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

Chapter 1024: The “Hero” Tactic

Early in the morning...

”Your Highness, everything is ready,” a soldier said respectfully.

Elina gave a slight nod.

”Thank you.”

The soldier bowed his head before turning around and leaving.

Elina then walked over to Evalyn and Freya.

”Sister Freya, Sister Evalyn, everything is ready. We’re leaving now.”

Both of them nodded. They mounted their respective horses and rode off, leaving the grounds of Duke Malvain’s mansion.

Meanwhile, Jason watched Elina and the two women leave from behind the window, his expression indifferent.

”What’s the situation at the border?”

Sergan bowed his head toward him.

”All set, my lord. The troops are just waiting for your orders. Based on the distance and timing, they’ll clash in Butterfly Wing Valley.”

”Butterfly Wing Valley, huh?”

Jason smiled at that.

Butterfly Wing Valley was one of the most famous valleys in the southern region.

Its name wasn’t given without reason. When viewed from the sky, its cliffs formed the shape of a butterfly’s wings.

It was certainly beautiful, but in reality, the place was extremely dangerous.

Many powerful monsters lived there.

The most famous was a five-meter-tall Earth Dragon. Many people had hunted it in the past, but they had all met their deaths.

”If a battle breaks out there, we’ll see what becomes of Elina, Freya, and Evalyn,” he chuckled. ”I can’t wait to see it... hehehe...”

...

”Checkmate.”

Cedric moved his knight, putting the black king in check.

Duke Ashvale let out a long sigh.

”I concede. You win,” he said with a resigned look. ”You really are unbeatable at chess, Your Highness.”

Cedric chuckled softly.

”You’re giving me too much credit, Duke Ashvale.”

”No, I’m just telling the truth.”

Duke Ashvale’s expression turned serious.

”You really are very intelligent, Your Highness.”

Cedric’s expression remained as calm as ever. He tidied up the pieces on the chessboard and said casually, ”I may be smart, but unfortunately, that’s not enough to win the battle for the throne. I still have a long way to go.”

Duke Ashvale laughed and nodded in agreement.

”You’re very wise. Yes, arrogance only leads to ruin. You still have room to grow, and I’m sure you’ll get there.”

Cedric simply smiled without saying a word.

”By the way...”

Duke Ashvale picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.

”Have you heard the news about Princess Elina?”

Cedric’s hand paused for a moment as he moved a chess piece.

”I know. Her Majesty Seira sent her to the battlefield in the southern region, didn’t she?”

Duke Ashvale noticed the brief change in his expression but didn’t find anything else unusual. Cedric still looked calm and indifferent, as if the news hadn’t affected him at all.

”You’re right.”

Duke Ashvale leaned back against the sofa and let out a long sigh.

”I’m very worried about how this will turn out. After all, this war is a decisive battle in the struggle for the throne. You understand what I mean, right?”

Cedric nodded.

”I understand.”

The ”hero” method was a classic way to gain influence among the general public.

In Edward Layar’s book, The Tale of a Fallen Hero, he wrote that the traits of a ”hero” were considered one of the fastest ways to gain influence across various circles.

Being a hero didn’t necessarily mean defeating the Demon King or saving the world. That perspective was far too narrow.

Resolving problems caused by enemies—or even by oneself—could also be interpreted as becoming a ”hero.”

This could mean earning recognition within a small circle, such as a family, or on a much larger scale, such as an entire empire.

Aldric had already tried this approach. Unfortunately, he had failed. By now, even his very existence was unknown to everyone.

”What do you think, Your Highness? Are you just going to stand by and watch Princess Elina take such a bold step?” Duke Ashvale asked in a deep voice.

Cedric didn’t answer right away. He sipped his tea, lost in thought.

Duke Ashvale didn’t press him for an immediate answer either.

A few minutes later, Cedric took a deep breath and said, ”I have no plans to confront Elina in the middle of this situation.”

Duke Ashvale’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had already anticipated that answer.

”But...” Cedric continued, straightening up. ”I’ve prepared a surprise for her.”

”A surprise?”

Duke Ashvale blinked curiously.

”What is it?”

Cedric smiled faintly.

”Telling you now would spoil the fun. You’ll see it later.”

Although curious, Duke Ashvale didn’t press him further.

”I understand. I’ll leave everything in your hands,” he said confidently.

This battle for the throne was very different from the previous one. The dukes were no longer united. Duke Malvain and Duke Austin were prime examples.

Back then, during the battle for the throne in Ragan’s era, both families had agreed to support him.

Despite the conflict between the two families, they were willing to set aside their pride and support Ragan as emperor.

But things were different in the present era. The two families might not be able to suppress their hostility toward each other much longer.

What’s more, Ragan had fallen ill, and the position of ”emperor” had temporarily been taken over by Seira.

The Ashvale family was no exception. They had fully sided with Cedric, and the very survival of the Ashvale family now depended on him.

If he won, they would rise to a higher status. Becoming a family affiliated with the imperial family through marriage was almost certain.

But if he lost... there was no need to discuss it. The Ashvale family would certainly be subjugated by the victor of the battle for the throne.

Their status as ”dukes” might even be threatened.

...

”Hahaha! Come on, everyone, raise your glasses! Let’s party until morning!”

Corvin shouted as he raised his glass high.

”Hahaha! Cheers!”

”Cheers!”

The soldiers downed their beers in unison. The music and the beautiful women dancing around them made the atmosphere at the rebel camp lively and festive.

Corvin finished his beer before walking over to one of the dancers and joining her.

”Boss, you’re a great dancer! Dance some more. I’ll give you two hundred Sharn!” one of the soldiers joked.

”Only two hundred?” Corvin snorted. ”Up the ante!”

”Five hundred!” another soldier shouted.

”Eight hundred!”

”Nine hundred!”

A friendly betting contest soon began.

The party had everyone caught up in the excitement. But there was one person who didn’t seem happy at all.

He simply stood in the distance, quietly watching everything unfold.

The soldiers were too caught up in the festivities to even notice him.

After enjoying himself for a while, Corvin went off to take a leak.

Suddenly, a soldier approached him and stopped him.

”General, I have important news!”

Corvin looked annoyed and urged him, ”Hurry up and tell me!”

The soldier hesitated for a moment before saying, ”The imperial palace army will arrive shortly!”

Corvin’s expression remained as calm as ever.

”Is that all?”

The soldier was taken aback. Before he could say another word, Corvin turned and walked away.

”The imperial palace army is nothing. I, Corvin, will defeat them!”