Chapter 68

Epilogue “Gee, I still can’t believe it,” mutters Captain Kerioyl in a voice that one could take as bafflement or admiration, staring at the magic item that was, a short while ago, simply a thing a blond-haired girl carried around. “Believe what?” “Running into two stratum lords in such a short period of time, for one thing. But the fact that a magic item with a human soul inside beat them. If we told other hunters, they’d never believe us.” “I agree. Even we have trouble believing it, despite seeing it firsthand,” says Vice Captain Filmina, combing her hair up and sighing a little. “Maybe there’s something about Boxxo that draws them near,” says Shui. “Maybe he’s actually got the makings of a hero, and this is destiny? Anyone called a hero always gets wrapped up in trouble wherever they go, after all. That’s how the stories we heard at home went, right, Red?” “But those were just fairy tales, White.” The three members speak lightly about it, but the captain remains silent for a moment, watching Boxxo. “You might be more right than you think. The thing is worthy of a checkered fate, isn’t it?” “A soul…,” says Filmina, “inhabiting a magic item we’ve never seen before.” “Yeah. I don’t know whether it’s fate or a curse, but it could still be a negative Blessing.” In this world, there exist special powers called Blessings. But not all of them are positive ones. Some are equivalent to curses, abilities that bring misfortune to whoever possesses them. “Well, I don’t have proof, but it’s a little too well-done to shrug off as coincidence,” says Kerioyl. “It may be the devil’s luck for Boxxo, but it’s real fortune for us.” “You’re right,” says Filmina. “Normally, you’d think it impossible to acquire two of the stratum lord coins we’ve been seeking in such a short time.” The other members all nod. The Menagerie of Fools wander the labyrinth in search of the coins dropped by defeated stratum lords. In these past few years, they’ve only gotten three. To even see two without a year going by is a first for the captain. “Maybe it’s not Boxxo,” suggests Shui. “Maybe something strange is happening in the dungeon itself.” “We had a king frog fiend come up, after all,” says White. “Something could be going on.” “Yeah,” says Red. “I feel like the encounter rate for monsters has been high, too. Didn’t Hulemy mention something about it?” Shui cocks her head to the side in confusion, and the red-and-white twins do the same, as though prompted by her gesture. One of the conditions for Hulemy being a temporary member is that the menagerie will give her regular, detailed information on the strata in exchange for her giving them intel and advice regarding monsters. They must be remembering that. “Come to think of it, rumor has it the Monster King’s forces are getting more active,” mentions Kerioyl. “Could be one of the factors causing all this shady stuff in the world.” “That may be too far a leap,” says Filmina. “The Monster King’s forces, though… They were after the bastion in the north of the empire, right? They’re apparently managing to hold out, but I hear it’s only a matter of time before it falls.” A being that controls the monsters living in the northern wastelands: the Monster King. The monsters living in those lands have excellent individual ability, but their self-willed attitude leads them to frequent fighting among themselves, meaning they’ve never had the time to invade other nations—but then, one appeared who forced those monsters to yield by force. It called itself the Monster King and, with the monsters it bent to its will, began to attack neighboring kingdoms. Their power is great, and one nation has already been destroyed. The empire is blessed, too, though, for the bastion city sits on the only path connecting it to the Monster King’s lands. Though it manages to endure the attacks now, there have been whispers that an imminent fall is plausible. “But still, who calls himself a Monster King anyway?” says Kerioyl. “You’re the king of the monsters—we get it. Such terrible naming sense.” The captain shrugs, failing to see the point, but everyone looks at him as if to tell him “You’re one to talk.” For certain, the Monster King would probably not want the captain to tell them that, considering he came up with the name Menagerie of Fools. “I don’t know whether it’s a coincidence or if some power is at work, but that Boxxo really gets your gears spinning…,” he says. “He might be essential for granting our wishes.” The Menagerie of Fools’ eyes all gather to one point. The vending machine, which Lammis worried over and Hulemy teased, didn’t notice their gazes, leaving his mechanical body to its fate.