Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 91
91. Mari-nee and the Empress’s thoughts (Part 2)
Approaching the Empress, who didn’t turn back, the king questioned her back.
“Letting your brother swim and exposing the nation’s festering wound, eh? Your rational and ruthless methods are typical of you, but you could have done it alone. Why cling to Maria?”
“I received a divine revelation. Soon, a multitude of new adventurers will appear in this land. And if we neglect Caldia’s hero, adventurers will concentrate in Caldia, creating a significant disparity in national power.”
The new adventurers, could they be the second wave?
But still, a hero like me doesn’t have that much influence… right?
As I was thinking…
“I see, I can’t entirely disagree with your concerns.”
“Your Majesty!?”
The king easily betrayed me.
Um, isn’t that the part where you’re supposed to deny, not agree?
“But let’s set that aside. What are your intentions regarding this matter, Wilhelmina von Legios?”
Finally, the Empress turned towards us at the king’s words.
“I will pay the compensation I can offer, Areis Roa Caldia, the adventurer Maria. And these individuals will be dealt with by me…”
As the Empress’s hand extended towards an ice pillar where a man resembling her was confined, his narrow eyes seemed to momentarily avert just before her hand touched the ice.
By losing sight of those cold eyes, an emotion seemed to emerge for the first time.
It felt like doubt.
“Hey!”
Before I knew it, I was speaking to the Empress.
She abruptly stopped her hand, and as her eyelids opened again, her cold gaze turned towards me.
It felt like I was being pressured, but I clenched my teeth and voiced my thoughts.
“For my compensation, please ensure that not a single soldier, including your brother, dies.”
As I said that, the Empress’s pupils contracted, like a cat stepping into the light.
Is she surprised?
Let’s keep it a secret that I find it a bit cute.
“…Areis Roa Caldia, what is this adventurer saying?”
Why does she ask in a manner like ‘Is this kid’s head okay?’
I’m speaking quite seriously here.
“Well, I don’t quite understand. Indirectly, she may have become the cause of losing your family. Why bother to help her?”
“I don’t want to see any more of my family lost. Even if it’s a family other than mine.”
That’s my sincere feeling, without any lies.
Even now, just thinking about those two makes tears well up.
“If your brother and the soldiers are saved, please take responsibility for disciplining them, Wilhelmina-san. And please, don’t cause any more trouble for the king in the future. He’s already too busy.”
“…Understood.”
As the Empress planted the sword she held into the ground, the ice pillars shattered one after another.
Perhaps due to magic, only the ice parts danced in the air like diamond dust.
The people inside… judging from the Empress’s brother, they seem fine.
But after being trapped in ice for so long, his face was pale, and it seemed dangerous to leave him like that.
“Um, do either of you have any healing magic?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not proficient in that area.”
“I don’t need it.”
It’s understandable if they don’t have the mentioned skill, but isn’t saying “I don’t need it” a bit off?
I don’t know if it’ll work, but I thought I’d use the HP potions I have on hand for now. At that moment…
From the direction of the entrance to the “Lake of Tears,” several footsteps could be heard.
Though we prepared ourselves, thinking they might be from the Empire again…
“””Maria-san(-chan)!”””
“””Guru-sama!!!””” (TLN: Yeah, they call Maria as Guru)
Seeing the people who had burst in and hearing their voices, my tension melted away in an instant.
Or rather, it felt like the tension had been released, especially being called “Guru-sama” by Graham and the others…
Subtly, Gils stepped half a pace forward, as if shielding me.
If I were to tell Gils that they would be fine, those who’d criticize me for stopping halfway would probably multiply.
While Marerus and Kanna bombarded me with questions as they approached, Roulette remained behind, silently observing Gils and me.
Though I couldn’t see her eyes behind her glasses, I somehow understood that they must be sharp.
She probably noticed that Nero and Kuuga weren’t by my side and that Gils’ demeanor had changed.
It also implied something else, didn’t it?
I raised a single index finger in front of my mouth, silently asking her to stay quiet.
Though Roullete clenched herfist so tightly it seemed like it might make a sound, she reluctantly seemed to agree.
Truly, Roulette, who became my first friend in this world, seemed to understand what I was thinking.
If I were to talk about Nero and Kuuga now, undoubtedly the group of unruly people would appear.
With the Empress here now, that’s something we want to avoid.
There’s already been enough conflict.
So, I decided to inquire about something that had caught my attention.
“Why is everyone here? This cave is difficult to navigate, and reaching the depths should have been challenging.”
Actually, despite following the king, I didn’t have confidence in returning to the surface alone.
“Guru-sama, it’s thanks to him.”
Pushed forward as if by Graham, the one who stepped forward was Bart, whom I had seen in the battle of “Memento Mori.”
“He’s from the Conquer team, or rather, the former Conquer team. Thanks to him gathering information on the Empire’s adventurers, we were able to come this far!”
“No, I…”
Though he seemed embarrassed, almost regretful, I wanted him to stand tall.
Thanks to Bart gathering information and bringing everyone here, those who could be saved are here.
“So, Guru-sama, where are the hated Empire’s adventurers? If they dare to oppose you, we, the entire force of the Young/small Saint Sect, will…”
Immediately, an ominous atmosphere swelled up from Graham and the others.
Oh, this is something I can’t let go.
“If it’s about them, um… Yes, the king! The king has settled things, so it’s okay!!”
When I mentioned him specifically, the king looked surprised, saying, “Me!?”
I’m sorry, please forgive me this time!
I thought my excuse was too strained, but…
“If Guru-sama says so!!”
There was no need to worry at all.
Actually, it’s scarier how they unquestionably believe me… Wait, am I not acting strange?
But right now, there’s something more pressing than that.
“The Empire’s soldiers are weakened and in a dangerous state. Could you help with their recovery?”
“Understood!!”
Their disciplined, soldier-like movements were reassuring, but I couldn’t help feeling… What is this feeling of not being able to rejoice sincerely?
Fortunately, there were many clergy present, so we were able to help all the Empire’s soldiers.
Is everything okay now? I wondered, feeling like I was being watched from somewhere.
Following the gaze, I found the Empress.
She seems like she wants to say something, but is something wrong?
Observing her, the king laughed and addressed the Empress.
“Do you still think Maria is weak?”
“…My judgment is not mistaken. My answer remains unchanged.”
“Stubborn as ever. Then how about depth instead of strength? The breadth and depth of a person…”
As the king with a mischievous look said so,
“I have no need for such things in my strength. But if that’s what you call strength… I won’t engage in pointless battles.”
“Hmph, you should have just said you couldn’t win honestly. Speaking of which, what about those adventurers who left your country?”
“They will face karma. And entry into Legios will be strictly prohibited in the future.”
“So, they’re heading to the magic city of Xenoa. They’re likely to cause more trouble there.”
“I’ve already informed them. They are betrayers of righteousness. There’s no need to worry.”
“Betrayers of righteousness, huh. I see, there couldn’t be a greater punishment for those heading to Xenoa.”
“Um, why would that be considered a punishment?”
“I’ve heard that Xenoa is a lawless state, but they have their own sense of pride. That’s their righteousness. In Xenoa, those who betray this righteousness by going against organizations or families are considered lower than animals. I can assert that they will suffer a fate worse than losing karma.”
I have no intention of sympathizing, but I can’t quite imagine a fate worse than what Bart experienced in the Outer City.
“They brought it upon themselves, but it sounds intriguing. Wilhelmina, please provide me with a list of the adventurers who left your country later. I’ll prohibit their entry into my country as well. As a side note, let’s inform the Coastal City, Libertad, and the Holy City, Albion, too. I’m not sure how Libertad will react, but Albion will probably…”
With a fleeting glance, the king looked at me with a somewhat sympathetic gaze.
I have a very bad feeling about this.
That gaze, while it’s not harmful to me, makes me feel like something I don’t want is going to happen. It’s the kind of gaze often directed at me when something unwanted occurs.
Um, could you please let me relax a bit more?
As I thought that, the Empress lifted her fallen brother.
“I will go. Summon the soldiers outside and have these fools carried away.”
With those words, she left, her departure graceful and cool. She usually carries the heavy burden of being an empress, much like the king.
But as she walked carrying her brother, her back looked like that of a sister thinking only of her family.
“That selfish person. And she left without even apologizing till the end.”
The king grumbled, but he didn’t seem too upset.
And thus, the battle with Legios came to an end…
Maria: Marionettis Lv. 20
Karma (Capital) 140,000 → 150,000
Karma (Imperial Capital) 70,000
Hey, Wilhelmina-san?
What’s the deal with 70,000 karma in the imperial capital!?
And Your Majesty, please don’t just casually add 10,000!!
What’s going to happen to me!!!???
Feeling the warmth of Gils’s hand gently placed on my shoulder, I cried.
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