Chapter 249 - Franchise

    (3rd Person POV)

    For the cast and crew, interacting with the dragons under Arthur''s control proved to be an eye-opening experience.

    Contrary to their initial expectations, the dragons were far from the dangerous and terrifying creatures they had imagined. Instead, they displayed a surprising level of friendliness and intelligence.

    George, a dwarf who had always been wary of dragons despite their cooperation, found himself seeing them in a new light after weeks of acting alongside them as Gimli.

    His long-held belief that dragons were fierce and unreasonable creatures began to crumble in the face of their genuine camaraderie.

    "Haha, I still remember the way those elder elves tried to make me their protector!" Yellow reminisced, his laughter tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Those were good times..."

    Red chimed in, his eyes distant with memories. "Oh, I know what you mean. I can''t forget the day when the elves fawned over me, cleaning my claws and showering me with treats, all in the hopes that I''d stay in their forest city."

    Witnessing two dragons engaged in such nostalgic conversation was a sight George had never imagined possible.

    Moreover, the dragons had formed an unexpected bond with Kurt and Imkrag.

    George couldn''t help but reflect on Kurt''s transformation since his role as Fredo in the previous Lord of the Rings film.

    The once shy half-dwarf, half-human had blossomed into a confident young man, his popularity soaring in the wake of the movie''s success. Kurt had become the ambassador for the "Hobbit" race, a new category inspired by the Lord of the Rings and officially recognized by nations worldwide.

    Kurt had become the ambassador for the "Hobbit Race," a role he embraced with enthusiasm. Imkrag, the half-dwarf, half-imp actor known for his portrayal of Gollum, had also undergone a remarkable transformation.

    Despite the occasional teasing he endured due to his famous lines, Imkrag remained humble and grateful for the opportunities that had come his way.

    George, like the other actors, knew that none of their success would have been possible without the visionary guidance of one person: Arthur Pendragon, the busy director who had brought them all together.

    As George''s mind wandered, he couldn''t help but reflect on the incredible journey he and Arthur had shared. From their humble beginnings as inventor buddies in Morningstar Kingdom to the billion-dollar empire they had built, their lives had taken a remarkable turn.

    Lost in thought, George almost didn''t notice when his secretary, a female dwarf with a soft yet deep voice, leaned in to whisper in his ear.

    "Mr. George, I wanted to inform you that our first advanced arcade franchise, ''Hell''a Fun!,'' has been completed in the main Hellscape mall."

    The news came as no surprise to George. With a smile, he replied, "Excellent. We''re ready to introduce this franchise to interested businessmen."

    With Arthur fully immersed in his filmmaking, George, as the vice-chairman of the company, had taken on the responsibility of overseeing the execution of Arthur''s ambitious plans.

    The "Hell''a Fun!" franchise was Arthur''s brainchild, a vision of arcade chains that would expand not only throughout Horn Kingdom but across the world. It was no ordinary arcade; Arthur had infused the concept with a host of innovative ideas that set it apart from the competition.

    George''s secretary interrupted his musings once more. "Mr. George, you''ve also received several messages on your office computer, mostly from businessmen seeking collaboration opportunities."

    Intrigued, George raised an eyebrow. "Let''s hear them. There might be some promising leads."

    As his secretary relayed the messages, one, in particular, caught George''s attention. It was from a businessman in Japon named Mr. Yamauchi, expressing interest in creating video games for the H.E.S console.

    George recalled his previous discussions with Arthur about collaborating with businessmen to develop video games for their platform. Now, it seemed, Mr. Yamauchi was presenting just such an opportunity.

    "Gentlemen, let me remind you that I am not only Arthur''s trusted friend but also the vice-chairman of Hellfire. Our company is now worth billions, while many of you here are millionaires at best. I suggest you consider your position and appreciate the opportunity you''ve been given."

    The room fell silent, the weight of George''s words sinking in. Some guests shifted uncomfortably, their bravado evaporating under the dwarf''s unwavering stare.

    Yamauchi felt a chill run down his spine as George''s eyes settled on him, a smile that was equal parts greeting and warning.

    ''This vice-chairman is not to be underestimated,'' Yamauchi thought, his own business instincts kicking in. ''There''s more to him than meets the eye.''

    As the tension dissipated, George clapped his hands, his demeanor shifting to one of enthusiastic host.

    "Now, gentlemen, let me introduce you to the future of arcades. Welcome to Hell''a Fun!, where innovation meets excitement. Step inside, and prepare to be amazed."

    With that, the doors to the arcade swung open, inviting the guests to experience the wonders that awaited them.

    ***

    (Ken Yamauchi POV)

    As I stepped inside the Hell''a Fun! arcade, my mind swirled with questions. What sets this franchise apart from the rest?

    To my surprise, the interior was not only vibrant and colorful but also remarkably spacious. Surrounding me were an array of unfamiliar devices, each one piquing my curiosity. As a Japanese businessman with a background in casino entertainment, I couldn''t help but wonder if this arcade was, in fact, a cleverly disguised gambling establishment.

    The other guests seemed equally perplexed. "It looks like a typical arcade, just bigger and with some odd machines," one remarked. "What''s so special about it that Hellfire is making such a fuss?"

    Another chimed in, "I don''t see the investment potential here."

    A third added, "Arcades may be trending, but the profits are still low compared to the initial costs."

    I found myself agreeing with their assessments. Drawing from my own experience, I spoke up. "In Nihon City, the capital of Japon, arcades enjoyed a brief surge in popularity due to video games. However, with a limited selection of titles, they quickly lost ground to the casinos. I should know—I own one myself."

    Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group.

    "Seems like a risky venture."

    "Why pour money into something with such a short-lived appeal?"

    All eyes turned to George, the vice-chairman of Hellfire, awaiting his response.

    To my surprise, he nodded in acknowledgment. "I won''t deny that casinos typically outperform arcades. A handful of video game machines can''t compete with the allure of gambling."

    I raised an eyebrow, wondering if he was conceding defeat. But George continued, his voice filled with conviction.

    "However, everything is about to change with my boss Arthur''s revolutionary concept for arcades. Hell''a Fun! will transform the entire industry."

    My curiosity was instantly piqued. I glanced around, noting the same intrigue mirrored on the faces of the other guests. What did George and Hellfire have up their sleeves that could potentially transform the arcade business?

    Leaning forward, I prepared to listen intently as George began to unveil the secrets behind this intriguing new venture.