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

Chapter 25 So, goodnight.

"Hello……"

“Of course I know what’s going on with my own body,” Rielfa interrupted her. “In other words, I’m not going to live much longer, and protecting the labyrinth is just talk.”

Just kidding...

Li's words sounded somewhat annoyed, probably because she felt she had been taken so seriously, but the other person was just joking, and she felt like she had been played.

“Listen to me carefully,” Rielfa said seriously. “The maze doesn’t matter, but you are the important thing. So don’t overthink it, we should get ready.”

After speaking to herself, without waiting for Li to react, she dragged him to the Perseus Tree.

Suddenly realizing what was happening, Xiao looked around in bewilderment, then Zhou Dong pulled her up and led her over to them.

Right now, Li and Xiao are like drifting clouds, having lost their direction and can only be led by Leilefa, without even knowing what Leilefa is planning to do.

"Do you want to know why Nao and I suddenly became like this?" Rielfa asked as they walked.

"……tell me."

“…Well,” Raelfa said calmly, “you’ve heard about the hero from Raelfa, haven’t you? How much do you really know about the hero?”

"It only focuses on the situation," Li simply replied.

Do you know what the "Holy Sword" is?

"That kind of powerful weapon, right?"

“That’s about right.” Raelfa said as if she were talking about someone else. “I hope you don’t fight the current hero. Although her strength is very unstable, the threat of that holy sword is undoubtedly the greatest. That holy sword can conceptually sever certain things. Nao relies on my contract to obtain life force to sustain her life, so in a sense she is also a part of me. And that day, I was cut down by the hero, cut down with icy killing intent.”

"So that means..." Rin had already anticipated that outcome, "The hero unleashed the power of the Holy Sword and killed you...?"

“That’s how it is,” Rielfa said casually. “Nao is gone, and I estimate that I don’t have much time left, but before that, I need to finish what I need to do.”

Li was speechless. She had felt some sympathy when she learned about the hero from Nao, but after hearing from Rielfa and reflecting on her day in the royal city, she realized that what happened to these people was no longer her concern. But indeed, what did it matter to her how they changed?

"What are you doing right now... and stop dragging me along, you idiot?! High wear and tear on the box will also affect its defense!"

"Haha, I'm relieved to see you so energetic." Rielfa laughed, ignoring Li's words.

In fact, she was on the verge of a breakdown. Although she didn't show it, Nao's departure was a huge blow to her.

Wait for me... Nao... After I've fulfilled your last wish... I'll come find you... just... wait for me a little longer...

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!"

Li had protested to Relfa countless times. She didn't know why Relfa had used magic to bind her and had Zhou Dong hang her from a tree.

"Here...there..."

Rielfa was engrossed in doing something else, holding a twig and drawing something beneath her. The Magic Eye couldn't see any information about it; it was something the Magic Eye didn't know.

It's chaotic and without any discernible pattern; Rielfa has been drawing this all along, making one wonder if she's gone mad.

Li had a premonition that something bad was going to happen once this strange thing formed. This feeling…

It's like being used as a sacrifice by a cult! ?! ?

Although she didn't know what Rielfa was doing, Rielfa definitely felt that her life was in danger, and this was no joke.

She called out to Rielfa several times, but Rielfa did not answer her. She tried to break free from the restraints, but they were not physical restraints, so there was no way to do so.

At this moment, she wanted to ask Xiao for help, but Xiao was attracted to Zhou Dong and completely ignored her.

despair.

Rielfa threw down the branch, clapped her hands, and subconsciously looked at the drawing beneath her, which was incredibly bizarre.

"Hey... Rielfa..." Rielfa's voice trembled, "What... are you doing?"

"Preparing for the ceremony," Rielfa smiled. "You'll see when you see it, won't you?"

"Then why does it look so strange..."

"Oh, you're overthinking it." Rielfa waved her hand. "This is the final gift, so catch it carefully."

"Wait, wait, wait?! Why did you turn into a dragon?!"

Although Rielfa was smiling, her smile was terrifying; she had even transformed into a dragon. Riel sensed danger; had she gone mad?

"Good night then."

"—!?"

The dragon claw flashed and disappeared in an instant. Li's HP was instantly depleted by Rielfa's attack, and he was killed by Rielfa without even having a chance to resist.

Cha——!

It was obvious that the one who attacked was Akatsuki. Two short swords were close to Rielfa's back in the blink of an eye, but she was suddenly knocked away by the other sword.

"Your Excellency's actions are far too irresponsible."

Zhou Dong casually restrained the rampaging Xiao and delivered a chop to her neck, knocking her unconscious.

"Haha, there's no time left." Rielfa's body gradually became ethereal.

At the same time, the pattern she drew lit up and kept reassembling, and on it was the murdered Li.

"Don't hate me...Ry."

Raelfa muttered to herself, burning all her magic power. Success or failure hinged on this moment, and humanity had launched their all-out attack. Raelfa couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

“Swordsman…” Raelfa only called out the other person’s nickname without looking at him.

"I know." Zhou Dong hugged Xiao. "We'll do our best to take care of those guys outside."

“You’re just that kind of man…” Rielfa smiled bitterly at the tree. “No wonder you’re from the same world as Kazumi, so stubborn, Zhou Tai.”

What Li didn't see at that time was the man's name, so he simply addressed him by a few words. His real information, however, was...

Zhou Tai was a person from the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

Even though Rin is dead, the Mystic Eyes are still functioning; to be precise, Rin isn't dead yet. She just needs to take a nap.

"Well then... farewell." Zhou Tai waved his hand, picked Xiao up, and slowly left the place.

Zhou Tai was probably like that too, even though his stance was the opposite.

Thinking of trivial matters, Rielfa quickened the pace of the ritual. She had been preparing for this ritual for a long time. When Ri wakes up next time, the world will probably be different.

Chapter 26 The Incomplete

How much time should we buy for Lady Nao...?

Zhou Tai carried the unconscious Xiao through the maze, with azure spirit birds circling around him, protecting him.

He knew what Lelfa and Nao wanted to do, and all he had to do was not interfere with them, or help them.

He couldn't show any emotion because he was still incomplete, Zhou Tai, who was incomplete in some way.

He wasn't unmoved by the departure of his two friends; he just couldn't show it.

He only recently learned what Rielfa was planning: she was going to give her body to Li.

Li has always had a goal to become human, but Rielfa estimates that it will be very difficult, and Li doesn't have the foundation for it.

They tried to cultivate that foundation in Li, but because of the hero, they didn't have enough time. So, Rielfa decided to take a more forceful approach.

I'm prepared to die anyway, so I'll leave my body to be taken care of.

That's what she said, and this is how she answered Zhou Tai when he asked for her reasons.

"The concept that the hero severed with that strike was 'Laelfa,' and 'Laelfa' will be severed from this world, meaning it will cease to exist. But after this body is given to Ri, it is no longer 'Laelfa,' and therefore will not be severed. So, you're safe, don't worry."

Is that really the case? Obviously not.

Before that, Raelfa needs to erase the concept of "reason," then erase herself, leaving only her soul to control the ritual, and finally reassemble the concept of "reason" with a part of herself. It sounds rather mystical, but that's the reality, and there's a possibility of failure.

The Earthly explanation is that if a soul that has lost its physical body doesn't reach the underworld before its appointed time, it will vanish and be unable to reincarnate. So, in a way, Ox-Head and Horse-Face are actually good people; they risked their lives to take you to the underworld. Although it's unclear why Zhou Tai didn't go to the underworld after his death but went somewhere else entirely.

Relfa, who is maintaining her soul state, will have to complete the ritual within a limited time. During this time, she must try her best to maintain her state and prevent her soul from dissipating, but according to Zhou Tai's estimate...

There's not enough time...

Zhou Tai sighed.

Yes, there isn't enough time, not enough time for either aspect.

First, regarding the duration of Raelfa's soul's existence, the soul dissipates very quickly after losing its physical body. Coupled with the erosion by the 'Great Xia Dragon Sparrow,' Raelfa's remaining time is far from sufficient to complete the ritual. Second, on the hero's side, the humans outside the labyrinth have already begun their operation. Just now, on their way out, Zhou Tai casually eliminated a member of the advance team, a so-called scout. Soon, this labyrinth will become a paradise for humanity.

The ritual has begun. If humans are encountered along the way, they will likely be hindered. After all, humans are ruthless towards their enemies, especially non-human creatures. At this moment, Zhou Tai is busy clearing out these invading humans. Even with the unconscious little fox on his back, it probably won't be enough.

"Woo..."

Haha, I was just thinking about her when she woke up.

Xiao, who had been sleeping soundly on Zhou Tai's back, woke up at this moment. She looked up at her surroundings with a confused expression, and when she saw Zhou Tai, she kicked off his back without hesitation and jumped far away. Then she tried to draw her little katana, only to find that it was gone.

“Not bad reaction…” Zhou Tai turned around and dropped her weapon. “Your weapon is here.”

"...!"

Akatsuki remained vigilant, with its ears and tail perked up, and did not approach the small dachi that had been thrown on the ground.

Don't touch it.

This was the message that stopped Xiao's speech at the last second, but at that moment she noticed Zhou Tai looking at her.

This guy……

Windsor looked at him, a strange sense of fear creeping over her. She, of course, was unaware of Raelfa's assessment of Zhou Tai: a swordsman unparalleled in this world, the most troublesome fellow.

The azure bird perched on Zhou Tai's bare upper body. Wense saw the chilling X-shaped scar on the man's chest. Those wounds should have been fatal, so how did this man survive?

What terrified her most was that she couldn't see the man's soul; it was as if it were missing. Her intuition told her that Xiao couldn't win against him, so she immediately appeared and stopped Xiao, who was about to rush forward, grab a weapon, and run towards Zhou Tai.

"Where's Sister Li?!" Xiao asked the question she was most concerned about as soon as she came up.

“Your Excellency is very kind. As long as you listen to me, you will still be able to see her,” Zhou Tai replied, choosing the right words. “Could you also please help me persuade her?”

"So you can see me after all..." Winsor didn't show any surprise.

"Zhou Dong can see Sister Wense too?" Xiao looked up at Wense.

"Truly, children are easily distracted." Winsor thought to himself that he had done something somewhat rude, then nodded.

Zhou Tai kept winking at Wen Se, looking somewhat foolish, which was completely out of character for him. It made sense; after all, he was the one who directly stopped Xiao from saving Li in front of her, so he definitely hadn't gained Xiao's trust anymore. He could only communicate with Xiao through a third party.

“…Xiao, listen to me.” Wenser explained to Xiao, “He’s not a bad person, and Li isn’t dead yet.”

"Sister Li isn't dead yet?" Xiao's eyes lit up.

"right……"

Wense tried her best to explain to Xiao in language she could understand, but it still took a long time. However, since she was just a child, she was easily fooled. Wense didn't feel guilty because it was indeed the truth. She had to help Zhou Tai, otherwise the person Xiao cared about might die because of her.

"Wow! Zhou Dong is really amazing!"

"I'm glad you understand."

After successfully inducing Xiao, she lowered her guard against Zhou Tai. Wense wiped away non-existent cold sweat and glanced at Zhou Tai, who was bowing to her repeatedly.

"I understand the situation," Winsor said to him. "Xiao and I will do our best to stop these humans."

She had been observing these people's situation and had some understanding of it, but things had developed far beyond her expectations. All she could do now was help Zhou Tai hold this place.

"Many thanks."

Without hesitation, Zhou Tai knelt on one knee to express his sincerity and gratitude. Then, he turned away with the azure spirit bird, his back view as if walking towards death with a tragic grandeur. Wense seemed to have seen such a back view somewhere before. For some reason, she asked him that question.

"Why are you working so hard? Your duty isn't just this, tree guardian."

"...This is probably because I am incomplete. I now want to forget those so-called missions and accompany those two in their willful and reckless behavior."

Zhou Tai left with those words, without looking back.

The maze is now only occupied by two major forces, each with their own responsibilities:

Xiao and Wenther: Guard around the Tree of Perseus.

Zhou Tai: Kill all the invaders.

Chapter 27 This is an extraordinary battle

Today, the human army began its journey into the labyrinth, and it all seemed to have nothing to do with the hero. From beginning to end, this massive army had nothing to do with the hero; they were merely using the hero's name.

Thanks to Mo Yueya and his companions' hard work, the team had finally started to take shape, but they were already entering the maze so soon. There were still many planned things left to do, and they had already stumbled into the maze. What was most puzzling was that only then did the ghost allow Mo Yueya and his group to meet the hero, but Mo Yueya had already vanished without a trace.