The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 740 The Butterfly Effect

Historical records pointed to the Demon Emperor's fortress siege occurring when the Hero of Light and the Hero of Darkness reached the age of twenty-seven.

Yet, currently, both heroes were merely twenty-five. The question loomed: how had the siege plan been advanced by two years?

A sudden realization struck Evalyn, her eyes widening with apprehension.

"C-Could it be because of Nolan and me?"

Her heart hammered against her ribs. While the full implications eluded her, Nolan had once spoken of a phenomenon that could alter events—even history itself—termed the butterfly effect.

Their recent actions were the most probable cause.

"Evalyn, what is it? Your face is so pale," Rei's voice, laced with confusion, pierced through her thoughts.

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, Evalyn managed a strained smile.

"I-It’s nothing, Ancestor. By the way, did that plan originate from the Hero of Darkness or the imperial family?" she inquired.

"It came directly from the imperial family," Rei replied, a sigh of resignation coloring his tone. "Their haste is perplexing. I fear their recklessness may sow disaster in the future."

Currently, the Demon Emperor and his legions were relentlessly assaulting various territories across the southern continent.

According to Rei, his and Lucas's immediate priority should be halting these aggressions.

Following that success, the plan entailed consolidating forces from numerous kingdoms for a unified assault on the Demon Empire's stronghold.

However, the imperial family had opted for a premature strike. Rei worried this rashness would invite widespread condemnation.

After all, both he and Lucas had been summoned not only by the Great Velmora Empire but also through a pact agreed upon by all major continental powers.

"Hmmm…" Evalyn narrowed her eyes, still uncertain of the underlying reason.

One truth, however, was undeniable: the butterfly effect stemming from her and Nolan was far more significant than she had initially conceived.

"I understand." Evalyn offered a slight nod. "Then, what do you wish for me to do?"

Rei smiled and elaborated, "While Lucas is present, I must ask you to avoid any encounters with him. I am concerned he might discern your true origins, potentially triggering widespread chaos in this era."

Evalyn's very presence was a matter of great consequence, capable of profoundly unsettling this world.

The realms of space and time remained mysterious, their depths largely unstudied by anyone.

Consequently, it was imperative that Evalyn remain undiscovered. A monumental upheaval could ensue otherwise, and Rei wished to prevent his most promising descendant, in the lineage he would one day forge, from being apprehended by the imperial family.

"I understand," Evalyn readily agreed. "I shall remain in my tent when the Hero of Darkness arrives. Have no concerns."

A satisfied smile touched Rei's lips. "Thank you for your cooperation."

…

"Just a bit more! We are absolutely going to succeed this time!"

Orrun clenched his fists, his body trembling with fervent anticipation.

The magic formation before him emanated a brilliant luminescence that steadily expanded.

Abruptly, in the following instant, the light imploded and vanished as if it had never been.

Orrun: "…"

Nolan: "…"

"Damn it all!"

Orrun slammed the map held in his hand onto the table in a fit of rage. The elation that had previously graced his features evaporated instantly, giving way to profound disappointment and despair.

"Curse it! Why has it failed yet again? I am certain the formula was correct. Is this spell truly beyond casting?"

He ran a hand through his hair, consumed by frustration. Nolan's arrival had rekindled his hope for the creation of the Two-World Teleportation spell—a hope that had been teetering on the brink of extinction.

Nolan was, without question, the most gifted young mage Orrun had ever encountered in his lifetime.

With his assistance, the probability of success should have been high. Yet, frustratingly, even after Nolan had meticulously devised the formula, the spell still faltered.

The sheer exasperation left him breathless.

In stark contrast to Orrun's dejection, Nolan maintained a composed demeanor. He carefully documented the failure in Orrun's logbook.

"Seventh attempt… unsuccessful."

Nolan placed his quill beside the tome and then stretched his stiffened frame.

"Alright, Old Man, cease this lamentation. Failure is merely the precursor to success. Simply relax."

Nolan offered a reassuring smile and placed a hand on Orrun's shoulder.

"Blast it! You make it sound as though I were a mere child!"

Orrun brushed Nolan's hand away and slumped his head in renewed frustration.

"I have dedicated three years to this endeavor! Three years, young man! Do you grasp the significance of that? If you cannot comprehend it, allow me to elucidate! I have squandered three years of my existence solely on this confounded failure! You lack understanding, you scoundrel!"

Orrun stomped his short legs emphatically on the ground, his countenance a portrait of weariness and utter helplessness.

Nolan let out a faint sigh, admitting he didn't fully grasp Orrun's struggles.

Yet, from his perspective, the current situation seemed quite logical. The magic of Two-World Teleportation was considered well beyond the realm of possibility.

This particular magic wove together the fundamental elements of space and time, concepts that future generations would deem the domain of deities.

Despite this, Nolan harbored no significant anxieties; he was, after all, the Singularity of Chaos.

His inherent talents gravitated towards the elements of space and time. While his mastery over time was still developing compared to his spatial abilities, it was more than sufficient to demonstrate that controlling these elements did not require godhood.

Ignoring Orrun, whose complaints resembled a spoiled child's, Nolan approached the intricate magic formula etched onto the floor.

He crouched, meticulously examining the formation's intricate design. Starkly different from five days prior, upon his initial arrival, the magic formula had evolved into a far more complex structure.

The formation comprised ten interconnected stars, sprawling across a five-meter diameter.

In Nolan's extensive experience, this represented the most elaborate magical formation he had ever devised.

Naturally, this didn't imply that other mages were incapable of such a feat. However, a well-known adage in the future world of magic stated that any magical formation exceeding seven lines was destined to detonate.

Future mages, possessing considerably less knowledge than their counterparts in this era, readily accepted this as fact.

Consequently, the magic of the future, often termed 'Lesser Magic', paled in comparison to the potent 'Ancient Magic' prevalent in this time.

'Where could the flaw lie?' Nolan mused internally.

The fundamental layout of the formation mirrored the one employed by mages to summon the two heroes.

However, Nolan had introduced substantial modifications, rendering it significantly more intricate. Of course, all these enhancements were realized with Orrun's crucial assistance.

Without his aid, achieving this level of complexity would have been unattainable.

Nolan strained his mind, yet the solution remained elusive. He decided to postpone his contemplation of the problem for the moment and stood up.

"Old Man, I intend to have lunch first. You should eat as well. There's no sense in pondering this on an empty stomach," he stated nonchalantly.

Orrun drew a deep breath, nodding in agreement.

"You speak the truth. Are you heading to the cafeteria? If so, kindly bring me some smoked ham and a glass of chilled water."

Nolan didn't object. Without another word, he turned and walked towards the exit.

Yet, just as he opened the door and prepared to step outside, a figure materialized directly before him. It was an incredibly adorable young girl.

"Hmm?" Nolan blinked, a hint of confusion crossing his face. "Are… are you Sylvia?"