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

“Guh, uugh…!”

The male elf who had taken Iris’s knee strike full-on.

He had slammed his back against the tree trunk and was writhing in apparent agony.

“Captain! Are you alright!?”

Another young elf nearby rushed over.

Even while keeping his hands and knees on the ground, the male elf maintained consciousness and glared at Iris standing in front while restraining the approaching youth with his hand.

As if to say there was no problem.

“To think I would be bested by a mere human… I see. There’s good reason you’re called God’s child.”

The male elf somehow managed to stand up, never losing his pained expression.

He continued staring at Iris while pressing his abdomen.

“So you knew about me.”

“Anyone can tell by looking at those eyes. We’re ignorant about human society, but even we hear stories about you. Whether we want to or not.”

“Are you convinced now? Even I, as I am now, can’t guarantee victory in a war against the Empire. God’s children aren’t omnipotent.”

“…I’ll acknowledge your abilities. Even though you weren’t at full strength, you’re above me. However, we elves are—”

“Yak yak yak yak, how noisy.”

I intervened in their conversation.

Iris glanced at me.

Her eyes said “Are you planning to cause trouble again?”

I shook my head and appealed “Leave it to me.”

After a moment, Iris closed her mouth. Proof that she was entrusting this to me.

I decided to use the trump card I’d been saving against the elf man who was glaring at me.

“Iris, show them that thing. That’ll settle it in one shot.”

“That thing? …You don’t mean the spirit, do you?”

“Yeah. This is getting tedious, so let’s end it. I don’t like wasting time.”

“So you’re relying on me in the end.”

“Iris is the best.”

“…Well, I don’t feel bad about it.”

With a small chuckle, she summoned the spirit Sylpheid as I’d suggested.

When massive amounts of surrounding mana were absorbed, the elves flinched and braced themselves.

They seemed to think a massive attack was coming, but only one phenomenon occurred. Wind whipped around and a single woman appeared.

The moment they saw that woman, the elves turned pale and dropped to their knees.

The elves who had been hiding around us did the same. All of them came down from the trees and showed themselves.

“C-could it be… Sylpheid-sama the spirit!?”

The male elf called captain spoke with his face lowered.

The spirit Sylpheid looked around her surroundings, finally looking at Iris.

[This… doesn’t seem to be a crisis situation.]

A clear, high voice characteristic of women could be heard.

Iris bowed her head and said:

“I sincerely apologize for the sudden summoning. Today I called upon Sylpheid-sama for discussions with the elves.”

[This isn’t a conflict?]

“No. There’s a possibility it could become one, but there’s no problem at the moment.”

[Hmm… So what should I do, Iris?]

“Nothing for now. Just, if you could cooperate in showing my power to the elves…”

[Understood. —You elves there]

“Y-yes!”

The one being addressed was the captain elf.

His shoulders trembled as he waited for Sylpheed’s words without raising his face.

[I’ve roughly grasped the situation. You elves being what you are, you probably rejected Iris’s opinion, saying you couldn’t cooperate with humans.]

“Th-that is…”

[I know well that you are an excellent race. That you wouldn’t lose to the Empire or Kingdom in fair combat.]

Hm? What’s this, Sylpheid? She’s quite knowledgeable about this world’s war situation.

It feels like she’s properly heard the story from Iris.

[However, just as Iris is, there are many strong individuals in this world. Among them are men that even all of you together couldn’t match.]

Sylpheid’s gaze briefly turned toward me.

Apparently she was talking about me. That’s correct, but don’t look at me.

I decided to glare back. What?

“Beings that even we together couldn’t match?”

[Yes. That man is now in the Kingdom. I tell you this out of kindness… it would be better not to cooperate with the Empire, not to isolate yourselves, and to follow the Kingdom. For the future of the elf race as well.]

“Sylpheid-sama…”

[Now decide the rest yourselves. I will never do anything to bind the fate of you elves.]

Saying to think about anything beyond that themselves, Sylpheid closed her mouth.

Iris nodded and returned Sylpheid to the spirit world.

Silence fell around us.

After a while, the captain elf stood up and looked at Iris.

Something like resolve dwelled in his eyes.

“To think there was a human who could summon spirits… Very well. I can’t make the final decision, but I’ll guide you into our village.”

“Just Iris? What about the others?”

“No. Elves don’t like humans.”

“You mean other races, right? I’m telling you, I’m coming along. I’m her guard.”

“What?”