"UGH, I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
"Of course you can, you only have ten seconds left!"
Emilia encouraged me, so I couldn't give up. I endured the pain like a champion and managed to complete the five-minute abdominal plank. However, just after completing the required time, I collapsed to the floor, exhausted.
"HAAAAAA..."
"Good job! You've been working really hard lately."
I nodded slowly, taking in the half-elf's beauty from the ground.
"It's because I can't afford to be out of shape anymore."
"Are you worried?"
"Something like that."
Of course I was. The canon had changed in an inexplicable and inconvenient way, introducing a character I'd never known anything about. Because of that, I had to work harder than ever to be prepared to face him.
For my third loop, I did almost everything the same as before. I told everyone the same story, became a butler, and tried to gain the maids' trust.
Ram taught me how to read and write, and Rem cut my hair. I wouldn't say it was a huge leap forward, but now I could talk to them casually without it being awkward (at least to Ram). I had more free time because I was familiar with the mansion, and I could do my work more easily.
For the first four days, I performed various physical exercises, such as running several kilometers, doing sit-ups, push-ups, and squats. I began this routine believing that if I improved my physique, I might have a better chance of surviving against the mysterious cultist.
I've also been doing intermittent fasting, which helped me lose weight. Obviously, there wasn't a huge change because it's only been four days since I started again, but I was hoping it would make a difference.
Now, how was my sedentary body supposed to withstand the intensity of working out, working at the mansion, and cutting back on my diet at the same time?
"Magic is amazing..."
I muttered to myself. After catching my breath, I sat cross-legged and began to meditate, allowing the mana to flow throughout my body.
The other important thing I did was learn how to use my gate, but before I tried to cast any spells that might damage it, I tried to understand the flow method.
This technique was crucial for the warriors of this world, as the flow of mana greatly increases the capacity for physical improvement. By combining this with training, I achieved much better results than if I had done the same thing without strengthening my body with mana.
Luckily, Emilia was able to teach me the basic principles of magic, so I learned faster.
"However, it is not enough."
I sighed in dissatisfaction at the pace of my progress. I had no doubt I could beat my previous self, but I was still too low for this world. I might beat the trio of slum thieves, but I wouldn't get much further than that.
"What are you talking about?"
Emilia turned her head in my direction, fixing her beautiful amethyst eyes on me. Damn, just seeing her gave me all the motivation I needed to push myself.
"I'm still too weak." I explained. "Well, no one gets strong overnight, do they?"
"I guess not... But you shouldn't worry, you're not alone here. If anything happens, you can count on my help."
She gave me a dazzling smile. My heart raced with excitement, but I managed to keep my expression relaxed.
"Thank you, Emilia. I'm so glad to hear that from you." I stood up. "I think It's time to get back to work."
"Then we'll talk later. Have a nice day!"
"You too."
I went back inside the mansion to take a shower and get rid of all the sweat before putting on my butler uniform.
"I have to get this loop right."
***
A few hours later, I had completed almost all of my tasks for the day and didn't feel tired at all. In fact, I was having trouble concentrating on anything other than the plan to deal with the killer.
In fact, I couldn't get Rem and Meili's deaths out of my mind. I'd never seen a dead body in my entire life, much less the moment someone died. Just remembering it made my stomach turn.
"What if he kills more people this time? What if he kills me again? I don't want to feel that damn arrow piercing my heart again."
I hated the idea of being weak, and I was terrified that this weakness would bring me unimaginable suffering in the future.
I definitely didn't want to die horrible deaths like Subaru, but that wasn't my worst fear. What I couldn't stand was watching the people I care about die, over and over again.
The power to return from the dead was incredible and perfect for saving the world, but it was also potentially torture for the user.
"I have almost no information about the killer. I'm not sure the plan I made will work."
My thoughts had gradually turned pessimistic as the moment of truth drew near. Today was the day the killer would strike, according to the previous loop.
I began to think about the many ways everything could go wrong. I was overwhelmed by the knowledge that if something went wrong, the deaths that occurred would weigh on my conscience.
I tried to use the mop to dry the floor and dropped it from my shaking hands. I bent down to pick it up, and when I tried to stand up, my legs gave out.
"Come on, damn it..."
But I couldn't control it anymore. A feeling of suffocating pressure had spread from my chest, and a chill had begun to settle in the pit of my stomach, making it hard to think clearly.
Deep down, I had already accepted the possibility that I wouldn't survive this fourth day either.
"A panic attack? Really, right now?"
"What's wrong with you?" I heard Rem's voice approaching, so damn well timed.
"I-I have a cramp in my leg." I managed to say in a weak voice.
"As pathetic as ever. Looks like your training was useless." Ram mocked.
"Not as useless as your bra..."
"Do you have a death wish?" The pink-haired maid released a dangerous aura.
With both twins here, I had no choice but to act normal so they wouldn't suspect anything. I took a deep breath to calm myself and stood up as if nothing had happened.
"Is it time to go to town?" I looked at Rem, hoping she would confirm my assumption.
"That's correct." She nodded, her eyes fixed on my trembling hands. Realizing this, I quickly hid them behind my back.
"L-Let's go then..."
Ignoring the hateful look Ram gave me for my comment about her bust, I followed Rem outside. We headed down the tree-lined path.
The moment of truth was approaching. My heart began to race again. I felt like somebody's watching me. But I didn't think about it too much, it's my anxiety.
"Well, I can still make shitty references, I'm not that bad."
"You won't say anything?" Rem broke the silence, looking at me with her cold, penetrating eyes.
"Oh, sorry. I have a lot on my mind."
"That's obvious. I can see you're nervous about something. Besides, the witch's scent on you has gotten stronger."
"Sorry, I forgot to take a bath today."
"..."
Nope, Rem definitely wasn't a joke lover. Ram would have responded with an insult, at the very least.
Personality issues aside, this was a crucial moment and I had to decide whether or not to involve her.
Seeing her expression, I realized that hiding the truth from her would only make me look suspicious. Besides, it would be stupid to try to protect someone who's stronger than me.
Rem could be useful: I had to use her.
"Okay, I guess I can tell you... There's a killer around here."
"What!?"
"He's a cultist. He probably came for me. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened."
"Where is he now?"
"In the woods. If we don't stop him, he could kill anyone who gets in his way."
"I'll go and take it out right away."
She tried to run away, but I caught her arm, surprising myself when she managed to drag me a little with her strength.
"Wait! That would be very reckless!"
"Do you have a better idea?"
"Something like that."
I explained my plan to her without giving her all the details and convinced her to ignore the killer for now. We arrived at the village, and she pretended to be on her normal errand, buying supplies for the mansion while I played with the children.
Secretly, I exchanged a glance with Meili and gestured to her. She nodded and placed the little 'puppy' she was carrying in her arms on the ground, whispering a command that sent it scurrying off into the woods.
I had previously spoken to her in secret, telling her about the assassin who was coming to kill me. I asked her to return the favor of saving Elsa by helping me with this problem.
My idea was to have the mabeasts protect the village; that way, if the killer showed up, he'd have to deal with a raging horde. Plus, Meili would send us a warning if that happened.
"I hope this is enough."
With the preparations made, I returned to the mansion with Rem. Just before I crossed the entrance, she stopped me to go over the plan.
"Then I'll keep an eye on the surroundings of the mansion in case your friend sends out a warning signal, or in case the killer comes after you."
"That's how it is."
"If that happens, you and I will take care of him."
"Yup."
"Neither my sister, nor Lord Roswaal, nor Lady Emilia, nor Miss Beatrice are to be bothered with this matter, so we will not inform them about it."
"Exactly."
"Good."
Satisfied with the arrangement, she entered the mansion first. I had the fact that Rem was so eager for revenge against the Witch Cult that she would be willing to ignore common sense to punish a member of the cult.
"The bad thing is that she'll attack in a blind rage, and the killer could kill her at the slightest carelessness. I have to find out if the killer is really after me, because if so, I could act as bait to distract him and get him to let his guard down."
I didn't like having responsibility for someone else's life, even if it was indirectly.
I finished my chores when it was already nighttime. After taking a bath, I felt especially restless and had to go for a walk. I walked through the mansion's hallways, peering outside through the windows, but I didn't see anything out of place. The atmosphere was deceptively quiet.
I thought about going to chat with Betty for a bit of entertainment, but I discarded the idea because I wouldn't be able to hear or see what was going on here inside the forbidden library.
"Emilia should have been freed by now... No, what am I thinking?"
I shook my head, deciding it wasn't wise to divide my attention at such a delicate moment.
"Focus on this."
Fortunately, Ram wasn't around, as she was supposed to be in Roswaal's office by now, receiving prana and who knows what else. Just kidding, that guy only has eyes for one woman.
After midnight, I started to worry. Has something gone wrong? There was no sign of Meili or Rem. Had the killer appeared and killed Meili, or the mabeast she'd intended to send to warn us? Perhaps Rem lost her temper and went to investigate in the town or the forest?
Once again, I was overcome by anxiety. Unable to maintain my composure, I ran downstairs to find Rem. However, I didn't get very far.
A stabbing pain exploded in my left arm, almost at the level of my shoulder. I looked in horror and saw a crossbow bolt piercing my limb from side to side, soaked with my own blood.
Somehow I managed to suppress the urge to scream and pulled the bullet out of my arm. It didn't take long for me to see the assassin, standing in the hallway with his crossbow pointed in my direction.
"How did he get here? Was Rem...?"
I felt frustration and anger fill my heart. That son of a bitch had gotten away with it again.
But thanks to this scenario I had found out something very important.
"You're here for me."
With that, I leaped toward him. As I recalled, his shots were spaced two or three seconds apart; the time it took him to reload his weapon. Taking a risky gamble, I ducked early and dodged a shot from his crossbow as he closed the distance between us.
When I got close enough, I stood up like I remembered doing in my boxing classes, made a fist, and swung forward with the momentum I had built up from running, managing to hit the killer in the face.
He recoiled from the impact, which made me smile with satisfaction. Adrenaline was saturating my body at that moment. Even though I was the underdog, I was willing to give it my all to win.
"This time I won't die without a fight." I told him.