Girl in the Box: Please tell me why I was reincarnated as a mimic monster!

Xiao looked puzzled, while Salid remained expressionless, because he had no idea what had happened.

"Well, everyone's here, let's get down to business," Li said, looking at the people around him.

The epilogue ends everything, and a new beginning begins.

I've been in this world for a year now, and during that time I've seen a lot of things.

With the help of [unclear], I was able to continue my life in another world. Although the process was very tortuous, there are many people I should thank.

What's meant to come will come, and what's meant to go will go. That's life. Enjoying the process is what people need to do.

There are so many things I want to say, but I don't know how to begin. So much has happened during this time that it's impossible to recount it all.

In the other world, he encounters a slime, causes trouble in the dragon ant nest, meets Nao, and fights a human for the first time as a monster in the labyrinth.

Rescued by Raelfa, I went on a rampage through a sea of ​​blood and an endless army of skeletons, discovering interesting things together with everyone...

These are all precious memories for her; there are so many people she wants to thank, and so much she wants to say. But what she most wants to say is, of course, this…

"Ning, Xiao," Li hugged them both, "thank you for always being there for me."

"???"

"—?! Yeah, you're so stupid, you'd definitely get into trouble if no one was watching you."

Xiao still looked confused, but she was very happy because her sister had thanked her. Ning proudly raised her head, though her face was also burning red.

“We’re not going back to the labyrinth,” Li said, gazing at the original labyrinth. “Laelfa and the others aren’t there anymore, and the labyrinth has become human territory. I think it’s best if we don’t go back.”

Ending everything and starting anew, Li still remembers the dreams of those two people, and also her own dreams since coming into this world. What she wants to do now is very clear.

"Is Sister Leilfa gone too?" Xiao tilted her head, unaware of what had happened while she was unconscious.

We'll meet again someday.

Li stroked her head, telling a white lie. This lie will surely be exposed in the future, but by then, Xiao will have grown up.

“…Although I don’t want to admit it, but,” Ning said calmly, “I can’t beat that hero right now….”

The Hero, also known as Xia Que, is of the same origin as Zhou Tai. Zhou Tai ultimately lost and returned the "intent" of that sword. The current Hero could be considered the strongest person in this world.

"Heroes are such a nuisance." Ning was dissatisfied with this unfairness, then returned to the original topic, "So, if we don't go back to the maze, where are we going?"

“Hmm… the kingdom is definitely out of the question.” Li ruled out the kingdom first. “I will absolutely not go to the kingdom. But we still need to consider where to develop in the future… it’s not enough for just you and me.”

"...? What are you talking about?" Ning glared at her. "Even with you as a burden, there's nothing I can't do."

"Changing the world? That's something the two of us can't do alone," Li said helplessly. "You have knowledge of my world, so you know that reality is harsh. Besides, we need money, and I need money to eat."

Even though he has become the Time-Space Dragon King, he is still essentially a treasure chest monster, or more accurately, a treasure chest dragon, a dragon shaped like a chest. Yes, the only one of its kind in the world.

As a Mimic Dragon, it still needs to eat, and its staple food, like the Mimic Monster, is coins.

So, money is really tight... right?

"What happened to the money you saved up before?" Ning asked.

"Uh... I'm done eating..." Li lowered his head, embarrassed.

“If you need money… I have some here.” Salid, who hadn’t been able to get a word in edgewise, finally spoke up. “I have plenty at my place. Humans are always sending me things. I don’t need this kind of stuff.”

"Ah... never mind... it's a bit too far..." Li gave up on the idea. "Oh, I remember now, there's this too!"

"Hmm...? Ah, right, I remember now... that thing!"

Suddenly, Hakoniwa Osamu and Treasure Box Osamu remembered something, leaving everyone else completely confused. Treasure Box Osamu immediately opened the box, and Hakoniwa Osamu reached inside to rummage through something, occasionally throwing out things that would terrify anyone who saw them.

"Hey... what are you looking for?" Ning leaned closer to her, watching her rummage through things.

"This is it!"

Li took a badge out of the box; it was the reward she had recently received from the merchant Olito. Rielfa had probably anticipated this; she had long planned for the future and made all the necessary preparations.

“This is…” Ning recognized the item, “The emblem of the Borg Merchant Guild? Where did you find it?”

“I got it not long ago when I came out with Reilfa.” Li clutched the badge tightly. “She probably foresaw that we would need some help.”

The deal between Relfa and Olitzo was based on personal favor. By using this favor and the badge to prove his identity, he could obtain the greatest assistance from the Borg Merchant Guild.

This is the best help they can receive right now.

“As long as we show this, we can get help from the Borg Merchant Guild.” Li put away the badge. “We’re going to the Duchy, which is the best option. The Borg Merchant Guild’s headquarters is there, which will be convenient for us. I’m sorry, Salid, we’ll have to part ways here.”

According to Nao's teachings, she remembered that the Duchy was still in a very weak period.

The current principality accepts all suggestions that can make it stronger and rewards useful inventions by its citizens. Its openness is probably the highest, making it the perfect place to start the Mimic project.

"Hmm...Is that so?" Salid looked somewhat lonely.

"Don't worry, we'll invite you over once we've settled down." Li went up and hugged him. "And... thank you for coming to help me. Even if it was because of Rielfa, you still helped me."

"...!? Hmm! Hmm! I understand!"

Salid leaped out of Li's arms, then spread his wings in one breath and transformed back into a dragon.

"I will definitely come back to find you. Goodbye!"

For some reason, Salid flew away in a panic, which made Li a little curious about the reason. At the same time, for some reason, Ning seemed to get angry.

"What are you doing, you stupid box?" Ning grabbed the back of the trench coat without saying a word. "Since you already know what to do, what are you hesitating for? It's time to go."

"Whoa?! Ahh, don't pull me!"

"Hey!? Wait for Akatsuki!"

Seeing this scene, Baoxiang Li couldn't help but sigh, and then set off with the three of them.

"It's as lively as ever."

Come to think of it... the duchy doesn't seem to follow this route...

Side Story: Borg's Benefactor

The boy leaned against the balcony of the corridor, looking at the bustling scene outside the Chamber of Commerce. Although he was used to it, he still felt a sense of security every time he saw such a scene.

Nothing major happened at the Chamber of Commerce today.

The boy's name is Natsuki. He was born in the eastern part of the duchy and now lives in the duchy's main city. He works for the Borg Merchant Guild and is known as the Right Hand of the Demon, an assistant to the person standing at the top of this guild.

That person was Olito, a man who climbed to the top using all sorts of means and methods, known among businessmen as "Oni 2." Natsuki was his assistant.

Ultimately, the Borg Chamber of Commerce became the most powerful chamber of commerce. Little did they know, however, that they were walking a tightrope.

Those outsiders have no idea just how dangerous Borg is right now.

Now, Olitzo is probably on his way back, traveling to other countries to find a way to break this status quo. He asked Natsuki to deal with other businessmen while he was away.

"...I'm a little sleepy, but not tired yet."

He had been working through the night for three consecutive days, and his energy and physical strength were completely exhausted. The servants in the chamber of commerce advised him to take a rest.

The word "rest" simply doesn't exist for Natsuki. From the moment he joined the Borg Trading Company, he and Olito have been desperately trying to maintain the company's status. The reason for their relentless work is their younger sister.

His sister suffers from a rare magical allergy, which causes people to experience allergic reactions to magic in the air.

Although this allergic reaction is not fatal, it can cause amnesia.

This had happened many times back in their hometown. Because of its remote location, the concentration of magic in the air was extremely high, so Xia Shu brought her here.

This place usually has a high volume of people because magic is frequently used, resulting in a relatively low concentration of magic in the air. Additionally, Natsuki came here for another reason: to find a cure for her younger sister.

After a series of events, he eventually ended up working for the Borg Chamber of Commerce.

He saved most of his earnings after deducting his necessities for living expenses, hoping to be able to treat his sister's illness in the future.

But now there's no need to worry about the Chamber of Commerce anymore.

"...Are you back?"

Xia Shu spotted the carriage bearing the Borg family crest from afar. According to the original plan, no other members of the Borg family would be coming at this time, so there was only one possibility.

We must go down to greet them.

He made a quick decision, turned away from the balcony, and hurried downstairs. He was going to the front door to greet his boss's return, straightening his clothes as he walked.

Just as he reached the gate, the carriage arrived and stopped right in front of him. The coachman and butler stepped down and gracefully opened the carriage door. The young man who stepped out was Olito.

"Natsuki, it's been a long time." Olitto happily opened his arms to hug his subordinate.

“Welcome back, Lord Olitzo.” Natsuki hugged him back.

Xia Shu glanced at the procession behind the carriages and noticed several additional cargo wagons that did not belong to the Borg Merchant Guild, which raised his questions.

"Lord Olito, what's going on with those carriages?" Natsuki asked.

"Oh, these?" Olitto's expression was somewhat perplexing. "These could be our chamber of commerce's chance to turn things around. Natsuki, do you believe me?"

Olitto stared intently at Natsuki, brimming with confidence. Countless plans and solutions were forming in his mind to ensure the chamber of commerce would be truly invincible.

“Of course,” Natsuki nodded, “if you’re willing to use my half-baked skills.”

“Don’t belittle yourself like that.” Olitto put his hand on his shoulder. “If it weren’t for you, the Borg Chamber of Commerce would have collapsed long ago.”

"Thank you for the compliment," Xia Shu said modestly.

“Then let’s get to work… wait a minute.” Olitto looked Natsuki up and down. “You haven’t had a break in a long time, have you? Go back and rest first. I don’t want anyone to hold us back in the days to come.”

"……I see."

Natsuki paused for a moment, initially wanting to retort, but then gave up the idea when she saw Olito's stern gaze.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. He had indeed been working for too long, and he should go back to his place to see his sister.

“Oh, right.” Olitto suddenly remembered something. “Natsuki, could you tell the other chapters that if anyone with the Borg family crest comes to us, we should do our best to meet all their requests?”

"...? Who is that person?" Natsuki asked in shock.

During his time with Olitó, he had never seen Olitó value someone so highly, even going so far as to provide the Borg Chamber of Commerce with such substantial assistance. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of person this person was, that Olitó could be so attentive to him.

“That’s our great benefactor.” Olito pointed to the carriages that didn’t belong to Borg. “If it weren’t for her… no, if it weren’t for them, we might not have had the chance to reverse this outcome.”

“I see…” Natsuki nodded, indicating her understanding. “I’ll finish this first before I go back.”

After Natsuki and Olitzo finished dealing with the remaining matters, they packed up and prepared to leave. By the time he stepped outside, it was already completely dark.

"Is it so late..." Xia Shu looked at the double-moon night sky, "I wonder how Xia Ling has been these past few days."

He had only taken a few steps when he heard someone's footsteps, and then he turned around to look.

“Natsuki, you might not believe it if I told you.”

Olitto leaned against the balcony, toying with a sparkling gem in his hand. By the moonlight, Natsuki could clearly see the gem and judged that it was definitely not an ordinary object.

“Our trading partner is the Dragon King.”

“…The Dragon King?” Natsuki didn’t doubt Olitzo’s words. “Indeed. If it were you, even if it were the Demon King, you would make a deal with him as long as you could gain something from it.”

Ultimately, Olitzo is just that kind of person—simply put, a miser. But Natsuki doesn't dislike that; having passion for something isn't wrong.

“As expected, you understand me best.” Olitto smiled and tossed the gem in his hand to him.

Xia Shu reached out and grabbed the gem in mid-air. After feeling it in his hand, he subconsciously looked at it. It was clearly not a gem, but a scale, a dragon scale.

“Listen, Natsuki.”

"Olitto declared solemnly."

"Soon, the world will undergo tremendous changes. We must keep up with the tide of the times. Otherwise, even if we manage to stay stable this time, we will still be defeated by time in the future."

Soon after, just as Olitó had predicted, the world changed dramatically.

Side Story: The Saintess and the Dragon King

That day has come again.

Nao knelt before the statue, praying—a daily ritual for her. Behind her, countless other worshippers knelt and prayed, hoping for divine favor.

These believers all had devout hearts, and Nao prayed for them as well.

Finally, the service ended, and Nao and the worshippers stood up together. The worshippers chatted amongst themselves, and Nao looked at them, a pure and innocent smile on her face.

After noticing this, many male believers greeted her, hoping to win her favor.

"Your Holiness," the priest approached, "the time has come, please prepare quickly."

"……I see."

Nao nodded, indicating that she understood. The priest slowly withdrew, but Nao's heart was filled with unease.