The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 681 Failed Negotiations

"Who is your leader?"

Her voice echoed sharply, reaching Erkan's ears without fail.

His eyes narrowed while he fixed a intense stare on Elina.

"Elina Lorian…"

He identified her right away. Her name and features were deeply imprinted in his mind—Nolan Lorian's younger sister.

To his shock, this woman commanded the army from the Great Velmora Empire.

This turned the circumstances far more complicated.

Erkan reined in his anger and pushed his horse ahead. Twenty cavalrymen galloped alongside him.

"It is me, Your Highness," Erkan answered icily. "What do you want to talk about?"

Elina pulled up three meters distant and eyed him from top to bottom.

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you chasing my brother?" she demanded directly. "Are you trying to ignite a war with the Great Velmora Empire?"

The warning in her tone was unmistakable. Erkan felt irritated and insulted.

Nolan bore responsibility for Aldrian's death, yet Elina behaved as though he was the villain.

It amounted to a grave affront to him and the royal house.

His gaze sharpened as he responded in an icy tone, "I don't understand what you mean, Princess. From the start, this has been your brother's doing."

With a shaking finger, he jabbed toward Nolan and declared gravely, "He murdered Prince Aldrian—the crown prince of the Ancient Kingdom of Eron! How could we simply ignore it!?"

Elina stiffened in shock. She whipped around to her brother, eyes wide with doubt.

"Brother… is that true?" she questioned, tone grave.

Truth be told, Elina remained clueless about the events. She only knew her brother faced peril.

Who could have imagined he pulled off such an act?

Slaying a crown prince meant challenging the Ancient Kingdom of Eron to war.

After all, the crown prince embodied the kingdom's honor and glory.

Shockingly, Nolan offered no denial. Arms folded across his chest, he admitted offhandedly, "Yes, I killed him."

Silence descended, thick with tension. Erkan gritted his teeth, hand reaching for his sword, when Nolan continued.

"But I had my reasons." His gaze turned fierce, brimming with killing intent. "Aldrian attempted to rape Seira right before my eyes. Was I meant to stand idle and witness it? If my father learned the truth, he'd back my actions."

"You…" Erkan choked out, yanking his sword free and aiming its blade at Nolan. "You've committed the worst crime of your existence, Nolan Lorian! The Ancient Kingdom of Eron will pursue you to the ends of the earth!"

Initially, Nolan's guilt lingered in doubt. But his admission cleared all ambiguity.

Elina tensed fully, ready to unsheathe her sword too, until Nolan held her back.

"Are you sure you want to provoke a war with the Great Velmora Empire? Don't you fear your forces will all perish here?" Nolan taunted lightly.

"Perish?" Erkan scoffed disdainfully. "Keep dreaming! I'll crush every one of you and haul you to the king in chains!"

Nolan saw the man's unyielding nature clearly. Not surprising for a battle-hardened general who lived for orders, merciless toward foes.

Reasoning or debate proved futile.

"Head back, Elina. We battle tonight," Nolan commanded resolutely.

His words sent Elina's pulse pounding. Yet she didn't object. She wheeled her horse swiftly and galloped away.

Nolan and his ten trailing soldiers withdrew to the back lines.

Erkan with his troops retreated to their formation as well.

"What about the talks?" Seira hurried up, face etched with concern.

In a sense, this chaos stemmed from her. She craved no violence.

Nolan's following statement crushed her optimism.

"War it is. Sister, depart immediately—go as far as you can," Nolan instructed sharply.

Seira's eyes bulged. "What about you? Will you fight as well?"

Nolan laughed lightly and gave a nonchalant nod. "Naturally. I caused this, so I'll handle it. Relax—you've witnessed my strength already, right? Taking them down will be simple."

His assurance failed to calm Seira; it only heightened her fears.

Elina exhaled deeply, then faced Darius.

"Send ten soldiers to guard Princess Seira out of here. Now!"

Darius obeyed without question, rushing to drag Seira off.

Seira longed to argue for staying, but ultimately held her tongue.

She realized her presence would hinder the twins and their men.

Confirming Seira's safety, Elina pivoted to Nolan with a somber query, "Brother, do they have any mages?"

Dealing with mages proved far tougher than facing common soldiers.

In her rush, Elina had failed to bring along any mages, rendering the situation gravely perilous if the foes possessed one.

"There is," Nolan answered. "And that individual holds Celestial level."

Elina stiffened in shock. Her jaw dropped wide, while her heart thundered madly.

"C-Celestial?" she shrieked in dread. "Isn't that way too risky?"

Celestial mages commanded horrifying might. A lone spell from them could level a whole city flat.

Should they clash against Erkan's troops, utter defeat loomed inescapably.

"It's merely a Celestial. Why fear it?" Nolan mocked lightly. "Haven't you got a protector nearby?"

"A protector nearby?" Elina went rigid once more. Her thoughts spun frantically before comprehension struck.

"Right! She's with me!" Her eyes sparkled brightly. Yet soon, she squinted at Nolan with doubt. "How did you learn about my guard?"

Never had she recalled sharing details of Malverna's presence with her brother.

"That's because I am the Singularity of Chaos, and the guard by your side is one of my people."

Those were the words Nolan itched to declare, yet he held them back swiftly and offered a nonchalant smile.

"That doesn't matter. Summon her. Have her handle the Celestial mage."

Elina dared not hesitate. She shut her eyes and murmured gently, 'Can you help me?'

Buzz!

Seconds later, Malverna materialized abruptly at her side.

Silky white tresses tumbled down her back. A modest black gown veiled her stunning, voluptuous silhouette, failing utterly to dull her refined poise.

A half-mask concealed her features.

She flicked an irritated look toward Nolan yet remained silent. Instantly after, she blinked out of sight.

Elina felt somewhat baffled by the response. Refusal from Malverna was what she'd braced for.

Who could have guessed she'd consent utterly wordlessly?

"Don't fret over it, Elina." Nolan stretched lazily, peering ahead with eager anticipation. "The impending clash is what counts now. Hand over your backup sword."

Elina nodded firmly. She always bore two swords, one reserved as spare against her primary blade's potential fracture.

Nolan seized the sword with a pleased grin, then slashed it experimentally side to side.

"All right, everyone!" Nolan bellowed, hoisting his sword aloft. "The foes lie just ahead. Time to deliver them a harsh lesson!"

Darius along with the troops trailing him lifted their blades and roared back together, "Yes, Your Highness!"