Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 183
183. Mari-nee and Conversations with the Three Merchants
“Thank you for granting us an audience despite our unannounced visit, King Aleis Roa Caldia of Caldia.”
“You have the nerve to say that after hinting at matters of national importance through your envoy. Sahar, one of the three merchants of Liberta.”
King Aleis responded with sharp words, but Sahar-san remained unfazed. If Kanna-san were here, she might have blurted out, “What a thick-skinned person!” and leapt at him in the King’s stead.
That’s how calm and collected Sahar-san was, almost unnervingly so.
“Time is finite, so let’s get to the point… But first, there’s someone unfamiliar here.”
The King glanced at the woman standing beside Sahar-san.
“This is Fatima Hiltu, my right hand.” (??????? ?????)
As Sahar-san introduced her, the woman who had descended onto our ship with him stepped forward slightly. She was about 160 centimeters tall, with slender, pale limbs peeking out from her abaya. Her downcast eyes were so narrow they seemed almost shut, making one wonder if she could even see. I was honestly surprised she managed to cross that makeshift bridge.
“Your right hand? I’ve never heard of such a person for the ‘Gray’ Sahar.”
“She rarely shows herself in public. I believe in Yamato, they call such a person a ‘hidden blade.'”
Sahar-san’s smooth response to the King’s suspicion also carried a subtle counter.
“Still, compared to the heroes of Caldia, she is insignificant. After all, it seems that the Hero and his friends have grown even stronger since their visit to Liberta.”
“I heard they were quite well-received.”
“The glory of Caldia must have resonated far and wide.”
“Hah! You have some nerve… In that case, I suppose no introduction is needed for these people.”
After a brief glance at us, the King cut his words short.
“Speak. What is it that the three merchants have come to convey personally?”
Facing the quietly imposing King, Sahar-san’s expression grew serious. After a brief pause, he began to speak.
“If the current situation continues, Liberta will fall in the near future, ironically due to the very practices that supported its growth.”
“And your basis for this?”
The King, unfazed by the grand scale of Sahar-san’s claim, asked calmly.
“The number of slaves in Liberta has recently surpassed thirty times that of our citizens. Many of them harbor deep resentment.”
“Thirty times… That’s a ratio that could indeed shake the foundation of a nation. And in addition?”
“Yes, most of these slaves are from Xenoa. Many possess the strength to survive in harsh conditions. If they were to rise up, the country would be destroyed in the worst possible way.”
“The casualties wouldn’t be limited to the ruling class?”
“The slaves also support the livelihoods of our citizens, who take this for granted. They wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed.”
“If there were a land route, they might escape to other countries, but the only path leads to Xenoa.”
“Indeed, it would be like running straight into the jaws of a starving beast.”
“And what does Ben, the leader of the three merchants, say?”
“Nothing. He doesn’t even see it as a problem. However, he is reinforcing his defenses with highly trained soldiers.”
“It’s not out of ignorance, then. If there’s a plan behind it… I see. The idea of saving Caldia connects here.”
While I was lost, trying to make sense of the connections, Sahar-san showed a slight look of surprise.
“You’ve grasped it from this exchange alone. As expected of the King of Caldia.”
“I didn’t reach this understanding on my own. I owe it to my dependable friends.”
The King allowed himself a small, proud smile. But it was fleeting, and his expression soon turned grim.
“I can hardly believe it. Though the method is unclear, it seems they plan to attack Xenoa, the homeland of the slaves, using the monsters of the forest, all while focusing on defense.”
“And not just that, they likely plan to send the monsters into Liberta afterward to quell the rebellious slaves as a show of force.”
“Appalling… But if this is true, Caldia cannot stand idly by. The defenses at the forest are thin because it’s a natural fortress. So, what does the ‘Gray’ Sahar want from Caldia?”
The King’s sharp gaze implied that he would tolerate no lies. But Sahar-san answered without hesitation.
“Material support.”
He met the King’s gaze directly, his response concise. The King, seemingly surprised, asked again.
“Oh? Not military support?”
“Yes, we’ll handle that ourselves.”
He directed these words toward Hiltu-san. The King stared at Hiltu-san, who nodded silently, then relaxed the tense atmosphere.
“Very well.”
With that single word, the matter was settled.
The conversation between the King and Sahar-san proceeded rapidly after that, and before I knew it, they had exchanged documents.
Although I couldn’t follow the discussion fully, I understood that something very significant had been decided.
We watched as Sahar-san and Hilt-san returned to their ship, and our ships began to part ways.
As we were about to lose sight of them, I suddenly felt someone’s gaze and turned around. Hiltu-san was facing in our direction. Her eyes were still downcast, seemingly closed. Yet somehow, I felt a sense of nostalgia emanating from her… But why?