(Imkrag POV)
Since "Lord of the Rings" took off, my family couldn't stop gushing about me. I'd often overhear my mother bragging to the neighbors, "My son's a star now! Go watch 'Lord of the Rings,' he's starring as Gollum!"
But the neighbors would always reply, "Lord of the Rings? We haven't seen it yet. It's so expensive - two whole dollars!"
Living in the outskirts of Ferland City, few could afford to go to the cinema, let alone watch "Lord of the Rings."
One day, my imp mother, Ishla, burst through our rickety door, frustration etched on her face. "I can't believe it, Imkrag! It's been two weeks since your film hit the cinemas, and still no one in the neighborhood recognizes you!"
She slumped into a chair, pouring herself a cup of coffee with a huff.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Mom, you have to understand. In this whole neighborhood, we're probably the only ones who've actually seen the film."
"He's right, darling," my dwarf father, Imkre, chimed in from behind his newspaper. "Two dollars is still a big deal around here. If it weren't for our precious Imkrag, we wouldn't be able to watch films, eat properly, or even buy a newspaper." He waved the paper for emphasis.
Ishla pouted, then sighed. "I suppose you're right..." Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "My little baby's a star now. He can buy us food."
I couldn't help but smile at them. Just then, the door flew open again as my little sister, Ruru, burst in. "Brother! There's a demon outside who wants to meet you. Says he knows you and has a job offer!"
I raised an eyebrow. "A job? But I don't need—" I trailed off, spotting a behemoth of a demon outside our tiny house. If he tried to enter, the place might crumble to pieces.
Stepping outside, I recognized him immediately. "Ringmaster Kelly!"
Kelly, the circus owner who'd kicked me out before, smiled warmly. "Oh, here you are, dear Imkrag."
"W-what do you want from me, Ringmaster?" I stammered, intimidated by his towering presence.
My family hung back, probably terrified of being squashed.
Kelly bent down, still looming over me. "Oh, you look pretty silly now, dear. I'm here to offer you your job back at the circus. Don't you want it?"
I was stunned. What had caused this change of heart? Kelly wouldn't have set foot in our neighborhood before.
"I-I'm sorry, Ringmaster. But I already have a job," I managed to say.
Kelly's smile faltered. "You're... declining my kind offer?"
I gulped as he continued, "Look, I can even offer you five hundred dollars a month! Don't you want it?"
Five hundred dollars was significant, but... "I'm sorry," I said again. "I have to decline."
Kelly's face darkened. "You're really rejecting my kind offer? After I was gracious enough to visit you here?"
I stayed silent, stepping back as my family trembled.
"Boys," Kelly growled, his facade of kindness evaporating, "give this imp, or dwarf, or whatever he is, a lesson!"
A group of imps emerged from behind Kelly, their eyes gleaming with malice. I recognized them immediately as the circus thugs.
"I'm giving you one last chance, Imkrag," Kelly said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. He tossed a paper at my feet. "There's the contract. Sign it now, or..." He gestured to the imps, letting the threat hang in the air.
I gritted my teeth, aware of the pressure Kelly was putting on me. The contract lay there, a few inches from my toes, like a venomous snake waiting to strike.
Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the tension. "What do you think you demons are doing?"
We all turned to see a young demon in an expensive suit striding towards us.
"Boss Arthur!" I exclaimed, relief washing over me.
Kelly fell silent, eyeing Arthur warily.
"Are you bullying my talent here?" Arthur asked, his gaze fixed on Kelly, eyes cold as ice.
Kelly puffed up his chest, trying to look brave. "So what if I am?"
"You seem quite confident," Arthur said, his voice dangerously calm. "You think you can handle me?"
Despite his size, Kelly flinched. But he quickly recovered, gesturing to his imp thugs. "I have my men here. You're alone. What can you do?"
Arthur chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "You think you guys are enough?"
Kelly looked smug, clearly underestimating my boss. But his expression quickly changed as Arthur summoned a swirling fireball above his palm.
"Now," Arthur said, his voice casual as if discussing the weather, "you think you can take this fireball? Or maybe it's too small for a behemoth demon like yourself?"
Our eyes bulged as Arthur increased the size of his fireball. Even Ringmaster Kelly took a step back. The imp thugs gulped, the pressure too much for them to handle.
Kelly gritted his teeth, shooting me one last glare. "Hmph, you may have become famous, but I don't need someone like you at the circus anyway." With that, he turned and stormed off, his thugs scurrying after him.
I let out a sigh of relief as Kelly and his thugs disappeared from view. Turning to Boss Arthur, who had just extinguished his fireball, I noticed his eyes scanning our humble abode.
"Imkrag," he said, his tone a mix of concern and amusement, "you've got quite a fragile home here."
Following his gaze, my eyes widened. Our little house looked like it might collapse at any moment, the walls seemingly weakened just from the pressure of Arthur's magical display. My family huddled together in the corner, still shaken from the confrontation.
"Boss," I stammered, curiosity overcoming my shock, "what brings you all the way out here?"
Arthur's lips curved into a smile as he turned back to me. "Well, I was recently informed that you're living in these outskirts. After finding that out, I felt compelled to take action. I can't have my star talent living in a dangerous area, can I?" He paused, letting his words sink in. "So, I've taken the liberty of purchasing a house for you closer to the agency."
Warmth spread through my chest at his words. "That's incredibly generous, Boss. I was actually saving up to move out, but you really didn't need to go to such lengths."
"Nonsense," Arthur waved off my protests, slipping his hands into his pockets with an air of nonchalance that somehow made him look even cooler. "Besides, that's not the only reason I'm here. You've received several project offers, Imkrag. I came to inform you personally and let you know it's up to you to choose which ones you want to take on. We're talking thousands of dollars here, maybe more. And I think I can negotiate even better pay for you."
At the mention of "jobs" and "thousands of dollars," I saw my family perk up, hope replacing the fear on their faces.
"Really?" I asked, still processing the sudden turn of events. "That's... that's incredible, Boss. I don't know what to say."
Arthur's smile widened. "You don't need to say anything, Imkrag. Your performance in 'Lord of the Rings' speaks for itself. Now, what do you say we discuss these offers over a cup of coffee? I hear your mother brews an excellent cup."
At Arthur's mention of her coffee, my mother Ishla's face lit up with pride. "Oh, you're too kind, sir! I'd be delighted to brew you a cup of my finest blend."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at my boss's flattery. We were about to usher Arthur inside when a worrying creak from the walls reminded us of our home's fragile state.
Arthur, ever the quick thinker, smoothly changed plans. "Why don't we continue this at Imkrag's new home? Lady Ishla, perhaps you could bring your famous coffee there?"
My family's eyes widened with excitement, nodding eagerly at the suggestion.
As we made our way to the house Arthur had bought, I fell into step beside him, my mind buzzing with questions about the new projects he'd mentioned. The walk felt both endless and too short, anticipation building with each step.
Finally, we arrived. The house before us might have looked modest by some standards, but to my family and me, it was nothing short of a palace. We rushed inside, unable to contain our excitement, wide grins plastered across our faces.
"This... this is really ours?" I heard my father whisper in awe, running his hand along a smooth wall.
My little sister Ruru darted from room to room, squealing with delight. "Look! Real windows! And the floor doesn't creak!"
As I watched my family explore our new home, tears of joy pricking at my eyes, I turned to Arthur. "Boss, I... I don't know how to thank you."
Arthur just smiled, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Your talent and hard work earned this, Imkrag. Now, how about that coffee?"
In that moment, surrounded by my overjoyed family in our new home, with the promise of a bright future ahead, I felt like the luckiest demon in all the realms. Who would have thought that playing a creepy, ring-obsessed creature would lead to all this?
(William Bryan POV)
The performance of "Lord of the Rings" in just one week here in Empirica was nothing short of... well, to be honest, I'm at a loss for words. Speechless doesn't even begin to cover it.
Every time the box office numbers came in, I felt like I was in a dream. The film had raked in 74 million dollars in Empirica alone. Such figures were once thought impossible in our industry. Even the major Empirican or elven studios wouldn't have dared to hope for such astronomical earnings, no matter how good their films were.
And yet, here we are. A film making that kind of money... and not just any film. Not a human production, not an elven masterpiece, but a demon studio's creation. Or more specifically, the work of Arthur Morningstar - a young demon not even 18 years old, amassing generational wealth that other industry giants could only dream of.
My musings were interrupted as Daniel, my brother, burst into the office unannounced. "William, I've scheduled a meeting with Mr. Morningstar back in the Morningstar Kingdom."
I nodded, my face serious. "Good. Make sure we have all the business proposals we've been working on ready."
Daniel hesitated, his brow furrowing. "I don't mean to be rude, William, but... do you really think this proposal will be profitable at all?"
"I'm sure of it," I replied, a confident smile playing on my lips. "Didn't you see how much we made from 'Lord of the Rings'?"
Daniel shrugged. "Yeah, we made a lot on the film, but our proposal for... amusement parks is a different story." He added, "We could lose a lot of money on this."
I smiled again. I had been working on the amusement park proposal for days, but I knew it was more than just a park. "Trust me. It's going to make us a fortune. After all, these parks are based on 'Lord of the Rings.'"
(3rd Person POV)
While the Bryan Brothers were busy hatching their plans, little did they know that Arthur had already beaten them to the punch.
The locations used to film "Lord of the Rings" in the Green Forest hadn't just been left to gather dust. For weeks, even as the film first hit screens, construction had been underway. The iconic tower from the movie wasn't just a set piece anymore - it was becoming a reality.
Arthur had been funneling the box office earnings from "Lord of the Rings" straight into what he called the "Hellfire Theme Parks" project. Talk about striking while the iron was hot.
So when the Bryan Brothers finally sat down with Arthur at a posh restaurant in Ferland two days later, they were in for quite a shock.
"Amusement parks based on Lord of the Rings?" Arthur mused, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I don't mean to rain on your parade, gentlemen, but Hellfire Studios has been working on that for a while now. Our first park is already under construction in the Green Forest."
William's jaw nearly hit the floor. "You... you're telling us you had this idea before the film even blew up?"
Arthur's smile was enigmatic. "You could say that. In fact, we're in the final stages of construction."
The Bryan Brothers exchanged skeptical glances. Surely, Arthur was bluffing, trying to steal their brilliant idea.
Daniel, ever the pragmatist, decided to call Arthur's bluff. "Would it be possible for us to take a look at this park, Mr. Morningstar?"
"Of course," Arthur replied without missing a beat. "We can head there now. It's just a few hours away by car."
The brothers agreed, still convinced they were about to expose Arthur's lie.
A few hours later, however, they found themselves standing slack-jawed in front of a meticulously constructed Shire. The rolling hills, the round doors of hobbit holes, the Party Tree - it was all there, as if plucked straight from the film and made real.
William turned to Arthur, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "This is... incredible. How did you manage to keep this under wraps?"
Just as William asked this question, a group of orcs could be seen walking through the Shire. The moment they spotted Arthur, they rushed towards him eagerly.
"Boss!" one of them called out. "We've been bored here for quite some time now! When will we become very popular? You promised us that many will begin to accept us and not just look at us as barbarians anymore, right?"
William turned to Arthur, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "This is... incredible. How did you manage to keep this under wraps?"
Before Arthur could answer, a group of orcs came into view, strolling through the Shire. The moment they spotted Arthur, they rushed towards him with an eagerness that caught the Bryan Brothers off guard.
"Boss!" one of the orcs called out, his gravelly voice tinged with excitement. "We've been cooped up here for ages! When are we gonna hit the big time? You promised people would start seein' us as more than just savages, right?"
The Bryan Brothers watched, slack-jawed, as Arthur addressed the orcs with a calm smile. "Soon, my friends. Very soon. Before you know it, people will be flocking here to meet you. You'll be the stars of the show."
(Arthur POV)
As I watched the orcs' eager faces, a pang of guilt twisted in my gut. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was some kind of villain, trapping innocent creatures in an elaborate zoo.
The truth was, from the very beginning, I'd had bigger plans for these orcs than just casting them in "Lord of the Rings." They were always meant to be the mascots of the Hellfire Theme Park. Living, breathing mascots.
Except they were real. I hoped these orcs would be satisfied entertaining the theme park visitors, welcoming customers with warm smiles on their faces.
I turned to the Bryan Brothers, gesturing towards the gradually rising walls. "What do you think? There's the entrance, and look, the Hellfire Theme Park sign is almost complete."
The Bryan Brothers stood there, speechless and... was that disappointment I saw in their eyes? I could understand their reaction. After all, they'd come here with a proposal for something very similar.
"Hellfire Theme Park?" Daniel finally spoke, his voice a mix of curiosity and surprise. "So you call this a 'Theme Park'?"
I nodded, aware that the term was novel in this world where "Amusement Parks" was still the go-to phrase.
William seemed to gather his thoughts before speaking. "Mr. Morningstar, we are willing to partner with you on this idea."
"Partner?" I echoed, my amusement barely concealed. I was curious about what they thought they could bring to the table.
William, sensing an opportunity, pressed on. "We have extensive reach, Mr. Morningstar. We can market this theme park of yours, and..." He paused, seemingly finding his footing. "We can construct another theme park in Empirica! Bryan Brothers is willing to cover the cost, and you'll still be earning a substantial amount!"
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. The idea of expanding into Empirica was tempting, I had to admit. But I wasn't about to show my hand just yet.
"An interesting proposition, gentlemen," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "But tell me, what makes you think Hellfire Studios needs partners for this venture? We've managed quite well on our own so far."
The challenge in my voice was clear, but so was the hint of interest. I wanted to see how they'd respond, what else they might offer.
Next chapter in an hour or so.
(Arthur POV)
The Bryan Brothers exchanged knowing glances before William spoke up, his tone carefully measured. "You'll still need us, Mr. Morningstar. After all, from what we know, your studio has quite a few... shall we say, adversaries."
Daniel nodded, eager to support his brother's point. "Indeed. It'll be quite the challenge for you to break through the promotional barriers with so many media outlets gunning for you."
I tapped my chin, feigning amusement. But deep down, I knew they had a point. The media landscape was a minefield, and having allies could make all the difference.
"You gentlemen make a fair argument," I conceded, my voice carefully neutral. "But can the Bryan Brothers truly handle those who oppose me?"
William and Daniel's faces lit up with confident smiles. "Of course we can," William assured me.
Daniel chimed in, "We have our own media outlets and connections with several major ones in other countries and kingdoms."
"Hmm..." I made a show of considering their offer, watching as anxiety crept into their expressions. Little did they know, I was subtly employing my {Heartstrings} skill, giving me an edge in these delicate negotiations.
"Let's discuss this further," I said finally, and I could practically feel their relief.
After several days of intense negotiations - during which my {Heartstrings} skill proved invaluable - I managed to secure a deal with the Bryan Brothers that was more favorable than I'd initially hoped.
Not to be left out, the Lava Brothers also threw their hat into the ring, eager to be part of the theme park venture. Their involvement could prove particularly useful, given their ownership of media outlets like "LB News" and "Lava Headlines," not to mention their connections to the "Powerful Times," a major outlet in the Morningstar Kingdom.
Though "Powerful Times" was based in the Horn Kingdom and ranked last among major newspaper publishers, it still wielded considerable influence. Having them on our side could be a pivotal advantage.
As I signed the final documents, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The theme park was no longer just a dream - it was becoming a reality, and with these new partnerships, its potential seemed limitless.
Of course, I knew better than to let my guard down completely. In this world of magic and media, alliances could shift as quickly as the wind. But for now, I allowed myself a small smile. The next phase of the Hellfire empire was about to begin.
(3rd Person POV)
About five weeks after "Lord of the Rings" first hit theaters, its box office had skyrocketed to a staggering 290 million dollars globally and domestically combined. The hype for the film was at fever pitch.
It had already surpassed the months-long box office run of "The Demonfather" - and "Lord of the Rings" was far from done, still going strong just five weeks into its screening.
Around this time, Arthur's first theme park, the "Hellfire Theme Park," finally completed construction.
As soon as it was finished, newspapers like "LB News," "Powerful Times," and the Bryan Brothers' "The Angelic Times" began churning out stories about the "Hellfire Theme Park."
Though it wasn't yet open to the public, Arthur and his partners were determined to strike while the iron was hot, promoting the park aggressively.
The news spread like wildfire among "Lord of the Rings" fans, eliciting a variety of reactions.
At a bustling news stand, a demon couple perused the latest headlines.
"Hellfire Theme Park? What in the nine hells is that supposed to mean?" Rook, a fiend demon, scratched his horns in confusion.
His girlfriend, Liza, rolled her eyes. "Can't you read?" She jabbed a finger at the newspaper. "It says it's like an amusement park with Lord of the Rings fictional places."
Rook's brow furrowed. "Oh... So this Shire actually exists in this Hellfire Theme Park?"
Liza nodded, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice. "Seems like it."
Their conversation caught the attention of nearby demons, who quickly snatched up their own copies of the newspaper, eager to learn more about this amusement park.
At news stands across the city, word of the Hellfire Theme Park spread like a contagious spell. A group of half-dwarves, half-humans were particularly enthused.
"Oh! I can't wait to see the Shire for myself!" one exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
As half-humans and half-dwarves, they felt a special connection to the Shire and its inhabitants. In fact, thanks to "Lord of the Rings," a new term for people of their heritage had begun to spread. Many who had watched the film started calling them "Hobbits" - a phenomenon further propagated by the newspapers, solidifying this new racial designation.
As for the elves who chanced upon the news in their kingdoms, their reactions mirrored those of the Hobbits.
An elven husband turned to his wife. "Honey, let's book a flight to the Morningstar Kingdom. I want to see Rivendell with my own eyes!"
In Empirica, humans buzzed with curiosity about the tower of Isengard. A wizard teacher, intrigued by his student's description of the "Hellfire Theme Park," mused aloud, "I wonder if Saruman still resides in the tower. Wouldn't mind having a chat with him myself."
The anticipation wasn't limited to the Morningstar Kingdom. People worldwide eagerly awaited the grand opening of the "Hellfire Theme Park."
With the opening date public knowledge, Grass City saw an unprecedented influx of tourists, leaving Lord Antree speechless.
At first, Antree was merely curious about the surge in visitors. It wasn't until his assistant, Rim, an imp demon, enlightened him that the reality sank in.
"City lord," Rim explained, a hint of excitement in his voice, "it seems they're all here for the opening of the Hellfire Theme Park."
"Hellfire Theme Park?" Antree's brow furrowed in confusion.
Rim pressed on, "My lord, do you recall when ex-prince Arthur purchased that significant plot in Green Forest?"
"I remember," Antree nodded, recalling how most of the money had gone to the Royal family and government. At the time, he'd thought Arthur a fool for spending so much on seemingly useless land.
"Well..." Rim hesitated, then continued, "It appears the ex-prince had plans to profit from it. The Hellfire Theme Park is built on that very land. People are flocking here for its grand opening."
Antree's eyes widened as the implications sank in. "You mean to tell me... the ex-prince is about to make a fortune from these visitors? They're not here for Grass City itself?"
"I'm afraid not, my lord," Rim confirmed. "And that tavern Arthur bought and rebranded as the Prancing Pony? It's packed to the rafters."
Antree's expression turned solemn as he processed this information.
As March 31, 1272 dawned, anticipation crackled in the air. The "Hellfire Theme Park" stood poised to open its gates in the lush expanse of Green Forest. Arthur, cutting a striking figure before the entrance, found himself surrounded by a sea of eager faces held at bay by vigilant security.
Excited voices pierced the air. "Aragorn! Please, kiss me like Arwen!" "Aragorn!" The cries of adoration washed over Arthur, but he remained focused on the task at hand.
With a flourish, he raised an oversized pair of scissors. The crowd held its collective breath as he sliced through the ribbon, officially christening the park. A thunderous cheer erupted, marking the momentous occasion.
Arthur's voice rang out over the din, amplified by the microphone. "The first Hellfire Theme Park is now open!" His eyes swept over the throng of people, a smile playing at his lips. "And as our inaugural guests, everyone here gets to enter for free!"
The announcement was met with jubilant cries. "Yeah!" "It was worth the wait!"
Amidst the celebrating masses, Lord Antree observed the scene, his expression tinged with regret.
The scale of the event and the fervor of the crowd far exceeded his expectations. If only he had foreseen this, he lamented silently, he could have demanded a far higher price for the land.
(Arthur POV)
I watched in awe as humans, dwarves, and demons swarmed into the Hellfire Theme Park. There must've been hundreds of them, but the place was big enough to swallow them all up.
I could've made a fortune off these folks, at least a few thousand bucks. But I decided to let 'em in for free. The newspaper ads were good and all, but I knew word-of-mouth was where the real magic happened.
If these people had a blast at the Hellfire Theme Park, they'd tell everyone they knew. That kind of organic marketing? You can't put a price on it.
For the Shire, I got clever. Hired a bunch of half-human, half-dwarf actors to play "Hobbits".
Funny thing is, after "Lord of the Rings" blew up, people started calling all half-human, half-dwarves "Hobbits" in real life.
Over in mini-Isengard, we had orcs running around playing Saruman's army. The Orthanc Tower wasn't as tall as in the film, but you could actually go inside and climb to the top. Up there, I had a human actor playing Saruman.
The guy who played Saruman in the movie? Way outta my budget now.
In another corner, we had mini-Rivendell. Elven actors cost an arm and a leg, so I only managed to snag a few to hang around there.
The Hellfire Theme Park somehow managed to cram all these iconic "Lord of the Rings" places into one spot.
It wasn't easy making everything fit, but we pulled it off by dividing the park into different sections. We didn't build every little detail - just enough to sell the illusion.
A bit of Rivendell here, a slice of Isengard there. It might've been smaller than in the movie, but it looked real enough to make you feel like you'd stepped right into Middle-earth.
(3rd Person POV)
As visitors entered the Hellfire Theme Park, most had tempered expectations. After all, the newspapers had made it clear that the breathtaking scenes from "Lord of the Rings" were just illusions crafted in the so-called "Hellfire VFX Studio". But as they stepped inside, their eyes widened in surprise.
Walking into the Shire, they found themselves surrounded by "Hobbits" going about their daily business. The iconic elements of Hobbiton were all there - from the cozy hobbit holes with their round doors to the Party Tree standing tall in the center of the village.
While it may not have been as perfect as the film version, the replica was real enough to make visitors feel like they'd stepped onto the set of "Lord of the Rings". It wasn't just the physical scenery that sold the illusion, but the atmosphere as well.
The Hobbit actors seemed genuinely uncomfortable with the throng of visitors invading their peaceful hamlet. This discomfort, however, only added to the authenticity of the experience. Visitors felt like they were truly intruding on the daily lives of these shy, home-loving creatures.
This was all part of Arthur's grand design. He had instructed the actors to behave as real Hobbits would when faced with an unexpected influx of outsiders.
"Can I have a picture with you, Mr. Hobbit?" a young demon child asked, tugging at her parents' hands.
The Hobbit actor furrowed his brow, looking conflicted. "Err... Kid, I'm quite busy, perhaps-"
"Please?" the little demon monkey pleaded, her eyes wide and hopeful.
The Hobbit sighed dramatically. "Oh, alright then." His apparent helplessness in the face of the child's request drew laughter from the onlooking crowd.
Encouraged by this success, another child piped up, "Me too, Mr. Hobbit!"
The actor's face contorted into an exaggerated expression of dilemma, eliciting more chuckles from the gathered visitors.
As word spread of the Hobbit's amusing reactions, more and more people clamored for pictures, creating a comical scene that perfectly captured the essence of the shy, somewhat bewildered Hobbits encountering the outside world.
Meanwhile, in the mini-Isengard section, the orcs playing Saruman's army were really getting into their roles. The crowd eyed them with obvious disdain or fear, which didn't go unnoticed by the actors.
"Why're they lookin' at us like that?" one orc grumbled to his buddy. "Didn't boss Arthur say we'd be welcomed with open arms after the film?"
His friend shook his head. "Nah, you've got it all wrong. Look over there." He pointed towards their orc chief.
They turned to see their leader surrounded by excited visitors, all clamoring for pictures and autographs.
"See? People are warming up to us," the second orc said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Before the orcs could dwell on why they were being avoided, visitors began approaching them for pictures too.
Gradually, they realized it wasn't that people disliked them - they just didn't approve of orcs siding with Saruman or Sauron from "Lord of the Rings".
An elf even offered some unsolicited advice: "Choose the right side, orc. Evil doesn't always win, you know. Look at the demons now - they used to be considered evil, but these days they can't hold a candle to other races."
The orcs found themselves on the receiving end of impromptu lectures, especially from the elves, leaving them more than a little confused.
"Where's Saruman?" a human demanded, interrupting an orc mid-photo with a dwarf. "I want to challenge him to a magic duel!"
The orcs exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to stay in character or break the fourth wall to explain the situation. This wasn't quite the warm welcome they'd been expecting.
At the top of Orthanc Tower, the human actor playing Saruman stood before a mysterious orb, mic hidden nearby. He intoned gibberish meant to sound like spells, adding to the mystical atmosphere.
Beneath the orb, concealed from view, a projector displayed scenes from "Lord of the Rings" - specifically, Gandalf and company battling a snowstorm while crossing the Misty Mountains.
This sight riled up the visitors, especially a young but burly, bearded dwarf who foolishly believed 'Saruman' was actually attacking Gandalf.
"You will not succeed, Saruman!" the dwarf bellowed.
"What are you do-" The actor couldn't finish his sentence before a fist connected with his face. "Gah!"
The crowd's reaction was mixed - some chuckled, others cheered the dwarf on, many feeling a sense of vicarious revenge for Gandalf.
More level-headed visitors rushed to restrain the dwarf and help the actor to his feet.
"You... you despicable dwarf!" the actor sputtered, pointing accusingly.
"You deserve it!" the young dwarf shot back. "Attacking Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, and Gimli with your snowstorm spell!"
The commotion drew the attention of the demon managing the mini-Isengard section, who quickly explained to the young dwarf that everything was just for show.
Red-faced, the dwarf mumbled an embarrassed apology to the actor.
Similar incidents popped up throughout the Hellfire Theme Park. While the opening was rocky by some standards, it was undeniably a huge success. Many visitors felt as if they'd stepped right into the world of "Lord of the Rings".
(Arthur POV)
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the "Hellfire Theme Park" shut its gates for the night, I found myself buried in a mountain of reports. My financial guy was practically salivating as he rattled off the potential profits we could've raked in if we hadn't gone with the free admission. I couldn't deny it was a pretty penny, but sometimes you've got to spend money to make money, right?
What really caught my attention, though, were the incident reports. Seems our actors had a rougher day than expected. A bunch of orcs came to me, grumbling about getting punched or nearly barbecued by overzealous visitors throwing fireballs.
"Boss," one of them said, nursing a bruised arm, "I thought you said we'd be welcomed with open arms after the film?"
I winced, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know, I know. Look, I'll make it right. How about a bonus for your trouble? And don't worry about the medical bills - I've got you covered."
Their eyes lit up at that, and I couldn't help but feel they'd earned it, putting up with that mess.
And the one who complained the most, his pride obviously bruised, was the human actor playing Saruman.
He stormed into my office, sporting a nasty black eye. His face was a mess of bruises, and his usually pristine white hair looked like it had been through a windstorm.
"This is outrageous!" he fumed, gesturing wildly. "I was assaulted! By a dwarf, no less! Do you have any idea-"
"Whoa, whoa," I held up my hands, trying not to let my amusement show. "Slow down. Start from the beginning."
As he ranted, I couldn't help but feel a mix of genuine pity and, well, amusement. I mean, who'd have thought people would be dumb enough to mistake this guy for the actual Saruman? Sure, he had the fake beard and dyed white hair, but he looked nothing like the actor from my film.
"Look," I said when he finally paused for breath, "I get it. This isn't what you signed up for. How about we sweeten the deal a bit? A fat bonus, full medical coverage, and a little something extra for your trouble. What do you say?"
He eyed me suspiciously for a moment before his shoulders slumped. "Fine," he muttered, some of the fight going out of him. "But if this happens again..."
"It won't," I assured him, hoping I wasn't making a promise I couldn't keep.
As he left, looking somewhat mollified, I couldn't help but shake my head. What a day. But you know what? Despite the chaos, the punches thrown, and the singed eyebrows, I couldn't deny it - we'd pulled it off. The Hellfire Theme Park was officially open for business, and if today was any indication, we were in for one hell of a ride.
(Arthur POV)
A few days have passed since the "Hellfire Theme Park" opened its gates, and the profits are rolling in faster than I can count. Tens of thousands of dollars, just like that. The park's popularity in the Morningstar Kingdom has skyrocketed beyond my wildest dreams.
Tourists are flocking to Grass City, drawn by the allure of our Middle-earth attractions. The elves, in particular, can't get enough of our mini-Rivendell. Word's even reached their media outlets, with headlines screaming about how Rivendell exists in real life. Talk about free advertising - we've got elves pouring in by the boatload.
Of course, I had to make some adjustments after that chaotic opening day. Hired a bunch of behemoth demons as security to keep our actors safe from over-enthusiastic visitors. Yeah, we had to plaster the place with signs saying "Fake Scene," "Fake Spell," and "Fake Blood."
Might take away from the immersion a bit, but it's better than having another Saruman incident. Keeps the gullible ones from getting too carried away.
The success of 'Lord of the Rings' has earned me an impressive 24.75 million entertainment points.
That's way more than "The Demonfather" ever brought in, which just goes to show how much more popular and impressive "Lord of the Rings" has been.
The box office numbers back this up. We hit 330 million dollars yesterday. The entertainment system's data breaks it down like this: about 44 million tickets sold in the Morningstar Kingdom at 2 dollars a pop. Another 22.5 million tickets went to other countries and kingdoms at the same price.
In the western countries and kingdoms, where tickets go for 3 dollars, we've sold about 66.67 million. According to the {Entertainment System Film Statistics Data}, a total of 132.17 million people have bought tickets and watched the film.
For each viewer, I earn 0.1 points if they're casual fans, 0.2 if they love and adore the film, and a sweet 0.3 points for those who are completely obsessed. With numbers like these, it's no wonder the points are piling up so fast.
My total entertainment points from "Lord of the Rings," "The Demonfather," and "Hellfire Theme Park" have hit a whopping 34.40 million. With this kind of points, I could finally snag some of those impressive skills from the {Magical Shop} that'd give my directing a serious boost.
One skill that caught my eye was "Atmosphere Control," priced at 10 million entertainment points.
[Atmosphere Control: Allowed the user to control the area's atmosphere, adjusting lighting, temperature, and background ambience. (Require mana per use: 20)]
[It can be leveled up with use.]
At first glance, it might not seem like much, but the potential is insane. As a director, I could use this to elevate every scene in my films.
Who knows? If I level it up enough, I might even control the atmosphere of an entire city. Imagine adjusting the temperature, making city folk dance to my tune, turning them into actors under my directorial strings— Whoa. Getting a bit carried away there.
It's an ambitious dream, sure, but why not? I went ahead and bought the {Atmosphere Control}.
Then there was this other skill in the {Skill Shop} called {Cinematic Vision}, worth 5 million entertainment points.
[Cinematic Vision: As a director, you can visualize how scenes will appear in the final cut, complete with editing, special effects, and sound design. This foresight allows you to make on-the-spot adjustments to enhance the scene.]
I bought that one too. The moment I did, I was hit with a wave of flashbacks from filming "The Demonfather" and "Lord of the Rings." After the mental replay, I couldn't help but shake my head.
"I didn't think I could film it like that," I sighed, feeling a twinge of regret. But what's done is done.
I'm now down 15 million points.
After purchasing a skill that cost me 15 million entertainment points, the system unlocked higher-level skills that I can now buy.
Scrolling through the list, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. There was {Time Rewind}—and yeah, it does exactly what you'd think—for a cool 100 million points. Then there's {Voice of Command}, a skill that can order someone against their will, for 30 million points.
The more I scrolled, the more impressed I got. "I need to gain more points!" I muttered, shifting my focus to completing my first computer. Probably this world's first decent computer, at that.
(Lucy Morningstar POV)
I've got to hand it to that younger brother of mine, Arthur — he's been unexpectedly helpful. The tax revenue from his film alone is significant, giving a real boost to the kingdom's development. Not to mention, it's done wonders for funding my own luxurious lifestyle. Those super rare potions I've been eyeing? Finally within reach, and they've helped increase my magical abilities more than ever before.
But I didn't just sit on that money. The moment I saw the first day's box office results for "Lord of the Rings," I knew we were in for another tourism boom, just like with "The Demonfather." So I made a calculated decision to invest heavily in our entertainment venues — the amusement parks, circuses, the whole lot.
Even though I haven't seen the film myself yet, I know it was shot right here in the kingdom. That's why I've poured about 70 percent of the film tax earnings — not just from "Lord of the Rings," mind you — into these entertainment investments.
And wouldn't you know it? My instincts were spot on. In just the first few weeks, our kingdom's entertainment venues are already profiting from the surge in tourism. Looking at the latest financial reports, I estimate I'll recoup my entire investment in these parks and circuses within the next two weeks.
Lord Vermilion burst into my office — his habit of barging in without knocking making me frown. "What is it this time?"
The economic advisor cleared his throat before speaking, "Your Highness, we have a bit of a... problem."
My frown deepened. "Out with it."
Lord Vermilion coughed nervously. "Red Berry, the overseer of our entertainment venues, is here to discuss some concerns."
"Send him in," I said curtly.
Red Berry, the scale demon who managed our entertainment industry, slunk in with fear written all over his face.
"What's the issue, Berry?"
Red hesitated before blurting out, "Your Highness, I'll be blunt. Our earnings from the entertainment venues are declining."
I waved dismissively. "That's to be expected. The hype from that 'Lord of the Rings' film is dying down, so naturally, tourism is tapering off."
"It's not that simple, Your Highness," Red shook his head. "We've got competition."
"Competition?" I raised an eyebrow.
Lord Vermilion chimed in, "He's referring to the exiled prince's new Hellfire Theme Park. It's similar to our venues but on a grander scale, capable of hosting thousands of visitors simultaneously."
Red nodded vigorously. "Exactly. People are flocking there instead of our attractions. The ex-prince's film hype isn't fading — it's intensifying."
"And if this trend continues," Lord Vermilion added gravely, "it'll be challenging for Your Highness to recoup your investments in the entertainment industry within the expected timeframe."
As I listened, I felt anger building inside me. I'd thought everything was going according to plan — who would have guessed that damn Arthur would throw a wrench in my grand investment scheme?
(Arthur POV)
In the "research room," my team and I huddled around our first completed prototype. The keyboard looked rough, a product of our simple manufacturing process, but it was functional. That's what mattered.
As for the monitor, we had a stroke of luck. Television had been invented in Empirica two years ago. It wasn't exactly popular yet, with only a handful of TV programs available, but it meant we didn't have to reinvent the wheel when it came to computer displays. The technology was there, we just had to adapt it.
"Alright," I said to my nervous computer team, "let's insert the magic core."
Drake and Josh exchanged anxious glances. I gave them an encouraging nod, and they finally slotted the magic core into what would have been the PSU socket in my previous life. In this world, magic cores were our power source, though I was already planning more efficient alternatives for the future. Not everyone could afford fresh energy like magic cores, after all.
It's worth noting that electricity in this world was a mixed bag of magic cores, coal, and oil. The fact that magic cores made up only a tiny percentage of the power grid just showed how expensive they were.
We held our breath for a few seconds. Then, the computer monitor flickered to life. Green lines of light flowed across the motherboard, emanating from the magic core. It was working exactly as we'd intended.
The screen only displayed a basic prompt, but you'd think we'd won the lottery from the team's reaction.
"Woo!"
"Hell yeah, it worked!"
Some of them looked ready to burst into tears of joy. I couldn't blame them. They'd been working around the clock to build this thing.
Of course, we still had a long way to go. The machine didn't have an operating system yet, and programming something on the level of Windows or Linux would take time. It would've been a monumental task if I was the only one who understood the hardware components and low-level programming. Thankfully, since the team had built the computer alongside me, they grasped the basics too.
I hated to be a buzzkill, but I had to remind them: "I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but our prototype isn't complete without the basic operating system we've been planning."
Their brief celebration wound down, but pride still shone in their eyes.
Drake and Josh, who had been scribbling low-level language on papers, looked up with determination. Drake spoke with confidence, "We've pretty much memorized the coding, Your Highness. Given some time, we'll be able to develop a basic operating system."
I could see why he was so sure of himself. After all, the basic operating system we had in mind was relatively simple. It would include fundamental functions like file management and a command-line interface, But what set it apart was its integration with magical elements - a spell library that could tap into the power of the magic cores.
This library would include various spells, with a focus on illusion magic, all drawing power from the magic cores.
I had to admire their enthusiasm, but I wondered if they'd maintain that confidence when it came to programming an operating system on par with Windows or Linux. That was a whole different level.
Still, the basic system we are about to develop was no walk in the park. We would be able to cast spells from the OS's spell library – a feature I was particularly excited about. My plan was to load the computer's memory with illusion spells. If we could link this computer to the VFX Studio, we could make our illusions there even more efficient and impressive.
Now that our first prototype computer was in the bag, I'd already briefed George about signing up for the Electronics Expo in Empirica. The dwarf had been busy tinkering with our cameras when he heard the news about the prototype. He looked up, surprise etched on his face. "Done already? Thought it'd take longer..."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Seems Drake and Josh have a knack for leading a team. They might've even surpassed you in talent."
"Aye, I doubt that," George scoffed good-naturedly. He held up a camera, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Look here. I've souped up our camera. Better resolution, improved colors, and you can even control the frame rate now."
He puffed out his chest a bit. "I ain't been twiddling my thumbs, you know. Been plenty busy myself."
"Very impressive," I nodded, stroking my chin thoughtfully. But before I could continue, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Arthur Morningstar!"
George and I turned to see Vivienne bursting into the room, Firfel hot on her heels.
I couldn't help but smile. "You're finally here, Vivienne."
Just yesterday, I'd bought out her contract from her agency. It wasn't cheap – 70 thousand dollars, to be exact.
Vivienne, however, didn't seem to share my good mood. "Don't smile like nothing happened!" she snapped, jabbing an accusatory finger at me.
Confused, I glanced at Firfel for help, but she just shrugged.
"What did I do?" I asked, genuinely perplexed.
"Why..." Vivienne paused, gathering steam. "Why didn't you contact me for Lord of the Rings? I could've been Arwen, you know!"
I stared at her, momentarily speechless. "But you're not an elf-"
"You could've made me Galadriel!" Vivienne insisted, stubborn as a mule.
She looked like a kid who'd been denied her favorite toy. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to feature you in my next film."
"Only feature me?" She fixed me with an icy glare.
"It's a cowboy film. Want in?" I offered, still amused.
Vivienne lifted her chin proudly. "Why not? I could play a beautiful cowgirl."
I looked at Vivienne in amusement — she acted like we hadn't seen each other in ages, still so familiar around me. Then it hit me: maybe a few months really was just a blink of an eye for people with the long lifespans of this world.
George, sensing the tension, cleared his throat. "Right, I'd better head to Empirica to sign us up for the Electronics Expo. I'll book a flight now." With that, he excused himself and left.
"Electronics Expo?" Firfel's ears perked up. She turned to me, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What's that about?"
Vivienne leaned in, equally intrigued. "Yeah, spill the beans, Arthur."
I ran a hand through my hair, considering how much to reveal. "Well, we've just wrapped up an electronic project. Got the prototype ready and everything. We're aiming to showcase it at the Expo in June."
"Ooh, can we see it?" Vivienne asked, practically bouncing on her toes.
Firfel nodded eagerly. "I'd love a peek too. Must be something special if you're taking it to the Expo. That place is where all the cutting-edge stuff gets unveiled."
I hesitated, then smiled slyly. "Want to see it? There's just one tiny catch — you'll need to sign an NDA first."
Their faces fell in unison. Firfel raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You don't trust us?"
"It's not about trust," I backpedaled, seeing their expressions turn frosty. "I'm just being cautious. But... oh, alright. One quick look won't hurt."
I led them to the prototype, but their reactions weren't quite what I'd hoped for.
Firfel tilted her head, brow furrowed. "So... what exactly does it do?"
"Is that a TV?" Vivienne squinted at the monitor. "And that thing... some kind of fancy typewriter? Weird combo, if you ask me."
I bit back a sigh, deciding against explaining the full capabilities. No NDA, no details.
Time for a subject change. "How about I fill you in on Hellfire's next big project instead?"
"The cowboy film you mentioned?" Firfel perked up.
"Something like that," I nodded. "It'll be a breeze to shoot with our VFX Studio. Think 'The Demonfather,' but swap out tommy guns for six-shooters and lever-action rifles."
(3rd Person POV)
Weeks had passed since die-hard "Lord of the Rings" fans began scouring every nook and cranny of the Morningstar Kingdom, desperate to unearth powerful magical rings like those in the film.
But this wasn't just a local phenomenon. The "Lord of the Rings Craze," as media outlets had dubbed it, had spread like wildfire across the globe. From the Moonlight Kingdom to Wales, from Deutschland to the Leaf Kingdom in the Evros Continent, it had taken root. Even countries like Kanata, Aztec, and Empirica in the Empirica Continent weren't immune. The fervor reached as far as the South East Anatolia and East Watch kingdoms, and even touched parts of the vast Eden Continent.
People worldwide had thrown themselves into the search with reckless abandon. Adventurers, in particular, had taken it to extreme levels.
Some brave souls set sail for distant islands, their logic simple yet compelling. When questioned by curious journalists, these seafaring treasure hunters all gave variations of the same answer: "Remember the end of the film? Frodo was on a boat, heading to some island to hide the ring from Sauron's forces. It only makes sense to check the islands."
It was a reasonable assumption, but it came with unforeseen consequences. Reports flooded in of these adventurers clashing with pirates, who, as it turned out, were after the same prize.
Not all seekers were drawn to the seas, though. Some adventurers and mercenaries turned their attention to towering mountain peaks and deep, dark caves. These individuals didn't just rely on "Lord of the Rings" for inspiration; they pored over ancient tomes, following cryptic clues in their quest.
As the search intensified, ordinary folks found themselves pushed to the sidelines. Even dangerous mobs had joined the fray, adding an extra layer of peril to the already risky venture.
The world had gone ring-mad, and there seemed to be no end in sight to this "Lord of the Rings Craze."
In the Eden Continent, the Lunar Kingdom stood as the pinnacle of elven civilization. Its high castle, though dwarfed by the towering Eden tree that pierced the sky, served as the capital for the elven race. This kingdom held sway over almost all other elven realms, which followed its directives.
Citizens of the Lunar Kingdom enjoyed special privileges when traveling to other elven territories or even some human and dwarf cities.
Within the castle's grand throne room, a serious atmosphere prevailed. On the throne sat a beautiful elf queen, her body adorned with intricate leaf designs and her head crowned with an elegant leaf circlet. Before her knelt several elves in robes, their faces concealed by animal-themed masks.
The elf wearing a gorilla mask spoke, his voice low and urgent. "My queen, our latest intelligence from Dolphin suggests that pirates have spotted magical rings. Dolphin and the others lost track of them, but we assure you, we will retrieve these artifacts."
Despite her ethereal beauty, the queen's expression remained grave. "We must secure these rings before they fall into the wrong hands. The Solarus faith cannot be allowed to claim them." Her voice hardened. "We've been on the back foot against the Solarus for too long. As servants of the Moon Goddess, it's our duty to bring her glory and honor."
The masked elves bowed their heads in unison. "We will not disappoint you, my queen," the gorilla-masked elf vowed.
Unbeknownst to Arthur, the "Rings" had caught the attention of powerful and influential figures across the globe. While adventurers, pirates, and treasure hunters scoured the lands, they remained oblivious to the involvement of religious organizations, royals, and governments in the search.
In the Evros Continent, within the Apollo Kingdom - the heart of the Solarus faith - stood the most influential and popular church. The Holy Land bustled with worshippers from all walks of life, coming to pay homage to their Lord. However, beneath this pious facade, a clandestine meeting of high-ranking church officials was taking place in a concealed room.
"Where's the Pope? His presence is crucial for a meeting of this gravity," a cardinal said, his tone serious.
Another cardinal replied, "The Pope's been missing for quite some time. Last I heard, he was seen in the Thorn Kingdom."
"What? My sources place him in Choson, in East Watch," a third interjected.
"You're both mistaken. Word has it he's in Japon, crossing swords with samurai," yet another added.
As the cardinals and archbishops continued to debate the Pope's whereabouts, one cardinal, clearly wielding more authority, spoke coldly, "The Pope's location is irrelevant. He's been absent for years, neglecting his duties. If the Angels of Solarus didn't insist on keeping him, I'd have replaced him long ago."
His words silenced the room.
"You're right, Senior Virtue," one cardinal conceded.
Another muttered, "I too question why the Angels want him to retain the position."
Murmurs of agreement filled the room until Virtue raised his hand. "Enough," he said firmly, waiting for silence before continuing, "We must focus on the matter at hand."
His expression grew grave as he spoke, "Our priority now is to secure these ancient rings. We cannot allow other faiths to impede us. These artifacts are crucial to our goal of ruling all races."
Murmurs filled the room before one cardinal spoke up, "We've been searching for these ancient rings for years. Now this 'Lord of the Rings' has alerted other faiths to their existence. It was supposed to be our secret!"
"Indeed," another nodded grimly. "Now we face more competition. The dwarves of the Forgefather's faith, the elves of the Moon Goddess faith, and those faithless demons."
"This is all Arthur Morningstar's fault!"
Virtue's frown deepened. "Enough!" he barked, silencing the room. After a pause, he continued more calmly, "These ancient rings would have drawn attention eventually. There's no point in assigning blame." Despite his words, Virtue couldn't help but internally curse Arthur Morningstar.
"We must find a way to secure the Ancient Rings," Virtue concluded. "Otherwise, our grand plan will crumble." He let his words sink in before adding, "That's all for now. This meeting is adjourned."
As the Solarus Faith plotted, similar gatherings were taking place across the world. The Moon Goddess faith, the dwarves who worshipped the Blacksmith God, all held their own clandestine meetings. Even in Empirica, the USE government was not idle.
"Find those rings," the president ordered his top intelligence operatives. "This is a matter of national security and peace."
Just as these powers set their plans in motion, shocking news broke: one of the magical rings had been found in the Morningstar Kingdom and was to be auctioned.
Though the ring's authenticity remained unconfirmed, it caught the attention of powerful figures worldwide.
Even Arthur, despite being knee-deep in preparations for his next film, couldn't resist the allure of the supposedly discovered magical ring. His curiosity got the better of him as he turned to George.
"Hey George, fancy attending an auction? I'm itching to see this magical ring they've found."
George looked up from his work, eyebrow raised. "Magical ring? Sounds like a load of nonsense to me. Probably just some hoax to drum up attention."
Arthur shrugged off George's skepticism. While he too harbored doubts about the ring's authenticity, he couldn't shake the thought that in this world - a fantasy compared to his previous life - a magical ring wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility.
"Come on," Arthur persisted, "even if the ring's a dud, there might be some ancient dwarven craftsmanship or mechanical marvels up for grabs. Could be useful for our projects."
At the mention of ancient dwarven artifacts, George's eyes lit up. "Well, when you put it that way... Alright, count me in. Might find something interesting after all."
With that, Arthur's mind was made up. He'd attend the auction, blissfully unaware that the magical ring had caught the attention of far more powerful figures.