A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 6 - Part 33

"I know you don't like to talk about it, but I noticed the change in your scent. The witch's scent has grown stronger. Has your authority become active again?"

"Yes, but this isn't a good time to talk about that. Let's leave it for later."

"I understand, but if this is an excuse to keep me away from something dangerous..."

I quickly denied.

"It isn't. What's coming is something I can't handle alone. That's why I want us to talk privately and with more time."

Rem looked at me for several seconds, analyzing my expression until she seemed convinced.

"OK."

I turned to look at the tomb just as the light suddenly went out, a sign that Emilia had failed. I ignored the others' surprised reactions and ran toward the ruins.

"Damn, I was hoping she'd make it the first time. Well, I just have to comfort her and make her believe in herself to fix this."

As calculating as it sounded, the truth was that my idiocy always managed to seep through the cracks of my carelessness. Indeed, I had completely forgotten what would happen if I entered the ruins during the hour of judgment.

When I entered the room at the end of the hallway, I saw Emilia lying unconscious on the floor. Before I could take a single step to help her, I heard a voice whispering in my head.

"First, face your past."

The strength left my body, which collapsed to the ground, and my consciousness slowly faded as everything went dark.

***

Everyone was anxious to know what had happened at the tomb. First, the light of judgment quickly went out after Emilia entered, suggesting something had gone wrong.

The next step, Leandro ran into the structure without being rejected, which was unexpected because it meant the trial had accepted him. A few minutes later, the light went out again.

"What does this mean?" Otto whispered, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Garfiel watched the entrance of the tomb closely, thinking that it was unlikely that this guy had faced the test as well, given that the tomb had only admitted people of mixed blood.

Rem and Ram stood together, holding hands in a mutually comforting gesture. The younger sister was visibly tense, in contrast to her older sister's serious demeanor.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard. Then, the figures of Emilia and Leandro appeared in the doorway. The first thing that stood out was the half-elf's trembling and her expression of suffering, even as she clung to her guardian's arm.

"Lady Emilia..."

Ram sighed bitterly. With all of Emilia's progress with the villagers, she almost expected something more, but apparently, the half-elf girl was still a fragile child inside.

"She failed, didn't she?" Rem put the obvious into words.

"Everything points to yes." Otto nodded, reading the situation even before the couple explained.

Finally, Leandro and Emilia left the trial area, allowing everyone to approach safely. Unlike the half-elf, Leandro was quite calm. In fact, Rem sensed something different about him, subtle yet profound.

"What happened in there?" Garfiel asked, arms crossed, trying not to look anxious.

"Emilia needs to rest." Leandro ignored the demihuman and turned to Ram.