Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 64
64. Mari-nee and the Royal Capital, Cardia
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed, and it was the day of the large-scale update.
The update process was announced to take from morning until 8 p.m., so I had been able to finish my rehabilitation, study, and reading as usual.
And as I lay in bed waiting for that moment, the words “Under Maintenance” displayed on the official site disappeared exactly at 8 p.m.
I quickly put on my blindcircle and logged into the world of Mebius.
…
…
…
When I opened my eyes, I found myself not in the room of the church where I usually log out, but in that place where I had been transferred at the end of the event.
Which meant that person must be here.
“Long time no see, Maria-san. Thanks for your great contribution in the previous event. Representing us AI…”
Before Zagreus could finish, I closed the distance and displayed my status screen, cutting him off.
(Maria: Marionettis Lv. 20)
STR: 1
VIT: 5
AGI: 8
DEX: 80
INT: 5
MID: 23
Karma (Capital City): 100,000
(Skills: Skill Points +24)
?Thread Manipulation?Lv. 20 ? Lv. 24
?Manipulator?Lv. 14
?Clown?Lv. 18
?Binding Control?Lv. 5
?Moira’s Thread of Blessing?Lv. 1
?Capture?Lv. 7
?Cooking (Intermediate)?Lv. 2 ? Lv. 15
?Preparation (Intermediate)?Lv. 1 ? Lv. 13
?Acceleration?Lv. 8 ? ?Acceleration (Intermediate)?Lv. 4
?Dark Vision?Lv. 6 ? Lv. 9
?Meditation?Lv. 8 ? ?Yoga?Lv. 2
?Visual Enhancement?Lv. 6 ? Lv. 7
?Auditory Enhancement?Lv. 7 ? Lv. 8
?Ride?Lv. 8
?Dual Wielding?Lv. 1
“What… um, what is this?”
“Don’t you notice anything?”
“It seems like my skills have improved quite a bit.”
“Yes, indeed. Despite not leveling up at all, only skills related to cooking have improved. Isn’t it strange?”
As Zagreus-san smiled at me from a close distance that almost made our faces touch, I felt his refined expression subtly twitch.
He understands what I want to say.
“After receiving the results of the event, you guys decided on the update policy and implemented it during the policy implementation period for software reimbursement. It was a very difficult task, and I understand that.”
“I appreciate your understanding. Although unavoidable, I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I understand if you can’t forgive me.”
“Yes, I won’t forgive you.”
As I said this mercilessly, Zagreus-san’s expression stiffened.
“I’ve been so immersed in cooking these past few days that I thought I had chosen a cooking game. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about making money. But I did my best not to inconvenience the people living in the world of Mebius. However, next time, please make it more widely known from the beginning. As a representative of Mebius and the liaison with the administration, you can do that, can’t you?”
Seemingly pushed back by my stern attitude, Zagreus-san leaned back slightly, but I closed the distance and pressed on.
Then,
“I… I will handle it appropriately…”
He uttered words reminiscent of a politician somewhere.
Hmm, I was expecting a more decisive response.
Well, Zagreus-san will definitely handle it properly, won’t he?
“…Understood. I would appreciate your help.”
As I distanced myself and bowed, I felt like I heard Zagreus-san take a deep breath.
It felt as if he had been holding his breath the whole time I was speaking, but surely not.
I don’t have the power to intimidate someone like that, right?
Well, that’s enough of my nagging.
“Was I summoned here by Zagreus-san to choose the country I belong to?”
As I said this, Zagreus-san seemed relieved, as if he could now discuss the main topic.
“As you say. After the update, those who log in are asked to come here once and choose the country they belong to. Normally, I would explain the details of each country, but…”
He glanced at me briefly, but I already know, right?
It’s strange, isn’t it? Not just Roulette-san and the others, but why does everyone seem to understand what I’m thinking?
…Oh well.
I wonder what it is, ever since I started playing this game, I’ve become strangely strong, or rather courageous, or what about being a girl? I feel like I’ve been grinding only those aspects.
“There’s no way there’s such a hidden status, right?”
Even as I stared at Zagreus-san intently, his face remained unchanged, like a piece of statue.
Taking a deep breath, I replied, “I choose Caldia.”
As I declared this, the magic circle that emitted a blue light, just like the one I saw during the event, appeared at my feet.
“The paths and conditions from the ‘City of Beginnings, Eden’ to the ‘Capital City’ can be inquired about at the Adventurer’s Guild. However, those who have acquired a certain amount of Karma can also travel to the ‘Capital City’ by carriage or horse.”
A carriage!
I had considered riding Kuuga, but I’m glad there’s a means like a carriage since I’ll be going with everyone.
At that moment, the magic circle shone especially bright.
Gradually, under the influence of the magic circle, my figure began to disappear from the tips of my toes.
As I waited for the teleportation to complete, Zagreus-san spoke as if he had just remembered something.
“Oh, right. Maria-san, the matter you requested consideration from the administration has been accepted.”
“Really?!”
I felt relieved. This lightened the load on my mind a bit.
“Thank you, Zagreus-san.”
“No, those are words that we should be saying. Once again, thank you, Maria-san. I hope that your future aligns with the ideals of Mebius…”
As he finished speaking, the teleportation completed, and I found myself back in the city of Eden.
Upon returning to Eden, I went around greeting each of the residents who had taken care of me.
There were various reasons for this, but immediately after the update, everyone had decided to leave Eden and head for the capital city together.
Although we’re from the same country, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again, but Vanessa-san, Zela-san, Allen-san, and the uncle and aunt who sold me ingredients all bid me farewell with reluctance and cheered me on for my efforts in the capital city.
I’m not entirely confident that I responded with a smile without crying.
And then, there was Estelle-san, with whom I had the deepest connection in this city.
Just before departing, I had a final conversation with Estelle-san.
Because I knew if we talked at the beginning, I would end up a mess afterward.
From the first time we met until now, there have been many things. But I feel like if I hadn’t met Estelle-san, both the current me in Mebius and the real me connected to it wouldn’t exist.
In that sense, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call her my benefactor.
So when I tried to tell her that we were leaving Eden, I couldn’t find the right words.
To someone like me, Estelle-san gently said.
“Surely, we’ll meet again soon. So please, don’t worry about us and walk the path you desire, Maria-san.”
Thanks to her tight hug that enveloped me, I don’t think anyone saw my expression.
And her voice, blending with the cries of the children around, never seemed to stop…
“Looks like the farewell’s over. But man, what a sight. Your eyes are all red and puffy.”
“Mareus-chan, saying that kind of thing will make girls hate you, you know?”
Mareus-san, receiving a sharp elbow jab from Kanna-san, collapses in agony.
Um, could you please return the solemn mood I had just a moment ago?
In an instant, the usual atmosphere was restored, and Mareus-san, as always, continued to push the boundaries.
“Now, Reverend (Guru-sama)! Everything’s ready. We’ve rented the top-tier four-horse carriage from the Adventurer’s Guild. We can depart anytime.”
Looks like Graham-san has completely stopped trying to hide things… Also, he’s called a reverend, but what kind of sect is this? I’m too scared to ask.
You think I can imagine it?
I don’t want to imagine it!!
Ahem… But it seems like the carriage provided is indeed top-tier. The wagon part where people ride is intricately decorated, giving off a noble vibe.
There’s someone who seems like a resident riding on the coachman’s seat, holding the reins of the horses.
“They say his name is Thomas-san. Somehow, he reminds me of a certain facially expressive locomotive.”
Hold it right there !
Don’t take away the emotional farewell with Estelle-san and the others, even from me, Roulette-san!
But alas, my plea falls on deaf ears. With an atmosphere reminiscent of a school trip, we left the city of Eden.
…Huh? My line, “My wish is in vain,” feels somehow close to home…
Ugh, my head… cooking… i can’t sleep… Nor… ma…
…
…
…
I was lost in my recent traumas when Thomas-san, the coachman, brought me back with his voice.
“We’re at the location of the second city.”
We must have traveled quite a distance without me noticing.
Looking out of the window provided in the wagon, I saw that the place was already devoid of people, with many buildings demolished and turned into empty lots.
“Many people disappeared all at once, so others from different lands find it creepy to gather here. If left alone, it might become a den for thieves. By order of the king, we’re reluctantly tearing down the buildings.”
Since I didn’t know the previous appearance of the second city, I wasn’t particularly surprised, but it seemed different for Roulette and the others.
Their shocked expressions might be due to the disappearance of a familiar town, the enormity of the event’s impact becoming apparent, or perhaps both.
If Eden had disappeared, I might not have been able to keep it together.
“What happened to the people who remained in the city?”
“I heard most of them moved to the capital. Apparently, there was quite a bit of support available for relocation.”
“I see…”
Upon hearing Thomas’s explanation, the atmosphere among Roulette-san and the others seemed to lighten slightly.
And so, we spent a few hours being rocked in the carriage.
Then, Thomas-san spoke the words we had been waiting for.
“There it is, visible now. That’s the capital city with the same name as this country, Caldia!”
Through the window, I could see a vast city surrounded by multiple layers of walls, much larger than the city of Eden.