The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne Chapter 753 The Cunning Demon (2)

Mal'Zareth city's southern edge was home to a particularly squalid slum district.

The miasma emanating from this area was so potent that a foul odor permeated every corner.

"Excuse me... do you have business here, sir?" Nolan inquired, his voice tinged with hesitation.

"That is correct," the demon with the head of a horse affirmed, gesturing forward. "More precisely, thirty meters in that direction."

Nolan swallowed hard, feigning an expression of terror.

He surveyed his surroundings, noting the presence of numerous wretched demons slumped in the alleyway.

Their clothes were in tatters, their bodies bore numerous wounds, and they appeared utterly neglected. Most disconcerting was the pervasive, putrid stench that clung to them.

'Are they already deceased?' Nolan pondered internally.

He had evidently underestimated the demon race. It was no wonder they were widely regarded as cruel; they treated their own kind with such disregard.

Nolan could not refute that similar practices transpired within human cities. However, it was uncommon for bodies to be left unceremoniously on the roadside as if lifeless.

They eventually arrived at the alley's termination, where a dilapidated dwelling stood, its walls streaked with dried blood.

Nolan swallowed again, his voice trembling. "T-This place… is where you conduct your business?"

The horse-headed demon nodded, his grin widening considerably.

"Hehehe… Indeed. What is it? Are you frightened?" he taunted.

Nolan remained frozen for a moment before shaking his head.

"N-No, I was simply… taken aback," he clarified.

The horse-headed demon appeared mollified and proceeded inward.

"Enter."

Nolan followed him, only to be immediately confronted by a ghastly tableau.

The interior of the abode was in ruins, littered with an assortment of instruments of torture.

Several demon corpses were suspended from the ceiling, impaled on the walls, or strewn across the floor.

Even more horrifying, their chests and heads were grotesquely hollowed out—as though their vital organs had been brutally extracted.

"They…" Nolan began to speak, but the horse-headed demon interjected by clapping his hands.

"Come forth, all of you. We have a distinguished guest."

As the words left his mouth, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the deeper recesses of the house.

Four demons emerged sequentially, each bearing the distinct heads of a wolf, a tiger, a bear, and a monkey.

They were imposing figures, standing approximately two and a half meters tall, with powerfully built physiques and an overwhelmingly intimidating presence.

"Boss, where have you been? Have you brought back any fresh captures?" the tiger-headed demon inquired in a gravelly tone.

"Hehehe… Naturally," the horse-headed demon responded, his grin returning.

He indicated Nolan. "He is your intended quarry."

The four demons shifted their gaze towards Nolan in unison, their eyes alight with primal hunger.

"Hehehe… a pig-headed demon. I suspect he will prove quite palatable," the wolf-headed demon remarked, wiping a trickle of saliva from his lip.

Nolan stumbled backward, his complexion draining to a pale hue of panic. "W-What is the meaning of this!? You intend to make me a sacrifice!?"

"Hehehe… And what if that is my intention?" the horse-headed demon chuckled softly. "Little demon, you are far too guileless. Did you truly believe I aided you without ulterior motive?"

He let out another laugh before adding nonchalantly, "From the outset, you were nothing more than sustenance destined for them. Very well, let us not prolong this. You four…"

Snap!

He snapped his fingers. "Devour him. Once your meal is complete, we shall seek out another unfortunate soul for trade."

"Hahaha! Thank you, boss! This little pig will surely be delectable!"

"Hahaha! It has been an age since I last savored a pig-headed demon. It is bound to be exquisite."

The wolf- and bear-headed demons smirked broadly.

They advanced, poised to strike at Nolan—until a casual statement emanated from him.

"Pfft… do not celebrate prematurely. It remains uncertain who shall be the victim and who shall be the predator."

The four demons halted abruptly.

Nolan's facade of panic dissolved, replaced by a serene smile that radiated sharp confidence.

They exchanged perplexed glances, their expressions conveying a silent question: "Is he out of his mind? Has he lost his sanity?"

However, they dismissed the anomaly and swiftly lunged towards him.

As they closed to within a single meter of Nolan, an astonishing event unfolded.

Slash!

The heads of all four demons were severed simultaneously, tumbling inertly to the ground.

Their bodies quivered for a brief instant before a torrent of dark, yellowish ichor erupted from their decapitated necks.

The spectacle rendered the horse-headed demon immobile.

His features contorted with utter disbelief.

"Y-You…" He recoiled in terror, his gaze fixed upon Nolan as if confronting a monstrous entity.

Nolan gestured casually, and his appearance reverted to its original human form.

"A human!?" the horse-headed demon shrieked in abject horror.

This was demon territory, an unfathomable location for a human to have penetrated so deeply.

At the border, a formidable magical ward was in place. Any human attempting passage would be instantly identified by potent enchantments.

Thus, the perplexing question remained: how had this individual infiltrated undetected?

Furthermore, his disguise was so flawless that even his scent mimicked that of a common demon, completely deceiving the horse-headed demon's olfactory senses.

As Nolan advanced, the horse-headed demon rapidly retreated.

"Stay back! Don't come any closer!" it shrieked in terror.

"What troubles you? Why are you overcome with fear?" Nolan inquired, a cold smile gracing his lips. "You were so bold moments ago, commanding them to consume me. What has caused this drastic change in your demeanor?"

With each step Nolan took, the horse-headed demon grew increasingly frantic.

"P-pardon me! I had no idea you were human! I beg you, do not end my life!"

It immediately prostrated itself, its entire form trembling uncontrollably.

Had it foreseen the danger this individual posed, it would never have dared to act so arrogantly earlier.

However, a surge of indignation also coursed through it. It was a demon, and its standing far surpassed that of a mere mortal.

Yet, the human before it now dared to issue threats, a reality it found utterly unacceptable.

Nolan merely offered a chilling smile in response to its reaction, easily deciphering the demon's turbulent thoughts.

Yet, he harbored no intention of hastening its demise.

"Rest assured, your life is not forfeit. However, you must provide me with the location of the Imperial Palace and identify any vulnerabilities for an assault."

The Imperial Palace was undoubtedly protected by a formidable magical barrier.

Despite his confidence in his own capabilities, seeking out a weaker point would bring no harm.

"The Imperial Palace?" The demon was taken aback. It had only moments before considered reporting Nolan's presence to the palace authorities.

Who could have imagined this foolish human intended to venture there himself?

Wasn't that akin to digging his own grave?

Nevertheless, since the man had practically invited the predicament upon himself, it aligned perfectly with the demon's own opportunistic desires.

A wily grin spread across its face as it nodded, commencing its detailed explanation.

Nolan listened attentively. Ten minutes later, he had a comprehensive understanding of the Imperial Palace's layout.

"I-I have told you everything. Now, may I depart?"

Nolan responded with a slow nod and a faint smile.

"Naturally. Proceed."

The demon's eyes brightened with relief. It scrambled to its feet and moved past Nolan.

'Hehehe! Once this is concluded, I shall report you to the Demon Emperor themselves—and claim a most generous reward!'

Envisioning the impending glory, its smile widened further.

But then, abruptly...

Slash!

A sharp slicing sound echoed from below. It froze mid-stride, touched its neck, and felt a warm liquid cascade downwards.

Upon witnessing the crimson flow, its eyes widened in disbelief.

"B-Blood?"

Before comprehending the unfolding event, its head detached and tumbled onto the ground.

Nolan observed the entire scene with cold detachment, murmuring indifferently, "Attempting an escape? Regrettably, I show no leniency for such actions."

Whoosh!

His form flickered, then vanished as swiftly as a gust of wind.