Chapter 445 - Update Live Stream and New PV
"Hey there."
"A good evening to thee!"
Seth and I entered the Virtual Club Room at 7:50 PM. Ten minutes before the update commentary live stream began.
"Shou-kun, Seth-chan."
"You're here."
Mion and Club President Bell greeted us.
The waiting screen for the update commentary live stream was already prominently displayed, looking perfectly ready.
"By the way, have you two seen the PV yet?"
This question was immediately directed at me as I sat down.
I looked at Mion, who shook her head, then said,
"The completed PV arrived early this afternoon, and my mother and Tsubaki-san did a final check for any odd parts, but Shou-kun and I haven't seen it."
"Oh, I see."
We were out playing, after all.
Mion probably wouldn't watch it by herself anyway.
"How exciting!"
"It's going to be announced during this commentary live stream, right?"
"Yes. I don't know when in the live stream, though."
It seemed possible it might play right at the beginning.
Either way, after the commentary live stream today, I need to keep an eye on our channel to make sure it doesn't get flooded with comments.
"Hmm, it seems to be starting."
"Oh, how unusual for it to be on time."
The two of them focused on the screen, but,
"Um, won't Sensei be here today?"
"I thought Yata-sensei would be here too…"
"I don't think so today. She's probably battling with report cards right about now."
That's what she said.
Even if grading is handled by AI and finishes quickly, she still has to write all the individual comments herself…
"Alright everyone, good evening. We're starting right on time today. I'd like to begin the Iris Revolution Online update commentary live stream. As usual, I, Saika Chiyoko, GM Choco, the Game Master Supervisor, will be your host. And explaining the update will be our General Producer, Yamasaki Misa, Misha P. Thank you for joining us."
"Thank you for joining us."
"Now, let's get right into the update details."
The screen switched, and the official update details, the same page we all saw at noon, appeared as the commentary began.
"The PV seems to be at the end."
"It seems so."
Regarding the new races being forced to start from the Demon Kingdom, comments like "Can we not do Uninhabited Island Start?" were flowing in the comment section.
Even so, the Demon Kingdom races are quite distinct, and there are many types, making it seem like new players might have trouble choosing.
"The Sepia Elf does not seem to differ much from the current Elf."
"I wonder if there's a difference in the Spirit Stones they initially possess."
Seth and Club President Bell were discussing this.
Oni reportedly have body enhancement skills and high HP, but less MP.
"Regarding the Beastkin, there are individual differences, but first, I want to draw your attention to the Centaur race."
"Yes. They are, as you know, centaurs, so they will walk on four legs. It will be very challenging at first, and we've enabled movement assist by default. In this state, you can move like a normal person, but turning it off allows you to run faster, for example."
The comment section exploded at this statement.
"When races capable of flight become playable in the future, will there be an option to turn flight assist on or off?"
"Turning off flight assist sounds incredibly scary…"
"No, it might not be limited to only flying races, might it? A witch, for instance, could fly through the air with a staff or broom, it would not be out of place."
"It would suit Club President Bell well."
Flying with Elemental Magic? No, if I use Spatial Magic for movement, it might not be impossible? But I'd run out of mana quickly, that's scary…
...
...
...
The explanations were generally finished, and the Q&A session, taking comments, seemed to be winding down.
Is it time already?
"Well, it's almost time to wrap up, isn't it?"
"But! We'd like to conclude the live stream by revealing a new PV. So, please continue to enjoy IRO."
"Well then, see you at the next update!"
Even those of us who had been somewhat casually watching straightened up and stared at the screen.
The screen faded to black, and after a moment, text appeared…
[The End of the Catastrophe was the Dawn of a New Era]
What was shown was… a castle?
"The past catastrophe has ended!
Hereby, the Demon Kingdom declares its gates open to other nations!"
Is this dandy old man the Demon Lord?
The camera eventually shifted to show the people waiting behind him.
Were there many queens? Many princes? Finally, the princess we met in the Necropolis's basement was shown, and the screen slowly transitioned into a flashback scene…
"If there were a Magic Crystal Stone here, I think the Transfer Magic Circle would also be restored."
A Sepia Elf pointed with a troubled expression to the spot where the Emergency Magic Crystal Stone should have been in the Control Room.
This looks like the sub-control room in the Necropolis's basement… does that mean the northeast side?
"What's not there can't be helped. Will there be any other place?"
"I will go confirm."
The Oni answered, but the princess shook her head.
"Let's all go. We might meet some unusual people."
She said, looking into the distance… and the scene faded out without showing what she saw.
The flashback ended, and I felt relieved to see the princess smiling brightly.
I was worried about what would happen if it showed our encounter in the Dragonkin-controlled sub-control room…
The camera followed her gaze, showing various races of the Demon Kingdom in a plaza, then the bustling crowd shifted, and before I knew it, the scenery changed to that of the Necropolis.
[Various intentions intersect, and the Necropolis begins its rebirth.]
By the time that text disappeared, the camera had changed to the interior of a familiar church, where my Jade Goddess Statue, made to resemble Mion, stood.
The church interior transformed from walls to trees, then to flowers, and eventually the goddess statue itself colored into Mion…
"When the three goddesses, Scarlet, Jade, and Azure, are united,
Past desolation will become a distant memory, and a beautiful city will be reborn.
The door to hope will open, leading to a world filled with joy…"
Mion, the Jade Goddess, spread her hands, and various images floated in the orbs of light overflowing from them.
"La la la~♪"
Players sharing apples with Giantkin…
Players being taught Blacksmithing by Dwarves…
Players gathering Coputi with Elves…
Players cultivating mushrooms with Gnomes…
Players trading with Centaurs…
"La la la~♪ La~ la~♪"
Along with Natural Ramune-san and a calico Cait Sith walking together happily, Mion's song came to an end.
"La~ la~ la~ la~…"
Before their gaze lay a ruined ancient castle and the sea, dyed by the sunset.
And then…
[Iris Revolution Online Chapter 3: Demon Kingdom Open-Country Arc]