A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 11

"Wait, Al. You interrupted my conversation with this commoner. I told you you can ask me anything, so give me an answer." Priscilla demanded.

Suddenly, I had a thought that changed my mind. I smiled arrogantly before giving my answer.

"I'll save it for later."

"That?"

I held my side in pain, but kept my smile.

"It doesn't have to be now, right? I'll accept the reward, but I can't think of anything right now, so I'll tell you what I want another time."

"I certainly don't mind, so I approve."

I nodded, happy to have come to an agreement with Priscilla. I'd definitely wait until the ideal moment to call in the favor.

"Then I'll go now. See you later."

***

Aldebaran watched the butler's figure as he walked away. His mistress had already left the alley, and when she noticed he wasn't following her, she decided to get his attention.

"What's wrong? Do you want to befriend those vermin? Fine, I don't care if you'd rather be part of the plague."

"Ah, wait for me, princess!"

As he ran to catch up with Priscilla, Aldebaran's thoughts raced, calculating possibilities and visualizing all kinds of scenarios.

"Why did this happen? How did I come back this far? Also, who the hell is that guy? Where's Natsuki Subaru?"

***

Not wanting to draw attention to myself with my injuries, I decided to return to the inn using the alleys. I truly believed it would be the most convenient option, but again I made a mistake in judgment.

I had completely forgotten what was happening here during the event of meeting Priscilla.

"Brat! I'm going to crush you and feed you to the rats!"

I ran into an angry giant on the road. Yes, the same giant I separated from his adoptive granddaughter without bothering to properly explain my reasons for doing so.

So he just assumed I was a piece of shit and charged at me as soon as he saw me.

"Shit! Why didn't I think a little instead of rushing forward so impulsively?!"

Between the fear of meeting Aldebaran and the urgency I felt to heal these wounds, I ignored all the precautionary measures I had planned to employ throughout the third arc.

Rom's blows were terrifying: each punch sank into the walls as if they were made of cotton. If he hit me with one of those, my bones would be crushed.

"If I weren't so hurt, I might try to escape. I can't even run, so using Shamak is no longer an option."

I stepped back clumsily, evading another devastating attack.

"WAIT, OLD MAN! LET ME EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO YOU!"

"Silence! You sold Felt out, and you're going to pay dearly for it!"

"If I sold her, why would I have to pay? Damn, man! This isn't the time for jokes!"

Suddenly, I tripped over my own feet and fell to the ground. That was my last mistake.

Rom grabbed me by the neck with his huge hand and began to crush me, just as he had promised.

I tried to scream, but my mouth couldn't make a sound. The pressure was hellish. I felt like my body was breaking apart, slowly causing me to die.

Finally, I remembered the knife I'd snatched from the gang members. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, plunging it hard into Rom's hand.

"Uuoooogghhhh!" The old giant let out a groan of pain and let go of me.

I wanted to immediately shout at him that I didn't sell Felt out, but that I was trying to protect her from Elsa and at the same time help her meet Reinhard, since her destiny was to be a royal candidate.

But due to the suffocation I'd suffered, all I could do was back away and gasp for air. Unfortunately, I didn't get very far, because Rom overcame the pain and threw another punch.

The moment I saw the attack, I knew I couldn't avoid it. I would die when that fist hit my head.

Then it appeared, like a silver serpent swooping through the air. A chain wrapped around my body and in less than a second dragged me away from danger.

"I knew you'd get into trouble." A girl said in an annoyed tone.

I turned my head to look up, finding the figure of a blue-haired maid. I did my best to offer her a few words for saving my life. My voice sounded rather raspy.

"Rem, you're an angel. Dude, she's literally the opposite of an angel. Couldn't you think of a less contradictory compliment?"

She stood in front of me to protect me from Rom's attacks.

"Stay still, I'll take care of this quickly."

"No... Shit, why didn't I use the little breath I had to tell her to leave? The last thing I need is these two trying to kill each other!"

Even if Rem activated her horn, I wasn't sure what the outcome would be if she faced the old giant. If I had to be honest, I'd rather die than see Rem die.

The fight began with a brutal exchange of blows. I forced myself to breathe deeper, even though my chest felt like it was tearing at me.

"I have to finish this before one of those two gets hurt or dies..."

Rem had already manifested her horn to match Rom. The giant's wounded hand evened things out despite the vast size difference. In fact, Rem had a bit of an advantage.

Just as she was about to use her Morning Star to tear off Rom's arm, my voice came out loud.

"WAIT!"

My scream stopped them both for a moment, just long enough to say what I needed to say.

"FELT IS A ROYAL CANDIDATE PROTECTED BY REINHARD! I didn't sell her out..."

Inconveniently, just as I was about to clarify the whole matter, my body decided it was a good time to pass out.