What If the Strongest Villain from the Original Story Became the Protagonist's Ally?

The next day.

When I opened my eyes, a clear blue sky spread across my vision.

“Mm… It’s nice weather today.”

“Perfect for a date?”

“That’s right, you fool of a daughter who came into my room without permission again.”

This girl was way too good at picking locks every single time. She could become an assassin (former assassin).

“I’m expecting souvenirs.”

“Yeah, leave it to me. If there are no particular problems, I’ll buy something delicious.”

“If problems occur?”

“Well then, the souvenir would be criminals.”

“I don’t want that…”

“I understand completely. I don’t want them either.”

But,

“But… Iris is loved by trouble.”

“By trouble?”

“Tremendously so.”

After all, she was this world’s protagonist. Even if I did nothing, even if I wasn’t on the enemy side, protagonists naturally raised flags. Date events were basically a parade of flags.

The Empire, having lost me and even the Assassin Guild… there was no way they’d do nothing. In fact, in the original story, Yuguram and his subordinates tried to kill Iris many times.

I should be wary of that this time too. The world without me was… unknown territory for everyone.

“…Well, as long as I’m here, killing Iris is impossible.”

“Because you’re the strongest.”

“That’s right.”

I answered and left the room with Nana.

After eating breakfast, I changed clothes and headed outside. She was by the front entrance, near the gate. Iris in casual clothes.

▼△▼

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Please, Yuu-san. I just arrived myself.”

Oh. It felt like a dating cliché.

“Since we live in the same place, we could have left together.”

“That’s fine. Atmosphere and situation are important for things like this.”

“Situation, huh.”

“What’s with that face? It’s annoying.”

“No no. I was just thinking that Iris is such a maiden and cute.”

“~~~~~!”

Iris’s face turned red like a tomato. As always, she had no resistance when teased.

“S-so much…”

“Hm?”

“Am I… really… that cute?”

Glance.

Iris looked at me with upturned eyes.

Thump.

My heart trembled. It rang like alarm bells, almost painfully fast.

Her visuals had always been the strongest, but… talking like this made her even cuter. I thought that even more. So I answered honestly.

“…Yeah, you’re cute. The cutest in the world.”

“Hieee………..”

Ah, bad.

Iris’s tolerance limit broke. Her face turned an impossible shade of red, and—she collapsed on the spot while emitting steam. I hurriedly caught her in my arms, but she’d fainted with her eyes spinning.

“…The date hasn’t even started yet?”

▼△▼

“I-I’m terribly sorry for the trouble…”

Inside the carriage, Iris bowed her head deeply. I shook my head.

“No, it’s not just Iris’s fault. I was bad too.”

“There’s no way you were bad!?”

“Whoa…”

Her suddenly fierce attitude was scary. She brought her face close. Frightening.

“Please keep your feelings as they are, Yuguram-sama! I was happy!”

“Yuu. …But I see. If Iris was happy, then that’s good. I’m glad.”

I smiled warmly. Then she turned red again and sat back down in her seat. Currently, the carriage carrying us was moving toward the center of the city.

We’d get off the carriage there and begin sightseeing.

“But still… that outfit of yours, Iris.”

“Is it strange?”

“No. Not at all.”

Iris’s current outfit included glasses to blend in with commoners. Her clothing and hairstyle were also plain. Her eyes had turned blue due to the artifact’s effect.

“That outfit is lovely too. I also tried to be conscious of dressing like a commoner… how is it?”

“It’s wonderful.”

“No, not whether it suits me, but do I look like a commoner?”

“Well… Yuu-san’s features are too refined, so no matter what clothes you wear, you can’t completely hide a certain noble aura.”

“Same to you.”

You’re not hiding it very well either.

“So let’s both be careful about our actions.”

“Understood. It wouldn’t be good to be targeted by assassins again.”

“…Are there still some, I wonder?”

“I don’t know about assassins, but there are lots of people who want you gone. Especially people from the Empire.”

“That’s… true…”

Iris looked down. She seemed blue. Understandable. But there was no need to worry. As I’d told Nana…