The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 720 The Era of Heroes

"So, what should we do now?" Evalyn asked, attempting to compose herself.

She surveyed the dense, lifeless forest surrounding them. "This place is extremely remote and shows no signs of life. I'm certain there are many monsters lurking here."

Nolan stood up straighter, his hand rubbing his still aching stomach.

However, that discomfort was a small price to pay compared to Evalyn's sulking silence.

"Since we've arrived in the past, this must be the era when the two heroes vanquished the Demon Emperor," Nolan declared, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

He had long harbored a desire to meet these heroes, particularly the ancestor of the Lionheart family.

Both individuals had been summoned from his world, making them countrymen in a sense.

In this vast world, Nolan had encountered only one other person from his original world – Levi, the undead.

Yet, Levi had devolved into an unstable, animated corpse.

Furthermore, Levi hailed from the 18th century, creating a significant temporal and generational chasm between them.

The two heroes, however, were different; they were contemporaries.

How could Nolan be so sure of this?

The explanation was straightforward: Nolan deduced that the passage of time in this world vastly differed from his own.

A millennium here might equate to merely ten or twenty years in his time.

Though still a hypothesis, Nolan felt confident in this assessment. He recalled reading passages from a biography left behind by the hero who was the Lionheart ancestor.

Vivid details of automobiles, towering skyscrapers, and the man's craving for wheat-based sustenance, which he identified as noodles, were particularly memorable.

Thus, presented with the opportunity to visit the heroes' era, Nolan felt compelled to seek them out for direct answers.

"The era of the heroes, you say?" Evalyn murmured, her brow furrowing slightly.

While she had harbored suspicions, hearing Nolan confirm it directly still came as a surprise.

"In that case, let's move. At the very least, we must first escape this forest," she stated.

Nolan nodded, but a sudden realization struck him.

He scanned his surroundings but could not locate the young girl, Eira.

"Eira… where did she go?"

"Huh? Eira?" Evalyn's eyes widened in alarm.

It dawned on her then that the child had accompanied them. She began to search the vicinity with growing concern.

"She's not here! We have to find her!"

However, Nolan quickly restrained her.

"No need. I can communicate with her."

He closed his eyes and projected his thoughts.

"Eira, where are you?"

A few moments later, Eira's fearful and anxious voice echoed in his mind.

"Master! Where are you?!"

Nolan exhaled in relief and offered reassurance. "I'm in a dense forest, the exact location is unclear. How about you? Where are you?"

"I don't know," Eira replied, her voice trembling. "This place is enormous! It feels like a limestone cavern, and I hear a growling sound from up ahead. I'm very scared, Master!"

Nolan's expression grew serious, but he remained calm. "Don't worry. I've embedded numerous safeguards within you. You won't perish easily. Even if a catastrophe-level monster appears, you will remain safe."

"Really?" Eira's voice held a note of relief, though a trace of doubt lingered.

"Of course. Have I ever deceived you?"

"Mhm… No, you've never lied to Eira!"

A smile touched Nolan's lips. "Just explore the cave. You might even discover a treasure. I'll come to retrieve you as soon as possible. Understood?"

He harbored no genuine concern for Eira's safety. Beyond the protective measures he had implemented, Eira was, after all, a dragon.

Her bloodline was exceptionally pure.

Even Arnold, who possessed a connection to a dragon ancestor, had once admitted to feeling goosebumps and a faint sense of pressure emanating from Eira.

That young girl possessed the innate ability to subdue various monsters with her lineage alone, let alone confront another dragon.

"Treasure!?" Eira's voice soared with excitement. "Okay, I'll do it!"

Their mental connection severed immediately after her reply.

Nolan turned to Evalyn. "It seems Eira and we were separated during our transit through the space-time tunnel. However, she will be alright. She is a dragon, after all."

Evalyn's tension visibly eased, and she nodded.

"I trust you."

After a brief exchange, they resolved to travel eastward.

***

Approximately eighteen kilometers to the east lay Norham, a modest town.

The settlement was not teeming with people, yet it attracted a fair number of merchants from across the region.

"Next!"

A soldier's voice boomed, calling for the next person in line.

A figure advanced, anticipating the soldier's scrutiny. Upon completion of the examination, the individual proceeded into the town. Subsequently, a woman approached, her demeanor calm as she awaited her turn. Granted permission, she too entered, finding the man already in waiting. Recognizing her, he offered a nod before departing.

"I hadn't anticipated they still conducted inspections in this manner," the woman remarked, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. She was Evalyn, her appearance altered, while the man beside her was Nolan, likewise disguised.

"This was a thousand years prior. The practice of employing magic for entry checks had not yet gained widespread acceptance," Nolan explained in an easy tone. He recalled that it was precisely the Blue Moon Trading House that had, nine years ago, made the magic-based inspection device popular. Naturally, the underlying concept had existed and seen use in numerous cities across the empire and other kingdoms. However, that particular trading house had refined the technology, elevating its efficiency considerably.

"That does clarify things," Evalyn agreed with a nod. "So, what is our next course of action?"

Nolan stroked his chin, his gaze fixed on the throng of people moving past them. He was acutely aware that they were all inhabitants of a bygone era, long since deceased. Yet, observing them firsthand evoked a peculiar sense of unease.

"Our initial step is to gather intelligence," Nolan responded placidly. "Information is what we currently lack. We must ascertain the whereabouts of the two heroes. Only then can we accomplish the objective for which we journeyed to this era."

Evalyn shared his perspective and readily concurred. With their plan set, the duo ventured further into the heart of the town. If there was indeed one location that served as a veritable reservoir of information, it could only be the local tavern.