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

”Hahaha! It’s so crowded in here. Did I miss the party?”

Everyone was startled and immediately turned toward the source of the voice.

A tall, handsome, and well-built man walked in, followed by several men and women.

The moment they saw him, everyone’s expressions changed.

”Y-You… First Prince, Ragnark Azyron!?” Keyn exclaimed in fear.

Nolan was stunned when he heard that name.

He stared intently at the man.

Ragnark wore an elegant and imposing black robe. He was quite tall—only half a head shorter than Nolan.

His hair was short and dark red, matching the color of his eyes.

But unlike ordinary humans, his pupils were vertical, resembling those of a dragon.

The aura he radiated was extremely intimidating—enough to make anyone who looked at him instinctively lower their head.

”So, he’s Ragnark Azyron, huh?” he muttered quietly.

Nolan remembered. His third older sister, Sharon, had once told him that a prince from the Celestial Empire of Velgranth named Ragnark Azyron had been bothering her.

Back then, he’d told Arnold to warn Ragnark to stay away from his sister.

It had been over a year since then, and Nolan hadn’t heard anything about Ragnark bothering Sharon again.

Apparently, his warning had been enough to scare Ragnark off.

Ayakami narrowed her eyes.

”What brings you here, Your Highness?” she asked coldly.

Ragnark stopped a few meters away from them, a faint smile on his face.

”Don’t be so cold, Ayakami. I’ve come to defeat that giant ape.”

He pointed at the giant ape, half of whose body had been destroyed and was currently regenerating.

”How did you know we found its lair!?” Kleith asked angrily.

He was certain it was nearly impossible for another team to find the lair this quickly. After all, only they knew about it.

”I know!”

Mike’s voice startled everyone.

He pointed at Nolan, who was standing behind them, his hands trembling violently.

”He must have done it!”

Everyone’s gaze naturally turned toward Nolan. They all looked shocked and confused.

”Oh?” Ragnark raised an eyebrow as he watched what was happening. Still, he said nothing and simply watched.

”Y-You’re the one who did it, right!? Just admit it!” Mike snapped.

”N-Nolan, is that true?” Mary asked hesitantly, clearly confused.

The others stayed quiet, but the disbelief on their faces was obvious.

Nolan glanced at Mike, who was staring right at him. But behind that serious look was a playful, mocking smile.

So that’s how it is…

Nolan let out a small chuckle. He understood now. This guy had actually set the trap all along.

Since you want to play, I’ll play along.

He licked his lips before looking up with a calm expression.

”Me?”

He pointed at himself before shaking his head.

”I didn’t do it.”

”Liar!” Mike cut in, his face flushing with anger. ”No one’s more suspicious than you!”

Group B remained silent, choosing to watch the situation unfold.

”Nolan…”

Ayakami was about to say something, but Nolan raised his hand to stop her.

Staring at Mike, who was flashing a triumphant smile, Nolan said casually, ”Since you think I’m the culprit, tell me—what would I gain from doing that?”

Mike’s expression froze.

”T-That…”

”Second,” Nolan cut in casually. ”From the very beginning, I didn’t go anywhere. You’re all witnesses to that, aren’t you?”

He glanced at Mary, Keyn, Kleith, and Tony.

They all fell silent as they recalled what had happened earlier.

”That’s right. I remember Nolan didn’t go anywhere,” Keyn said firmly.

The others nodded in agreement.

”Y-You… Are you trying to twist the truth!?” Mike gritted his teeth in anger.

Nolan shrugged.

”It’s up to you what you think of me. The important thing is, I didn’t do it. Ayakami already helped me. How could I possibly repay her with such a wicked act? Besides, I barely know any of you. How could I possibly know who’s in the rival group, let alone contact them?”

Nolan’s calm demeanor and reasonable arguments instantly silenced Mike.

Cold sweat drenched his back as he felt everyone’s gaze fixed on him.

”I-I…”

He wanted to say something but found himself unable to.

”And aren’t you the most likely suspect, Mike?”

Mike froze and stared at Nolan in horror.

”W-What do you mean?”

Nolan gave a faint smile.

”You went to take a leak just now, didn’t you? Right before we left. I don’t want to accuse you, but who knows…”

His eyes flashed meaningfully.

”You did it.”

Thud!

Mike’s heart pounded as fear crept over him.

”Mike, is that true?” Tony asked furiously.

”N-No, it wasn’t me!” he protested loudly.

But the more defensive he became, the more suspicious everyone grew. Eighty percent—no, ninety-five percent of them were convinced that Mike was the culprit.

Ayakami raised her hand, stopping them.

”Don’t start arguing just yet. Our focus is on defeating that ape monster.”

”Do you think you can do that right in front of me?”

Ragnark’s teasing voice came from behind her.

Ayakami’s expression darkened.

”Are you trying to steal it?”

Ragnark smiled nonchalantly.

”What do you think?”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense. Ayakami’s group raised their magic wands, while Ragnark’s group wasn’t about to back down.

Both sides glared at each other with hostility.

Suddenly…

”All right, let me say something first.”

Everyone was startled and instinctively turned toward Nolan.

Nolan stepped between them and calmly looked at Ragnark.

”Your name is Ragnark, isn’t it? You’re the First Prince of the Celestial Empire of Velgranth and the crown prince. Am I right?”

Ragnark narrowed his eyes. He had no idea who this man really was, but his instincts screamed at him not to act rashly.

If he remained stubborn… he might die right then and there.

Taking a deep breath, Ragnark nodded and replied solemnly, ”Yes, that’s me. Why do you ask?”

Nolan patted him on the shoulder.

Boom!

An incredibly terrifying pressure instantly slammed down on him. The ground beneath his feet cracked before shattering completely, forming a hole ten centimeters deep.

Ragnark’s heart pounded wildly. He wanted to fight back, but his body refused to move.

”I know you once had your sights set on Sharon Lorian, didn’t you?”

Ragnark couldn’t open his mouth. The overwhelming pressure had paralyzed every nerve in his body.

”I also know you were willing to do anything to get her. Fortunately, I didn’t take action back then. Otherwise, both you and the Dragon Empire behind you would have collapsed by now.”

The smile on Nolan’s lips seemed friendly, but Ragnark knew… he knew all too well that it was a smile filled with threats.

”And now, you’re making a second mistake. Ayakami has helped me, so I want to help her pass her test too. Can you leave now?”

Ragnark’s breathing quickened as rage erupted within him.

Despite his fear of the man standing before him, he was part of the dragon race. Pride was etched deep into his very bones.

How dare a mere human give him orders?

”Tch! You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you?”

Nolan clicked his tongue and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his pupils had transformed into the shapes of a star and a moon, shining brightly.

Under the gaze of those eyes, Ragnark’s pride instantly crumbled.

”Do you understand what I mean?”

Nolan’s cold voice echoed in his head.

Ragnark felt a chill run down his spine. His face turned pale as though all the blood had drained from it.

He nodded heavily and parted his lips, finally able to move them.

”I… understand.”