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

”Hah…”

The Crescent Moon Swordsman let out a long sigh as he stood up and walked toward the table on the right.

A photo frame showing a smiling little girl stood there.

He picked it up and gazed at the photo with longing.

”Where have you gone, my dear? Grandpa misses you so much.”

Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes and slowly rolled down his cheeks.

The once-mighty Crescent Moon Swordsman now looked weak and frail.

Losing his only son had been a huge blow to him.

However, having his granddaughter by his side had helped ease the emptiness and sorrow in his heart.

Unfortunately, fate had been cruel to him. He lost his granddaughter twenty years ago.

No matter how hard he had tried to find her all these years, he still couldn’t locate her.

The sadness was painful, slowly eating away at his spirit.

Sometimes, he just wanted to die and be with his son.

But he was afraid… afraid that if he died, his granddaughter would be left all alone.

He clung to that small hope, and it was the only thing that had kept him going until now.

Just as he was lost in his sorrow, a knock suddenly came from the door.

Knock! Knock!

The sound snapped him out of his thoughts. His expression turned cold as he turned around and shouted, ”Didn’t I already tell you I want to be left alone!?”

”I’m sorry, Crescent Moon Swordsman. It’s me, Elina Lorian, the sixth princess of the Great Velmora Empire. May I speak with you in private?”

The Crescent Moon Swordsman was startled. He had thought Cedric was outside, but it turned out to be someone else.

He set the photo frame down, walked toward the door, and opened it.

Elina stood there, her face pale. Her body was shivering from the increasingly cold temperature outside.

The Crescent Moon Swordsman furrowed his brow. He wanted to send her away, but for some reason, seeing Elina reminded him of his granddaughter.

”Come in,” he said flatly before turning and walking inside.

Elina breathed a sigh of relief. If he had turned her away, she wouldn’t have known what to do.

After all, tonight was her only chance to get the Crescent Moon Swordsman’s help.

As Elina stepped inside, the piercing cold vanished instantly, as if a mysterious barrier were keeping the room warm.

”Why are you just standing there?” The Crescent Moon Swordsman glared at her. ”Sit down.”

Elina pursed her lips but obeyed without complaint.

The Crescent Moon Swordsman returned with two cups of hot tea and placed them on the rickety wooden table.

”Tell me,” he said coldly as he sat across from her. ”What is your purpose? Could it be the same as your brother’s?”

Elina took a sip of her tea. The warmth spreading down her throat helped relax her body.

”That’s right.” She gave a slight nod. ”I’ve come to ask you to work with me. You lost your granddaughter when she was only five years old, didn’t you? I can find her. In exchange, I want you to work for me.”

The Crescent Moon Swordsman didn’t answer right away. He took a sip of his tea and remained silent for a few seconds before finally saying, ”I’m too old. Why are you two, people in such high positions, still looking for me?”

His voice sounded helpless.

Elina smiled and praised him. ”Don’t put yourself down like that, Crescent Moon Swordsman. You may be old, but your skills haven’t waned at all. General Luvistar said your swordsmanship is second only to the Singularity of Light.”

”Luvistar? That Imperial General?” The old man’s eyes widened.

”Yes.” Elina nodded. ”In fact, I was able to find you because of his suggestion. He said you’re very strong and that you would be a great help to me in the battle for the throne.”

The Crescent Moon Swordsman suddenly smiled faintly. His eyes were filled with nostalgia, as if he were remembering one of the happiest moments of his life.

”I see.”

He let out a long sigh.

”Since Luvistar recommended you, I’ll give you a chance.”

He took another sip of his tea before continuing, ”I’ll give you one month—just like I did for your brother. If you can find my granddaughter, I’ll work for you for the rest of my life.”

Elina was shocked. She had never expected the Crescent Moon Swordsman to offer to work for her for that long.

Still, she said nothing and simply gave a confident nod.

”Thank you for trusting me, Crescent Moon Swordsman.”

Elina stood up and clasped her hands together in front of him.

”I’ll find her within a month and bring her to you. By the way, can you tell me what your granddaughter looks like? That way, I’ll at least have an idea of what she looks like.”

The Crescent Moon Swordsman closed his eyes.

”She has short, cream-colored hair and light green eyes that sparkle when they catch the sunlight. However, what stands out the most is the birthmark on the lower part of her right shoulder. It’s shaped like a sword.”

Elina jotted down these details in her notebook.

”I understand. Thank you for your kindness. I won’t bother you anymore.”

She bowed her head before turning around and walking out of the wooden house.

The Crescent Moon Swordsman opened his eyes and watched her leave.

”It’s freezing outside. Will she be all right?”

***

”Ugh… It’s so cold!”

Elina walked stiffly, wrapping her arms around herself.

Buzz!

A golden light suddenly appeared and enveloped her. The cold gradually faded, replaced by a warm sensation that relaxed her body.

”Thank you, Arnold.” Elina smiled gently.

”You’re welcome. Protecting you is part of my job.”

Elina continued walking through the dark forest. An ordinary person would probably already be trembling with fear by now.

But Elina wasn’t afraid. With Arnold by her side, she naturally felt safe.

”By the way, how are you going to find the granddaughter of the Crescent Moon Swordsman?” Arnold asked.

Elina shook her head.

”To be honest, I still don’t have a clue. Finding someone in such a vast imperial territory is far harder than finding a needle in a haystack.”

She laughed helplessly.

”Not to mention, his granddaughter has been missing for twenty years. It’s possible she’s gone to another continent or even… passed away.”

Arnold agreed.

”But I’m sure you can find her, considering that Cedric Lorian arrived here before you did. It’s highly likely that Margaretta Ashvale has seen a future where you succeed in finding her.”

Elina’s expression turned serious. She had almost forgotten about that.

”You’re right.”

Elina took a deep breath before slowly exhaling.

”I have to act fast before they do…”