Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 195
195. Mari-nee and After the Battle
When I descended to the ground with Vel, the first thing I saw was Judas-san, who had reverted from his monstrous form back to a human.
The same was true for Judas-san’s companions, but there was one notable difference.
While his companions, including the many monsters that had surged forward, had merely lost consciousness, Judas-san alone had lost his life.
It felt different from when we lost Nero or Cougar—this was the heavy weight of a human’s death.
The weight of it threatened to crush me, and my heart ached.
Clutching my chest, I heard Mareus-san muttering beside me, his expression grim.
“That old man… he was hiding one hell of a skill.”
Kanna-san and Roulette-san, who had arrived, continued the conversation.
“It took a lot of effort and time to activate, but if you look at the result, it’s exceptional.”
“When he said it was his only skill, perhaps it wasn’t just a bluff.”
The monsters remained unconscious, showing no signs of waking up.
Their abnormal state spoke volumes about how extraordinary the skill was.
However, having witnessed Gils’s awakening before, I felt a bit uneasy.
Great power always demands a corresponding price.
If that’s the case, what about Jade-san’s skill…?
“I will explain regarding Jade,” a firm voice announced.
The person who appeared was a woman wearing a black abaya.
This voice… I remember it from the signing ceremony…
“Heler-san of the Three Merchants?”
“I am honored that you remember me. And as a representative of this nation, I express my gratitude for saving it.”
She clasped her hands together in front of her chest and bowed deeply.
“The technique he used is an ancient secret art of Xenoa. It forcibly gathers hostility from the surroundings and, once activated, deals retribution proportionate to that hostility.”
“Then, the reason why only Judas-san lost his life…”
“It’s because he took Jade’s life. However, as you can see, the power of this technique is overwhelming. The price for using it is that Jade’s level has been reset to one, and he will not be able to gain any levels for an entire month.”
“That’s quite a severe penalty… But considering how it literally turned the tide of the battle, it seems fair,” Mareus-san remarked, looking around with a nod of understanding.
“So, what about the others besides Judas? We don’t know how long the skill’s effects will last, but we can’t just leave them like this if they’re still alive.”
“Indeed, if left unchecked, they will eventually wake up and rampage again. But rest assured, now that Judas has fallen, there are measures we can take.”
“Measures?”
“Yes… Hilth.”
The moment Heler-san spoke, from her shadow emerged Hilth-san, recognizable by her distinctive gray abaya.
Without a word, Hilth-san raised her hands, and just like she did with Sahar-san, a red-black light surged around.
The monsters of the Great Magic Forest that were hit by the light began to wake up slowly, standing up and walking in a daze.
They moved northward.
Despite their intimidating numbers, I sensed no hostility from them.
Everyone watched in stunned silence.
“I have commanded them to return to the Great Magic Forest. Ben and Sahar are also under control, so the conflict ends here,” Heler-san declared firmly.
Feeling somewhat relieved, I asked a question that had been on my mind.
“Why did you bring Hilth-san here, Heler-san?”
“The power that the two of the Three Merchants noticed… I could not let it pass unnoticed,” she replied with a slight smile.
That smile had a kind of majestic that reminded me of the King, and I felt a quiet shiver run down my spine.
As the monsters of the Great Magic Forest disappeared from the surroundings and the treatment for the wounded was completed, Heler-san began to speak again, seemingly to no one in particular, as if threading through the silence.
She began to recount the events that had occurred in Liberta, revealing the true story behind everything that had happened…