A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 5 - Part 31

"Elaborate. What's my connection to Pandora?"

"... If she hasn't told you until now, there must be a good reason. I'm afraid I can't interfere."

That was very suspicious. I gave Echidna an accusatory look.

"Why not?"

"I have an agreement with her." She said bluntly.

Now things are getting interesting. Were Echidna and Pandora working together? To what end? If only I could remember whatever it was I'd forgotten...

"What about the cultist who had a crossbow and daggers? Can you tell me anything about that guy?"

My next question focused on my doppelganger. Even with everything I knew about Re:Zero, I couldn't imagine an origin or justification for its existence.

For some reason, I gained his abilities by killing him, and for the past few days I'd been dreaming strange things that could very well be visions of his memories. I had some theories about it, but I needed to rule out options, and this was the perfect opportunity to do it.

Echidna made me wait several seconds before answering, as if she were choosing her words carefully.

"... He was one of the trials you must face."

"What?"

"It's related to Pandora. When you see her, she'll tell you."

"Ah. That's no good to me."

Looking at Echidna's expression, I wondered if she enjoyed having such complete knowledge while I felt like I was walking on a tightrope in the middle of the abyss.

"Don't think I like to keep information to myself. This goes against my nature."

"Are you reading my mind?"

"I'm reading your face."

"Really? Guess what I'm thinking right now." I bit my lip and winked at her.

Echidna rolled her eyes.

"How is it possible that you go from being serious to making jokes from one moment to the next?"

"I have a lot of mental disorders."

"I've noticed."

We both smiled. I wanted to ask something about Subaru, or about Aldebaran's reaction to seeing me, but I risked being overheard by Satella, and I didn't want to expose my knowledge of this world to Echidna, assuming she didn't have full access to my mind.

"So, what can you do for me?" I asked rhetorically, exhaling in frustration. "I have no idea what Pandora is planning, but if I'm going to keep running into dangerous enemies, I need more power—or more information."

"Well, you've been having nightmares lately, haven't you?"

"Yes... Are you sure you don't read my mind?"

"I am, and I think I can do something about those nightmares."

The witch in question had stood up, standing behind me. Before I could ask her what she was doing, she began massaging me.

"You're very tense. You should relax."

"I wish I could, but in this situation, I feel more excited than anything else..."

I sighed, releasing some of the tension in my body. Echidna worked on my muscles with a surprising technique that completely loosened me up. Enjoying the sensation, I reflexively leaned back slightly, my head pressing against two soft balloons.