Dominion of the Goblin Lord

December 10.

Billy took a deep breath. The first week of Fa Mulan had been a success—$25 million, half the cost—something that sparked joy among the animators, who now only waited for the announcement of collective work vacations, along with the annual bonus that Billy granted based on revenue. Anne mentioned that the company’s earnings were in excellent shape.

-The atmosphere here is festive too, - Monica replied.

Following Microsoft’s acquisitions, the video game industry was booming. Billy’s multiple animated series had become landmarks that never failed to surprise. Now, he was preparing to launch a fourth animated channel, one dedicated to mature themes with a variety of programs tailored for that audience.

-Since I’m going on vacation, I decided to grant collective vacations across most of my companies. I’m going to spend so much money that this might as well be the most expensive vacation ever. - Billy responded.

Offering extraordinary, fully paid collective vacations had become a tradition—a reward for years of continued success. From ID Software to Pixar and Lux Nation, all employees benefited, except those at Lux Atlanta, where veteran workers were exempt due to scheduling constraints.

-But it’s sweet. Everyone looks so excited about where they’re going. - Monica noted.

-Hawaii, New York, London, and Toronto.- Billy murmured, already envisioning his plan to acquire a hotel in Toronto. - For now, it’s business, but Paradise Hotels is doubling its revenue, and I think it’s time to invest in more tourist destinations, especially in Europe. -

-But the trips are free. What more could they ask for? -

-The most expensive vacations in history, no doubt about that. I’ve spent at least $15 million on this collective break for almost 1,000 employees. Distributing the resources alone was costly... It’s a good thing my accountants handled everything for the tax office. I’ll save about $4 million, so the total comes down to around $11 million. - Billy said, flashing a smile at Monica.

She made a face upon hearing the amount.

-But it’s wonderful—eight fully paid days off. And you’re making sure that these families not only get discounted flights but also get to truly rest, to have something more than just work and responsibilities. Some of them haveneededg a break for a long time. - Monica replied, already set for an entire month of vacation, a rare opportunity to enjoy their time together without stress.

A direct passport to all of Europe, with their security detail reduced to just two, fewer than usual for a trip of this scale. As Billy surveyed everything that belonged to him—the new building under construction, the land purchases—he began envisioning a high-end development project: a park with luxury hotels. For now, the 60 acres could expand to 100, maybe even 200. Not necessarily amusement parks, but themed destinations—the rolling hills of the Shire, the castles of Harry Potter, the wonders of Star Wars—nothing surprising, just the perfect settings to sell merchandise, each piece more spectacular than the last.

-It’s so sweet, my love. The cleaning staff mentioned that many of them have never left the country before. Traveling abroad has been a lifelong dream for them, and thanks to you, they’re getting a 70% discount—it’s incredibly generous. - Monica said, her voice filled with admiration. - You make people’s lives better. A company and wealth should be used for that—to help those who need it. If you turn this into a tradition, maybe every five years, or even every four, people will look forward to it. -

A company that gives everything for its employees, offering educational support, structuring a corporate plan filled with work regulations, risk mitigation strategies, and efficient workflow structures. Everything would soon be neatly compiled into PDF documents, showcasing how problems were solved with remarkable efficiency.

-I hope so. It would be a real problem if they decided to form a union and make things difficult for me... California is always a hassle, but we’ve improved employee conditions by negotiating and offerinsustainable financial incentivesle. Still, it’s frustrating when things get out of hand. Damn communists and their unions.- Billy muttered, taking a long sip from his drink.

The first 20 volumes of Fullmetal Alchemist sat on his desk, with five more about to be completed. Added to that were ten extra chapters of Bleach and the early drafts of Naruto, which already had three episodes. During his vacation, Billy planned to finish at least 50 episodes by February.

-My love, but that’s a different issue. You just need to relax. Besides, you’re already a master at making money—what’s a few extra dollars? - Monica teased.

-That’s the thing—it’s never just ‘a few dollars.’ It’s always more than that. - Billy replied, flipping open his blue notebook, a thick journal filled with white pages outlining the entire Naruto series from the first arc to the last. In his estimates, the series would reach 500 episodes, with various improvements—enhanced battle sequences, new additions, and the early introduction of powerful characters like Konan, Sasori, the Raikage, and the Mist Village’s civil war. The final stages of that war would bring more Kirigakure warriors into the spotlight. Kishimoto had simply been lazy when it came to fleshing out the other villages by the end of the series, so many characters with potential had been left behind. Naruto would now center around three core themes: hatred, sabotage, and deception.

-You said you wouldn’t work.-

-I’m not working. I’m playing. Drawing has always been my passion. For me, drawing is like wine is for you. Creating worlds is as fulfilling as witnessing wonders—it’s a way of leaving a mark on the world. Seeing books from new angles, watching these universes take shape and become real challenges for others to overcome… It’s almost contradictory. It’s both a challenge for me and for those who seek to surpass it. I create more complex scenarios, introduce more characters, each with their own goals and struggles. Writing and studying them take up most of my time. So, in the end, my life is an unquantifiable division of time dedicated to drawing and acting. - Billy explained, grabbing another book and a thick portfolio-sized sketchpad with 300 bound pages. It was his tool for long drawing sessions, the only thing he needed to refine the next episodes of Bleach and Naruto, which were about to reach new heights.

-When you talk like that, I can’t say no to traveling everywhere I want to show you. -

-Don’t worry, my time is yours. We’ll do it, we will—I could never deny you anything. - Billy answered, taking her hands and pressing soft kisses to her knuckles.

-Then I’ll have to treasure you as much as I can. My man deserves the best. - Monica responded with that precise, affectionate air that made her who she was.

With both notebooks in hand, Billy was ready to sketch out the upcoming chapters—stories that were becoming increasingly urgent to bring to life.

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