I Reincarnated as a Mob Villain Prince Who Dies Before the Game Starts ~ In Order to Be Happy with My Favorite Heroine's Younger Sister, I Overcame My Weakest Magic [Dark Blade] with Excessive Effort, and It Became the Strongest Broken Power ~ - Chapter 13: The Mob Prince and the Tamer Under the Camilla Empress' Command Defeat

Chapter 13: The Mob Prince and the Tamer Under the Camilla Empress’ Command Defeat

I was going with Master Gain to a forest on the outskirts of the Imperial City to hunt magic beasts.

For me, who had been locked up in a prison tower since birth, the outside world was refreshing.

The green leaves sparkling with morning dew were dazzling, and most of all, the air tasted good. The birds’ chirping was also soothing.

If possible, I wanted to bring Diana along.

Diana had been screaming that she wanted to come, but the Emperor never would have given permission.

“Don’t fall behind, stay close to me.”

“Yes, Master.”

While I was admiring the scenery, Master Gain warned me.

The forest was home to magical beasts. I had been told never to stray from Master.

As night fell, Master taught me how to start a fire and set up camp.

Magical beasts attacked people under the cover of darkness, so it was important to keep the fire burning at all times during camp.

Learning such adventurer knowledge was really valuable. This was a real experience, not something you’d get from just playing games. It would surely be useful in the future.

“Oh, right. This is a [High Potion] my mom made. I’ll give you one too, Master.”

“Pure blue… this is an exceptional [High Potion].”

When I shared the [High Potion] from my backpack, Master Gain was astonished.

As expected, Master, being a skilled adventurer, immediately recognized the high quality of my mom’s [High Potion]. I was proud.

“Is this why you were completely healed from your injuries the next day?”

“Yes. My mom is very good at making magical potions. Diana is also training to make [Healing Potions] right now.”

“Ha ha, then, is this Diana’s [Healing Potion]? It’s so murky, its healing effect is almost non-existent.”

When I took out another [Healing Potion], Master Gain burst out laughing.

Diana had been working hard to make [Healing Potions] under my mom’s guidance, but she wasn’t having much luck, and the quality was the lowest rank.

According to Mom, making [Healing Potions] to heal injuries requires careful training.

Besides, Diana was good at breaking things, but not so much at healing.

“I see. Diana said she wouldn’t give any of her [Healing Potions] to Tamapopo-sensei, so this works out.”

The effectiveness didn’t matter. My cute little sister made it for me, so I decided to drink it like water.

“Mm, it’s good. This is the best [Healing Potion].”

It was actually bitter, but I drank it all to avoid letting anyone badmouth my sister.

“You two siblings really get along, huh? Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Diana will one day become a great healer like Mom.”

My sister had said, “I’ll do my best to make [Healing Potions] for you, big brother!” so that alone made me feel very moved.

Also, if she’s aiming to be a healer, I didn’t think she’d become a demon lord.

“Yeah… the most important thing in making a [Healing Potion] is to wish for the safety of the person using it. You’ve definitely passed that test.”

Master seemed to be in a bad mood for some reason.

The next day, we ventured deeper into the forest.

The fog had set in, making it hard to see. It would be difficult to notice magical beasts lurking nearby.

“This is the area where the magical beasts have been spotted.”

“Many travelers have been eaten and sacrificed, right? But this seems too far off the main road.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Just as Master Gain gave a vague answer, six Griffons suddenly appeared from the shadows of the trees.

“Griffons!?”

I thought the beast that had been attacking travelers was a D-rank Black Wolf, not these B-rank Griffons. I hadn’t heard of these being here.

Moreover, the Griffons all charged straight at me.

Even if Master Gain helped, this was a situation where I would need to use my trump card to survive.

Fortunately, if only Master had witnessed this, I figured I could silence him and keep my secret from spreading.

I decided to counterattack with my strongest available spell, [Dark Blade] Dark Edge.

“[Titan’s Great Sword] Titan’s Sword!”

With the [Titan’s Great Sword] Titan’s Sword, which towered like a spire, I cut down the first three Griffons who charged at me.

They fell to the ground, their death cries echoing.

Meanwhile, the backline Griffons launched a barrage of wind blades at me.

“[Magic Sword Dispel Sword]!”

I summoned tiny [Magic Sword Dispel Swords] from my body, like hedgehog spines, and nullified all the wind blades.

I called this my “Hedgehog Mode,” a perfect defense.

“What is that magic!?”

“Master Gain, we’re under attack!”

Master Gain was standing there in stunned silence, not even trying to draw his sword.

“Gain, what are you doing just standing there?! Attack with my beasts and kill that kid!”

A man who appeared from behind the trees shouted.

No wonder the Griffons were so coordinated; this man was a Tamer, wasn’t he?

That explained a lot.

…Master Gain was the enemy.

“Haaa!!”

I swung my [Titan’s Great Sword] Titan’s Sword fiercely and struck the remaining Griffons.

The [Titan’s Great Sword] Titan’s Sword, being a magical sword without mass, was lighter than a feather, making it easy to wield.

The Griffons, who were about to cast another spell, were all slain in a single blow.

“I can’t believe this!? Damn it, I’m leaving the rest to you!”

The Tamer, having lost his minions, fled like a rabbit.

“I won’t let you get away!”

I extended [Dark Blade] Dark Edge from the soles of my feet and leaped forward with the recoil.

In an instant, I closed the distance with the Tamer and drove my blade into his back.

“[Hypnos’ Magic Sword]!”

“Gaah!”

I struck the Tamer with [Hypnos’ Magic Sword], which had no killing power but could put him to sleep.

The Tamer collapsed, falling into a deep sleep. I needed to question him to learn what was going on.

“You’re nothing like the rumors of the useless prince who can only use one magic spell. Was that giant sword your [Unique Magic]?”

Master Gain drew his sword.

“Such tremendous power. So, you’re more of a monster than Diana, huh?”

“Master Gain, could you explain what’s going on?”

I glared at him.

If Master Gain was the enemy, I had to ensure he couldn’t speak.

The mastermind was probably Empress Camilla.

If she found out I was hiding my power, she would likely put a [Magic Sealing Collar] on me.

If that happened, protecting Mom would be almost impossible.

I didn’t want to kill Master Gain if I didn’t have to, but I couldn’t let Mom’s life or Diana’s fate hang in the balance.

“I’m sorry, but in order to save Lena, you’ll have to die. That’s how it is.”

“…Lena? Is she your family?”

Master Gain’s face showed visible internal conflict.

“Yes. She’s my daughter. In other words, you and I are alike. So, you understand that there are things we can’t back down from, right?”

He was being forced to obey because his daughter was being used as a hostage.

But that was naive.

I had lived in the court for seven years, and I had learned enough about how nobles worked.

“If you kill me, is there any guarantee that Lena will be returned?”

“What…?”

“Empress Camilla has been ordered by the Emperor not to kill me. If it comes out that someone tried to assassinate me, severe punishment will follow. To cover it up, wouldn’t you and Lena be disposed of? I’m sure Camilla would do that.”

Master Gain’s face turned pale in shock.

I had tested him, and now I had confirmation of the mastermind.

She harbored a strong jealousy and hatred towards my family, especially towards my mother.

Then, there was only one thing to do.

I would join forces with Master Gain and crush Empress Camilla thoroughly.

We would make sure she would never be able to touch us again.

“I’ll help you rescue Lena. If we work together, we can definitely do it, Master Gain.”

“…Honestly, I’m surprised. You’re quite a man, Luke.”