I Was Reincarnated as a Villain Prince’s Follower, but I Refuse to Be Ruined—Turns Out the Prince Is Surprisingly Competent - Chapter 21

The next morning, I opened my eyes to see Rufus standing by the window.

“Good morning, Jeremy. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I slept soundly.”

Even though it was early, his smile was as bright as the morning sun.

(…He looks so divine first thing in the morning.)

It felt a bit like watching a sacred sunrise.

“…Why are you putting your hands together in prayer?”

“Eh? Oh… just a personal habit. Ahaha. Good morning, Rufus. The weather is great. It’s a perfect day for the Hunting Festival.”

As I opened the curtains, soft sunlight filled the room. We got ready and left. We took a carriage to the festival grounds, which were located in a forest near the royal capital. Many tents had been set up for the participants.

(Amazing…)

I could feel the passion for the festival just by looking at the serious faces of the participants. In our assigned tent, we checked our equipment, including bows, arrows, and swords.

(This is it. I’ll do my best.)

I reminded myself of the plan we had gone over many times. Since Rufus was the superior archer, he would take down the prey, and I would secure it. I was also responsible for guarding our surroundings using wind magic. We had practiced this coordination countless times.

“You don’t need to look so worried.”

I started and looked at Rufus. He was smiling at me.

“Relax.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re stiff. Smile.”

Rufus let his expression soften. I exhaled and let my face relax, too.

“There you go. That’s a good smile.”

Just then, an official arrived to announce the King’s arrival. The Hunting Festival was finally beginning. We were led to a clearing where a throne was set up on a raised platform. When the King appeared, Rufus and the other participants dropped to one knee in a deep salute.

“I am happy that we can hold this Hunting Festival under such clear skies. Let us compete, sharpen our skills, and show the God in heaven the ferocity of the Kingdom’s warriors! I wish you all good luck!”

Following the King’s opening remarks, the participants headed to their assigned starting points. In the Hunting Festival, the size of the prey is very important. Based on previous winners, a stag is the best target. Soon, the sound of a horn signaled the start.

“Let’s go.”

“Right!”

We entered the forest. Rufus’s stride was powerful.

“Rufus, shouldn’t we be a bit more cautious?”

“There’s no need. We haven’t caught any prey yet.”

“But at least stay behind me. You’re the key player, Rufus.”

I walked in front of him, trying to shield him.

“You don’t have to go that far. I’m not a helpless person.”

“I want to protect you. I’m your right-hand man, right? Let me act cool for a bit.”

“I see. I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

After walking for a while, Rufus whispered, “Stop.” He was looking at a stag. It was huge, with magnificent antlers. I wondered if he could take down such a large animal with just a bow. The stag was drinking water by the edge of a lake.

“Can you take it down in one shot?”

Capturing the prey with as little damage as possible is another way to earn points. If you wound it unnecessarily or leave it covered in blood, the points will be low, even for a large animal. The way you take the prey shows the hunter’s skill.

“…The angle is bad. Jeremy, can you use wind magic to guide it so it runs toward us?”

“How should I do it?”

“Any animal is weak between the eyes. If it comes straight at us, I can pierce its forehead.”

“…I’ll try.”

Guiding it sounded simple, but how should I do it? If I panicked the animal, it might run in an unpredictable direction. I had to guide it straight to Rufus.

(Wild animals are sensitive to presence. In that case…)

I chanted the spell: “Whispering wind. Shake the branches and the leaves.“

My mana turned the image into reality, shaking the leaves and branches. The stag raised its head and moved its ears alertly. The wind I created shook the bushes and trees behind it. It wasn’t just random shaking; I made it seem as if someone was approaching the stag. The stag listened and moved away from the rustling bushes—straight toward where Rufus was waiting.

With a swish, an arrow flew and pierced the stag right between the eyes. It reared up on its front legs for a second, then collapsed.

“We did it!”

We stepped out from the bushes.

“Good. With prey this size, we can aim for the win.”

“I’ll carry it then. Support it. Make it float.“

As a small breeze was created, the stag lifted off the ground. This way, there was no need to carry it on our backs.

“Now we just have to protect it though I guess that’s the hard part.”

“Yes. Knowing my brother, he’s probably watching from a safe distance, waiting for the right moment to steal it.”

“—You know me well.”

A fireball flew straight at us. Rufus created a flame in his hand, slammed it against the fireball, and canceled it out. Raven and his attendants appeared from deep in the forest. The Crown Prince had a twisted smile that didn’t fit his high status at all.

“Jeremy, go!”

“…Understood!”

As planned, I ran off with the prey. Fire magic is better for combat than wind magic. Also, fire and wind don’t always mix well. That’s why my job was to protect the prey at all costs. I was told to run away without hesitation if I ran into other participants. I used wind magic on my own feet to move as if I were gliding. But suddenly, the ground in front of me rose up, and a giant wall blocked my path.

(What is this!?)

I tried to go in a different direction, but three other groups of participants were waiting there. Rufus smiled wryly.

“As expected of my brother. Your methods are dirty.”

“Dirty?”

“Not only did you make me suffer with mana suppressants, but you even use tricks like this…”

“Suppressants? What nonsense are you talking about? Besides, there’s no rule saying you can’t cooperate with other participants.”

“I suppose that’s true. But it’s an act unworthy of a warrior even before the rules.”

“What’s wrong with using my subordinates?”

“They are Father’s subordinates. Not yours.”

“It’s the same thing. I am the Crown Prince.”

“Do you find me that bothersome?”

“Of course! You are a lowly man with the blood of a lowly dancer. Yet, Father is overjoyed just because you achieved a little something. It’s ridiculous! Your very existence is an eyesore! If only you had stayed a pathetic clown who couldn’t use magic!”

Raven’s eyes were filled with murderous intent.

“…Do you plan to kill me?”

“It’s common for a beginner’s magic to go out of control. We tried our best to stop it, but you were consumed by your power and met a tragic end.”

“Can you at least save Jeremy?”

“No. He’ll be caught in it and die, too. Master and servant stay together until the end. Isn’t that nice?”

“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have involved you in this.”

I canceled my magic and lowered the prey to the ground.

“I’m here because I want to be, so it’s not a problem.”

“I’m happy to hear that! —In that case, brother, let’s settle this here!”

Rufus had a relaxed smile on his face.

“Kill him! If you take his head, I’ll see that you’re promoted!”

At Raven’s command, the three groups of participants attacked. Six people unleashed their specialty magic all at once.

“Wall of fire, rise up!“

What blocked them was a roaring wall of crimson flames.

“What!? Our magic was canceled out!?”

“Impossible! By a beginner!?”

“Don’t forget. You’re not just facing any magic. You’re facing the magic of the Royal Family…”

As Rufus walked forward, the wall of fire split perfectly, like Moses parting the sea.

(He’s so cool!)

He’s not a villain prince anymore. He’s the hero of this story.

“Rage, Crimson Tornado!“

“Gwaaaaaaaagh…!?”

They tried to block it with magic barriers, but the barriers shattered into pieces before the swirling, raging flames, and three of them were swallowed up instantly. If they hadn’t put up barriers, they would have been turned to ash. They were blown away and collapsed on the spot.

“Damn it! It’s him! Target the follower!”

The remaining three fired magic at Rufus. Not wanting to be outdone, I used wind magic to lift myself up, accelerated, and closed in on one of them.

“Don’t underestimate a ‘mob’ follower!!”

I slammed my fist into the man’s face with the force of the wind. Combined with the acceleration from the magic, the man was sent flying. He smashed through several large trees and bounced like a ball before disappearing into the forest.

“Magic is quite amazing!”

Rufus had a smile in his voice, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“What’s with these guys!? I-I wasn’t told they were this strong… Hieeee!”

Terrified, the remaining two tried to run away. It was pathetic, but I could understand how they felt. Still, I had to make sure they learned a lesson so they would never listen to that trashy Crown Prince again.

“Rufus!”

“Right!”

We locked eyes and knew exactly what the other was thinking. With perfect timing, I grabbed Rufus’s arm and we leaped with the power of the wind. We landed in front of the two trying to escape and chanted our wind and fire spells at the same time.

“Fly, Wind Bullet!“

“Burst, Flame!“

The tangled, mixed mass of mana hit the two men—who had already lost their will to fight—and blew them away. Sharing a smile with Rufus, I looked straight at the Crown Prince. With his henchmen defeated in an instant, Raven backed away with a look of shock.

“What? How…? How can someone who just started using magic yesterday do this…!”

“Brother. You should have chosen your allies more carefully. This makes me worry about the future of this country. Well, I suppose this is the limit of those who follow you only for immediate gain.”

“You bastard!”

“Stop making a fool of yourself.”

“You’re just a worthless piece of trash born from a lowly womb!!”

Ignoring his attendant’s attempt to stop him, Raven released a fireball several times larger than the previous one. Rufus responded with the same kind of fireball. When the two fireballs collided, their powers were equal and they vanished. For a second, the surroundings became bright and blinded us.

In that moment, I felt a presence behind me. I was suddenly caught in a hold. The person holding me was Raven’s attendant.

“Darn… how far will you go? Do you have no pride at all!?” Rufus’s face contorted.

“Who do you think you are? Do you really think you, a lowly person, are in a position to have a fair fight with me, the Crown Prince?”

“Rufus! Don’t worry about me! Just take down that bastard… Gah!”

Rufus’s expression twisted with pain.

“…Brother, please release Jeremy. I’ll do whatever you say… so…”

“How admirable. But too bad. I told you. You’re both going to die. I’ll let you decide who goes first…”

“…Me.”

Raven drew his sword.

“Ignore me! Don’t let someone like him…!”

“Shut up!”

The attendant’s grip on me tightened, and he started to choke me.

“…Jeremy. I’m sorry. To think a person like me would let my guard down at the very end. Thank you for following such a pathetic person…”

(Because of me? We came this far… is everything going to be ruined because of that trashy Crown Prince?)

Raven looked down at Rufus with a cruel, triumphant smile.

(You’ve got to be kidding me!!)

Magic is an image. The spell is just there to support it. I am not a resident of this world; my previous world was overflowing with so many things that this place can’t compare. My head is full of images people in this world could never imagine.

(So, I don’t need a spell!)

I imagined a tornado. Even though there was no wind, the grass started to sway. Gradually, the swirling wind grew larger. The trees shook, and the sound of rustling leaves grew loud. Raven and the others must have felt that it wasn’t just a normal wind.

“Magic…? Where from…!? —Hey, Rufus! Did you have other allies!?”

The Crown Prince looked around frantically. He couldn’t imagine that magic could be used without a spell. The wind swirled. Torn-off leaves were caught in the mana-filled current and spun around Rufus and the others.

“Wh-whaaaaaa!?”

The man who had been holding me was swept up into the air. At the same time, the dust kicked up blinded Raven. That was enough for Rufus to strike back. With lightning speed, he drew his sword and knocked Raven’s sword away. Then, he slammed his fist into Raven’s face. Raven was thrown against a large tree and lost consciousness immediately.

“Jeremy!”

Rufus ran over and hugged me.

“Are you okay!? Are you alright!? Are you hurt!?”

“P-please calm down…”

“How can I be calm!?”

“M-my neck just hurts a bit from being held…”

“Him. It was him. He hurt you!”

The attendant, who had been swept up and then dropped to the ground, was speechless and trembling before the terrifying Rufus.

“Please calm down!”

Seeing his unusual state, I held Rufus back.

“Let me go! He hurt you!”

“I’m safe! More importantly, we have to make sure he gives his testimony!”

Rufus took several deep breaths and glared at the attendant with sharp eyes.

“Hmph… Hey, you. You know what to do. Report exactly what happened! If you don’t, I’ll make you regret following the Crown Prince so much you’ll wish you hadn’t! This isn’t a threat!”

“Y-yes sir!”

The man bowed down with tears in his eyes.

“Jeremy. Can you carry this, too? No participant has ever caught two ‘big targets’ before.”

Rufus gave the unconscious Raven a light kick, his voice so cold it made my spine chill.