Lord of Entertainment

(Arthur POV)

I watched satisfaction spread across the business owners' faces as they grasped the implications. Unlike Dwalric's system, where companies paid for individual Rune-based patterns and ongoing royalties, my solution offered independence. They could purchase the equipment - printers, computers, scanners - and produce their own barcodes without additional fees.

Their interest peaked during the factory demonstration, watching the printer rapidly apply barcodes to sample products.

"This is far simpler than I imagined!" a business owner exclaimed, examining a freshly printed barcode.

"The computer software generates unique barcodes for each product," I explained, gesturing to the connected system. "Once the code is created, the printer applies it directly to products on your production line."

The freedom from Dwalric's restrictive system clearly appealed to them. Each nod and thoughtful expression told me they were already calculating potential savings and increased efficiency.

"This is remarkable," Harry mused, stroking his chin. His eyes narrowed as he studied the barcode pattern. "But there's more to these barcodes than you're letting on. The arrangement, the layout - it's far too sophisticated to be simple stripes."

I smiled, impressed by his perception. Wave's representative had caught something others missed.

"Arthur, our previous dealings taught me you're quite shrewd," Harry continued. "You wouldn't give away barcode production capabilities without ensuring profit somewhere."

Other business owners nodded in agreement. "No entrepreneur surrenders such valuable technology without hidden benefits," another added.

My smile widened. "Well," I shrugged, "you've caught me. Some explanation is in order."

"I've patented what I call the Universal Product Code - that's where my profit comes from."

Harry and others raised their eyebrows, while Dulo from HOLLOW frowned. "So we'll still pay fees for each code, like with Dwalric's runes?"

"Not exactly," I shook my head.

Their confusion was evident, so I elaborated. "As I said, you won't pay for individual barcodes on products."

"Then how do you profit at all?" Harry pressed, leaning forward with interest.

I revealed my plan with a measured smile. "Each barcode requires unique identification for different companies. Hellfire Standard, my regulatory company, assigns Universal Product Code prefixes to ensure this uniqueness."

"Companies must register their UPC prefix and select their preferred prefix size. There's an initial registration fee, plus an annual renewal fee to maintain their registration with Hellfire Standard."

Chuckling at their concerned expressions, I added, "Don't worry - the annual fee is quite reasonable. Far cheaper than what Dwalric charges for their runes."

The business owners exchanged uncertain glances. "I'm lost," one admitted. "Why do we need Hellfire Standard registration for these UPC prefixes? And what's this about prefix sizes?"

"Yes, this seems rather... complex," another added hesitantly.

I explained patiently, "Only registered company prefixes will work in our system. As for prefix size - think of it this way: A 6-digit prefix allows for more unique barcodes, ideal for large businesses. A 10-digit prefix generates fewer unique codes, better suited for smaller operations."

I'd simplified the explanation considerably, making it digestible for non-technical minds.

Harry stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So, shorter prefixes - allowing more product codes - cost more than longer ones?"

"Exactly," I confirmed with a smile. "But as I said, even our highest fees are significantly lower than Dwalric's rune licensing costs."

"Registration with Hellfire Standard is open to all," I explained with practiced ease. "And the fees are significantly lower - no per-barcode charges like Dwalric's per-pattern fees."

"What's the registration cost?" someone asked eagerly.

"It scales with product volume," I replied. "For example, a million products with UPC would only cost about 3,000 dollars."

Their shocked gasps told me everything. "That cheap?"

I nodded. "Compare that to Dwalric's system - 0.35 per pattern plus 0.25 per usage fee. A million products under their system costs 600,000 dollars."

The room erupted in excited murmurs as they processed these numbers.

I watched their reactions with hidden satisfaction. Perfect. They're seeing the value proposition.

"I want to register for a company prefix right away," the potato chip company owner announced first. "And we'll need computers and printers too."

Other business owners quickly followed suit, while representatives from larger corporations like Harry and Dulo made notes to discuss the opportunity with their executives.

Their enthusiasm confirmed my strategy was working. Not only would I profit from the registration system, but each company adopting barcodes would need to purchase computers and related equipment - creating multiple revenue streams while still saving them money compared to Dwalric's system.

***

(3rd Person POV)

~One Week Later~

The adoption rate exceeded even Arthur's optimistic projections. Dozens of companies, convinced by Arthur and his executives' demonstrations, eagerly embraced the new system.

Retail stores, seeing computers' growing business benefits, readily purchased complete systems - computers, barcode scanners, and all necessary equipment. Many stores had already integrated computers into their operations, making the transition from Runescriber Decoders to barcode scanners relatively seamless.

Sales of computer systems, printers, and scanners accelerated rapidly. Companies moved swiftly to implement barcode printing in their production lines, gradually phasing out Dwalric's Rune-based patterns.

Their confidence in abandoning the established system stemmed from Arthur's considerable influence in Horn Kingdom, particularly through Hellscape Center's market dominance. As Hellscape locations switched to barcode scanning, they effectively set new industry standards.

The Economic Prosperity Alliance's support for barcode implementation provided additional reassurance. The government's backing, combined with Arthur's retail presence, created perfect conditions for this technological revolution.

Companies recognized that resisting this change meant potentially losing access to Hellscape Center's massive customer base. This reality, more than any other factor, accelerated the transition from magical to digital price-checking systems across Horn Kingdom's retail sector.

The rapid adoption of barcodes within a week seemed almost unreal. Just days ago, Hellscape Center and other retailers relied exclusively on Runescriber Decoders. Now, barcodes were steadily displacing Rune-based patterns thanks to their cost efficiency.

Yet old habits died hard. Companies and stores, entrenched in the Runestring Engraving System's century-old traditions, couldn't change overnight. However, watching competitors save money with barcodes proved a powerful motivator for change.

Stores without barcode scanners and computers soon faced operational challenges. As barcode-labeled products flooded in, their Runescriber Decoders sat useless, forcing time-consuming manual calculations.

Arthur's television networks amplified the shift through strategic advertising, showcasing the speed and convenience of barcode scanning.

Meanwhile, Hellfire Standard's campaign highlighting cost savings over Rune-based patterns caught investors' and business owners' attention.

The transition sparked predictable resistance. Store owners who'd invested heavily in Runescriber Decoders protested loudly. Cashiers at holdout stores struggled with manual pricing, their frustration making headlines.

Yet customer experience proved more powerful than negative press. Shoppers, witnessing the dramatic speed difference between scanning and traditional methods, overwhelmingly favored stores with the new system. Retailers clinging to Runescriber Decoders watched their customer traffic dwindle.

Even hostile media outlets couldn't dampen public enthusiasm for barcode efficiency. Business publications began running headlines like "Revolutionary Price-checking Method Challenges Dwalric's Century-old Monopoly: Cheaper, Faster, Better."

HOLLOW and Waves Corporation dangled substantial offers to purchase Arthur's UPC, computer, and barcode patents. But Arthur recognized the long-term value of these innovations - only a fool would sell technology poised to generate billions.

These corporations, undeterred by his refusal to sell, pursued licensing rights to manufacture Hellfire Electronics' products. Though tempting, Arthur declined. Allowing others to produce his computers risked losing control of distribution and diluting his reputation as the technology's inventor.

***

At Dwalric Corporation's headquarters in Craft Kingdom, profit reports from Horn Kingdom triggered immediate alarm. Television had spread news of their market share erosion quickly - all thanks to the exiled prince's "barcode" innovation.

Inside a marble-columned conference room, beneath crystal chandeliers powered by ancient runes, Dwalric Ironcipher faced his assembled executives and board members. The normally imposing dwarf's face betrayed unusual tension.

"I trust everyone understands why this emergency meeting was called," Dwalric's gravelly voice carried across the polished table.

The assembled leaders nodded grimly. Their century-old dominance of retail identification systems faced its first serious challenge.

"These barcodes are the issue," a board member stated with careful poise. "Reports indicate they're more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable. I suggest we acquire this system immediately."

Dwalric stroked his silver-streaked beard. "My thoughts exactly. The question is price."

"Two billion should open negotiations," an executive offered. "We could go to five if needed."

"Five billion?" A board member's exclamation echoed off the chamber walls. "That's excessive!"

"The potential return justifies the investment," Dwalric countered, his weathered fingers drumming the table. "We could offer up to eight billion if necessary. If these barcodes spread beyond Horn Kingdom to the global market, our entire corporation faces existential risk."

The room fell silent as board members calculated the implications. Their Runestring Engraving System's global monopoly, built over a century, could crumble in months if barcode adoption continued at its current pace.

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