(3rd Person POV)
The promise of cheap tickets had stirred murmurs throughout the conference hall, but not all reactions carried enthusiasm.
Gruin, a well-dressed blond dwarf with calculating yellow eyes, leaned toward his colleagues with undisguised skepticism. "Tickets priced that low?" His voice dropped to a contemptuous whisper. "This reeks of desperation. Why would we partner with someone practically giving away their services?"
His long-time business associate, a sharp-eyed elf named Valoris, nodded grimly. "Agreed. That terminal design—hundreds of seats crammed together like cattle pens. Sure, it makes cheap tickets possible, but it also screams volume over quality." He tapped his temple with one manicured finger. "High passenger turnover means minimal service standards. One major incident, and we're all dragged down with their reputation."
Their hushed conversation rippled outward, other representatives exchanging wary glances as doubt spread through nearby rows like a contagion.
Despite the undercurrent of skepticism, Clone Arthur maintained his presentation's momentum, his confident smile never wavering. He clasped his hands together and leaned into the microphone. "If there are no further questions, then welcome to the official opening of Hellfire International Airport!"
The assembled crowd shifted restlessly, confusion flickering across their faces.
"Open the airport?" someone called out. "Aren't we already inside it?"
With a dramatic flourish, the clone snapped his fingers. The curtains surrounding the conference hall dropped away like theater backdrops.
Gasps erupted throughout the crowd.
"What in the—" someone breathed.
"Are we really in airport?" another voice wondered aloud.
The space that surrounded them defied every expectation of traditional air port. Instead of sterile gates and uncomfortable plastic seating, a vibrant commercial district stretched in every direction.
A gleaming Hellfire Electronics store occupied a prominent corner, its displays showcasing the latest computers and Hellphones. Nearby, the warm aroma of coffee drifted from a stylish café bearing the "Fire Bucks" logo—a chain that had been gaining popularity throughout Horn City.
Fashion boutiques lined the concourse: "Pendragon" displayed elegant formal wear, "Continent" featured rugged travel clothing, while "Elven" showcased flowing, nature-inspired designs. The established restaurant "Delicacy" had opened a location featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runways.
Gruin shot to his feet, his face flushed with indignation. "Is this some elaborate jest? We're supposed to believe this shopping mall is an airport?"
Clone Arthur's expression remained perfectly serene as he addressed the outburst. "Different, isn't it?" He gestured expansively at the commercial wonderland surrounding them. "This is strategic innovation. When travelers arrive, they're not herded through sterile corridors—they're welcomed into an experience. They shop, they dine, they discover."
His voice took on the enthusiasm of a true entrepreneur. "And for departing passengers? No more sitting in uncomfortable plastic chairs counting minutes. They can browse, eat, socialize—transform waiting time into enjoyable time."
Gruin's scowl deepened as he processed the concept. 'Absolute madness. Tourists want to explore the actual city, not some artificial marketplace. The moment they land, they'll be itching to experience the real Horn Kingdom, not this manufactured nonsense.'
The sentiment was shared by several other representatives, their skeptical expressions broadcasting their doubts.
However, more forward-thinking representatives began recognizing the potential. The CEO of Star-Bloom Airways quietly observed passengers from earlier flights browsing the shops with obvious interest, many carrying purchase bags as they headed toward departure gates.
"Clever," she murmured to her assistant. "Captive audience, premium locations, extended dwell time. The profit margins on retail could subsidize those impossibly low ticket prices."
The revelation was beginning to reshape their understanding of Arthur's business model—and whether his revolutionary approach might actually succeed.
"Lady Chloe already grasped Mister Pendragon's strategy?" Her assistant's voice carried genuine surprise, eyes wide with admiration.
Chloe Star—despite her youth for an elf CEO—possessed the sharp intellect that had propelled Star-Bloom Airways to prominence. She gestured elegantly at their surroundings. "Observe carefully, Dara. Hellfire invested heavily in this infrastructure, and notice how many storefronts bear their brand. The remaining retailers? They're paying premium rent for captive foot traffic. Hellfire profits whether passengers fly or not."
Dara's gaze swept the commercial district with newfound understanding. 'As expected of Lady Chloe—she's already dissected his entire business model.' "But isn't this approach dangerously risky? Those ticket prices barely cover energy costs, even with retail revenue offsetting losses."
A knowing smile graced Chloe's features. "Risk assessment becomes irrelevant when we're discussing Arthur Pendragon. Everyone in this room knows his reputation for defying conventional wisdom—and succeeding spectacularly."
Dara's attention drifted to the stage where Clone Arthur commanded the space with casual authority. His posture radiated confidence as he surveyed the crowd, chin slightly raised like a monarch observing his domain.
The clone clearly savored the mixture of bewilderment and calculation spreading through his audience. He extended his arms theatrically. "Our website sold out completely—two hundred inaugural passengers! Let's welcome them to the future of air travel!"
The terminal doors swept open with dramatic timing. The first wave of customers streamed inside—exactly two hundred strong, their excited chatter echoing through the space.
Most were obvious Hellfire enthusiasts, their branded merchandise and reverent expressions marking them as devoted fans. They paused just inside the entrance, taking in the unprecedented sight.
"This can't actually be an airport," one puzzled patron muttered. "Arthur's built another entertainment complex, hasn't he?"
"Maybe it's both?" her companion suggested uncertainly. "Hellfire keeps reinventing everything they touch."
Their confusion dissolved as airport staff materialized to provide guidance, and suddenly the space transformed from curious attraction to functional transportation hub. Digital departure boards flickered to life, uniformed personnel took their positions, and the orchestrated efficiency of modern air travel emerged from what had seemed like elaborate theater.
Media representatives positioned themselves strategically, cameras capturing every moment of this historic operation.
"Welcome aboard Hellfire's inaugural flights," Clone Arthur announced, his voice carrying across the terminal. "While you await departure, please explore everything our facility offers."
Initial hesitation gave way to genuine curiosity as passengers began wandering the retail corridors, their animated conversations creating a buzz of energy that transformed the space into something alive and vibrant.
Professional announcers began calling boarding groups with crisp efficiency. The streamlined operation impressed even skeptical observers—within thirty minutes, all two hundred passengers had completed check-in and security procedures.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, five sleek aircraft waited on the tarmac like silver predators. Though one plane could easily accommodate the passenger load, destinations required division: Persia and Japon each demanded separate flights.
A bull-demon pressed his face against the glass, barely containing his excitement. "I'm actually leaving Horn Kingdom! Never could afford airship prices before—this is incredible!"
"Same here!" His friend's enthusiasm was infectious. "First time traveling anywhere!"
Similar conversations rippled throughout the boarding area as passengers who'd been priced out of traditional air travel celebrated their newfound mobility.
Stepping aboard the aircraft revealed an entirely different philosophy of flight. Where airships mimicked luxurious ocean liners with spacious promenades and private cabins, these planes prioritized efficiency—rows of comfortable but compact seating that maximized passenger capacity without sacrificing basic comfort.
Media representatives granted access to document the experience found themselves genuinely intrigued. The interior design challenged every assumption about air travel, creating something simultaneously familiar and revolutionary.
As the aircraft began its taxi, the pilot's voice crackled through the cabin communication system. Passengers settled into their seats with mixed anticipation and nervousness. Once airborne, flight attendants emerged with practiced grace, their warm smiles and professional demeanor setting the tone for what everyone sensed would be a journey unlike anything they'd experienced before.
---
After the aircraft disappeared into the horizon, the representatives began filing toward the spacious conference room where Clone Arthur awaited their inevitable approaches. They could see the potential of Hellfire's entry into their industry, though some wore expressions that promised confrontation rather than collaboration.
The clone sat with practiced composure in the luxurious meeting space, his posture radiating the quiet confidence of someone accustomed to commanding rooms full of powerful people. There was something subtly magnetic about his presence—a faint influence that made the assembled businessmen unconsciously lean forward when he spoke, though none could quite identify why.
The effect stemmed from Arthur's divine nature as a God of Wealth, and while the clone possessed only a fraction of that power, it was enough to create an aura of authority that drew people's attention without overwhelming their judgment.
"Mr. Pendragon—" Chloe Star stepped forward with professional grace, but Gruin's sharp voice cut her off.
"What game are you playing, pricing tickets so ridiculously low?" The dwarf's face flushed with indignation. "Are you deliberately trying to destabilize the entire aviation industry?"
Arthur's gaze shifted to Gruin with glacial slowness, his smile carrying all the warmth of winter steel. "I'm simply offering customers what they deserve—affordable transportation instead of the inflated prices your industry has been forcing on them for decades. If that threatens your business model, perhaps your business model deserves to be threatened."
Gruin's breath caught in his throat, the casual dismissal hitting him like a physical blow. He gritted his teeth, gathering himself for a heated response, when Chloe smoothly stepped between them.
"Mr. Pendragon, I'm Chloe Star of Star-Bloom Airways," she said with polished diplomacy, extending her hand. "I'm here to discuss potential partnership opportunities. My family operates the largest aviation hub in Lunar Kingdom, and we're very interested in bringing Hellfire Airlines to Eden Continent through our facilities."
The room fell silent as every representative turned to stare at the young elf. Even Gruin's anger was momentarily forgotten in his shock.
Chloe Star had built a legendary reputation as the business prodigy who had rescued her family's failing airline from bankruptcy, transforming Star-Bloom into one of Eden Continent's most successful carriers. For someone of her stature to openly court partnership with Arthur sent ripples of surprise through the assembled executives.
"You're willing to work with them?" someone whispered in disbelief.
Gruin's face darkened further. "Chloe, surely you can't be serious about—"
"I'm entirely serious," she replied without taking her eyes off Arthur. "Lunar Kingdom sits at the heart of Eden Continent's trade routes. A partnership between Star-Bloom and Hellfire Airlines could revolutionize transportation across the entire continent. We have the infrastructure, you have the technology. It's a natural fit."
Arthur studied her with renewed interest. Lunar Kingdom's strategic position made it the gateway to Eden Continent's vast markets and resources. Securing access there would give Hellfire Airlines a foothold in one of the world's most economically important regions.
"An intriguing proposition, Miss Star," Arthur said, his tone warming considerably. "I believe we should discuss the details privately."
The other representatives exchanged troubled glances, realizing that if Chloe Star secured an exclusive partnership, their own opportunities for Eden Continent expansion might vanish overnight.