A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 5 - Part 26

"Sorry, I'm not used to seeing these things..."

Leandro apologized weakly; his reaction surprised Julius. He had thought Leandro would be indifferent to the state he had left the Archbishop in, so this reaction was unexpected. Therefore, even though he didn't want to, the spiritual knight forced himself to pressure his friend.

"You did it, didn't you? How did it happen?"

That simple question evoked a deathly silence. All eyes focused on the young butler, who was still recovering from the shock.

"Julius, that's a little..."

Felix began to reprimand him, but Leandro firmly interrupted him.

"I killed Sloth with a shot to the head. Gluttony was more complicated. I was forced to use the authority I'd gained."

"You got what?!" Felix asked, incredulous.

"When I killed Sloth, for some reason I gained his authority. That allowed me to kill the other archbishop."

Rem had begun to tremble. She looked at Leandro with something resembling fear, but she wasn't afraid of him, but of the entity stalking him with so much... love? No, it was definitely something closer to obsession.

"The Witch of Envy continues to favor you even when you kill her supposed followers and representatives... What are you to her? What meaning does your existence have in her eyes?"

Pointing to Lye's remains, Felix put into words what Julius was thinking.

"Why did you kill him like that? You gave the other one a quick death, but this one..."

Leandro was quick to respond.

"He tortured me; you can confirm that by the wounds you healed a moment ago. That bastard pushed my mind to its limits, and I lost it for a while." He explained, annoyed by the cautious expression on everyone's faces. "I don't usually act like a savage, even when it comes to a cultist, but he asked for it."

"I'm more interested in what you said before. Does the Archbishop's death mean you've obtained the Authority of Gluttony?"

This time it was Crusch who asked. Leandro immediately denied it.

"No. I would be aware of it if that were the case."

Julius's eyes sparkled as he spoke; he felt a mixture of admiration and concern for his friend. A witch factor could be a double-edged sword, as it was a dark, corrupting power.

"It's horrible. Utterly horrible." He shook his head, disgusted at the idea of having something so profane attached to him, intertwined with his very essence.

"And fascinating." Felix added. "I had no idea that authority could be transferred like that."

"By the way, it would be dangerous if this information were to spread." The butler said. "I trust you can keep it a secret."

There was no threat in Leandro's tone. He had genuine faith in them, or at least that's how it appeared.

"How's the mission going? Were there any problems?" He asked immediately afterward, without waiting for the others' response to what he had said before.

"Not if we don't count this." The Duchess looked relieved. "As far as I know, we haven't had any deaths."

"Then I won't have to offer you my life. Thank goodness, huh?"

"It would have been a way to get you to my camp, but it's not worth it if someone has to die." She said, crossing her arms.

"You would never be willing to do something like that. That's why you would be a great queen."

Crusch smiled softly at Leandro's flattering remark. Rem and Felix, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow. Meanwhile, Julius was deep in thought, his face serious.

"Well, I think we should go. I owe you all a lot. If I'd been alone, I never would have been able to stop the cult."

"I doubt we would have had the same luck against the White Whale without your intervention. I have no claim on you or Emilia's camp; we are allies, after all."

She extended her hand and he shook it.

"Yes, we are. Wow, to think that less than three months ago I was an unemployed antisocial and now I'm rubbing shoulders with political figures. Not bad at all, huh?"

Crusch turned to look at Felix and nodded.

"We should meet up with the others and get everything in order before returning to the royal capital."

As everyone prepared to leave, Leandro walked slowly to a specific spot and began searching for something on the ground.

"Oh, there you are." He bent down and picked up his revolver. "I can't get rid of you, just yet."

He sighed and put it back in its sheath. For a few seconds, his gaze wandered around the place and stopped when he saw the bodies of Petelgeuse and Lye.

"True, I should collect their Gospels, just in case..."

***

There was still a large group in the village. When I approached, I saw a familiar man tied to a pole. I smiled and untied him as he looked at me apprehensively.

"Thanks for saving me, even though I'm not in the mood to say that, damn it!"

Even the opening lines were exactly as I remembered. This world was my new reality, but it still seemed to retain some script tweaks.

"What's your name, friend?"

"Otto Suwen, I am a merchant and..."

I listened to his painful account of how he ended up here, nodding occasionally to show I was paying attention (I actually got distracted and missed most of what he said); when he finished, I patted him on the arm and played my card.

"Otto, I want you to work with me for a while."

"Excuse me?"

"I am a steward at the manor of the lord of these lands, Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers. He will compensate you adequately for your services, I can guarantee it."

"Ah, I..."

"Don't worry, the danger from the cult is over. It must have been quite a scare becoming a sacrifice, huh?" I chuckled. "Look, I just need you to do carriage work; carrying people or objects, that sort of thing."

I tried to make it clear that I wouldn't take no for an answer, since I barely gave him time to think about the proposal, much less have any second thoughts.

"I guess it won't hurt... I need money, anyway."

"Good decision! We have to go now, so let's get to work."

I helped him up and dragged him with me. He was still trying to process everything, feeling overwhelmed by the pace of the plot.

"Oh, hey, sir... You haven't told me your name yet."

"Don't treat me so formally. We're the same age."

"Okay... So, may I know your name?"

"Leandro Lagostena, nice to meet you." I summarized. "This is Rem, a servant at the mansion."

We had arrived at the place where everyone was gathered, all preparing their carriages and/or mounts for the journey to the royal capital. I pointed to the blue-haired beauty and spontaneously introduced her.

"I'm Otto Suwen. L-Let's get along."

Despite Otto's nervousness, Rem bowed and displayed her perfect manners. I was fascinated by the pose she struck in her maid outfit (newsflash: I have weird fetishes).

"Nice to meet you, Master Otto."

A few minutes later, Rem and I boarded the carriage driven by Otto and set off for the royal capital.

I couldn't believe I was already entering the fourth arc. I was almost there to meet Garfield, Echidna, and the other Witches of Sin.