A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 5 - Part 22

Felix's face was wrinkled with confusion. Perhaps he still didn't understand what this was all about, or perhaps he simply couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"To give you an estimate of the power of these weapons, I'll tell you that they could subjugate one of the three great mabeasts with adequate supplies (which I already have prepared) and some tactical planning."

With that I concluded the presentation, taking a step back and giving a subtle bow.

Looking back, I was much more nervous giving a lecture on economics in high school than I was this time, negotiating with a political figure on his own turf.

Well, there were two reasons why I wasn't worried that the negotiations might fail. One was the Return by Death, and the other was that I'd had this conversation before—since I didn't have the information about the White Whale's appearance back then, my meeting with Crusch stalled—except this time I'd see it through to the end.

"Leandro Lagostena..."

Crusch's voice took on a deep, resonant tone, as expected from someone with a strong leadership spirit.

"The first time I heard about you was when Felix told me what had happened during his meeting with Emilia at Marquis Mathers' mansion. Felix said there was a new employee, a butler, who had the audacity to approach Sir Wilhelm to make friends."

I won't say I planned all my actions carefully, because that would be a blatant lie, but there was certainly a specific purpose to the way I approached Wilhelm. With Felix, on the other hand, I wasn't so calculating, as his sensuality distracts me.

Damn femboys, they ruined my mind... Nah, porn already did that.

Oh, that's right, I forgot Crusch's monologue. Let's get back to that.

"According to what Emilia said when she spoke of you, you're a foreigner who recently arrived in Lugunica. I found it very strange that someone like you could recognize several local figures and be aware of the current sociopolitical situation. Your background is unknown, as far as I know, and that makes your past something you can manipulate to your advantage. Even if your history with the Witch Cult is true, the rest remains a mystery: the information you possess (including those weapons from your homeland) may be much deeper than we know, and your true intentions are still unclear to me."

I expected that approach. Luckily, Crusch would detect any deliberate lies, so I just had to be honest and say what suited me without overreacting.

"My life before arriving in Lugunica was pretty boring and irrelevant. If you're worried that I'm a potential terrorist or something, you can discard that idea already. The only wish I have is for the world to prosper, for evil to disappear, and for everyone to be happy. I don't have some evil or twisted plan to achieve those goals; I'm sincerely supporting Emilia, even if I think you'd be a better ruler than her."

At that point, Crusch made an expression of genuine astonishment: her eyebrows were raised and her eyes had rounded.

"So why are you with her?"

"Because it's what destiny requires and what my heart demands. Calm down, Shakespeare."

Someone sighed behind me. I couldn't tell who it was, but it sounded like they were either annoyed or moved by my last sentence.

"I know you want to hunt the White Whale. Join forces with me, and I assure you we can take down that beast without any casualties. I'll offer you my life if anyone dies."

"Pfft."

Of all the possible reactions I imagined, laughter wasn't one of them. But the interesting thing was that it wasn't a sarcastic laugh. Crusch seemed happy after hearing my statement.