A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 16

"I remember now!" She held up the coin with a bright smile. "The missing girl is named Diane. She's one of the most popular."

"Is that her real name or just the one her use for work?"

"Only an idiot would use her real name here. Why are you interested in her?"

"I can't say it." I made an X with my arms.

"Maybe this will help loosen your tongue." The prostitute offered me a gold coin.

"Okay." I took it. "I'm investigating a murder, and I have reason to believe someone involved was here last night. Your friend Diane is a potential witness. Do you know where I can find her?"

"I'm not sure...

"So what about now?" I offered her a gold coin.

"I think she lives near the House of Loot." She said after accepting my bribe.

"Can you give me a description of her appearance?"

She gestured to me with her outstretched palm. I sighed and gave her another coin.

"She's thin and a little shorter than you. Her hair is red and her eyes are green. She has some really ugly scars that she hides with makeup, around here." She pointed to the side of her neck.

"I see. Thanks for the information."

I gestured to Emilia and we left the room.

"We have to pay that girl Diane a visit."

On the way out, we ran into the annoying dwarf thief. I smiled broadly when I saw him; he, on the other hand, froze in fear when he recognized me.

"Hey, bud! You remember me, right?"

"U-Uh, I..."

"Calm down, bro! You don't have to be so tense!" I patted him on the back. "Look, I don't hold any grudges, so I'll leave you alone if you cooperate with me."

"What do you want?"

"I'll ask you this once, and I want you to be honest. Were you here last night?"

"No..."

"Did you hear anything about a new Metia or a new type of weapon that's like a small portable cannon, one that fits in your hand?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about..."

"Tsk." Annoyed at not getting a clue, I glared at the dwarf, considering the idea of hitting him to let off some steam.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I didn't say anything wrong! Please have mercy!"

"... Fine, but only if you give me the money those prostitutes pay you to please them."

The expression of anguish on the dwarf's face was a work of art. His lips trembled with rage, but the fear of what I could do to him overcame any thought of resistance. Very slowly, he removed the bag tied around his waist and handed it to me.

"Thanks! But just so you know, we're not even yet."

Leaving that phrase echoing in his mind, I left with Emilia (who hadn't heard anything I said to the dwarf) and we walked away from the brothel. The next destination was Diane's residence.

"Hello! Is anyone home?"

I knocked on the door of a house as dilapidated as the one I had in my world. In fact, I could fit right in with the slums, both in appearance and lifestyle.

"Are you sure she's here?" Emilia doubted we were in the right place.

"Yes, this is literally the last house in the area. Unless the prostitute's tip was wrong, Diane is definitely here. Which, by the way, means I picked all the wrong houses first. My lousy luck with chance things haunts me even in this world..."