A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 4 - Part 19

Technically Rem wasn't lying, but what she didn't say was that Roswaal had ordered her to stay close to Leandro, among other things.

"I see, so you're here on your own, huh?"

"That's right. My partner and I are chasing the man who tried to kill you. I came to check that you weren't hurt."

Russell raised his eyebrows in curiosity. It was unusual enough to see a servant of Marquis Mathers acting independently, but what was even stranger was her connection to Gilbert.

More importantly, she mentioned a companion. Could that be the person who shot the arrow?

"Who's your partner? Shouldn't they be with you?"

"His name is Leandro, he's the mansion's new butler. He's tracking our target."

Rem's response confused Russell.

"A butler? That's odd. Roswaal hasn't hired anyone for years, probably because he prefers to know his employees well, given the risk of allowing a stranger to live so close to him (especially now that he's become that girl's sponsor). But now it turns out he brought someone else... He definitely didn't do it randomly."

"Mr. Russell? Are you okay?"

Knowing it was useless to try to understand how Roswaal's mind worked and what plans he had made, Russell gave up and returned to reality.

"Why are you after Gilbert?"

"He stole a very dangerous weapon that belongs to Leandro."

'Dangerous' was a word that carried a lot of meaning. Russell didn't miss that, even though he was already certain it was true. Gilbert wouldn't have attacked him so openly without checking: in fact, he mentioned that he had already killed some gentlemen using the revolver.

"You mean the metal device? I couldn't see it working."

"If that had been the case, you would already be dead."

Rem's bold words brought a smile to Russell's face, and he found himself deeply interested in learning more about the weapon. Its value would be proportional to its power, and its value determined how much money Russell could make by selling it.

"What kind of gun is that?" Gilbert pointed it at me like he was going to throw something.

"About that... Leandro only said that it is a powerful invention from his homeland, the weakest among the other weapons he will produce with the help of the blacksmith Nadir Ashveil."

"There's more where that came from!? And he managed to get the famous God of Creation working again!? Besides, what's he up to by wanting so many powerful weapons? Is it his plan or Margrave's?"

The merchant bit his lip. His instinct told him this was a great opportunity. He needed to meet this boy and find out everything he could about him.

There was a chance the boy posed a threat to the kingdom, in which case Russell had to eliminate him quickly, even if it put him at odds with Roswaal.

But if that were not the case, Russell had to settle a debt with Leandro for saving his life, even if it was a side effect.

"At best, I can make a lot of money with this. I have to get my hands on those weapons."

"Mr. Russell, what do you know about Gilbert? Do you think he'll run away now that he's been discovered?"

"I don't think so. Gilbert never tolerated anyone being superior to him. His temper led him to ruin, so I know he won't stop until he gets what he wants or until he dies."