Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 178
178. Mari-nee and The Unveiling New Gear
As my emotions finally settled, Kanna-san clapped her hands and cheerfully spoke up.
“Maria-chan, would you mind showing us how you look in your new outfit? I’d love to see it!”
“I’d like to see it too,” added Roulette-san with a warm smile. “What do you think, Maria-san?”
Having received such a beautiful set of gear, there was no reason for me to refuse showing it off.
I quickly prepared to change, but Kanna-san gently stopped me.
“Hold on, dear. Why don’t you step out for a moment before changing? Let’s make sure to showcase it properly.”
“She’s right,” Mareus-san chimed in. “Why not call Gils and Vel, too? They’re family, after all.”
Mareus-san’s suggestion was on point.
I called for the two of them, took the outfit that Roulette-san handed me, and stepped out of the room by myself.
Changing itself would only take a moment, but the fondness I had for the gear I’d worn for so long made it hard to switch over so easily.
After a brief moment of hesitation, I finally resolved to don the new gear.
“Thank you for everything…”
I hugged the gear that had served its purpose so well and gently tucked it away.
Not wanting to keep everyone waiting any longer, I quickly checked myself over and returned to the room.
“Oh my!”
The moment I opened the door, Kanna-san exclaimed in delight.
“It suits you perfectly. You look like a fine lady now!”
“I aimed for a more refined look with less sweetness,” Roulette-san said, “and it’s truly elegant, with a touch of sophistication. You look wonderful!”
“Piyo!”
“Well, we did make it, so it’s no surprise that it looks good. But… yeah, it’s not bad,” Mareus-san admitted with a hint of pride.
“Mareus,” the King said with a chuckle, “why don’t you just give a straightforward compliment for once?”
Mareus-san turned away, even from the King, with a slight scowl, causing me to let out a small laugh at his unchanged demeanor.
It was then that I noticed Gils was nowhere to be seen.
“Um, where did Gils go?”
In response, Kanna-san glanced toward the corner of the room.
That corner held the secret door the King had crafted to lead into this room.
“Gils-chan, you can come out now,” Kanna-san called out.
The carpet lifted, revealing a hidden door underneath, and out of the shadows emerged Gils.
I was taken aback by how different he looked from just moments ago.
His long silver hair, previously tied back, had been cut short to about shoulder length, though upon closer inspection, it was done with a delicate precision.
The black jacket he wore, though still the same color, now had a high collar and a deep V-shaped front.
It was an unfamiliar design, but it suited the newly ruffled Gils perfectly.
As I pondered why the design seemed familiar, Roulette-san, noticing my curiosity, happily explained.
“You have a good eye. This is based on the uniform of British lancers from the 19th century.”
“You might have seen something like it in a textbook illustration,” Kanna-san added, causing me to recall images of myself sitting at a desk, flipping through textbooks.
Although, I also remembered dozing off from the fatigue of part-time jobs, but I quickly pushed that thought aside.
“So, what do you think, Maria?”
Gils, now clad in his new gear, spread his arms wide, striking a pose. The gesture, despite his sharp appearance, had a childlike quality that brought a smile to my face.
“You look really cool,” I said, unable to hold back a grin.
The moment the words left my mouth, Gils’s eyes crinkled with happiness.
“It’s not just his appearance that’s changed,” Mareus chimed in. “We carefully selected new materials and rebuilt his body from scratch. He should be far stronger than before.”
I was already amazed by the new gear, but to think they’d also recreated Gils’s body—it was overwhelming. I expressed my gratitude, to which Roulette-san and the others responded with a simple thumbs-up.
Oddly enough, Gils and Vel also mimicked the gesture, as if it were a sign of camaraderie. Vel, unable to lift a thumb, tried to raise a foot instead, causing him to wobble precariously.
The sight was so endearing that I couldn’t help but laugh and join in with a thumbs-up of my own.
The King watched us, a hint of envy in his voice as he spoke.
“I’ve witnessed the bonds that tie you all together. As thanks, I offer you this, Maria, as the one who binds these ties.”
He placed a shimmering thread of rainbow-colored metal on the table.
“This is a thread forged from the rare metal, Kongouseki. It’s incredibly strong, and a coat made from it could surpass even thick armor in terms of protection.”
Mareus stared intently at the thread, his reaction alone enough to convey its immense value.
“Is it really okay for me to have something so precious?” I hesitated.
“It was made for you. If you don’t accept it, my pride would be in tatters,” the King replied with a hearty laugh, though it was clear he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
It felt like I had already received so much, but before I could continue my hesitation, Gils casually took the thread.
“Gils!?”
“Take it. And when the King finds himself in danger again, you can use this to save him.”
“Bold words,” the King said with a strained smile.
Gils’s remark was a subtle reference to what happened in the Cave of Oaths, where the King had been captured by Mephistopheles with no means of escape. No one could have avoided that fate, but still, Gils’s words left the King momentarily speechless.
With the air slightly awkward but the presentation of the new gear complete, our little ceremony came to a close.