The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne

Boom!

Boom!

Explosion after explosion erupted as two shadowy figures collided.

Their speed was so incredible it was impossible to follow with the naked eye.

Bang!

One of the shadows managed to land a hit, instantly sending the other flying far away, crashing through five trees and destroying them.

Black smoke spread in all directions, obscuring the view.

A few moments later, the smoke cleared. A figure in a black cloak, a mask covering his face, emerged.

”Cough!”

He coughed while clutching a deep cut on his chest. Red blood flowed from the wound, giving him a pitiful look.

”Is that all you’ve got, Cardinal Gluttony?”

Luke slowly descended from the sky and landed in front of him, a condescending smile on his face.

He thrust his sword forward, aiming it straight at the cardinal’s neck.

”Don’t underestimate me, Luke Lioheart! Don’t think you’ve won!”

Boom!

A black aura exploded from his body. The shockwave sent Luke flying two meters before he managed to regain his balance.

”Tsk. What an annoying cockroach,” he muttered.

Whoosh!

The cardinal appeared beside him, daggers swinging in both hands.

Sensing the attack, Luke immediately ducked his head and avoided the strike.

Using the opening, he twisted his legs and instantly knocked the Cardinal of Gluttony to the ground.

Then he twisted his sword and stabbed it straight into his face.

Srck!

The sound of flesh being pierced, followed by the crushing of a skull, rang out clearly.

Luke grinned but suddenly sensed a threat behind him.

He quickly drew his sword and spun around.

At that moment, a dagger flew toward him at tremendous speed.

The dagger struck a tree trunk, and then—

Whoosh!

Blue flames erupted, reducing the tree to ashes in just five seconds.

Luke took five steps back, his eyes narrowing warily.

”That fire... was it from the dagger?”

He looked ahead and saw a masked man walking toward him.

”The Cardinal of Gluttony?” He looked surprised, then grinned. ”As I thought—you’re like a living cockroach. Killing you is harder than killing the Cardinal of Envy.”

The Cardinal of Gluttony raised his right hand. Instantly, the body that Luke had killed burst into flames and crumbled into ashes.

”As expected of the descendant of the Transcendent—your combat skills are truly impressive, Luke Lionheart,” the Cardinal of Gluttony said casually. ”But unfortunately, it all ends here.”

Luke furrowed his brow and readied himself to fight. ”What do you mean?”

”Do you think I fought you just to waste time? Hahaha! You’re too naive!” The Cardinal of Gluttony laughed loudly. ”The ritual will be completed shortly. When that happens, the imperial palace—no, the Great Velmora Empire, and all the kingdoms of this world—will be destroyed by the Demon Emperor!”

Luke froze, unable to believe what he had just heard.

”The Demon Emperor, you say?”

”Yes, the Demon Emperor.” The Cardinal of Gluttony chuckled. ”I’m actually too lazy to explain, but consider this a gift before your death. In truth, our arrival wasn’t merely to attack the empire. It was to awaken the Demon Emperor, who currently resides in the body of one of the imperial family members.”

Luke’s heart pounded wildly. Cold sweat streamed down his neck and soaked his body.

He wanted to deny it, to believe that Cardinal Gluttony was lying.

Yet one question struck him—why would he lie?

It would be pointless, and even humiliating, for the Cardinal of Gluttony to deceive him.

His grip on the hilt of his sword tightened as he gritted his teeth.

”Bastard!”

A golden aura erupted from his body and soared into the sky like a raging dragon.

A violent windstorm swept everything away, even knocking back the soldiers and members of the Underworld Gate who were fighting in the distance.

”Hahaha! It’s useless, Luke Lionheart! There’s no point in raging. The ritual will be completed soon!”

”Bullshit!”

Luke shot forward in the blink of an eye, appearing in front of Cardinal Gluttony as he swung his sword.

”Sky Technique: Universe-Destroying Slash!”

Boom!

The impact shattered the ground beneath him, and an even greater storm tore through the area.

The Cardinal of Gluttony reappeared two hundred meters away, his state disheveled.

Half of his cloak was destroyed, revealing a severely wounded, muscular body.

Blood flowed from his wounds, soaking both his body and cloak.

’Damn... He really is strong,’ he cursed silently.

However, he did not give up. Raising his right hand, he shouted, ”Rise, my children!”

Krssshhh!

The ground beneath them shook violently. Suddenly, hundreds of undead burst forth from the earth.

They wielded swords, spears, and various weapons, as if ready for battle.

”Attack!” the Cardinal of Gluttony commanded, pointing toward Luke in the distance.

”Argh!”

The undead roared as they charged at Luke.

Facing the onslaught, Luke showed no fear. He raised his sword and roared, ”Charge!”

***

”Damn it! I thought the demons were only in the hall. What the hell is this? How did they get into the palace courtyard?” Evalyn complained as she raised her sword and slashed at the demons charging toward her.

”Shut up and finish them off. Complaining won’t help.”

Fifteen meters away, Nathan cut down the demons on his right and left, then cast a cold glance at Evalyn.

Evalyn ignored him and continued killing the demons.

Unfortunately, no matter how many she cut down, they refused to stay dead, rising again and again, which only fueled her frustration.

Just as she and Nathan were locked in a fierce battle, a massive explosion suddenly erupted in the sky.

Moments later, a reddish-black light appeared and spread across the capital.

However, it collided with the capital’s activated barrier, triggering an even louder explosion.

When the light faded, everyone saw a black barrier covering the imperial palace.

”What is that barrier?” one soldier asked, his voice trembling.

”I don’t know. But that black barrier makes me feel terrified, as if something terrible is about to awaken,” another replied.

The soldiers guarding the palace began to discuss it among themselves.

Some offered guesses, while others rejected them, and before long, the debate grew heated.

***

”Hahaha! Finally, the ritual will soon be complete. Orion and Lyra, you have truly lost!” The Cardinal of Wrath laughed heartily.

Orion and Lyra narrowed their eyes, staring intently at the barrier.

”I sense an extremely strong evil aura from that barrier. My power also feels suppressed. Do you feel it?” Orion asked, glancing at Lyra.

”Yes, I feel it too. This is extremely dangerous. We’re trapped,” Lyra replied in a heavy voice.

Orion took a deep breath, then pushed her back.

”Let me handle them. Go back and protect His Majesty the Emperor,” he ordered.

”But—”

”No buts. That’s an order!”

Lyra swallowed her protest, gritted her teeth, and vanished from her position like a gust of wind.

”Oh? Trying to run away? Do you think I’ll let you?”

The Cardinal of Sloth was about to give chase when Orion suddenly appeared in front of her, driving his silver spear straight into her heart.

”Do you think I’ll let you?” His eyes gleamed with cold intent.