Chapter 395 - Episode 348: Seasonal Changes and Regional Differences
Wednesday
"Eh? Rainy season start? Not in real life?"
"Yeah. It seems the rainy season has started in IRO too. Well, it's called the wet season there, not 'tsuyu'."
Outside, a gentle rain fell, so we ate lunch in the classroom.
The news was that the rainy season had started yesterday, not only in real life but also within the IRO game.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Mmm."
Mion and Iincho arrived, and once we were all together, we began our meal. Then,
"The rainy season starts in the game too, huh…"
"How about the island? The climate isn't that different from the mainland, is it?"
"I think so. And yesterday, I just happened to get caught in it during my walk."
It was good for my reading, so there was that, but if the rain continued indefinitely, it would be tough…
Lupi and the others would get stressed if they couldn't go for walks.
"Does the in-game rainy season vary by region?"
"I wonder. I heard that the southwest part of the Kingdom, where we are, gets an early rainy season."
"The northwest, where we are, hasn't started yet, I think. But it was cloudy all day yesterday, wasn't it?"
So the south really does get it earlier.
It seems to have seasonal changes quite similar to Japan.
"Shou-kun. Winter…"
Hmm? Winter…
"Eh? Does that mean it snows in winter?"
"Wouldn't it? It probably won't be much where we are, but…"
"The Amiera Territory reportedly gets quite a lot of snow in winter. The buildings are constructed to withstand heavy snowfall, after all."
"Ah, I was told that when I helped build a house. They said it snows, so to build it with that in mind."
Seriously…
Does it snow on the island? Would regular snow shoveling be enough?
*
"Hello."
Hello.
"'Sup."
It was club time.
Bell-buchou appeared while Mion and I were discussing what winter in the game would be like.
"Oh, what's wrong?"
"No, I just heard about the rainy season starting in the game, and we were talking about what winter would be like…"
"I see. Worrying about the island, especially, makes sense…"
Iincho had mentioned that the northwest of Amiera Territory, where Bell-buchou and her group were, was at the foot of the [White Dragon Mountain Range], so it snowed a lot.
However, it was originally such a region, so they were well-prepared, and if worst came to worst, they could evacuate to the Capital Wolkel…
"At worst, I might just have to hole up in the Ancient Ruins."
What about True-kun and Pan-kun's people?
"The Selkies should be fine. Seals live in cold places, don't they?"
I seem to recall some seals live in the Arctic Circle.
"Yes, you're right. As for cold, their blubber… is it those clothes?"
I see!
"Also, Pan and the others' cave seems warm, and if they can secure food, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"
That Urisk cave faces the volcano, so it's probably warm from geothermal heat. I might be a little envious.
"Shou-kun's island also has areas with subtropical plants, doesn't it? Aren't you worrying too much?"
Ah, that's right.
"Well, considering that you can start on an uninhabited island, it can't be a place that becomes uninhabitable due to cold…"
Speaking of which, I wonder what the person who left that 'Record' did during winter…
*
"Alright. Eat up, now."
"Woof!" ""Bow!""
I gave Lupi, Leda, and Roy thick pork loin steaks.
Enjoy with Lycos (tomato) sauce.
Speaking of which, have you heard about Ramune-san?
Eh? Has something happened?
Bell-buchou went to Mion's studio instead of IRO.
Last night, before going on patrol to the south, I had sent a letter asking "Can we hold a food-focused exchange event in the Necropolis?" — I hadn't received a reply yet, but we were just chatting.
"Something after she found the Ancient Ruins?"
It seems there was an ore deposit. It's similar to the one on Shou-kun's island, she said.
"Oh, really? Well, it's for the [Uninhabited Island Start], I guess."
And it was pointless to just have ore, but the ruined village apparently had proper furnaces and such, so she was able to craft decent equipment.
However, it seems [Mithril] doesn't appear.
Shou-kun's island is superior!
"You don't have to compare them…"
The fact that our island has better facilities and everything is a coincidence… or maybe not.
If the rule is that further from the mainland means more end-game content, then there must be something fitting.
"That island over there has declared nationhood, and with other players present, it seems like the island's conquest will be quick."
How many people are participating, I wonder?
From what I heard, it's still about 30 people, she said.
Huh? That's surprisingly few?
No, no, if I think about it, it's a group of Natural Ramune's fans, so strangers probably wouldn't just pop in.
"With that many people, it seems like they're managing things pretty well, with good coordination?"
Well, leaving Ramune-san herself aside, many of her fans are very helpful. However, because there was a long gap, many people have already started on the mainland.
"That's true, I guess…"
IRO has been out for almost three months. If someone likes games and has the hardware, they'd probably be playing it.
Also, it seems many people are waiting until the Demon Kingdom update comes.
The previous PV mentioned late July, so will they wait until then?
Yes. Because it's certain that new playable races will be added.
Will Mion's official goddess appointment be announced at the same time?
I should have received work-related contact by now…
"Woofn."
"Yeah. Thanks for the meal."
While washing the finished dishes, we chatted for a while.
I guess I'll spend the remaining time reading.
"I'm going to read, so Lupi and the others can do what they want."
Upon saying that, they dashed off towards the forest where Sweee was, with Leda and Roy following.
Today's live stream was the continuation from last time; we were planning to go outside the church and investigate inside that building.
Before that, I just hoped to raise my skill levels a little by reading.
Shou-kun. You have a reply.
"Ah!"
I opened the [Magic Transfer Box], and there was only one letter.
I quickly scanned the contents…
"Uh, it's okay, but they want me to choose someone I trust as a representative."