The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 682 War (1)

The battlefield fell into a heavy silence, thick with tension. Armies from both sides held their positions firmly, weapons held high, poised to rush forward at any second.

"Thousand Faces," Erkan bellowed in a grave tone. "Assist me in annihilating them with one blow. Yet spare Elina Lorian, Nolan Lorian, and Seira Lorian at the same time. Is that within your power?"

He wished to avoid losses on his own side as much as he could. Holding the edge the foes didn't have—Thousand Faces himself—he'd exploit it, no matter how dishonorable or unfair it seemed.

Thousand Faces drifted ahead leisurely, casting a relaxed look his way.

"Add ten thousand Rune coins more, and I'll lend my aid."

Erkan clenched his jaw but offered no denial. With a firm nod, he replied in a tight voice, "Agreed."

Satisfaction crossed Thousand Faces' features as he nodded. Then he soared skyward. Lifting his right hand aloft, he murmured, "Burning Seal of Valtherion!"

Buzz!

In the heavens, two enigmatic seals materialized. Simultaneously, heat surged wildly across a two-kilometer span.

Troops from either side sensed weakness invading their limbs, breaths turning ragged and short.

"Damn…" Darius swore, eyes wide with dread at the seals. "How does that guy unleash such mighty magic? Is he a Celestial Mage? If yes… we're in grave peril!"

A Celestial Mage held the power to erase eight thousand troops in a flash. Had he foreseen this, more mages from the east would have joined them.

Regrettably, the moment for that had passed. They found themselves cornered in a dire spot.

"Hahaha! Turn to cinders, every one of you!"

Thousand Faces shaped an arcane hand sign, causing the skyborne seals to blaze fiercer. Soon after, twin fire dragons erupted forth, diving at the enemy ranks.

Nolan and Elina stayed composed, while Seira, off in the distance, descended into frenzy.

"Nolan! Elina!" she cried out, lunging toward them, only for her troops to seize her firmly.

Boom!

The fire dragons detonated in a massive blast. Dazzling radiance seared eyes, compelling Erkan's soldiers to shield their faces with forearms.

Seconds ticked by before the glare began to dim.

Arms dropped as they peered at the foe's lines.

That strike's might ought to have scorched the enemies to dust. But the scene that unfolded stunned all onlookers.

Nolan, Elina, and their forces stood intact, without a scratch.

"This… how can this be!?" Erkan roared in shock.

"Look—someone’s up there!" one soldier bellowed, jabbing a finger skyward.

Erkan and his men tilted heads upward. Indeed, a black-garbed woman in a half-mask hovered far above.

Her masked visage obscured clear details of her looks. Still, her beauty shone through unmistakably.

"I-Impossible! My ancient magic got nullified so effortlessly!?" Terror shook Thousand Faces.

"Burning Seal of Valtherion" stood as a lost spell forged by a legendary fire sage long ago.

In a forsaken ruin by the Ancient Kingdom of Eron's western frontier, he had stumbled upon its scroll by chance.

No other realm or dominion in this world outlasted the Ancient Kingdom of Eron.

Maybe solely the Izanagi Eastern Empire matched its endurance.

Thus, its territories brimmed with untold relics buried in secrecy.

Yet this woman had effortlessly unraveled one of his prized ancient incantations, marking her as extraordinary.

Malverna regarded Thousand Faces with serene poise. A spark of respect flickered in her gaze.

'Underestimate this one at your peril,' she thought softly. 'Though… it ends there.'

With those words unspoken, she lunged straight at Thousand Faces.

Startled, he took the hit and hurtled backward.

Erkan's heart raced at the display. Instinct—or perhaps truth—told him this woman outclassed Thousand Faces vastly.

'No… surely just nerves. Thousand Faces can't fall,' he told himself, quashing the dread rising within.

Turning his gaze frontward once more, he thrust his sword upward and bellowed, "Charge!"

Spurring his mount, he thundered into the fray.

"Charge!" his troops roared together, pouring after him.

"My soldiers, charge!" Elina commanded.

Swords flashed as she and Nolan charged forth.

"Charge!"

Their ranks surged right behind.

Thus ignited the clash between the rival armies.

…

Anxiety etched Ragan's face as he strode restlessly to and fro.

His advisors would gape at such a sight from him.

Ragan projected unflappable calm, seldom yielding to passion, not even amid Holy Empire of Valtanir crises.

Now, the man who normally stayed calm amid any crisis appeared frantic, anxious, and agitated.

This was entirely due to his idiotic son, Nolan Lorian.

Whoosh!

Orion materialized abruptly in front of him. He bowed deeply and said, "Good evening, Your Majesty."

Ragan struggled to steady his nerves and pivoted toward him. "Any news about Nolan and Elina?"

Orion stood tall and responded with deference, "Yes, Your Majesty. Our spies report that Prince Nolan and Princess Seira are being chased by the royal palace's troops. Yet, their exact location remains unknown."

Ragan's concerns weren't alleviated by the update at all. On the contrary, his unease intensified.

"Can't our spies uncover more details?" he barked. "Command them to locate Nolan and Seira and inform me right away! Should anything happen to them—much less if they perish…"

His crimson eyes blazed with savage killing intent. "I will destroy the Ancient Kingdom of Eron with my own hands!"

Orion trembled violently and dropped to one knee in haste.

"D-Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll issue the command at once!"

With those words, he disappeared.

Ragan drew in a deep breath before exhaling gradually. He sank back into his chair, ready to dive into his documents again, when a knock rang out from the door.

Knock!

"Your Majesty, may I come in?"

A gentle and courteous female voice echoed from beyond the door.

Ragan went rigid. He knew that voice—it belonged to Vanessa.

"Come in."

The door creaked open gradually as Vanessa glided in with graceful steps.

She was dressed in a simple nightgown, her golden-brown hair pulled into a tidy bun that fit her flawlessly.

Spotting the dour expression on Ragan's face, Vanessa lifted an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with you?" she inquired.

Ragan shook his head. "Nothing. What do you want?"

His brusqueness irritated Vanessa, though she swiftly regained her composure.

"There's something I want to discuss with you," she stated. "It concerns Aldrian."

Ragan's gaze sharpened, but he stayed quiet, anticipating her next words.

Vanessa hesitated for a moment before voicing her demand.

"I want Aldrian sent to the northern border."