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

The large crocodile monster’s body was being carved up by the spirit Sylpheed’s magic.

It was a tremendous attack. In terms of magical power control techniques alone, she was probably superior to the final boss Yuguram.

However, even so, spirits were still influenced by the specs of the humans who controlled them.

With the current Iris, no matter how hard she tried, there were limits to the spirit’s abilities.

That meant—

“Guruaaaaaaa!”

That monster couldn’t be defeated easily.

The crocodile, which had accumulated countless cuts all over its body, still moved forward without stopping.

Bloodshot red eyes stared straight at Iris and the others, approaching at a speed unsuited to its massive body.

“Sylpheed-sama, please continue attacking! I’ll target its vital points through the openings!”

‘Understood. Be careful, Iris. Child of man.’

“I understand!”

Iris called out energetically and leaped sideways.

Avoiding the monster’s attack, she approached the enemy in sync with Sylpheed, who was generating wind again.

She was currently activating spirit summoning.

That ability wasn’t as well-balanced as my magic core.

As long as the spirit continued consuming magical power, Iris, who was continuously providing magical power, couldn’t properly attack.

Because of that, her personal efforts were meaningless.

No matter how desperately she swung her sword, only Sylpheed’s attacks would get through.

However, even Sylpheed’s attacks as a spirit weren’t enough to take the crocodile monster’s life. Honestly, even if they continued fighting like this forever, there was no chance of victory.

Because that monster also had regenerative abilities.

“What…!? The wounds are healing!?”

Iris had been continuing to attack with magic for a while, but then she suddenly noticed. The damage she’d inflicted at first was already beginning to regenerate.

“Hehehe! My masterpiece wouldn’t be defeated so easily! Suffer, Iris Rune Aldnoa! The more you suffer, the more we rejoice!”

In the distance, the mad scientist who created the crocodile monster was raising his voice in joy.

If I wanted to kill him, I could do it easily, but if I made a move on him now, the monster would be drawn to me.

I couldn’t interfere with Iris. I watched the situation while keeping my eyes on the man.

Then—

“—Kyah!?”

Iris was hit by the crocodile monster’s attack and blown away. She rolled on the ground while destroying the surrounding trees.

‘Iris… I cannot maintain this any longer. The magical power concentration is becoming thinner and thinner.’

The magical power concentration becoming thinner was a phenomenon that occurred as a result of absorbing too much magical power from the surroundings.

You had to wait until a certain amount of time passed and magical power sufficiently spread through the air again before you could properly absorb magical power.

This was why ordinary people had limits. Unlike Yuguram.

“Damn…! Does this mean that with our current strength, we can’t defeat that monster…”

Iris bit her lip in frustration.

Is it about time for her limit? I thought as I prepared to get up, but her fighting spirit hadn’t disappeared yet.

“—That said, I haven’t lost yet.”

“Iris…”

She stood up. Strong emotions dwelt in her eyes.

Gripping her sword tightly, she stared straight at the crocodile monster.

“Yuu-san believed in me and sent me out. He’s letting me fight because he thinks I might be able to win. Giving up without meeting those expectations wouldn’t be like me!”

Iris absorbed even more magical power. Even though hardly any magical power would gather, she was renewing her determination.

Seeing that figure, I—fell in love. I fell in love all over again.

Beautiful. That was Iris Rune Aldnoa.

The girl I yearned for, reached for, and came to love. This world’s protagonist.

“I’m sorry, Sylpheed-sama. From here on, I’ll fight. Please return to the spirit world first, Sylpheed-sama.”

‘…I see. I understand. Please do not needlessly throw away your life. —And also—’

Sylpheed glanced toward me. Clear intent dwelt in her cool eyes.

It was definitely a face saying “I won’t forgive you if anything happens to Iris.”

I nodded, and immediately after, the spirit Sylpheed disappeared with the wind. Left behind, Iris circulated magical power through her entire body and kicked off the ground.

She clashed head-on with the monster, trying to whittle down the opponent’s stamina as much as possible.

However, naturally, she had no chance of victory against something that even the spirit couldn’t defeat.

Taking attack after attack and accumulating damage, that massive body charged at her.

Even so, Iris didn’t run away. She readied her sword and tried to meet the opponent’s attack—

“Okay, stop. That’s enough, Iris.”

The crocodile monster’s charge exploded. But I, who had intervened in that attack—stopped it barehanded.

I put enough force into my legs to shatter the ground and stopped the attack of a monster dozens of times larger with just my lower body and arm strength.

“Y-Yuu-san…”

“That was amazing, Iris. You fighting so earnestly and straightforwardly—you were beautiful. More beautiful than anyone.”

“~~~~!”

Iris blushed even in this situation. No, she probably trusted me even in this situation. She was convinced that everything would be fine if I was there.

So, I—

“Leave the rest to me. This guy—I’ll defeat him.”