Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 63
63. Mari-nee and responding to large-scale updates
After leaving the training square, I received an urgent call from Roulette-san and returned to that shop.
There, in addition to the three people I had parted ways with just a few hours ago, Graham-san was also present.
“You came, Maria. This time the contents of the major update are serious, so I asked Graham to come too.”
As Mareus-san said that, Graham-san, who had stood up, bowed politely.
“I apologize for intruding, Maria-san.”
“Graham-san, thank you for coming today.”
After returning the thanks, as if time were precious, Mareus-san enlarged the screen connected to an external site.
Displayed there were announcements for the recruitment of the second update, which I had also seen, and the contents of the major update.
“I think you have a general grasp of the overview, but to confirm shared understanding and ensure nothing is overlooked, let’s especially focus on areas that seem likely to have an impact,” said Mareus-san, to which no one dissented, and he began reading aloud while pointing to the items displayed on the screen.
“First is the implementation of nations. After the update, when you log in, you will be prompted to choose the nation you belong to, and each portal will also be changed. And as for the selectable nations, there are five.”
At that point, Kanna-san opened the explanation for the implementation of nations and continued.
“The breakdown is as follows:
A monarchy with the capital ‘Royal Capital,’ Caldia.
A religious nation with the holy city ‘Holy Capital,’ Albion.
A military nation with the imperial city ‘Imperial Capital,’ Legios.
A lawless nation with the magic city ‘Magic Capital,’ Zenoa.
A commercial nation with the maritime city ‘Maritime Capital,’ Liberta.
By the way, the Eden where we are belongs to the ‘Royal Capital,’ Caldia.”
“There was also an explanation about the implementation of karma, but since the content is the same as what we heard in the event, I’ll omit it. However, karma seems to be independently set for each country.”
Ah, so when Zagreus mentioned “starting over in another country,” he was referring to this.
Even if your karma drops in the previous event, if you start in another country, your karma will reset to zero.
“So, onto the main topic about this. Maria, which country will you choose?”
“Well… Honestly, even if I’m asked to choose a country, I can’t grasp the scale very well. But I’m slightly drawn to Liberta. With it being called the ‘Maritime Capital,’ it seems like there would be plenty of seafood and such. And though I’ve never been to the sea in reality, there’s a sort of longing for it. But my answer is decided.”
“I choose Caldia. It’s a country where important people to me reside.”
Upon answering, the four of them had faces that seemed to say, ‘Of course.’
Hmm, what’s with that reaction after asking?
“Then I’ll choose Caldia too.”
“Me too.”
“Me as well.”
“Our path always lies alongside our revered Maria-sama!”
“Um, everyone, are you perhaps choosing based on my decision?”
And Graham-san, who had been barely concealing his discomfort until now, finally seemed to give up hiding it? What’s with this cult-like atmosphere?
“Well, of course. The four of us had already decided to choose the country you chose before you came.”
“Exactly, Maria-chan choosing anything other than Caldia was unthinkable.”
“Kanna-chan is right. Plus, being with Maria-chan is never dull, and thanks to the last event, our karma in Caldia is decent. This advantage is quite delicious.”
“We will stand by no matter what!”
“Yes, yes, calm down a bit.”
Kanna-san forcibly poured water from a glass into Graham-san’s excited mouth.
He coughed violently, but yeah, I guess it’s fine to leave him be.
“Alongside the implementation of nations, it seems that clans, trade bulletin boards, horse rentals, and MP potions will also be implemented, but ‘these’ are still quite cute.”
“In a sense, what’s even more impactful than the implementation of nations is the level restriction on ‘Portable Food’ usage.”
Yeah, that makes sense.
Portable food was a convenient means of restoring fullness cheaply and easily.
Despite its bad taste, many adventurers used it, which was also a reason why few acquired the ‘Cooking’ skill.
“Once you surpass level 20, portable food will hardly restore fullness anymore. It feels more like a specification change than an implementation. This will definitely shake things up. Currently, those who have acquired the ‘Cooking’ skill are absolutely necessary.”
“With the implementation of trade bulletin boards, it seems like there will be money to be made, but it’s not something that can be learned quickly.”
“In that case, people will flock to the residents’ dining halls. But in Mebius’s world, there are people living their lives. In other words, there’s the concept of demand and supply. If we adventurers flood in, it’ll be a nuisance to those people. If it continues, I can’t predict how it’ll affect karma.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience the residents, but it’s going to be tough,”
I can only hope that there won’t be too many people starving to death.
As someone who has experienced starvation, I understand that hardship well.
“Hey, why are you talking as if it’s none of your business?”
“Huh? Well, I can cook for myself… Oh, don’t worry, I intend to cook for Mareus-san, Roulette-san, Kanna-san, and Graham-san too.”
The moment I said that,
“”””You really don’t get it at all!””””
Everyone said in unison.
“Why!?”
“Do you have any idea how much demand there will be? And practically, you’re in a monopoly position, you know?”
“If you’re involved in production, you can’t let players here not earn.”
“I’ll send a message to the guild members to gather ingredients.”
“Then let us help with battles against monsters.”
“Oh, what a gentleman, that helps.”
“Hey, it’s fine to gather ingredients outside, but don’t buy them in the city, okay? It could have a bad influence on the residents.”
“I’ll gather guild members who have learned ‘Cooking.'”
Things were decided with a surge of determination…
And in all of these exchanges, I, who used to be me, would have thought, ‘Everyone’s working hard, I wonder if there’s anything I can do to help,’ in a relaxed manner.
But you know, I’ve grown too.
I’ve been made to grow.
There won’t be any sweet flow like a doughnut soaked in syrup.
“…Um, then what about me?”
“Until the update, just cooking!!!!”
That’s right…
This is like a recurrence of the potato chip hell Vanessa-san made in her shop.
That time lasted for a few hours, but this time it’s for several days…
Ahaha… Ahahahaha… I can’t take it anymore!
I want to go home…
But alas, my futile wish. Dragged along, I was plunged into an endless cooking hell in the kitchen the three rented…