my merchandise!" he snapped.

The young man rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue.

He ignored him and walked away, leaving the old man behind, still cursing angrily under his breath.

"The City of Solen..." the young man muttered, gazing at the bustling streets crowded with people.

The City of Solen in the future was far more advanced than the Solen of today.

Its territory had doubled in size due to a housing crisis that forced the city leaders to expand it.

The young man then lifted his gaze toward a black tower in the distance.

The tower was so far away that only its silhouette could be seen. That was where the Tower of Silence stood.

The young man smiled and whispered, "Tower of Silence, here I come..."

He pulled his hood over his head and walked forward. His figure blended into the crowd, then vanished, as if he had never been there at all.