A few days had passed since Lapis and Zyro's failed espionage attempt, yet the infiltration of Hellfire Electronics had not stopped. More undercover agents attempted to breach the company, though none were as skilled as the two dwarves. They, too, were swiftly identified and captured by the Hellsing Organization.
This time, however, the spies were not from Dwalric Corporation. Instead, they had been sent by rival companies like Dark Electronics, DwarfTech, and others.
Arthur could see the growing desperation among the major corporations. The competition to acquire computer technology had reached a fever pitch, fueled by the rising tensions between nations.
Conflicts were brewing everywhere.
The standoff between Morningstar and Thorn was intensifying. Even Horn Kingdom, where Arthur's operations were based, was being dragged into political disputes. Read full story at novel·fiɾe·net
Meanwhile, across the sea, Japon and Choson stood on the brink of war.
It was a chaotic mess.
And at the center of it all was the computer—a device capable of multitasking, processing information faster than any known technology. It had caught the attention of major corporations and governments alike.
To them, it was more than a mere tool; it was a strategic asset that could tip the balance in the coming conflicts.
Arthur, however, had no intention of watching the world burn in war. His goal had always been simple: to introduce the entertainment of his previous life into this world, to build his empire, and to cultivate his growing cult as a false god.
To curb rising tensions and solidify computers as an unstoppable force in society, Arthur prepared for his next move.
On March 10, 1275, he would launch the "Hellfire Web."
This global network would accelerate the flow of information and serve as a powerful tool in delaying the war by promoting transparency, preventing misinformation, and fostering diplomatic communication between nations.
By making knowledge more accessible, it could reduce misunderstandings that often lead to conflicts, allowing governments and influential figures to negotiate before tensions escalated into full-scale war.
Moreover, with such capabilities, even nations that had previously rejected computer technology might be compelled to lift their bans. The undeniable advantages of the Hellfire Web would force governments to reconsider their stance, bypassing corporate monopolies like Dwalric and allowing computers to be legally distributed.
At the very least, this shift would be inevitable within Anatolia, parts of Evros, and the Middle East, as these regions fell under the coverage of the Ancient Tree, the core infrastructure powering the network.
The Ancient Tree, a massive mana-powered data hub, would serve as the backbone of this system. It now stood at the center of the new Hellfire headquarters, disguised as an ordinary, towering mana tree.
Speaking of the new headquarters—
Its construction was nearing completion, set to be fully operational by January 25.
Two weeks later, the long-anticipated opening day had arrived.
The media outlets had gathered in full force, their cameras flashing as a huge crowd packed the entrance of the futuristic Hellfire Headquarters.
The building itself was unlike anything seen before.
The structure stood as a monument to modern architecture, an 80-acre circular campus, with smooth, curved glass walls and a central courtyard.
From above, it looked almost otherworldly, a perfect ring surrounded by lush greenery.
Arthur, standing before the entrance, was flanked by his executives and key figures of Hellfire Electronics. The anticipation in the air was palpable.
With a ceremonial snip of the ribbon, the entrance was officially opened. A wave of applause erupted from the gathered crowd.
Beside Arthur, Firfel scanned the surroundings, her gaze flickering between the murmuring journalists and the eager attendees. Curiosity was running rampant.
People whispered among themselves, their voices barely contained:
"Why was it designed this way?"
Arthur, reading the atmosphere, finally stepped forward to address the crowd. His voice carried across the gathering, calm yet commanding.
"I know our new headquarters has been stirring up discussion in the news," he began with a confident smile. "But this building wasn't designed purely for aesthetics. It was built for efficiency, collaboration, and creativity—a space where innovation can flourish without barriers."
A hush fell over the crowd as they listened intently.
"And since today is our grand opening," Arthur continued, "everyone is welcome to explore. There will be limited access to key areas, but I want you to experience what we've built here."
The crowd was taken aback. They hadn't expected Arthur to allow them into the new headquarters so suddenly.
"Isn't he afraid we'll criticize the building's design once we see the inside?" one journalist chuckled.
"Maybe he's just that confident in it," another journalist beside him remarked.
With a composed smile, Arthur led the gathering inside. Many had assumed that the interior would be just as unusual as the exterior, but to their surprise, the moment they stepped in, they were greeted with a neatly designed, highly functional space.
The sleek, polished flooring reflected the glow of the natural light pouring in from above, and the courtyard was surprisingly refreshing. The air felt different—clean, almost purified, free from the pollution outside.
"It feels... lighter in here," someone muttered.
A mage, well-versed in mana studies, observed the surroundings carefully and couldn't help but voice his thoughts. "It seems the trees in this space are actively releasing mana while also providing a calming effect. There's even a faint barrier preserving the mana and its benefits."
The murmurs of astonishment spread as people continued exploring. The limited access areas revealed unexpected surprises—arcades, a playground, and even a mini-football court.
When the attendees realized that these facilities were exclusively for Hellfire employees, meant to reduce workplace stress, a wave of jealousy swept through the crowd.
They had never imagined that a four-story building could be so spacious, well-ventilated, and—despite its unconventional exterior—pleasing to the eye.
After nearly an hour of exploring, the visitors finally began to leave, still buzzing with conversation about the facility.
As the last few people exited, Firfel turned to Arthur, her voice soft yet teasing. "I think you overdid it."
Arthur feigned ignorance. "What do you mean?"
Firfel chuckled. "Oh, you know exactly what I mean." She crossed her arms. "You just gave the media a full tour of your headquarters. Is this your way of getting back at them for calling your building 'strange' and a 'mess' for the past few months?"
Arthur let out a small laugh. "Maybe."
Firfel shook her head, amused. As they walked deeper into the building, she eventually got a look at Arthur's office. Unlike the rest of the headquarters, his personal space remained largely unchanged—simple, refined, and organized just as it had always been.
Not long after, Vivienne arrived at the headquarters. She had just finished working on a film project, explaining why she was later than the others.
Stepping into Arthur's office, she glanced around, taking in the refined decor before her gaze settled on the expensive desk and chair. A smirk played on her lips.
"It's like you've built yourself a castle," she joked.
Arthur chuckled. "The fruits of our labor in filmmaking."
"And I imagine those fruits will keep growing with The Lord of the Rings sequel," Vivienne said, her tone filled with amusement.
Firfel, intrigued, turned to Arthur. "I heard the trailer is coming soon?"
Arthur nodded. "The trailer will be released at the start of February."
Sure enough, when February arrived, the long-awaited trailer hit television screens worldwide, sending fans into a frenzy.
"Finally! A Lord of the Rings sequel after all these years!" one die-hard fan practically sobbed, overwhelmed with excitement.
Across the globe, media outlets fueled the hype, publishing articles and analyses about the highly anticipated film.
Arthur had played his cards perfectly.
Now, with the excitement reaching a fever pitch, he prepared to take things one step further.
He would announce the film's official release date in Hellfire Park's courtyard—a strategic move that would maximize publicity.
To heighten the spectacle, Arthur planned to introduce the film's dragon cast members at the event.
Dragons were exceptionally rare and hardly ever seen in public. The very fact that he had dragons involved in his production was enough to make headlines.
Arthur knew the impact this would have. If the hype continued to build at this pace, there was a real chance that the film could break the $1 billion box office milestone.