A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 9

"Perhaps we will see each other again in the royal capital, I hope so."

Wilhelm greeted us as he whipped the reins, causing Patrasche to pull the carriage forward at full speed. The vehicle sped off down the dirt road, kicking up a great deal of dust.

"It's almost time." I murmured, my stomach aching, thinking of the White Whale and Petelgeuse.

"Time for what?" Rem's voice behind me made me jump.

"Ahhh! Why are you so close?!"

The truth is, Rem had silently positioned herself next to me. She tilted her head expressionlessly, as if there was nothing strange about the situation and I was weird for asking.

"Forget it." I sighed and walked back inside the mansion.

"You didn't answer my question, Leandro."

"Oh, is that it?" I grimaced. "I meant it's almost lunchtime."

***

The return trip was quite silent at first, as both the carriage driver and passenger were deep in thought about what had happened at Roswaal Manor.

After a few minutes, Felix decided to break the silence.

"Lady Emilia had it well hidden, nya. That butler seems quite perceptive. You've spoken to him; what is your opinion?"

"There's much more to him than meets the eye."

"Is that why you let him approach you? Because you saw something that caught your attention? It already seemed strange to me, Grandpa Wil speaking so casually..."

"You seem to have the wrong idea about my personality."

"Hmm. I wonder if it's true." Felix smirked, but intrigue forced him to stop joking. "What did you see in him?"

"His eyes... He's someone who's experienced death firsthand, I'd even say he's very familiar with it. Besides, there's something I couldn't quite grasp."

"What is it?"

"Although his body language is that of an ordinary person, his gaze and the aura he gives off tell a different story. It's as if there were two men in one body, both very different from each other."

"Two men in one? That sounds like a threesome to me. You're really perverted for suggesting such a thing, Grandpa Wil!" Felix exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

Wilhelm sighed and made no reply to Felix's comment, who squirmed inside the carriage until he stopped laughing and wiped his tears before becoming a little serious.

"Well, I guess we'll have to keep a closer eye on Lady Emilia's camp, just in case, nya."

***

"So you're going to a conference for the royal team..."

"Yes, it's a super important official meeting."

"I'd like to accompany you. I want to make sure you're safe in the royal capital."

"It won't be necessary, I assure you I'll be fine!" Emilia tried to dissuade me with a reassuring smile.

"Besides, it's not her who decides that, it's me." Roswaal chimed in. "Were you planning on leaaaaving without asking permission? I can't believe my butler is so irresponsiiiible."

"You know perfectly well that my presence here isn't necessary." I replied. "You only hired me because I asked you to."

"Which is why you should be moooore grateful to me instead of making so maaaany demands."

I was annoyed that this Roswaal was so hard to convince compared to his version in the original story. I don't remember the canon clown putting so many obstacles in Subaru's way.

"Do I need to remind you what almost happened last time? Emilia isn't safe in the royal capital. Let me go with her to protect her. Besides, I have some unfinished business there."

"I might consider it if you satisfy my curiosity, what kiiind of matters are you supposed to go and resolve?"

"An apology to a giant and his granddaughter, a lunch with the Sword Saint, and a generous purchase of merchandise from a fruit vendor."

"Sword Saint?" Emilia's eyes widened. "Do you know Reinhard?"

"Yes. You could say I worked with him."

Which was a complete lie, because I let Reinhard do everything and just reaped the rewards of his 'efforts' (he didn't actually have to put in any effort to defeat Rom or Elsa). However, there was no need for Emilia and company to know the details.

"Well, I guess I can let you go." Roswaal smiled cynically.

"You bastard, you were just trying to get information out of me." I looked at him with disgust.

"Don't use those words when talking to Master Roswaal! And don't address him in that tone." Ram scolded me. "By the way, we'll talk about what you did with the tea leaves later."

"Whatever you say, ironing board."

"Fine, if you want it so badly, Ram will grant your death wish." She called upon her wind magic, but Emilia managed to calm her down with difficulty while Roswaal watched everything laughing.

Roswaal estimated we would leave the day after tomorrow. During that time, I prepared thoroughly both physically and mentally for the third arc. I had already been training daily and didn't stop my routine even after overcoming the threat of the Doppelganger.

My body was finally in acceptable condition: I'd shed excess fat (goodbye tummy), strengthened my muscles, and developed my gate. That's not even considering the Doppelganger's abilities. Now I was confident I could easily defeat the trio of thieves.

But this wouldn't be enough to get me close to the level of characters like Elsa or Petelgeuse. At least I was better prepared than Subaru at this point in the story.

"I just hope there aren't any more problematic changes... Just in case, I should organize my thoughts and make some contingency plans."

So I spent the rest of the time transcribing my thoughts. I was so focused on what I was doing that I barely felt the hours passing until it was time for the trip.

"Well, third arc, here I go. Hopefully I can complete it without dying too many times."