Lord of Entertainment-Chapter 260: Economic impact

(3rd Person POV)

The first-day box office report for The Two Towers sent shockwaves through the world.

$84 million.

It was an unfathomable sum, an amount so staggering that it left even the wealthiest business magnates in disbelief.

Even some of the largest industries—ones that had existed for centuries—had never been able to generate such an amount in a single day.

And yet, here it was—achieved by a single movie.

To many, it seemed unfair.

For years, traditional industries had struggled to keep up with the ever-expanding entertainment sector, and now, with The Two Towers' insane earnings, those industries were struggling even more.

Everything had started five years ago, when Arthur's film, The Demonfather, took the world by storm—earning hundreds of millions of dollars in mere months.

That alone had been a turning point.

As Arthur continued releasing blockbuster after blockbuster, and as VFX studios began rising alongside him, the global economy began to shift.

Industries that had once thrived on traditional goods and services now found themselves scrambling to keep up.

Many businesses that had once flourished were now forced to rethink their models, as investors increasingly turned their attention toward entertainment.

While Hellfire Studios dominated the industry, other film studios had also risen, creating movies that could earn tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars.

And now, The Two Towers had completely solidified entertainment as the most lucrative sector in history.

In major cities focused on entertainment, like Angel City, the number of producers skyrocketed, each hoping to create the next biggest hit.

It wasn't just movies.

Telenovelas and TV shows saw an increase in both production and viewership.

Sports weren't left behind either. While football had already established itself in the Anatolian region, a new sport was rising rapidly in U.S.E— Rugby, a brutal game that combined martial arts with limited magic, gaining traction among the younger generation.

Even before The Two Towers, the entertainment industry had already been thriving.

However, its recent unstoppable success had begun disrupting the global economy.

The Global Stock Exchange Market was fluctuating wildly, reacting to the film's unprecedented success.

At the same time, laborers worldwide began reconsidering their career paths.

Rather than working in traditional industries, many sought opportunities in entertainment—believing it was the true path to wealth.

And when the second-day box office numbers were released—

It only reinforced that belief.

The Two Towers had not slowed down.

On its second day, it earned $91 million.

Then came the third day, the fourth, and the fifth.

By the end of its first five days, the film had accumulated a staggering $379 million.

The shockwaves reached every corner of the economy.

In Craft Kingdom's underground city, Goldman City, home to its most crucial financial district, unrest had begun.

Within the district's center, known as Street Mine, the atmosphere was grim.

Street Mine was home to MIGHT—Mechanical Industrial Guild for High Technology, the most influential stock exchange in the kingdom.

But now, investors were panicking.

Many were pulling out their investments from MIGHT, suddenly doubting the viability of mining, manufacturing, and engineering.

For years, those industries had been pillars of the economy—but now, with the sheer profitability of entertainment, people began questioning:

Was it still worth the risk? Was it still worth the money?

The uncertainty alarmed MIGHT's leadership.

In response, the chairman of MIGHT, Regan Flower, called for an emergency meeting.

Within the guild's great hall, a vast, circular table sat at the center.

Seated around it were some of the most powerful figures in the industrial sector—a mix of dwarves, humans, and elves, all gathered under the dome of the kingdom's most prestigious institution.

At the head of the table, Regan Flower, an 89-year-old dwarf, sat in deep thought.

His expression was serious, his weary face tense as he processed the sudden shift in the economic landscape.

The tobacco between his lips nearly fell, forgotten, as his mind raced through possibilities.

A crisis was unfolding—

And if they didn't act fast—

The entertainment industry would leave them in the dust.

"Many of you should already know that I wouldn't have called this meeting for nothing," Regan finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the tension. His sharp gaze swept across the room, his expression grim and unyielding.

A heavy silence followed as some directors exchanged glances, their worry evident.

"That damn demon's movie has disrupted the market again, hasn't it?" A dwarf director snorted, crossing his arms. "This time, he's really shaken things up with his latest film."

Another director sighed, frustration lacing his words. "Because of that guy, global currency inflation is skyrocketing."

A third voice, more agitated, spoke up. "This is why our kingdom should establish its own currency! Every kingdom should have its own financial system, rather than relying on a single global currency."

The elves and demons seated at the table frowned at that statement, and one demon finally spoke.

"I strongly disagree," he said, his tone firm. "If we do that, then all our existing wealth—still held in dollars—will be converted into new currencies. And who's to say it won't lose significant value in the process?"

A dwarf scoffed, shaking his head. "Better than being shackled to a damn global economy."

The tension rose rapidly, voices beginning to clash—

Until Regan tapped his fingers on the table.

A single tap.

That was all it took to silence the room.

Puffing out a cloud of smoke, he leaned forward, his voice measured but unwavering.

"Right now, we don't have the luxury for petty disagreements," he said coldly. His sharp gaze flicked around the table. "Global currency or not, the reality is this—we need to speak to the king and the ministers. We need them to enforce stricter regulations on films and increase taxation on the movie industry."

He exhaled slowly, letting his words settle.

"Our most critical stock exchange is under threat—and the government needs to understand that what benefits us, benefits them."

Murmurs spread around the table.

Gradual agreement.

It wasn't just happening in Craft Kingdom—similar discussions were unfolding in every major stock exchange around the world.

The movie industry had been regulated and taxed before, but with the unprecedented success of The Two Towers, pressure was mounting for harsher measures.

And the media seized the opportunity, flooding the headlines with speculation.

"Craft Kingdom's Royal Council Proposes Stricter Film Regulations Following The Two Towers Success!"

"New Film Taxation Policies Expected: Governments Respond to Entertainment Industry Boom."

"Stock Exchange Leaders Demand Limits on Film Revenue Growth!"

And just like that, the very movie studio heads who had rejoiced at the success of The Two Towers—watching their company stocks soar in value—

Were now cursing Arthur instead.

***

Outside the Hellfire Park entrance, reporters gathered in clusters, their eyes trained on the arrival point. They had been waiting, eager to interview Arthur Pendragon about the massive global impact of The Two Towers.

The stock market was in turmoil, industries that had once been pillars of stability—healthcare, technology, and manufacturing—were experiencing a slight decline, while the entertainment sector surged higher than ever.

It was undeniable—one movie had changed the world overnight.

For better or worse, Arthur's film had reshaped economies, investment strategies, and global priorities.

The question now was—what did Arthur think about all of this?

Soon, a sleek car pulled up, and before it had even come to a complete stop, reporters surged forward, eager to get a statement.

As Arthur stepped out, microphones and cameras were shoved toward him, voices overlapping in a flurry of questions.

"Arthur! Your movie has caused a major shift in the global market—do you have any response to critics blaming you for the instability?"

"With The Two Towers making record-breaking profits, do you think the government's proposed higher taxation on films is justified?"

"Investors are pulling out of traditional industries and shifting to entertainment—do you believe this trend is sustainable?"

Arthur barely reacted.

With a shrug, he said casually, "The stock market is unpredictable. It sometimes reacts dramatically over small changes. My movie alone may have caused a significant shift, but whether for good or bad, I'm sure it will return to normal after a while. That's all."

Without another word, he turned and headed toward the building.

The reporters, dissatisfied with the short response, moved to follow him—but the moment they stepped forward—

A barrier materialized between them and Arthur.

The air shimmered faintly, and in an instant, the mages stationed around him activated their magic, effectively blocking anyone from approaching further.

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The reporters could only watch as Arthur disappeared into Hellfire Park, leaving behind a storm of unanswered questions.