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

”So, there was an attack from the enemy? How could I not have known about it?” Ragan asked in a heavy voice.

Lyra bowed her head in apology. ”I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I never intended to hide this from you, but Orion ordered that the news not be conveyed immediately. He wanted to investigate first and confirm who attacked us.”

Hearing this, the anger on Ragan’s face slowly subsided, though it did not disappear completely.

”Is there any news yet?” Ragan asked in a deep voice.

”Not yet, Your Majesty.” Lyra shook her head. ”But I can sense the enemy’s aura. It is similar to those of the members of the Underworld Gate.”

The name Gate of the Underworld made Ragan’s eyes widen. His palms clenched tightly, and his teeth gritted as he held back his anger.

”This is outrageous. They attacked us that night, and now they want to launch another attack on New Year’s Eve. Do they think they can act so recklessly toward us?”

His breath quickened as anger surged within him.

He had not had time to launch a retaliatory strike for that night’s attack.

It was not because he lacked the will, but because he prioritized calming the kingdoms whose princes or delegates had been harmed.

Who would have thought those savages would dare to launch another attack on his empire?

If he had known earlier, he would have stationed millions of soldiers around the capital.

Lyra remained silent. There was nothing she could do; it was all Orion’s decision.

After a moment, Ragan suppressed his anger and asked, ”What else did Orion order?”

Lyra shook her head. ”Nothing. That’s all.”

Ragan was silent for a few seconds before sighing deeply.

”All right, I understand. Carry out his orders and keep watch over every corner of the capital. If you need assistance, just say the word. I will order Luke to deploy thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of troops if necessary.”

With Luvistar having decided to follow Elina, one of the general’s seats had been vacant for several days.

Previously, Ragan had felt there was no need to fill it. He believed Luke was sufficient.

However, it seemed this situation could not be left unattended for much longer.

The Lionheart family estate was not in the capital but in a neighboring city. It would take time for them to fully mobilize.

If Luvistar were still present, there would be no need to ask Luke for help; he would only need him to coordinate the troops in a short time.

”Very well, Your Majesty,” Lyra replied respectfully. ”Leave it to me. I will ensure everything remains safe.”

Ragan nodded in satisfaction and waved his left hand.

Lyra vanished from view, leaving Ragan alone in his chair.

”Huh... New Year’s Eve was supposed to go smoothly. But who would have thought they would attack? It was completely unexpected,” he muttered.

In truth, if he had been more vigilant, he might have foreseen this.

Unfortunately, he had too many matters to handle and too much work to finish, causing him to overlook the possibility of something going wrong.

...

”The Cardinal of Pride! So it was you!” Orion stared intently at the man in the black cloak.

His suspicions were confirmed—the one behind the attack was a Cardinal of the Gate of the Underworld.

Cassiopeia and Draco wore serious expressions. They had already heard about the chaos that erupted on the night of the party.

All the Cardinals of the Gate of the Underworld had appeared, except for the Cardinal of Pride.

No one expected him to come alone to the capital to launch an attack. Wasn’t that practically insane?

The Cardinal of Pride showed no fear toward the three of them.

With his strength alone, defeating them was impossible. However, he was not acting by himself.

Behind him stood the Demon Emperor, ready to strike the capital.

All he needed was a brief opening—enough time for Cardinal Lust and the Cardinal of Envy to clear the path ahead.

What he didn’t know was that his two companions had already fallen into the hands of Nolan and Malverna.

Their plan had collapsed before it even began.

Buzz!

A blackish-red sword appeared in his left hand, instantly tightening the atmosphere.

Orion, Draco, and Cassiopeia reacted at once, taking defensive stances.

”Orion, are you surprised by my arrival?” the Cardinal of Pride asked playfully.

He drew his sword from its sheath. In an instant, a sinister aura burst outward in all directions.

Cassiopeia raised her right hand slightly, and a barrier immediately formed behind them.

The evil aura might not affect her or her two companions, but it could drive the people of the capital insane and cause them to die horrible deaths.

She couldn’t let that happen.

”Now, accept your deaths!”

The Cardinal of Pride raised his sword high and swung it down.

A slash of demonic energy shot toward them.

”Looking for trouble right in front of me? How naive!”

As Orion was about to move, Draco had already dashed forward to block the attack.

His right hand transformed into a massive red dragon claw and struck the slash head-on.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion erupted, sending a shockwave in all directions.

Cassiopeia and Orion raised their arms to shield their faces.

When the shockwave faded, they lowered their arms and looked ahead.

Draco had completely neutralized the attack.

The Cardinal of Pride frowned. ”How is that possible?”

”Hahaha! Surprised?” Draco’s laughter rang out before him. ”Your attack means nothing to me!”

The arrogance in his voice irritated the Cardinal of Pride.

”Don’t get cocky!”

He lunged forward, sword raised high.

”Orion, leave him to me. You two stay back!” Draco shouted, brimming with excitement.

With that, Draco charged toward the Cardinal of Pride, and the two collided with a crash that shook the air.

Boom!

...

”You... Master? How is it possible that you’re still alive?!”

The Demon Emperor Zerathos stared at Malverna in fear.

His heart pounded as cold sweat trickled from his neck down his back.

”What’s wrong? Why are you so surprised? Are you afraid to see me?” Malverna asked, a mocking smile on her face.

The last time she had seen Ignis’s true appearance was when he was twenty.

That was the moment he stabbed her in the back and seized the power of the Demon Empire.

Seeing him clearly now, Malverna had to admit—he was truly ugly.

His face was rough, his features irritating, and his disheveled appearance made him look pitiful.

Compared to Nolan, he wasn’t even one percent as good—whether in prowess, cunning, or looks.

’I was truly blind to accept someone like that as a disciple,’ Malverna muttered in regret.

If the Demon Emperor Zerathos knew what she was thinking, he would have vomited blood in rage.

”You should be dead! Or... are you just an illusion?” Zerathos’s voice snapped Malverna out of her thoughts.

”Illusion?” Malverna grinned. ”Then who do you think beat you up so badly just now?”

Zerathos clenched his teeth, wanting to deny it—yet unable to.

The truth stood clearly before him. His master was still alive.

”What is your purpose in coming here?” he asked hoarsely.

”My purpose?” Malverna chuckled softly. She stepped closer, crouched in front of him, and lifted his chin.

Her blue eyes were like knives, piercing deep into his soul.

”Of course... to kill you, Ignis.”