Chapter 196: Launch

    (3rd Person POV)

    Arthur immersed himself in "Child''s Play" production, watching as his ghost crew mastered their doll vessels with increasing precision.

    "Now that you''ve got the physical control down, we move to acting," Arthur announced to the possessed dolls.

    "What?" Diddy''s voice emerged from Chucky''s mouth. "I thought learning the body control was enough. Nobody mentioned acting."

    "You''re starring in a film," Arthur reminded them. "Acting is essential."

    "Fine," Diddy sighed, his fellow ghosts sharing his reluctance. Moving from camera operation to acting while possessing dolls marked a significant change in their duties.

    Unlike their minor roles in "Harry Potter," this project demanded more. Arthur coached them in Chucky''s character - finding the balance between menacing and comedic timing.

    The next day''s rehearsals with Firfel, Vivienne, and George produced unexpected results. Rather than terror, the possessed dolls'' performances - complete with creative cursing and exaggerated expressions - provoked constant laughter.

    "Are we making a horror film or a comedy?" Vivienne asked between giggles.

    Arthur smiled. "Both, actually."

    He recalled how the original "Child''s Play" had similar effects during production - the cast often struggled to maintain serious faces during Chucky''s scenes.

    Now history repeated itself as his ghosts chased the actors with plastic knives, their tiny doll bodies making the pursuit more amusing than frightening.

    The playful atmosphere didn''t concern Arthur. Once edited with the right sound effects and lighting, these same scenes would take on a much darker tone for audiences.

    "Keep practicing," Arthur called as he headed out. "I''ve got other matters to handle."

    Leaving the rehearsal room, he drove to Hellfire Electronics'' main factory, anticipation building. The 100,000-unit milestone would trigger their computer launch.

    Norman met him at the entrance with the news he''d been waiting for: "We''ve hit target production thanks to our subsidiary factories across Horn Kingdom and our facilities in the Japon Empire and Choson Kingdom."

    ***

    The next day brought more high-profile criticism. Rothgar Grimfire, the 146-year-old founder of Spell Count System, worth 2 billion dollars, dismissed Arthur''s innovation during a business interview: "Electronic devices can never match magical precision. Arthur should stick to his filmmaking rather than meddling in industries beyond his grasp."

    Grimfire''s company dominated the low level artifact calculator and accounting spell market, serving government offices and major corporations across the kingdom.

    Helena Shadowmere, 135-year-old CEO of Data Crystal Solutions, joined the criticism. "Our crystal storage systems and information retrieval spells have proven their security over decades. This youngster''s electronic replacement claims are baseless." Her 1.8 billion dollar company had spent eighty years building its reputation.

    These weren''t just companies - they were institutions, their influence woven into the kingdom''s fabric through decades of operation. Despite Arthur''s meteoric rise through entertainment, challenging such established powers wouldn''t be simple.

    Public opinion echoed the criticism. In a busy cafe?, conversations buzzed with skepticism.

    "Why can''t this demon focus on what he''s good at? Just give us Lord of the Rings part 2 - we''ve been waiting forever!" one patron complained to his friends.

    "He''s all over the place," another added. "Made football popular somehow, got those video game machines in Hellscape Center catching on..."

    A third demon snorted into his coffee. "Doing too much. Should focus on what he knows best."

    Arthur faced increasing criticism as the computer''s price was deemed unaffordable—set at a hefty 249 dollars.

    The computer''s price tag drew sharp criticism, with many claiming only fools would invest in such an expensive device.

    Yet some forward-thinking companies saw beyond the cost. Arcane Processing Solutions, a 1.1 billion-dollar magical data processing firm, ordered computers in bulk after their CEO tested one personally.

    Along with the computers, Arthur offered an innovative service - the Hellfire Communication Network. This system allowed connected computers within company buildings to share information instantly. Though revolutionary, only the few businesses embracing computer technology could access this early network.

    While most remained skeptical, Arthur had successfully implemented his vision of connected computers, even if initially limited to progressive companies willing to invest in the technology. The foundation for a broader network was laid, though few recognized its potential.

    For now, early adopters like Arcane Processing gained a significant advantage - their computers could communicate across floors and departments instantly, a capability their competitors dismissed as unnecessary extravagance.

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