The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 687 Sylvia's Unexpected Appearance

"For Elina?" Malverna's eyebrows lifted slightly. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Nolan offered a subtle smile. He gathered a handful of sand with his right hand, then held it aloft before letting it trickle through his fingers. A gentle breath sent the grains dancing in the air, forming a fleeting, luminous arc.

"Consider it this way," he explained. "Elina commanded thousands of soldiers to stage a rescue for me. By the kingdom's laws, this constitutes a grave violation. My father will undoubtedly impose a punishment on her later. However, that is not the primary concern. Elina's actions, in essence, were a rescue mission for both Seira and myself. In the public's perception, and among the noble families, this transforms into a praiseworthy heroic deed. Do you grasp the situation now?"

Malverna stood transfixed, her eyes wide as she gazed at Nolan, whose placid smile remained unchanged.

"You… you didn't potentially orchestrate this entire scenario before even departing for the Ancient Kingdom of Eron, did you?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

Nolan offered no verbal response, his silence serving as a definitive confirmation.

Malverna's heart began to race, her breaths growing short and ragged.

"You…"

She attempted to articulate her thoughts, but the words failed to materialize.

This individual had consistently managed to surprise and astonish her. Yet, at this juncture, his daring maneuvers could only be characterized as… sheer madness.

He wasn't merely manipulating events from the shadows; he was accurately predicting every conceivable outcome with an unnerving level of foresight.

Even Malverna herself would hesitate to contemplate such a gamble. The inherent risks were simply too colossal to ignore.

"Very well, there's no need for such astonishment," Nolan remarked casually as he rose to his feet, dusting the sand from his attire. "You can view all my actions as a valuable learning experience. I have no doubt that you will eventually surpass my capabilities."

Malverna couldn't help but roll her eyes. Surpass him?

Such confidence eluded her entirely. Only a figure as reckless as Nolan would embark on such perilous ventures with such nonchalant ease.

Nevertheless, a kernel of truth resided within his words. She recognized the potential to gain insight from him and expand her own understanding of the world.

"It appears the moment has arrived—the Royal Palace's official support," Nolan's voice suddenly cut through Malverna's reflections.

Her gaze followed his, observing a portal materialize approximately two hundred meters ahead.

As the portal widened, a tall woman shrouded in a white veil emerged.

Shortly thereafter, a formidable man and a contingent of soldiers followed in her wake.

Nolan immediately recognized the pair: Sylvia, the esteemed mistress of the Tower of Silence and Jisha's mentor, and Alex, one of Gulvar's trusted lieutenants.

"A mage operating Beyond the World?" Malverna's eyes narrowed as she slowly stood, her attention fixed intently on Sylvia. "It has been an considerable time since I last encountered one of such caliber."

Individuals who had attained such a pinnacle of power were exceedingly rare, so scarce that they could almost be enumerated on a single hand.

"She is Sylvia, the leader presiding over the Tower of Silence. If my memory serves me correctly, you encountered her during my visit to the Kingdom of Kaldarion, did you not?" Nolan inquired, glancing towards Malverna.

Malverna responded with a shake of her head. "No, that encounter did not happen. Perhaps you are mistaken."

Nolan fell silent, choosing not to pursue the matter further.

Malverna donned her half-mask and proceeded alongside Nolan towards Elina.

"Brother," Elina called out, her expression etched with concern.

Nolan offered a reassuring smile and gently patted her head.

"I shall accompany you."

Had it been merely Alex or another representative from the royal palace, he would have entrusted the entire affair to Elina's discretion.

However, Sylvia's direct involvement fundamentally altered the circumstances, compelling him to intervene personally.

"I'm coming too!" Seira's voice cheerfully announced from behind him.

Nolan turned to face her and, without hesitation, granted his consent.

"Very well."

And thus, the trio—accompanied by Malverna and several soldiers—proceeded to meet the approaching delegation.

Upon recognizing the faces of Nolan and Seira, Alex clenched his teeth in palpable anger.

"Nolan Lorian… Seira Lorian…" he spat, his voice laced with fury. "How dare you murder the crown prince!? And now you hold our troops hostage! You have effectively declared war upon the Ancient Kingdom of Eron!"

Seira raised an eyebrow. Before she could formulate a retort, Nolan interjected.

"Spare us the theatrics. I am certain you have already deduced the reasons behind my decision to eliminate Aldrian Lyren. Cease portraying me as the sole perpetrator while conveniently disregarding your so-called prince's inherent iniquities. Such hypocrisy is utterly contemptible," Nolan declared with a sneer, his brow furrowed in irritation.

His words struck Alex with the force of a physical blow.

"You…" Alex instinctively reached for his sword, only to be halted by Sylvia's firm grip.

"Refrain from any rash actions. My sole purpose here is to escort Nolan Lorian and Seira Lorian to the royal palace. Should you initiate hostilities, I will maintain a neutral stance," she stated icily.

Alex faltered, suppressing his rising anger.

Sylvia shifted her gaze from Alex, her expression now directed calmly towards Nolan.

"We meet again, Nolan Lorian," she acknowledged coolly.

"Hmm…" Nolan responded with a casual nod, arms folded resolutely across his chest. "To what do we owe the honor of the Tower Master's personal presence? Unless, of course, the Tower of Silence has forged an alliance with the Ancient Kingdom of Eron?"

Sylvia shook her head. "Our relationship isn't that close. I simply owe the Ancient Kingdom of Eron a debt of gratitude from the past. I've come to repay it."

"Repay it?" Nolan raised an eyebrow. "You mean by taking me and my older sister back to the royal palace?"

"More or less. I'm glad you understood quickly." Sylvia gave a faint smile and nodded. "So, can you come with me back to the Ancient Kingdom of Eron?"

Nolan chuckled softly. "And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll have to use force." Sylvia shrugged.

The next moment, an immense pressure erupted from her body, crashing down on Nolan, Elina, Seira, and the others.

All of them except Nolan were instantly forced down onto the sand.

"Ugh…" They gritted their teeth and tried to resist, but it was useless.

It felt like ants facing a giant hundreds of meters tall—there was no room for resistance.

But suddenly, Malverna raised her left hand, and the pressure vanished instantly.

Elina, Seira, and the others immediately regained their footing and let out relieved breaths.

"Who are you?" Sylvia immediately went on guard, her gaze sharpening at Malverna.

Someone capable of shattering her pressure was clearly on the same level as her.

That meant one thing—the woman was also Beyond the World.

Strangely, Sylvia hadn't sensed it at all. There was no trace of such overwhelming power.

"Want to know my identity?" Malverna wore a look of disgust. "Someone who's only just broken through to Beyond the World isn't qualified to know it."

Her words shattered Sylvia's pride.

"You…" Sylvia gritted her teeth and was about to act when Nolan's voice sounded in front of her.

"Alright, don't be so hostile, Tower Master. We're acquaintances, aren't we? Isn't it a bit too harsh to treat me and my sisters like this?"

Though he was smiling, a dangerous pressure radiated from him.

Sylvia felt her body freeze in place, unable to move at all.

She couldn't even part her lips.

'What's happening? Why do I feel… fear?' she wondered inwardly.

With just a smile, Nolan had made her feel fear. It made no sense.

"My sister and I won't be returning to the Ancient Kingdom of Eron," Nolan said casually, snapping her out of her daze. "And if you still insist on forcing it, I wouldn't mind if the Singularity of Chaos took direct action against you, Tower Master—and you as well, Alex."

The moment the name Singularity of Chaos was mentioned, the expressions of Sylvia, Alex, and the soldiers behind them changed instantly.

"Oh, right!" Nolan clapped his hands once. "I almost forgot—you might not be aware."

He placed a hand on Elina's left shoulder. "This is my sister, Elina Lorian. She currently receives indirect support from the Singularity of Chaos in the battle for the throne."

Then he shifted his hand to Malverna's right shoulder. "And this one is a direct subordinate of the Singularity of Chaos, assigned to observe Elina from the shadows."

Malverna: "…"