The Useless Prince Is A Gangster

High above the world where clouds floated like a soft white sea, a little girl sat on her aunt's lap. The Divine Spire, a shiny crystal tower, glowed as it drifted among the clouds. Its edges sparkled where they touched the misty air.

The girl, only five, swung her small feet. Her crimson eyes shone with curiosity and a hint of sadness as she looked at the endless sky.

"Why did Mother leave me here?" she asked as clutched her dress, her face showing the pain of missing someone.

Celestia, her aunt, sat with her legs kicking at the clouds, making them swirl. The girl's question made her eyes soft and patted her head gently. "Why do you think like that, little star?" she asked.

The girl looked up with red eyes showing a sadness too big for her. "Because she left me," she said. "And she never came back. She only cares about Ruler… I mean, Father." Her words carried a child's anger, hiding how much she missed her mother.

Celestia hugged the girl close to assure her. "You know," she said gently, "your mother had a tough choice. She could have stayed with your father forever without giving birth to you. Or she could have you, a wonderful girl, but has to give away her divine life to do it."

"She chose you, little star. That's how much she loved you—more than your father, more than her own life."

The girl's eyes grew wide, her mouth open as she thought about it. "Then… how much does Father love me?" she asked quietly. "You said he doesn't know I exist. What if he did know I was alive?" Her voice wavered, she bit her lip as she thought of a father she never met.

"Oh, it's true he doesn't know you exist," she said. "But if he knew, I'm sure he'd climb up here, through clouds and storms and stars, just to find you." Her words held a deep truth about the father's love.

"Why?" the little girl asked, leaning closer, eager for more.

"Because he's him," she said firmly. "He's the kind of man who holds on tight to what's his. If someone he loves is taken, he'll cross any world and fight any god, to get them back." She tapped the girl's nose to make her giggle.

"And you, little star, are his daughter. If he knew about you, nothing would stop him from coming for you."

The little girl's eyes glowed as her heart felt bigger with hope. She snuggled closer to Celestia by holding her sleeve, staring at the clouds. She imagined her father who would fight the stars for her.

***************************************************************

Erin's violet eyes stayed glued to the massive, shining blue explosion. The blue blast burst like a new star, its bright light filling the chamber with wild, magical energy.

Lucian held the unconscious Velmera tightly and turned away quickly, using his body to protect from the shockwave.

Rin's hands spread out with a weaving a glowing shield of magic around them. But the explosion's light made her squint her pink eyes.

When the explosion faded, leaving burnt air and sparking embers, Rin's eyes widened. There was Leo, clutching his twin swords with his shirt gone from the blast, showing his sweaty, toned body. He looked like a warrior born from fire,

His exhausted crimson eyes fixed on Draven's broken form who's barely alive.

Every breath was a struggle, his mind fogged, legs leaden. The attack had drained his energy completely.

"What did you do to yourself?!" Rin shouted, her voice breaking with fear and worry as she dropped the shield. Her pink eyes fixed on Leo's worn out state.

Erin folded her arms with a proud smile, yet there's concern in her violet eyes. "Damn right he did," she said, her voice full of admiration and awe. "He shattered that Draven's mana core by pouring his own mana into it until it blew up from the inside. A risky move that could've killed him."

Draven groaned in pain, his voice a weak rasp as he dragged his broken body toward the teleportation machine. Blood trailed behind him, his amber eyes wide with fear and agony.

"P-please... mercy!" he begged, his voice cracking into sobs. "Just... let me die in peace... I can't... I can't take this anymore..."

Leo took a shaky breath, forcing his body to move. His swords vanished as he grabbed Draven's burnt hair and pulled him up to meet his eyes. Leo's crimson gaze burned with a mix of rage, determination, and fear of losing everything again.

"We're cut from the same cursed cloth, you and me," Leo growled, haunted by his past. He'd faced that emptiness before, the pain of loss. His grip tightened, memories of Chloe stabbing him. "But I'm not blind like you. My heart beats for one thing now—my girl. Only her. And if anyone dares touch her..."

He leaned closer, his breath hot, his eyes narrowing with deadly promise. "I'll tear their world apart. You cult, Goddess, immortal—it doesn't matter to me. I'll burn them to ashes, drag them through hell, and make them feel every pain I've known."

He shoved Draven down, stepping back as the monster collapsed.

A sniper rifle appeared in his hand from item space.

Suddenly the teleportation machine came to life and its sparks danced across its huge ring like lightning.

Lucian's eyes widened "Something's happening with that strange thing," he said.

Erin clicked her tongue with annoyance and stepped forward without pause.

Rin grabbed Erin's wrist tightly, her pink eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Where are you going?" she asked.

Erin stopped, turning to look at Rin. Her violet eyes held no anger, only a warm, protective calm. "Wait here," she said softly. She gave Rin's hand a quick squeeze before letting go, heading toward Leo.

Leo looked at the machine as sparks grew wilder. A bright light burst from the ring, forcing him to shield his face with his red eyes squinting.

As the light dimmed, Leo lowered his arm and saw the machine was fully on, its ring now a portal to another place—a dark grand room like theirs. A tall figure stood opposite of them in that machine.

Of course it's Ashen along with his masked cult soldiers standing behind him.

Ashen's eyes widened as he saw The Pillar of Treachery crawling weakly towards the machine.

Disappointment flashed across Ashen's face. Then his gaze shifted to Leo's crimson eyes. Both stares clashed silently with Leo's full of defiant anger and Ashen's surprise.

The moment hung heavy, filled with silent threats, but Leo didn't back down.

Slowly, he raised the sniper rifle, aiming at Draven's crawling form and smirked mischievously.

With a slow exhale, Leo pulled the trigger.

Bang.

The shot rang out like thunder that made everyone jump. The bullet hit Draven's head, killing him right in front of Ashen.