The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 645 Settling the Score With Meliodas (2)

"Run…"

Thud!

Arkash's form crumpled onto the floor, white foam spilling from his lips.

Meliodas stood frozen, disbelief pinning him down.

"Arkash, what happened to you!? Don't joke around with me!" he yelled, panic flooding his tone.

He dashed forward and shook the body vigorously, yet Arkash remained unresponsive.

Checking his nostrils, sheer terror gripped him—no airflow. Arkash had perished.

"Dead!? How could this happen? Who's behind it?"

"It was me. Enjoy the present?"

A serene voice echoed from the front.

Meliodas's gaze snapped upward instinctively, spotting a figure advancing with a neutral face.

The man possessed stunning looks, dark locks, and a lofty, imposing stature. His violet gaze shimmered icily, drilling into Meliodas and chilling him to the bone.

He leaped up, fury and incredulity blazing within.

"Nolan Lorian… What's the deal here? Did you murder Arkash!?"

Never had he suspected Nolan—the idiotic, incompetent prince from the Great Velmora Empire.

Even more baffling were the motive and the method Nolan used to pull it off.

Arkash ranked among his fiercest, most devoted followers. Nolan couldn't possibly manage that… except if he'd concealed his real prowess.

Nolan shut the door after him and advanced. Meliodas recoiled on reflex.

"Speak up—what's your game!? Trying to ignite war with my realm!?" he bellowed.

Sensing the tension, Nolan let out a light laugh. He halted at two meters, eyeing him with a mischievous grin.

"Meliodas Lyren, weary of faking stupidity and ignorance yet?"

The statement jolted Meliodas. Eyes narrowing, he barked, "What are you getting at?"

"Quit the act, Meliodas. I'm aware of it all. No secrets from me."

Meliodas's pulse raced wildly. Dread seeped in, though he willed composure.

"I have no clue what you mean! Drop the diversion! What'll you do about Arkash dying? Refuse accountability, and don't fault me for unleashing full force!" he snarled, voice quivering in fury.

Faced with such obstinacy, Nolan lost interest and struck at his core.

"Arkash dragged Aldrian and my elder sister Seira to an isolated chamber for execution. As your underling, he followed your command. Correct?"

Nolan's lips twisted into a subtle, icy smirk.

Unexpected terror washed over Meliodas. He'd believed his schemes airtight.

Who knew Nolan saw through it all?

Clarity hit—the scheme to wipe out Seira and Aldrian collapsed completely.

The culprit? Unknown to Meliodas—but the direst suspect loomed before him: Nolan.

Seeing denial futile, Meliodas shed the facade and burst into manic laughter.

"Hahaha!" His left palm slapped his cheek. "So? Think my parents will buy you're innocent? They won't swallow your tale. Instead, I'll frame you entirely, Nolan Lorian."

A sly grin slithered onto his mouth as arms crossed behind.

"Picture this: 'A foreign empire's prince arrives just to sow disorder…' Rings true, right? Simple for all to swallow. Thoughts?"

Exposure didn't faze him, least from Nolan—an intruder in his eyes.

Plus, Nolan's fame as a lazy, talentless royal deepened his scorn.

Utter faith in parental loyalty over Nolan's claims.

Nolan showed no fear whatsoever. Composure held, threats irrelevant.

"Clever indeed. Conceded—Gulvar Lyren sires no idiots. Pity he picked Aldrian for the throne. Stings, huh?" Nolan taunted.

Meliodas's grin vanished. Wrath exploded, finger jabbing Nolan venomously.

"Provocation wastes breath! Focus on your doom, Nolan Lorian! Harsh penalties await, no escape from this land. Brace!"

This twist strayed from his blueprint. Initially flawless, it crumbled. Nolan's arrival offered ideal blame-shifting.

Nolan sighed faintly, stating coolly, "Fear dulled your wits? I approached unarmed, revealed the hit failed. Still clueless?"

Laughter cut short. Brow furrowed, revelation sparked.

Grin expanding, he jeered, "Here to slay me? Hehehe… Absurd, Nolan Lorian. Who're you? A feeble prince unfit for arms. Me? Master of myriad battle arts and arms. You're mere insect before me!"

"Oh? Really?"

Nolan flashed a slim smile—then blurred out of sight.

Instantly, he materialized before Meliodas.

Blinding swiftness gripped Meliodas's neck, hoisting him airborne.

Meliodas's orbs bulged in horror. Fists pounded Nolan's hold desperately, unyielding as steel vise.

"I-Impossible! H-How possess such demonic power!?" he stuttered, terror quaking his words.

Nolan, deemed frail forever, masked immense might. Beyond Meliodas's wildest dreams.

"Worlds beyond measure, Meliodas Lyren. My old realm's saying: 'Conceal power, extend life.' It held—I endured… you perish now."

Nolan's tone chilled steadily, conviction absolute.

"D-Don't kid, Nolan Lorian! I… Third Prince of Ancient Eron Kingdom. Kill me and—"

Mid-threat, Nolan crushed him downward savagely.

Boom!

Shockwave ripped agony everywhere. Sight whirled, chest compressed, eliciting pained howls.

"Threats persist? Position eludes you still, Meliodas Lyren."

Nolan's amethyst irises morphed, etching sun and star sigils.

"Initially, your messes ignored. Young nobles' slaughter in hall? Indifferent. Regrettably…"

Nolan's leer widened—hellking's nightmare amplified.

"You meddled forbidden. Embrace doom."

Ocular blaze erupted luminously.

Soon, Meliodas's torment wail resounded afar.

Third prince—proclaimed future sovereign—ended pathetically.