บท 206: Ghosts hunt
(3rd Person POV)
Across Horn Kingdom, viewers chuckled at their televisions as Arthur and Rocky traded playful jabs.
"I'm just grateful Don Vito is still alive and well enough to be strong-armed into hosting this little program I dreamed up," Arthur quipped, drawing laughs from home audiences.
"This is actually pretty entertaining," a lone demon mused in his apartment, surprised by how much he was enjoying the late-night format.
The banter between Arthur and Rocky proved so engaging that viewers nearly forgot why they'd stayed up so late - until Rocky finally steered the conversation to the pressing matter at hand.
"Alright, enough fooling around," Rocky said, straightening in his chair. "Let's address why this episode exists - you're here to prove you actually have ghost workers, aren't you?"
Arthur nodded. "Exactly. Child's Play has been incredibly successful in demon realms, but controversy has followed. Media outlets are claiming we achieved this through illegal means - hiring voodoo mentors, performing forbidden spells on the doll. I want to set the record straight."
"Those voodoo spells are no small matter," Rocky added gravely. "They're banned worldwide for good reason. No kingdom would tolerate their use."
"Which is precisely why we'd never employ them," Arthur replied with a confident smile. "The voodoo magic shown in the film was purely fictional. The doll's realistic movement came from our ghost employees."
Rocky leaned forward. "I can actually vouch for these ghost workers. I've seen them in action around the studio - working as cameramen, even appearing in Harry Potter."
"That's right," Arthur confirmed. "They've been vital to Hellfire's productions for years now. They helped create Harry Potter's magical effects and have been involved in countless other projects. Yet people still find it hard to believe we employ ghosts."
Rocky turned to Arthur with a grin. "Why don't we meet these ghost workers of yours?"
"Excellent idea," Arthur agreed. "Please welcome Diddy, Puffy, and Daddy!"
The studio audience clapped on cue, though their applause carried an undercurrent of skepticism. Like most people, they doubted ghosts would willingly work for any company. Their doubt vanished into gasps of amazement as three translucent figures floated onto the set. "They're real ghosts!" someone exclaimed from the audience.
Across Horn Kingdom, viewers leaned closer to their screens as the spectral forms materialized beside Arthur and Rocky.
"Welcome, welcome, you three," Rocky greeted warmly.
The ghosts seemed almost shy about appearing visible before such a large audience. "Hey, nice to be here," Diddy managed.
"How does it feel to be our first late-night guests?" Rocky chuckled.
Daddy glanced around the set uncertainly. "We feel... alright..."
As Rocky guided the conversation between Arthur and the ghosts, viewers watched in fascination. Finally, he asked the question everyone wanted answered: "So you three controlled Chucky in the film?"
"Yes, we took turns possessing the doll," Diddy explained.
"Actually," Arthur interjected, "each of them had their own doll - complete with artificial organs and blood. We only damaged one for the film."
Rocky leaned forward with interest. "So that's why Chucky was bleeding at the end? The doll actually had internal components?"
"Exactly," Arthur nodded. "In creating the film, I wanted to be faithful to ancient voodoo lore. According to those texts, when a voodoo master transfers their soul into a vessel like a doll, their forbidden magic gradually generates actual organs and blood inside it. This process allows them to truly inhabit and control their new form."
He paused thoughtfully before continuing. "That's why Chucky barely moves at first - his soul is trapped in an empty doll. But as the forbidden magic works, it creates the internal structures he needs. Once he has functioning organs and blood, he gains full mobility. We incorporated this detail to explain his growing strength throughout the film."
Surprised gasps rippled through both the studio audience and homes across the kingdom - such detailed voodoo lore was new to most viewers.
The show's engaging rhythm kept audiences glued to their screens. What had started as mere curiosity about Arthur's ghost worker claims had evolved into genuinely entertaining television. Viewers who'd planned to switch off after seeing proof of the ghosts found themselves unable to look away.
The stakes rose when the ghosts demonstrated their abilities live on set, possessing a Chucky doll before the cameras. Studio audience gasps echoed through the broadcast.
Even the most skeptical critics couldn't deny what they were seeing. "So it was true..." muttered one prominent reviewer in his home study, watching the ghosts manipulate the doll with uncanny precision. This live demonstration effectively silenced any remaining doubts about Arthur's claims.
As fascinating as the demonstration was, viewers found themselves increasingly curious about how Arthur had managed to recruit such talented spirits. The question remained unasked until Rocky steered the conversation in an unexpected direction.
"Diddy, Puffy, Daddy - you've obviously been invaluable to Arthur's productions, especially this horror film," Rocky noted. "What kind of payment does he offer?"
The ghosts exchanged glances before Diddy answered, "We don't get paid."
"Boss Arthur feeds us magical energy - that's all we need," Puffy added.
Daddy nodded in agreement. "We're happy just working for boss Arthur."
This revelation caught the attention of business owners and studio heads watching from home. Their eyes lit up at the prospect - capable workers requiring no salary, just magical energy? It seemed too good to be true.
***
The morning after "Tonight Show with Rocky Montclair" aired, its impact rippled through Horn Kingdom. Media outlets plastered the story across newspaper headlines and news segments, the revelation about Arthur's ghost employees spreading rapidly to neighboring kingdoms.
The entertainment industry reeled from the implications. Journalists began revisiting scenes from Harry Potter, now understanding that actual ghosts had performed those spectral appearances. But what truly captured the attention of business owners, studio heads, and investors wasn't the ghosts' performances - it was Arthur's revelation about their payment.
The fact that these capable workers required only magical energy instead of salaries overshadowed even Child's Play's continuing box office success. Studios across demon realms launched aggressive ghost recruitment campaigns, hiring Solarus priests and exorcists to track down potential spectral employees.
Peaceful ghosts who'd previously enjoyed relatively quiet existences now found themselves fleeing from determined hunters. The pursuit spread across kingdoms, growing more intense by the day.
~A Week Later~
In a bustling city within Bharat Kingdom, a ghost tried desperately to remain invisible. However, the exorcists' "Ajna Chakra" technique revealed his presence instantly.
"Stop this nonsense, goddamnit!" the ghost shouted, finding himself surrounded.
The sadhu leading the group raised his hands peacefully. "We simply wish to hire you. No harm will come to you."
"Indeed," another added. "Hindi Entertainment Studio only wants your services. It's a simple arrangement."
Trapped and facing possible banishment, the ghost saw little choice. "Alright," he conceded reluctantly.
Similar scenes played out worldwide as studios scrambled to build their own spectral workforce, never stopping to consider why Arthur's ghosts showed such unique loyalty.
Studios quickly discovered the harsh reality of ghost employment. Their spectral workers needed either weeks or even months of rest to accumulate enough Nether energy for basic tasks, or required someone with the rare ability to touch and directly transfer magical energy to them.
Finding individuals who could physically interact with ghosts proved nearly impossible. The alternatives were equally challenging - rare artifacts capable of recharging spirits cost fortunes. The studios could try finding exceptional ghosts like Arthur's crew, those rare spirits with possession abilities who could sustain their energy far longer than ordinary ghosts. However, such entities were exceedingly rare and believed to have vanished entirely in the modern age. Arthur was fortunate to have these remarkable ghosts, capable of possessing objects and more, at his disposal.
The studios' initial enthusiasm dampened as they faced these practical challenges. A new question began circulating through the industry: 'How does Arthur manage to feed his ghost workers?' Most assumed he possessed some ancient artifact, but the mystery only highlighted how unprepared other studios were for spectral employees.
Now these studios scrambled to find energy solutions for their newly recruited ghosts, or risk losing their supernatural workforce entirely.
***
While the entertainment industry grappled with ghost employment issues, Hellfire Electronics launched its computer expansion beyond Horn Kingdom, targeting the massive Morningstar Kingdom market first.
Thanks to television, newspapers, and radio coverage, the computer's reputation for transforming Horn Kingdom's business landscape had spread far and wide. However, threatened corporations in Morningstar Kingdom mounted aggressive resistance.
Major retail chains and shopping centers refused to stock computers, bowing to pressure from these powerful companies. Unlike in Horn Kingdom, where Arthur's influence ran deep, his reach in Morningstar Kingdom remained limited. He could only promote his innovation through media channels.
Distribution remained restricted to a handful of Morningstar cities, with only brave independent retailers and official Hellfire stores willing to sell the devices. Still, even this limited presence marked the beginning of the computer's expansion beyond Horn Kingdom's borders.
Even Luke Morningstar, the demon king himself, couldn't ignore the computer's impact. In a private chamber of the royal palace, Economic Minister Perah presented the device to his monarch.
"This is the innovation transforming Horn Kingdom's economy, Your Majesty," Perah explained, gesturing to the computer on the ornate desk.
Luke studied the machine with measured interest. "Reports claim it's making government and corporate operations more efficient and cost-effective. Is this true?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Perah confirmed. "The device handles multiple tasks simultaneously. And this," he indicated the black and white pattern, "is the 'barcode' system. It's revolutionizing commerce by eliminating human error in transactions."
"Ah, yes," Luke's eyes narrowed. "The barcode interests me more than the computer itself. Even Dwalric Corporation offered billions for its rights."
"Correct, Your Majesty, though the barcode requires computers to function," Perah explained, then hesitated before adding, "Perhaps... your Majesty might consider speaking with the exiled prince? As your youngest son, surely he would provide our empire with these devices without cost..."
The moment the words left his mouth, the chamber's atmosphere turned lethal.
Luke's eyes grew cold as winter frost, fixing Perah with a stare that made the minister's soul shrivel. In that terrible silence, Perah realized he'd committed the gravest of errors - mentioning not only Arthur's exile, but presuming upon a family connection the king had publicly severed.
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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