The Useless Prince Is A Gangster

Outside the Dome, Deltou Colossale Forest

Nobles, soldiers, and royal knights gathered at the edge of the transparent mana dome, their voices a low buzz of concern as they gazed at the glowing barrier that had materialized just moments before.

Earlier a fiery arrow exploded in a bright flash into the sky, the forest was silent. A few minutes later, a surge of mana formed the dome, enclosing a portion of the hunting grounds.

A curious soldier moved forward and touched the dome's surface, brave in the eerie silence. With a crackling burst, a sharp pulse of mana pushed him back and flung him into the crowd. Knights scrambled to drag him to safety, his armor charred but intact, and there were gasps and shouts.

The emperor stood at the front, his grand cloak flowing in the cool breeze, his sharp eyes narrowed as he studied the dome. "What is this sorcery?" he demanded, his voice strong, silencing the murmurs around him.

A scholar knight knelt before him, head bowed, wearing robes adorned with symbols of magic.

"It's a high-level trapping spell, your majesty, a mana barrier that isolates those inside. Conventional attacks won't harm it."

"Trapping?" Ignoring the emperor, Adrian Dranemount marched toward the dome, his voice cutting through with a sharp anger. His audacity caused the nobles to gasp, and their murmurs rose like bees.

Adrian's violet eyes blazed with an almost uncontrollable rage.

His father, Duke Albrecht Dranemount, moved forward to stop him, his expression composed but firm. His voice was low but firm as he said, "Adrian, mind your place." "You're drawing attention."

Adrian's voice rose in defiance as he spun around, his fists clenched. "Father, my sister is trapped in there! Do you think I'll just stand here and do nothing?"

Albrecht's expression was steady but grim as his eyes darted to the dome. "Adrian, what can you able to do? We are unable to overcome this obstacle. Erin won't be saved if you rush in without thinking."

"But—" Adrian began, his violet eyes flashing, his voice heavy with protest.

Standing close by in her elegant hunting attire, Thalia put a soft hand on his arm and spoke in a firm but composed tone. "Easy, Adrian. Erin is not a helpless person. I guess she's enjoying the situation." She spoke with quiet assurance, but there was a glimmer of concern in her eyes.

Adrian's jaw tightened, his protective instincts clashing with the truth of his sister's strength.

The emperor turned to the commander of the royal knights, his voice cold and commanding. "Who's inside?"

The commander bowed, his armor clinking softly. "We've accounted for all present, my lord. Those missing are Erin Dranemount, Lucian Caulem, Gregor, Velmera, Rin Valarune, and… Leonhardt Caulem."

Darius, standing near the emperor, tensed at the names, his sharp eyes darting to Prince Cassian beside him. Cassian's blue eyes were fixed on the dome, a faint, unsettling smirk on his lips. Darius leaned closer, his voice low and suspicious. "Your doing, prince?"

Cassian's smirk widened, but he shook his head, his tone falsely light. "Me? Plan this? Hardly. Let's just say I… encouraged the removal of certain nuisances."

At the crowd's edge, Maria approached her husband, Duke Alric, who sat on a fallen log.

She held Vivien tightly, the young girl's wide eyes full of confusion as she gripped her mother's sapphire gown. "Alric!" Maria's voice broke, her hands shaking. "Your sons are in there! How can you sit there so calmly?"

Alric looked up, his expression steady, though a flicker of worry passed through his eyes. He turned a small scrap of paper over in his hands. "Why worry, Maria? Do you think Lucian and Leonhardt are weak?"

Her voice rose, sharp with fear. "They're your sons, Alric! Trapped in that thing with gods-know-what! You can't just—"

Alric raised a hand, his tone firm but comforting.

"I'm worried, Maria, but I trust them. They're stronger than you realize."

He glanced at the paper—a note from Erin, delivered by a squirrel moments before the dome appeared. 'Don't panic, Duke. Don't let anyone know you know about this attack already, We're handling it. Charge when the dome starts to fade.'

His eyes narrowed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "They're doing better," he murmured.

Inside the Dome.

Rin walked beside Leo through the heavy silence of the forest. Nimbus padded quietly behind them.

Rin's pink eyes flicked to Leo, her voice mixed with curiosity and worry. "Why me and Velmera? What do they want with us?"

Leo's crimson eyes glinted with a teasing smirk. "Maybe you've got a fan club out there," he said, his tone light but tense.

Rin's pout came instantly, her fist lightly hitting his uninjured shoulder.

"Be serious, Leonhardt! This isn't a joke!" Her voice carried frustration, her pink eyes narrowing.

He chuckled, adjusting his bloodied cloak, his face growing serious. "I don't have the full picture, Rin. These are the same bastards behind the hunting cage incident and Vivien's kidnapping. They've been tracking you since yesterday, and today they made their move. That's all I know."

Rin's steps slowed, her brow creasing. "How did you even find me out here?"

Leo nodded toward Nimbus, who flicked his tail with a casual air. "He's not just a cat. He's my summon—linked to me."

"I feel what he feels, see what he sees."

Her eyes widened, a flush creeping up her cheeks as she whispered, "Everything?"

Leo's smirk returned. "Yup. Including when you squeezed him so hard he can't breathe."

"Idiot!" Rin shouted, her voice echoing through the trees, her face burning with embarrassment.

However, her annoyed expression vanished when Leo froze and his hand snapped out to draw his katana.

"Get down, Rin!" His voice was urgent as he barked.

Her face lit up with confusion, but before she could react, Leo charged forward and gave her a firm but gentle shove, sending her to the ground.

She ducked as a figure appeared out of the trees like a flash of lightning, a massive axe blazing as it cut through the air where Leo had been standing.

With a loud clang, the blade of his katana struck the axe, sending sparks flying as the impact rocked the forest. Leo was flung backward by the force, his body splintering wood and kicking up dust as it crashed through a stand of trees.

The sound of his fall was swallowed by the forest as he landed out of sight.

Rin turned to the tall figure in front of her and rushed to her feet. With his hefty axe balanced on his shoulder, the mercenary was a huge man.

His eyes were burning with vengeful intent, and his scarred face twisted into a cruel grin. With his dark armor worn from innumerable battles, he was the leader of the mercenary group for the current operation and his presence radiated power.

He glared at the dust cloud where Leo had disappeared and said, "That little shit killed my brother."

"I'll take his head now."