Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 140
140. Mari-nee and Conflicting Feelings
A heavy silence settled between us after Roulette-san’s unusually serious words.
In that moment, Ben-san casually spoke up.
“So, how did you find the strength of Libertà’s proud gladiator? Of course, he cannot compare to the hero of Caldia.”
His words were polite, but his narrowed eyes did not smile.
Those eyes were asking a question.
Can I do the same?
For someone representing their country, he was being quite blatant.
That said, there was no need to rise to his provocation.
As the king’s representative, I should simply smile in silence and end this without causing a scene.
That was my plan, but…
“Indeed, he is strong. However, the strength of the Holy Founder cannot be summed up in a single word. Please, witness a glimpse of it for yourself.”
Graham-san stood up, following a familiar pattern.
Graham-san, it’s fine to remain seated silently.
Otherwise, things will get tense again.
I tried to signal restraint, but it was too late.
Kanna-san and the others had already surrounded Graham-san.
I held a faint hope that they would restrain him, but that hope was dashed as they handed Graham-san equipment one after another.
“If it’s archery, leave it to me! I’ve got a bow with ballista-level power! Though its durability is like paper!”
“I’ll supply the arrows. Made from rare metals from Legios, they’re extravagant and priceless.”
“We also have a specialized yugake glove*. It enhances accuracy to the point that even a beginner can pull off headshots.” (Archery Glove)
“Everyone… I will surely meet your expectations!”
The four of them nodded in unison, exuding a sense of unity.
I watched them with a cold gaze.
Why did I even have the slightest bit of hope…?
And the equipment they handed over sounded absurd.
I’ve heard that Graham-san’s level has reached the current cap.
I can’t even begin to imagine the power of the arrows he shoots.
As my new concerns surfaced, Gils left my side and approached Graham-san.
Before leaving, he placed Vel in my hand and left with reassuring words, “Leave it to me.”
Could it be that he understood my intentions…?
Just as my once-dead hope was about to revive, Gils raised his fist.
“You invoked Maria’s name. I won’t allow you to disgrace her.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?”
Their fists clashed in mid-air.
Though they often compete, in that moment, their intentions were aligned.
Aligned in a direction I did not want.
Gils, I wanted you to restrain him, not encourage him…
This is strange. Where did that reliability from the deepest part of the cave go?
He’s still reliable now, but I feel uneasy about the direction…
“Vel, you’re fine just as you are.”
As I spoke with hope in my voice, I noticed Vel’s eyes sparkling.
There was a glimpse of desire to be like them.
Yeah, I think it’s already too late…
Zagreus-san, could you surround me with more people like Retya-san?
I’m really struggling with the lack of people to keep things in check.
In the end, due to everyone’s wishes except mine, and with Ben-san’s encouragement, it was decided that Graham-san would fight Jade-san.
Argos, who had been knocked out, was once again restrained with chains and already taken away.
Instead, it was Graham-san who stood on the stage.
And as if on cue, they both moved towards the center.
As they did, Graham-san’s gaze briefly flicked to Jade-san’s ankle.
“You don’t need to worry about it. I chose this fate myself. Besides…”
“Hmm?”
“We’re from the same homeland. Come at me with everything you’ve got.”
Despite his casual tone, the pressure emanating from Jade-san was palpable, even from a distance.
I flinched, but Graham-san remained unfazed.
“You’re something else, kid. Quite impressive.”
Jade-san nodded, seemingly impressed.
“You too. Without the Holy Founder’s blessing, I would’ve had to jump back.”
Once again, I must say, I don’t possess such power, Graham-san.
“The Holy Founder, huh…”
But for some reason, that one phrase changed the atmosphere around Jade-san.
The earlier intimidation seemed to be a test, nothing more.
But now, I felt a chill just watching him.
Facing the massive Argos, he had seemed unruffled, but now it was as if he was a different person.
Exhaling deeply, he spoke.
“Shame on you.”
I was confused by the lack of context, but Jade-san continued.
“You’ve elevated the young lady to a Holy Founder, and you’re just intoxicated with that. Moreover…”
Jade-san turned to look at me.
In his eyes, I saw… regret?
“It’s not right for a grown man to do that to a child who never asked for it. It’s embarrassing.”
He quickly turned his gaze back to Graham-san, but his eyes were cold.
Graham-san, on the other hand, trembled with anger.
“Intoxicated, you say? This feeling is genuine!”
With the hand wearing the yugake glove from Roulette-san, he nocked an arrow.
“I’m not denying your feelings, but… what you have is dependence and blind faith.”
“!!!”
Graham-san drew the bowstring tightly, the arrow from Mareus-san ready to be released.
The distance between them was about five meters.
Jade-san, unarmed, couldn’t reach Graham-san.
Even with skills or magic, Graham-san had the speed advantage.
But Jade-san remained calm.
More than that…
“I’ll give you the first move. Aim well, there might not be a second shot.”
Pointing to his own heart, Jade-san spread his legs slightly.
By then, he had returned to his relaxed, elusive demeanor.
The change in atmosphere was so drastic that it was hard to believe he was the same person.
Even from a distance, I was confused, so how did Graham-san perceive it?
To an amateur’s eye, it seemed like the arrow was aimed perfectly at Jade-san.
However, Graham-san’s hand hesitated to release the arrow, and sweat began to appear on his forehead.
What started as small droplets grew larger over time, eventually running down his face.
We watched in silence, sensing the abnormality.
Time seemed to crawl by, but the unchanged shadows of the two showed that not much time had actually passed.
Graham-san, who should have had the overwhelming advantage, was the one being cornered.
To break the unbelievable stalemate,
“Swift!”
Graham-san released the arrow.
I saw the movement of his gloved hand, but the arrow seemed to disappear from the bow in an instant.
The arrow, moving at a speed too fast to follow, flew straight at Jade-san… but he dodged it.
The arrow hit the wall behind, creating a tremendous shockwave. Using that momentum, Jade-san closed the distance in an instant.
Graham-san tried to fend him off with another arrow, but Jade-san’s fist was already sinking into his solar plexus.
“Gah!”
Lifted slightly off the ground by the upward punch, Graham-san was then grabbed and thrown to the ground with a smooth motion.
Graham-san lay motionless.
Judging by the impact, it seemed like it was the shock that knocked him out rather than physical damage.
Just like when I first met Gils and was knocked out by his punch.
The outcome was clear to everyone.
“I thought I completely made him miss, but to think he’d scratch me while looking straight at me.”
As Jade-san said this, he touched his cheek, revealing a thin red line.
“It seems your feelings are genuine. I’ve got a bit more respect for you now.”
He crouched, lifted Graham-san onto his shoulder, and carried him off the stage.
It was Ben-san who spoke to us, still in shock.
“It’s been a long time since he’s been injured… As expected of the hero’s companion. Impressive.”
While he praised Graham-san’s effort, it was clear he was emphasizing Jade-san’s superiority, which made me uncomfortable.
Regardless of me, belittling Graham-san, who gave it his all, wasn’t right.
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should intervene, as the members of the cult grew visibly agitated.
But before their anger could explode, someone stood up.
“Then, if you don’t mind, may I have the honor of a bout with you next?”
In her usual gentle tone, Roulette-san proposed.