Re:Zero -Starting Life in Zero

"Kawaii..."

Rem's expression remained calm, but the affection in her eyes was unmistakable.

She crouched down, tentatively extending her right hand and placing it on the puppy's little face.

The soft, warm touch was somewhat addictive for Rem, and there was also a faint puppy scent in the air.

Just as Rem's little hand slid down onto the puppy's head...

The puppy, which had been feigning sleep, suddenly opened its eyes, bared its teeth, and bared its teeth, making a warning sound.

"Rem, watch out!"

Green was prepared and covered Rem's small hand with his right hand.

At the same time, the puppy in Mary's arms suddenly shook its head and bit down.

Sizzle!

The sound of sharp teeth sinking into flesh rang out, and the puppy had already bitten Green's palm.

Rem panicked and quickly reached out to pry open the puppy's mouth: "Grimm, are you alright?"

Green raised his hand and looked at it. There were four small holes in his palm, but not much blood had flowed out.

"It's okay, Rem, it's just a minor injury."

Mary quickly hugged the puppy tightly and repeatedly bowed to the injured Green in apology.

"I'm...I'm sorry, big brother, it didn't mean to."

Petra quickly took out a clean white handkerchief from her pocket and carefully bandaged Green's wound.

"Brother Green, the puppy's teeth are very dirty, we need to apply some herbal medicine."

The other children came over to check on Green's wound; some offered comfort, while others blamed Meryl.

"Brother Green, I used to get bitten by dogs all the time, but applying some saliva would fix it."

"Merry, what's wrong with you? You've raised a wolf cub!"

"Brother Green, why don't you castrate it right away!"

Green waved his hand, silencing the children's voices.

And look at this Mary in front of me, she's a real actress.

If Green hadn't known her true identity beforehand, he might have actually been fooled by her.

Green bent down and patted Mary's shoulder in a seemingly comforting manner.

"Alright, little sister, don't worry too much. This little wound will heal in a day or two. It's much easier than having your stomach cut open."

Mary's expression suddenly froze. After looking up, she quickly composed herself and said pitifully:

"I'm so sorry, big brother, Meryl knows she was wrong. Please... please don't say such scary things anymore, Meryl is a little scared..."

As she spoke, the little girl started to sob, and it looked like she was about to cry.

Petra quickly ran to Mary's side, hugged her, and turned her head to look at Green reproachfully.

"Brother Green is so mean, scaring a little kid like that... Okay, okay, stop crying, Mary, I've already told him off..."

Green shrugged and smiled helplessly.

Petra is clearly a little kid, but she acts like a little adult.

He would occasionally glance towards the forest beyond the fence, where the magic stones that bound the barrier hung.

Although it was still bright, Green had a feeling that something was wrong.

Mary couldn't have been squatting here for no reason; breaking the barrier and releasing the monsters was one of her tasks.

After watching for a while, Green turned his gaze back to Meryl, only to find that Meryl had also been secretly observing him.

It was a mocking and indifferent gaze, as if looking at a corpse.

The silly dog ​​in that girl's arms is exceptionally powerful; he and Rem alone can't defeat it.

Green clenched his right hand imperceptibly, feeling a tearing pain emanating from the bite mark.

We must thoroughly resolve this hidden danger when we meet again.

Rem glanced at the slightly setting sun and walked over to urge them on:

"Green, it's getting late, we should head back to the manor. Your wound needs to be properly bandaged as soon as possible."

"Haha, Rem, just say you're worried about me."

Grimm gave Rem a reassuring look; this little maid was always so reserved.

But her eyes didn't lie; they kept involuntarily glancing at Green's injured hand.

Rem's earlobes instantly flushed red as she avoided Grimm's burning gaze and said:

"Rem isn't worried at all. It's just that if we don't go back soon, my sister will turn into an old woman."

"Even my sister said that; Ram would cry if she heard it."

Grimm walked over to Rem and casually took the sack from her hands, slung it over his shoulder.

As soon as I picked it up, a heavy feeling overwhelmed me.

"Wow, I was just trying to show off, but it's not this heavy!"

Rem replied, "Just some sweet potatoes. Grimm will be able to enjoy Onee-sama's delicious cooking."

"Of course, if you feel it's too heavy, it's best not to push yourself."

Green tossed the sack around, appearing quite relaxed and at ease.

"No problem at all. Rem, go and bring the dragon carriage over first, that way I won't have to carry it for so long."

Rem nodded and left towards where the dragon carriage was parked.

After watching Rem disappear from sight, Grimm turned back and said, "Hey, Petra, could you see me off?"

Petra tilted her head in confusion: "Just me? Everyone can come and see you off together."

"Petra is right, Brother Green is too biased."

"Is there some delicious food reserved just for Petra?"

Green quickly stopped them, saying, "Hey~ don't make a scene! I have serious business with Petra. If anyone else comes along, I'll cancel their tree cake!"

Seeing that Green was using the tree cake as a threat, the other children had no choice but to stay put.

After walking for a while and putting some distance between himself and Meryl, Green slowly approached Petra.

"Petra, I have an important favor to ask you."

Petra nodded solemnly: "Yes, please go ahead, Brother Green. Although I don't know if I can do it, I will definitely try my best."

Then, Green whispered in Petra's ear, "Wolves have gotten into the village. I need you to protect the other children."

Petra's petite body trembled, and she said with some fear, "Really? If there really are wolves, we'd better tell Grandma Village Chief right away!"

Green held Petra's small hand, trying to calm her down.

"Listen to me, Petra. You don't need to confront the wolves head-on. Just quietly tell all the children except Mary to go home as soon as the sun goes down and never go out."

"Why...why was Merry excluded?"

"Because she's in league with the wolves."

Green's words, like some kind of evil whisper, made Petra's mind go blank.

The little girl's speech was becoming somewhat incoherent.

"How...how could this be? Merry-chan seems so kind."

Green gently patted Petra's head: "Be strong, Petra. Be brave like Little Red Riding Hood, okay?"