Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活)

If Crusch-sama's goal should be attained,

I'm sure it would suit your desires, Wilhelm-dono.

I expect the best.

My, how unusual it is to see you!

My apologies.

I am the treasurer of the capital's merchant guild.

My name is Russell Fellow.

It's a pleasure to meet you,

Natsuki Subaru-dono.

Wilhelm-san, who was that?

Russell Fellow.

He is, despite what he said,

a shrewd man with dealings in all of the capital's inner and outer financial matters.

Now, I was just about to head back inside...

Do you have something to say?

Some people calling themselves the Witch's Cult

plan to attack Roswaal's domain in three days.

I want to ask for your help in stopping them.

I see.

So they have made their move.

It seems so.

Of course, from the moment Emilia-sama, a half-elf, entered the scene,

we foresaw something like this happening.

I understand the situation.

My next question is why you chose me to assist you.

Because, to be honest, you seem the most likely to help right now.

You've helped me and Rem—

Don't misunderstand.

I helped you two because I was contracted to do so.

If you wish to negotiate, you need to show me what I stand to gain.

Otherwise, there is nothing to negotiate.

If, with my assistance,

you can eliminate the threat posed by the Witch's Cult,

what would my profit be?

Tell me that.

If you help me out with this problem,

I'll owe a huge debt to your camp.

Should I accept that proposal,

it would mean Emilia drops out of the royal selection.

You understand that?

What did you expect?

To place your own domain's survival in the hands of another lord calls

into question your ability to rule the nation.

With that in mind, I ask you again...

If you incur a debt to me through this deal,

it will mean the elimination of Emilia's camp from the race.

Are you sure that's what you want?

Even so...

I still want your help.

If she dies, everything ends, anyway.

Understood.

In that case, the Karsten family will lend you no assistance whatsoever.

Huh?

First of all, the condition of Emilia's withdrawal,

which you offered in desperation as an advantage to me,

carries no weight in this negotiation.

But why?

Isn't removing one of your rivals enough compensation?!

Are you really not aware?

Emilia's elimination from the royal selection

will happen with or without my involvement.

Then you'll just let the Witch's Cult slaughter

all the people of that village in Roswaal's domain?!

Don't change the subject, Natsuki Subaru.

It is Emilia who lacks the power to protect that domain,

and Emilia whose people will die for her incompetence.

Not me.

B-But isn't it wrong to know people will die and not stop it?!

If you have the power to save them, why wouldn't you?!

Hey! I've heard enough of—

It's fine.

Allow me to correct one idea you have.

Say the Witch's Cult does make a move.

That what you say comes to pass.

However, the problem comes afterward.

Afterward?

It's simple.

How do you know when and where they will attack?

Th-That's...

If you are a member of the Witch's Cult,

it would make sense.

That's bull—

Crusch-sama, please don't make jokes.

Of course Subaru-kun isn't a member of the Witch's Cult.

Really?

Given what he has said,

if he can't explain how he knows these details,

I can draw no other conclusion.

Have you never sensed any such inclination in him?

Never.

Regardless, I cannot lend assistance to Emilia—

The Witch's Cult is coming!

They're going to slaughter everyone in the village!

Kill them...

We just have to kill them!

All we have to do is kill every single bastard in that cult!

That will solve everything! Everything!

You get that, right?

We can't let those bastards live!

I'm going to kill them!

Please help me!

Is this why you behave as you do?

Your hatred for the Witch's Cult...

Is that your real reason for approaching Emilia?

No! I—

What else could one call that glint in your eyes but murderous intent?

Are you suggesting I'm using Emilia as a pretense for revenge against them?!

My hatred has nothing to do with how evil they are!

They can't be allowed to live!

That's why we have to kill every one of them!

That will save everyone!

I'm certain I told you, Natsuki Subaru,

that if your own lie doesn't fool you, it won't deceive others.

Why...

You don't know why?

Because you haven't once said

that you want to save Emilia.

I cannot allow you to come any closer.

Subaru-kun,

please calm down.

I can generally tell when the person I'm speaking with is lying.

I'm quite proud of the fact that I have never been deceived in negotiations.

Speaking from those years of experience,

I can say you aren't lying.

W-Well, then...

You adamantly believe that your rantings are true.

That is nothing short of madness,

Natsuki Subaru.

Felis, heal his lip.

Don't bother!

Rem, let's go.

Do you have anywhere else to turn?

I hope you become a great ruler.

The kind of dictator who abandons the weak.

I thank you in my master's stead

for the care you have given us.

What will we do?

If what you say is true, we have little time.

"If" it's true?

We have little time.

Shall we return to Roswaal-sama's mansion?

No, there's not much the two of us could do by going back there now.

There aren't enough of us.

What the hell is Roswaal doing?

Roswaal-sama has been required to visit some officials within the domain.

He will be staying with them for a few days.

That's why he can't do anything about the attack?

Then we won't get anywhere unless we can bring reinforcements...

What about Reinhard?

Wouldn't he help us?

He said yesterday that he would be

away from the capital for a while on a courtesy call.

Damn it!

Why are you all so useless?!

Tomorrow, we'll have to look for someone else to help us.

You head to the knights' station.

I'm going to talk to one of the other candidates.

Very well.

The Witch's Cult?

Yes.

If left alone, they'll hurt lots of people.

Emilia won't be their only victim.

I want to defeat them before that happens!

That's why I—

Amusing! You are amusing!

Of course.

Any jester who makes it this far has mastered his act.

Wh-What's so funny about this?!

I can appreciate your desperation,

but you haven't thought things through.

In trying to aid your ally, you corner them, benefiting the enemy, and lose all control.

You're better off dying.

In fact, I could just lop off your head for you right now.

Still, even in the face of such harsh treatment,

the devotion you show for your master, at least, is commendable.

So...

I will give you an opportunity.

A-An opportunity?

Yes, an opportunity.

What you would call a "chance."

Lick it.

Huh?

Crawl on the floor,

savor the shame and humiliation,

and like a wretched beast,

like a baby suckling on its mother's teat,

lick my foot.

If you can do that, I'll consider your proposal.

If you don't want to, that's fine.

If you'd rather favor your minuscule pride

and abandon the mistress you wagged your tail for to the wasteland, then fine.

Either choice you make will entertain me.

F-Fine.

I guess you really are just an insignificant man!

What you just displayed was neither loyalty nor devotion.

It's something more filthy, like a dog's dependence or a pig's greed.

You lazy pig who knows only how to want!

A pig's greed is the ugliest thing there is!

Even if the Witch's Cult is defeated,

I will strike down any camp you are part of!