Chapter 16: First Boss Fight (1)

Chapter 16: First Boss Fight (1)

~Mash B. POV~

"Now then everyone straighten your backs, hold firmly onto your sticks, and follow me! Hyah!"

"HYAH!"

Currently, I'm in Arlam Village getting to know Rem and Ram gathering supplies for the mansion, and meeting all kinds of people here.

The village's pseudo-headman Muraosa. The old lady is obsessed with being young again. The group leader with a crew cut. The leader of the Ram and Rem fan club with a crew cut. I joined the Rem camp. Fuck the Ram camp.

Seeing I had the time to do some exercise grinding my skills one thing led to another and soon I managed to gather a following doing my training practices.

Since they are doing it I gave them tips from people who are mostly children, teenagers, and some elder people praising them and correcting their stances, "Good cry! However, some of you still don't move like you should! This is for your health and well-being! Swing with me! HYAH!"

"HYAH!"

Doing something like this finishing some practice of my swings got me popular with the people. Eventually, I managed to talk to the people introducing themselves while I played around with the kids or people my age.

"Mash-niisama look! Look! I left a mark on this piece of lumber!"

"Hoo, pretty impressive swing Luka."

"I have experience helping my dad! He is the best lumberjack in the whole village!"

"I see, keep doing this and I'm sure you will reach his skill soon!"

The boy, Luka seemed so happy as Petra soon came over bringing a small dress taking my attention, and beginning to make small talk with her.

"Mash-niisama I designed these clothes."

"Hmm, this is quite a unique design. A bit crude, but you have talent."

"Really? I made this for you! I'm sure it will look good!"

"Eh? But I'm male Petra, this is a dress…"

"Mash-niisama is cool! B-But I think you will be pretty in a dress too!"

I felt my lips strained as I mentally sighed accepting the compliment, "…I – I see… I appreciate the compliment."

Taking the compliments I made sure to be done with my objective here. But I haven't seen Meili nor the dog around during my time playing around with the people here. This is quite concerning.

Returning to Rem I saw she was waiting for me I asked her to notice her presence, "Oh, you're done, Rem?"

She apologized to me scratching the back of my head with one hand, "Yes, sorry for making you wait Mash-sama."

I replied to her in a sheepish tone placing my katana on my waist and putting it away, "No really, it is fine. I did enjoy the free time I had while you were shopping."

Rem tilted her head behind me to see the group I caused by accident, "Rem can see that."

"Ah, its Rem-sama!"

"Hello, Rem-sama!"

Rem greeted the group of children coming towards us with a kind tone, "Hello to you all."

I soon said in a kind tone readying to leave with Rem to the children, "Well, I guess since Rem is done here I'll take my leave."

Petra soon frowned and looked very disappointed judging by her sad face, "Ehhh? You're leaving so soon?"

The kids soon pouted as I released a bead of sweat sounding a bit regretful explaining myself to the whining kids, "Sorry, but as much as I want to stay longer I can't. I'm here accompanying Rem and Ram in her shopping, and I also have my schedule to attend to but I promise to return tomorrow when I have free time."

All the kids looked at me as they all said, "Promise?"

I curtly nodded my head giving them a thumbs up and lifting their spirits. We parted ways from the village meeting up with Ram giving me a dirty look and responding with her stotic eyes and tone, "Rem and Mash-kun. You seem to be getting along well. Are you ready to help Bastion-kun lift the barrel?"

Wait left the – oi!

Soon enough I managed to hold onto the barrel with Rem quickly responding how 'courteous' I was helping them with a nod, "Oh my Mash-kun thank you for helping a maiden out. You are so kind."

Ram also joined in on dumping me with the barrel with a smug expression, "Why thank you very much Mash-kun."

I felt my right eye twitch at this. They planned this, didn't they…

[+1 INT figuring that out!]

Et tu Gamer system? Et tu…

Whatever. Rolling my eyes I had the idea of using my [Sub-Space] skill but reluctantly decided against it. Mostly because of Roswaal playing into character but never disregarding the grind.

Plus, this could be useful for exercising. Now then… all that's left is to return to the mansion and prepare for the upcoming battle ahead.

/////

Returning to the mansion I left Rem and Ram alone for a bit to prepare for dinner. Roswaal already left to take care of an issue with Garfield's place.

When he was already gone, I soon checked Rem's hand. A trickling blood showed narrowing my eyes realizing it was time as I spoke to them grabbing her wrist gently and raising it, "Excuse me for a moment."

Rem was surprised by the sudden movement while Ram gave me a dirty look till I pointed out a brown spot located on the black fabric, "You're bleeding Rem."

Ram perked up instantly her glare gone. She took a step forward checking her sister as I called Beatrice alerting her, 'Beatrice I need your assistance. I need you to check Rem for any curses.'

Beatrice already informed me she would be coming as Rem said and she folded her sleeve up revealing only smooth and clean skin, "Ah? This came from a small dog that bit Rem in the village. Around here, but Rem already healed it with magic."

I surprised the two as I spoke further explaining the dog shocking Rem, "Rem… did this puppy have a bald spot on its head or radiating a curse?"

Rem blinked in surprise before she or Ram could respond Beatrice appeared raising an eyebrow at me, "What is this talk about Rem being curses I suppose?"

Just in time. I smiled mentally at this as I faced Beatrice with a serious expression asking, "Beatrice-san, I have a request, could you check Rem's arm?"

Beatrice narrowed her eyes her face scrunched up in irritation before agreeing to help me as she floated down turning towards Rem, "I could, I suppose. Show me your arm, I suppose."

Rem tentatively extended her hand to her as she managed to examine it finally replying in a surprised tone, "Hoh? You're cursed."

Rem and Ram both yelled with shocked faces, "WHAT?!"

Beatrice nodded her head commenting as she observed the curse narrowing her eyes, "This curse… Hmm, this is a bit complex. Not too hard for me to break, I suppose. But it's still troublesome you already healed the wound by yourself, I suppose?"

Rem gave a shaky nod to Beatrice explaining herself in a shocked tone, "Yes. Rem already healed the wound but… Rem didn't detect a curse at all."

Beatrice scoffed at this explaining to the Onis why they couldn't find any traces of the curse, "Of course you didn't, you're not that proficient. This curse, while easy enough to break is hard to detect. It was created to be as unnoticeable as possible, only those who delve into the healing arts seriously can detect this curse, I suppose."

Curses huh… I kind of forgot that's a thing here in Re: Zero. Better make a mental note to learn that curse. Could come in handy in different worlds if they have no defense against it unless you are a highly skilled healer or jujutsu sorcerer.

I made a mental note to remind myself later to ask Beatrice to help me learn that curse as she was still observing Rem's arm when she suddenly grunted and placed her hand over the spot where Rem was bitten.

*Wooosh*

When she placed her hand back, she was holding a wispy orb, as dark as the abyss. It seemed to be made up mostly of smoke, but she still had a solid gasp grumbling at the curse, "What a nasty piece of work, I suppose."

Ram finally found her voice again and responded in a nervous tone, "That curse… what would it have done to Rem, Beatrice-sama?"

Beatrice spared her a small look before she turned her attention back to the black whisp in her grip, "This is a curse that severely weakens the victim's body. Once it activates it causes their organs to shut down, until they cease functioning. It's lethal, from the moment it activates it will work very fast. I doubt she would survive long enough to bring her to me if it did, I suppose."

*Wiiiish*

*CRACK*

With a flick of her wrist, she crushed the curse out of existence as the twins paled upon hearing that especially for the horrified Rem. Right… if one is lost the other wouldn't be able to function without the other.

Beatrice gazes towards me as she uses our skill link with my title using [Telepathy] in a curious tone, 'I'm surprised you were able to detect it, I suppose. You brought me to her to get checked. Is this just one of the hidden features of your Divine Protection? Something like the Sword Saints perhaps in fact?'

Right, I forgot I hadn't told Beatrice my real abilities. But that's for a later time responding to her in a serious tone, 'Right I forgot I haven't told you my abilities yet. I'll explain when we have a better time right now though something else needs my attention. I'm sure you're aware.'

I gazed at their eyes filled with worry crossing my arms and readying my weapon I asked the twins preparing my speech I had ready to explain my reasoning of the enemy, "In that case, our enemy is the hidden pup that bit Rem. It must be the only one responsible because of the evidence given. When you mentioned the bald puppy, I talked with the village elders they mentioned they rarely had pets, other than livestock and guard dogs at least. However, one day a girl brings the same pup. I smell a hint of sabotage at play."

Beatrice noticing this nods her head understanding my reasoning given the evidence we have together, "I see. Someone from Roswaal's manor, someone who hosts a royal candidate gets bitten by just that puppy, during your only trip to the village in weeks. Coincidence perhaps not in fact."

Ram understood my intention closing her eyes agreeing with me and allowing Rem to accompany me to this battle turning her head to Rem in a serious tone, "Understood. I'll approve of your decision. However, I cannot allow you to go alone. I will send Rem to go with you while I take care of Emilia-san. Rem, please deal with this accordingly. I will verify this with Beatrice-sam and protect Emilia-san. Use whatever you need Rem."

Rem gazed at Ram curtly nodding in agreement as we both began to move. Even knowing the plot and the one in charge this felt personal now bringing unexpecting people into this. Time to get my game on.