Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 70

70. Mari-nee and discovering something.

When I opened the door with the key handed to me, I saw a medicine shelf on the left and a long counter for preparing medicines and counter to customers who came to buy medicine.

In front of the counter, there were several long benches for waiting, and the distinctive large glass window allowed bright light to pour in.

I imagine anyone waiting for their turn would have felt as comfortable as sunbathing.

Although there were no medicines or anything now, I could almost see the peaceful times of the past.

Behind the counter seemed to be for people needing consultation, as there were small rooms prepared.

There was also a counter on the right side of the door, but this one was wider and mainly seemed to be for preparing medicines before they were dispensed.

To the right of the door were stairs leading to the second floor and a single door.

The second floor probably housed individual rooms, as opening the door revealed a passage leading to separate rooms.

Unlike the main building, the annex was made of bricks and seemed sturdy enough to handle fire.

There was a chimney too, so maybe they dried herbs inside.

When Mareus-san opened the thick wooden door, it revealed a cramped space filled with tools, seemingly for production purposes.

The windows were much smaller than those in the main building, and the room was about a third of the size. Despite having voiced so many requests, I wondered if this was enough. However, before I could voice my doubts, the three rushed over and began inspecting the tools.

Their expressions were serious, reminiscent of their roles as top producers.

“Just as ordered, a complete set of high-quality blacksmithing tools that weren’t available in Eden. With these, we can finally start working on the Alchemy event kit.”

“As expected of my king. And this annex, its structural integrity is impeccable. We can afford to push it a little for Alchemy.”

“It seems like it’s okay to make loud noises during work here. And the fact that there are fewer people around is also a big plus. We’ll want to keep the process of making Alchemy a secret.”

“Um, what’s Alchemy?”

“Alchemy?… Uh, that’s, well… something like the secret art of blacksmithing, so don’t worry about it. Besides, I’ve made you cook so much until now. You’re free for a while.”

Mareus-san seems to be trying to wrap things up nicely, but please stop if you’re aware that I don’t know about this stuff.

“The sunny side of the counter on the first floor can be used as Maria-chan’s kitchen. And I think it’s fine to rearrange the benches to make it like a table seat.”

The first part is a nice offer, but the latter part sounds more like a dining room, doesn’t it, Kanna-san?

“I’m looking forward to dinner!”

Roulette-san is openly counting on me to cook, isn’t she!?

Well, I did say I’d cook for everyone, but… What’s this? Do they want to keep me away from the annex?

It’s not a strong rejection, but there’s a hint of reluctance coming from them.

I wonder if it’s because, as the top producer, they don’t want a novice like me to see them working?

Earlier, Mareus-san mentioned a secret art, so maybe they have their own techniques they want to keep hidden.

I remember watching a documentary where many steps in making swords were once considered top secret.

“I understand. Then I’ll go for a walk in the capital while shopping for ingredients.”

Saying that, I left the annex and returned to the main building, then went out onto the streets of the capital.

However, although I went out, I had no idea where anything was in the capital.

“Well, I guess I can just treat it like sightseeing?”

Walking around unfamiliar places freely should be fun, I think.

Besides, I haven’t had any time alone for the past few days.

Either I’ve been immersed in cooking, or whenever I went out, someone from Graham-san’s group was always with me.

Thinking that I could finally enjoy some alone time after a while, my excitement started to build.

…Am I really alone?

Even when I looked back, there were no suspicious individuals like Graham-san and the others, just ordinary citizens bustling about.

There were no suspicious gestures either.

I guess it’s okay, maybe.

Feeling relieved, I gathered my thoughts and set off for a leisurely stroll.

I arrived at a market frequented by the locals after asking several people for directions.

I had thought it would be like an open-air market with several stalls set up on the ground, selling vegetables on cloth, but this was the capital after all.

Instead of open-air stalls, there were various colorful stalls with roofs like food stands.

There were countless of them, and it felt more like a festival than a market to me.

“It’s amazing. This is everyday life, huh?”

Each stall had its own unique items, but with so many shops, there were inevitably some overlapping products.

In Japan, I imagine there would be loud calls to attract customers and hints of discounts.

But there was none of that in the capital’s market. Even though vegetable shops were lined up, there was no sense of competition.

Instead, when a customer came to buy tomatoes for stewing, they would say, “If you’re using tomatoes for stew, the ones from that shop over there would be better suited than ours,” and recommend other shops.

It was a sight I hadn’t seen even in the streets of Eden, and it was a cultural shock like nothing I’d experienced in reality.

When I looked around, I noticed that the faces of the people coming to the market were all bright.

“The customers understand too. If they come here, they can make a safe purchase without any mistakes.”

Although it’s called a market, it’s not just a gathering of shops; it’s more like an organization where everyone helps each other.

And the goal of that organization is to ensure that the customers who come get the best shopping experience possible.

I felt like I truly understood the real meaning of the phrase “customer-oriented.”

“Miss, are you on an errand? Anything you need can be found in this market! Especially in terms of food ingredients, the capital’s abundance is second to none. If there’s something you want, I’ll introduce you to a good shop.”

The person who called out to me was an elderly man mainly selling leafy vegetables.

Actually, while walking, I had already decided what to make for dinner.

It’s a typical French home-cooked dish that I’ve eaten as staff meals before.

I explained the dish I wanted to make, and when I mentioned the necessary ingredients, he kindly said, “For that, this shop is the best for this, and that shop is the best for that,” and guided me very kindly.

He’s really a good person.

I’d like to buy something since I’m here… ah.

“Do you sell herbs at your shop? I’m looking for parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and tarragon.”

In Eden, ingredients like apples and carrots were understood, but I wondered if they would understand the specific types of herbs.

The elderly man smiled at my slight nervousness.

“If that’s what you’re looking for, then I recommend ours. They were just harvested and have a great fragrance.”

Phew, it worked.

And when I tried smelling the parsley as a test, that distinctive aroma hit me intensely.

It’s definitely worth the recommendation from the old man.

Since they seemed useful for other things too, I bought a bit more, and they gave me so many extras that it was almost too much.

Then, I went around the shops the old man recommended and bought the ingredients I needed. But wherever I went, people always said:

“You’re doing errands, Ojou-chan?” (Young miss)

“You’re helping your parents, Ojou-chan?”

“It’s impressive for someone so young to go shopping, Ojou-chan.”

Why doesn’t anyone think I cook for myself?

And they always call me “Ojou-chan.”

Even though in reality, I’m technically over 20 years old…

And all the extra things everyone gave me when I shopped around must be because of karma, right? Yeah, that must be it.

Definitely not because they think I look like an elementary school student. Definitely not. Don’t even think about it.

Carrying the large amount of groceries I bought, I saw Graham-san on my way back home.

Just as I was about to call out to him, a stranger approached from the other side and seemed to hand something over as they passed by.

Thanks to my subtly enhanced vision, I noticed it.

I stealthily approached from behind and greeted Graham-san with a slightly louder voice.

“Hello, Graham-san.”

“Huh?! M-Maria-sama!!”

“Um, if you could change that to ‘Maria,’ it would be appreciated… okay?” (without honorific)

In his surprise, something fell from Graham-san’s hand.

It was a parchment folded palm-sized.

Ignoring the voice telling me to stop, I picked it up faster than Graham-san and unfolded it.

“Section 24 of the Chronicle of Saint Maria

Despite feeling tired after the meeting with His Majesty the King, she seemed to be healed at the sweet shop.

With the formation of the clan, the clan name was decided as ‘Luna-Ma-Ri-A.’

I want to give the highest praise to those who decided on the name.

After being guided by the messenger from His Majesty the King, she went back home.

She seemed to be pained when she learned the reason for the responsibility placed on her at home.

Ugh, why does Her Majesty have to be in pain? What caused it in the first place…?

Sorry, I got carried away.

She was left alone for a while after entering the home to explore the capital.

Secretly, the security detail began.

Purchased a large amount of groceries at the market.

During that time, every time she was addressed as ‘Ojou-chan,’ her face twitched subtly.

Ah, ignorant people are truly troublesome.

Her Majesty is not an “ojou-chan,” but an “onee-tan”.

The overflowing sisterly power she possesses may as well be considered sacred power.

In any case, the day when Her Majesty’s name is widely known throughout the capital is not far off.

That concludes my report.

From an anonymous comrade to the clan “Young Saint Sect.” (Furigana = The Brotherhood of Young girls (lolicon).)

“…………”

I summoned Kuuga without a word, handed over the scroll I held, and meticulously engraved it to the point of being unreadable.

As Graham-san screamed,

“What are you doing?! That’s a precious excerpt from the sacred text!!”

Yeah, it’s fine if that sacred text is destroyed.

Ideally, the clan too.

I mean, there are at least 23 more of these things…

Leaving Graham-san to collapse, I returned to the home. However, on the way, my steps, which had been so light, suddenly felt unusually heavy…