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

”How’s the situation on the battlefield? Any news yet?” Elina asked, crossing her legs.

Rafine shook her head.

”Not yet. There’s still no news about the situation on the battlefield. But I’m sure Prince Aldric is capable enough of defeating the enemy forces.”

”Hmmm…”

Elina fell deep into thought. She didn’t underestimate Aldric. It was just that his opponent was a rebel army.

They wouldn’t hesitate to fight him, even if he was the first prince.

”I understand. If there’s any news, please let me know. I need to keep an eye on the situation. After all, these developments will affect the course of the battle for the throne,” she said with a long sigh.

Because of Aldric’s departure for the battlefield, more nobles had begun siding with him.

It wasn’t just those from the southern region, either. Nobles from the other three regions had also started supporting him.

Most of them came from baron and viscount families. Even so, Elina didn’t dare underestimate them. The more people who sided with Aldric, the greater the threat she faced.

Cedric hadn’t made any moves in the past few months, so Elina didn’t want to let her guard down and give her enemies a chance to act without her knowing.

”I understand. I’ll report it to you as soon as there’s any news.”

Elina smiled with satisfaction.

”Thank you.”

The two then discussed several other matters. One of them was the hot topic everyone was talking about—the Blue Horizon Project, jointly developed by Blue Moon and White Lotus.

”Your family invested a lot of money into it, didn’t they?”

”That’s right. The Austin family initially invested eight hundred million Sharn, followed by another six hundred million Sharn later. That brings the total to one point four billion Sharn,” Rafine answered honestly.

”Tsk! That’s a huge amount of money. Aren’t you afraid the project might fail?” Elina teased.

”Afraid?” Rafine laughed. ”Since when has the Blue Moon Trading House ever failed with one of its projects?”

Blue Moon owned the Silver Dragon Bank, with branches spread throughout the empire.

”Afraid?” Rafine laughed. ”Since when has the Blue Moon Trading House ever failed with one of its projects?”

Blue Moon owned the Silver Dragon Bank, with branches spread throughout the empire.

They had even opened branches in the Holy Empire of Valtanir and the surrounding kingdoms.

Their financial foundation was incredibly strong. Compared to other trading houses, Blue Moon was clearly a trustworthy partner.

What’s more, 1.4 billion Sharn was nothing compared to the overall scale of the project.

The Austin family wasn’t even their primary partner—the imperial family was.

Besides, every innovation they introduced brought significant changes to the empire’s civilization.

The Austin family certainly couldn’t afford to miss out on an opportunity like this.

”Sorry, I was just joking,” Elina giggled. ”The Austin family made the right choice. I’m sure you’ll reap the benefits in the future.”

Rafine smiled and nodded.

Just as the two were engrossed in their conversation, hurried knocking suddenly came from the door.

Knock! Knock!

”Your Highness Elina, news has arrived from the battlefield!”

Elina and Rafine were both startled.

”Come in,” Elina ordered.

The door opened, and Velissa entered with a happy expression on her face.

She bowed her head slightly before saying, ”Prince Aldric has successfully defeated the enemy forces!”

Elina and Rafine’s expressions changed when they heard the news.

”Are you sure?”

”Absolutely! The official letter is right here.”

Velissa handed the letter to Elina.

Elina accepted it and opened it. As she read through it, her expression grew more serious.

”The news is true. Aldric has really won the battle.”

”Let me see.”

Elina handed the letter to Rafine.

Rafine read through it, her eyebrows furrowing. She placed the letter on the table before turning to Elina.

”What are you going to do?”

Elina didn’t answer. She stared intently at the letter for a moment before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.

”I have to take precautions…”

…

”Hahaha! We won!”

The soldiers raised their glasses and laughed happily.

A celebration was held in the city square to celebrate Aldric’s victory.

His forces had successfully defeated the rebel army led by Corvin.

”It’s all thanks to His Highness Aldric! He’s truly amazing!”

”That’s right! I’m so lucky to have been part of this and to have helped bring this war to an end!”

”Our bonuses are definitely going to be huge, right? I can’t wait!”

While the soldiers celebrated, Aldric and Drian gathered with the military leaders in the city of Kalbar.

”Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you!”

Baron Rowan bowed his head gratefully.

”If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened to me or my city.”

Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

Aldric smiled and waved his hand.

”No problem, Baron Rowan. Helping you was my duty. I was just doing what I was supposed to do as a prince.”

He took a sip of his beer and let out a long sigh.

”Even if you say that, you’ve still helped us tremendously. You’re the hero of this city!” Baron Rowan said emotionally.

He raised his beer glass and shouted, ”Everyone, let’s make a toast! Tonight is a night of victory! Don’t hold back!”

”Woaa!”

Drian and the other officials cheered and downed their beers in unison.

The atmosphere in the city square was lively. Even the residents who hadn’t come out earlier had joined the victory celebration.

What they didn’t know was that a man was hiding behind one of the buildings, quietly watching Baron Rowan and Aldric.

Two hours later…

The celebration ended on a high note. The soldiers returned to their tents, while Aldric and Drian were invited to stay at Baron Rowan’s mansion.

”Make yourselves at home, Your Highness,” Baron Rowan said respectfully. ”If you need anything, just call the servants. They’ll be on standby all night.”

Aldric nodded.

”Thank you.”

Afterward, Aldric and Drian were escorted to the rooms prepared for them.

Aldric’s room was quite spacious, easily large enough for two people, but he had it all to himself.

”This is your room, Your Highness. If you need anything, please call for me,” the servant said politely.

”Thank you.”

Once the servant left, Aldric didn’t waste any time and went to take a shower. He was drenched in sweat from the battle that afternoon.

Half an hour later, he finished showering and stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed.

He took a sip of the warm milk that had been prepared for him before sitting down on the bed.

”Victory,” he murmured, a smile playing on his lips.

Corvin and his forces had been soundly defeated. Unfortunately, that coward had managed to escape with the remaining soldiers.

But Aldric wasn’t worried. At the very least, his name would now be held in high regard by the people of the four regions, including the nobles.

”Elina, oh Elina. I’m sure you must be feeling pretty anxious right now, aren’t you?” he laughed. ”What a pity. I’ll be the one to lead the battle for the throne and win it.”

His eyes flashed with burning ambition.

Suddenly…

Whoosh!

A gust of wind swept across his face.

Aldric was caught off guard. Before he could react, a blow struck the back of his neck.

”Argh!”

His vision instantly went dark, and his body collapsed to the ground.

A figure with cold, gray eyes stood behind him, staring intently at his fallen body.

”What a pity, Aldric Lorian. This is the end for you…”