The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne

”Hahaha! I knew we’d make it!”

Orrun couldn’t hold back his laughter. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, and he quickly wiped them away.

But the tears kept flowing, as if they refused to stop.

Nolan smiled and patted him on the back.

”Congratulations, Old Man. You did it.”

Three years was a long time. Even Nolan wasn’t sure he could have endured that long for something most people would call impossible.

”Hahaha! This is thanks to your help too, kid.”

Orrun looked at him, the remaining tears still clearly visible in his eyes.

”Thank you. I know all of this is because of you. There’s no way I could’ve finished it without your help.”

Nolan had arrived at just the right time. There were several things Orrun hadn’t noticed before—or had simply forgotten—but Nolan managed to remind him.

As a result, they were able to finish it in only five days.

”Pfft! You’re welcome,” Nolan let out a small chuckle. ”By the way, I’m sure there’s still room for improvement in that magic formation. Like…”

Nolan then voiced the idea that had been on his mind. The magic formation before them wasn’t the final stage.

He was convinced there was still plenty of room for improvement—enough to bring them yet another surprise.

”I understand,” Orrun nodded without hesitation. ”Let’s do it!”

Nolan smiled contentedly. With that, the two resumed their work.

However, unlike before, this time they worked casually, without any burden at all.

…

Two days later…

”Phew…”

Evalyn let out a long sigh as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

She was wearing tight white training clothes that accentuated her beautiful curves.

”This outfit is too tight,” Evalyn muttered as she tugged at the fabric around her chest.

The outfit belonged to Roseline. She had thought the size would fit, since their heights weren’t that different.

But it turned out she was wrong. The chest area felt extremely tight. She couldn’t tell if Roseline’s chest was actually smaller or if hers was just too big.

If Roseline knew what she was thinking, the woman would surely cry out in protest, ”My chest is smaller, okay?! Can you not bring it up?!”

Unfortunately, Roseline had no idea what she was thinking.

As Evalyn was stretching, the sound of footsteps came from behind her.

”Evalyn, how’s your training going?”

Evalyn turned and saw Roseline dressed in a simple white casual dress.

A gentle smile appeared on her lips, her gaze warm and calm.

”Ancestor,” Evalyn greeted softly as she stepped closer. ”Everything is going well. Do you need anything from me?”

Roseline handed her a glass of water, and Evalyn accepted it immediately.

As she took a sip, Roseline said casually, ”Lucas will be here soon. You need to get ready.”

Evalyn froze mid-sip.

”When do you think he’ll arrive?”

”In fifteen minutes,” Roseline replied.

”Fifteen minutes, huh?” Evalyn nodded and smiled. ”Don’t worry. I’ll stay in my tent until he leaves.”

Roseline let out a long sigh and spoke in an apologetic tone.

”I’m sorry. This is all because of my orders. I don’t want Lucas to meet you.”

If Lucas found out that Evalyn had come from the future, major problems would surely arise. Moreover, Lucas harbored deep feelings for her.

If he learned that he had failed to marry her in the future, Roseline could easily imagine just how furious he would become.

That could also disrupt their plan to attack the Demon Emperor’s fortress.

Evalyn crossed her arms over her chest and reassured her, ”I understand. Relax, I get what you mean.”

”Thank goodness…” Roseline smiled in relief.

After exchanging a few more words, Roseline turned and left, leaving Evalyn alone.

Watching her back slowly recede, Evalyn shook her head and whispered, ’Being a princess is truly a heavy burden.’

Over the past few days, Evalyn had seen firsthand just how overwhelmed Roseline was.

She had to arrange meetings with the military high command, plan the necessary strategies, and act as a mediator between the army and the imperial palace.

Even at night, Evalyn still saw Roseline busy with her work.

Of course, she knew all of this was caused by the war against the demon race. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Roseline to handle such troublesome duties every day.

Evalyn lifted her head, gazed at the blue sky above, and muttered, ”The Hero of Darkness… I wonder what he looks like…”

***

In one of the tents, Rei and the military commanders—such as Reinard and the others—stood gathered around a round table.

Spread out on the table was a map, with several sections marked with ”X” symbols. The red Xs indicated their current position—the Dragon’s Foot Border.

Meanwhile, the black Xs marked the demon army’s bases that had been discovered, or had just been discovered, by the human alliance’s forces.

”So, what’s your plan?” Rei asked in a deep voice.

A tall, sturdy middle-aged man raised his hand.

”May I share my opinion?”

Rei nodded. ”Of course, General Darion. Go ahead.”

Darion shifted his gaze to the map, then said, ”I think it’s best that we destroy the demon army’s camps as soon as possible.”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense. However, before anyone could voice an objection, Darion continued, ”Their presence is a threat that will continue to haunt humans, especially those living near their encampments. I fear…”

His face darkened. ”The demon army will attack them and slaughter them without mercy, just as they have done before.”

Darion had a dark past. His family was killed by the demon army while he was on duty.

That happened long before Rei and Lucas were summoned through a special ritual performed by the powerful mages of the Tower of Silence and the Falling Star Magic Academy.

Therefore, Darion didn’t want anyone else to suffer the same fate as he had. The pain was too deep, and accepting that reality was extremely difficult.

”May I speak?” another man raised his hand.

He had an ordinary build, but his face looked stern and cold. A sword scar marked the right side of his face, a sign of his experience on the battlefield.

He was Loren—a general of the Lotus Kingdom. The Lotus Kingdom itself was a small nation located near the Great Velmora Empire.

Since the kingdom did not have a particularly strong military, it was under the protection of the Great Velmora Empire.

”Please speak, General Loren,” Rei replied politely.

Loren nodded and turned toward Darion.

”General Darion, I think your suggestion makes sense. It’s just…”

His expression turned serious. ”It carries great risk. Our troops are still in the recovery phase after repelling the demon forces led by Demon General Karakan. And a few days ago, we were attacked by General Malgrion’s forces. Although we managed to defeat them, it served as a warning that we are in a vulnerable position.”

He took a deep breath, then exhaled before continuing. ”So, I suggest we maintain a passive stance until the hero of darkness arrives.”

Everyone pondered his words and found them reasonable.

Darion was about to say something when footsteps, followed by a soldier’s voice, came from outside.

”Sorry to interrupt your meeting. The Hero of Darkness, Lucas, has arrived!”