Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 186
186. Mari-nee and the Decision
It took about a month from when the King gave his command to when preparations were completed.
From the perspective of a nation, I think that was pretty quick.
There was a reason for this. After the battle with Legios, the King had strengthened preparations so that he could overwhelm any adversary with sheer resources.
At the same time, he exercised his right to demand compensation, assigning the task of monitoring the “Great Magic Forest” and responding to any abnormalities until the Liberta situation was settled. Truly, the King is remarkable.
During this period, we also gathered as many supplies and people as we could.
However, there was one decision we needed to make.
That was whether we, including all of us, would head to Liberta as part of the personnel.
Normally, I think we would have gone without hesitation, but this time, because of Jade-san’s advice, we hesitated.
When I told everyone about his advice, their faces turned grim.
Considering the situation we heard from Sahar-san, it’s understandable.
Given the Legios incident, I thought I would remain quiet… but then…
The situation changed three days before the ship carrying supplies for Liberta was due to depart.
Just as we were putting in our final push, Joshua-san happened to be visiting to make a delivery when we received news from the King.
According to the message, a rebellion had broken out in Liberta earlier than planned.
The information came from Caldia’s advance party, so it seemed reliable.
The King was considering moving up the departure date, but Joshua-san, who happened to be there, couldn’t stay calm.
I saw that his face had turned pale, and he was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Kanna-san, who had just finished her delivery, quickly noticed and supported the unsteady Joshua-san.
Meanwhile, Retya-san excused herself from the customers, guided them outside, and hung a “Closed for Business” sign on the door.
The seamless coordination spoke volumes about Retya-san’s competence.
After that, I accompanied Joshua-san to the shop of the merchants from Liberta.
Along the way, neither of us spoke.
I was silent because I couldn’t find the right words.
But Joshua-san seemed to try to say something several times but never actually voiced it.
The look in his eyes was one of desperate hope.
That alone made it clear what he wanted to say.
Even after we returned home, the feeling from Joshua-san lingered.
After much deliberation, I decided to follow my heart.
I had received the warning and didn’t know what I could do over there.
But I could at least reach out to the hand that had been extended to me.
Right now, I can do that.
Once my mind was made up and I announced my decision to go to Liberta, the first to react was Roulette-san.
“You haven’t forgotten that person’s advice, have you?”
A piercing gaze from her crimson eyes.
Her tone wasn’t a question; it was a way to gauge my resolve.
Seeing me take her gaze head-on and nod, Roulette-san returned the gesture after a moment.
After that, Kanna-san let out a deep sigh.
“My goodness, the Legios incident wasn’t that long ago… Let me ask you directly. Do you really have to?”
My answer to her question was simple.
“It’s just how I am.”
Kanna-san shrugged at my self-deprecating tone.
“You’re usually so calm, but Maria-chan, sometimes you have this undeniable forcefulness.”
“That’s not true—”
Before I could finish, everyone nodded enthusiastically.
Wait, why!?
Even Gils and Vel, too!?
As I was bewildered by how everyone saw me, I heard a voice as if it were coming from the depths of the earth.
“Mari-aneesama~~~”
Before I knew it, Estelle-san had appeared and grabbed my shoulders from behind.
I turned around awkwardly to see Estelle-san’s intense gaze.
“This time, you won’t leave me behind, right?”
Her smile was so bright, but the moment I saw it, a chill ran down my spine.
Seeing me nodding rapidly, Estelle-san’s smile returned to its usual state.
“I’ve gotten stronger. I won’t let a single hair on you be harmed, Maria-anee-sama!”
Her words were reassuring, but the impression of her earlier smile was so strong that I couldn’t feel entirely at ease…