[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce":3,"chapter-the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-265":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},396451,661,"Chapter 265: The Neutral City, Halveron","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-265",265,"\u003Cp>About ten kilometers from the city of Gardian stands the equally magnificent city of Halveron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city stretches for several kilometers, though it is smaller than most cities. Even so, Halveron remains lively, its bustling trade routes crowded with merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a kilometer to the south lies the coast and the open sea. Because of this, maritime activity here is as busy as in any other coastal city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What sets Halveron apart is its ownership status. While most cities in the eastern region are controlled by noble families, Halveron stands as a neutral city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This neutrality makes it a place where laws are upheld and disputes across the eastern region are settled. Whatever the case, the trial will be held in Halveron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment, the city gates stand wide open. Twenty guards wait in formation, as if expecting someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people nearby look on in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is someone important coming?\" A middle-aged woman asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know,\" replied the man beside her. \"But judging from their posture, it seems so. Either way, it’s nothing unusual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people of high status often come to this city to settle disputes or similar matters. The townsfolk are used to it and hardly feel excited anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clip-clop, clip-clop...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of hooves suddenly echoed outside the gates. Moments later, a carriage rolled into the city, followed by another behind it, with dozens of cavalry escorting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone quickly stepped aside to make way for the carriages. Yet their eyes were immediately drawn to the flags fluttering on the right side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, their expressions stiffened. Those flags belonged to the Austin and Valmire families!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Austin family? Damn! Is Duke Austin inside?\" One man exclaimed in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Austin family still held the highest prestige in the eastern region. They were, after all, its leaders, ranked just one level below the Emperor himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behind the Austin carriage is the Valmire family’s. Could it be that the two families came to settle a dispute? Or is there another reason?\" Someone muttered in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Valmire family was no ordinary household either. They were one of the giants of the eastern region, with a status only slightly below that of the Austins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That doesn’t seem likely. As far as I know, there’s no conflict between them. The latest news is just a case being widely talked about. Rumor has it the eastern region’s power structure is about to change. Could this be related?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that remark, murmurs spread, and faces grew tense. Everyone had heard the rumors. It was said the palace and the Austin family were hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many believed the order of the eastern region would soon shift, and some even claimed it was tied to one of the Marquis families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the east, there were three Marquis households—the Castellan family, the Valmire family, and the Grimvel family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the three, many believed the matter was tied to the Castellan family. After all, the recent clash between the Valmire and Castellan families could hardly be hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And ever since that battle ended, no word had come from the Castellan side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the crowd was still caught up in discussion, another group of carriages rolled into view. Their luxury was no less than that of the Austin or Valmire families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the crowd was stunned by the sight of the flags fluttering above the carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Imperial Palace? The Red Obsidian Trading House? And the Count Tovtar family?\" A middle-aged man cried, his face turning pale. \"What... what is happening? Could the rumors be true—that the order of the eastern region is about to change?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered. Everyone was equally shaken. One thing was certain, though—the city of Halveron would not know peace anytime soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the heart of Halveron stood the courthouse, a massive and imposing structure. Its grounds were even larger than those of most noble mansions in the eastern region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guards patrolled on all sides, armed with spears and swords. With such heavy security, anyone planning trouble here would think twice—if not a hundred times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the carriages of the Valmire and Austin families arrived. The stationed guards hurried forward to greet them with deep respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the carriages passed through the gate, the soldiers stood tall. Yet behind their raised heads lingered doubt—and glances heavy with meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could the rumors be true?\" one of them whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s possible,\" his comrade replied flatly. \"But that’s not our concern. Don’t pry further, or it won’t end well for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questioning soldier trembled and quickly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Austin and Valmire carriages came to a halt before the courthouse. Aston and Alvaron stepped out, and five soldiers immediately moved to escort them from both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome, Duke Austin and Marquis Valmire. Your arrival brings me great honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice rang out from ahead. Both men turned reflexively and saw a thin man with short brown hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was tall and dressed in a fine brown robe—beautiful yet expensive. This man was none other than Frederin Thias, the mayor of Halveron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Halveron was neutral, the city was still led by a mayor—elected directly by its own citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this system had faced heavy opposition at first, especially from the noble families surrounding Halveron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alvaron’s firm decision to uphold the city’s neutrality through an election system was absolute. Since then, Halveron has held mayoral elections every ten years without fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frederin happened to be the city’s second mayor, now in his third year of office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alvaron smiled and returned the greeting. \"Thank you, Frederin. I’m glad to see you’re still doing well after nearly three years of leading this city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha!\" Frederin laughed as he stepped closer. \"Is that a compliment, Duke? If so, I’m truly grateful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two shared a laugh before moving on to talk about many things. As the only city that held elections, Halveron naturally drew close attention from figures like Alvaron and Aston.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to observe how a region with its own democratic system would develop—and Frederin’s report so far was excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was even believed that other neutral cities might one day follow Halveron’s example and progress in the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the three of them were deep in conversation, a group of carriages suddenly arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their talk stopped at once, and all three turned their heads toward the approaching convoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re finally here,\" Alvaron whispered, narrowing his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>",1073,"2026-05-30T06:57:16.338Z","2026-06-01T04:30:34.828Z",1,"novelbin.me","fe48fdc8f686710bd5e8b072c2ae634d703d84713290a512dd0fd427c85ea601","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-266","the-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-chapter-264",748,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-hidden-extra-the-lazy-prince-refuses-to-asce-cover.jpg"]