The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 121. The Bright Light

Chapter 121: 121. The Bright Light

[Alert!]

[Sub-Mission Completed!]

[Good Job, Reo!]

[Rewards: 1000 Mana Shards, 5000 EXP]

[Alert!]

[Mission Completed!]

[Successfully Rescued Vivien!]

[Good Job, Reo!]

[Rewards: 2500 Mana Shards, 7000 EXP]

[You have leveled up to 18!]

[20 Stat Points Granted]

[Alert!]

[Special Reward Granted!]

Elynn’s cheerful voice and glowing interface filled Leo’s mind, celebrating his win. But his eyes stayed fixed on Sylo’s body, his jaw tight, face hard as stone. The rewards didn’t calm the anger in his chest.

The cult’s cruel trap, Sylo’s explosive deat, had stolen his chance for answers, and the betrayal burned like a knife.

He gently covered Vivien’s eyes, turning her small body away from the awful sight. "Don’t look, little devil," he said softly as he shielding her from the horror.

Erin crouched atill at Sylo’s remains, a faint mana shield glowing which blocks the explosion and blood splatter, her smirk steady. "Ruler’s still the Ruler, even without the light," she muttered.

She stood, and Leo’s anger burst out, his control slipping.

"Damn it, does this cult love explosions?" he yelled, pointing at Sylo’s remains, his voice shaking the arena’s walls. "I was gonna question this bi—" He stopped, seeing Erin’s raised eyebrow and Vivien’s confused head tilt.

He let out a sharp breath, frustration bubbling, he couldn’t swear in front of his kid sister, and he couldn’t understand why Erin’s presence held him back, her presence calming his anger somehow.

Erin walked over, boots clicking on the bloody stone, her voice calm but teasing. "Calm down, Leo. I know you’re mad, but this cult’s always one step ahead."

Leo’s eyes narrowed, voice sharp. "I didn’t say you could call me Leo."

Erin bent to Vivien’s level, meeting her big, curious eyes with a grin that softened her tough edges. "Come on, Leo, can’t I get a little privilege for rescuing you?" She touched Vivien’s slave collar, her eyes closing in focus.

"What’re you doing?" he asked, voice low and cautious.

"Figuring out the mana in this collar. One wrong move, and every head here could blow."

The prisoners gasped, stepping back, fear in their tired eyes, hands grabbing their own collars.

Leo’s voice was a growl, protective. "Don’t try your tricks on Vivien."

Erin’s smile stayed. With a soft click, Vivien’s collar broke apart, falling to the floor in two pieces. Vivien gasped, her small hands touching her neck, feeling the raw, red mark, her eyes wide with shock.

Erin had cracked the mana circuit. With a snap of her fingers, a wave of mana spread through the arena, and every prisoner’s collar shattered, clattering to the stone. The captives froze, stunned, their shaky hands touching their bare necks, feeling skin they hadn’t felt in months.

Lysa stood still, her hand hovering where her collar was, tears falling, freedom feeling like a dream too delicate to believe.

Erin clapped her hands, the sound sharp, grabbing every eye. "As I promised, your hero has freed you from this hell!" she said, voice strong, pointing to the exit stairs. "Take the stairs to the forest outside. I’ve marked safe paths to escape. Oh, and there’s food and supplies on the first floor—take it all."

The prisoners, except Lysa, stared at the exit, hope bursting like fire. They rushed forward, their weak bodies moving fast, footsteps loud as they ran for the freedom they thought was gone forever. Shouts of joy and disbelief echoed, a wild song of freedom shaking the arena’s bloody walls.

"Look at them," Erin whispered, voice low, barely heard over the noise. "So happy after all that suffering from months, not knowing about the darkness coming."

Her violet eyes flicked to Lysa, then on Leo and Vivien.

Erin’s voice shifted to a teasing as she walked toward the arena’s exit, boots clicking on the stone. "Looks you’re babysitting those girls, Leo," she called, glancing back at Leo. "Get them home safe, and don’t poke into messes like this without my permission."

Mid-step, she froze, a chill running through her as a cold blade pressed against her back, cutting her cloak just enough to touch her skin. Her breath caught, but she stayed calm. She turned her head slightly, her violet eyes meeting Leo’s red gaze, his hunting knife steady, a quiet threat.

Vivien’s voice broke, her small body shaking. "Brother, what are you doing?" Her red eyes were wide with shock, unable to understand why her brother would threaten the woman who saved them.

Erin’s lips curved into a calm, almost playful smile, her eyes shining with confidence. "Really, Leo? This is my reward for pulling you out of the fire?" she said, voice light but with a sharp edge. "I’m disappointed."

Leo’s smirk was cold, matching her coolness, his knife not moving. "I’ve got questions, Erin," he said, voice low and steady. "Who the hell are you, really?"

Erin tilted her head, her tone teasing. "Just a normal noble academy girl, nothing special."

Leo’s chuckle was sharp, no humor. "Yeah? Then I’m just a noble kid who gets picked on every day."

Her smile grew, a spark of mischief in her eyes as she turned to face him, the knife now pressing lightly against her chest, not flinching. "Oh, really?" she said, daring him to push further.

His frustration flared, his red eyes narrowing, the knife pressing harder, drawing a tiny drop of blood through her cloak. "Cut the nonsense," he growled. "You knew this prison’s exact spot, the cult’s leaders, their strengths, and all this ’Ruler’ crap. And what’s with that ’bright light’ you keep mentioning?"

Erin sighed, messing up her silver hair with a casual flick. "You know about the Ruler prophecy, don’t you?"

Leo nodded, voice short. "Yeah."

With a gentle wave of her hand, Erin cast a soft glow of mana, a light veil wrapping around Vivien and Lysa’s ears, blocking their hearing.

The girls’ eyes widened, confused, their mouths moving without sound as the spell cut them off.

Erin’s voice dropped, low and serious, her playful act fading to a strong focus. "The prophecy speaks of a bright light that guides the Ruler through the darkness."

Leo’s eyes widened, the words hitting like a spark, reminding him of the Shining Star poem, a kids story alternative of Ruler’s prophecy. His grip on the knife tightened, but his voice stayed steady. "You’re saying you’re that light?"

"I was destined to guide you, Leonhardt Caulem."

Leo’s smirk faded, doubt battling curiosity. "So, you’re tied to that damn Goddess Celestia, huh? If you’re stronger than me, strong enough to walk through this prison like it’s nothing, why not stop this the upcoming destruction yourself? Why pull me into it?"

Erin’s smile vanished, her violet eyes darkening with a heavy weight that made her seem older. "I’m at my limit, Leo," she said, voice steady but full of hidden burdens. "I can’t get stronger than this. My path stops here." She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear, her whisper just for him.

"But you... you’re the chosen one to become stronger than anyone. And if I did it all, how could you meet her, Reo Carter?"

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Sorry for late update and sorry if there’s any mistakes guy’s.

I’m having feaver and too weak currently.

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