Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 97
Sorry, I was burn out and this backache hinder me to do this chapter.
Intermission_one after another
97. Mari-nee and a certain mother’s past story (final part)
Without my husband, I couldn’t continue peddling, so I found a new job as a waitress in a tavern.
Well, I wouldn’t say I found it; it’s more accurate to say I pitched myself for it.
The tavern, while serving delicious food, neglected to focus on profits or consider costs, leading the business toward decline.
That’s what I thought at the time.
I conveyed my ideas to the owner multiple times, and eventually, I was hired under the condition that I wouldn’t need payment until I turned the business around. But it didn’t take long for results to show because I already knew where improvements were needed.
It wasn’t a surprise, more like it went as expected.
When the profits increased and our future became clearer, adventurers started showing up.
Initially reserved, as the number of visitors grew, some of them gradually became aggressive.
Of course, not all adventurers were like that, but being lumped together under the category of “adventurers,” it was somewhat inevitable.
We, as a couple, were seen as outsiders too.
In the midst of this, I found myself in a situation where a drunken adventurer almost assaulted me.
When I resisted, he became furious, and just when I thought I was going to be hit, my consciousness slipped away.
I’m not sure how much time passed after that, but I woke up in my home, feeling intense pain.
It seems I had been brought home, and Ryle was by my side, looking at me with a worried expression.
Tentatively reaching for my left cheek, I realized my fingertips barely touched it.
The heat emanating from my cheek was intense.
When I looked at my reflection in the water Ryle handed me, I was speechless at the drastic change.
My cheek was swollen to the size of a large apple, almost completely closing my left eye, and I couldn’t move my mouth properly.
According to what Ryle heard from the doctor, the bones in my face were complexly fractured, and even after the swelling subsides, there will likely be lasting effects.
To heal, expensive potions are needed, but we don’t have that kind of money.
As a widow, there’s no one in this town who would lend me money.
The tavern owner is only interested in cooking, so asking them would be futile.
And even if I tried to earn money, with a face like this…
At that moment, my spirit finally broke.
I closed the window and locked myself in the dark room for who knows how many days.
I’m a pitiful mother who worries Ryle, but at that time, I was just so sad, crying all the time.
Not only did I lose my parents and husband, but now this… enduring this much, why do I have to keep living?
I could never say this to Ryle, but there were times when I wanted to abandon everything and just be at ease.
Then, one day, Ryle came home late.
With a radiant smile, he held a small bottle tightly in his hand.
It was the expensive potion I had heard about from Ryle before, and it turns out a stranger adventurer had given it to me for free.
Honestly, I couldn’t easily believe in such kindness.
But at the same time, I thought…
Even if it was poison and I was being deceived, then…
With such a terribly pessimistic thought, I drank the potion handed to me.
Its effect was dramatic.
The vision in my closed left eye returned, and my mouth could move freely.
The swelling on my cheek subsided, and the pain vanished as if it were a lie.
Ryle brought me a vessel of water, looking at me with bewilderment.
As I mustered the courage to look into it, my reflection was the same as before.
Well, more accurately, it was considerably worn out compared to before, but there were no visible effects from the injury.
Tears had unknowingly welled up in my eyes.
Seeing Ryle crying and smiling alongside me, I couldn’t help but join him.
“Mom, I got this. Let’s eat it together!”
Saying so, he handed me a dish I had never seen before, but it smelled incredibly good.
It made my stomach growl uncontrollably, reminding me of how long it had been since I felt this hungry.
I can still confidently say that the meal I had that time was the most delicious I’ve ever had in my life.
If it was just a tasty dish, even the tavern owner could have made it.
But it wasn’t just delicious; it warmed my heart and saved me. It was the first time I encountered such a dish.
That’s when I realized.
The adventurers who saved me and my family were led by someone named Maria…
From then on, I worked tirelessly to earn money, raised Ryle, and eventually, at the behest of His Majesty the King, left that town and moved to the capital.
It was common for those who came to the capital as refugees to live in the Outer District.
I knew what life in the Outer District was like and was prepared when I visited the capital, but instead of being directed there, we were guided to the Inner District.
That alone was surprising, but we were also given the money needed for our immediate living expenses.
I later learned that it was all thanks to Maria. I knew Maria had given Ryle expensive potions and food, but it was also thanks to her that we were allowed to live in the Inner District.
Now, I’m employed at the Young Saint Cult and receive more money than the average citizen.
It’s an indebtedness that can never be repaid.
While stroking Maria’s hair, I pondered how I could repay her.
Suddenly, Maria rolled over onto her back and turned toward me.
“Guo…”
In response, Kuuga lifted part of her body, spun around as if rolling down a slope, and Maria’s body settled into my arms.
She seemed to be deeply asleep, showing no signs of waking up.
Although I inadvertently ended up holding Maria, seeing her sleeping face up close…
It overlapped with the kind-hearted appearance of my father and the gentle eyes of my mother, although hers were closed.
And her broad-mindedness and inner strength were like my husband’s.
But Maria outshone them all by far.
Still, holding Maria like this made me feel as if I were fulfilling my husband’s wish for a daughter.
I can’t repay you for anything, Maria.
Please forgive me for thinking of you as a daughter in my heart.
And Dear, Father, Mother…
I am happy now.
Maria has made me happy.
So from now on, please watch over not only Ryle but also Maria.
May hundreds, thousands of affections reach Maria and lead her to happiness.
It’s all I can wish for…..