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

I couldn’t hide my surprise at the story Iris brought.

“Y-Yuguram-sama? What’s wrong?”

“No… um…”

I was at a loss for how to respond when Iris asked. Why did I know about future events? Talking about that was really impossible.

Even if Yuguram was a genius, correctly guessing the content of an event just from hearing about it would be too unnatural.

I had no choice but to deflect.

“It’s nothing. I was just doing some vocal exercises…”

“Vocal exercises? You’re always speaking loudly anyway.”

“You’re treating me like I’m some kind of weirdo.”

“Huh?”

Could it be… I’m thought of as a weirdo!?

I might do somewhat childish things, but I wasn’t particularly weird… Instead of deflecting, I took subtle psychological damage.

“…Well, that’s fine. If there’s no problem.”

“A problem just arose in my heart though?”

“Just put some spit on it and it’ll heal.”

“Don’t spit on my heart!”

“More importantly.”

More importantly!?

“Continuing from earlier, that’s why you need to prepare, okay?”

“…Hm? Why me?”

“Because Yuguram-sama is coming along too, obviously.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

“I just said it now, for the first time.”

“That’s not what I meant?”

“Do you have something to say?”

Smile.

A strangely pressuring smile exploded. Seeing that made me unable to say anything.

It was the strongest foul technique.

“No… nothing at all.”

“Then let me explain the details.”

After a pause, she began explaining about this matter.

“First, the client is the village chief who manages the village. Apparently, they’ve been seeing monsters a lot recently.”

“How frequently, and how many?”

“Almost daily. The numbers aren’t that many, according to them.”

“One or two?”

“Yes. Most are weak individuals like goblins that even villagers can defeat.”

“Then there’s no point to the request.”

If they could defeat them themselves, there was no need to pay high rewards to mobilize adventurers. However, Iris shook her head.

“No. The village that the client village chief manages had never even encountered monsters before. It’s in the forest near the royal capital. Knights regularly patrol and conduct subjugations.”

“Then all the more reason not to make it a request…”

“Yes. Knights would subjugate them during their rounds. —Normally.”

“Is there something concerning?”

“According to a knight who was exploring the village surroundings before… medium-sized monsters apparently appeared too. Since a knight was there, no damage occurred, but perhaps nearby… a settlement or dungeon might have been generated.”

“Dungeon…”

—Correct. That was exactly the cause this time.

Actually, this event was exactly as she said—a dungeon had formed near the village.

Dungeons were mysterious spaces that spawned monsters, and when monsters increased, they’d eventually emerge. That was the so-called “stampede.”

When this happened, surrounding villages and towns risked devastating damage.

Dungeon conquest was basically the job of people called adventurers… but this time, knights would head there because it would also serve as Iris’s training.

And Imperial spies who learned of this faster than Iris’s group would set a certain trap in the dungeon.

—Enhancement drugs.

Illegal substances banned worldwide.

Taking these granted tremendous physical abilities for a short time only. However, the drawbacks were greatly shortened lifespan and severely reduced intelligence while the effects lasted.

In other words, entering a “berserker state.” And these berserk monsters would cause quite a tragic incident this time.

“I see. I understand the situation.”

“Will Yuguram-sama come too?”

“Yuu. By the way, when are you planning to go?”

“Let’s see… since there are other plans, I’ll probably arrive in a few days.”

“As expected…”

“As expected?”

This was also proceeding exactly as in the event.

If we continued delaying time and headed to the village like this, by the time we arrived… the village would be destroyed.

The cause was naturally Imperial people.

They would deliberately go to the dungeon to make Iris and the Kingdom army suffer, dragging monsters out.

Villagers would be brutally attacked by monsters, mercilessly killed regardless of whether they were women or children.

According to the descriptions, traces of being eaten were found, with severed limbs scattered here and there.

It was an extremely tragic result.

Seeing this and later realizing it was the Empire’s doing, Iris would come to harbor strong hostility toward Yuguram.

Well, in the original story, Yuguram had adopted the plan that came up from below.

This time I wasn’t involved, but the one who proposed the plan was ultimately a subordinate. Even without Yuguram, the operation would probably be executed.

But… there was one big question. That was—

“—Alright! I’ve decided, Iris.”

“Yes? What have you decided?”

“Let’s go to that village now! Right now!”

“…Eh?”

Without question. I grabbed her bewildered hand and kicked through the carriage door.

Lifting Iris up like that:

“Now, let the fun, fun adventure begin!”

I leaped and headed toward the outer wall via the rooftops.

In my arms:

“Yuuuuuuuu-saaaaaan!?”

Iris was screaming tremendously. I ignored it.