The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 703 Tensions at the Border

"Huh? A reward for my service and achievements?" Elina felt utterly stunned.

She blinked, rubbing her eyes vigorously to confirm she hadn't misread the contents. Upon rereading the letter a second time, she found it indeed explicitly mentioned a reward and recognition for her accomplishments.

"This is…"

"What could be going on?" Rafine's inquisitive voice inquired from behind her.

Elina turned around to explain, "I had assumed this letter was from Brother Nolan. But unexpectedly, it pertains to a reward and achievements."

"Huh? Really now?" Rafine expressed her surprise.

"Yes." Elina nodded, extending the letter towards her. Rafine promptly accepted it and began to scan its contents.

After a few moments, her expression shifted to one of bewilderment.

"Could the reward and achievements spoken of here possibly be a result of you saving Nolan and Princess Seira earlier?" she ventured a guess.

Elina considered this possibility and deemed it quite reasonable.

"It does seem plausible. Nevertheless… this is quite unexpected. I had anticipated punishment from Father. Who would have imagined he would offer a reward instead?"

A sigh escaped her lips as she resignedly shook her head.

Everything had unfolded with such abruptness, and none of it aligned with her prior expectations.

Yet, she understood that this turn of events was entirely due to Nolan's timely intervention.

After all, she knew her older brother more intimately than anyone else possibly could.

…

Three weeks elapsed with remarkable speed. No significant disruptions occurred, and an air of tranquility seemed to prevail amongst everyone.

Of course, this peaceful state was confined only to those residing within the major urban centers.

For individuals dwelling along the frontiers—particularly in the northern territories bordering the Eldrath Mountains—the palpable tension and oppressive atmosphere were impossible to disregard.

The ominous shadow of impending war loomed over them daily.

Compounding this dread was the harsh, unyielding northern cold, which only intensified the mounting pressure.

"What about the surveillance? Have any signs of enemy troop movements been detected?"

Within the confines of her tent, Freya fixed her soldiers with a chilling gaze.

"Not yet, General!" they responded with utmost respect. "The enemy forces have remained stationary. However, their numbers are steadily growing. It appears they are consolidating their strength."

Freya fell into a thoughtful silence, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. She harbored no fear of the Holy Empire of Valtanir. In truth, she yearned for the initiative to strike first.

As the renowned military maxim advises, "Defeat your enemy before their strength can mature."

Regrettably, she was constrained. Her father's directives were explicit: maintain strict vigilance over the Eldrath Mountains.

As long as the adversary refrained from launching an assault, she was forbidden from taking any precipitate actions.

"Hah…" Freya let out a breath and gestured with her left hand. "Thank you. You are dismissed."

The two soldiers offered a respectful nod and promptly exited the tent.

Not long after they had departed from sight, a woman suddenly materialized from the very air.

She stood tall, her fiery red hair secured by an ornate hairpin shaped like a bird's feather, and a distinct symbol of flame was emblazoned upon her forehead.

Her countenance exuded gentleness, yet her eyes possessed a sharp, penetrating intensity.

Freya exhibited no surprise at the woman's sudden manifestation.

"How did the investigation proceed, Phoenix? Did you uncover anything of significance?"

Phoenix responded with a negative shake of her head. "Nothing substantial. Their security measures are exceptionally rigorous. A high-level formation is obstructing my view. Should I attempt to breach it forcefully, I would inevitably be detected. The Holy Empire of Valtanir is fully committed this time."

Her expression turned grave. To erect such a potent formation, the architect behind it must possess capabilities of at least the celestial level.

Phoenix harbored no doubt that an empire as vast as Valtanir would certainly possess an individual of such extraordinary caliber.

Nevertheless, the confirmed presence of a Celestial Mage near the enemy encampment solidified one undeniable truth—this looming conflict was no longer a mere possibility. It was an inescapable certainty.

Freya's visage darkened considerably. Celestial Mages represented terrifying entities, possessing the power to transform an entire battlefield into an arena of utter devastation.

It might be manageable if their interventions were limited to crucial junctures. But if they were to engage fully… the war would inevitably devolve into a brutal massacre.

Despite this grim outlook, Freya remained unperturbed. Phoenix herself was the formidable celestial mage dispatched by her father to provide crucial support.

With the formidable Phoenix standing by her side, Freya felt no apprehension concerning any potential Celestial Mages the enemy might deploy.

"Implement a magical ward around our camp as well. I wish to prevent any clandestine observation of our troops," Freya commanded.

"As you command, Your Highness." Phoenix inclined her head in acknowledgment before dissolving back into invisibility.

…

"Hoaam…"

Nolan reclined languidly upon the plush sofa, his head finding repose on a comfortably soft pillow.

To his right, a captivating woman adorned in an elegant cheongsam meticulously massaged his temples.

This particular woman was none other than Obsidia, the sentient spirit residing within the formidable Void Reaver Disc weapon.

Malverna stood adjacent to the sofa, a subtle twitch playing at the corner of her lips. It had been two full days since Nolan's return to the eastern region, yet all she had witnessed him do was indulge in utter idleness.

The fact that even Elina appeared to tolerate his indolent behavior inexplicably provoked Malverna's irritation.

"Nolan," Malverna inquired, her temples throbbing. "For how much longer do you intend to lounge about? Is there not anything productive you wish to pursue outside?"

Obsidia retrieved a grape, delicately presenting it to Nolan's lips.

He parted his mouth to accept it. This very sort of extravagant indulgence was precisely what he had yearned for.

With a single eye barely open, he cast a glance at Malverna and responded with indifference, "What is troubling you? Is there truly an issue with my current actions? I am not causing any distress or inciting trouble. You ought to find some relaxation as well."

Nolan then gestured towards the sofa.

"Come closer. Permit me to rest my head on your lap. Your thighs are delightfully soft. I distinctly recall the last occasion I reclined there—I drifted off to sleep before I was even aware of it."

Malverna: "…"

"You—" She clenched her jaw, her fists tightening in indignation. "How could you possibly presume to command me to perform such a degrading act? I am the Demon Empress! My station is exceedingly elevated! I—"

Mere moments later…

"Indeed, this arrangement is quite comfortable."

Nolan laid his head upon Malverna's soft thighs, a look of utter contentment gracing his features.

An age-old adage declares, "A lap pillow ranks among the world's seven marvels," and it appeared this profound wisdom held true.

Malverna remained seated with her legs drawn up, her expression vacant, as if her spirit had departed her form.

Observing this scene, Obsidia could only offer a faint smile. Over the preceding days, she had been discreetly assessing Nolan's two devoted followers.

The first was Arnold—a fearsomely potent black dragon. The second was Malverna, the formidable Demon Empress.

Naturally, upon discovering Malverna's true identity, Obsidia had been overcome with both shock and trepidation.

The venerable Kingdom of Eron had been razed by the Demon Emperor. And as a relic passed down through the Lyren lineage, Obsidia had once stood against the Demon Emperor to safeguard the kingdom… only to suffer a crushing defeat.

Initially, she had dismissed the title "Demon Empress" as a mere empty honorific.

However, her assumption proved incorrect. Malverna had once served as the Demon Emperor's esteemed mentor—and the former sovereign of the demon race.

Fortunately, Malverna displayed a marked indifference towards her, rendering all of Obsidia's profound anxieties superfluous.

"Could you perhaps massage my scalp? Precisely here."

Nolan indicated the area of his temples and the crown of his head.

Malverna averted her gaze but did not issue a refusal.

She was his chattel. What right did she possess to deny such a request?

Just as Nolan began to revel in the tranquil existence he had perpetually envisioned, Elina's voice, laced with panic, abruptly pierced the air from the doorway.

"Brother, something is occurring with Eira! Her eggshell is trembling—it appears she is on the verge of hatching!"