The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 95. Investigation(2)

Chapter 95: 95. Investigation(2)

In a clinic close to the site of the attack, Leo leaned against the wall, staring at the floor. Lucian sat on a cushioned bench, his fingers drumming against the armrest, his face etched with concern.

Duke Alric sat beside him, his back stiff, his face stern.The only sound was the rhythmic tick of a pendulum clock. Alric had issued an emergency decree across the Caulem domain, rallying adventure guilds, soldiers, and vassal houses to scour the region for Vivien.

The patient room door opened, and a maid stepped out, her expression cautious as she faced the trio’s intense gazes. "The Duchess is conscious," she said softly.

Alric rose, his voice steady but commanding. "Stay here, both of you. I’ll speak with her." He walks into the room, the door closing with a soft click.

Leo exhaled, glancing at Lucian. Beneath his brother’s composed exterior, Leo could sense the panic inside him. Lucian respected Leonhardt, but his bond with Vivien much deeper for him, and her absence was breaking him.

Leo crossed the room, sitting beside Lucian and resting a hand on his shoulder. Lucian’s head dipped, his voice trembling, barely above a whisper. "Brother...do you think Vivien’s alright? I can’t shake this bad feeling..."

Leo’s jaw tightened, but he kept his tone calm. "She’s okay, Lucian. I’m certain."

Lucian looked up, his eyes desperate. "How can you be so sure?"

Leo’s gaze flickered to a notification in his vision, visible only to him:

[Mission Alert!]

[Objective: Rescue Vivien]

[Failure: The mission to save the world will be terminated.]

The alert had flashed the moment Liana reported the attack, tying Vivien’s fate to Goddess Celestia’s promise. Leo didn’t understand the full connection, but the system’s urgency was clear.

He met Lucian’s eyes, his voice firm. "I’ve got a gut feeling, and it’s never wrong. She’ll come back. Hold on to that."

Lucian frowned, unconvinced. "But why Vivien? What do they want with her?"

A spark of realisation hit Leo. He turned to a nearby soldier, his voice sharp. "Paper and pencil. Now." The soldier hurried off, returning moments later with the items.

Lucian watched, puzzled, as Leo began sketching with precise strokes, guided by Elynn’s holographic data. He drew Brakk’s face, the mercenary he’d killed two days ago. Lucian leaned closer, his confusion deepening, but he stayed silent.

Few minutes later, the patient room door opened, and Alric emerged, his expression grim. He glanced at his sons, noting Leo’s sketch. "Leonhardt, Maria’s account aligns perfectly with your analysis. Three attackers, highly skilled. She got a clear look at one face."

Lucian spoke up, his voice tight. "Did she describe them?"

Alric nodded. "One face, vividly. We gonna sketch the details and will cross-check it with known criminals."

Leo stood, handing Alric the sketch of Brakk. "Start with this. Pull his profile from the criminal records and see if Maria’s description matches anyone tied to him."

Alric took the paper, his eyes narrowing as he studied the face. "You suspect a connection to the man?"

Leo’s voice was cold, resolute. "The timing’s too perfect."

Alric’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "We’ll act on this immediately." He turned to a soldier. "Deliver this sketch to the inquiry team. Prioritize matches and connections to this man."

In the Pillar of Treachery’s prison, Draeven stood in a stark office, his smirk sharp as he looked at Vivien, tied on the cold stone floor. Her wrists, ankles, and mouth were tied with rough rope, her crimson eyes wide with fear as she looking at the Draven.

He crouched beside her, his smile unnervingly calm, almost playful. "So, this is the Ruler’s little sister?"

Behind him stood the Wolves’, the prison warden, and Sylo.

The Wolves leader nodded, his voice rough. "That’s her. Shall we kill her now?"

Draeven rose, shaking his head with a theatrical sigh. "No, no. She’s our key. The Ruler won’t show unless she’s alive."

The leader’s eyes narrowed, skeptical. "This ’Ruler’ you keep talking about, what’s his deal?"

Draeven stepped closer, resting a hand on the leader’s shoulder, his touch light but chilling, making the mercenary tense. "Some secrets," Draeven murmured, his voice smooth with menace, "are best left buried."

He pivoted, his tone shifting to casual curiosity. "By the way, fine work grabbing her. The pills I gave you, how’d they perform?"

The Wolves exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe and unease. The leader grunted. "They gave us high, Like nothing else. Felt invincible while using and easily killed those guards like they were papers."

Draeven’s chuckle was low, satisfied. "Excellent." His gaze slid back to Vivien, his smile darkening. "The Caulem bloodline’s said to be potent. Once her brother’s dealt with, she’ll be... useful for experiments."

He waved a hand dismissively. "Lock her in Level 3 until he arrives. Prepare a welcome for him, and his invitation." Guards hauled Vivien to her feet, dragging her to a cell on the prison’s third level.

They cut her ropes and throw her inside, the bars slamming shut. Vivien collapsed, tears streaming down her face as she scanned the cellblock. Hollow-eyed prisoners stared back, their empty gazes sending shivers through her. She whispered, voice trembling, "Mother..."

A faint, lifeless voice answered. "You won’t see her again." Vivien turned to see a girl her age slumped against the wall, her eyes empty, drained of hope. "No one escapes this place."

A day later, in a quiet room at the Caulem manor, Duchess Maria sat on a couch, a blanket draped over her shoulders, her eyes red from endless crying for her daughter. Alric sat across from her, his face a stoic mask, though his clenched fists showing his grief.

Commander Dian stood nearby, holding a stack of reports. The door opened, and Leo entered, steadying Lucian, who moved carefully without his wheelchair, his face pale with worry. Leo’s eyes looked to Dian, then to Alric. "Investigation results?"

Alric nodded.

Lucian, easing into a chair with Leo’s help, looked to Dian. "What did you find?"

Dian cleared his throat, his tone precise. "We analyzed the sketches from the Duchess and Young Master Leonhardt. The attackers are the Wolves, a notorious mercenary group in this nation."

Maria’s breath hitched, her hand covering her mouth as tears welled, meeting Alric and Leo’s gazes. Lucian frowned, confused. "What’s that mean?"

Alric gestured for Dian to continue. "Go on."

Dian glanced at his papers. "The Wolves entered Carthorn a week ago, lodged at dark guild. They’ve been unaccounted for the past two days."

Leo’s voice was cold, cutting through the room. "I killed one of them, the man in my sketch, three days ago."

All eyes turned to him. Maria rose, her hands seizing Leo’s collar, her voice raw with anguish. "You! They took Vivien because of you!" Her tears fell, her words fracturing. "This is your fault!"

Lucian, bewildered, stammered, "What’s going on?"

Maria’s voice rose, cursing Reo, her sobs choking her words. Alric stood swiftly, pulling her back and delivering a sharp slap that echoed through the room. Maria froze, clutching her cheek, her eyes wide with shock.