(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.