Chapter 585 - Chapter 522: What are the Conditions for Founding a Nation?
Monday
"Haaah, summer vacation ends this week, doesn't it…"
"What's wrong, suddenly?"
It's a known fact that the second semester starts next week, and Bell-buchou should have finished her homework. Yata-sensei was very strict about checking it.
"Yesterday, we announced the Southern Island on our live stream, right? The reaction was incredible, and the archived stream is getting an insane number of views."
"Ah, right…"
It was early Monday afternoon.
While chatting about that, Shou waited for Mion to arrive.
Mion usually arrived first, but today she'd be a little late. She had to check the master version of an album that arrived in the morning and send a reply.
By the way, I've decided not to ask what kind of album it turned out to be until it's released.
"You've announced it, but it's not publicly available yet, is it?"
"That's right. But the guild is getting an incredible number of inquiries."
"I bet they're asking when they'll be able to go there, right?"
Bell-buchou nodded at the question.
If that's the case, is it really okay for her to be just standing around here?
"Aniki, Bell-dono, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Oh, you're here. Is Nao-chan alright?"
"Mhm, mhm."
Miki, who was a little late after a call with Natto's sister, Nao, though it seemed she was just asking about next week's schedule.
And then,
"Shou-kun."
"Mion. How was it?"
"Ah, no problems."
With Mion's arrival, everyone was gathered for a countermeasures meeting (?) regarding yesterday's Southern Island announcement.
They said that while the general public release was still a ways off, they had announced a plan to gradually open it up to friendly guilds first, during specific time slots.
"On the Necropolis side, Geira-san and her group will manage the opening and closing of the [Transfer Magic Circle], so there's nothing to worry about there. The problem is what happens after people go over, but for now, volunteers have agreed to take turns keeping watch."
"Wouldn't that be quite a lot of work?"
"Players who run shops asked to do it."
"Master Chef-dono and others who have set up shops in the Necropolis, indeed."
As expected, the production-class players are curious about the Southern Island's produce.
They plan to gradually hire more trustworthy NPCs, and once enough people are in place, they'll open it to the public.
However, it won't be unlimited. Each person will have to deposit one Dragon Coin. Since Dragon Coins are no longer needed to enter the Necropolis, this will likely be in its place.
"It might be best when the gate town is properly established."
"Indeed. Just in case, Aniki, I'd like you to get approval from Argenta-dono as well."
"Roger."
The cottage-like place where Mion started is a [Safe Zone], so logging in and out there will also be allowed.
As for Shou, as long as he can exclude those who would cause trouble for Gaju and the others, he's fine with anything else they want to do.
"Um, Buchou, may I ask a question?"
"Yes, of course."
"Won't people declare nation-building on the Southern Island?"
"Ah…"
Now that she mentions it, I feel like you could declare a nation as soon as a Home Setting was possible.
With the current limited access, no one would do such a thing, but once it's publicly released, some people might just do it on a whim.
"We were concerned about that too, so we made some inquiries, but it seems it's impossible as long as unrelated third parties are present."
"Hmm, I guess so. So that's why it's easy to declare a nation on an [Uninhabited Island]. Hmm? Was it the same when the Game Dolls did it?"
"Apparently, everyone was in a party or an alliance at that time."
So, it's possible if only allies are present?
But then, Mion should have been able to declare a nation suddenly…
"Lupi-chan was there when Shou-kun did it."
"Ah, that's true. So, it feels like you can declare a nation if you're the strongest force in that area."
Was it because I defeated the goblin horde and Lupi and I were the strongest in that area?
No, but there was still an Armor Bear… wait, I heard that one was bugged anyway.
"In any case, we know that even if a nation is founded, its territory as a state will be limited. If such individuals appear…"
Seth grinned as she said that, and Bell-buchou gave a wry smile.
Also, since it was an island that could be reached via the [Transfer Magic Circle] that Shou provided, there's even talk that it would be fine for it to be a nation with Shou as the leader…
"If I declare a nation, my island might become a starting point, so I absolutely won't do it."
"Right!"
"Yes, I think that's better."
"Mhm, mhm. Aniki's island has value precisely because no one can reach it."
That aside, regarding nation-building declarations and national management, Bell-buchou will ask Ramune-san… or rather, the player managing their nation, about various things.
The reason being, there's also that talk about Sabana.
"Has Sabana's island already connected?"
"Apparently, there was a summit meeting yesterday at the same time as our live stream."
"A summit meeting…"
However, it seems the contents were relatively peaceful, and they settled on starting with a limited number of Sabana's live stream regulars and a restricted time.
"It seems Anshia-san wanted the 'Fairy Butter' that Esason makes, but that apparently wasn't possible."
"Aniki, you must also be careful not to carelessly give out 'Fairy Flower Honey'."
"Understood. Well, that's something Sweee and the Fairies collect, so rather than it being up to me, I intend to follow Sweee's opinion."
"Right."
Since the produce from Shou's island is basically all items involved with fairies, he needs to get approval from Sweee and the elders of each race before taking anything off the island.
He's gotten used to people on the mainland being envious, but that doesn't mean he can give everything to everyone. It has to be a trade.
"By the way, aren't you going to issue the next request soon?"
"Ah, I hope to announce it at the next live stream."
He needs to discuss with Mion and organize the request details.
There are probably things he needs to ask El-san to do as well, so he has to go to IRO.