The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 744 The Hero of Darkness (2)

"He's already here?" Rei expressed his surprise.

Turning to face the generals and the others present, he offered an apology.

"My apologies, everyone. We must delay this meeting for a short while. I need to welcome Lucas."

Darion and the rest were understanding. With their consent, Rei promptly exited the tent.

***

Rei increased his pace. Though he and Lucas occasionally clashed, their relationship had never devolved into outright hatred, let alone a desire for mutual destruction.

Furthermore, Rei currently required Lucas's presence. They needed to expedite their plan to assault the main fortress of the Demon Emperor's Palace with all possible haste.

After a few moments, he finally arrived at his destination.

A man stood there with an air of composure. He was notably tall—significantly more so than Rei. His short, gray hair was impeccably neat, and his deep green eyes possessed a sharp, chilling intensity.

He was clad in black armor, with a sword sheathed across his back.

The blade itself was obsidian black, radiating a subtle dark aura that instilled a sense of unease in all who beheld it.

This was Lucas Asbourne—the heralded hero of darkness and the future patriarch of the esteemed Asbourne family.

"Lucas!" Rei called out, his greeting brimming with enthusiasm.

Halting before the imposing figure, Rei tilted his head back to meet Lucas's gaze.

Rei stood at approximately 1.75 meters, while Lucas towered at 1.9 meters.

The disparity in height was stark, forcing Rei to look upward to establish eye contact.

Lucas offered a casual nod in return, then inquired in a measured tone, "What is the status of the situation?"

Rei remained unperturbed by Lucas's reserved demeanor. He simply smiled and provided an update, "The situation is stable. We successfully repelled the demon forces commanded by Demon General Karakan."

A distinct note of pride colored his voice.

Lucas's brow furrowed momentarily, a reaction he quickly suppressed before giving a slight nod.

"And how about you? Was the matter at the border effectively resolved?" Rei inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I dealt with it flawlessly. His Majesty has also bestowed upon me commendations for my success," Lucas stated calmly, though a subtle undertone of arrogance colored his words.

His intense rivalry with Rei had been ongoing since their simultaneous arrival in this world.

From Lucas's perspective, Rei represented a significant threat—one arguably more formidable than the Demon Emperor himself.

Nevertheless, due to an existing pact prohibiting direct conflict between them, Lucas had never openly displayed his animosity.

Rei merely offered a smile, betraying no hint of resentment.

"I'm pleased to hear that. Come, let us proceed to the meeting tent. The other military leaders have already convened."

Lucas inclined his head, and the two proceeded together.

Upon their arrival, the assembled military high command greeted Lucas with evident respect.

"Welcome, Hero of Darkness."

They joined their hands and offered profound bows.

In contrast to Rei, Lucas maintained an aura of solitary distance. The presence he exuded was overwhelmingly potent and somewhat intimidating.

Those unacquainted with him would undoubtedly perceive him as a man devoid of emotion and ruthlessly pragmatic.

Lucas acknowledged their greetings with a simple nod. His attention then shifted to a striking woman adorned in a silver gown.

The woman was of considerable height, a crown gracing her head, and her expression was one of serene composure.

The coldness in Lucas's features softened, and he moved directly towards her.

"My salutations, Your Highness," he addressed her politely, his voice imbued with a gentleness that made one question if it belonged to the same individual.

Roseline offered a subtle nod. "Welcome, Hero Lucas. How fares your condition?"

Despite her own reserved demeanor, Lucas appeared unfazed. If anything, he seemed content, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"I am well. I have also successfully concluded the matter at the southern border," he responded casually, yet with an undeniable undercurrent of self-assurance.

Roseline's expression remained unchanged. She simply nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then guided the conversation back to their strategic objectives.

"Our previous discussion had reached the point where General Loren was articulating his rationale," Rei stated, turning his attention to Darion. "What are your thoughts, General Darion?"

Darion paused for a moment before slightly shaking his head.

"I have no further comments, Hero of Light. Upon further reflection, General Loren's reasoning is entirely sound. We cannot afford to squander our soldiers' lives in pursuit of a victory with such precarious odds. I offer my apologies."

Rei offered a gentle smile. "It is perfectly alright. Everyone is entitled to their own perspective. There is no harm in voicing one's opinion."

Rei's relaxed, composed, and thoughtful manner helped to re-establish a more comfortable atmosphere within the meeting.

"What is your assessment, Lucas? What course of action do you advocate?"

Rei's gaze settled upon Lucas.

Lucas did not reply immediately. He studied the map laid out on the table, his mind seemingly occupied with contemplation for several seconds before finally speaking. "In my judgment, we must launch an immediate assault."

The faces of the military leaders instantly adopted a grave expression. Had Darion or Loren voiced such a sentiment, the weight of their words might not have been taken with such seriousness.

Ultimately, these individuals held the rank of generals, with the ultimate say still residing with Rei and Lucas, the chosen representatives of humanity in their ongoing conflict against the Demon Emperor and his formidable legions.

Rei, displaying no surprise, crossed his arms and reiterated his question, "Why do you arrive at that conclusion? Is it due to your own formidable strength, or perhaps…"

A subtle smile graced his features. "Or have you stumbled upon something intriguing near the southern border?"

The atmosphere in the room turned heavy with silence, every gaze fixed on Lucas, filled with a tense kind of curiosity.

Lucas met Rei's intense stare and responded with a soft chuckle. "Your intuition remains as keen as ever."

He gave a slight nod, confessing, "Indeed, I have received some highly significant intelligence. It pertains directly to the Demon Emperor himself."

A collective, drawn-out breath filled the room, as if everyone were steeling themselves for the direst of outcomes.

"The Demon Emperor…" Lucas continued, his calm gaze sweeping across each person present. "Has resolved to initiate a full-scale invasion of the central continent, encompassing the mighty Velmora Empire and all adjacent kingdoms. His singular objective is the complete annihilation of human forces, thereby establishing himself as the undisputed sovereign of this continent."

The breathing of those present grew ragged, their chests feeling as though they were being compressed beneath an immense, multi-ton boulder.

Their complexions grew alarmingly pale, and they exchanged furtive glances rife with dread.

Until now, the Demon Emperor's aggressions had consistently been confined to the southern, eastern, or northern territories.

Never before had his ambitions turned toward the central continent. This region had long been recognized as the unassailable heartland of humanity, governed directly by the Great Velmora Empire.

Should that bastion fall, the very existence of humanity would be plunged into an existential crisis.

And now, the Demon Emperor had unequivocally proclaimed his intent to assault the central continent. This revelation conveyed a far graver peril than any they had previously encountered.

"D-Dark Hero," Reinard stammered, his voice trembling. "A-Are you absolutely certain of this intelligence? I-I apologize; it's not that I doubt your word, but it seems highly improbable the Demon Emperor would dare to attack the Central Continent."

The others rapidly regained a semblance of composure, directing their gazes toward Lucas, their hope as delicate and fragile as spun glass.

They desperately wished for him to affirm, "Yes, it remains merely a theoretical possibility."

Regrettably, the harsh reality proved far more unforgiving. Lucas offered a firm shake of his head, stating with unwavering certainty, "I am not mistaken. All details were unequivocally extracted from the demon I apprehended on the southern continent. The Demon Empire has indeed declared its unwavering intention to launch an offensive against the central continent."