Capítulo 198: Killing two birds with one stone
(3rd Person POV)
The unbiased financial reports triggered a wave of computer purchases across the kingdom, primarily from small business owners willing to take the risk. Hellfire Electronics' store in Hellscape Center, previously quiet due to media criticism, now buzzed with curious entrepreneurs.
Groups of business owners gathered around display units, discussing potential applications.
"Running a restaurant is headache enough without staff constantly botching calculations," an elderly demon complained to fellow browsers. "Last week alone, our inventory counts were off by thousands, order tickets got mixed up, and the daily revenue numbers never matched the register. Half my evening is spent double-checking their math." He tapped the computer's casing thoughtfully. "If this machine works as advertised, I could trim down to my reliable staff and have them learn this instead."
"I hear you," nodded a stocky demon beside him. "My VHS and TV shop's inventory is a nightmare to track. Every time a new shipment arrives, it takes three workers two days to update our crystal logs. And don't get me started on managing rental records. One computer could probably handle all that, plus track late returns automatically."
After lengthy discussions, they made their purchases. Muscular Hellfire workers carefully loaded the boxed computers into waiting vehicles.
A wealthy business owner directed workers to load several units into his delivery truck, drawing attention from other customers.
Throughout the day, store traffic steadily increased. The once-empty showroom filled with serious buyers, transforming from a criticized curiosity into a legitimate business destination.
***
~Five Days Later~
The computer's market reputation grew steadily as business owners reported positive results. Companies like Spell Count System watched their sales decline while smaller enterprises increasingly opted for computers over traditional magical tools.
These threatened corporations poured money into smear campaigns, playing on the masses' inability to afford the 249-dollar price tag. Their strategy proved effective - most Horn Kingdom citizens dismissed computers as overpriced, useless devices.
Yet this public skepticism missed a crucial point: computers weren't meant for everyday consumers yet. Their true value lay in business applications, where the investment made logical sense.
Arthur observed the corporate smear campaigns with calm detachment, knowing these companies' dominance would fade as computer adoption grew. Instead of fighting back, he prepared his next move.
Mid-April brought a new commercial to Horn Kingdom's networks. The ad opened on a young demon employee at his desk, hunched over a computer screen. As the camera moved closer, viewers saw him crafting animated characters with fluid movements.
"Traditional animation requires entire teams and weeks of work," the narrator explained as the demon effortlessly manipulated digital artwork. "But with Hellfire OS 1.5's new animation suite, one artist can bring animation to life."
The scene shifted to show the same employee editing film footage. "From storyboard to final cut, Hellfire OS 1.5 transforms creative workflows."
The commercial closed with a dramatic reveal: "Discover The Secret Behind Hellfire's Anime and Film's Success - Hellfire OS 1.5 VHS Edition. Upgrade your computer's creative potential for just 20 dollars."
The tagline appeared over a montage of stunning animations and edited film sequences: "Hellfire OS 1.5 - Tomorrow's Entertainment Tools Today."
The advertisement's strategic placement across multiple networks ensured widespread exposure throughout Horn Kingdom. Its impact exceeded expectations.
Previously dismissive audiences suddenly saw practical applications. Young viewers, inspired by "Dragon Ball" and "Naruto," became particularly excited about the computer's creative potential. The prospect of creating their own animations sparked their imagination, leading to countless dinner table negotiations with parents.
"Please, Mom! I could make my own anime!" became a common refrain in households across the kingdom.
Though the advertisement employed typical marketing hyperbole, its message resonated powerfully. The promise of simplified animation creation captured youthful dreams, while the film editing capabilities caught industry attention.
Studio executives, who had long wondered about Hellfire's superior editing quality, finally understood. The computer's ability to read VHS footage and enable immediate editing through specialized programs offered an elegant solution to their time-consuming editing processes.
Film editing, traditionally a painstaking task that consumed countless hours, could now be streamlined significantly. The simple process - insert a VHS tape, let the computer read it, then edit directly through the program - represented a revolutionary shift in post-production workflow.
Despite their previous skepticism toward computers, film studios began placing orders for both computers and the Hellfire OS 1.5 upgrade. The ability to enhance their editing efficiency proved too valuable to ignore, regardless of their initial resistance to the technology.
***
By late April, industry giants like Spell Count System, Magic Script, and Data Crystal Solutions watched their market share plummet as businesses across Horn Kingdom increasingly switched to computers, reporting substantial efficiency gains.
The threatened corporations flooded media channels with inflammatory headlines:
"GREEDY OWNERS CHOOSE MACHINES OVER WORKERS: Business Leaders Abandon Loyal Employees for Unreliable Computers!"
"Horn Kingdom's Working Class Under Attack: Wealthy Executives Replace Workers with 249-Dollar Devices!"
"The True Cost of Technology: How Profit-Hungry Business Owners Betray Their Workers"
Behind these headlines, Robert Yang, a demon secretly bankrolled by the threatened companies, worked methodically to channel public outrage. In dimly lit taverns across the city, he gathered recently dismissed workers, his carefully chosen words igniting their frustrations.
"These business owners would rather spend money on machines than pay honest workers," he would say, buying rounds for his listeners. "They're replacing loyal employees with computers just to save a few dollars. Are we going to let them destroy our livelihoods?"
His calculated manipulation proved effective. A crowd soon materialized outside Hellfire Studio's headquarters, their angry voices drowning out the morning bustle.
"Stop replacing workers!" they shouted, brandishing protest signs. "People over computers!"
The protesters, consumed by their righteous anger, never questioned why these same companies funding their outcry hadn't offered them new positions, or examined the true reasons behind their terminations.
***
Inside Hellfire HQ, Arthur watched the growing crowd of protesters through the window.
"What's our move here, boss?" Lilith asked nervously, eyeing the agitated mass below.
Arthur released a measured sigh. "Can't deny the truth - computers have eliminated certain jobs across the kingdom."
"That's not on you," Firfel spoke up beside him. "Businesses are choosing computers because they reduce human error and increase efficiency. It's simple economics."
Arthur studied the crowd silently. He recognized the orchestrated nature of this protest, seeing the threatened corporations' influence behind it. Yet rather than concern, the situation presented an opportunity he'd prepared for.
"I'm going down there," he announced.
"That's crazy!" Vivienne protested. "They're out for blood!"
Firfel and others voiced similar objections, but Arthur just smiled, amused by their concern for his safety. If they only knew his true power. "Trust me. I know what I'm doing."
Arthur emerged from the building, approaching the protesters with deliberate calm. Robert Yang's voice cut through the crowd: "There's the demon who's destroying our livelihoods!" He hurled a rock at Arthur, encouraging others to join in.
Objects rained down - rocks, rotten fruit, whatever they could throw. Arthur made no move to dodge or block, letting everything hit him. The protesters' anger turned to confusion at his passive acceptance of their abuse.
"I understand your pain," Arthur's voice carried genuine-seeming sympathy. "Losing your jobs to machines... feeling replaced and forgotten..." His acting skills made the words ring true, though inwardly he noted how these particular protesters had lost their positions for very different reasons than they claimed.
"So what if you understand?" Robert sneered. "Understanding won't feed our families! This demon's machines are stealing our future while he counts his profits!"
"Yeah! What about our children?" someone shouted.
"We can't afford food because of your computers!" another voice joined in.
Arthur's smile remained steady. "That's precisely why I'm here. I'm offering jobs to anyone interested in working for Hellfire."
The angry shouts died instantly, replaced by stunned silence.
"We need cashiers across Hellscape Center locations," Arthur continued, noting how the news cameras focused on him. "And our computer manufacturing facilities require workers for assembly lines, quality control, and shipping. The positions offer competitive wages and benefits."
He'd planned this moment carefully. By offering employment to these protesters, he could simultaneously address the job loss criticism while expanding his workforce. The news coverage would transform a protest into a public relations victory.
"The computer industry creates more jobs than it replaces," he added for the cameras. "Anyone willing to learn new skills will find opportunities with us. You can collect application forms right now."
The protesters exchanged uncertain glances, their rage deflating as Robert's carefully orchestrated demonstration backfired. This wasn't the confrontation the competing companies had paid for.
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