Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 93
93. Mari-nee and The daily life of a famous girl.
The next morning, when I woke up, I felt much calmer.
So I thought I was going about my usual routine, but Maki was staring at me as if she were trying to figure something out.
Did she suspect something was wrong?
She’s always been perceptive, but it seems like she’s become even sharper while I was unconscious.
Avoiding Maki’s gaze, I reached the evening of that day.
When I logged into Mebius at the promised time with everyone, I woke up in my room on the second floor of the home.
Since today’s meeting place was on the first floor of the home, I thought some people would already be there, but strangely, there was not a single sound of voices or footsteps.
“No one’s here… Did I get the time wrong?”
Feeling anxious, I called for Gils and held his hand as we explored the first floor together.
But still, no one was there, and despite looking around, there was no sign of anyone.
When we went outside, I saw a strange sight.
The empty lot next to the home was supposed to be there, but now it was entirely surrounded by a large sheet.
It looked like the sheets used for dust and noise control seen in construction sites for buildings and apartments.
But what could they be building all of a sudden?
As I was pondering, Gils suddenly lifted me up and flew backward.
“Hyah!”
I let out an embarrassing sound unintentionally, but Gils’s eyes were focused vigilantly ahead, toward the empty lot.
Then, a moment later, the sheet fell to the ground with a rustle.
From within the fallen sheet emerged people I knew: Roulette and her not-so-cheerful companions, including Graham-san, Retya, and Ryle…
They were all people I knew, and what surprised me the most was that Estelle-san and the children, who were supposed to be in Eden, were there too.
Huh, what’s going on?
Confused and bewildered, the king approached me with Estelle-san.
“It’s been a few days, Maria.”
“Long time no see, Maria-san! Ah, I’m finally able to meet you!!”
“Your companions informed me that they were planning a modest celebration for you. So I thought, why not surprise you and make it grand? How about that, surprised?”
The king’s proud expression seemed appropriate for his age and was quite endearing, but I was beyond surprised, I was left behind.
Wait a minute, Your Majesty, aren’t you a bit too free-spirited?
I wondered what the attendants were doing, and it turned out that people dressed in the same crimson outfits as the king were chatting with Graham-san and the others.
Since the king couldn’t be stopped, I ended up coming along, huh…
By the way, I wonder what Graham-san and the others are talking about?
I’m really anxious, you know??
My head is in constant chaos due to the unexpected appearance of the king, but the biggest mystery is…
“Why are Estelle-san and the others here?”
Upon closer inspection, Estelle-san’s attire had changed to a finer robe, and the children were in more refined clothes than before.
Their skin also looked healthier, and there was no doubt their living conditions had improved.
“It’s all thanks to His Majesty the King, Maria-san.”
“His Majesty’s?”
Thinking they must have twisted arms to gather funds, I stared at him with a stern gaze, and the king gave a mischievous smile.
“When you all pushed back the calamity, I heard that Estelle also played an active role. And Estelle also serves the god believed in by Albion. So Albion’s female pope, Alisa Fermi Albion, sent an envoy.”
To summarize what the king told me, it goes something like this.
“‘We want to praise the achievements of your followers and build a new church in the city. The location will be next to where the Virgin Mary of Caldia resides. If it happens, the number of followers in Caldia will surely increase. However, we’re short of funds. If your followers increase, you’ll also benefit, so contribute some money.'”
Money is needed for everything, and if it means maintaining Estelle and the children’s lives, I have no complaints, but it’s quite a blunt request.
By the way, Your Majesty?
Who is the Virgin Mary of Caldia?
Before I could question the king, Estelle-san tried to embrace me, but her outstretched hand was pushed away by Gils.
“Who are you? Don’t touch Maria so casually.”
With a stern tone, Gils spoke, and Estelle-san gave him a cold look I’d never seen before.
“And who are you? Trying to break the bond between me and Maria-san… No, Sister Maria.”
It seemed like sparks were flying between the two as they faced each other, but that was probably just my tired eyes playing tricks on me.
By the way, Estelle-san, when did I become a sister? And on top of that, using such a formal title and talking about breaking bonds, isn’t that a word used in relationships like lovers…
“Haha! Maria, your surroundings are always lively.”
And a big part of that is thanks to the king, you know!?
Gils continued to glare at Estelle-san, and my inner scream reached no one.
Later, a modest celebration began with food and drinks prepared in the square.
Cheers were exchanged everywhere, and those over twenty were enjoying their drinks with gusto.
When I tried to have a drink, everyone present stopped me and gave me a sermon.
“What are you thinking!”
“Please take better care of yourself!!”
“This is a drink that’s still too early for you, or rather, it’s something you’ll never need!!!”
Instead, I was handed a cup of milk.
Could this be… a message to grow up more?
“In fact, you’ll never need it forever”… I wonder what that meant…
As I drank the milk with unresolved feelings and looked around, everyone was eating, drinking, and having fun.
Being in that circle, my lingering worries naturally cleared up, and I found myself smiling involuntarily.
At that moment, I noticed Bart sitting alone, keeping his distance from everyone else.
Above his head, his name was still displayed in red.
Unable to stand it anymore, I tried to approach Bart, but someone else reached him faster than I did.
“It’s you, Bart. You’ve helped me in this incident. Thank you.”
“N-no, I…”
Bart hesitated with his head bowed.
“I know what you’ve done in the past. It was an unforgivable act, and there may still be those who haven’t forgiven you.”
“…”
“But that’s not all you’re worth now. Listen? ‘Remember, but don’t be imprisoned by it.’ There are those who appreciate you as you are now. As the king, I should be the first to show that.”
As the king placed his hand on Bart’s head, the red name above Bart began to lose its color, and eventually, the name “Bart” disappeared completely.
“Please continue to rely on Caldia. Adventurer Bart.”
As the king left after saying so, Bart didn’t lift his head, but several drops fell to the ground.
It was truly good that Bart’s actions were acknowledged.
I felt like I was about to cry tears of joy.
“That’s great, Bart!”
Graham-san, who was crying, appeared next to Bart and put his arm around his shoulder.
“Your dedication must surely please the guru. Don’t worry, you’re not alone anymore! We’re here with you!! Now, let’s go over there and talk about the guru with the members, and have a good time!!!”
“Huh? Wait, hold on!?”
For a moment, Bart looked at me as if seeking help.
I averted my gaze.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Bart’s expression of astonishment.
And then, Bart was dragged away by the enthusiastic Graham-san.
I’m sorry, Bart.
There are things even I’m not good at.
With the hope that you understand, I prayed silently for Bart.
Please, let there not be any more members of the Young Saint Cult…
…Or is it too late?
Afterward, we all participated in the consolation party and reintroduced ourselves. But trouble arose during Gills’ introduction when Graham and the others attacked.
“Do you truly have the power to protect the Guru? You seem suspicious.”
“As one who was beside Maria, let me show you the difference in experience.”
“Calling her by name without honor… unacceptable.”
“Death to the good looking men.”
There’s a lot to comment on here, but that last one is just personal resentment, right?
In response to these words, Gils calmly replied.
“Cowards like you are less suitable than me to protect Maria.”
With a snap, something seemed to break, and the previously cheerful atmosphere turned tense.
The atmosphere turned grim, and without any signal, a fight broke out between Gils and the Young Saint Cult.
Initially, it was one-on-one, but when it became clear that Gills wasn’t an ordinary opponent, it turned into one against many. Seeing Gills being pushed back, I was reluctantly asked for help, so I reluctantly changed “Moira’s Protection” into “Marionette” and “Thread Bind Manipulation”.
But that wasn’t a good idea.
The battle intensified, and halfway through, Roulette, who had taken off her glasses, joined in, making the situation even more chaotic.
Perhaps Roulette, having lost Nero and Kuuga, was also harboring pent-up frustration…
“How do we settle this?”
While I was wringing my hands, those, including the king, who were not interested in fighting seemed to enjoy the spectacle.
“Garraaaa (Bear Roar)!!”
“Huh, as expected from someone who created me. Then…”
Hey, Gils, why are you trying to use “Calamity” here?
That’s not something to use against Roulette!
Didn’t Mephistopheles tell you not to use it unless absolutely necessary?
I managed to stop the activation of “Calamity”, but the battle continued, and eventually, a large crowd of citizens and adventurers had gathered around us.
“Um, it’s just a game, so please don’t worry!”
My desperate plea fell on deaf ears, and nobody tried to leave.
Despite Retya and Ryle’s help, more and more people gathered, and Estelle-san was busy entertaining the excited children with their flashy fight.
And why is Hana starting to bet on “who will be the last one standing”?
Mareus-san, don’t randomly pick up girls!
They’re all going to end up losing anyway!!
Ugh, seriously!!
…
Afterward, having given up on everything, I sat cross-legged in a corner of the vacant lot, holding a black egg.
The battle is still ongoing.
And some enterprising citizens have started setting up food stalls.
Everyone seems to be having fun… except for me.
Feeling the egg I held warming slightly as if comforting me, I cried once again…
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