What If the Strongest Villain from the Original Story Became the Protagonist's Ally? - Chapter 66 - Battle, and Physical Enhancement

“I… fight with Lycoris?”

I tilted my head at the sudden proposal.

But she nodded with a beaming smile.

“Yes! I want to see the abilities of Yuguram-sama, who is praised as the Empire’s strongest, firsthand!”

“I told you not to call me by that name… sigh.”

That’s why I hated it. Having my identity discovered by Lycoris.

She was the first princess of the The Principality of Prominent, yet very—belligerent.

She had a personality that couldn’t help but challenge strong opponents to battle.

According to the original story, her relationship with Iris also began from fighting.

When she first met Iris, she immediately approached her with “Won’t you have a match with me!?” to Iris, who was called God’s child.

Wasn’t she a bit crazy?

When royalty met face to face, it was probably at a party venue or audience chamber.

In either place, the word “fight” normally wouldn’t come up.

But Lycoris laughed at such common sense.

She boldly challenged Iris, and Iris, who had been interested in Lycoris’s abilities, accepted.

When muscle-brains meet muscle-brains, there is conflict.

The two who fought fiercely became best friends after that battle.

Really, please give me a break.

“It’s just plain troublesome.”

“Please somehow! Is it okay if you’re exposed!?”

“That’s blackmail.”

“I want to fight even if I have to blackmail you! According to rumors, you’re stronger than Princess Iris, aren’t you, Yuu-san?”

“That guy… she even talked about that?”

Probably during dinner. Lycoris asked Iris about my identity, and Iris conveyed information about me as Yuu.

Unnecessary…

“I’m a pacifist. Long live peaceful daily life.”

“I know you have intense exercise with Princess Iris daily! Am I not to your taste!?”

“Don’t phrase it in such a misleading way!”

Because the maid behind her was making a really scary face.

I wasn’t doing anything improper with Iris, and I had no intention of laying hands on Lycoris.

If she weren’t royalty, I’d make a move, but royalty was troublesome to deal with afterward.

I already had enough.

“Pout. Just fight me already~ I’ll cry disgracefully inside the royal palace, you know? I’ll thrash about and be uncontrollable!?”

“So that’s how you’re playing it. Don’t you have any pride?”

“None at all. Nothing takes priority over fighting strong opponents!”

“Gununu…”

Should I try attacking with erotic topics?

No, I’d be killed by the maid behind her.

I’d also be killed if Iris found out. The risk was too great.

I was very interested in Lycoris’s underwear, but I couldn’t throw away my life.

I sighed with a “good grief,” and I was the first to give in.

“—I understand. I’ll accept your challenge.”

“! Thank you, Yuu-san!”

Lycoris bowed her head with a sun-like smile.

Just seeing that face made accepting the match worthwhile—not really.

This was damn troublesome. I wanted to run away right now.

But this royal castle was where I lived.

It would worry Iris, and she would probably keep demanding a match forever unless I agreed.

That would be more troublesome. So I’d crush this first.

“Well then, let’s quickly go somewhere we can fight.”

“Eh? We’re fighting now?”

“Of course! Time doesn’t matter, whether it’s night or whatever. I’m always welcome! Oh-hohohoho!”

Laughing heartily, Lycoris grabbed my arm and pulled.

I moved while being dragged along the ground.

Was dragging people around like this trending among royalty?

▼△▼

I was forcibly brought to an open area of the courtyard by Lycoris.

As expected, this was the best place for a match.

Lycoris’s maid brought two wooden swords.

She handed them to Lycoris and me, and we took distance from each other.

“I’ll say this first—I’m not good at holding back.”

“I know.”

“So I can kill people even with wooden swords.”

“I know.”

“Please be very careful about magical enhancement.—Well, you’d probably be fine unless something major happened.”

“Show some concern for your opponent…”

Eventually, you’ll be treated as a dangerous person.

In my mind, she already was a dangerous person.

Do you know what attempted murder is?

“Here I go!”

With complaints aside, Lycoris kicked off the ground.

The ground gouged out as if it had exploded.

Then, Lycoris appeared before me at teleportation-like speed.

—Fast.

In speed alone, she was definitely above Iris.

However, her movements were linear.

No psychological warfare or feints.

She swung down her wooden sword in a straight line.

I avoided it by turning sideways.

I avoided it, but…

“!”

Another explosion occurred.

An impact so powerful I mistook it for an explosion was released from Lycoris’s wooden sword, pushing me slightly backward despite avoiding it.

“What ridiculous muscle strength…”

It had enough power that an ordinary person’s body would be carried away just by touching it.

She was seriously performing magical enhancement.

In a straight-up brawl, she could probably defeat even Iris.

Only in the case of a straight-up brawl, that is.

“As expected, it didn’t hit… but there’s still more!”

Lycoris smiled and kicked the ground.

A third explosion sound.

This time she approached me and swept her sword horizontally.

The sound of air split my ears.