Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 96

My back still hurts

96, Mari-nee and a certain mother’s past story (part 3)

When we arrived in that town, together with him, no, my husband…

Although we were accepted by the town, starting a life there was tough.

We needed food to survive, a home, and a job to sustain it.

We managed to get by with the money entrusted to us by our parents for food.

But we lacked the necessary credit to find a home and a job.

In the dwindling money and the days without a clear future, I felt like giving up many times.

But my husband persevered, taking on almost menial jobs repeatedly, gradually gaining the trust of the townsfolk.

As a result, we were able to rent a house two months after arriving in town.

From there, we steadily increased our workload, and by the time we used up the money left by our parents, we were finally able to sustain our lives.

However, we didn’t stop there. We took on multiple jobs as a couple, aiming to save a significant amount of money.

While it sounds nice to say we wanted to start a new business ourselves, the reality was different. We were always just outsiders.

We weren’t trusted with significant tasks, and the money we could earn was limited.

We realized we couldn’t afford to have children or raise them as things stood.

There were anxieties about starting a new business, but there were also prospects.

This town serves as a transit point to the capital, attracting many people from the surrounding areas.

Most of those who make a living selling goods in this town rarely venture outside to sell their products.

It’s understandable. People come to buy here without the need for extra expenses to sell outside the town.

So, we tried to procure goods with high demand as cheaply as possible and sell them outside the town ourselves.

Yes, just like peddling in the village.

My husband handled the peddling while I managed sourcing and inventory in town.

Our strategy paid off, with more customers and increasing sales each time we went peddling.

Above all, the smiles and gratitude from the villagers we visited during our peddling were priceless.

As time flew by, and we were able to afford a somewhat comfortable life, Ryle was born.

The discomfort of morning sickness and the pain of childbirth made me never want to experience it again, but the moment I held Ryle for the first time, all of that vanished.

Babies are small and fragile creatures, yet why do they evoke such strong feelings of love?

“Well done, Retya! Thank you for giving birth, thank you for being born,” my husband said, tears streaming down his face.

He’s such a softie, crying more than the baby? But before I knew it, I was shedding tears too.

It’s probably his fault, they say couples grow alike.

“…I want a girl next. She’ll surely be as beautiful as Retya,” he boldly declares… but isn’t it too early to think about that when the baby’s just born?

So, I told him, masking the warmth I felt in my cheeks.

“We need to earn more to raise the next one securely, don’t we? Daddy.”

When I said that, my husband visibly perked up.

As time passed, Ryle grew up and began to help with our business.

Then, one day, a sudden epidemic broke out, swiftly claiming lives throughout the town.

Despite its ferocity, the cause and cure of the disease remained unknown. The only recourse was to pray for recovery.

My husband fell victim to the illness as well.

While many households suffered, and casualties increased among families, the fact that both Ryle and I remained unscathed was largely due to my husband distancing himself from us, drawing on knowledge gained from his peddling.

At the time, I felt lonely because of it, and there were moments when I wished he were with us.

If we were to lose another family member, I don’t know what I’d…

But it was my husband, who was undoubtedly suffering the most, who scolded and encouraged me.

His words saved me.

Then, on a very cold night…

“…Take care of Ryle…”

Those were my husband’s last words, spoken through the door.

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll raise Ryle properly.”

He didn’t respond to my words.

And I couldn’t stop myself from breaking down in tears.

I’m sorry… I’m such a weak mother, a weak woman.

Even though I had just declared to my husband… how pathetic…

At that moment, Ryle, who had been looking at me with concern, approached.

In my mind flashed the memory of when the village where I was born and raised was attacked by monsters. It was my husband who held and supported me when I could only tremble.

Yes, if I don’t pull myself together here, what will become of us?

There’s no one else but me for Ryle.

My sadness and anguish can wait.

Right?

Isn’t that right, dear?

So, if I manage to raise Ryle well, make sure to cry a lot then, won’t you?