What If the Strongest Villain from the Original Story Became the Protagonist's Ally? - Chapter 76 - Reunion, and Astonishment

The royal capital’s central plaza.

A place with fountains that was popular even with children, but now it was a shadow of its former self.

On the stone pavement were several giant insects.

A truly horror-like scene.

Facing them were three women.

Iris and the others wielding swords were crushing the insect army.

“Tch! The numbers aren’t decreasing at all… just how many insects are you controlling!?”

“Complaining is no good! Iris! The harder we work, the more other people are saved! Put some spirit into it!”

“I know that! Lycoris, don’t get exhausted halfway through!”

“Of course not!”

Lycoris’s blade sliced up three insects in an instant.

While her total mana was greatly inferior to Iris’, Lycoris possessed talent that rivaled hers specifically in body enhancement.

She circulated all her mana through her body to efficiently boost her muscle strength.

“Ahaha! You guys seem to be misunderstanding something.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Iris attacked the young man controlling the insects, but centipedes, spiders, wasps, and other creatures got in the way and she couldn’t advance easily.

During that time, the young man spoke in high spirits.

“Do you think I’m the only one trying to invade this royal capital? Of course I have companions.”

“We understand that. But in the meantime, our companions…”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Naive, naive. Among our companions, there’s someone so strong you guys can’t win. He’s old but his close combat with magic swords is stronger than mine. As long as that old man is there, no matter how hard you try, you can’t win.”

“You seem quite confident in that companion of yours.”

Lycoris also approached the young man while slashing monsters one after another.

Nana used her speed to toy with multiple monsters. Exploiting openings, Lycoris and Iris subjugated those monsters.

“Well, he’s basically our leader, that old man.”

“Then you should give up.”

“…What?”

“The moment you’re using us as a measuring stick, you have no chance of winning.”

“Because we have a more reliable companion than your leader.”

“A companion trusted by Princess Iris, who’s called God’s child? I’d love to see them.”

“You’ll meet them soon. A mana reaction is approaching.”

“Huh?”

Grinning, Iris stopped moving.

“What’s wrong, Princess Iris? Are you perhaps tired? Shall I put you at ease?”

“No. I still have stamina left. However… a reliable companion has come, so I think I’ll leave it to them.”

“Reliable companion…”

“—I have arrived.”

A man descended between Iris and the insect-using young man.

The one who landed with a sound was a man wearing a suspicious mask.

Iris smiled and called out to him.

“You’re late, Yuu-san.”

▼△▼

After defeating the acquainted knight, I immediately headed to the place with strong mana reactions.

As expected, Iris and the others were at the central plaza.

I landed gallantly, unnecessarily showing off, but apparently the situation wasn’t particularly dire.

Given time, Iris and the others would win. That was the situation.

“…Maybe I wasn’t needed?”

When I glanced at Iris beside me, she shook her head.

“That’s not true at all. Your timing was perfect. That man over there was buying time. Could you lend us a hand?”

“I don’t mind, but… if Iris and the others can win by fighting—I suppose I can’t say that given the situation.”

When I thought about it, residents were being attacked in other places too.

It would be better to quickly defeat the young man in front of us and disperse our forces.

“Yes. So please, Yuu-san.”

“Eh?”

Iris and the others started running without even waiting for my reply.

They completely left that man to me.

“Ah! You guys, wait!”

The young man directed insects at Iris and the others as they departed.

However, the insects were torn to pieces partway through.

“What!?”

“I guess it can’t be helped… apparently dealing with you is my job. If you surrender quietly, I’ll at least spare your life?”

“Don’t mess with me! I’ll make you beg for your life in front of me instead! You bastard!”

Multiple giant insects appeared from behind the young man.

Was he summoning insects?

An interesting ability, but it was probably an artifact.

I could barely sense any mana from the young man himself.

“Even if I cut him with this sword, I probably won’t absorb much mana…”

“—Th-that sword is… the magic sword that old man had!?”

“Hm? Ah. Come to think of it, you’re that guy’s companion.”

“Did you steal it from that old man!?”

“Well, yeah. It seemed like it would have good compatibility with me.”

“L-lies… there’s no way that old man would lose…”

“No no… there’s nobody who can beat me.”

“!?”

I used body enhancement to get behind the young man.

The insects had already been cut to pieces.

The young man tried to react to my movement, but everything was already too late.

The moment the young man tried to draw the sword at his waist, his head was severed.

It spun through the air and rolled on the ground.

Not even final words.

“Well… how many are left? I should probably go in a different direction from where Iris and the others headed.”

Right after reuniting, Iris and the others had disappeared.

Then I’d leave the rest to them and act alone again.