Making me a "prince" again? How transparent. Father must see the computer's potential and wants to claim everything I've built by reinstating me.
Even though Apollonia and I remain close, I won't crawl back to the family that discarded me like trash when I had nothing.
Back in my office, I study the Ancient Tree from my chair. Since reaching Level 5, its growth has become staggering. We had to cut a hole through the roof just to accommodate it, using magic barriers to keep out rain - though the constant drain on magical power is becoming problematic.
The building's limitations highlight how far behind this world's architecture is compared to my previous life.
A proper rooftop garden design could have made the Ancient Tree appear natural, rather than this awkward compromise.
This settles it. I pull out paper and begin sketching a building inspired by my past life. The cost might run into dozens of millions, but that's insignificant now.
My revenue streams have expanded far beyond television, films, and VHS tapes. The barcode system alone has generated 521 million dollars across Horn Kingdom and its neighbors in record time. Once it spreads to other nations, annual profits in the billions aren't just possible - they're inevitable.
Computers may be lagging in adoption, but their time will come. Between these technologies, funding isn't a concern.
I put the finishing touches on my design - a scaled-down version of Apple Park from my previous life. Next step: land acquisition and construction. This world's about to see what real architectural innovation looks like.
I gathered my team in the meeting room, spreading the blueprints across the table. "This is Hellfire Park," I announced, detailing the ambitious design. The budget projections drew sharp intakes of breath - the figures stretched into millions.
My executives exchanged uncertain glances. They'd expected discussions about upcoming films or entertainment ventures, not a massive construction project.
"Let me be clear," I fixed them with a stern look. "The budget for Hellfire Park will run into millions. Any corruption will be dealt with severely." Their faces paled at my tone.
"We wouldn't dare, sir," the scaled demon executive assured quickly, scales slightly rattling.
I left them with a satisfied smile. Let them sweat a little - it ensures honest work.
While computers and barcodes remained limited to Horn Kingdom and its neighbors, word of these innovations had spread across Evros, Eden, and the Empirican Continent.
In Apple City, U.S.E., Billy Dark sat before the computer his employee had brought from Horn Kingdom last week. Each day of testing deepened his solemn mood.
The memory of that Electronics Expo years ago haunted him now. He'd dismissed this device so easily then, seeing it as beneath notice. Now, witnessing its true capabilities, that arrogance felt like ashes in his mouth.
This computer threatened everything Dark Electronics had built. Despite their 38.5-billion-dollar empire, military contracts across twenty kingdoms, and pioneering work in magical automation, Billy knew their dominance wasn't guaranteed.
Hellfire's meteoric rise alarmed him. He'd dismissed Arthur as a mere filmmaker, but now that young demon was giving him the worst headache of his career.
Acquiring Hellfire's technology and patents became his priority. Arthur's rejection of Dwalric Corporation's 8-billion-dollar offer showed he wouldn't sell cheap, but Billy was prepared to risk 20 billion. The technology's potential justified such an astronomical price.
He wasn't alone in this thinking. Major corporations worldwide were eyeing Hellfire:
From the Craft Kingdom's capital city, Dwarftech United - worth 45.8 billion - had already begun internal discussions about acquiring Hellfire outright. Their board meetings now focused solely on computers and possible acquisition strategies.
Even Morningstar Kingdom's own corporate giant, Demon Dynamics, valued at 15.8 billion, was plotting a takeover bid. The elven powerhouse Crescent Corporation, commanding 39 billion in assets, had similar ambitions.
The world's largest companies had realized what Billy already knew - whoever controlled this technology would shape the future.
In his Hellfire HQ office, Arthur pored over maps of potential land acquisitions across Horn Kingdom. He'd been weighing locations for another "Hellfire Park" - the amusement parks were already proving successful in several Morningstar cities and had expanded into U.S.E. through the Bryan Brothers partnership.
The existing parks generated tens of millions annually, yet the profit margins didn't excite him. Horn Kingdom's smaller size made him hesitate about replicating the venture here.
"My lord, I am now here..." A familiar whisper touched his mind.
Arthur rose immediately, recognizing John's voice. Outside the building, he found the man seated on a public bench.
"John?" Arthur called softly.
John turned, eyes lighting with recognition. "My lor-"
No need for 'lord' in public, Arthur's thought cut in telepathically.
John caught himself, noticing curious onlookers. He smoothly shifted personas. "Mr. Pendragon, I'm such a fan of your work."
"Is that so?" Arthur smiled knowingly. "Let's discuss business in my office."
John nodded, maintaining his "human businessman" facade as they entered the building. His performance was flawless - none would guess his true nature or his ancient connection to Arthur.
Curious eyes followed them through the building as John walked behind Arthur, employees wondering who rated a personal escort from their boss.
The moment Arthur's office door closed, John dropped to his knees, tears welling up. "My lord, what an honor to finally see you!"
Arthur cringed at the display, using magic to lift John to his feet. "Please, I told you to drop the 'lord' business."
John wiped his eyes, nodding sheepishly.
"You've managed the Angel City cult well," Arthur observed, settling behind his desk.
"Not a cult," John corrected with a smile. "We are your followers... Dionysus."
"Have a seat," Arthur gestured. "I've noticed some interesting developments with the followers lately."
John's expression darkened. "Yes, lor- boss. The people you cured of madness are proving... difficult. They refuse to follow my leadership, encouraging others to worship openly instead of maintaining secrecy."
"They believe I'm deceiving them," John sighed heavily. "That I want to monopolize access to you."
Arthur couldn't help but chuckle. Only John knew his true identity beyond just Dionysus, yet these zealous followers were creating their own path - drinking themselves stupid in taverns, disrupting theaters with shouts of "Dionysus." So much for keeping a low profile.
"I speak to them too, but they think that it was just the voice of the servants of Dionysus and believe that worshiping openly to get my attention," Arthur sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.
John shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I am very sorry, boss. I am not competent enough to handle those fools who refuse to listen to reason."
"Not your fault. People will always interpret things differently." Arthur waved it off, though secretly, he appreciated these overzealous followers. Their wild behavior generated substantial divine points.
Their wild imaginations about the "great power" of Dionysus, combined with their stubborn belief that Arthur's voice was merely that of lesser servants, led them to create elaborate myths about his capabilities. Each exaggerated tale, each grandiose assumption about his powers, translated into substantial divine point gains.
The "parties" they threw in taverns and bars across the city, while troublesome for maintaining secrecy, proved unexpectedly lucrative in terms of divine points.
This discovery led Arthur to realize that festivities conducted in his name as Dionysus were particularly potent sources of power.
Most intriguingly, the theatre actors who had taken to worshipping him generated divine points not just through their devotion, but through their performances as well. To his surprise, their ability to entertain audiences produced small amounts of entertainment points - a completely unexpected bonus from this whole endeavor.
After contemplating these developments, Arthur turned his attention back to John. "As I promised you before, I have a project that might interest you as an actor. I remember your dream of becoming a celebrated performer."
John's eyes lit up with almost fanatical devotion. "I will accept any role you deign to give me, boss. Even if it was just an extra role, I would take it gladly and perform it with all my heart!"
"You'll be playing the lead, actually," Arthur chuckled.
John dropped into an even deeper bow. "Then I shall accept any film project you grace me with. If you require me to play a dog, I shall become the most devoted canine actor in theatrical history!" Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novelFɪre.net
Arthur watched this display with growing discomfort. This guy has transformed from a devoted follower into an unbearable sycophant, he thought, seriously considering whether the time had come to wipe clean John's memories of his divine identity.
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