บท 110: The Computer
(3rd Person POV)
Mack Eagle's eyes were wide with disbelief. "You guys were serious?" he asked, his voice a mix of skepticism and awe. "Is this really the invention of that infamous prince?"
The idea that the exiled prince, renowned in the film industry, was now venturing into the tech world seemed almost too fantastical to believe.
"Yes," Josh replied, his voice brimming with admiration. "Without boss Arthur, this computer wouldn't have been possible!"
Drake nodded enthusiastically, adding, "Boss Arthur is a genius among demons!"
Mack nodded along, though doubt still lingered in his eyes. Seeking to understand more, he probed further, "So this computer has a spell library - and it can conjure spells?"
Drake's confidence grew as he delved into familiar territory. "Yes, but it's limited to illusion or weak spells," he explained. "Any powerful spells would be too much for it to handle."
Josh chimed in, eager to elaborate. "This computer was primarily designed to enhance boss Arthur's filmmaking. It can link to the VFX Studio and control it efficiently, making the illusions in the studio more seamless!"
Understanding began to dawn on Mack's face. "So this computer is primarily for filmmaking purposes?"
Drake and Josh nodded in unison, but Drake added with a hint of excitement, "That's the core function - but it seems our boss has bigger plans for this technology."
Josh jumped in, "Our computer can solve mathematical problems with ease. While it can't handle overly complex calculations yet, it's far more efficient than manual counting."
Mack's journalistic instincts kicked in as he saw potential applications. "Oh? This computer could be useful for elections too, then? It could count votes more easily?"
"Yes, something like that," Josh confirmed with a nod.
As Drake and Josh conversed animatedly with Mack, George found himself fading into the background. He watched his teammates, surprisingly adept at handling the journalist's questions, and couldn't help but wonder, 'Am I useful here?'
He observed Drake and Josh, once shy and reserved, now confidently explaining complex technology to a curious journalist.
As Mack continued to probe the capabilities of the computer, his initial skepticism gave way to astonishment. What he had first dismissed as merely a television with a fancy typewriter was revealing itself to be a technological marvel capable of far more than he had imagined.
His pen flew across his notebook, jotting down details about the computer. The fact that this invention came from the infamous prince Arthur Morningstar added an extra layer of intrigue. Mack could already envision the attention his article would attract, linking the world of cutting-edge technology with the already famous filmmaker.
Eager to see the computer in action, Mack asked, "Can you do a demo of the computer conjuring an illusion spell?"
"Of course," Drake replied confidently, nodding to Josh.
Mack watched intently as Josh's fingers danced across the keyboard. Letters appeared on the monitor in real-time, mirroring Josh's typing. It struck Mack that the computer was indeed like a typewriter, but instead of imprinting on paper, the words materialized on the screen.
The text on the monitor, however, was a mystery to Mack. Complex strings of characters scrolled by, their meaning beyond his comprehension. When Josh finally stopped typing and hit the 'enter' button, Mack held his breath in anticipation.
Suddenly, a massive fireball erupted from the computer screen, hurtling directly towards Mack. His eyes widened in terror.
"No!" he cried out, instinctively covering his head and bracing for impact. In that split second, Mack could almost feel the heat of the flames, his mind already conjuring images of being scorched to ash.
But when he cautiously opened his eyes, he found himself unharmed. The fireball had passed right through him, continuing its path towards a nearby stall. Dwarves at the neighboring booth scrambled away in panic, only for the fireball to pass harmlessly through their display as well.
Laughter erupted from Drake, Josh, and George. Mack, his heart still racing, looked at them in confusion. "Wha-what was that..."
Drake, still chuckling, explained, "It was an illusion spell!"
Josh added with a grin, "Our computer couldn't conjure such a huge fireball!"
"Damn," Mack muttered, a mix of relief and embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
As his pulse slowly returned to normal, Mack couldn't help but be impressed. The illusion had been so convincing, so vivid, that he had truly believed he was in danger.
"Who... Who did that!?" The dwarves at the neighboring stall, faces flushed with embarrassment, whirled towards Drake and the others. Their outburst caught the attention of nearby onlookers, who began drifting towards the Hellfire booth.
Drake, Josh, and George stumbled through apologies, expecting a tirade. But as they explained the source of the illusion, the dwarves' anger morphed into astonishment.
"That tiny thing summoned that spell?" one dwarf asked, eyeing the computer skeptically.
Before long, it wasn't just Mack clustered around their booth. A growing crowd of curious expo-goers pressed in, hungry for a glimpse of this so called "computer".
***
The next day, Mack's article about the Electronics Expo hit the stands. While he praised various innovations, two details about the Hellfire prototype "computer" set tongues wagging:
It could conjure illusion and weak spells.
The device was the brainchild of the infamous ex-prince, Arthur Morningstar.
The impact was immediate. The once-quiet newcomer section saw a surge in foot traffic. It still couldn't match the prominent section, but the improvement from yesterday was stark.
They came in droves, all clamoring to see the "computer" with their own eyes. A few investors, scenting opportunity, approached George about potential partnerships.
His response never varied: "I don't have a say on this. Maybe you could go to Horn Kingdom and talk to my boss Arthur."
George wasn't idle, though. He began scouting talented dwarves who showed particular interest in computer development, extending invitations to join them in Horn Kingdom.
By the third day, word of the "computer" had spread like wildfire. The newcomer section now rivaled the prominent area in buzz and excitement.
Even industry titans like Billy Dark couldn't ignore the chatter. The famous inventor found his attention drawn to this upstart technology that was stealing some of his thunder.
When Billy Dark finally deigned to see the computer for himself, his reaction was far from the awe many expected. He grudgingly admitted it seemed impressive, but it fell short of his lofty expectations. What particularly irked him was the need for coding to perform even simple spells.
His disdain was palpable during an interview with tech journalists. When asked, "Mr. Dark, there's a dark horse at this expo called the Computer. It's the invention of the exiled prince and is claimed to be revolutionary technology. What are your thoughts about it?"
Billy's lip curled into a sneer. "Revolutionary technology? Hardly. I'll grant that it could aid in calculations and filmmaking, but revolutionary? A truly revolutionary product is one that's easily produced and used by the masses."
He leaned forward, his voice dripping with derision. "This computer? It's neither easy to produce nor simple to use. If you can't speak its so-called 'computer language', you're out of luck. How is that revolutionary for the average person?"
His words, though harsh, carried a kernel of truth. The computer, in its current state, wasn't exactly user-friendly for the layperson. Its manufacturing process was complex, too.
But Billy's criticism wasn't purely about the product's merits. As a shrewd businessman, he saw little value in products that couldn't be easily mass-produced or widely adopted. In his eyes, developing such niche items was a waste of resources and effort.
Yet, not everyone shared Billy's pessimistic view. Other businessmen, both peers of Dark and up-and-comers, were already scheming ways to acquire licensing rights from Arthur or invest in the technology. They saw potential where Billy saw problems.
Some envisioned the computer as a potential weapon, capable of conjuring forbidden spells. Others recognized its value for complex calculations. A few forward-thinkers even imagined computers automating tasks in their factories.
These visionaries, perhaps more perceptive than Billy, could see the far-reaching implications of the "computer". They understood that sometimes, true innovation isn't immediately accessible to all, but that doesn't diminish its potential to reshape the world.
บท 111: Starting and... Ending...
(Arthur POV)
The "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" auditions wrapped up. Vivienne snagged the role of Yu Shu Lien, and she's over the moon about it.
Shafel's playing Jen Yu, while the antagonist Jade Fox goes to January, a forty-year-old actress. January's thrilled - this could be her big break.
Lee Jun-fan's taking on Li Mu Bai, and Damien Darkflame's set to play the bandit Lo.
We're at this old demon mansion we rented in Dragon Walled City. The crew's busy setting up, and Lee Jun-fan's looking jittery as hell.
"You alright there, Jun-fan?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, yeah," he nodded, not too convincingly. "Just a bit nervous."
"That's normal, especially for a newbie," I said, aiming to calm him down. "Just relax and focus on your role. Don't overthink it."
"Got it, boss Arthur," Jun-fan bowed, all formal-like.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Boss?"
"Is he wrong, boss?" Vivienne chimed in, appearing out of nowhere.
I just shook my head, smiling.
Vivienne turned to Jun-fan. "Look, rookie, I get it. But like boss Arthur said, you gotta relax."
Jun-fan nodded. "Yeah, I'm just... it's a lot. Never thought I'd land a lead in a martial arts film. It's been my dream, you know?"
"Alright, kid," Vivienne said, "save the emotions for the camera. We've got a movie to make, and we can't have you distracting the boss with waterworks."
"Right, sorry," Jun-fan chuckled, looking a bit sheepish.
"Jun-fan, eat this first. It'll get you in shape before filming starts." A woman appeared, holding out some food.
Jun-fan introduced her, "This is Linda. My girlfriend."
"I see..." I nodded, but Vivienne couldn't resist teasing, "Is someone getting jealous here?"
Her words were clearly aimed at me. I rolled my eyes and slapped her butt, "Get to work!"
Vivienne's eyes widened, "Wow, didn't expect you to touch me like that!"
"It's not what you think!" I protested, but noticing Vivienne's mischievous grin, I just waved her off to work.
She shrugged and headed to the makeup artists.
Thirty minutes later, filming began. Jun-fan was really nervous at first. We had to reshoot a few times before he settled in and started acting well.
His performance improved, partly due to my use of {Heartstrings} in some shots, and partly because of Linda silently cheering him on.
Days passed like this - we filmed scenes in various parts of the Horn Kingdom.
Since we were filming in public and the project wasn't a secret, the Horn media quickly caught wind of it.
I read the newspaper headline: "Arthur's New Twist: Director Leaps into Martial Arts Film"
"Looks like your film's stirring up buzz again," a familiar voice said. I turned to see old Rocky.
"Old Rocky..." I nodded. He'd settled well in the Horn Kingdom, though I'd begun to suspect there was more to him than met the eye.
Since gaining the {Primal Morningstar} bloodline ability, I'd noticed Rocky's knack for appearing undetected. Even with my new powers, this old demon's stealth skills were impressive. He'd pop up like some demon Batman.
***
(3rd Person POV)
As weeks passed, speculation about Arthur's fourth film ran wild in the media. But unlike before, they weren't just slinging mud.
Horn media outlets had learned their lesson after the "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" fiasco. Instead of pre-judging, they speculated on how Arthur might revive or ruin the martial arts genre.
One headline read: "Morningstar's Martial Arts Gamble: Renaissance or Ruins for the Genre?"
Walter Forest, a respected industry expert, wrote in the Powerful Times: "Arthur's track record speaks for itself. But after 'Demonfather' and 'Lord of the Rings', his third film didn't quite hit the same heights. It's hard to predict if he'll deliver a groundbreaking martial arts film or if the pressure's finally caught up with him. Producing three films in under a year is no small feat – some stumbles are inevitable."
Meanwhile in the Morningstar Kingdom, media outlets were also buzzing about Arthur's fourth film. What really caught them off guard was Damien Darkflame taking a side role in the ex-prince's latest project.
A monkey demon, reading the newspaper, shook his head. "Damien Darkflame's career must be tanking if he's settling for a side character in the ex-prince's film."
His friend, a half-elf half-demon, disagreed. "Nah, Damien's always doing fine. Maybe he just wants in on Arthur's film. The guy's made three solid hits. He's a credit to us demons!"
"You've got a point," the monkey demon admitted, then added with a sigh, "Still can't figure out why he'd leave our kingdom though..."
His friend chuckled. "You haven't heard? It's obviously because of Her Highness Lucy's unfair film taxes!"
"Yeah, but isn't he getting incentives for his films?"
The friend shook his head. "From what I've heard, nope. No incentives."
"Sigh. Maybe it's a family thing. Word is the exiled prince isn't exactly chummy with his siblings," the monkey demon mused.
***
(Arthur POV)
Weeks flew by, and we're finally wrapping up "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" with Shafel's big scene as Jen Yu, leaping off the bridge.
Shafel looked a bit green as she prepared to jump, but I wasn't worried. My wizard team had her secured with some heavy-duty magical yet powerful threads.
As she took the plunge, our ghost camera crew swooped after her, capturing every moment of the fall.
I nodded, impressed. "Looks like the ghost team's been practicing their shots."
Jun-fan, still wide-eyed, muttered beside me, "I still can't wrap my head around ghosts helping with the filming."
Vivienne just chuckled, clearly used to the weirdness by now.
I kept my eyes on Shafel's descent, noticing Firfel fretting nearby. No need for that - worst case, I'd sprout my wings and play catch. Luckily, it didn't come to that.
"Cut!" I called out, and the wizard team smoothly halted Shafel's fall. She looked mighty relieved as they pulled her back up to the bridge.
I chuckled, feeling the weight of completion. Time to review the footage.
Our ghost cameramen trio - Diddy, Puffy, and Daddy - hovered nervously as I checked their work.
"B-boss, how'd we do?" Diddy asked, his voice quavering.
Puffy puffed up, trying to sound confident. "We nailed it, right? All that practice..."
"Relax, boys. I led the shot, so we're golden," Daddy, the burliest ghost, asserted. But I caught a hint of worry in his ethereal eyes.
I smiled warmly at the spectral crew. "Guys, you've got nothing to fear. You all did great."
The ghosts visibly relaxed - well, as much as ghosts can. They even let out sighs of relief, which was pretty amusing considering their lack of lungs.
"You really gave them those weird names. Are they pets to you?" Firfel suddenly piped up beside me, eyebrow raised.
I grinned. "I think they like my naming skills." I turned to the ghosts. "Right? You guys like your names?"
Puffy, Daddy, and Diddy all nodded enthusiastically, reminding me of bobblehead dolls.
"Yeah, yeah," Puffy chirped.
Daddy's face contorted into what I assumed was meant to be a smile. "I love it! A wonderful name!"
Not to be outdone, Diddy chimed in, "I like the name you've given me, boss! And my brothers' names too!"
I glanced at Diddy's brothers nearby, White and Party, who were nodding just as vigorously.
Firfel shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face.
Ignoring her reaction, I clapped my hands, addressing the whole crew. "Alright, boys and girls! Time to celebrate wrapping up our film!"
A cheer went up from the crew, living and dead alike. Even the ghosts who'd been helping with the filming joined in the excitement.
Firfel rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile on her face. "You and your strange little family," she muttered, but there was no real bite to her words.
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NewComer714
NewComer714
Advance chapter. If we didn't reach top 6, there would be no chapter in the next reset because this chapter is uploaded in advance.
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