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

Chapter 845: Malverna’s Refusal

”You want to go to the Elf Forest? Did something happen?” Malverna asked curiously.

Nolan speared a piece of lamb stir-fried with sweet soy sauce with his fork and took a bite.

”Nothing important. Luna wants to go back, and I also have some business with Seria and Yllia,” he replied casually, his gaze drifting around the tavern.

Even though it was already nighttime, the tavern was still bustling.

Malverna nodded in understanding before biting into the food in front of her.

”By the way, once the Great Kingdom of Horland falls, there’ll be a power vacuum in the Western Continent. The human kingdoms will probably start fighting over its territory,” Nolan said meaningfully.

Malverna raised an eyebrow. She looked at him suspiciously.

”What do you mean by that?”

”Isn’t it obvious?” Nolan chuckled. ”I want you to claim that land. Build your own demon realm and restore the Demon Empire to its former glory.”

Malverna fell silent, a faint change crossing her face. A few seconds later, she shook her head.

”I don’t want to.”

Nolan wasn’t bothered by her refusal. He had already offered Malverna the chance to rebuild the demon race before.

But she had turned it down, saying she wanted to live a carefree life. Still, it would be a waste to leave the former Great Kingdom of Horland’s territory unclaimed.

Although Nolan was kind-hearted, he had no intention of letting the neighboring kingdoms seize those lands.

It would be like throwing away a bar of gold, only for someone else to come along and pick it up.

Nolan didn’t want that to happen.

Realizing her refusal might have sounded rude, Malverna quickly explained.

”The Great Kingdom of Horland fell in such a short time. The Singularities will definitely investigate who was behind it. If I suddenly appear now, won’t the demon race just become their next target? Besides...”

She took another bite of the grilled chicken thigh before continuing helplessly.

”Because of Ignis, humanity has developed a deep hatred toward us. If we start rebuilding our strength now, while that hatred is still fresh, we’d only be asking for trouble. I’m certain the dragon race would rally the surrounding human kingdoms to attack us. It’s simply not worth it.”

Since the fall of the Demon Empire, the demon race had been without a homeland.

For the past thousand years, they had lived in exile, and over time, that had naturally shaped an individualistic mindset among them and their descendants.

Beyond the problems she had mentioned earlier, uniting them under a new government would be a huge challenge.

Malverna was confident she could use her strength to force them into submission.

But would it be worth it?

Obviously not.

Instead of earning their loyalty, she would probably only make them resent her for disrupting their peaceful lives.

She was certain that eighty—no, ninety—percent of the demon race in this era wanted nothing to do with the conflicts on this continent.

The destruction of their race in the past had made them realize they were no longer accepted by the other races, especially humans.

”I see...” Nolan said, taking a sip of his juice before giving a slow nod. ”I understand. It’s okay. I’m not angry. I’ll think of another way to keep the surrounding kingdoms from taking over Horland’s territory.”

He had already expected Malverna to refuse, so he didn’t make a big deal out of it.

...

The next morning...

Luna ran out of the capital and waved at the guards by the gate.

”Good morning!”

”Morning, Luna.” One of the guards smiled. ”You’re up early.”

”Hehe... I’m meeting someone.”

”I see. Be careful.”

Luna nodded and left the capital.

Before long, she spotted Nolan waiting for her.

”Sorry I’m late, Big Brother Nolan!” she said, slightly out of breath.

Nolan smiled. ”It’s fine. I heard you talking to the guards. Looks like you know them pretty well.”

”Ah...” Luna scratched her cheek. ”We’ve only talked a few times.”

”I see.”

Nolan slipped a hand into his pocket.

”Wait here. I’ll go get the Singularity of Chaos.”

He walked a short distance away. A few seconds later, he came back with a man in a black cloak.

Luna recognized him right away.

It was the Singularity of Chaos.

Her eyes lit up, but she also felt a little nervous.

”Let’s go,” the Singularity of Chaos said.

Luna nodded. ”Okay...”

...

On the training ground, Aldric swung his sword over and over again. The massive sword was two meters long and thirty centimeters wide.

His muscular body was drenched in an endless stream of sweat.

”Nine hundred ninety-five...”

”Nine hundred ninety-six...”

”Nine hundred ninety-seven...”

”Nine hundred ninety-eight...”

”Nine hundred ninety-nine...”

”One thousand!”

Clang!

The massive sword hit the ground with a deafening clang.

Aldric was panting, but there was no sign of fatigue on his face.

”A thousand swings... Not bad.”

He looked down at his muscular arms with satisfaction.

Intense training could increase his physical strength. Naturally, his muscles would grow larger as well.

”Here you are, Your Highness.”

A servant approached, carrying a towel and a glass of cold water.

”Thank you.”

Aldric took the towel and wiped the sweat from his body.

When he was done, he drank the cold water in one go.

”By the way, Your Highness,” the servant said cautiously. ”Princess Novaria came by earlier. She said she has something important to tell you and asked you to come to her chambers.”

Aldric raised an eyebrow slightly. He had no idea what his younger sister wanted to tell him. Still, since she said it was important, he simply nodded.

”I understand. Thank you.”

***

Aldric walked in and saw Novaria sitting on the sofa, her face pale.

”Why did you call me?”

Novaria looked up and immediately brightened when she saw him. She quickly walked over to Aldric and pulled him down onto the sofa.

”Have a seat first.”

Aldric grew even more confused. He couldn’t understand why Novaria was suddenly being so nice to him.

”Did something happen?” he wondered.

”What would you like to drink? Tea? Or coffee?” Novaria asked politely.

Aldric narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Novaria had never been this polite to him, not even when they were kids.

Now that she was acting this way, he became even more confused and suspicious.

”No thanks. I just finished training, so I can’t drink anything sweet,” he said. ”And stop beating around the bush. Tell me what’s really going on.”

Novaria pursed her lips. She sat down beside him and lowered her head.

”Brother... I’ve been arranged to marry someone.”