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

When I tried to enter the village, for some reason only I was stopped.

“What the hell.”

I couldn’t help but retort. Then the two gatekeepers said:

“No matter how you look at it, you’re a suspicious bastard! Who are you!”

“Could it be… a criminal that Iris-sama brought!?”

“What the hell!!”

My treatment was way too terrible.

Up ahead, Iris was:

“Pfft…! Yuu-san always gets stopped at times like this…”

She was laughing.

This bastard… it’s not a laughing matter. Why do I get stopped like this every single time just for wearing a mask!? It’s too unreasonable!

Come out, person in charge! Hey!

I was about to explode with accumulated frustration and cry like a baby, but before that, Iris intervened.

“Hehehe… You two, that man is an acquaintance of mine. He wears a mask because he’s shy, but he’s safe.”

“Am I some kind of animal?”

What do you mean by safe?

“I-if Iris-sama says so… please don’t do anything strange! And take off that mask.”

“I firmly refuse!”

This was my identity. If I took it off, I’d become just plain Yuguram. Even when sternly told by the gatekeeper, I didn’t remove my mask. For now, thanks to Iris, things worked out somehow.

I passed through the gate and entered the village.

▼△▼

“Really… there’s no shortage of commotion when Yuu-san is with me.”

“I think the ones stopping me are at fault.”

“No matter how you think about it, it’s Yuu-san’s problem.”

Sigh, Iris shrugged her shoulders.

Currently, Iris and I were heading to the village chief’s house. We’d heard the location from the gatekeeper.

That bastard had blatantly different attitudes toward Iris and me.

He’d be all lovey-dovey toward Iris, but when I talked to him, he’d become like a thug… Unforgivable!

I’d show him my serious crying later…!

“—Ah! That large house seems to be the village chief’s residence.”

“One building is remarkably fine compared to the others.”

“He’s the village chief. He must clearly distinguish his status from other villagers. In return, his role and responsibilities increase.”

“Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is, former prince.”

“I was a prince for only a very brief period.”

“Even so, if you were a prince, you should understand, shouldn’t you?”

“Well, yeah. But… I’m the modest type.”

Money was fine as long as I could use the minimum. I wouldn’t make selfish demands.

“Didn’t you rampage the other day saying you wanted to eat fish?”

“Hmm? What could you be talking about?”

“…Well, fine. More importantly, let’s go greet the village chief and hear his story.”

“Yeah. Should I go investigate the dungeon first?”

“No. Information sharing should be done quickly. What Yuu-san said hasn’t been confirmed yet either.”

“Mm… that’s true too.”

If my prediction was correct, this village would be attacked by a horde of monsters soon.

Rather than searching hastily, it would be quicker to hear the village chief’s story and then strengthen this village’s defenses.

I didn’t even know where the dungeon was. In the original story, it was written that it appeared in a place slightly away from the village…

While I was thinking, Iris knocked on the village chief’s door. Shortly after, a woman who looked to be in her forties opened the door.

“Yes? Who might you be?”

“I sincerely apologize for the sudden visit. I am Iris, Second Princess of the Aldnoa Kingdom.”

“Second Princess… —wait, eh!? I-Iris-sama!?”

When Iris gave her name, the village chief’s wife(?) was visibly flustered.

Perhaps hearing that shout, another person—a man who looked to be in his forties—appeared from inside.

“H-hey? What’s this about Iris-sama all of a sudden?”

“Hello. Are you this village’s chief?”

“Eh? Ah, yes… um… who are you?”

“I am Iris Rune Aldnoa.”

“Iris… Rune… ahhh, Aldnoaaaa!?”

Hey, are you alright, village chief? You look like you’re about to lose your footing. The overly surprised man stumbled backward and sat down.

“W-why is Iris-sama… in such a small village…?”

“I came to investigate the anomaly happening in this village.”

“T-that’s… yesterday, I made a request to the Adventurer’s Guild…?”

“Yes. I’ll be handling it this time.”

“Ehhhhhhhh!?”

The village chief was even more surprised. His voice echoed throughout the village, and several villagers who’d heard the conversation spread word that Iris had come.

There was a commotion of murmuring.

“F-for now… it’s a small house, but please come into our home. We can’t leave Iris-sama standing outside forever!”

“Thank you very much. I’ll gratefully accept your offer.”

After the wife and village chief both bowed respectfully, they guided Iris into the house.

When I followed behind her:

“…Huh? Who are… you?”

“He’s suspicious…”

Only I got this treatment. Damn! Did everyone find masks that creepy!? Yeah, you’re right! Sorry!

Giving up, I decided to remove my mask.