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Lord of Entertainment C274 IRC
🕑 Added 2025-02-26 14:03:28 +0000 UTC(3rd Person POV)
The Horn Kingdom was among the nations that had agreed to the shift toward independent currencies.
Just a few days after the global announcement, the kingdom’s congress convened and officially passed a resolution to establish a new currency.
The Global Dollar would no longer be the nation’s primary currency.
Instead, it would be replaced by the Horn Kingdom Dollar (HKD)—a currency that would soon circulate throughout the kingdom.
With the implementation of the new local currency, all Horn citizens would be required to exchange their Global Dollars for HKD.
And once the change took full effect, merchants and markets would no longer accept the Global Dollar for domestic transactions.
At this news, public reaction was mixed.
While some saw it as a step toward financial independence, many were uncertain and anxious about what it meant for their savings, trade, and purchasing power.
At a crowded bar, a group of friends sat watching the news unfold on the TV, their expressions troubled.
One of them frowned, leaning back in his chair.
"What’s this about local currency? How did all these kingdoms even decide which currency will be the strongest or the weakest?"
Another, who had been keeping up with the news, took a sip of his drink before answering.
"I read about it in the papers. It’s based on a nation’s economic strength—things like gross domestic product, trade value, and financial stability." He paused before adding, "International trade will still use the Global Dollar, but for local transactions, each kingdom will have its own money."
A third man scoffed.
"I’m surprised the International Reserve Coalition is even allowing this. Won’t this weaken their control?"
The International Reserve Coalition (IRC)—an organization responsible for managing the Global Dollar—had long been known as the public front of the World Council, quietly influencing the economies of nearly every nation.
Its headquarters were located in Helvetia Kingdom, within the city of Bern, in the Evros region.
The head of the IRC, Lord Hacky Falkenrath, was a half-elf—though he had not inherited the sharp ears of his kin.
With cyan-colored eyes and striking features, he was well known for his political acumen and economic expertise.
At 230 years old, he had worked in the IRC for 170 years, spending the last 100 years as its leader.
And yet, in all his years overseeing the global economy, he had never imagined that he would witness the collapse of the Global Dollar’s absolute authority.
As much as he opposed the idea, there was nothing he could do.
Because the High Arbiter himself had allowed it to happen.
Hacky sat inside the grand meeting hall of the IRC, surrounded by the directors of the organization—all of whom were visibly uneasy.
At the head of the table sat the High Arbiter, his presence alone suffocating the room in tension.
Though his face was hidden behind a magical veil, the mere fact that he was personally attending the meeting was enough to make even the most seasoned financial leaders uneasy.
Hacky cleared his throat and finally spoke.
"Lord Arbiter, I do not believe allowing nations to create their own currencies is the right decision." Hacky’s voice was steady, but his grip on his cane tightened. "How can they possibly establish an entire financial system from scratch in such a short time? Can they even produce a sustainable economic structure to support these currencies? And what about the mass production of paper money? Unlike the Global Dollar, they do not have the stockpile to ensure smooth distribution across their economies."
Another director, clearly agitated, voiced his agreement.
"Yes, and aren’t we overstocked with Global Dollars now? If they won’t be used for local transactions, what happens to our reserves?"
A third director, his frustration evident, leaned forward.
"And what about counterfeiting? We already struggle with fake Global Dollars as it is. If local currencies start popping up everywhere, crime syndicates will take full advantage of the chaos!"
The High Arbiter remained silent, simply smiling behind his veil, letting their concerns settle in the air before finally responding.
"This world has never had ‘enough’ money, has it?" His voice was calm, almost amused. "There is no such thing as overstocking currency. Money will always find its way where it is needed."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"And as for local money production… well, you may be surprised to find that in the Horn Kingdom, this ‘problem’ does not exist."
The room fell into an uneasy silence as the directors exchanged confused glances.
Hacky furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
The High Arbiter chuckled softly, the magical veil shifting slightly as he leaned forward.
"You seem uninformed, Lord Falkenrath. There is a new device called a ‘computer’—and within it, a program capable of efficiently producing money notes at an unprecedented speed."
Hacky’s eyes widened slightly. "A computer? I have never heard of such a thing being used for currency production."
The High Arbiter’s smile deepened. "And you’ll find it even more interesting when I tell you that this program utilizes a security system similar to barcode technology."
The tension in the room shifted.
One of the directors, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke.
"Are you saying… the Horn Kingdom has found a way to make their money instantly identifiable from counterfeit bills?"
The High Arbiter simply nodded.
"Exactly."
There were murmurs around the room as the council members exchanged glances, astonished by the capabilities of this so-called "computer."
"This device… it seems revolutionary for financial systems," Hacky muttered, his voice laced with both awe and unease.
The High Arbiter remained composed, watching their reactions with calm amusement before speaking again.
"And with such a device capable of networking with others like it, an entire financial system could be developed—without our intervention."
Silence fell over the room.
His words sent a ripple of tension among the directors. Some shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while others lowered their gazes.
Hacky, despite his long years in power, couldn’t shake the growing unease twisting in his gut.
He could see it—the opportunities and the dangers this technology presented.
Computers could streamline financial transactions, enhance security, and reduce counterfeiting risks…
But they could also threaten their control over the global economy.
That unsettled him.
Yet, the High Arbiter sat there, unbothered, even intrigued.
Why was he so calm?
Wasn’t he threatened by this?
Hacky and the other directors had questions they dared not ask.
Finally, Hacky cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
"Such a device is indeed remarkable. I would never have imagined it could play such a critical role in stabilizing a nation's financial system."
He straightened, his tone carefully measured.
"However, from what I understand, this device is only available in the Anatolia region, and only in the Horn Kingdom has it been widely accepted."
He glanced around, gauging the reactions of his fellow directors before continuing.
"If that is the case, then other nations would not be able to adopt the same system as the Horn Kingdom."
A few murmurs of agreement echoed throughout the room.
The High Arbiter simply listened, his expression unreadable beneath the magical veil.
Then, a small, knowing smile tugged at his lips as he rested his chin on his hand.
"Then why not have all regions around the world adopt computers? Problem solved."
The room fell into an even deeper silence.
Many of the directors looked at each other, expressions mixed with confusion and hesitation.
Hacky’s throat felt dry.
"That…" He hesitated.
The High Arbiter’s gaze sharpened.
Even though his face was hidden behind the veil, his piercing eyes were visible—and they held a quiet intensity that sent a chill through the room.
"What’s the matter?" he asked, his tone smooth yet heavy. "Is it not possible?"
Hacky shifted in his seat. "It’s not that… it’s just…"
He felt cornered.
Powerful corporations and wealthy elite figures had personally asked him to ensure that computers would not spread too quickly.
These forces wanted to maintain their monopolies, fearing that widespread computer use would weaken their grip on industries.
And now, the High Arbiter himself was ordering him to do the exact opposite—to ensure global adoption of computers.
The contradiction made Hacky’s head spin.
The High Arbiter’s eyes narrowed.
"Is there a problem with distributing computers?" His voice remained calm, but there was an undeniable edge to it now.
Then, after a pause, he added—"Or is there corruption in this organization that I am unaware of?"
Hacky stiffened.
The room felt stifling as the weight of the question settled.
The High Arbiter’s presence alone was enough to make even the most powerful men feel insignificant.
"I have been hearing that computers have faced… obstacles when being distributed to certain regions." His tone was casual, almost amused, but everyone in the room knew better.
Hacky frantically waved his hands.
"N-No! Not at all, Lord Arbiter!"
One of the directors, sensing the shift in power, quickly seized the moment to change the narrative.
"Monopolizing corporations have been acting selfishly, suppressing technological progress!" He declared, his voice righteous. "They fear competition and do not want to lose control—how shameless!"
Another director followed suit.
"Computers should be spread far and wide! They are the key to advancing civilization!"
"I agree!" A third chimed in, pounding the table for emphasis.
And just like that, the entire room shifted.
The same people who had once been pressured into stalling technological growth were now feigning indignation, pretending to be advocates for progress.
As if they hadn’t accepted bribes and favors in the past.
The High Arbiter watched it all unfold, his knowing smile never faltering.
He knew their corruption.
He knew their hypocrisy.
But he simply let them continue their performance—watching as they tripped over themselves to align with his vision.
