A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 15

"Shit, I can't believe you're so stupid!"

"Pfft, ha ha ha."

Despite everything, Nadir seemed cheerful for some reason. I restrained myself from attacking him again as he chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"This situation brings back some memories. How nostalgic..."

Decided: I'd had enough of his evasive play. I picked up the hammer Nadir used to shape the metals and prepared to use it.

"No more games. Tell me what the fuck you did, or I'll break all your fucking bones with this thing."

The blacksmith raised his hands in surrender, but even in a precarious situation, with his physical integrity being threatened, the amusement had not left his face.

"Okay, you win. Just let me gather my thoughts a bit, and I also need something to combat this hangover..."

He calmly stood up and stumbled over to a shelf of bottles. He took one, uncorked it, and drank a quarter of the liquid inside.

"What's that?"

"Wine." He replied matter-of-factly. "Do you want some?"

"Are you kidding me?"

He shrugged and took another long swig from the bottle. I squeezed the hammer handle, but didn't move a finger. I needed information, and going crazy wouldn't help.

Nadir finished his anti-hangover ritual and exhaled with satisfaction.

"I feel better now. Are you sure you don't want some?"

"..."

I didn't respond because I was still fighting an internal battle with my own emotions. Since Russell died, my fate in this loop was sealed.

I simply couldn't go through with letting him die. It could have catastrophic effects on the story.

So my only real option was to investigate the murder and return to undo it.

"Nadir, just tell me what the hell you did with the revolver before I lose my patience."

"Let's see, the last time I had the revolver... Ah, I remembered!" His expression brightened and he snapped his fingers. "After I finished it, I went to a brothel and lost it there."

"..."

"..."

We remained silent for a few seconds. However, my patience had already run out.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU FUCKING RETARD!"

"Wait, not with the hammer!"

I lunged at Nadir, but before I could reach him, a shield of ice came between us: it was shaped like an all-too-familiar snowflake.

I sighed as I forced the eruption of anger to cease. I didn't want Emilia to see this side of me.

"Leandro? Who is this man? Why were you trying to hurt him?" She didn't reprimand me. Her question contained only concern, as she had never seen me act this way.

The girl's clear, bell-like voice that made my heart race helped me regain my composure.

"This guy... His name is Nadir Ashveil." I pointed at him. "As you may have noticed, he's a blacksmith."

"Nice to meet you, miss." He said, looking at Emilia with a twinkle in his amber eyes.

"Same here, and sorry for intruding." She bowed.

Nadir waved his hands in denial. The gesture intrigued the half-elf.

"I don't care, since it was my fault."