Xylix
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Arc V: Teaser
🕑 Added 2025-05-15 16:00:13 +0000 UTC
As mentioned, the next arc of Netherwitch is Gamers. Gamers is 10 chapter long, covering ~82,000 words. This makes Gamers the second longest arc thus far. I suspect, however, Arc VI: Trade is even longer, but I haven't counted the exact word length yet.
Gamers marks a full dive into the kingdom building aspects of this story. Fittingly, the story covers a period of 4 years. Thus, this arc is similar to Academy in how I select points and periods along this time frame to show what Sylvia and the characters are doing and how their previous actions have lead to socio-economic change.
Rome, after all, wasn't built in a day.
This will leave some reader thrilled and other disappointed. If you're a more action oriented fellow, don't worry. There is some to be found in Gamers and even more to be seen in Arc VI: Trade.
But what does this arc cover?
A lot. The relationship between Emily and Sylvia is finally brought to the fore, along with the merging of the souls. The spread of the System is also a major theme, along with the arrival of the gamers. Economic and societal growth are also in abundance
But this arc doesn't neglect characters. Riley gets to play her role. Many witches from the Academy get to show their face again. Then there is Sylvia herself, who must face her Awakening. Thus, the gender bender aspects are once brought into the spot light.
Personally speaking, I quite enjoyed writing Gamers. I hope the arc delivers to everyone's expectations.
Now, speculate as you will! Or just casually chat, if that's what you want.
Side Note: Royal Road Advertisements
Now that I'm pulling in money via Patreon, I've been considering the merits of running an Ad or two on Royal Road. Part of me is reluctant. Writing is a hobby of mine, and mixing money and with hobbies has a tendency to transform them into work.
Indeed, I was quite reluctant to start a Patreon in the first place. I'm glad I did, because everyone here has proven a great audience. If not for the repeated requests on RR, I probably never would've done it.
But I'm glad I did.
If I do create Ads, they'll be put forward in late June roughly a week before the new arc starts up. What do you all think? A waste of money? Or a good idea?
Actually, know what? I'll make this a poll. That'll be more fun.
Comments
Brantal
I know I'm a week late to commenting on this post... personally, I hope Sylvia would find a balance with a more androgynous appearance after her awakening... but we'll see.
Brantal
same lol
dnamixer
I won't vote here, I have no idea what is best for you and your story.
Lijwent
The main issue with ads is that their use will be limited with your style of posting in batch, RR algorithm works better with constant regular posting
Mr NerfGun
*Shows this cover image* Text: The Harem Lord Sword God
Inv7ctus
Specifically dumb ads mind you. This is RR were talking about. Running shitty ads is basically a right of passage.
Steve Barbour
Indeed, Hell limits these to high nobility. I do wonder if people will figure out which specific part of the next arc this image is from.
Mr NerfGun
I think I remember diadems and crowns being reserved for high nobility. Though I guess the gamer kingdom wouldn't follow Hell's rules?
Mr NerfGun
Yeah, I think the reason I took so long to take the story out of my read list even though I added it very early was because it always looked like it was dead when I checked.
PreFX48
I think that if you don't spend too much on them and just use your Patreon earnings, the ads can easily be justified as letting your hobby pay for itself, and that's actually awesome! Just don't spend too much and don't view this as some sort of for-profit investment (not primarily at least). Also, I have already written something like this before, but I think that the absence of any recent updates might scare away new readers. So I would suggest placing the ads immediately after starting the new arc, so that whoever opens the ad will see that the story is active.
Steve Barbour
Fair point, and that was a concern of mine as well.
Michael kulatschko
I recommend to start the ad's after you post the first new chapter. Otherwise the story will look dead/hiatus and many potential readers will not investigate your style of posting before looking elsewhere
Steve Barbour
Wednesday, July 2nd. I usually aim for the first Wednesday or Sunday of the month. Patreon comes a day before, so July 1st, in fact.
TTT
profitable hobbies are the best hobbies! using the money you earn with it on it seems logical. only question i would have is when exaclty in july will it drop? im hungry for more content
Steve Barbour
I'm not to terribly worried about the profit, but it'd be nice. I'd just like the story not to languish in the dark. As long as the Ad's break even its good enough. But I won't lie. I'd certainly enjoy the profit.
Steve Barbour
Indeed, that's obviously a seven foot tall ode to masculinity right there! Anyone claiming different is a liar!
Mintcakes
"If you're a more action oriented fellow, don't worry. There is some to be found in Gamers and even more to be seen in Arc VI: Trade." That's so ironic. The gamers focus on building and establishing order in the wilderness while traders wage war.
Mr NerfGun
Ads => more people => more patrons => profit
Kurosov
That's a very manly swordsman there on the teaser image. Lot's on little questions I'm looking forward to getting the answer to in this Arc, mostly around the how's of the gamers arrival happens but also things like will Esmeralda's merging end up leaning more towards Emily and how would that affect the interest from her unwanted husband to be. It'll also be interesting to see how those who followed them to the new realm react to finding out it's Emily when people were suspecting Sylvia.
Katherine
Yay!
Simon Hoerder
Whatever works best for you to deliver us great stories is what I prefer.
