(3rd Person POV)
With the introduction of local currencies, certain aspects of daily life became more affordable, particularly in the entertainment sector.
Movie tickets, for instance, had previously been priced at two Global Dollars. But now, with the new exchange rates, things had shifted.
In Morningstar Kingdom, where five Hellions equaled one Global Dollar, a movie ticket could now be purchased for just three Hellions—making it significantly cheaper for the general public.
Governments, aiming to devalue the entertainment industry, had strategically adjusted exchange rates to keep mechanical and technological industries more expensive while making entertainment products inexpensive and easily accessible.
A computer, for example, which had been priced at 400 Global Dollars, was now valued at 2,000 Hellions—retaining its high cost.
With these economic adjustments, many elites and industrialists who had been frustrated by Arthur's growing influence saw this as a victory.
They believed that Hellfire's dominance would weaken, especially with the upcoming release of The Return of the King.
With ticket prices lower than ever, analysts were confident that the film wouldn't generate the same massive profits as Arthur's previous films.
---
When the release day finally arrived, their predictions seemed correct—at first.
The film premiered worldwide, but its first-day box office earnings only reached 9 million Global Dollars—far below expectations.
Had this been before the local currency shift, it would have easily hit 20-30 million.
Financial analysts were quick to celebrate—declaring that Arthur had finally lost his box office magic.
However, their confidence didn't last long.
By the second day, the film gained momentum, pulling in 14 million Global Dollars.
By the third day, it skyrocketed even further, shocking even the most seasoned industry experts.
It wasn't until they analyzed the trend that they realized why the numbers were climbing so fast.
The film's accessibility had drastically increased.
While overall profits weren't as high, the lower ticket prices meant that more people than ever before could afford to watch the film.
With wages remaining mostly unchanged when converted to Global Dollars, the average citizen no longer hesitated to buy a ticket.
By the end of the first week, the film had amassed an impressive 202 million Global Dollars worldwide.
Even though it hadn't reached the billion-dollar milestone as quickly as before, the sheer volume of engagement on the internet and Hellbook discussions ensured that the film's hype never died down.
Millions of Hellbook users actively debated, reviewed, and theorized about the film, further fueling interest.
And as mainstream media caught on, news outlets capitalized on the engagement, keeping the film in the public spotlight for weeks.
In contrast, other film studios suffered heavily.
A major release from Titan Pictures, which had been expected to compete with The Return of the King, barely reached 10-20 million Global Dollars in its first week.
The numbers were so dismal that industry insiders began questioning whether big-budget films outside of Hellfire could even survive in the new economic landscape.
For now, while major studios felt the sting of lower profits, one fact remained clear:
Hellfire was still on top.
And despite efforts to weaken the entertainment industry, the world hadn't lost its love for movies—especially Arthur Pendragon's.
The buzz surrounding The Return of the King refused to die down.
Public places were filled with discussions about the film, from crowded taverns to bustling marketplaces.
"The One Ring is finally gone! I can't believe Frodo actually did it!" someone exclaimed.
"And Aragorn! He finally became king!" another added, voice filled with excitement.
A dwarf laughed heartily over his mug of ale. "Bah! The best part was watching Gollum fall into Mount Doom! That sneaky little bastard got what he deserved!"
Others joined in, chuckling. "He was obsessed with the Ring until the very end. I almost felt bad for him... almost."
Amidst the cheering and debate, another group enthusiastically discussed Aragorn and Arwen's kiss.
"That scene was something else," a woman sighed dreamily. "The way they looked at each other—it felt so real."
"Exactly! It makes you wonder... is Arthur actually in love with Firfel?" her friend whispered conspiratorially.
A young elf overhearing them leaned in. "You're not the only ones thinking that! That kiss was too intense to be just acting."
"Maybe we'll hear wedding bells soon," someone teased, prompting a round of laughter.
Despite reaching its fourth week in theatres, The Return of the King held its position at the top of the box office.
By the end of the fourth week, the film had grossed 772 million Global Dollars, though its earnings began to slow down as millions had already seen it.
Even so, the adulation remained strong, and the impact of the film was undeniable.
But amidst the excitement, a sense of sadness crept in among the fans.
"This is it?" one man muttered, shaking his head. "There's no more Lord of the Rings?"
A woman nearby frowned. "It's so strange. Why would Hellfire end a billion-dollar franchise just like that?"
The question hung heavily in the air.
Most expected Hellfire to milk the series—to squeeze out spin-offs, prequels, anything to keep it going.
And yet, Arthur had chosen to end it.
Even major media outlets weighed in on the situation.
"With Hellfire's biggest franchise concluding, what's next for Arthur Pendragon? Can he create another phenomenon, or has the golden age of Hellfire peaked?"
Rival studios, long overshadowed by Hellfire's success, saw this as a rare moment of opportunity.
"With Lord of the Rings finally over, does this mean other studios have a chance to dominate the industry once more?"
The answer?
No.
Because while the world was celebrating the conclusion of one legendary saga, Arthur was already crafting another.
One that would change cinema forever.
Deep inside the Hellfire VFX Studio, Arthur watched as the final scenes of Star Wars were being filmed.
Months of painstaking effort, world-building, and innovation were finally paying off.
With one last cut, he wrapped up the project.
A collective sigh of relief spread among the cast and crew.
It was done.
Now, all that remained was the post-production process.
Arthur finally had the chance to relax—perhaps even take Firfel out on a proper date.
But before he could enjoy his well-earned break, an unexpected letter arrived.
Another invitation from the Morningstar royal family.
Arthur frowned.
They wouldn't have contacted him unless it was something important.
---
The Morningstar royal castle was alive with activity. Nobles, politicians, celebrities, and media personalities filled the grand hall, their voices merging into an elegant cacophony.
The crown prince of Thorn, Enril Throne, was expected to arrive.
At the castle's grand entrance, a luxurious black car rolled up, its polished surface gleaming under the morning sun.
As the car door swung open, gasps and excited whispers spread through the waiting crowd.
And then, cheers erupted.
"It's him!"
"Prince Enril!"
Many of the women in the crowd shrieked in excitement, swooning over the handsome prince.
Enril Throne was more than just royalty.
His striking orange hair, intense red eyes, and a smile crafted to charm had made him a sensation not only in Thorn but across Anatolia.
A renowned singer, a celebrity, and a fashion icon, his presence alone was enough to cause a stir.
His tailored expensive suit hugged his tall, broad frame perfectly, while his sleek rubber shoes—a style inspired by Anatolia's most famous football players—gave him a more modern, youthful appeal.
With practiced ease, he turned to the crowd and offered a graceful bow.
The cheers grew louder.
Then, he stepped onto the red carpet, making his way inside.
Standing inside the ornate palace hall, Apollonia observed the scene with a neutral, if not slightly displeased expression.
Her scarlet dress shimmered under the warm chandelier lights, its elegance undeniable—yet the woman wearing it seemed utterly indifferent.
Beside her, Lucy stood with a polite smile, clearly enjoying the spectacle far more than her younger sister.
As Enril approached, Lucy was the first to greet him.
"Welcome to Morningstar, Your Highness Enril."
Enril flashed a charming smile and gave a small nod. "Thank you for the warm reception."
Then, his gaze shifted toward Apollonia.
She met his eyes—but only for a fleeting moment before simply nodding.
Nothing more.
There was no warmth, no interest, no excitement.
If Enril was disappointed, he didn't show it. Instead, he decided to take a softer approach, attempting to strike up a conversation.
Yet Apollonia barely responded.
A nod.
A few words.
Another nod.
It was clear she wasn't interested.
Azazel, noticing the awkwardness, smoothly stepped in and began engaging Enril in conversation, making up for Apollonia's lack of enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, King Luke stood back, observing the interaction with an unreadable expression.
When Enril finally noticed the king, he immediately bowed in respect.
Luke stepped forward, preparing to address him—
But then—
Gasps filled the hall.
All heads turned sharply toward the entrance.
Stepping through the grand double doors, dressed in an immaculate black Pendragon suit, was none other than Arthur Pendragon.
At his side, Yoda walked calmly, his small presence barely noticeable compared to the woman beside them—
Firfel.
A hush fell over the assembled nobles, politicians, and celebrities.
And then—
A deafening uproar.
The crowd outside the castle, still gathered beyond the velvet ropes, erupted into cheers.
"Arthur!"
"Prince Arthur!"
"He actually came!"
"I didn't expect this!"
Even the media reporters, who had long speculated whether Arthur would attend, were caught off guard.
Arthur Pendragon, the exiled prince, standing once more in the halls of the Morningstar royal family?
It was a historic moment.
And everyone knew it.
But Arthur?
He barely reacted.
His expression was calm, a faint, almost amused smile playing on his lips as he scanned the room.
His gaze flickered over the royal family, pausing ever so briefly on Enril.
Then—
The first to move toward him weren't the nobles.
But the celebrities.
Of course.
Arthur wasn't just a prince.
He was the most famous filmmaker in the world.
Hellfire's king.
One after another, Morningstar's biggest stars rushed toward him.
"Arthur!"
"Mr. Pendragon, it's an honor!"
"Do you remember me? We met at the Golden Laurel Gala!"
Arthur held back a sigh.
He had anticipated this—but it was still mildly irritating.
Just as he was about to politely dismiss them, his eyes landed on one particular celebrity.
A young-looking demon with dark curls, striking eyes, and an almost otherworldly presence.
Arthur froze.
"Wait..." he muttered under his breath.
His eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"Is that... MJ?"
The young demon tilted his head, flashing a dazzling smile.
Before Arthur could process the strange familiarity, a sharp voice cut through the noise.
"This was not within my expectations."
Arthur turned—
And locked eyes with Lucy.
She smiled coldly, arms crossed.
"You actually showed up."