In Re:Zero, the Witch of Greed, Echidna, embodies a unique form of "usefulness" through her insatiable thirst for knowledge and her mastery of the Authority of Greed. While her actions are often self-serving, her pursuit of understanding and her ability to manipulate time (through the Authority of Greed) make her a powerful and influential figure, albeit one with questionable morality.
Here's a breakdown of why Echidna's "Greed" is useful:
Knowledge is Power:
Echidna's primary desire is to learn everything about the world and its workings. This thirst for knowledge makes her incredibly insightful and strategic. She can analyze situations, predict outcomes, and manipulate events to her advantage, often using others as pawns in her grand experiment.
Authority of Greed:
Echidna possesses the Authority of Greed, which allows her to manipulate the flow of time on objects and even herself. This ability makes her incredibly powerful, granting her invulnerability to physical attacks and the ability to manipulate time itself within a certain range.
Strategic Manipulation:
Echidna's desire for knowledge isn't just passive. She actively seeks out situations and individuals that can provide her with new information. This often involves manipulating events and people to achieve her goals.
Resurrection and Memory:
Echidna has a unique connection to the Witch of Envy, Satella, and the other Witches of Sin. She can preserve their souls in her dream realm and even siphon their memories. This allows her to access a vast repository of knowledge and experience.
Echidna's "Greed" is not solely about material possessions or power for power's sake. It's a deep-seated desire for understanding and knowledge, which she uses to manipulate and influence the world around her
In essence, Echidna's "Greed" manifests as a relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding, which she uses to manipulate events and people to further her own goals. While her methods are often morally questionable, her abilities and insights make her a formidable and useful figure in the world of Re:Zero.