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

Chapter 700: Big News from the Southern Continent!

Nolan and Seira waited quietly in the parlor. The atmosphere was tense, since it was just the two of them, with no servants around to prepare drinks or snacks.

”Father seems to be doing this on purpose,” Seira remarked, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.

Nolan simply smiled. ”Doesn’t that make sense? This is a serious matter. It’s better if no one comes in and overhears our conversation later. So don’t hate that old man. Otherwise, he’ll beat me up.”

Nolan sighed helplessly. Seira was deeply loved by that old man.

If Seira truly came to hate him, Nolan knew he would be the first to suffer.

Seira fell silent, though the lingering resentment was still written clearly on her face.

Nolan ignored it and waited calmly. A few minutes later, footsteps echoed from the doorway.

Both of them looked up and saw Ragan walking toward them with a flat expression.

They quickly stood, clasped their hands, and bowed slightly.

”Welcome, Father,” they greeted.

Even Nolan, who usually called him ”old man,” used ”Father” this time, showing he wasn’t in the mood to joke.

Ragan gave a slight nod and said, ”Sit down.”

They sat back down. Ragan took the sofa across from them and fixed Nolan with a sharp stare.

”Don’t you want to explain this?”

Nolan smiled and shook his head.

”There’s nothing for me to explain. I’m sure you’ve already gotten the big picture from the report,” he replied casually.

”You...” Ragan desperately wanted to punch that insolent kid. But in the end, he could only let out a long sigh and rub his temples. ”Kid, do you realize the mess you’ve caused—for me and the entire empire? We’re already in a tense standoff with the Holy Empire of Valtanir, and because of your actions, we’ve added the Ancient Kingdom of Eron to our list of enemies. You... Ugh...”

Ragan trailed off, at a loss for words. He no longer knew how to scold Nolan.

He wasn’t afraid of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron. Still, if possible, he wanted to avoid conflict between two great powers.

The Holy Empire of Valtanir alone was already troublesome enough. He didn’t want to divide his attention any further.

What’s more, the Ancient Kingdom of Eron wasn’t weak. Although their strength had declined drastically after being destroyed by the Demon Emperor, that didn’t mean they were harmless.

In fact, Eron’s military power was clearly rising again, proven by their successful conquest of the surrounding territories.

That was why Ragan couldn’t afford to underestimate them—let alone turn them into enemies of the empire.

”Father,” Nolan called out calmly. ”Actually, you don’t need to worry at all.”

Ragan froze. His eyes narrowed as he asked coldly, ”What do you mean?”

Nolan leaned back against the sofa and replied casually, ”Haven’t you heard the news? The Ancient Kingdom of Eron is in chaos. The Second Prince, Karakh Lyren, overthrew Gulvar Lyren last night. But strangely enough, Karakh was killed by a mysterious man—along with his father, Gulvar.”

Not only Ragan, but even Seira was stunned by the revelation.

”Don’t spout nonsense!” Ragan straightened and slammed his palm on the table. ”How could something like that possibly happen?”

He knew Gulvar well. Gulvar was cautious, cunning, and cruel.

It was hard to imagine someone like him being overthrown, unless the palace officials had already fallen under Karakh’s control.

But was that even possible?

That seemed even more unlikely. Like most emperors and kings across the four continents, Gulvar’s ministers and officials were his direct subordinates.

They followed only one command—the ruler’s.

That was why Nolan’s words sounded absurd.

”Nolan... is what you’re saying true?” Seira asked hesitantly.

Unlike Ragan, she didn’t deny it outright. After all, Seira had seen firsthand how unstable the palace had become after Aldrian’s death.

The possibility of something like this happening wasn’t low at all.

”Of course.” Nolan nodded confidently. ”Just wait. In a few hours, there’ll be an announcement about the deaths of Gulvar and Karakh—if they choose to reveal it. It’s also possible they’ll keep it hidden.”

He shrugged, as if the decision rested entirely in the hands of Eron’s royal palace.

Ragan narrowed his eyes. This time, he didn’t deny it right away.

He knew the boy often deceived him. However, there were also many times when Nolan spoke the truth, and his confident expression only made it harder to dismiss.

Ragan took a deep breath, about to speak, when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

Cassiopeia rushed in, her expression unusually panicked.

”Your Majesty, urgent news!”

Ragan frowned. He had already instructed Orion to clear the parlor and forbid anyone from entering.

Cassiopeia barging in like this clearly displeased him.

Still, he quickly realized her arrival could only mean something serious. Suppressing his irritation, he gave a slight nod.

”What is it?”

Cassiopeia stopped beside him, bowed her head slightly, and reported in a trembling voice, ”Your Majesty, major news has arrived from the southern continent!”

Ragan’s heart tightened. A sense of foreboding crept over him. His gaze flickered toward Nolan, who remained calm and indifferent.

Forcing himself to stay composed, Ragan asked in a heavy voice, ”What news?”

”It is said that a major political upheaval has occurred in the Ancient Kingdom of Eron! King Gulvar Lyren has been declared dead! And not only him—his remaining son, Karakh Lyren, died at the same time!” Cassiopeia explained, her breath uneven.

Ragan’s eyes widened in shock. His grip tightened unconsciously around the armrest of the sofa.

His gaze snapped to Nolan, who looked back at him calmly, as if to say, ’Didn’t I tell you? You’re the one who refused to believe me.’

Ragan opened his mouth, then closed it again, as though he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

But he was an emperor. His composure quickly returned, and he asked in a heavy tone, ”Is this news confirmed?”

”Confirmed, Your Majesty!” Cassiopeia replied firmly. ”The palace has already announced it. By now, all kingdoms and empires should have heard the news. Please give your next orders, Your Majesty!”

This was a golden opportunity. The Ancient Kingdom of Eron was a threat to the Great Velmora Empire.

Of course, ”threat” didn’t mean a life-and-death enemy, but rather a force that had to be watched closely.

After all, the Holy Empire of Valtanir and the Ancient Kingdom of Eron were allies.

If they acted now, they could reduce the chances of Eron rising again.

Ragan fell silent. He understood Cassiopeia’s meaning, and honestly, the same thought had crossed his mind.

But then—

”Father, I think it would be better if you set aside the idea of conquest and take a more cooperative approach instead,” Nolan said calmly.