<h4>Chapter 174: Politics</h4>


    <strong>(Arthur POV)</strong>


    The news couldn''t stop talking about <i>"market destabilization"</i> and <i>"multi-currency proposals"</i>tely. Every TV channel and newspaper spected about how my film''s earnings might reshape the economy, with constant chatter about new currencies being introduced.


    Sure, it seemed like fear-mongering to discourage entertainment spending, but my gut told me there was more to it. Something about these stories felt orchestrated, as if powerful figures wereying groundwork to limit my profits.


    Following my instincts, I started moving fast. First stop: real estate. I bought properties across Horn Kingdom and expanded into Tiger Kingdom, where foreign ownership faced fewer restrictions. If the dor weakened,nd would hold value.


    Next came rare magical materials - worth more than gold and likely to appreciate if currency values shifted. Then I turned to the stock markets. I acquired shares in promisingpanies, especially dwarven corporations listed on the Empirica Stock Exchange and valuable firms on the Horn exchange.


    I didn''t stop there. Precious gems, ancient artifacts, magical equipment - anything that would hold or gain value went into my portfolio. I even had my eye on this expensive vi at Victory Peak. With the way things were heading, livingvishly made more sense than holding onto currency that might lose value.


    Politicians started showing up too, suddenly eager to befriend me. Can''t me them - earning hundreds of millions in five weeks tends to get attention. But their timing just confirmed my suspicions that bigger changes wereing.


    ***


    On July 26th, I became owner of Victory Peak''s most prestigious vi, securing it for <strong>4 million dors.</strong>


    The property took my breath away - sprawling gardens stretched into the distance, perfectly manicured with ancient trees and flowing fountains. The mansion itself rose majestically against the skyline, its ssical architecture blending seamlessly with modern luxuries.


    Only the Horn royal family''s castle surpassed my new home in grandeur.


    "This estate suits you perfectly, Mr. Pendragon. Truly worthy of a genius prince," said Mkar Ironwrath, leader of the <strong>Royalist Unit Party.</strong> He''d been trying to establish a connection with me for days now.


    "I owe it to your assistance, Mr. Ironwrath," I replied diplomatically. "Without your intervention, neither the four million price tag nor the owner''s willingness to sell would have materialized."


    Mkar beamed. "Please, it was nothing. You deserve this, Mr. Pendragon."


    I smiled politely, recognizing his true motives. With October''s election barely two months away, he was clearly fishing for campaign contributions.


    "Can we check out the inside?" Firfel whispered eagerly, nked by an equally curious Vivienne and Sylwen in her Megan Fox appearance.


    "Go ahead. I''ll join you shortly."


    After they hurried toward the mansion, I turned to Mkar. "Your party must be busy preparing for the October election. Perhaps there''s some way I could assist?"


    His smile widened. "Hehe, we would wee any support you feel appropriate, Mr. Pendragon. The decision is entirely yours."


    We strolled through my vast garden as Mkar pressed his case.


    "Your influence could do wonders for us, Mr. Pendragon. With your TVwork behind us, our message would reach every home."


    "True," I nodded. "TV coverage could significantly boost your chances."


    Internally, I scorned the Royalist Unit Party and their obsession with nobles and royalty. As a businessman without titles, their policies offered me nothing. Still, ying along with Mkar served my purposes.


    "Yes!" he eximed. "With Hellfire Network, we''d win by andslide!"


    Perfect opening. "But promoting only your party could backfire," I cautioned. "Other parties would cry foul, im media maniption. They''d argue that denying them equal TV coverage vites electionws. The Election Commission might even invalidate results if they prove unfair media coverage."


    Mkar''s enthusiasm dimmed. "I hadn''t considered that."


    "I suggest giving all parties fair coverage on mywork," I offered reasonably.


    His frown showed his true colors. "Then any party could win. That''s... not what we had in mind, Mr. Pendragon."


    I chuckled, while internally plotting. The Economic Prosperity Alliance, currently unpopr and under-supported, would make the perfect puppet. If I could maneuver their prime minister into power, I''d have far more control than dealing with these royal bootlickers.


    "Perhaps we could be subtle," I suggested. "Cover everyone, but with strategic... emphasis. Much harder to prove bias that way."


    Mkar''s eyes lit up. "Tell me more about this n of yours."


    I had to hold backughter watching Mkar fall for my deception about "subtle promotion." After thirty minutes, he''dpletely bought into it.


    "This n sounds excellent," he said, practically bouncing with excitement. "Such an innovative approach!"


    My proposed strategy involved modern campaign techniques - demographic targeting, prime-time slot maniption, and subtle visual framing that would actually hurt his party. Color psychology in political coverage, camera angles making his party appear disconnected frommon people, and strategic cement of their segments between unpopr news items. All presented as brilliant marketing, when it would actually diminish voter trust.


    As Mkar left, practically skipping with enthusiasm, I snorted. "No use for a royal bootlicker, unfortunately." Hands sped behind my back, I entered my new home.


    The ce was alive with activity - Firfel, Vivienne, Sylwen, and Old Rocky exploring every corner. Klein''s voice echoed through the halls: "This house is amazing!"


    Watching my actors and employees wander freely, I questioned the wisdom of giving them such open ess. With a resigned shake of my head, I let it be.


    ***


    The next day, I dispatched Sylwen to bring in Valerie ckhand, leader of the <strong>Economic Prosperity Alliance.</strong>


    The thirty-year-old demoness carried herself with quiet dignity, her thin golden-rimmed ssespleting her professional appearance. She greeted me with understated politeness.


    "Please, have a seat," I gestured.


    "Thank you for the invitation," Valerie responded simply.


    As Sylwen brought tea, I got straight to the point. "Here''s what I envision. Hellfire Network seems to favor the Royalist Party on the surface, but our coverage will subtly reveal how out of touch they are with everyday people. At the same time, we''ll present the EPA as the voice of economic reform—the underdog challenging the entrenched nobility. When viewers see RUP representatives in theirvish mansions while EPA leaders talk about market reforms from factories and trading floors, the contrast will be powerful."


    An hourter, Valerie sat back, clearly impressed by theyers of deception. "Such an intricate n... I never expected this level of strategic thinking from you."


    I took a measured sip of tea. "Entertainment and emotional maniption aren''t so different. Both require understanding what moves people."


    Admiration flickered in her, "As a demoness, I must say that you are the true demon among demons, Mr. Pendragon." She added, "I find it hard to believe why the royal family of morningstar would exile you."


    "Let''s not venture there," I chuckled softly.


    "Of course." Valerie nodded, respecting the boundary.


    "Aren''t you concerned about bacsh?" Valerie asked. "The Royalist Unit Party represents royal and noble interests. Opposing them could be dangerous."


    I smiled confidently. "I''m not worried about them. RUP has controlled this kingdom''s politics long enough. It''s time for change."


    That word - <strong><i>''change''</i></strong> - would be the cornerstone of our strategy. While Hellfire Network appeared to support RUP and criticize EPA, Valerie''s party would champion change, speaking directly to citizens'' frustrations. The more mywork seemed to dismiss them, the morepelling their message would be.


    The beauty of this ny in its flexibility. If EPA won, I''d have a grateful ally in power. If they lost, I''d still have RUP''s goodwill, since they''d believe I''d supported them while attacking EPA.


    Whether this <strong><i>"underdog"</i></strong> strategy would seed remained to be seen. Public sympathy often favored those who fought against established power - but theory and reality didn''t always align.


    One thing was certain though: if EPA won, everything would serve my interests perfectly.