Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 126
126. Mari-nee and the boat trip to Liberta
I rode in the carriage arranged by the king, swaying all the way to the port town in the southeast.
The luxurious carriage was covered at the front with a retractable canvas.
As we neared the port town, the canvas was opened, letting the wind flow into the carriage.
The wind carried a smell reminiscent of the fish section in a supermarket where I once worked part-time, and as we approached the town, the smell grew stronger.
However, unlike the supermarket, it didn’t smell unpleasant.
Noticing me sniffing the air, Kanna-san laughed and explained.
“Maria-chan, that’s the smell of the sea breeze.”
“But actually, the source of that smell is microorganisms in the seawater that die and decompose. The cleaner the seawater, the less noticeable the sea breeze smell is.”
“It may be a fact, but this is Maria-san’s first experience of the sea, you know? Saying that, Mareus… that’s quite insensitive, to put it mildly.”
“That’s utterly lacking in sentiment. I’ll lower Mareus-chan’s rating through my network by about 2,000 points for not understanding a maiden’s heart.”
“Don’t you think you’ve all been a bit too harsh on me lately? And Kanna, what exactly does a 2,000-point deduction mean for me!?”
Before I could say anything, Mareus-san was already caught in the crossfire from Roulette-san and Kanna-san.
Knowing he meant no harm, I didn’t mind, but I didn’t feel the need to defend him either, so I let it slide.
While they continued their usual banter, my anticipation for the sea grew.
Because of the terrain, we couldn’t see the sea until we passed through the walls surrounding the port town. When we did, an endless expanse of blue unfolded before our eyes.
“Whoaa!”
An involuntary cry of amazement escaped my lips.
The sea near the town stretched on without end, growing deeper in color and eventually merging with the sky, drawing a long, thin blue line across the horizon.
The vastness of this view was different from looking up at the sky, it felt endlessly expansive and overwhelming.
“This is the sea…”
Roulette-san, smiling gently, added to my overflowing words.
“Yes, it’s said to be the source of life. Seeing it like this, it’s quite convincing, isn’t it?”
I remembered how, after the battle in Legios and returning to reality, I had wished to see the sea.
I never imagined that wish would come true so quickly…
Now, Nero and Kuuga from that dream were here beside me as Gils and Vel.
When I glanced at them, Gils met my eyes as if on cue, with Vel perched on his shoulder in their usual spot.
I wished this wasn’t a dream, but as if to confirm it wasn’t,
“The waves offshore can be rough. Some people get seasick, so be careful.”
Mareus-san added in his usual manner.
“Apparently, Mareus doesn’t understand people’s hearts either… How utterly low.”
“This is the second strike. You’re definitely going on the blacklist.”
“I was just being considerate!”
Thanks to Mareus-san’s anguished protest, I was sure this wasn’t a dream.
Your sacrifice wasn’t in vain, Mareus-san.
As the carriage moved towards the pier, a large wooden ship came into view.
“A three-masted sailing ship… it looks like a carrack used for trade.”
“You’re knowledgeable. As expected of the head of the Woodworkers’ Guild.”
“It’s more of a hobby, really.”
Kanna-san, though speaking casually, seemed quite excited about the ship before us.
The ship and the pier were connected by a wide plank, bustling with people moving goods in and out.
Among the items, there might be spices from Yamato that I’d seen in the Libertan merchant’s shop.
From Caldia, grains, minerals, and potions were mainly being transported.
Some wooden crates were sealed tightly, likely containing something valuable, perhaps expensive liquor.
As the time for departure came, the sails caught the wind, and the ship gradually picked up speed.
I watched Caldia fade into the distance from the stern, then moved to the bow, taking in the vast expanse of the open sea.
Seeing the sea from closer to the surface gave a different impression.
Under the clear sky, the endless sea made me feel as if I were part of it.
I had read stories about feeling small in front of vast landscapes, but I felt embraced, overwhelmingly happy.
“Be careful not to lean out too much…you might fall…bleeergh…”
Thank you for worrying, Mareus-san.
But right now, the one in the most danger is probably you.
Clinging to the deck railing and vomiting over the side, he resembled a statue I’d seen in a textbook.
“Honestly, Mareus-chan is such a handful.”
Kanna-san went over to rub his back.
Her kindness, despite her words, was so like Kanna-san.
As the ship dipped and tilted with the waves, I lost my balance for a moment.
Roulette-san caught me just in time.
“Are you alright? The sensation of the waves is quite realistic, isn’t it?”
“Thank you, you saved me.”
Her gentle smile and natural support made me think Roulette-san would be extremely popular if she were a man.
“You’re welcome. Actually, Maria-san, there’s something I’d like to ask you…”
“What is it?”
When Roulette-san suddenly lowered her voice, I felt a bit uneasy.
“It might not be appropriate to ask, but since the PV was released, is everything alright in your real life? Is there anything troubling you?”
Her consideration for privacy and my comfort was impressive.
“Thank you for your concern. There haven’t been any disturbances or people showing up unannounced like at the station. Everything is fine.”
When I said that, her smile deepened with relief.
“I’m glad to hear that. Becoming famous can bring more trouble. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out, no matter where or when.”
“Yes!”
Her warm consideration made me smile, and we spent a while gazing at the sea together.
Although there had been some rocking, the waves and wind were calm.
At that moment, a thought occurred to me.
When I created my avatar, Maria, I barely altered my appearance.
People who knew me in reality might recognize me as Mari…
Considering that, it’s strange that my real life remains so calm.
Perhaps the chaos in this world balances it out…