A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 2 - Part 4

"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, I meant-"

"Leave it at that. You and I have different points of view." She left the room and stared at me for a second before closing the door.

I clicked my tongue. That conversation hadn't gone so well.

—But it's progress, isn't it? Having this kind of interaction with her is a good thing.

I'd already made it through the first day, and I dare say I did so with a passing grade. However, the second arc was just beginning. I couldn't let my guard down with Rem, and I had to resolve the issue of the mabeasts before it became problematic.

Luckily, I had already prepared for that.

***

Several figures stood around her. Her moon-silver hair and sapphire-blue eyes gave her the presence of a goddess. They all wore the robes of cultists; none spoke, moved, or even breathed. These individuals looked like statues.

Standing in the center of the space occupied by the cultists, the childlike woman extended her arms toward one of them, who moved toward her in response, putting himself within her reach.

Gently touching his face with her livid hands, the woman whispered a command.

—Go and fulfill your purpose, Hunter.

The cultist shivered slightly and slowly walked away, searching his body and pulling out an intimidating-looking crossbow.

With a jerk of his head, the cultist seemed to search for something in the air or further away, like a bloodhound tracking prey.

A few seconds later, the cultist found the trail and ran after his target, disappearing into the darkness.

***

The day arrived. Rem went shopping in town, and I was chosen to carry the bags. While she gathered everything she needed, I headed over to where the children were and played a little with them, getting teased and made fun of in the process.

"These brats need the flip-flop treatment..."

Doing my best not to bump into the boisterous preteens, I put on a relaxed smile and approached Petra, who was with a blue-haired girl holding a bald puppy. I petted Petra's head and winked at Meili.

"Everyone! Let's play hide-and-seek!"

Upon hearing my proposal, they quickly accepted with enthusiasm and ran off, leaving me as the 'seeker.' The only one who didn't leave was Meili, who looked at me in surprise.

"You're the masochist mister... What are you doing here?"

"I'm taking care of some business." I frowned. "And what the hell do you mean by masochist?"

Flashback.

After getting Emilia's insignia from Reinhard, I searched for Elsa, as I was sure that bitch had survived my OP friend's charged attack.

Fortunately, I found her, badly injured but alive. I offered to help her, but she held a knife to my throat. Even in that situation, I felt a little excited by the proximity of her sexy body.

"I don't like the lust in your eyes." Elsa said with hatred in her voice.

"Sorry, I can't help it." I grimaced. "However, you can trust me."

Somehow I managed to convince her; perhaps based on what she could smell on me, she sensed there were no bad intentions. Anyway, I ended up taking her to a hut in the slums.

Meili was there, and that was our first meeting. She treated Elsa's wounds, and then the two of them finished preparing to flee the capital.

"Before you go, can I ask you a favor?"

Elsa raised both eyebrows when she heard my request, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Do you want me to fill your body with wounds?"

End of Flashback.

"Hey, it's not like I enjoyed being cut by Elsa. I probably would have enjoyed it if she slapped me a little in the process. It would be especially nice if she did it with her tits."

"Mister? Why are you drooling?"

"Listen, Meili."

I grabbed her shoulders and spoke seriously.

"I have plans for this town, so I can't let you destroy it."

"Huh? Why is this place important to you, sir?"

She asked with curiosity in her childlike eyes. However, there was also a threatening glint in her eyes, given that I was turning against her by saying this.

"There are many people here who can be helpful."

"But I'm having so much fun playing with Petra and the others... I don't want to leave!"

In sync with Meili's vehemence, King Ulgarm growled, emitting considerable pressure even in his small dog form.

"You have to do it, remember that I saved your older sister."

"That's true."

Meili looked down, sadly acknowledging my statement. However, a few seconds later she raised her head and pointed at me.

"I still want to have fun! If I can't finish my game with Petra and the others, then I want you to play with me!"

His proposal took me completely by surprise.

"Me? I have no idea how to play with a girl..."

"Don't worry, sir, I already know what we'll play!"

I held my breath. This girl, like all the antagonistic characters in Re:Zero, was perfectly capable of putting me in a life-threatening situation.

"What's it about?"

"Hide and seek!"

"Oh, is that it?" I sighed in relief. "It's not as terrible as I imagined."

"You'll have to find me in the forest or my friends will eat you!"

"Your friends? You mean—?"

She didn't give me time to finish my question because she immediately ran off, disappearing from sight among the leafy trees of the forest, beyond the anti-mabeast barrier.

"I could just ignore her and walk away, but she won't be satisfied and will do what she had planned in the first place. Do I really have no other choice?"

If I don't play, I'll have to deal with the kidnapping of children and the mabeasts. If I play, I'll only have to deal with the mabeasts.

"Oh, for fuck's sake."

I gritted my teeth and ventured out of the village to chase after Meili.