Editing Monster Hunter:Volume3 Epilogue (section)

== Epilogue ==

"Sorry, everyone."

With her hands pressed together in apology, Becky gave a slight bow to the two groups of hunters in the Minegarde gathering hall - Zeeg's party of four and Elmeria's party of three.

"The Guild really messed up this time. It turned into a double - no, triple booking."

"What do you mean?" Elmeria asked, frowning.

Zeeg and Gannon looked equally interested, but the rest of their comrades were too busy digging into the extravagant dishes they'd ordered - courtesy of the Guild's tab - to pay much attention.

"Well," Becky began, "that hunting ground and the volcanic region to the west were being claimed by two other Guilds besides Minegarde. All of them wanted the rights to manage it. Our Guild Master had gone off to a coordination meeting to sort it all out, but in the middle of that, an emergency quest came through. By the time it reached me, I just assumed we'd been granted jurisdiction, so I went ahead and asked you to take the job..."

"So the other cities thought the same thing," Elmeria cut in, suspicion narrowing her eyes. "Becky, you didn't know we'd run into another hunting party on the job, did you?"

"Of course not!" Becky waved both hands frantically. "That would've been a disaster - I know that! I'd never... But honestly, I'm really glad it was Zeeg who took the quest from Nusti."

"...Thanks." Zeeg gave a small nod, then risked a glance at Elmeria.

They still hadn't exchanged a proper word since the hunt. The chance had come up more than once, yet every time they were face-to-face, nothing came out.

He knew what he needed to say. Now that he had a party of his own, he finally understood how much Elmeria had carried, how harsh his words had been when he hadn't known any better.

He should just say it - put his feelings into words and apologize. But it wasn't that easy. Embarrassment, guilt, awkwardness - all of it choked the words in his throat.

"But it's all settled now," Becky continued, flashing them a smile. "Those hunting grounds are officially under Minegarde jurisdiction. I guarantee nothing like that will happen again."

"You'd better," Elmeria muttered as she pulled a pouch toward her, its contents clinking faintly.

Becky gave a confident "Of course!" before stepping away to the counter, where a hunter had flagged her down - likely for a registration or quest contract. The pouch contained hush money, more or less - compensation to keep things quiet.

With Becky gone, the lively conversation at the table evaporated. Elmeria turned back to her food, not once looking Zeeg's way. Not that she wanted to. And that, more than anything, made it worse.

With nothing else to do, Zeeg focused on his meal. The food, at least, was excellent - Guild-grade apologies came with premium flavor - but he couldn't enjoy it.

To be honest, he wanted to team up with Elmeria's group again. But after what he'd said - and how he'd left, without a word - how could he possibly ask that now?

("No. I can't leave it like this.")

Zeeg clenched his fork. He owed her an apology, no matter what came after. If he couldn't even do that, he'd be no better than a child.

"E-Elmeria!"

The name came out louder than he'd intended. Every head at the table turned. He nearly said ''"Never mind,"'' but he knew if he backed out now, it really would be over. He swallowed hard, along with his pride.

"I... I wanna say... sorry."

"For what?" she asked without looking up.

"For... leaving like that. Without saying anything."

"Hmph. I wasn't that bothered. But... I'll listen, since you're offering."

For a moment, Zeeg thought ''("That's all?")'' But then he caught Fradio stifling a grin. That attitude - brushing it off like it was nothing - that was just Elmeria's way of covering up.

Zeeg felt a quiet relief settle over him.

"Yeah... I really am sorry."

He reached for a piece of grilled fish, forked off a tender bite slick with sauce, and tossed it into his mouth. There were things he'd learned from leading a party of his own - things he'd need to talk to her about. Whether or not they ever teamed up again, at least now they could talk.

"Well then..."

The first to rise was Enta.

They'd already introduced their new comrade earlier. It was clear from the carriage ride back to town that Elmeria's group had never seen dual blades in action before. They'd bombarded Enta with questions all the way, fascinated by his unusual form.

Enta, it turned out, kept one eye closed at all times - not out of habit, but as part of his training. It was a way to conserve strength, to build up for the ''Demonic Transformation'', the technique that unleashed his full potential.

Of course, that didn't mean anyone could just copy him and expect the same results. Trying to fight with one eye closed would only wreck one's depth perception - and get them taken out before they even landed a hit.

"...I shall take my leave," Enta said with a polite bow and his usual formal tone.

Zeeg paused, his hand halfway to another bite. He hadn't expected that. They hadn't discussed what came next, exactly, but after two hunts together, he'd assumed they'd keep teaming up for a while.

"Intensive training awaits - for I have a student now."

"A student!?"

When Enta turned to his side, Brass offered a faint, sheepish smile in return. ''So that was it''. Zeeg understood - he couldn't fault the feeling. Dual blades were, after all, a more advanced offshoot of the sword-and-shield. Anyone who had seen skill like that up close would feel inspired to try it themselves.

"Well, it's much sooner than expected, but I guess this is where we part ways, Brass."

"Uh... I'm sorry."

Brass bowed his head apologetically. Elmeria gave a casual wave with her fork.

"No need to be sorry," she said. "Unlike ''certain people'', at least you're saying goodbye properly. ''Right?''"

"...Tch."

Zeeg had no choice but to offer a wry smile. Still, with Brass leaving, they would need to recruit again. He hadn't yet asked what Vivi intended to do, but if she stayed, her skills would be a great help.

That said, he had no plans to return to Nusti to look for new companions. He much preferred Minegarde - the city he was already familiar with.

Ultimately, he wanted to form a party with Elmeria again, but that would make five. By long-standing tradition, a hunting party was capped at four members. A shame, but there was no way around it. He couldn't bring himself to push Vivi out just because he wanted to go back.

"Ah, this makes perfect timing..." Fradio suddenly commented.

Everyone turned to see his face partially hidden beneath the executioner-like visage of his Gypceros Cap.

"What do you mean?" Elmeria tilted her head.

"Well," Fradio began, "due to some rather ''stupid'' business, I'll be heading to the capital for a while. During my absence, I was wondering what to do about the empty slot in our group. Zeeg and the young lady - if you two are willing to step in, that would be most helpful."

"W-wait just a second! You didn't tell me any of this!"

"Indeed. I'm announcing this now - for the first time."

Elmeria faltered, letting out an exasperated sigh. "...Why are ''boys'' always like this?"

"Hehehe... So, what do you say? Zeeg? And you, young lady?"

"I'm fine with it... if Elmeria is," Zeeg replied, glancing toward her.

Vivi, seated beside him, dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and looked at Elmeria through the glint of her glasses.

"I don't mind either. So, then, shall we say... she's my new Master?"

"P-please don't call me that - I mean, ''Master''? Seriously!?"

"Don't mind me. It's merely a personal quirk."

"A... quirk?"

Elmeria gave her a bewildered look, clearly unsure how to respond.

"Hehehe..." Fradio chuckled. "Hunters truly are a strange breed."

"Like you're one to talk!"

Elmeria's lightning-quick retort left Zeeg in stitches. Brass chuckled as well, and even Gannon's rocky features cracked the faintest hint of a smile. Vivi, unsure what was so amusing, simply wore her usual impassive - or perhaps mildly annoyed - expression. A very Vivi reaction.

Wiping away a tear that had welled up despite himself, Zeeg felt his heart already leaping toward the next hunt. It was a shame to see Fradio go, but there were no hard feelings. No broken ties.

The road ahead was uncertain, but for now, he was simply glad to run the hunt again - side by side with Elmeria.

Enta crossed his arms and turned to Zeeg. And for the first time, he cracked a genuine smile.



'''''"Parting winds may blow; yet every path once broken; curves back home again."'''''

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