The Wastrel Prince Becomes Ruthless

Chapter 130

Chapter 130

The scene where the Thunder Bird, worshipped as a god, had fallen and died.

The natives flinched and turned away, as though merely looking upon the body might invoke a curse.

“U-ugh! Don’t look! You mustn’t see it!”

“Ugh… Lord Thunder Bird…!”

While every native averted their eyes, covering them with trembling hands, only Terrien remained calm.

Step, step—

Having seized victory after a bloody battle, Terrien steadied himself and descended from the altar to stand before the Thunder Bird’s mangled remains.

The creature, no longer recognizable as a living being, still faintly exuded traces of life.

“I have no personal feelings toward you. I only did what I believed to be right. Rest now.”

Then Terrien drew his sword once again. The sound of steel sliding free echoed eerily amid the natives’ wails.

Srrrng—

The blade pulsed, charged with magic—

Crack—!

Terrien’s sword pierced deep into the Thunder Bird’s skull.

Thus fell the “god” who had cast lightning and spread its vast wings to shadow the skies.

Yet that was not the end.

“What… is this?”

From the Thunder Bird’s shattered skull, a faint blue light gleamed, drawing Terrien’s gaze.

‘A jewel…?’

It was no larger than the tip of a finger. Amidst the blood and pulp, something within the Thunder Bird’s head glowed.

Sensing the strange radiance, Terrien instinctively realized—

‘This isn’t ordinary. I’m no expert with such things, but… I’ll hold onto it and ask His Highness the Third Prince later.’

Though uneasy about touching the corpse, Terrien crouched and reached into the remains to retrieve his spoils.

Or rather—he tried to.

The moment his hand brushed the jewel—

Flash—!

“…!”

The blue gem flared brilliantly—then vanished without a trace, as though it had never existed.

“What… what is this?”

It happened too suddenly for him to react, yet Terrien’s instincts screamed that a strange power had settled within him.

The very essence that had granted the Thunder Bird its lightning—the power of thunder itself—had flowed into Terrien’s body, lodging where his once-overflowing mana core now lay empty.

Just as Terrien sensed the alien force taking root, Erzan, who had quietly observed everything, approached and spoke.

“Terrien… What were you thinking, doing all this…?”

“I told you. This creature, that creature—it’s all the same. Just man-eating monsters.”

At Terrien’s words, Erzan turned toward the Thunder Bird’s mangled corpse.

Its gruesome, undeniable reality was far from the divine image he had once revered.

‘How could a god fall so low…? Perhaps Terrien was right. In the end, the Thunder Bird was merely another beast that devoured humans. Then all those countless children sacrificed as offerings… what were their deaths for?’

Biting his lip hard, Erzan’s thoughts tangled.

“You… damn it… Hah. Just run. You’re lucky the tribe’s attention is still on Hastings for now, but it won’t last. The warriors will soon come for you. You killed our god, Terrien. Even I won’t be able to protect you then. I’ll have to pretend to chase you, at least.”

His reaction caught Terrien off guard.

“You’re… worrying about me in all this?”

“…Think of it as repaying the debt. You saved my life during the war against the orcs.”

“Right, that happened. I didn’t do it expecting this, but… thanks. As for the Thunder Bird—sorry, but I can’t apologize. Even in the same situation, I’d make the same choice again.”

Erzan gave a resigned nod, as though he had expected that answer.

“What’s done is done. An apology won’t change it. Just go—quickly. And… it’d be best if you left the Great Jungle altogether.”

“If only it were that simple. But as you know, I still have business here.”

“…Your comrade—no, your lord, was it? Whatever the reason, it’s none of my concern. I’ll say this one last time. Get out of the jungle as soon as you can.”

Terrien replied with a wry smile.

“That might be hard to promise. It’s not exactly up to me.”

In time, this man—Terrien Calmodet—would become the Sword of Lightning, the one whose blade roared like thunder.

Thus began the legend of the Thunder Sword.

Having rescued the children meant to be sacrificed alive, Hastings moved swiftly.

‘Didn’t think Terrien would act like that… I was itching for a fight myself, but this complicates things. Still, what’s done is done.’

Using his stealth and quick footwork, Hastings evaded the Thunder Bird Tribe’s warriors. They were formidable, but not enough to catch someone determined to flee.

After about two hours, believing he had gained enough distance, Hastings set the children down and asked,

“Now, it’s your turn to choose. If you truly wish, I can leave you here. But if you want to live, I can take you to the Aphahiel Empire. You may not understand yet, but if you stay, you’ll most likely die. The choice is yours.”

It pained him to force such a decision on children barely four or five years old, but there was no other way.

‘Either they see their parents once more before dying, or live as orphans in a strange empire. It’s troublesome for me, but for them—it’s the choice of a lifetime.’

The children, still dazed from the frantic escape, only fidgeted at his question, unable to speak.

Hastings pressed gently, “We don’t have much time. Choose.”

Finally, the tallest of the three—a boy slightly older than the rest—spoke.

“If we go with you… we won’t see our mother again, right?”

“Right.”

“And… we were food for Lord Thunder Bird, weren’t we? If we got eaten, we’d die, right? Just like the meat we eat?”

“Right.”

Hastings gave no comforting words, only straightforward answers.

‘They don’t need comfort. What they need is to learn how to survive. This is their first test. Anything I say now would only sway their choice.’

The boy clenched his small fist, his expression set.

“Then I’ll go with you. My mom and dad said… if there’s a real god, not like that Thunder Bird monster, then that god will save me. And if I do get saved, I must never look back, never try to see them again—just run far away.”

The boy’s eyes shone with pure determination. So young, yet making such a heavy choice. Hastings reached out and ruffled his hair.

“Good. I understand. You’ll come with me. I can’t promise to take care of you forever, but I’ll get you safely out of this jungle.”

“Yes, sir!”

Two children remained—a boy and a girl, holding hands tightly. They seemed to be siblings.

“What about you two?” Hastings asked.

“Well…”

They fidgeted nervously, unable to answer. The first boy suddenly stepped forward.

“Mister! Wait!”

He ran to the siblings, clearly intent on persuading them. Hastings started to stop him—then decided otherwise.

‘Yes… It’ll mean more coming from him. Whatever choice they make, it’ll be their fate.’

Hastings, though unwilling to interfere, silently hoped they would choose to leave the jungle.

As he pretended not to hear their hushed conversation, his instincts suddenly flared.

“—!”

He sensed movement.

‘Footsteps… and not just one or two!’

“Shh! Quiet, this way!”

Hastings hushed the children and focused.

‘They’re here… They’ve started moving.’

Near the jungle’s edge, he could feel the presence of uninvited guests.

‘I must inform His Highness at once…!’

The Shadow Raven had caught the scent of the enemy.

In the darkness of the Great Jungle, Yuwon opened his eyes from meditation.

‘So Terrien really did slay the Thunder Bird… You’ve grown, Terrien.’

After defeating the River Serpent, Yuwon had gained a power that allowed him to see and hear through the eyes of reptilian beasts throughout the jungle—letting him witness distant events as if they unfolded before him.

‘You’re no longer the timid Terrien I once knew. Acting on your own like this… this will be your turning point.’

Yuwon had always known Terrien’s talent, but his mindset had been the problem. Always comparing himself to Yuwon, always chasing shadows.

Yuwon had tried to guide him, but Terrien had reached a stage where true growth could only come through his own awakening.

‘But he’s changed now. That alone makes this journey worthwhile. The Great Jungle has tempered him well.’

Yuwon could feel it—Terrien had broken through a wall.

‘Good. One side’s wrapped up nicely… but the other’s about to begin.’

Through the countless reptilian beasts now bound to his will, Yuwon’s reach extended throughout the jungle.

And from them, he sensed the enemy’s advance.

“So it’s begun sooner than expected. I thought they hadn’t noticed yet… Is it that man, Ipalim?”

Hiss, hiss—

The Hatchling of the Dragon-Scaled Serpent on Yuwon’s shoulder coiled restlessly, eager for what was to come.

“Yes, yes. Let’s go.”

These enemies were fated to die anyway—and since they had come all this way on their own, there was no reason to flee.

The Great Jungle was already Yuwon’s stage.

“Time to welcome our guests.”

A cold gleam flashed in Yuwon’s eyes. The new King of the River—the Tyrant of Slumber—rose from his seat.