The Hidden Extra: The Lazy Prince Refuses to Ascend The Throne - Chapter 457

Chapter 457: Ragan’s Guilt
Whoosh!

The demonic power surrounding Cassian dissipated, revealing his figure before Elina, Ragan, Mikazura, Shion, and the Singularity of Light.

He looked nothing like the Cassian they once knew.

His hair was split—red on the right, brown on the left.

He seemed several centimeters taller, with two black wings stretching wide across his back.

Black claws jutted from his hands, terrifying in their sharpness.

Both of his eyes glowed red, the whites now a deep, inky black.

“Ignis…” Malverna narrowed her eyes, a burning intent to kill surging within her.

The figure who had betrayed her had finally returned.

The desire to strike Ignis was intense, but she quickly restrained herself.

‘Don’t let emotions control you. I still don’t know if Ignis has a way to save himself—maybe transfer to another incarnation or something. I need to observe him first. Then, I’ll kill him,’ she muttered.

If this had been her when she first met Nolan, she would have charged without hesitation.

Now, however, she was sharper, more cunning.

Nolan had once told her that when facing an enemy with many tricks, aggression could be dangerous.

Sometimes, charging headfirst only gave the opponent a chance to turn the tables.

So she would wait calmly, letting Ignis reveal his weaknesses.

‘Is that really Cassian? No… It can’t be him. It must be the demon hiding inside him,’ Elina muttered cautiously.

She had no idea what kind of demon had awakened—could it be a high-level demon? Or something even stronger?

As far as she could remember, the demon that had silently attacked her in Virella had never exerted such overwhelming power.

This could not be just any demon.

“Cassian! What are you doing, you fool? Hurry back! Don’t let the demon inside you take over!” Ragan roared.

Zerathos pressed his right palm to his face and laughed loudly.

“Hahaha! How amusing, Ragan Lorian! Cassian? Your son is gone! This body is mine now!”

Shock flashed across Ragan’s face, but he quickly regained his composure, clenching his right fist and growling through gritted teeth, “Don’t talk nonsense, demon! Give me back my son, damn you!”

Zerathos felt a surge of annoyance toward Ragan. With Cassian’s body, he had also inherited his memories.

He knew that as a child, Cassian had been starved for affection from his father.

Ragan had been indifferent to his children, except for two who were special—Elina and Nolan.

According to Cassian’s memories, Ragan had given birthday presents to them.

He had done the same for Cassian, but it had been purely formal, devoid of real warmth.

Without realizing it, Ragan’s neglect had forged Cassian into a cold and cunning figure.

Zerathos didn’t care about Cassian, yet this body was now his.

He intended to exploit every one of Cassian’s obsessions, fully claiming the body as his own.

Suddenly, claws sharper than steel extended from his open palm.

Zerathos vanished from his spot and reappeared directly in front of Ragan.

“Die, Ragan Lorian!” Zerathos roared, swinging his claws with lethal intent.

“Father!” Elina screamed, rushing forward to try to stop him.

Unfortunately, she was too late…

Clang!

The sound of metal colliding rang out as the Singularity of Light appeared before Ragan, blocking his claws.

“Want to act recklessly in front of me, demon? Do you want to die?” The Singularity of Light’s thin grin was cold and sharp.

He channeled his power into his sword, sending Zerathos sprawling several steps back.

Zerathos quickly retreated twenty steps and readied himself for battle.

“Singularity of Light, don’t interfere. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I attack you!”

The power radiating from the Singularity of Light was truly terrifying. Even at his full strength, Zerathos wasn’t confident he could defeat him, much less kill him.

Avoiding a clash was preferable.

“Pfft! Demon Emperor Zerathos, you are laughable. Do you really think your threats scare me? You flatter yourself too much,” the Singularity of Light sneered, drawing his sword and pointing it at him. “In front of me, you’re nothing. Remember that!”

“Damn it!” Zerathos ground his teeth. He was the demon emperor, revered by hundreds of thousands of demons.

To be insulted like this cut deep.

“Die!”

He shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

The Singularity of Light refused to yield, moving at a speed far surpassing Zerathos.

They collided, sparks flying, then shifted across the battlefield with blinding speed.

Their battle left destruction in their wake.

Their movements were so fast that even watching closely, it was almost impossible to follow.

“Father, are you okay?” Elina asked anxiously, scanning him from head to toe.

Ragan shook his head. “I’m fine. How about you?”

“I’m fine too,” Elina replied.

Ragan nodded with relief, then turned his gaze back to the Singularity of Light and Zerathos, still locked in battle high above.

“Elina… Do you think I made a mistake?”

Elina hesitated, but before she could answer, Ragan continued.

“I was indifferent to you and your siblings. It seems Cassian’s choice to side with the demon is connected to that.”

He lowered his head, his expression heavy with exhaustion and sorrow.

Elina stayed silent. She had never seen her usually strong and firm father display such vulnerability.

‘He’s really been shaken by this,’ she murmured.

This was one of the reasons Elina had been reluctant to disclose Cassian’s cooperation with the demon.

She hadn’t wanted to sadden her father. But Cassian had attacked first, even accusing her of causing the chaos in the palace hall.

She couldn’t just stay silent and accept blame for something she hadn’t done.

“Don’t worry, Father. You did nothing wrong,” Elina said gently. “Cassian’s choice was entirely due to the weakness of his heart. He was so desperate to win the battle for the throne that he was willing to work with a demon. Someone like him doesn’t deserve to make you feel guilty.”

Elina’s expression was a mix of disgust and contempt. Cassian had the backing of his maternal family.

Though not as powerful as Aldric or Cedric, it was enough to earn him prestige among the princes.

She and Nolan, by contrast, were just an ordinary prince and princess.

They had little status compared to their siblings, and as children, servants often gossiped about them.

Even so, Elina and Nolan never let it stop them. They paid no mind to the whispers of others.

As long as they could achieve their goals, cruel words were nothing more than passing winds.

Ragan watched in surprise, then let out a deep sigh.

“Thank you for your words, Elina.”

He had never expected to be comforted by his own daughter. It was slightly embarrassing but also a relief.

Elina smiled and nodded.

Suddenly, an explosion shook the air, followed by a heavy figure crashing to the ground.

It was Zerathos.

The Singularity of Light appeared beside him, sword tip aimed at his face.

“You’ve lost, Demon Emperor Zerathos.”