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

“Y-Yuu-san? There’s no need to specifically accept Duke Conrad son’s proposal…”

Iris showed a confused expression at my answer.

I understood her feelings, but I had my own reasons. It would be annoying to be bothered by him forever like this.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If that makes Conrad-kun feel better, I’ll be his opponent. Of course, I’d like him to stop this kind of thing in the future.”

“…Fine. If you’ll take up my invitation, I promise never to bother you again.”

“As expected of a duke’s son. How generous.”

I got his word, didn’t I?

This type usually held grudges and picked fights arbitrarily though.

“Then again this afternoon. Don’t you dare run away, Yuu or whatever.”

“I understand. Don’t break your promise either, okay?”

“Tch.”

Conrad-kun clicked his tongue and walked away.

“Is this okay, Yuu-san? Making that kind of promise.”

“Does Iris think I’ll lose?”

I’m the final boss, you know?

“I don’t think for a moment that Yuu-san would lose. I alone would be sufficient against Duke Conrad son’s guards.”

“Then why do you look so unwilling?”

“That’s… I just didn’t like him picking a fight with Yuu-san…”

Iris said that and hmph averted her gaze. I felt like her expression had turned slightly red.

“Iris…”

“Wh-what!? Do you have a complaint!?”

When I called out to her, she made a fierce expression.

“No, I don’t have any complaints at all. I was just… happy.”

“!”

Iris’s face turned even redder. She was completely red now. Unable to bear the embarrassment, she wouldn’t even reply anymore.

Seeing that, I quietly—

“…Yeah. I really can’t afford to lose, even more so now.”

—muttered.

“? Papa, did you say something?”

“Nothing. Who do you think will win, Nana?”

“Papa losing? Impossible.”

“Right. Good girl~, there there.”

I patted the head of Nana, who believed in Papa unwaveringly.

Nana might have a chance of winning against some random guard. Well, the opponent was a duke’s son’s guard though. Even for Nana it would be tough… maybe?

But she had talent and potential. Depending on that, she’d put up a good fight. I regretted not having her do it instead, now that it was too late.

▼△▼

Time passed and it was afternoon.

After eating lunch, I came to the training ground as promised with Conrad-kun.

And there…

“Wait… Duke Conrad’s son!? Why are there two guards?”

At the training ground, behind the waiting Conrad-kun, two tough-looking male knights in full equipment were standing. Two of them.

Were those his guards?

Iris couldn’t help but shout. The emotion “unfair” came through implicitly.

“Hahaha. What are you saying, Princess Iris? I never said having two guards was forbidden, did I?”

“Guh! Sophistry…”

“Well, well. I understand Conrad-kun’s feelings of wanting to beat me that much.”

It wasn’t good to blame him.

It was true that he had never said it would be a one-on-one fight. In a way he was correct, and I didn’t mind two against one at all.

Honestly, even if there were two Irises, I could win.

“Hmph. If you say it’s fine, then I won’t hold back. Don’t make excuses afterward saying you lost because it was two against one, okay?”

“I won’t say that. I’m the one who’s going to win anyway.”

I took the wooden sword I’d brought beforehand. The guard knights also came forward with wooden swords.

Then Iris spoke up again.

“Um… I don’t think this could be true, but are those guards going to fight in that equipment?”

“? That’s correct, but?”

Conrad-kun tilted his head at Iris’s question.

Conrad-kun’s guards were both wearing full plate armor. In comparison, their weapons were wooden swords.

Thinking normally, there was no way wooden swords would work against sturdy iron armor.

Iris was condemning this.

“You’re really serious, Conrad-kun. Fine, fine. Use as many dirty tricks as you like. I’ll crush you all on top of that.”

Learn that everything was meaningless before overwhelming magical power.

I imbued my wooden sword with magical power and took a stance. The two guards in front of me also held their wooden swords in middle guard.

Their sword tips weren’t wavering much. I could tell they were quite skilled.

But fundamentally, the difference in raw power between me and them was too great. Just by imbuing magical power and striking, my sword would punch through their armor.

Rather, with this much of a handicap, I could finally blow away my opponents pleasantly.

The annoying one was Conrad-kun, not the guard knights, but I’d have them be sacrifices.

Because your young master is annoying, you’ll be the sacrifice.

Iris reluctantly raised her hand and gave the signal.

“Then—match start!”