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

The fortress was surrounded by tents for resting. The soldiers of the Kingdom's army gathered around the campfire, eating, drinking, chatting and laughing, completely oblivious to the fact that they were on the battlefield.

"Hahahaha! Drink! Drink as much as you want!"

"Haha! Buddy, let me tell you something..."

"Hit him! Hit him! Hahaha!"

Is the military camp really this chaotic...? There's absolutely no order whatsoever. They're living a life of unbridled pleasure here. And what about the heroes?

They just treated the hero like that...? Damn it...

"Ning..." I said to Ning on the other end, "There's a problem with the kingdom."

"...Really?" Ning didn't seem very surprised. "It seems so."

"I'm furious." I tried to suppress my anger. "These people are having a good time here, treating the hero like a tool, leaving him to fight alone on the front lines."

"That's really something," Ning thought for a moment, "In a sense, it already violates the Hero's Covenant, doesn't it?"

"I don't care about that!" I had no intention of dealing with that at all. "I'm going to get this..."

"Stop, stop," Ning stopped me. "Are you really prepared for this?"

Uh...

I've been hit where it hurts. Right now, I can definitely do it. With this anger, I can do that kind of thing, but what happens after that?

"Alright, alright...don't do that." Ning advised me, "Now quickly find someone, just grab anyone and ask them what's going on. Do you know how to use a soundproof barrier?"

"I know that, but isn't this asking too much of someone?"

Within my field of vision, these soldiers are all huddled together, so there's no chance to make a move. Besides, there are guards outside, so using magic to get in would attract too much attention.

"Find a secluded corner, set up a soundproof barrier there, lure people there, and then knock out the extras."

"How come you're so skilled?!"

Wow, I'm starting to suspect Ning did something like this—secretly taking someone in the know to a corner, setting up soundproof and warding-off barriers, leaving them helpless and unable to call for help. Ugh, just thinking about it is terrifying.

But he looks pretty cool... Assassins and stuff... won't he dissolve in water?

"Stop talking nonsense and get to work," Ning urged.

I looked for a relatively remote spot in the camp on the map, set up a soundproof barrier there, and then all I had to do was find a jinx.

I hid myself in a patch of grass at the edge of the camp, searching for my target, but after a long time I didn't see anyone alone. Moreover, they remained inactive, immersed in the peace protected by the brave warriors on the front lines.

Doesn't the hero know these things? And where did that priest go?

During this boring time, I communicated with my counterpart on the other side through consciousness, and played chess with Ning.

That chess set was made on the spot; the chessboard was simply replaced with magic thread, but the pieces were made very exquisitely.

I was using this to pass the time, but isn't this just too unfair? I can't beat Ning no matter what I do, and I've already lost ten times in a row. Plus, Ning seems to be letting me win, which is really annoying.

Ah, if I were a grumpy old man, I would have smashed the chessboard and refused to play anymore, but the problem is there's no chessboard here.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Huh? It sounds like someone's coming."

I saw a man in armor walk over with a limp, sit down in the shade of the tent, and then, as if he was venting his anger on his weapon, throw it forcefully, and it just so happened to be thrown right in my direction.

"Damn it... what is all this... bastards!" the man cursed under his breath. "What did I even join the army for? All these people know how to do is eat, drink, and have fun. What kind of army is this?!"

This person probably suffered unfair treatment in the army and came to this place to vent, but unfortunately, you ran into me.

Just as I was about to take action, he said something that caught my attention.

"The heroine is fighting all alone now!" he said, scratching his head in frustration.

...I never imagined there were people like this.

Chapter 47

Why don't you tell me about it?

I tried to strike up a conversation with him, which was a bit abrupt, but I felt fine; I thought I could probably talk to him.

"—?! Who! Who's there!?"

The man stood up abruptly and reached for his waist, where he had presumably been carrying a sword, but he found nothing there.

"Huh?! My sword!?" He began searching for his sword.

"Calm down, calm down! What you threw hit me!"

I threw his sword away and didn't leave the bushes for the time being. I was afraid that if I went out like this, I would scare him and then attack me without saying a word.

Ah... there's a reason why monsters have no human rights.

The man hesitated for a moment as he looked at the sword I threw back, then glanced at the bushes, and immediately took the sword back from its scabbard... Ah, it got stuck. This guy is so clumsy.

"Speak! Who are you?!" The man brandished the sword he had struggled to pull out. "What evil purpose do you have?! The Hero will not let you get away with this!"

"Hey... a hero?"

"—?! What do you mean by that!?"

"Nothing more than wanting to make a laugh."

I don't know why, but my voice suddenly turned cold. I didn't expect it to be so forceful. That person clearly started to panic. Maybe speaking to Ning in that tone would intimidate her.

Honestly, I really hate guys who are obsessed with heroes. What do you guys even know? Heroes are the best in the world?

"Hero, hero, hero, hero, aren't you all annoying?" I said impatiently. "Can't you guys use your brains? Hero? Huh? Do you think that kind of person will do everything for you? A Good Samaritan? You guys really dare to entrust your lives to that kind of person."

"Huh? Huh?" The man seemed dumbfounded.

I don't care about the consequences anymore. There are some things I don't know whether I should say or not, but I have to say them now.

"I bet you're currently obsessed with the idea that heroes are invincible and the greatest warriors in the world, right? Haha, that's certainly true, but I don't think heroes are what you think they are. You probably imagine heroes to be champions of justice or something, right? That's how heroes are portrayed in fairy tales and legends, but do you think that's realistic? Look around you, see reality clearly, what kind of being is a hero really?"

"…………"

The man fell silent, his hand holding the sword drooping; he was speechless.

Haha...

I took a breath, though I wasn't actually speaking, I still felt a bit short of breath. I'd said everything I needed to say, and I didn't want to deal with this guy anymore. I'd better go find the next unlucky one.

“I have a question,” the man suddenly asked, “the person in the bushes, do you think what we’re doing is the right thing to do?”

"...You mean this?"

I stopped in my tracks. He must be confused right now, wondering what to do.

"That's definitely wrong." That's my perspective. "On my way here, I saw the hero. She was fighting alone, battling endless demons, protecting something. She had no companions fighting alongside her. And you, here you are, eating and drinking, enjoying yourselves. Don't you feel ashamed? What do you take the hero for? A magic wish-granting device?"

"...Can I see you?" the person suddenly asked. "I want to know who you are."

"You might get scared...?" Hearing him tell me to go outside, I hesitated. "I'm not human."

“That’s true…” The man smiled with relief. “I also think that someone who can come back from that kind of battlefield so easily is no ordinary person. But, I want to see you, okay? I won’t tell anyone.”

"Okay... but in return, I have some questions for you. Is that alright?"

"I accept!"

...Wow, this is a headache. This guy is so naive. I was thinking of finding an excuse to slip away. No, I should just knock him out, tie him up, and throw him aside.

I looked into his sincere and innocent eyes, and finally gave up resisting, silently walking away. I just couldn't handle this kind of simple-minded guy.

“…!” He gasped.

"Were you scared? The person who's been talking to you is actually a monster or something." I wanted to laugh at him for that.

"No, no, that's not true." He quickly explained, "I just remembered that there are kind monsters like this in the stories of heroes."

"How old are you? Still daydreaming like this...?"

Although I knew he didn't mean any harm, I was really annoyed that he had dragged me into the hero's life. I raised the pliers, which were much harder than before, and hit the guy on the head.

"Whoa?!" The man stepped back a considerable distance. "Why did you hit me?"

"Because you make me very unhappy," I said honestly. "Stop talking about heroes all the time, it's so annoying! Believe me, I'll give you a magic spell right now!"

As I spoke, I cast a spacetime spell. "Don't worry, I'm just sending him to the bottom of the river. Nothing will happen."

"No, no, no, I was wrong, I was wrong." He immediately knelt on the ground and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Ah, the feeling of bullying others is a bit addictive... Wait, wait, wait! Don't get addicted! It feels like I've flipped some terrible switch! Turn it off! Turn it off right now!

I can kind of understand Ning's mentality now; it feels pretty good to bully others... Ah, what am I saying?! Don't imitate this!

In short, this feeling is addictive, and I can't get addicted, or my character will be ruined. Let's get down to business.

"So, I'm showing you now, tsk... why did I have to say such embarrassing lines?!"

Even I'm starting to criticize myself! How did I even say those lines?! What kind of feelings were those characters in novels and games having when they said those things?! This kind of dialogue can only exist in another world, right?!

"Ugh! This is so annoying!" Ever since I met this guy, I feel like I've lost my rhythm. "I don't care! You have to answer whatever I ask you! The more detailed the better!"

"Yes, sir!"

"So where did you learn those lines?!"

This guy must be from Earth, right?!

"Alright, listen carefully." I asked my first question, "Is the hero's name 'Summer Sparrow'?"

“'Summer Sparrow'?” The person looked puzzled. “Isn’t the hero called Summer Sparrow?”

Ha... I knew it! That hero is from Earth.

Chapter 48

I adjusted the frequency of my speech, conveying the name "Xia Que" to him in Chinese. He looked puzzled and pronounced the name "Xia Que" from this world.

The syllables on Earth are different from those here. The hero has only been in this world for a short time, and with so many things to do, I doubt he'll be able to learn the language here.

That's the only way it can be, according to the setting. The hero summoned through summoning magic can automatically recognize the writing and language of this world, and his words will be automatically translated into the language of this world.

So that guy was also from Earth... No wonder.

Judging from her appearance, she's definitely Chinese. That explains why she looked surprised when I threw the grenade in the maze; there's a reason for everything.

Girls like her, like me, were probably sent here unexpectedly, but our identities are different. She's a hero, and I'm a monster. Being a hero isn't exactly a comfortable thing, and considering the image of heroes she had on Earth, she must have tried very hard to be a good ally of justice.

Unfortunately, heroes aren't that simple. Fairy tales are all lies, Xia Que. I really don't know what she's doing so recklessly.

Although she is also an Earthling, I don't feel anything about her. Rather, I don't want to care about her anymore. I can talk to other Earthlings properly, but not her.

I still can't forgive her, the one who obeyed the kingdom's every word. What kind of hero is that? Defeating the strong, leveling up all the way, defeating the demon king? Ha, sorry, I have no interest in that kind of stuff.

"So, what are you all doing here?" I looked around the camp. "Aren't you going to help the hero?"

“We also want to help…” the man lowered his head, “but the officer said that if we go, we will only increase the casualties and make things worse. So, we are not allowed to fight.”

"That's a correct judgment, but I can't accept it physiologically." I walked into the camp.

Ah, I know that judgment is correct. A hero can indeed handle a battle like that by himself, and sending troops to help would only increase the casualties.

But I'm just furious. They're risking their lives to protect you guys, and you're just eating and drinking like this? If it were me, I couldn't stand it.

Besides, I don't think I can get any useful information from this guy, so I might as well go directly to the officer he mentioned.

"Hey, where's the highest-ranking guy here?" I asked.

"Uh... as for the commanders, they're all inside the fortress." The man tilted his head. "So... what are you going to do?"

"Need I say more? I'm a monster." I said bluntly, "You'd better run now, before I change my mind."

Since it's a monster, then this is all I have to do, right? Hmm, and he even delivered the villain's line in a cool way. Perfect.

That solves the problem. Let's get started!

I avoided the crowded areas and approached the fortress little by little. Whenever someone got close, I would transform back into my treasure chest form to hide myself.

If someone deliberately approaches me, I'll knock them out using the mimicry method, then stuff them into my body, and spit them out later when I threaten those important figures.

These people are very lax in their defenses, probably thinking that as long as there's a brave person there, there won't be any problems. Sorry, but I'm here too!

Such infiltration was child's play. Before long, I arrived at the entrance of the fortress. Such a large medieval stone building was indeed very impressive.

Okay! Let's just rush in!

"Wait a minute, there's protective magic over there."