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

In a brilliantly decorated hall sat a man wearing a dark red mantle. The man sat on a throne. That is to say, the man was proof of being king.

An elderly man nearby lifted his glasses with one hand and said:

“As expected, he’s not here… Prince Yuguram.”

Yes. They were the evil Empire’s emperor and his retainer. This time they had spent money to gather information and conduct a search for a certain person—Yuguram Albain Kushana.

Despite consuming vast sums of money, Yuguram’s figure remained as elusive as mist.

“At this rate, we should consider that Prince Yuguram has left the country…”

“Why?! Why did he leave from under my rule…!”

The emperor—Yuguram’s father—roared.

Yuguram’s father was also a magical power user of exceptional talent. Just his shouting alone exerted considerable pressure.

The elderly man nearby trembled slightly, then wiped away the sweat that had formed as he answered:

“As for the reason… perhaps he’s doing something that can’t be done within the Empire. Or maybe he got sick of the Empire and fled…”

“Fled?! That man is a chosen child recognized by God! He was supposed to be the piece to defeat that detestable Iris of the Kingdom! How are we supposed to destroy the Kingdom by ourselves?!”

“P-please calm down, Your Majesty… Certainly, losing Prince Yuguram is a major blow. If we clash head-on, our Empire would be defeated. However—”

The elderly man lifted his glasses as he spoke:

“Our country’s military power is superior to the Kingdom’s. While Princess Iris is a high and steep wall, unlike Prince Yuguram, she’s certainly not invincible. There must be gaps we can exploit.”

“…I see. But I am waiting for Yuguram’s return. If we find him and make him the vanguard for defeating the Kingdom, everything will work out smoothly. The day I become the hegemon of this continent will also… kukuku.”

The current emperor laughed with an evil face. It was the face of someone who believed without doubt that he could stand at the pinnacle.

He didn’t know that Yuguram had actually given up on him, and that in the original story, his fate was to have his throne usurped by his son. The man envisioned only one future. A new world unified under his rule.

Only Yuguram knew that such a future would never come.

“Leave it to me. I will definitely find Prince Yuguram.”

The elderly man bowed his head and left the hall—the audience chamber—saying he had work to do.

Walking down the dim corridor, he inwardly let out a deep sigh.

“(Good grief… where in the world has Prince Yuguram gone? To flee when he possessed the power to destroy the Kingdom… With this much searching yielding no results, could he possibly be on the Kingdom’s side… no, that’s impossible.)”

Very few people knew Yuguram’s face, but it didn’t seem like someone with such beauty could easily live a normal life.

If he had fled to the Kingdom’s side, he would definitely have left evidence. That’s why the man shook his head. As if, he thought.

“(More importantly, if I don’t find him soon, I’ll be killed by His Majesty…)”

The gradually maddening Empire would strangle itself with its own hands. However, that was still a story for the future.

▼△▼

“Stella! Please fix my hair!”

A shrill, high-pitched voice characteristic of women rang out. The moment it was heard, a red-haired maid hurried to approach her.

“Understood, my lady. What hairstyle would you like today?”

“The usual will be fine. My hairstyle is always radiant! Oh-hohohoho!”

Speaking in template ojou-sama tones, she watched the maid diligently grooming her through the mirror’s reflection, then suddenly asked about something:

“…Come to think of it, Stella.”

“Yes.”

“It’s about time for the birthday festival to be held in the Aldnoa Kingdom, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. I believe you said you would be participating this year as well…”

“Yes. The festivities would lack excitement without me, Lycoris Flambeur Prominent, participating, wouldn’t they?”

“Absolutely. The Principality of Prominent has been an ally since ancient times. Besides, you must meet Princess Iris as well.”

The maid chuckled at her master, who puffed out her chest. Hearing that laughter, she put on an even more smug expression.

“That’s right, that’s right! Princess Iris has been wanting to meet me! I want to meet Princess Iris soon too~!”

Princess Lycoris is energetic today too, the maid thought. She was truly like the sun.

She had the habit of not listening to people and trying to settle things by force, but her personality was pure itself.

She was beloved by the citizens, servants, and parents alike—she was the person who symbolized The Principality of Prominent. (T/N: In the raws, it’s literally small kingdom of Prominent but that doesn’t as nice to read in english so I changed it to principality)

“I understand your eagerness to meet her, but please don’t slip and break lots of things again, okay?”

“How rude. …What did I break last time?”

“His Majesty’s bronze statue in the garden and the door to the audience chamber.”

“…I-I’ll be very careful not to be rude! Yes. …You’ll help me too, won’t you, Stella?”

“Of course.”

Seeing the maid’s smile, Lycoris breathed a sigh of relief.