What If the Strongest Villain from the Original Story Became the Protagonist's Ally? - Chapter 56 - Growth, and Heroine

“Hah… hah… phew.”

Iris stopped moving as she exhaled heavily from her mouth. Realizing that was her limit, I grinned and lowered my wooden sword.

“Looks like today’s training is over.”

“Argh~! Why can’t I land even one hit on you today either, Yuu-san! I even increased my magical power output!”

“Like I could be surpassed that easily. I’m the final boss.”

“There it is again! That meaningless reason! Besides, it’s not like I want to surpass you, Yuu-san…”

Iris grumbled complaints under her breath.

I understood her feelings, but there was no need to be dejected. Iris was certainly becoming steadily stronger. She continued growing at a speed that even surprised me.

If she kept developing like this, she might even become stronger than the original Iris from the story.

If that happened, it would be completely uncharted territory. If she became an opponent my original story knowledge didn’t work on, would I still be able to defeat the protagonist?

I felt half pleased and half anxious.

However, to avoid letting Iris sense this, I immediately stopped thinking and spoke.

“Training’s over for now. Let’s quickly wash off this sweat and have dinner. Nana and I are both starving.”

“Frustrating… but you’re right. I’m hungry too, and I fought relatively well, so I’ll be satisfied!”

“Not really well though~”

“One word too many! You dummy!”

Bang bang—Iris hit my back as I entered the royal palace.

When Iris asked for advice, I told her the areas needing correction, then we washed off our sweat and had dinner.

After that was completely free time. Iris and Nana unlocked my room door without permission and entered.

…Recently, it saddened me that those two showed absolutely no hesitation about entering my room. Iris had a master key, and for Nana, a piece of wire was all she needed.

They didn’t even knock on the door, so maybe I no longer had any private space. While glaring at Iris and the others with half-closed eyes—

“I say this every time, but don’t enter someone’s room without permission. Get permission first.”

I began lecturing. But Iris and the others casually said—

“It’s like my room, so it’s fine.”

“Unnecessary for daughter.”

—spouting such nonsense.

“No, it’s necessary. What would you do if I entered Iris’s room without permission?”

“Execution, obviously.”

“Sorry for your matter-of-fact face, but give me back my human rights.”

This was supposed to be a kingdom. When did it become a lawless city?

“Well, that’s a joke… but today I came because I have something to discuss with you, Yuu-san.”

“Discussion?”

“Yes. I met Nana by chance in the hallway. She comes to your room often, doesn’t she?”

She didn’t come often—she came every day. Iris only showed her face once every few days because she was busy with work and such, but Nana definitely showed up multiple times a day.

She looked at us warmly because she didn’t know this, but that brat had been a pro at unlocking doors. If Iris hadn’t been there, the wire definitely would have made an appearance.

“More importantly, what’s this discussion? Is it something important?”

“Important… you could say it’s important. I’m still worried about whether you might be rude to her in some way.”

“Her?”

Who could be… a woman coming… oh… aaaah!?

Iris’s words reminded me. That’s right—to coincide with the king’s birthday festival, one of the heroines from the original should be visiting the royal capital.

I had completely forgotten about that.

“Yes. My friend is coming from a neighboring country for father’s birthday festival. Even though it’s a small country, she’s still a princess, so please be careful. I can’t reveal your identity either, so please, no rudeness!”

“Well… that’s impossible.”

“Aren’t you giving up too quickly!?”

If I forgot my rudeness, that would just be Yuguram Albain Kushana. Having someone like that around would be troublesome.

“Please try your best! Our two countries have been peaceful for so long! If relations deteriorate because of you, I’ll kill you!”

“Even when you say ‘I’ll kill you’ with such a cute face and voice… I’m not good at restraint…”

“I figured this would be difficult, but as expected… well, fine. I’ll try to adjust the schedule as much as possible to ensure you two don’t meet face to face. You can be excused from guard duty that day too.”

“How little trust do I have…”

I became extremely sad that my untrustworthiness was so trusted.

But actually, as Iris said, it would probably be better if I didn’t meet her face to face. It would be terrible if my abilities were discovered by any chance.

I had no choice but to trust her trust in me.

“Well, whatever. That day, Nana and I will act together. That kind of thing isn’t bad once in a while.”

“Mm! Date with Papa!”

“I’m looking forward to it, Nana. But you can’t say things like that outside, okay~? Papa would get arrested~”

This way, I’d gained a justification of sorts. On the day of the festival, I’d act separately from Iris and crush those annoying thieves.

I’d have Nana help with that. I’m sure Iris would manage somehow even without me there. I’d already eliminated the biggest source of anxiety.