Chapter 149: Proclaiming everything

Chapter 149: Proclaiming everything

(Arthur POV)

I examined the {Ancient Tree} reward from my system storage - a miniature tree resembling a bonsai in an ornate vessel.

"What purpose could this serve?" I wondered aloud.

The system responded with a notification: [Ancient Tree]

[Description: The most coveted tree of ancient times - sought by archmages, kings, emperors, queens, princes and princesses. Known as the "Cosmic Tree".]

"Cosmic Tree?" My interest piqued.

[Ancient Tree: Capable of linking to and influencing all trees within its domain.]

[Level 1: Current influence range - 1,000 square kilometers.]

My eyebrows rose. "Now this is interesting..."

The interface shifted, revealing three development paths.

[Ancient Tree offers three evolutionary paths:]

[Controllable Force]

[Selecting this path shapes the tree's growth toward mastery over natural forces.]

[Description: The TreeKeeper gains authority over all trees within the Ancient Tree's domain. Manipulate their attributes - commanding branches and roots to form barriers, shields, or weapons.]

Controllable Force held promise, but I needed to review all options.

[Mana Collector]

This path would transform the Ancient Tree and its network into a vast mana harvesting system. It would not only absorb ambient mana but generate its own, providing me with a personal mana source.

The second option offered utility, but the third proved most intriguing.

[Root Networks]

[Description: This option establishes an interconnected system linking the Ancient Tree to all trees within its domain, enabling telepathic communication and information exchange. Only the TreeSage can activate the Ancient Tree's abilities, accessing specific trees to perceive their surroundings and conversations.]

Further reading revealed Root Networks' true potential - a real-time messaging system. I could send telepathic messages to anyone near a connected tree, and they could respond through fallen leaves.

Any tree within the Ancient Tree's coverage enabled seamless communication.

"Wait..." A revelation struck as I studied the third option. "I could utilize this for TV signal transmission through the tree network..."

The Root Networks' functions confirmed it - signal transmission was possible. This would provide superior TV reception to any viewer within the Ancient Tree's domain.

If the tree could channel magical messages, it could certainly amplify and distribute television signals more efficiently.

The signal towers' magic-based technology would integrate perfectly with the Ancient Tree's network, their magical cores and energy signatures naturally compatible.

This could greatly benefit my future projects, including the development of the internet—potentially even surpassing the capabilities of the internet from my previous life!

"Decision made. I choose you!" I announced, tapping the third option like selecting a pokémon.

[Choosing Third Option Path. Confirmed.]

With the Ancient Tree amplifying signals, installing towers across Morningstar, Thorn, Choson, Japon, and parts of Anatolia seemed redundant.

Yet skipping tower construction would raise suspicions.

The towers would provide necessary cover for the enhanced signal strength, while serving areas where trees couldn't reach - dense urban centers with minimal vegetation.

The Root Networks essentially acted as a signal booster, with households near trees receiving exceptionally clear reception.

After completing the setup, I positioned the Ancient Tree in my office, arranging it to appear as just another dwarf-height decorative plant.

"Should blend in perfectly there," I mused, stroking my chin.

***

(3rd Person POV)

TV owners across Horn Kingdom had struggled with reception.

Many resorted to expensive rooftop antennas, constantly adjusting them for better signals.

Then, inexplicably, reception improved dramatically.

Hellfire channel's broadcast suddenly achieved crystal clarity. Images sharpened, audio cleared - even black-and-white TV owners noticed the enhanced quality.

Unknown to viewers, their improved reception stemmed from the channel's magically amplified signal strength.

Areas previously plagued by poor reception now received clear broadcasts.

Rural villages, with their abundance of trees, experienced particularly strong signals - though residents simply attributed this to good fortune.

Morningstar's new TV owners discovered remarkably clear reception, particularly in cities near Horn Kingdom - Emerald City, Bright Capital, Pearl Bay, Wisdom City, and Monk Mountain.

These viewers marveled at Hellfire channel's clarity, quickly becoming engrossed in the repeated telenovelas broadcast on channels 1 and 2.

Days passed, and specifically in Morningstar cities bordering Horn Kingdom, TV owners developed new daily rhythms - catching telenovelas morning and night, switching to news broadcasts at noon and evening.

The print media in these border cities suffered the same fate as Horn Kingdom's newspapers, their readership plummeting as television gained prominence.

However, the media moguls in these border cities proved to be more adaptable. Instead of resisting the rise of television, they sought to embrace it, exploring opportunities to create new channels.

This approach mirrored the thinking of media moguls in other nations who had witnessed the decline of print media in the Horn Kingdom due to the rise of television.

Horn Kingdom's landscape transformed as magic-enhanced dwarf construction crews erected new signal towers daily.

Major studios purchased struggling newspapers, converting them into news channels while developing telenovela content for their upcoming broadcasts.

Arthur continued acquiring distressed print media companies, both to strengthen news gathering capabilities and preserve print journalism.

His latest venture, "Forbes Magazine" and "Forbes Daily," launched under the Hellfire banner.

The inaugural magazine featured Arthur on its cover, with bold headlines:

"BOSS OF THE YEAR"

"The Demon Genius Revolutionizing Global Media"

"From Exile to Empire: The Visionary Who Changed Everything"