The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 155. The Nightmare Control

Chapter 155: 155. The Nightmare Control

Leo’s mind was spinning with questions as he stared at Rin. Was it a hidden personality? But she seemed normal even using those spells. No strange actions, yet those spells? And her words at the banquet was similar to Chloe’s. Could she be Chloe? His crimson eyes studied her face, looking for any sign of truth in her stiff expression. Doubt ate at him, mixing hope and fear.

Rin’s voice broke the quiet, soft and worried. "Leonhardt, are you okay?"

Leo leaned closer, his voice low and careful, baiting her. "Rin, does the name Leo Carter mean anything to you?"

Her eyes grew wide, a flash of shock—or something else?—crossing her face.

Then she froze, her body stiff, gaze locked like stone. Leo’s brow wrinkled, worry rising. "Rin?" he called, his voice sharp. No answer. His heart raced as he saw the world stop—time itself stuck. The mana-lamps’ glow hung still, the air thick and heavy, the infirmary’s warmth turning to a cold emptiness.

He jumped up, the stool scraping loudly, his voice tight with fear. "Elynn, what’s going on?"

[Unknown interface detected.]

[Reality overlaps in progress.]

[Intruder att-]

Elynn’s text flashed in his vision, glitching before fading.

A deep cold grabbed him, his breath catching as something standing behind him, so icy it stung. His body shook, instincts screaming, but his legs wouldn’t move, stuck to the floor.

The air felt heavy, crushing, a familiar fear hitting him—the same terror from his nightmares, the green-eyed woman.

A hooded figure leaned over his shoulder, black mist swirling around her like vivid shadows, her face hidden. A pale hand grabbed his chin, sharp nails digging into his skin, drawing tiny drops of blood. Her voice was soft, sweet, but full of danger. "Darling, you can’t go saying such things to her."

Her hand slid from his chin, moving down his chest, slipping under his shirt to rest over his heart. Her touch was cold, her nails pressing just enough to hurt. "What are you so afraid of, my love?" she whispered, her breath icy against his ear.

Leo’s mind raced—he’d never feared anyone in his whole life, but this woman’s presence was raw, a fear that clawed at his heart.

Her green eyes, glowing faintly under the hood, looked at Rin, softening for a second before turning sharp with anger. "You despise me because of this girl? How dare she steal you from me," she hissed, her voice bitter with jealousy.

She stood straight, the mist around her tightening, her hand rising as dark mana gathered in her palm, forming a sparking ball aimed at Rin’s still form. "I’ll erase this pest who dares corrupt my darling."

Leo’s heart pounded, panic pushing through his frozen body. He couldn’t let her hurt Rin, couldn’t let this thing win. His voice broke free, a rough whisper. "Stop."

Then louder, a raw yell ripping from his throat. "Leave her alone!"

The woman flinched, her ball of mana flickering—and a bright beam of light magic shot through the window, grazing her arm and throwing her aim off. The dark mana fizzled, hitting the wall near Rin with a sharp snap, leaving a burned mark.

She turned, green eyes blazing with rage, to face Erin Dranemount who’s on the window ledge, her violet eyes locked on the hooded figure, her hand glowing with light mana, and entered inside.

The hooded entity’s scream, her voice sharp with anger. "You wretched girl, you’re just like your—" Her words stopped as Erin’s light sword stabbed into her chest, its blade glowing with bright holy mana. The entity froze, her green eyes wide with shock, her body stiff.

Erin spoke quietly and calmly as she twisted the sword. She said, "I’m sorry, homewrecker, but he’s taken."

Her voice was a feeble growl, and the entity’s lips quivered. "Then I’ll murder her first." Dark mana glowed in her palm as she reached for Rin, poised to strike.

Erin’s voice was firm and quick, and her eyes flashed. "Key 3011—now, Elynn!"

[Activated Emergency Key]

Leo saw Elynn’s interface, his body free to move as the oppressive fear subsided. Urgency surged through him as his heart thumped.

"Keep Rin shielded!" Erin shouted over the commotion.

Leo didn’t hold out. He flung himself over Rin, encircling her motionless body with his arms and enveloping her in his body.

Boom!

The entity’s dark mana blast hit his back, tearing through his uniform and skin, a hot pain ripping a yell from his throat. Blood ran down his back, soaking his torn clothes, but he held Rin tight, teeth clenched against the hurt.

[Healing Protocol Activated (2/3)]

Elynn’s voice echoed in his mind, his wounds starting to close, the pain easing as his skin healed.

The entity’s scream filled the room, loud and wild. "Noooo!" she cried, her body shaking as she stared at Leo’s sacrifice.

Erin’s voice broke through. "Shut up!" As she continued to pour holy mana into her sword, the light became so intense that it engulfed the being.

As the glowing mana turned the woman to ash and scattered her on the floor, her body trembled and black mist broke apart.

Leo sagged, his uniform hanging off him in pieces despite his wounds having healed. Erin’s face shown relief and fatigue as he looked back, his crimson eyes meeting her violet ones.

She raised her hand, a soft glow of holy mana coming from her palm—time reversal, a rare power only used by Gods . His torn shirt fixed itself, the room’s scattered bits went back to normal, everything looked fine again, though time stayed stopped.

Erin’s gaze softened, her voice calm but serious. "Meet me when you’re ready to talk."

Leo’s brow wrinkled, his voice rough. "Erin, wait—"

However, she had already taken off, leaped through the window, and disappeared into the evening darkness. The frozen world shook, and time started again, the mana-lamps flickering as the infirmary’s warmth came back.

Leo was on her bed, holding her tightly when Rin gasped, woke up, and blinked in bewilderment as she felt his arms wrapping her and her face resting on his chest.

As she gazed into his crimson eyes, her face flushed bright pink and her heart raced. His voice was low and urgent as he asked, "Are you okay?"

Rin’s eyes flitted away as she scooted back, her hands lightly pressing against his chest, her voice a nervous stammer. "What’s going on, Leonhardt? You’re way to close!" Her mutter was barely audible as her cheeks burned.

"Please give me a moment to catch up, at the very least."

Leo’s face was bewildered as he blinked. "What?"

But Rin’s eyes widened, her breath stopping as she saw blood dripping from his nose, a thin red line on his skin. He touched his face, fingers wet with blood, surprise in his eyes. Before he could speak, his vision blurred, his body swaying. He collapsed, falling forward, unconscious.

Rin caught him, her arms wrapping around him in panic, her voice loud with fear. "Leonhardt!" she cried, shaking him gently, her hands trembling.

"Somebody, help!" she shouted, turning toward the door, her voice breaking as she called for her maid.