Chapter 1225 - Ver. 2.0 Update
—At the same time, in the virtual world.
"Well... then? It is finally time, isn't it."
"Mm."
"..."
At the southern summit, namely the zenith of the southern camp Sotalm's camp base. The beauty and the beast... or rather, a familiar trio who could be called a grandfather, a grandchild, and a daughter, were staying up late together.
Midnight, seeing off March and welcoming April. The lineup of Goldow, Iris, and Helena, who were practically entrusted with the leadership of the Arcadia players. The prominent figures and strategists, already well-known worldwide regardless of reality or virtuality, each wore their own expressions.
The [Grand General], who coaxed his childish heart with the composure of his accumulated years, wore a smile.
The [Sword Queen], who harbored tranquility with her natural caliber that had nothing to do with age, wore a serene blankness.
And... the only one in this place.
The [Lady-in-Waiting], who possessed a sensibility that leaned correctly toward the ordinary—did not hide her slightly stomach-aching face, combining her sighs toward the two extremely composed individuals with various anxieties.
With their respective mindsets, for what purpose were they gathered? ...It was none other than,
The beginning of a month that is a multiple of four—namely, if they were to follow the regular routine this time as well. To quickly check the various aspects of the Four Pillar War, which would become accessible at the same time the date changed to the first.
It was not as if any prominent announcements or provocative notifications had been brought from the game's side up until now. What fell into the players' hands once access was unlocked was, at most, a bare minimum guideline as the most noteworthy thing.
However, this time, there was a reason they had been waiting and longing for that trivial guide.
Needless to say, it was none other than the forecast of a transformation, the update to the Four Pillar War... a bolt from the blue that had been announced upon the completion of the Green Connect conquest the other day.
And so,
"Then, let's have a look right away, shall we?"
"Yes."
"..."
Each maintained their expression. Goldow urged, Iris responded, and Helena...—regarding this, she indeed seemed unlike her usual self compared to normal. With a face that clearly could not hide a color akin to anxiety, the cleverness she usually broadcasted to her surroundings was nowhere to be seen.
Both Goldow and Iris noticed, but neither of them teased her—how many could realize, looking at the picture, that even that was part of the situation indicating a 'bad feeling'?
At least, there was no one else in this place besides the three of them.
Therefore, since the two of them did not waver and the one was keeping silent from speaking up...
"Well then...—"
There was no one to stop Iris as she nodded and flicked her fingertip in the air.
—And then, about five minutes passed after the system window expanded in the empty air and dryly exposed the information, a time that was by no means long but did not feel short either,
"...Helena."
Iris, who had read and understood everything, muttered.
"..., ...What is it?"
When Iris called her name as if whispering, the responding voice was colored with a listlessness born of resignation.
"What do you think will happen to this?"
Then, Iris, who had read and understood everything, muttered once more, bit by bit.
"...Well, let me see."
When Iris threw the question as if whispering, the responding voice had come full circle, colored with optimism, or rather, philosophical acceptance.
"We... no, we players will also be exposed to direct 'transitions,' but more than that...—how should I put it? The ones we should direct our sympathy toward are..."
Helena's voice, expressing her thoughts in such an indescribable atmosphere,
"...Well, that's true. —It looks like over there (reality) is going to be in a sorry state in various ways."
Goldow's voice, taking over, was... filled with sympathy just like his daughter's, but.
"Still, doesn't it look like things are going to get interesting again?"
As might be expected, without forgetting his playful childhood heart, he did not forget to enjoy himself, his voice bouncing with a hint of joy.
◇◆◇◆◇
—Four Pillar War Ver. 2.0—
• The conventional "competition format between each camp" will be abolished.
• The "divine protection" of each camp currently in motion will be reset to its initial state.
• The setting for competition time will be changed.
"Real Time 20:00–24:00 / Virtual Time 6h"
⇒ "Real Time 20:00–20:05 / Virtual Time 24h"
• The setting for the number of available player slots will be changed.
"300 players per camp + each 'Ranked Title Holder'"
⇒ "1,000 players across all camps + 10 'Ranked Title Holders'"
• The format of the instance battlefield will be changed from "Labyrinth" to "Fortress."
• The "outer perimeter" of the instance battlefield will be implemented.
• "Enemies" will be implemented in the "outer perimeter" of the instance battlefield.
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[Author's Note]
And with that, Chapter Six, Section Three comes to an end.