A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 5 - Part 21

"No, why do you say that?"

"He looked very well fed."

The casual way she responded caught me off guard, and I burst out laughing. My friend was pretty heavy—probably over 220. She somehow managed to point that out in such a subtle way.

I hope he's doing well. I hope everyone is doing well.

"That's a good point."

We were silent for a while. I assumed we were both thinking about the past, about the things we'd lost. I was still struggling to accept the fact that I would never be with my family and friends again.

However, I wasn't alone. I had the people from here.

"Are you sure Lady Crusch will accept your proposal?"

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't have had Nadir forging more than fifty weapons, ammunition and holsters."

That way, the battle would be much easier, drastically reducing the number of possible casualties. Besides, I wanted to see that whale turned into a sieve.

"Speaking of which, aren't they supposed to be pretty dangerous? Letting a bunch of soldiers have them is risky, to say the least."

"I've thought about that. I couldn't sleep because of what happened. Obviously, I understand the risks! One of the conditions of the agreement will be that every revolver and rifle will be destroyed when this is all over."

"Still, don't you think someone might keep one in secret or sell it?"

I shook my head slowly.

"I talked to Nadir about it when he started making them. Except for the original, every revolver and rifle has a small magic crystal installed inside. When this is all over, I'll activate a remote self-destruct spell to make sure there will be no weapon."

Almost no weapon, since as I said, I made the decision to keep the first revolver with me, to use as a last resort in a pinch, and also as a reminder that arrogant and intemperate actions have serious, often irreparable, consequences.

Once the weapons, holsters, and ammunition were ready, we loaded them into a rented carriage and headed to Karsten Mansion. Nadir greeted us as we departed.

"Good luck, boss!"

"Why do you keep calling me that? What a strange guy..."

Strange like a certain person who didn't seem to realize how ironic his thought was.

Thanks to the fact that I announced my visit a few hours in advance, there were already people waiting for us when we arrived.

"Sir Leandro, welcome. Please come in."

Wilhelm was one of those who greeted us. He bowed respectfully, either out of politeness or because of my status as a guest, even though his social standing was equal or superior to mine.

So I quickly returned the gesture.

"It's good to see you again."

"Same here." The old man looked at me with his eyes. "Your aura has changed since last time."

"If you're referring to my attitude, I'm working on it. I wasn't born a butler, but I'm trying to improve."

I smiled as I admitted my lack of class, but Wilhelm's expression didn't change. In fact, I noticed he was a little more serious and formal than when we first met.

"I heard what happened."

That's when I understood the reason for his solemnity. If he knew about the stolen revolver, he understood that I had indirectly caused the deaths of some knights.

"People lost their lives because of my mistake; I haven't stopped thinking about that since it happened. I'm very sorry for what I did, and I hope I can make amends."

"People will choose whether or not to forgive you, no matter what you do to make it up to them. But if guilt keeps you up at night, then it's no longer about others, it's about you."

Wilhelm explained it to me bluntly. What he meant was that I should forgive myself, right?

Well, that was going to be difficult. As much as I wanted to ignore it, there was a thought that had been tormenting me for a while.

"In the future, someone else will die because of my decisions."

Wilhelm was about to say something else, but at that moment, a certain cat boy approached from the mansion.

"Leandro! I'm warning you, don't try anything perverted with Lady Crusch, nya!"

Felix pointed an accusing finger at me, his expression filled with suspicion. I forgot my melancholy to return to my character, feigning surprise and indignation.

"How did you know what I was planning to do?!"

"Oh!? So you confess, nya!"

"Hmm, that's fine. I don't care if you already know my intentions. After all, it's your lady who will decide if she wants to experience the pleasure I can provide."

"T-That's never going to happen! Ferri won't allow it!"

I could clearly hear Rem and Wilhelm's sighs. They were both looking at me as if to say, 'Stop messing with him,' but I was having a lot of fun.

However, there were priorities. Time to stop.

"Okay, how about we just forget about this and move on?" I cut my ugly bastard act and regained my composure. "It would be very rude to keep the hostess waiting."

Reluctantly, Felix had to concede my point. He and Wilhelm took the lead to lead the way.

We went to Crusch's office. She was sitting behind her desk, wearing her usual men's suit.

"You can still see her tits. Fuck, what a beautiful woman."

The fact that she was trying to look less feminine only made things worse, because it made me wonder what she would look like in other clothes, or without them.

Man, I think I need a girlfriend.

***

Nadir returned to the tent when the carriage was out of sight. The place was empty and silent again, though the warmth from the butler and maid's prolonged presence still lingered.

"I never thought I'd see this place so clean and tidy. That Oni girl is very good at what she does."

Suddenly, Nadir tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground. This wasn't a slip or a side effect of overexertion, but a natural reaction to a shocking event.

Before him had materialized a celestial figure, the embodiment of dazzling beauty, a full-fledged star, though devoid of the brilliance and heat that would kill any mortal who stood close enough.

Just looking at her, Nadir began to weep uncontrollably, overwhelmed with happiness. Drawing on all his willpower, the blacksmith crawled to the goddess's feet, prostrating himself before her like a completely devoted servant.

"Your Holiness Pandora! It is an honor to welcome you to my humble home!"

"Nadir Ashveil, your diligence in following my instructions shows that your love runs deep. You've done a great job."

"Oh, Your Holiness! I feel unworthy of such praise! I only did the bare minimum expected of my humble self! Please allow me to continue serving you, so that my existence may have a purpose!"

Pandora's lips curved upward in a soft pout that only made her look even more perfectly beautiful.

"It will be so, Nadir Ashveil. You just have to continue supporting my beloved apostle on his path. Very soon he'll be ready for his next trial."

Pandora looked in a specific direction, as if she could see beyond the walls and the distance.

"I'm sure he'll be able to overcome it, and then I'll finally be reunited with him."