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Chapter 156: Season One Ends and Golden Award Ceremony

Arthur felt satisfied seeing Frederick still in the running. The performer had built a dedicated following, with studio audiences now singing along to his performances.

Yet the competition remained fierce. The graceful "Ballet Charms" duo and the captivating singer "Arya Gold" stood among several formidable contestants.

As the semi-finals launched, viewers across Horn, Morningstar, Thorn, Choson, Japon, Bharat and parts of South East Anatolia tuned in wherever Hellfire\'s signal towers reached.

Public spaces with televisions drew crowds of eager viewers. Though TV ownership hadn\'t yet become universal, people found ways to watch - flooding into restaurants, bars, and taverns.

Establishment owners\' reactions varied. Some grumbled about non-paying viewers, while others welcomed the crowds, engaging them in conversation and building community around these shared viewing experiences.

Days slipped by, culminating in Hellfire Got Talent\'s season finale - Frederick facing off against Arya Gold.

Across public spaces with TVs, viewers passionately defended their favorites.

In a bustling Bharat restaurant, heated debates erupted.

"Arya will win without question. Her beauty matches her heavenly voice," declared a blue-skinned demon.

"Are you blind? Frederick\'s talent is extraordinary, his songs touch the soul!"

"Right! And he\'s one of our own - support Frederick!"

Similar arguments echoed through taverns and gathering spots everywhere.

The moment of truth arrived at the Hellfire Got Talent studio. As votes from judges and audience members tallied, Frederick emerged victorious.

He fought back tears while accepting the trophy from Arthur himself.

Arthur then turned to Arya, transforming her disappointment with an unexpected announcement - both performers would be signed to Hellfire Records.

"As our runner-up, Arya Gold receives twenty thousand dollars!" Arthur proclaimed. "Additionally, she\'ll be offered a fifty-thousand-dollar contract with Hellfire Records!"

The audience erupted in applause, Frederick joining in enthusiastically.

Arthur knew Arya deserved this recognition. Without his subtle influence helping Frederick, she likely would have claimed victory.

He then revealed Frederick\'s prizes - fifty thousand dollars plus a hundred-thousand-dollar contract offer.

Viewers\' eyes widened at these life-changing sums. "Even second place would set me for life! No more daily grind!" The math was simple and compelling - seventy thousand dollars for runner-up alone!

Already, millions planned their auditions for next season.

***

Frederick and Arya signed with Hellfire Records without hesitation, though competing labels aggressively pursued them. Television exposure had transformed these newcomers into hot commodities in the music industry.

While the duo\'s rejection disappointed other labels, they successfully signed several Top 10 contestants from Hellfire Got Talent, though most talents still gravitated toward Hellfire Records.

The show\'s innovative format - combining talent discovery with lucrative sponsorships and commercial revenue - caught Empirica\'s attention.

Soon, copycat talent shows emerged across Empirica. However, thanks to Hellfire Daily and Forbes Magazine\'s recent circulation in the nation, the public recognized these programs as imitations. Hellfire Channel\'s expansion into several Empirican states immediately after season one\'s finale only reinforced their position as the original.

Waves Corporation\'s backing proved crucial - their strong support helped Hellfire establish clear ownership of the talent show format through repeated broadcasts of the original program.

Repeated broadcasts of Hellfire Got Talent drew constant comparisons with its imitators, viewers consistently praising the original\'s superior production value and more discerning judges.

Besides that, James Blaze and Nirvana\'s music found even broader acclaim. Though their songs had circulated in Empirica before, television exposure catapulted their popularity to new heights.

The "Devil\'s Horn" trend spread like wildfire within days. Solarus watched with growing alarm as demon influence permeated human society. They actively backed competing channels while warning their followers about the dangers of "Devil\'s Horn" fashion.

***

By late February, Arthur led his entourage to Empirica - Clint, Benny, Vivienne, Firfel, and the principal cast of Demonfather and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Their airship touched down in Angels City, where a wall of reporters and cameramen awaited. The evolution of television had brought new media tools - cameras whirred and microphones thrust forward eagerly.

"Mr. Pendragon!" A reporter called above the clamor. "How confident are you about your Golden Laurel nominations?"

Arthur\'s smile carried measured confidence. "Nothing\'s certain in this industry. But our films stand a strong chance."

Among the barrage of questions, Arthur overheard reporters pressing Firfel and the others.

"Ms. Firfel! Is it true that Mr. Pendragon harassed you during the filming of Lord of the Rings or Demonfather?"

Arthur\'s expression darkened at the accusation.

Firfel shared a gentle laugh with Vivienne and other female cast members. "No... Arthur maintains absolute professionalism during filming..." she defended, her voice clear and firm.

They fielded more questions until airport security helped escort them through the crowd.

"These ridiculous rumors keep spreading," Arthur grumbled.

Firfel stifled another laugh behind her hand. "Well, director harassment is unfortunately common in this industry."

Arthur shook his head in disgust. Angels City unfolded before them, its streets lined with gleaming automobiles and art deco buildings. Neon signs flickered to life as evening approached, their glow reflecting off chrome and glass.

After checking into their hotel, anticipation built for the upcoming ceremony. The Golden Laurel Awards would make history as the first nationally televised award show, broadcast on Golden Channel.

Television would bring millions of viewers into the prestigious event for the first time.

The Impact Theatre, owned by the prominent camera manufacturer Impact, buzzed with energy as the ceremony began. Celebrities, directors, and writers walked the red carpet while cameras captured every moment. Crowds pressed against barriers, cheering their favorites.

When Arthur\'s group arrived, the cheers crescendoed.

"Arthur Corleone!" fan groups chanted in unison.

The crowd\'s enthusiasm extended to Firfel, Vivienne, Clint, Benny, and the entire cast.

Arthur couldn\'t ignore the evidence - his influence now truly reached worldwide.

Soon, Arthur found himself mingling with human superstars like Lewis Light. Though still the industry\'s most renowned actor, Light\'s prominence had begun to wane with the rise of VFX-heavy films and television.

He wasn\'t alone - many prominent actors from the pre-TV era saw their fame declining. While Lewis and some others adapted, accepting telenovela roles and embracing VFX-heavy productions, those who stubbornly resisted change faded into obscurity.

"I\'d love to work with you someday," Lewis confided to Arthur. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is my favorite film." He gestured toward a portly man engaged with other celebrities. "That\'s my manager - please contact him if any suitable projects come up."

"It\'s certainly possible," Arthur replied diplomatically. "You\'re a talented actor." This networking opportunity was precisely why he\'d attended the ceremony.

He recognized the Golden Laurel Awards\' similarity to the Oscars from his previous life - which meant his chances of winning were slim. But victory wasn\'t his goal. Connecting with skilled actors like Lewis Light and other industry talents mattered more.

Besides, Arthur already planned to establish his own award ceremonies back in Horn Kingdom - equivalents to the Oscars and Grammys.

Whether he claimed a Golden Laurel or not, these new awards would serve his broader strategy. Rather than constantly seeking out industry connections, he\'d create events that drew them to him.

Arthur found himself at the center of more attention than expected. Celebrities constantly orbited him, showering him with elaborate praise and thinly veiled requests for collaboration.

The hostility from certain directors, particularly Douglas Harper, stood in sharp contrast. Douglas\'s hatred for Arthur had become industry legend - a fact Arthur noticed but deliberately ignored. He saw no value in feeding such petty antagonism.

The ceremony began with its hosts taking the stage - a stunning young woman named Selina Taylor paired with a seasoned actor. Selina\'s presence immediately caught Arthur\'s attention.

Her uncanny resemblance to a young Marilyn Monroe struck him. \'Why am I only seeing a Marilyn equivalent now?\' Arthur thought to himself as he studied her movements.

Selina commanded the microphone with natural charisma. From whispered conversations with neighboring directors, Arthur learned she\'d emerged from a telenovela that premiered just two weeks ago.

\'Still fresh to the industry...\' Arthur\'s mind began calculating possibilities. \'Perfect timing to bring her under my agency\'s wing...\'