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

The lesson for Nana continued.

“So? Why are we going to meet these elves?”

“Hm? Ah, I hadn’t explained that yet, had I?”

That’s no good. Having a fondness for explaining things to people was a bad habit of otaku. Moreover, deliberately diverging from the main point and trying to speak in roundabout ways.

Nana was still a child. While she appeared mature, her intelligence was still age-appropriate.

I needed to give her an answer soon or her concentration would break.

“It’s simple. Didn’t I say earlier? That it’s related to the war with the Empire.”

“What do you mean? Is war going to happen?”

“Definitely. If my prediction is correct, they might declare war any day now. Maybe they won’t. There’s even a possibility they’ll attack suddenly without warning.”

“For that reason… you’re going to meet the elves?”

“Exactly. If war breaks out, the elves caught between Empire and Kingdom territory will get dragged into the war. To avoid that while also increasing our military strength, bringing the elves to our side is the best option.”

“Are the elves strong?”

“Very strong~ There are probably tons of them stronger than the current Nana.”

“That’s why you want them as allies.”

“That’s not the only reason though.”

By saving the elf race here, it would benefit Iris’s future. Besides, I didn’t have a hobby of watching the elves perish.

“I understand the reason for going to meet the elves. Will I be accompanying you?”

“Of course. Nana is Iris’s guard after all. Considering any emergencies, please stay by Iris’s side.”

“Is Papa going somewhere again?”

“Hmm… that depends on how things develop.”

“When something happens.”

“As a possibility, yes. There’s no way the Empire will just ignore the elves and do nothing. Besides, in the great forest where the elves live, there are other demi-humans dwelling there too.”

“Other demi-humans?”

“A race called beastmen.”

“Beastmen…”

“Beasts that closely resemble humans. If elves are exclusionist, then beastmen are warlike. They’re a ‘might makes right’ kind of race.”

Because of that, the source material mentioned they often fought with other races and lost due to being brainless.

In other words, they were idiots.

“Don’t we need to go talk to those beastmen?”

“We will. But we’re not going to them.”

“?”

Nana tilted her head at my words.

I’d spoken in a roundabout way again.

“The beastmen will come to us. Those guys hate the elves and often have skirmishes with them.”

“I see.”

Nana understood.

With this, I’d given her the minimum knowledge about demi-humans, hadn’t I?

“That’s how it is, so Nana, please prepare yourself too. We’ll head to the great forest immediately.”

“Roger. I’ll do my best.”

Nana showed her motivation with a determined hmph

Seeing that, I smiled wryly.

▼△▼

Several days later.

As I predicted, Iris’s proposal was approved by His Majesty the King, and it was decided that Iris, myself, Nana, and several knights would accompany us to the great forest.

After packing our belongings, we left the royal palace.

There, Iris stood ready and prepared.

“Good morning, Yuu-san.”

“Morning, Iris. You look energetic.”

“Yes. Today is an important day after all. Let’s work hard to persuade the elves.”

“Right. If they start spouting nonsense, I’ll physically shut them up, so don’t worry.”

“Wouldn’t that normally lead to war? With the elves?”

“Those guys are arrogant and insufferable. If they annoy me, I’ll just crush them. We’re offering to help them, but if they won’t listen, that’s their fault.”

In the source material, the elf race was described as an extremely arrogant species.

Since many individuals were born with large amounts of mana, they looked down on other races or something like that.

I was not bad with that type—but in this case, it would be a waste of time.

If talking doesn’t work, then it’s on to punching. That’s my way.

“If I leave it to Yuu-san, the elf village might disappear entirely, so please let me handle it first. I’ll do my best as one chosen by spirits.”

“I’m counting on you.”

It’s not like I want to go to war with the elves either.

If they say something stupid, I’ll crush them, but if the conversation can proceed smoothly, that would be better.

I’d let Iris handle it first. I had no objection to that.

“Well then, let’s depart for now.”

“Yes. It looks like they’ve just finished loading our luggage, so we’re all set.”

Iris spoke with the accompanying knights, and we all boarded the carriage together.