Chapter 62

“We meet again, Boxxo.” “Nothing’s broken, I hope. If you broke, where would that leave us? Don’t you get it? You even made my beloved girlfriend worry.” The gatekeepers Gorth and Karios came to rescue me, too? Maybe there’s a way to ask Lammis to set me up next to the gate next time as thanks. “Man, Boxxo, are you a sight for sore eyes. If we hadn’t found you…” “That was a close one, huh, White?” “You’re right, Red…” The men in the Menagerie of Fools breathe a sigh of relief, their shoulders relaxing. Wait, what is this reaction supposed to mean? “It’s excellent that you’re safe, Mr. Boxxo. When we told Ms. Lammis that we left you behind…” “She got super mad at the captain. I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t find you…” After hearing an explanation from the vice captain, Filmina, and the archer, Shui, I understand. Did this girl sitting at my feet, staring up at me, threaten you? I’m sorry for the trouble. “Boxxo. How is it you’re safe? I’ve never heard of anyone surviving after falling through a stratum split,” says Director Bear, looking at me from top to wheels. Falling from that height would normally kill you instantly. A vision of such a future had occurred to me, too. “Director, Director, it’s been so long!” The Voracious Devils finally recover from being blown away by the shock wave and surround Director Bear. “Ohhh, the entire Band of Gluttons is here. Not only did you locate Boxxo, but you protected him as well? You have my thanks.” Hmm? Wait, the Voracious Devils… Are they just calling themselves whatever they want? “Wait, Director, what’s a Boxxo?” “I can’t blame you for not knowing, Mikenne. This magic item is called Boxxo, a resident of the Clearflow Lake stratum.” “A resident?” The (self-proclaimed) Voracious Devils, aka the Band of Gluttons, all tilt their heads in confusion. Director Bear sees me, a vending machine, as a resident? I’ve been too blessed with the people I’ve happened to meet after coming to this alternate world. Sheesh. I hope no water starts leaking out of sheer happiness. “Yes, a resident. He lives in the settlement in Clearflow Lake.” “But wait, this is a convenient magic item, not…” “Ah, right. You must not have realized it. Boxxo is capable of communicating. Right, Boxxo?” “Welcome.” “But Director, all it ever says is ‘Welcome.’” “Boxxo can only say a few different things. Welcome means yes. And Too bad means no.” The Gluttons don’t seem to believe Director Bear’s explanation, and they look at me through narrowed eyes. “Um, Boxxo, right? Was the first thing the Voracious Devils ate the fried meat?” “Welcome.” “Okay then, is my name Short?” The chubby one is Pell, so that gets a “Too bad.” “N-no way. Wait, then you could understand everything we were saying?” “Welcome.” Their jaws nearly hit the ground, and their perfectly black eyes widen so much they might fall out. Well, they never thought even for a moment that it was possible to communicate with me. Their shock, having convinced themselves that they’d be receiving a great sum of money as a reward, is significant, and Director Bear continues his explanation, but they’re not listening anymore. Ah, right. I’ll give you karaage for free later as payment for carrying me, so will that be enough for you?