Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 69
69. Mari-nee and the home entrusted to her.
After deciding on the clan name “Luna Ma-Ri-A,” we promptly decided to register the clan at the adventurer’s guild.
For the registration, an amount that I would have never been able to afford just a while ago became necessary, but perhaps due to seeing the money Mareus-san and the others had given to the nobles, there wasn’t much surprise.
Getting used to things is scary.
The money required to establish the clan was evenly divided among the four of us.
My share was supposed to be paid after selling dishes on the bulletin board.
I’m still somewhat skeptical whether they will really sell that much, but Mareus-san and the others seem confident.
By the way, I should mention that I almost fainted when I heard the expected amount.
While Kanna-san was handling the registration process, I suddenly noticed that our surroundings were quieter than usual.
“Come to think of it, what happened to Graham-san and the others?”
I feel self-conscious, which I hate, but I can’t imagine those people just sitting quietly when I said I was joining the clan.
“It seems they’re going to create their own clan according to their own ideals. I believe the name was…”
“No, you don’t need to say anything further,” I cut off Roulette-san’s words sharply.
Surely, it’s something I don’t need to know.
I’ve learned very well in this world that sometimes ignorance is bliss.
After that, there was further turmoil when deciding on the clan master, but judging from the clan name, it was decided by a 3 to 1 vote that I would be the clan master.
Another defeat following the clan name.
Whoever came up with the idea of majority rule, I wonder.
It would be troublesome if they didn’t create a system that takes into account minority opinions more.
Thanks to that, there seem to be many situations lately where I’m the only one at a disadvantage.
Hehehe… Thanks to Your Majesty, I now have such wonderful comrades to be with under the same roof.
It’s strange, there were supposed to be moving moments before the formation of the clan, but why did it turn out like this?
As I harbor just a tiny bit of resentment towards the king, the registration process finishes, and officially, the clan “Luna Ma-Ri-A” is formed, with me as the clan master.
…I learned this from a manga I borrowed from Maki, but if I were to look in the mirror now, I’m sure I would have eyes devoid of highlights.
As I was pondering such pointless matters, a person dressed in a crimson jacket similar to that of adventurers’ guild appeared and approached us.
“You must be Maria-san? I’ve received a message from His Majesty the King that ‘preparations are ready.’ If you’re ready, I can guide you there. How does that sound?”
“Eh, is it ready already!?”
Indeed, they had said it wouldn’t take that long, but still, it hadn’t even been a few hours.
Had they already anticipated it beforehand?
Are the king and his aides that capable?
No, no matter what, it’s just unbelievably fast work.
“It’s fine. There’s no harm in being quick.”
“That’s true, but…”
I felt a slight concern that they might be overworking themselves, but unable to resist the temptation of seeing the place, we decided to be guided.
The building we were led to was about fifteen minutes’ walk west of the adventurer’s guild, drawing a gentle arc.
It was a two-story wooden building made of white wood, too large to be called a house, too small to be called a mansion, and with minimal decoration.
Its distinctive feature was that a large part of the wall facing the road was made of glass, allowing plenty of natural light inside.
It was something like a hospital, different from an ordinary house…
Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say it’s like a sanatorium.
Originally, it was the name for a sanatorium for treating tuberculosis, but after the development of a cure, it came to refer to facilities for long-term care regardless of tuberculosis.
Why did that image come to mind so quickly?
It was because the room prepared for me by my siblings had the same features.
White, bright, clean, like a cocoon meant to heal the body and mind.
I could feel that atmosphere emanating from this building.
“This building used to be the residence of a prominent pharmacist in the capital,” the guide told me as if reading my mind.
“His skills were outstanding, but above all, he had a good personality. I’ve heard stories that if someone who bought medicine fell ill, he would provide a room free of charge until they recovered, and wouldn’t ask for anything other than the cost of the medicine. He was beloved by the citizens and even visited by some nobles.”
Those are all wonderful stories, but why are they all in past tense?
“Why would such a good pharmacist…”
“In the now deserted town, the daughter of the pharmacist lived with her husband. However, before disaster struck, there was… a painful event, and the husband passed away. As a result, the daughter was said to have been swallowed by calamity. Fortunately, her life was saved, but her mental scars ran deep. For recuperation, the pharmacist took his daughter back to their hometown.”
“Eh, but if it’s for recuperation, shouldn’t it be here?”
“To keep us from meeting her, perhaps? Adventurers from a place not of this world?”
“…Yes.”
They apologized, but no, that’s not it.
I think it’s a place where we should be blamed.
After all, it’s ultimately our fault.
Even though I think that, the words that almost came out of my mouth didn’t come out smoothly.
As I opened and closed my mouth, the guide calmly continued.
“The pharmacist left these words: ‘The stolen truth will not disappear, but the saved truth will also not disappear. Thank you for saving my daughter. Thank you for saving my daughter’s husband’s soul.'”
“The furniture and facilities seem to have been left as they were. This is a personal request, but please use them as much as possible. For those of us who were saved by the pharmacist, it’s all we could wish for if they were to be used by you.”
“Even if you say that, I…”
“Maria-san! You should accept this. And then, we should carry on and repay as much kindness as we can to the people of this world. Eventually, it will reach the hometown where the daughter lives.”
“Roulette-san…”
“Roulette-chan is right. And just blaming yourself won’t save anyone, including Maria-chan. Let’s think about what we can do together. And if you still blame yourself, we’ll worry together. That’s what friends do… Oh dear, I’ve gotten unusually passionate!”
“What a way to ruin the moment! …Well, whatever. Like the pharmacist said, if there are things you lost and things you saved, then look at both. Before blaming, that’s our responsibility, isn’t it?”
“Kanna-san, Mareus-san… Yes, you’re right.”
Honestly, I don’t feel like I have the qualifications entrusted by the pharmacist.
But I’ve been looking back enough since I woke up.
So, I bowed my head to the guide with determination.
“I will gratefully make use of it.”
“The pharmacist would be pleased. Here’s the key. May there be much happiness at the beginning of Clan ‘Luna Ma-Ri-A.'”
The key handed to me was small and light enough to fit in the palm of my hand, but I will surely not forget the weight of the trust entrusted to me…