Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 67
67. Mari-nee and the people inside Cardia (Part 3)
“I see, so you thought you were being amusing? Even bestowing money upon lowly peasants is the duty of a noble. Truly, isn’t it a commendable attitude?”
With refined gestures, the king approached Leon Jr.’s father.
“Then let us immediately confiscate your assets and distribute them among the commoners. There’s no need for concern. Actions like yours, pocketing the taxes of the people, are intolerable. Besides, even if you were to pocket them, you wouldn’t have time to spend it. Truly, what a troublesome burden you’ve taken upon yourself.”
Despite still appearing youthful, his words carried the commanding presence unique to those in power, and the latter part was filled with a strong sense of conviction.
Especially in the latter part of his speech, I was reminded of something from the past.
It was back when I was still working part-time, and a colleague who had been transferred to the headquarters would occasionally come by and spill out such words.
“The higher you climb, the less time you have for yourself.”
I haven’t seen them since then. I wonder how they’re doing?
“Seize assets!?”
“Yes, and your noble status will be revoked as well. It’s intolerable to have someone like you, masquerading as a noble in our kingdom.”
“What! Even if you’re the king, that’s too tyrannical!!”
Leon Jr.’s father continued to resist the king.
That might not be a good idea… Ah, just as I thought.
“Silence, you foolish noble!”
The atmosphere around the king suddenly chilled by about ten degrees.
“If you have any objections to my recent actions, then speak up and address them. Protecting the people and realizing my intentions in a manner that aligns with the reality of the people is the duty of a noble. Therefore, it is the duty of a king like myself to punish nobles who do not serve the people’s interests.”
Before I knew it, everyone in the guild was listening intently to the king’s words.
Even Mareus-san and the others were no exception. Instead of being taken aback, they seemed impressed, listening attentively.
“If you disagree with my decision, rather than clinging to your noble status, gather the voices of the people you look down upon. If the people deem me unnecessary, then I shall gladly step down from the throne, provided it leads to the prosperity of this country. No, that would be too lukewarm. Perhaps disappearing into the mist of the guillotine would be more fitting. That way, there would be no room for regret.”
With the king displaying such resolve, Leon Jr.’s father seemed to be at a loss for words.
“You seemed quite attached to your noble status, but it’s trivial… I leave the rest to you.”
With those words from the king, knights clad in armor of the same color as the king’s crimson dress shirt appeared and escorted Leon Jr.’s father and the others out of the adventurers’ guild.
“As an apology for causing a disturbance, I shall cover the expenses at all the taverns in this area until dusk. Make the most of it, drink, eat, and make use of my money that has no other purpose than to be returned to the capital.”
Explosive cheers erupted at his words.
Not only the adventurers in this world but also the receptionists cheered.
Though the cheers from this side were rather raucous.
“How splendid, Your Majesty! Marry me!!”
“Kanna-san…”
Perhaps due to heightened emotions, her voice, instead of the usual high-pitched tone, had become completely natural.
Given her appearance as a complete woman, the stark contrast was still staggering, and the immune Caldian people were taken aback.
The dignified air left behind by the king’s statesmanship was now disrupted.
Well, I guess this settles the matter. Oh, why is the king coming over here?
“Could it be that my feelings reached you!?”
“A white beast, clad in blue… What is your name?”
“I am—!”
Before Kanna-san could enthusiastically answer, Roulette-san covered her mouth.
Kanna-san, your hair is blue, but isn’t your clothing a different color?
Thanks to Roulette-san’s quick response, unnecessary confusion was avoided. However, since her mouth and even her nose were covered, please keep an eye on her.
Wait, these two conditions match with…
When I pointed at myself, the king nodded.
Amidst the succession of ominous words like “divine oracle” from earlier, I desperately wanted to flee from this place, but the atmosphere didn’t allow for such an escape.
Resigning myself, I stated my name.
“I’m Maria.”
“Maria, hmm… Very well, Maria. Could you spare me a little time? I have something to discuss with you privately.”
With those words, the king and I were left alone.
A conversation with the king… I wonder if my stomachache is just my imagination?
And please, Kanna-san, there’s no need to react to the fact that it’s just the two of us.
If you cause too much trouble, Roulette-san might take off her glasses, you know?
So, escorted by the king, I was led to the room of the important figure called the Guildmaster, located on the third floor of the adventurers’ guild…
“Sorry for the suddenness. I won’t take up too much of your time.”
“No, don’t worry about it…”
Seated on a splendid leather sofa, I was currently having a one-on-one conversation with the king.
The Guildmaster seemed to be working in the room, but when the king conveyed something, he said, “I’ll make sure no one approaches here for a while,” and left.
“I have many questions, but let’s start with the divine oracle. I’ll explain why I knew about you.”
I was curious about that, so it’s helpful to get it all at once.
“It happened a few days ago. We were contemplating how to handle the people who lost their homes due to the disaster. An oracle came to me and told me that I was going to an abandoned mine that had been mined long ago and was abandoned, but that a new vein of ore was sleeping deep inside.”
“Um, what exactly is a divine oracle?”
It might be rude to ask, but I was curious.
“A divine oracle is the heavenly voice revealed only to kings of various countries or those equivalent to them. The Albion people tend to make a fuss, so I deliberately call it a divine oracle.”
His expression, mixed with a wry smile, seemed to carry a weight that didn’t match his youthful appearance.
“Many of the contents of the divine oracle are related to the fortune or misfortune of the country, but this time, it’s good fortune. As a result of the investigation, it has been confirmed that there are ores significant enough to enrich the national treasury. However, since the divine oracle did not address the disaster itself, it’s a bit of a mixed blessing.”
If the disaster refers to the event and the second city, then could the heavenly voice be a message from the administration or Zagreus?
“The divine oracle stated: ‘In a distant land, there is one who dances in sorrow for the impending disaster. Their pure wish shall become a heavenly blessing and manifest. But never should the innocent people suffering from the disaster be overlooked and exploited.'”
Huh? The situation seems a bit ominous.
Could it be… that thing?
The request I made to Yuuki Yukari of Caduceus Corporation, which was accepted by Zagreus.
It was about whether the amount of money I was supposed to receive could be used to help the people of the second city.
Thinking about it, the distant land mentioned might be the real world.
As for “dancing in sorrow,” could it possibly refer to promotion activities?
Although the expression “dancing” seems quite a stretch, if not that, then what?
“I dislike owing debts, even if it’s a divine oracle. When I asked how to repay this ‘dancing individual,’ I was told: ‘Adorned in azure attire, alongside the white beast, gather warriors and descend upon the crimson earth. Forge lost bonds and guide this world and that to a shared destiny.’ I don’t quite understand the latter part, but the former was accurate.”
More than the content of the divine oracle, I’m intrigued by this phrase that sounds familiar.
Wasn’t it from a scene in an old anime?
Towards the end, when the old woman murmurs something.
What was the title again?
“Wind… Waterfall?” (Kaze no taki? Maybe kaze no stigma?)
“I initially intended to repay a debt, but upon seeing you, my feelings changed. This was not a debt to be repaid, nor should it be called such. Therefore, as Areis Roa Cardia, I wish to express my gratitude. Maria, within my capabilities, I’d like to fulfill your wishes. If you desire a title, shall I give you the one I stripped from that man earlier?”
“Oh no, that’s not necessary, thank you!”
Not only do some people call me a saint or prophet, which I don’t even want, but if I became a noble, who knows what might happen?
Also, while declining the title, I asked for some consideration regarding Leon Jr.’s future.
If he distances himself from his father, maybe he can still turn things around.
“What about a residence? If you’re going to base yourself in the capital from now on, it would be convenient to have a place to spend time with your companions. Especially for those who make a living through production.”
A base where I can spend time with my companions, and engage in production… Oh, Nero and Kuuga would have their own space too.
Hmm, that might be nice.
But is it okay for me to make decisions like this on my own?
After informing the king of my decision and relaying the proposed content to Roulette-san and the others in the party chat, they immediately said, “””Accept it!!!””” without hesitation.
And then came a multitude of requests for the residence… They’re too many to handle!
The text on the chat screen quickly scrolled out of view, and I struggled to calm everyone down.
Is this what it means to have expert demands?
It was a combination of their expert demands that spiraled out of control.
Despite my efforts to grasp them all, I eventually gave up.
With so many specialized terms involved, could I really summarize them all?
So, I decided to just show the king all the requests as they were.
“I see, these are the wishes of seasoned individuals… Understood!”
Huh? Did he really manage to grasp all those requests!?
As expected of the king, his processing ability must be on a completely different level from mine.
“I’ll inform you as soon as preparations are ready. No need to wait too long. Well then, I must return to the castle soon. My vassals must be causing a commotion.”
With that, the king left the scene briskly.
And so, on my first day in the capital, I met a noble, met the king, and ended up receiving a residence.
While I had sown the seeds for the latter part, I couldn’t have imagined meeting the king…
Letting out a sigh, I left the Guildmaster’s room to reunite with Roulette-san and the others.