The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne-Chapter 149: The Trouble Afflicting Marquis Caltheron (1)

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, a month and a half had passed.

During that time, no major events shook the Great Vemora Empire. Everything appeared calm and peaceful, as if the conflict between the princes had never caused any unrest.

But was that really the case? Of course not.

The peace was only felt by the common folk. Behind the scenes, among the heads of noble families, a great upheaval was unfolding on a massive scale.

It’s worth noting that noble families from all regions—south, east, west, and north—had long maintained strong ties with one another.

Whether between Barons and Viscounts, Counts and Marquises, or the other way around, they were all part of an intricate web of economic cooperation.

This was only natural, as each region had its own strengths and weaknesses.

Take the South, for example—renowned for its abundant natural resources. It produces rice, wheat, fruits, and more, not only for local consumption but also for trade with other regions. One such region is the East, where agriculture is limited.

However, the East borders the sea and serves as the empire’s largest supplier of marine resources.

Naturally, this led to a steady exchange of goods between the South and East, keeping their economies thriving.

But once the official succession to the throne began, tensions started to rise. Many noble families—both within and across regions—began openly supporting their chosen candidates, and with that came growing friction and hostility.

To support a candidate was to risk making enemies among other noble houses.

If their chosen heir ascended the throne, their family’s status would rise. But those who backed the losing side could face demotion—or worse... complete annihilation.

***

"Tsk! Things are getting messy. I didn’t expect them to be this bold—acting so openly and aggressively."

Seated on the sofa, Nolan crossed his legs as he read the report Arnold had just delivered.

It had been a month and a half since his father’s gathering. On the surface, everything appeared calm, peaceful, and uneventful—no apparent movement from the throne candidates.

But in truth, the candidates had already begun to act in secret—strategizing, aligning with supportive noble families, and carefully preparing their next moves.

To be honest, this kind of false peace was impossible.

Throughout the long history of imperial succession, ever since the system was first established, not once had the first three years been peaceful.

There was always something—be it the downfall of a noble family backing a contender, the death of a prince, or some other atrocity. Such incidents typically erupted within the first month or two.

Yet, oddly enough, none of that had happened during this succession. If nothing else, it was a clear sign of how cautious the candidates—and the forces supporting them—were being.

"Pfft!" He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. After closing the report and setting it on the table, he whispered with a playful smile, "Obviously, this is all my fault. Hah... I really went overboard back then. If I hadn’t destroyed Halveran, this succession would’ve been just as bloody as the ones before it."

Still, he couldn’t blame himself entirely. At the time, he had been consumed by rage—driven by the actions of the Singularity of Light, who had brazenly attacked both him and his sister without the slightest hesitation.

He had always been humble and kept to himself, never seeking conflict unless someone crossed the line first. But when provoked, he made sure to respond with enough force to ensure no one would ever dare touch him or his sister again.

He picked up his teacup and took a quiet sip. Then, his hand moved to a letter lying just beside the report.

This wasn’t just any letter—it was from the Caltheron family, under the Marquis Orlan.

Without hesitation, he broke the seal and began reading.

Moments later, his brow furrowed, and his eyes narrowed in quiet surprise.

Marquis Orlan is... in trouble? He murmured, eyes scanning the letter once more.

The letter described a new crisis facing the Caltheron family—not another curse like the ones Alicia and Syra had endured, but an economic one.

The twin cities of Valmiris and Lunaris, once thriving hubs filled with merchants from across the empire, had suddenly fallen into a deep economic slump. Traders had vanished without warning, leaving the cities in disarray.

As a result, essential goods became scarce, and the prices of basic necessities skyrocketed.

Items like rice, wheat, corn, and fruit had become difficult to find.

Since Valmiris and Lunaris relied not on agriculture but on trade and service-based industries, they were quick to falter when the supply chains broke down.

"This is unexpected. Are the noble families backing Aldric starting to mobilize?" Nolan rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

When it came to influence in the southern region, no one held more sway than Aldric. The Malvain family—his strongest supporter—was based there, making the South effectively his home turf.

Given that, the troubles facing Orlan and the Caltheron family were almost certainly linked to the southern nobles aligned with Aldric.

"Huh..." Nolan exhaled slowly. But rather than frustration, a playful smile curved his lips.

"It’s nothing—just a small matter," he muttered casually, then called out, "Arnold."

Whoosh!

Arnold appeared before him like a shadow slipping through darkness. His face remained composed, but a faint smile lingered at the corner of his lips.

"How may I assist you, my lord?" he asked respectfully.

Nolan placed Orlan’s letter on the table and asked in a relaxed tone, "We have a branch in the southern region, don’t we? How large is its operation?"

Arnold hesitated for a brief moment before realizing what Nolan meant by "branch."

"Yes, we have a branch there. As for its size..." Arnold gave a wry smile, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "It’s massive, my lord. Have you forgotten how formidable the Blue Moon Trading House is—the very one you founded and built up yourself?"

"Is that so?" Nolan raised his brows, genuinely surprised. "I didn’t expect Shion to take it that far. She really is exceptionally talented."

The Blue Moon Trading House wasn’t merely the largest in the empire—it was likely the most influential force on the entire continent. And naturally, all that power rested in his hands.

He had established it at the age of nine, relying on his knowledge and experience as Nolan Frey.

Once the foundation was secure and the main headquarters set up in the capital, Nolan withdrew and handed over full control to his trusted confidant, Shion.

She was not only stunningly beautiful but also exceptionally capable. Trusting her completely, Nolan chose to take a step back and let her manage everything.

Hearing that humble response, the corner of Arnold’s mouth twitched slightly. If his lord’s puzzled expression hadn’t seemed so genuine, he might have assumed it was all just an act.

"Alright, forget it," Nolan said casually. "Now, pass on my orders to Shion—have her assist Marquis Caltheron in resolving the crisis they’re facing."