The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne-Chapter 602: Collecting on a Promise

The horse-drawn carriage carrying Nolan finally reached its destination. The guards quickly opened the doors for him.

Nolan stepped out with a smile, climbed the steps, and entered the palace.

The servants who saw him were startled and hurriedly bowed.

It had been a long time since they last saw Nolan, and they had thought he would never return.

Who would have expected the prince to come back so suddenly?

But Nolan was no longer the same. Since his appearance on the palace square stage last year and his victory over Allen Ashvale on that party night, he had earned the servants’ respect.

At the very least, they no longer saw him as a useless prince.

Nolan walked down the palace corridor, and every servant who saw him immediately bowed.

Suddenly, he came across Prime Minister Roswell. They exchanged a glance, then nodded and smiled at each other.

"It’s good to see you back, Your Highness," Roswell greeted, clasping his hands together. "Do you have business here?"

The question was clear—he wanted to know the reason for Nolan’s unexpected return.

Nolan understood but didn’t bother arguing.

"Yes, I came to take care of some matters. Where is my father?"

A cold flash crossed Roswell’s eyes, but he quickly masked it. "His Majesty is in his study. Shall I take you there?"

"In his study, huh? No need, thank you. I don’t want to take up your time," Nolan replied with a soft chuckle.

Without another word, he slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and continued walking.

Roswell stared at his receding back with a meaningful look.

When he reached his father’s study, Nolan was about to knock on the door when he accidentally overheard a conversation from inside.

"Your Majesty, this is a great opportunity to gain cooperation from the Ancient Kingdom of Eron. I hope you’ll consider it. I’m sure Seira will be pleased as well."

"I understand. But this matter requires deeper discussion. I will let you know later."

"But Your Majesty, Seira—"

The debate grew heated, while Nolan simply listened, leaning against the wall beside the door.

Five minutes later, the discussion ended, and the door opened. Clarise stepped out, her face sullen and gloomy.

When she noticed Nolan standing nearby, she stiffened. Her gloomy expression grew even more tense.

"When did you come back?" she asked coldly.

"Just now. Can you move? I want to see my father," Nolan replied. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

His blunt words made Clarise furious. She quickly regained her composure, snorted coldly, and walked away.

Nolan glanced indifferently at her retreating figure before stepping into the study.

"Didn’t I say I’d give you my answer later?" Ragan snapped, looking up, only to be taken aback by the sudden appearance of his unfilial son at the door.

"What is it, old man? Why do you look so sour? Haven’t you slept in days?" Nolan teased, stepping closer.

"You..." Ragan was still caught off guard. "When did you come back?"

Nolan gave a casual smile, sat down in the chair before him, and said, "Just now. Why? Aren’t you happy to see your own son?"

His eyebrows rose and fell in a way that made him look incredibly irritating.

Ragan, already annoyed with Clarise, grew even more frustrated by Nolan’s teasing.

He rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh.

"I thought you wouldn’t be back anytime soon. I’d already prepared a seven-day, seven-night party for your departure," he said helplessly.

Nolan: "..."

Was this old man really glad I left? If so, wasn’t a seven-day, seven-night party a bit excessive?

He quickly pushed the thought aside, straightened his posture, and put on a serious expression.

"Father, I came to collect on your previous promise. Do you remember?"

At the sound of "father," Ragan realized this boy had an issue he intended to settle. After all, he knew this unfilial son all too well.

"What promise are you talking about?" Ragan asked, confused.

"The promise you made when I completed the mission in the Kingdom of Kaldarion. Do you remember?" Nolan reminded him.

"That promise? Didn’t I already fulfill it? You asked for control over the cooperation contract and handed most of the affairs to the Blue House and White Lotus, didn’t you? So, I don’t owe you anything," Ragan replied, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction.

Nolan rolled his eyes. "That doesn’t count as payment for your promise. I asked for that so the empire would gain more and run more efficiently. And my move proved right—handing those affairs to the two trading houses resulted in huge profits."

A proud smile spread across his lips. Although less than six months had passed since he handed over the cooperation contract to Claire and Shion, they had already brought in extraordinary profits.

Blue Moon Trading House had the technology and expertise to mine and manage Netherium minerals with maximum efficiency.

Of course, that technology was the result of long and costly research.

But since the Frey family in his previous world already owned coal and oil mines, Nolan had prior knowledge of mineral mining, which helped Blue Moon Trading House’s research advance more quickly.

With additional capital from White Lotus Trading House, the results doubled. Now, the empire was profiting without spending a single coin.

Naturally, Nolan felt he deserved a reward for this.

Ragan was well aware of the situation. With the Kaldarion Kingdom cooperation contract in the hands of the two trading houses, the empire had a guaranteed income for the next ten years.

Job opportunities had also opened up for local citizens, which was genuinely beneficial for the empire.

"All right, I’m just teasing. I am an emperor who knows when to punish and when to show appreciation. So, tell me—what do you want?"

Ragan smiled, leaning back in his chair.

Nolan rolled his eyes at his shameless attitude.

Just moments ago, this old man had pretended not to understand, but after Nolan explained his achievements, his expression had changed immediately.

Nolan realized this old man had a face as thick as a wall—just like him.

Shaking his head, Nolan said, "I want to borrow the power of imperial intelligence, Father. Can you help me?"

Ragan was taken aback by the request. His eyebrows furrowed as he asked, "The imperial intelligence, you say? Just what do you plan to do with it?"

The imperial intelligence was the Great Velmora Empire’s information network, designed to gather intelligence across the continent.

Even though the continent was currently at peace, spies were still stationed throughout the empire and other kingdoms.

In this world, after all, no one could guarantee that war wouldn’t break out in the future.

Ragan wanted to be prepared for anything—but he hadn’t expected this boy to ask for access to the imperial intelligence. His curiosity about Nolan’s intentions grew.

"About that..." Nolan’s expression turned serious. "I want to find someone."