WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World, Season 2, Episode 9, "Love Love Love Love Love Love You," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
The biggest tease in Re:Zero has always been who or what controls Subaru's Return by Death, and in Episode 9, he may have finally gotten an answer. As Subaru comes face to face with the spirits of various powerful entities, one appears to have made the leap from the safety of the Witch's Tea Party and into the real world.
Echidna's hospitality, as oddly whimsical as it may be, has been one of the few sanctuaries for Subaru during his, well, stay in the Sanctuary. As the Tea Party commences, Echidna reveals to Subaru exactly who is behind the ability that has plagued him so: the Witch of Envy. To what ends, however, she cannot say and expresses doubt that anyone could truly know her intentions. As this is explained, a familiar scene briefly interrupts the talk as a shadowy hand glimmers in and out of existence, perhaps foreshadowing (pun intended) the events to come.
Subaru asks whether or not Return by Death is limited, to which Echidna says probably not. In typical Subaru fashion, he decides to buck the expected and instead use up his ability in its entirety. The why is unclear, however, as his plans are often not terribly fleshed out.
On his mind -- and anyone left traumatized by the events of the previous episode -- are the origins of the carnivorous swarm of rabbits. Echidna tells Subaru that the “Great Rabbit” swarm is one of the Three Great Mabeasts created by the Witch of Gluttony, along with the White Whale and the Black Serpent. Unlike the White Whale, the Great Rabbit is almost impossible to beat, says Echidna, due to its ability to reproduce infinitely with just a single rabbit remaining. Therefore, to defeat it, one would need to destroy all of the rabbits at once.
The world Subaru awoke in prior to him being devoured by the Great Rabbit had a Sanctuary village wherein all living beings had been eaten, and so Subaru takes a great risk: he asks Echidna to speak with the Witch of Gluttony for tips on how to destroy it.
Granting his wish, Echidna disappears and in her place comes a child. The child asks Subaru if he is a sinner and then shakes his hand, which in turn causes him to shatter. The horrifying scene is rectified by the arrival of an angry woman who, through what appears to be the power of furious love, heals him. Typhon and Minerva, respectively, are the Witches of Pride and Wrath. As they go, a sarcophagus appears in their stead.
As the doors open, a blindfolded and bound woman introduces herself. This is the Witch of Gluttony, the one Subaru had asked to meet. Her hunger, however, begins to get the better of her as she notes that Subaru smells delicious. She questions why anyone would want to kill any of the Three Great Mabeasts as eating is necessary for life, therefore the beasts have every right to live. However, she notes that the rabbits are attracted to mana and that using a powerful magic user as bait could gather them all together long enough to be simultaneously destroyed.
Echidna returns and offers Subaru more tea, which he declines. As his time in the Witch's world comes to an end, he asks how he can return to speak with her. Echidna notes that each time a person visits the Tea Party, the requirements become more strict. She suggests that within the Trial, however, they can speak.
For as long as Subaru has been entertained in the Tea Party, he has grown to trust the Witch of Greed due to the wisdom she shares with him. But his naivety truly shows when she asks for “payment” in order to keep the memories of their visit. Tied to his wrist is a handkerchief given to him by Roswaal's newest maid, Petra. She takes the heartfelt sentiments from the handkerchief and then promises to tell Subaru something the next time they meet. An eerie departure that should, if Subaru had any wits, raise a red flag.
But back in the real world there are bigger problems as shadows have overtaken the Sanctuary. As Subaru leaves the Trial, his biggest benefactor and number one fan appears -- the Witch of Envy, the being responsible for Subaru's Return by Death. Repeating “I love you” over and over, the Witch embraces him before he is rescued by Garfiel. To his horror, the Witch appears to be heading toward Roswaal Mansion. A post-credits scene then offers insight into Roswaal's knowledge: as he is consumed by shadows, he wishes Subaru luck “next time.”
As the shadows loom larger over Subaru, those he believes to be allies may have ulterior motives he's incapable of spotting. With the Witch of Envy finally making an appearance and Echidna revealing that she has cards hidden up her sleeve, Subaru may need to start asking tough questions.