What If the Strongest Villain from the Original Story Became the Protagonist's Ally? - Chapter 38 - Traitor!? and Empire's Internal Affairs

For Nana’s sake, and for His Majesty who was probably furious by now, Iris and I returned to the capital immediately after resolving the incident.

We hurried to the royal palace, and while suppressing my desire to meet Nana, when we went to the audience chamber…

“There you are, traitor. Capture him, and after torture, execute him!”

Those were His Majesty’s opening words.

The finger pointing sharply was naturally directed at me—who had kidnapped his beloved daughter.

Knights surrounded me.

Iris, standing beside me, put her hand to her face and sighed.

“Your Majesty… no, Father. What exactly is the meaning of this?”

“Naturally, it’s about that scoundrel there kidnapping Iris!”

“Scoundrel.”

I felt like my evaluation kept declining. I was already just a criminal or beast now.

“Please stop. No matter how many knights band together, they cannot defeat Yuu-san.”

“We won’t know unless we try! Isn’t that right, Knight Commander!”

“Exactly right, Your Majesty! We polish our blades day and night to protect Your Majesty and the others! Even Princess Iris mocking us like this is…”

“I am not mocking you. If I were the opponent, you could win with numbers.”

“Then—”

“But!”

She cut off the knights’ words sharply.

In a serious tone—

“Yuu-san—Yuguram-sama is in a different league. Even if there were a hundred of me, we couldn’t win.”

“Would it be alright if I took one…”

“Please be quiet, Yuguram-sama. I’ll hit you.”

“You’re hitting, you’re hitting. That’s verbal violence.”

Even though it was just a joke, she directed genuine killing intent at me. But if there were a hundred Irises, thinking about taking just one would be human nature.

“Setting Yuguram-sama aside… anyway. Please absolutely do not lay a hand on him. I won’t be responsible if you’re killed.”

“Uggh…! For Princess Iris to say that much…”

“Well, I am the strongest.”

“Don’t add fuel to the fire.”

“Yes ma’am.”

If I spoke any more, it seemed like I’d really get punched, so I just limited myself to watching the knights.

Then the king—not the Knight Commander, but Iris’s father—said regretfully.

“In that case… we have no choice but to give up.”

“Your Majesty!”

“I do not approve of needlessly spilling blood. If Iris is that wary of him, then his abilities must be genuine. Regrettable, but so it is.”

He said “regrettable” at the end.

Iris really was loved by both her parents. Yuguram wasn’t loved by his parents. He was expected of, but not loved.

That difference was between the Empire and the Kingdom.

And Yuguram would end up fighting his brothers too. But that was another story.

“My, how magnanimous. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“However—”

Glare, the king stared at me.

Even if you look at me like that, I won’t give you an autograph.

“Why did you specifically take Iris away this time? Returning makes no sense.”

“I keep telling you I’m not an enemy from the start, don’t I? I won’t do anything troublesome.”

“You did cause trouble though?”

“Well, well. Those kinds of experiences are necessary in life too.”

“Please be quiet. It makes things complicated.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Since I was spoken to severely, even I closed my mouth.

Instead, Iris spoke for me.

“In place of Yuguram-sama, I’ll explain this incident. First, about the dungeon that appeared.”

“Dungeon?”

“Yes. Near the village that had frequently been reported about before, a dungeon had appeared. I expected it since there were many monster discovery reports, but… exactly as suspected.”

“A-and the village?”

“It’s safe since Yuguram-sama and I provided assistance. There wasn’t a single casualty either.”

“I see… that’s good.”

The king breathed a sigh of relief.

Iris continued her story.

“However, at that time, we discovered humans who appeared to be Empire soldiers. They were conducting experiments synthesizing monsters within the dungeon.”

“Wh-what!? Monster synthesis? Come to think of it, the intelligence unit mentioned something like that… I thought it was dubious…”

“Normally, this kind of research involves no real risk. But studying monsters with the goal of making them stronger? That’s pure madness. It would only lead to a pointless waste of money and human lives.”

“Exactly. The disadvantages are far too great. Even if you were to do it, common sense would be to do it more quietly. Why in such a place…”

“—Because they wanted to cause damage to the Kingdom.”

From here on was my turn. I couldn’t stay quiet after all. I had to at least share my predictions.

“Damage to our country?”

The king listened to my words.

Iris didn’t interrupt either.

“Yeah. Without a doubt.”

I told the king and the others.

Of course I hid the previous life memories, but I explained the Empire’s internal affairs while glossing over things appropriately.

The king and others who heard this expressed anger at the Empire’s excessively cruel actions.

But the Empire was a gathering of such people.

That’s exactly why I abandoned that country and sided with Iris.

When I finished explaining everything, Iris also wore a stern expression.