What If the Strongest Villain from the Original Story Became the Protagonist's Ally? - Chapter 89 - Secrets, and Talk of the Future

Iris’s voice echoed through the conference room.

“An alliance for war against the Empire, hmm.”

The elderly male elf sitting in the center stroked his prized white beard.

The other elves’ reactions were also subtle.

No matter how powerful I was as an individual, they didn’t clearly know how large the Empire’s military forces were. Those without that knowledge had trouble answering.

Meanwhile, the female elf from earlier, who seemed to conduct espionage activities frequently, continued watching me with a cheerful smile.

She seemed to be in favor of the alliance.

“I think it’s a good idea~ War will definitely happen. The Empire side is totally motivated. I don’t think they’d stop even after losing Prince Yugram. Rather, precisely because Prince Yugram, who was their figurehead, is gone, the upper echelons will use anything.”

“That’s right. For example—composite magic beasts.”

“Composite magic beasts?”

The elder elves tilted their heads.

The female elf seemed to know about them and didn’t try to interject.

I continued:

“Beings created by combining multiple magic beasts. You could call them artificial chimeras.”

“Th-the Empire is researching such things!?”

“I submitted it as a report, you know. Did you already forget? The Empire has been researching that for ages. Though it seems they didn’t get much budget allocated.”

“Those appeared near the Kingdom before.”

“They were completed?”

“No, probably still at the test run level. However, there’s a possibility they’ll appear next time.”

“That would be troublesome… how strong were they?”

“Who knows.”

“Eh?”

The female elf froze at my answer.

I grinned.

“Do you think I’d give information to someone who isn’t even an ally?”

“Ah~ true.”

The elf race was just in a neutral position.

Depending on circumstances, there was a non-zero possibility they’d lean toward the Empire. So I deliberately parceled out information bit by bit.

“The Empire also has business with this elf village… now, what should we do about that?”

“Just what do you know?”

“I know a future you don’t know.”

The Empire had shown interest in the elf race for a long time.

The female elf probably knew that too.

But there was no way she could know they would burn the World Tree and provoke conflict.

Only I, who had read the source material, knew that in advance.

Therefore, I would make maximum use of that information.

“The Empire will do something to this forest?”

“Who knows? I can’t tell someone we haven’t even formed an alliance with.”

“Mmm. You have quite the personality.”

“I suppose I do.”

“What will the others do? About the alliance. I’m in favor.”

The female elf said this while glancing around at the other elder elves.

Most of the other elder elves still had poor complexions.

It wasn’t something they could decide easily.

“…Can’t be helped. It’s not something that can be answered immediately, so let’s go home for today, Iris.”

“Eh? We can’t… stay the night, can we? We also have companions waiting outside.”

“That’s right.”

The elf race was harsh toward humans. Staying overnight in such circumstances would be suicidal.

On top of that, several knights serving as Iris’s guards remained outside.

It wouldn’t be good to abandon them.

Both Iris and I turned on our heels and tried to leave.

Before that, I stopped in my tracks.

“Ah, that’s right. I’d be troubled if you elves were destroyed, so I’ll specially provide some interesting information. It’s about that future I mentioned earlier.”

“?”

The female elf tilted her head. The other elder elves also had puzzled expressions.

To them, I stated concisely:

“You should place lots of soldiers around the World Tree. Suspicious people might appear even in the near future.”

Saying just that, I followed after Iris.

It would be good if this increased the World Tree’s protection. Even if it burned, well, we’d manage somehow.

▼△▼

I went outside with Iris.

To us, who had put our hoods back on, the spirit Sylpheed, who was still summoned, said:

*’The discussions went well, didn’t they? I should probably return soon.’*

Iris nodded and bowed her head.

“Yes. Thank you for mediating. Thanks to Sylpheed-sama, there were no conflicts.”

*’If there’s anything else I can help with, just say so. I will always be your ally.’*

“Yes!”

Iris smiled happily, and after seeing that, spirit Sylpheed disappeared.

“Well then… Let’s go home. We can come again next week or something.”

“Right. I hope we can hear a good answer…”

“That’s up to them.”

If the elves could suppress their arrogance even a little, hope would be born for them.

The question was when the Empire would come to attack the elf race.

That was what concerned me most.