บท 89: Lucy's blunder
(Lance Ashford POV)
The higher-ups had sent me, a champion of the Solarus faith, to this lowly demon auction. My task: determine if the ring on offer was the one our church sought.
Cardinal Virtue's words still rang in my ears: "Verify if it's the Ancient Ring we're after. If not, track down the seller. Even if it's not our ring, its origin might lead us to the real thing. Interrogate the seller, then... offer him to the Lord."
Those orders weighed on me as I watched the proceedings. The robed bishop beside me scrutinized the ring on stage. "Is it the one?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
The bishop glanced between the ring and an ancient tome in his hands. After muttering an {Appraisal} spell, he shook his head. "No, Champion Lance. It's just a common spatial ring from bygone days."
I nodded, my jaw tightening. "I see."
"If it's not what we seek, we should locate the seller," the bishop mused. "The host mentioned he's a pirate." A hint of disdain crept into his voice. "A sinner in need of cleansing, wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed," I concurred, my mind already plotting our next move.
***
(3rd Person POV)
The Solarus representatives weren't the only ones to quickly realize the ring wasn't the "Ancient Ring" they sought. The Fallen Stars, loyal only to Demon King Luke Morningstar, also recognized it as a mere spatial ring.
"Waste of time. We're out," muttered a robed Fallen Star. Without another word, their group vacated their VIP room.
The gorilla-masked individual from the Moon Goddess faith, under orders from the Lunar Queen, followed suit. Even the dwarven representatives of the Forgefather faith slipped away quietly.
Yet the cult members, less discerning, remained. Their excited voices filled the air as they vied for the spatial ring.
"Two hundred thousand dollars!" one shouted.
"Two hundred and fifty!" countered another.
Lucy's voice cut through, "Two sixty!"
In VIP room number 8, Arthur watched the bidding war with bemused detachment.
"Not joining in, boss?" George asked, his arms laden with the ancient dwarven artifacts he'd won.
Arthur snorted. "Hundreds of thousands for that ring? No thanks. If it had the same power as the ones in 'Lord of the Rings,' that pirate would've used it himself long ago, don't you think?"
George, Firfel, and Shafel mulled it over, nodding in agreement. "Your right."
"Just common sense," Arthur continued, a hint of disdain in his voice. "These bidders are swallowing every word hook, line, and sinker."
"If it's so obvious," George prodded, "why'd you come to the auction for it?"
Arthur paused. "Curiosity, I guess." But internally, he knew the ring wasn't from "Lord of the Rings." It matched the description of a spatial ring he'd once read about in an ancient text.
Still, he mused, a ring that could store items was magical in its own right. Just not the earth-shattering power some seemed to expect.
Arthur and his group slipped out of the auction house unnoticed, the crowd's attention fixed firmly on the magical ring. Even the presence of popular "Lord of the Rings" actors like George, Firfel, and Shafel, not to mention the infamous ex-prince Arthur himself, went unremarked.
The bidding war raged on, culminating in Lucy's victory at a staggering 500 thousand dollars.
As Lucy claimed her prize, Apollonia leaned in, whispering, "Sis, was it really worth spending that much on a ring?"
Lucy scoffed. "Of course," she said, eyeing the ring greedily. "This will definitely boost my power."
She slipped it on, excitement evident in her eyes. Apollonia's classmates watched intently, half-expecting Lucy to suddenly manifest the legendary powers of ancient demons and transform into the Demon Queen right before their eyes.
Lucy channeled her magical power into the ring, anticipation building... only to feel nothing. No surge of power, no earth-shattering abilities. Instead, her mind filled with unexpected information: a spatial storage of 0.25 cubic meters.
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She'd been duped.
Lucy's expression turned glacial, startling Apollonia's classmates.
"Did... did Her Highness just inherit the ring's power?" one of them ventured nervously.
Before anyone could speculate further, Lucy snapped. "Leave me alone. Now!"
Their eyes widened in shock. Lucy's composure rarely cracked; she was known for her calm intelligence and beauty. They scurried away without another word.
Once alone, Lucy's frustration boiled over. "I can't believe I just blew five hundred thousand dollars on this worthless trinket!" she hissed.
If it had been a spatial ring with significant storage, she might have swallowed her pride. But 0.25 cubic meters? It was practically useless.
As she clenched her fists, thoughts of revenge against the ring's seller swirled in her mind.
***
What Lucy didn't know was that the seller was already regretting his decision to sell the ring. The pirate was on the run, constantly looking over his shoulder.
Just as he reached his hideout, a tap on his shoulder made him freeze.
"Where are you off to? I thought we might have a chat," a young voice said.
The pirate turned to face a handsome young man. Normally, he'd have scoffed at such a pretty boy, but the iron grip on his shoulder made him wince in pain.
"Let... let go of me," he stammered.
The young man's smile never faltered. "Why so nervous? We're here to help. It's quite an honor to offer yourself to Lord Solarus, after all."
Gritting his teeth, the pirate reached for his revolver. Before he could pull the trigger, the young man snapped his wrist, sending the gun clattering to the ground.
"Who- who are you?" the pirate gasped. "I've never heard of Solarus worshippers being this cruel!"
Lance Ashford's smile widened. "You don't need to know that. Just understand that you're very fortunate."
Terror gripped the pirate. "L-look, I worship Solarus too! Please, let me go!"
"Oh, you do? Wonderful. Then you'll be even more grateful for this opportunity." Lance muttered a spell, and the pirate crumpled unconscious.
The bishop stepped out from the shadows. "We need to move, Champion Lance. Our authority in these demon lands is limited."
"I know." Lance hoisted the pirate over his shoulder.
A bus pulled up nearby, as if on cue. Lance and the bishop boarded the empty vehicle, and it drove off without a word.
***
Hours after Lucy's ring purchase, the royal family gathered for dinner. Luke glared at his daughter, his voice laced with disappointment. "I thought you were exceptional, but you're no different from a fool!"
He jabbed a finger in her direction. "Five hundred thousand dollars on a useless ring? Were you even thinking?"
Lucy bowed her head, cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Forgive me, Father. It won't happen again."
The demon queen, Luke's wife, attempted to intervene. "Let it go, Your Majesty. It's just five hundred thousand. She can earn that back quickly."
Luke's eyes turned cold. "Earn it back quickly? Ha!" He snorted. "If not for that lucky exiled son and his films, she wouldn't see that kind of money."
Lucy's face reddened further at the mention of Arthur.
"Think carefully about your spending," Luke warned, "or you might find yourself exiled too."
***
The next day at Hellfire Studio, Arthur and his crew kicked off auditions for their next project. News of "Hellfire Studio auditions for next film project" had aspiring actors lining up in droves.
In the wake of "Lord of the Rings," Hellfire Studio was undeniably on the rise.
But success, as Arthur well knew, rarely came without its share of hurdles.
While Hellfire's ascent seemed unstoppable, the media was abuzz with counter-moves from the industry giants. Titan Pictures and other major studios had just dropped bombshells of their own, announcing ambitious projects aimed at not just matching, but surpassing "Lord of the Rings."
The pushback didn't stop there. Famous singers and bands, signed to labels under these entertainment behemoths, were now actively discouraging their fans from supporting Hellfire Studio.
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บท 90: Blondie
(Arthur POV)
It's been two days since I started auditions, but I'm still searching for actors to play Blondie, Angel Eyes, and Tuco.
I'm aiming to cast a half-demon, half-human as Blondie to make the story more believable. While I bought "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" from the System's Entertainment Shop, I've been adapting the script to fit this world's history.
There's actual record of demons working as bounty hunters in Empirica's past, though most were half-human, half-demon rather than pure demons.
For Angel Eyes, the outlaw, I'm looking to cast an elf. Despite elves' reputation for being peaceful, many rebelled and migrated to Empirica when it was still developing, especially on the west coast.
During Empirica's Frontier Age, many elves reportedly became outlaws.
It makes sense for an elf outlaw to play the "bad" character.
As for the "ugly" bandit, I plan to cast a dwarf.
This time, I won't be acting in the film. With my new {Cinematic Vision} ability, I want to focus solely on directing.
So far, no luck finding anyone suitable for the lead roles. Then, in struts Damien Darkflame—sauntering into the audition studio like he owns the place, demanding to be cast as the lead.
"Hold up," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. "If you want the lead, you'll need to audition like everyone else. That means getting in line."
Damien's face contorted with indignation. "Are you out of your mind?" He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "I'm Damien Darkflame! A demon superstar! I'm doing your little movie a favor by even considering it, and you have the gall to reject me?"
I stared at him, momentarily lost for words. Beside me, Klein and the others shifted uncomfortably.
Klein leaned in, whispering urgently, "Boss, what do we do? Damien's still a big name in the industry. An A-lister."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "A-list in the demon realm, maybe." I shook my head. "Firfel, Shafel, even Imkrag have already left him in the dust—not just here, but globally."
Klein fell silent, digesting this.
Damien, growing impatient, pressed on. "Well? What's it gonna be? I don't have all day to waste on this. Am I in or not?"
I met his gaze, my expression hardening. "No," I said firmly. "Back of the line. Everyone gets a fair shot here. Being... well, you, doesn't buy you any special treatment."
Damien's face flushed with anger as he continued to argue. I'd had enough. With a subtle nod, I signaled the fiend demon security to escort him out.
As Damien was led away, still protesting, I turned back to the waiting hopefuls. "Right, let's get this audition back on track."
***
(3rd Person POV)
{Morningstar, Soul City}
At the Snake Agency office, an imp demon regarded the actor before him with indifference. "I'm sorry, but I really can't find a role for you, Clint."
Clint, a half-human, half-demon, looked worse for wear. His appearance spoke volumes - sleepless nights and missed meals evident in his haggard face.
"You're my agent, Ralph... Can't you find something for me? I'm really struggling here. Haven't eaten in days." Clint's voice was thin and weary, his exhaustion palpable.
Ralph shrugged, unmoved. "Sorry, Clint. Not much I can do. Why don't you look for other jobs while waiting for your big break?" His tone was flat, devoid of sympathy.
Clint sighed heavily. "I can't... I've been job hunting for weeks. The few who hired me paid peanuts. It's not enough to live on..."
"I really can't do anything for you, Clint," Ralph repeated, shrugging again. "You've gotta hang in there and keep looking."
After a moment of silence, Clint perked up. "Wait - what about that project you mentioned? The exiled prince's new film?"
Ralph grabbed a nearby newspaper. "Oh, this?" He snorted. "I don't think you stand a chance there, Clint."
He pointed at the headline. "Look, even Damien Darkflame got the cold shoulder from the ex-prince. Damien lined up to audition and was rejected outright!"
Clint fell silent, eyes scanning the headline and grainy photos.
"You don't have any luck there," Ralph shook his head, lighting a cigarette. "No way Arthur would be interested in you."
Clint knew Ralph was probably right. But after leaving Snake Agency, he set off for Ferland City anyway.
Ralph might be right, but Clint figured taking a chance beat waiting for a big break that would likely never come.
He was well aware that Snake Agency and Ralph were stringing him along, dangling false hope. Two months of waiting, and not even a minor role had come his way through them.
***
(Arthur POV)
The audition's been running for a week now. I've managed to cast an elf named Levi Hayes for the outlaw, and for "the ugly," I picked a dwarf who's just the right mix of scary and, well, ugly.
My {Cinematic Vision} skill's been a godsend in spotting the right actors for each role.
But "Blondie"? That's been a tough nut to crack. A few caught my eye, but {Cinematic Vision} told me they just wouldn't cut it in the role.
I was starting to think I'd have to play Blondie myself when this actor shows up to audition.
Clint Foster, he calls himself.
Funny thing is, Clint's got a bit of a young Clint Eastwood look about him - same hair, eyes, and nose. But looks aren't everything. What matters is if he can pull off the role.
I can see the hunger in his eyes, the desperation in his demeanor. Guy's clearly been through the wringer.
"Action," I call out.
Clint starts his scene, and I watch with interest. As the audition wraps up, I find myself nodding in approval.
My {Cinematic Vision} kicked in, showing me flashes of Clint in various scenes, nailing the role. After a moment's consideration, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the arm of my chair, I made my decision. This Clint guy was our Blondie.
***
(3rd Person POV)
Clint watched Arthur's expression, his heart in his throat. The silence from Arthur and the casting crew felt deafening.
He needed this role. Desperately.
"Did... Did I do okay?" Clint's voice came out as a hoarse whisper.
Arthur's smile caught everyone off guard. "Looks like we've found our lead," he announced, surprising not just Clint, but everyone at the audition, including the actors still waiting in line.
***
Arthur's film project had been under intense scrutiny from the start. The media had been circling like vultures, especially after the incident with Damien Darkflame.
They'd had a field day reporting on how the famous actor had been escorted out, forced to line up, only to be rejected.
So when news broke that some unknown actor had snagged the role Damien had coveted, the media pounced. Headlines screamed across papers and news sites: "Unknown Face Steals Role from Damien Darkflame!"
When Damien caught wind of this, his reaction was explosive. In a fit of rage, he hurled a fireball at his agency's table and tossed a chair at his hapless manager.
Naturally, Damien's meltdown became its own scandal, plastered across the media, further tarnishing his already bruised reputation.
***
(Clint Foster POV)
I'm still reeling. Me, landing the lead role of "Blondie"? It's surreal.
My agent's words echo in my head: "You don't have any luck there. No way Arthur would be interested in you." Yet here I am, having done the so-called impossible.
And as if that wasn't enough, ex-prince Arthur drops another bombshell. He's offering me a contract with his "Hellfire Agency."
"Clint Foster," he says, eyeing me thoughtfully. "Your profile says you're with Snake Agency..." He pauses, then adds, "How about joining my agency instead? I'll offer you an upfront payment of forty thousand dollars."
I nearly choke on my drink. Forty... Forty fucking thousand dollars?!
Without missing a beat, I blurt out, "I'm in!" The enthusiasm in my voice surprises even me.
It's a no-brainer, really. My current agency, my agent? They couldn't care less about me. So why not go with an agency that's willing to put forty grand on the table?
This feels like a dream. But if it is, I sure as hell don't want to wake up.
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