A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 6 - Part 33

"Huh?" Emilia looked at me with raised eyebrows.

I have to stop being embarrassing, starting with giving up bad jokes.

***

Hours later, during the night, I found myself standing in front of Echidna's Tomb, the imposing ruins where the Sanctuary holds its judgment. Beside me were Otto, Rem, Ram, Garfiel, and Ryuzu. Emilia was a little further ahead because she was receiving encouragement from the illegal spirits—I mean, lesser spirits.

"She can do it, can't she?" Otto murmured.

"She can and she will." I asserted.

"Hmph, I wonder if that's so," Garfiel said, his tone neutral and devoid of mockery. "Perhaps you're overconfident in your lady."

He spoke from his experience failing the first test. It wasn't an opinion given lightly. In fact, I thought like him, but obviously I wouldn't say my true thoughts out loud, as that didn't make sense in this context.

"Lady Emilia may be a person who is weak in many ways, but she's grown and strengthened at an incredible pace lately. She's not to be underestimated."

Ram defended her before I could even think of a suitable response. I smiled delightedly.

"That's how it is."

Suddenly, I felt something give me a gentle tug on my sleeve. It was Rem, who had approached me.

"Anyway, I hope you've prepared yourself to act accordingly if something goes wrong."

"Don't worry. I'm prepared for anything."

At that moment, Emilia finished her lecture and called me over. I trotted obediently toward her.

"Yes? What does my beautiful lady need?"

"Um... Well, I wanted to ask you if you could..."

Emilia murmured timidly, playing with her fingers.

"If I can...?"

"Can you do something to give me a little more courage?" She finally exclaimed, her face red with embarrassment.

I opened my mouth and let out an "oh" of understanding. Then I grabbed one of her hands and wrapped my pinky finger around hers.

"When you pass the tests, I promise I'll reward you by doing whatever you tell me for a whole day. No exceptions!"

Emilia's eyes widened. My promise sounded bold, but she wasn't the type to make malicious, cruel, or overly complicated requests, let alone anything perverted.

Ah, I wished she would.

"That's very generous, maybe too much. But I'll accept it."

As Emilia turned towards the ruins, they were filled with a watery green light.

"This means the tomb recognizes that Lady Emilia is qualified to conduct the trial." Ryuzu reported.

"Great, with this she's done more than Roswaal." I was thinking out loud, and Ram's hostile look let me know.

Determined to face the test, Emilia climbed the stairs and entered the phosphorescent rock tomb. I stood still, anxiously awaiting the result. I noticed Otto and Ram chatting while Garfiel and Ryuzu remained silent. On the other hand, Rem...

"What did you see?"

"What are you talking about?"

She had come closer again, which didn't bother me because Rem was very cute, but at the same time I wanted to keep her away so she wouldn't ask me too many questions before my plan was ready to be carried out.