บท 207: Complicated
(Luke Morningstar POV)
Who would've have thought that "my" younger son or more accurately - my nephew, would be able to achieve the impossible.
At first I thought that Arthur was just simply a talented actor, but who would've thought that he can invent incredible things such as this computer and barcode system.
Sigh
I shake my head, turning to my economic minister. "Let's not talk about the things we should not be talking about." I gesture toward the computer on the desk. "Tell me what this computer is capable of, and why this device should be implemented in government operations."
Perah's tense shoulders visibly relaxed. He stepped closer to the computer, his earlier nervousness giving way to enthusiasm. "Of course, Your Majesty!" He pointed at the screen. "This device is capable of incredible feats. It can save documents and files with a memory system far more advanced than crystal data storage."
I lean back, maintaining my skeptical expression. "Crystal data is quite cheap. I still don't see anything special about this device."
A knowing smile crosses Perah's face as he moves to demonstrate. "Indeed, Your Majesty, but as I mentioned, it's capable of many things. It can cast basic spells..." His fingers move across the device, showing me function after function, from document creation to spell calculations.
I find myself nodding despite my initial skepticism, my interest growing with each demonstration.
Perah's excitement builds as he reaches what he clearly considers the most impressive feature. "Not only that, Your Majesty, this device can record important information and spell scrolls more efficiently and cost-effectively than crystal data or expensive scrolls." He pauses for effect. "And with sufficient magical power and core quality, this device can save high-level spells to be unleashed later... or transferred to scrolls through its 'printer' component."
I straighten in my chair, the implications hitting me. "You mean..." I can't hide my shock at this revelation. "With such a function, we could use this device to mass-produce single-use spell scrolls?"
Perah's smile widens as he nods eagerly. "Yes, Your Majesty. In Horn Kingdom, many scroll-crafting companies have already adopted computers for more efficient production." He spreads his hands. "While many scroll-crafting mages lost their positions, it's made scrolls far more affordable. The economic benefits have been remarkable."
I can't hide my genuine shock. The computer before me suddenly seems far more impressive than I initially assumed.
When Perah first showed it, I'd dismissed it as inferior to the barcode system. Now, seeing its true capabilities, I find myself viewing it in an entirely new light.
"There's more, Your Majesty," Perah continues, gesturing at the screen. "This device can send messages through the Hellfire Messenger application to other computers, even across long distances. However, it requires their communication network, which is currently most developed in Horn Kingdom."
"So we can't use long-distance messaging here?" I frown.
"We can, but it's limited compared to Horn Kingdom's capabilities," Perah explains, pointing to an antenna-like device atop the monitor. "Hellfire offers this 'internet receiver' - similar to a TV antenna but quite different. It allows us to connect with other computer users."
I watch as the screen displays "Hellfire Messenger," loading for several seconds before revealing a list of names under "registered users."
"What are these names?" I ask.
"Those are other computer users, Your Majesty. We can add them as contacts for communication."
"The internet receiver enables this," Perah continues, "though it's not as advanced as Horn Kingdom's network. It costs 4 dollars per day to use - expensive, but still cheaper than single-use long-distance communication scrolls."
He elaborates further, explaining how computers can connect directly over short distances without the receiver.
"You seem quite knowledgeable about all this, Perah," I observe.
He scratches the back of his head sheepishly. "I confess I've used these devices during my visits to Horn Kingdom."
I nod slowly. The device's utility is undeniable, yet I can't shake my discomfort. Every innovative feature, every clever solution reminds me of its creator - Arthur. The complexity of my feelings toward my nephew clouds even my appreciation of his remarkable invention.
After Perah bowed and left, I could still see the eagerness in his eyes - his desperate wish for me to approach Arthur about the computers. But how could I? After exiling the boy, crawling back to ask for free devices would be beyond humiliating. It's simply impossible.
I make my way to the throne room, guards bowing as I pass. Settling onto the throne, I rest my chin on my hand, elbow propped against the armrest, lost in thought.
Damn it... Why did that kid have to be the one to invent these devices? I sigh heavily at the irony.
Until now, I've never regretted exiling Arthur. His films, TV ventures, entertainment empire - none of it mattered to me. But these computers and barcodes? They could elevate our demon race to match human and dwarven technological advancement. Finally, we could compete with their economic might.
"I see you're wrestling with complicated thoughts again, my dear king?"
I look up to see my wife approaching. "Lily..."
Queen Lily settles gracefully onto my lap, her smile knowing. "Share your worries with me, my king."
Another heavy sigh escapes me. "I've been thinking about my nephew... He's created something truly revolutionary, something that could transform our kingdom."
"The computer everyone's discussing?" she asks.
I nod slowly. "Yes... I never imagined Arthur could be this competent. And I've been considering..."
Lily's eyes turn cold, her expression hardening. "You're not thinking of reinstating him as prince just because of some device, are you?"
"It's not just 'some device,' my queen," I frown. "Its capabilities are extraordinary."
Lily snorts dismissively. "Hmph. It's not like that device can't be replicated. We could hire the most talented mechanics and brilliant demons to create our own version, avoiding your nephew's patents entirely."
I frown, considering this idea that had crossed my mind before. "It's not that simple, my queen. I've seen the device's capabilities firsthand. The complexity behind it... I doubt we could easily reproduce something similar."
"My king," Lily persists, "if your nephew could create this with just basic mechanical talent, never having attended university - surely our educated geniuses and newly graduated experts could match his achievement."
I tap my fingers against the armchair thoughtfully, pulling her closer with my other hand. "We'll see if it's possible."
Her words give me hope. Perhaps we could create something similar...
"Let's set Arthur aside," Lily says, shifting in my lap. "Our eldest son, Azazel, returns from the Nether Realm in a few days. We should prepare a feast to welcome him home."
I nod, thoughts turning to my heir. "I'm relieved he's returning safely. The Nether Realm is treacherous - even its surface holds constant danger, let alone the deep territories."
"Our son is more than capable," Lily says proudly. "He could hold his own against an infant dragon on Eden Continent for a full minute." Her smile widens. "And that was six years ago. Imagine his power now."
I nod thoughtfully. The Nether Realm, situated in the Glacia Expanse beyond the Hades Gate... memories flood back of when my own father sent me there. Brutal and unforgiving, yet there's no better forge for shaping future rulers.
Azazel didn't face those trials alone. The heirs of our most prominent noble houses accompanied him: the proud Nevermore heir with his ancient bloodline, the cunning Asmodeus scion in his immaculate suit, the perpetually languid Belphegor youth, and the profit-obsessed Mammon descendant. Each family ensuring their next generation would be tempered by the Nether Realm's harsh lessons.
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For advance chapters, go check my p@treon.com/NewComer714.
บท 208: Return from the Nether Realm
(3rd Person POV)
Following Queen Lily's suggestion, King Luke ordered Perah to summon the kingdom's most talented young demons before his throne.
The throne room's atmosphere crackled with tension as the recent graduates from Morningstar's most prestigious universities knelt before their ruler, Luke Morningstar. Each of them could feel the weight of his gaze.
Perah stepped forward to introduce them. "Your Majesty, these young demons before you are the finest talents I could find in our kingdom. Each has achieved notable accomplishments in mechanics and technology. Their academic records show exceptional grades from their respective universities."
King Luke fixed them with a penetrating stare, gesturing toward the computer stationed nearby. "If these youngsters are truly as talented as claimed, I want them to create a device that equals this computer - no, one that completely surpasses what it has to offer!"
The young demons exchanged nervous glances. Perah turned to them sharply. "You heard His Majesty! The king challenges your abilities to develop our own device to rival the computer!"
Several demons swallowed hard, their eyes drawn to the computer. They'd been researching this device for days, marveling at its capabilities. Now their king demanded they create something superior? Many wanted to declare it impossible, but fear of royal displeasure kept them silent.
"What is the matter? Why are these youngsters so silent?" Luke's voice carried an edge of impatience.
Perah's face darkened. "Why do you remain silent? Do you dare refuse His Majesty's challenge?"
"We..." one of them stuttered, before they all answered in trembling unison, "We accept..."
Luke's frown deepened. "I sense these youngsters lack confidence in their abilities..."
As Perah moved to scold them, Luke raised his hand for silence. "I'll give you two days to study the computer. After that, tell me honestly - can you create something superior or not?"
One graduate finally mustered his courage. "Your Majesty, I actually own a computer myself. My friends and I at university have been researching it extensively, and... we've discovered it's far more complex than it appears. The technology is so advanced we've barely begun to comprehend it..."
Luke's frown deepened at this admission.
Another stepped forward. "I too own one, Your Majesty. I thought I could understand its workings within days, but now I realize... even months or years, perhaps decades, wouldn't be enough to fully grasp it."
"Even just copying its components seems nearly impossible..." a third added, voice trembling.
Perah's expression grew serious as one by one, the graduates confessed their struggles, not even waiting for the promised two days. Each admission tumbled out like a guilty confession.
"So you've all been studying these computers independently and concluded it's impossible to replicate, let alone improve upon?" Luke's frown intensified.
The young demons nodded in unison. Perah quickly interjected, "I could search for more talented graduates, Your Majesty—"
"No need," Luke cut him off with a sigh. "I trust you wouldn't bring incompetent graduates before me." He turned to the kneeling demons. "If what these youngsters say is true, then this computer is far more sophisticated than we imagined."
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the graduates from the throne room.
Perah approached the throne once more. "What shall we do now, Your Majesty? I've heard the computer is appearing in Thorne, Choson, and Japon. Given its capabilities, it's likely to become commonplace worldwide. It's revolutionizing both government operations and business efficiency."
"And computers will revolutionize warfare," Perah pressed urgently. "If neighboring kingdoms master and implement these devices, it poses a severe threat to our empire's security!"
Luke gritted his teeth, knowing the truth in Perah's words. "You're right..." His fist clenched. "Damn it."
Perah remained bowed, clearly hoping his king would swallow his pride and request Arthur's aid. But Luke merely straightened in his throne. "I'll decide our course later. For now, we must prepare for the crown prince's return."
Perah nodded, recognizing the dismissal.
***
The Glacia Expanse stretched endlessly, a frozen wasteland where even the hardiest creatures feared to tread.
Behind its towering wall of ice loomed the Hades Gate - an ancient structure of black stone that seemed to drink in what little light reached this desolate place.
Carved with eldritch runes that pulsed with sickly light, the gate radiated an aura of otherworldly dread.
As it opened slightly, tendrils of supernatural cold slipped through the crack, bringing with them whispers of nameless horrors from the Nether Realm.
Yet even this narrow opening was sufficient for the returning parties to emerge.
Groups of elves, humans, dwarves, and demons filed through, each accompanied by mages whose staffs glowed with warming magic to ward off the killing cold.
Their national flags snapped in the bitter wind - the eagles of the United States of Empirica, the sun sigil of Apollo Kingdom, the crescent of the Lunar Kingdom, the blooming standard of Roses Kingdom, and the dragon banner of Wales Kingdom among many others.
Among them waved the flag of the Morningstar Kingdom, carried by a behemoth demon.
Behind him came the royal escort - eight warriors in matching blood-red plate armor bearing enchanted weapons, flanked by three sorceresses whose crystal-tipped staves maintained a sphere of warmth around their charges.
Within this protective formation walked five young demons of obvious noble bearing, despite their current state.
Their once-fine clothes hung in tatters, their armor showed deep gouges and scorch marks, and even their proud faces bore new scars.
At the gathering's fore, elders from each race prepared to activate the rare World Spire Portal - a gateway that could only be opened during specific celestial alignments.
The heirs watched as their mounts arrived - magnificent griffins for the U.S.E elites, elegant pegasi for the elves, sturdy wyverns for the demons, and a majestic hippogriff for the Wales Kingdom heir.
The Morningstar heirs mounted their wyverns, preparing to enter the portal. The air crackled with energy as the elders began their incantation.
Golden light spiraled upward, forming a towering vortex that rippled with prismatic energy. Excited chatter filled the air as groups began their entrance.
Agustin Asmodeus guided his wyvern beside Azazel's. "Six years... feels like an eternity since we left home."
"The Nether Realm showed no mercy," Azazel nodded. "My siblings will want to hear every story."
"Even dealing with the Bloodseekers was hell," young Morpheus Belphegor added, referring to the massive insectoids that plagued their nights. "Those swarms would overrun entire camps."
"The nightly waves were relentless," another heir shuddered. "Unbelievable we survived that..."
Each heir received their destination crystal - enchanted cards that would guide them through the portal's pathways. Azazel tucked his safely away before they took flight.
They soared into the vortex, entering a network of shimmering channels that pulsed with ethereal light. These mystical pathways twisted through reality itself, carrying them across vast distances in moments.
They emerged into Morningstar Kingdom's bright blue skies, the fresh air a welcome change from the Nether Realm's oppressive atmosphere.
"Home at last!" Agustin breathed deeply. "I'll take my leave here, Your Highness. Until we meet again!"
Azazel watched his companions depart with their escorts, leaving him with just one sorceress and two guards for the flight to the castle.
As they soared, he pulled a mechanical puzzle box from his pocket - an intricate device of gears and sliding panels from the Nether Realm. "Arthur might appreciate this," he smiled, thinking of the gifts he'd gathered for each sibling. The puzzle box seemed perfect for his nerd brother.
Although he never displayed any affection for his nerdy brother, it became undeniable that his time in the Nether Realm had taught him to value life and family more deeply.
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For advanced chapters, go check my p@treon.com/NewComer714.
AN: Apologies for the delayed update—things have been hectic recently. The house still isn't finished, though construction has begun. Progress is slow, but I'm grateful that my family and I are safe. Your continued support means so much to me, and it's one of the things I'm most thankful for. It may take time to recover everything I've lost, but I truly appreciate just being alive. I could have been trapped in that house with no way out.
My message to all of you is this: no matter how tough life gets, always find something to be grateful for and appreciate the goodness in your life. These hard times have taught me something invaluable: To Be Alive Is To Live A Life.
Do something you love—just, you know, nothing illegal (haha). Follow your passions and chase your dreams, because only in those moments do we truly feel "alive."
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