A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 6

"Well, I can still make shitty references, I'm not that bad."

"You won't say anything?" Rem broke the silence, looking at me with her cold, penetrating eyes.

"Oh, sorry. I have a lot on my mind."

"That's obvious. I can see you're nervous about something. Besides, the witch's scent on you has gotten stronger."

"Sorry, I forgot to take a bath today."

"..."

Nope, Rem definitely wasn't a joke lover. Ram would have responded with an insult, at the very least.

Personality issues aside, this was a crucial moment and I had to decide whether or not to involve her.

Seeing her expression, I realized that hiding the truth from her would only make me look suspicious. Besides, it would be stupid to try to protect someone who's stronger than me.

Rem could be useful: I had to use her.

"Okay, I guess I can tell you... There's a killer around here."

"What!?"

"He's a cultist. He probably came for me. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened."

"Where is he now?"

"In the woods. If we don't stop him, he could kill anyone who gets in his way."

"I'll go and take it out right away."

She tried to run away, but I caught her arm, surprising myself when she managed to drag me a little with her strength.

"Wait! That would be very reckless!"

"Do you have a better idea?"

"Something like that."

I explained my plan to her without giving her all the details and convinced her to ignore the killer for now. We arrived at the village, and she pretended to be on her normal errand, buying supplies for the mansion while I played with the children.

Secretly, I exchanged a glance with Meili and gestured to her. She nodded and placed the little 'puppy' she was carrying in her arms on the ground, whispering a command that sent it scurrying off into the woods.

I had previously spoken to her in secret, telling her about the assassin who was coming to kill me. I asked her to return the favor of saving Elsa by helping me with this problem.

My idea was to have the mabeasts protect the village; that way, if the killer showed up, he'd have to deal with a raging horde. Plus, Meili would send us a warning if that happened.

"I hope this is enough."

With the preparations made, I returned to the mansion with Rem. Just before I crossed the entrance, she stopped me to go over the plan.

"Then I'll keep an eye on the surroundings of the mansion in case your friend sends out a warning signal, or in case the killer comes after you."

"That's how it is."

"If that happens, you and I will take care of him."

"Yup."

"Neither my sister, nor Lord Roswaal, nor Lady Emilia, nor Miss Beatrice are to be bothered with this matter, so we will not inform them about it."

"Exactly."

"Good."

Satisfied with the arrangement, she entered the mansion first. I had the fact that Rem was so eager for revenge against the Witch Cult that she would be willing to ignore common sense to punish a member of the cult.

"The bad thing is that she'll attack in a blind rage, and the killer could kill her at the slightest carelessness. I have to find out if the killer is really after me, because if so, I could act as bait to distract him and get him to let his guard down."

I didn't like having responsibility for someone else's life, even if it was indirectly.

I finished my chores when it was already nighttime. After taking a bath, I felt especially restless and had to go for a walk. I walked through the mansion's hallways, peering outside through the windows, but I didn't see anything out of place. The atmosphere was deceptively quiet.

I thought about going to chat with Betty for a bit of entertainment, but I discarded the idea because I wouldn't be able to hear or see what was going on here inside the forbidden library.

"Emilia should have been freed by now... No, what am I thinking?"

I shook my head, deciding it wasn't wise to divide my attention at such a delicate moment.

"Focus on this."

Fortunately, Ram wasn't around, as she was supposed to be in Roswaal's office by now, receiving prana and who knows what else. Just kidding, that guy only has eyes for one woman.

After midnight, I started to worry. Has something gone wrong? There was no sign of Meili or Rem. Had the killer appeared and killed Meili, or the mabeast she'd intended to send to warn us? Perhaps Rem lost her temper and went to investigate in the town or the forest?

Once again, I was overcome by anxiety. Unable to maintain my composure, I ran downstairs to find Rem. However, I didn't get very far.

A stabbing pain exploded in my left arm, almost at the level of my shoulder. I looked in horror and saw a crossbow bolt piercing my limb from side to side, soaked with my own blood.

Somehow I managed to suppress the urge to scream and pulled the bullet out of my arm. It didn't take long for me to see the assassin, standing in the hallway with his crossbow pointed in my direction.

"How did he get here? Was Rem...?"

I felt frustration and anger fill my heart. That son of a bitch had gotten away with it again.

But thanks to this scenario I had found out something very important.

"You're here for me."

With that, I leaped toward him. As I recalled, his shots were spaced two or three seconds apart; the time it took him to reload his weapon. Taking a risky gamble, I ducked early and dodged a shot from his crossbow as he closed the distance between us.

When I got close enough, I stood up like I remembered doing in my boxing classes, made a fist, and swung forward with the momentum I had built up from running, managing to hit the killer in the face.

He recoiled from the impact, which made me smile with satisfaction. Adrenaline was saturating my body at that moment. Even though I was the underdog, I was willing to give it my all to win.

"This time I won't die without a fight." I told him.