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

”They’re taking too long,” Rei said with a look of anxiety and impatience.

Roseline patted him on the shoulder to calm him down. ”Relax. Evalyn and the others will be back soon.”

Rei took a deep breath and gave a slight nod.

They waited another five minutes, and finally, silhouettes appeared in the distance.

The figures stretched across the landscape. It was clearly the army that had just fought against Demon General Malgrion and his forces.

”They’re back!” a soldier pointed toward the distance joyfully.

”Great!” another soldier cheered, and the others quickly followed suit.

Rei couldn’t help but smile. For some reason, he felt incredibly proud. Evalyn was both his successor and his future descendant.

Seeing her succeed in defeating Malgrion filled him with joy.

As the army drew closer, Rei could finally spot Evalyn at the front.

He gave a satisfied nod, which Evalyn immediately returned with a smile.

When they reached the camp, Evalyn dismounted her horse and walked toward Rei and Roseline.

”I’ve successfully completed the task, Ancestors—no, I mean, Hero of Light Rei and Your Highness,” she said, clasping her hands together.

”Hahaha! Good! That’s great!” Rei laughed heartily and patted Evalyn on the shoulder. ”Well done, Evalyn.”

Roseline smiled as well and nodded in satisfaction.

Evalyn was delighted to hear the praise. After all, it had come directly from the hero—and from her own ancestor.

”There are many things I want to ask you. But I know this isn’t the right place. Let’s go to my tent,” Rei said.

Evalyn nodded. As it happened, she also wanted to discuss some important matters with him.

The two of them then left, leaving Roseline standing alone.

Roseline rolled her eyes, but she wasn’t angry. She understood how worried Rei was about Evalyn’s safety.

She then looked toward the soldiers, her gaze landing on Reinard’s guilty expression.

Out of curiosity, she walked over to him and asked, ”How did the war go? What actually happened?”

Since Evalyn was with Rei, Reinard was the best person to ask.

”The war went perfectly, Your Highness,” Reinard replied, taking a deep breath. ”However…”

His expression turned to one of shame and distress. ”I made a grave mistake.”

”A grave mistake?” Roseline’s eyebrows shot up. ”What mistake?”

Reinard didn’t dare hide it and told her everything.

When Roseline heard it, her expression changed immediately.

”You left Evalyn to fight Malgrion?”

”That’s right, Your Highness.” Reinard nodded stiffly. ”B-But I didn’t run away alone. I ordered the other soldiers to retreat as well. Malgrion in his berserk form can kill anyone, even his own men. That’s why I decided to withdraw with the others. And…”

He straightened his posture and continued firmly, ”I already told Commander Evalyn to flee, but she insisted on fighting him. I truly did. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Commander Evalyn.”

He raised a finger, as if swearing an oath.

Roseline fell silent, but traces of anger were clearly visible on her face.

Soldiers were not allowed to flee the battlefield—no matter the reason.

Yet Reinard had dared to retreat, which was a clear violation of the rules.

Fortunately, Evalyn had managed to defeat Malgrion, so everything had ended well.

Roseline took a deep breath and glared sharply at Reinard.

”You have committed a serious offense. However, I won’t take action just yet. Don’t get too comfortable—I will punish you after discussing it with the Hero of Light.”

After saying that, she turned and walked away, leaving Reinard standing there with a gloomy expression.

His fists clenched tightly as anger welled up inside him.

However, in the end, it was all his fault, and he had no right to protest the decision.

…

In a region near the eastern continent, there was a famous institution known as the Tower of Silence.

The Tower of Silence had existed for thousands of years, and many powerful mages had emerged from within its walls.

Even the Demon Emperor dared not attack this place. He knew that doing so would be tantamount to suicide.

Therefore, the territory controlled by the Tower of Silence was among the safest places from the Demon Emperor and his forces.

”Please buy some! My vegetables just arrived this morning! They’re cheap—less than two silver coins!”

”Fresh fruits from the central continent! Just ten bronze coins per kilogram! Hurry and buy them! Today’s prices might change tomorrow!”

The streets of Solen were filled with merchants shouting and selling their wares.

The city of Solen was one of three cities under the direct rule of the Tower of Silence, along with Doria and Aria.

Its location was quite strategic. Compared to the other two, Solen was the closest city to the Tower of Silence.

So, it was not surprising that this city was considered a thriving metropolis, sought after by many as a place to live.

”Hey, young man. Want to buy my keychain?” An old man stopped a young man in a black cloak. ”This keychain was made by a mage from the Tower of Silence! Anyone who wears it will have good fortune in their life! Buy it. It’s cheap—just two gold coins!”

The old man grinned and rubbed his index finger and thumb together.

The young man stared at the keychain, which was shaped like a magic orb, and spat. ”If that’s what it does, why don’t you use it on yourself? I’m sure you’d get rich and wouldn’t need to sell it anymore.”

His words made the old man’s smile freeze.

”Damn it! If you don’t want to buy it, just say so! Don’t insult my merchandise!” he snapped.

The young man rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue.

He ignored him and walked away, leaving the old man behind, still cursing angrily under his breath.

”The City of Solen…” the young man muttered, gazing at the bustling streets crowded with people.

The City of Solen in the future was far more advanced than the Solen of today.

Its territory had doubled in size due to a housing crisis that forced the city leaders to expand it.

The young man then lifted his gaze toward a black tower in the distance.

The tower was so far away that only its silhouette could be seen. That was where the Tower of Silence stood.

The young man smiled and whispered, ”Tower of Silence, here I come…”

He pulled his hood over his head and walked forward. His figure blended into the crowd, then vanished, as if he had never been there at all.