A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 5 - Part 24

"Well done, Patrasche! You're the best!"

Patrasche squealed happily at my praise. She deserved it for being such a good girl.

"I'll make sure you're fed premium food for—ugh!"

A sharp blow made me wince in pain. I turned around to identify my attacker.

"Rem?"

"Don't risk your life like that again!"

The tears that lingered in Rem's eyes were like a slap in the face.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologize! Just listen to what I'm saying for once!"

Well, in the absence of a mother in this world, I had my partner scolding me for being reckless. She was a substitute who balanced things out.

Still, it seemed ironic to me that I was being asked to be careful with my life now that I could die multiple times and go back and remake history.

What's next? Become impotent and then be given a sex slave right after?

"Okay. I promise I won't do anything stupid like that after today."

I gave her a thumbs up, but she just gave me an annoyed look.

"You're trying to cheat, it's obvious."

"You caught me." I admitted, shrugging. "Well, it can't be helped! We still have to fight a sect of lunatics."

"Yes, that's true."

Someone coughed behind us. It was Crusch, who was looking at us with a smile.

"Am I interrupting something?"

"Absolutely." I agreed.

"Absolutely not, Lady Crusch."

Rem corrected me and bowed to her.

"Let me look good, at least..."

I grimaced and turned my full attention to the Duchess.

"Can I have a moment to talk to you privately?" Crusch asked.

"No problem." I started to follow her, but a certain dragon tried to come with me, and I had to stop her. "You heard her, Patrasche. There are no exceptions."

I held back my laughter so as not to give myself away. It was funny to see Rem slapping her forehead at my stupidity.

Thinking about it, I think there's a pattern here. Am I so bad at interacting with women that the only way I can think of to get their attention is by being a clown?

Well, I can rethink my existence later. There are more pressing matters at the moment.

"This is fine." She said.

We stopped in a relatively secluded spot.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Today I have contracted a debt with you. If it weren't for you, who knows if we would have been able to defeat the White Whale, much less with any casualties."

Based on my memories of a What If, that would have gone very wrong, but I shouldn't mention it.

"..."

I remained silent, looking at the horizon.

"We owe all of this to you. You're a hero."

"No, I'll never be like that." I denied with a bitter smile. "A hero solves disasters, not creates them."

"Even if you think so, you saved countless lives tonight. Many people have been spared a horror that weighed on their consciences, and it's thanks to what you did."