Lord of Entertainment

(Arthur POV)

While maintaining conversation with Firfel, I discreetly studied the glowing interface hovering before my eyes. Without hesitation, I confirmed the purchase of {Sanctuary Sphere}, watching 8,000 Divine Points vanish instantly.

[You have successfully purchased Sanctuary Sphere.]

[Warning: Sanctuary Sphere requires manual activation. You must either:

- Set up the sphere within your divine realm

 - Travel to chosen location for physical installation

Once placed, the sphere will generate a protective barrier covering up to 5 square kilometers. The central globe must be positioned carefully as it cannot be moved after activation.]

[Additional Note: The Sanctuary Sphere allows complete terrain manipulation within its boundary. You may reshape caves, create chambers, or expand existing structures to maximize the protected space. Each major geological modification will consume Divine Points based on scale and complexity.]

I glanced regretfully at Firfel across the table, the candlelight dancing across her features. This interruption couldn't have come at a worse moment.

"Firfel, I'm terribly sorry, but something urgent has come up." The words felt bitter in my mouth.

She frowned, her fork pausing midway to her lips. "Already? We haven't even finished our steaks." The disappointment in her voice was unmistakable.

"I know, and I feel awful about this." I reached across the table, almost touching her hand before pulling back. "I promise I'll make it up to you - perhaps a private dinner at my place next time?"

Firfel's slight pout was adorable, though she tried to hide it behind her wine glass. After a thoughtful sip, she sighed. "Fine, but I'm holding you to that promise."

The warmth in her eyes despite her disappointment made leaving even harder, but Elena's warning left me no choice. Time was running out for my followers.

I ducked into a quiet service corridor of Hellscape before activating my bracelet. Three seconds later, the lifeblood veins had transported me directly to my house.

Standing in my spacious living room, I took a breath and shifted into my realm. The familiar room transformed subtly - still my living room, but with an otherworldly grandeur that marked it as beyond mortal space.

"Time to examine this Sanctuary Sphere properly."

At my command, it materialized before me - an intricately crafted globe with delicate metalwork depicting grapevines and revelry scenes. Multiple crystalline buttons adorned its surface, each carved with specific functions: one for generating sustenance, another for creating protective illusions to mislead outsiders.

I stroked my chin, studying the craftsmanship. "The design is quite impressive."

The control interface seemed well-thought-out. Followers could activate defensive illusions when needed, and the sustenance function would ensure their survival if they ever needed to shelter here long-term. Each button pulsed softly with divine energy, ready to respond to those with proper authorization.

The Sanctuary Sphere required careful placement - it would serve as the control center for the entire protective system. Only trusted followers would have access to its functions.

I focused my consciousness, projecting myself to the Underground Chamber. My astral form arrived amid a scene of growing panic - hundreds of followers gathered in clusters, their worried voices echoing off stone walls as they discussed the Champion's arrival.

"The Sacred Knights never leave Apollo Kingdom without reason!"

"What if they've discovered us?"

"We need to prepare for the worst..."

They couldn't see me as I drifted through their midst, examining the chamber's layout. The control sphere needed somewhere both secure and accessible.

[Sanctuary Sphere Installation Protocol Initiated]

[Select focal point for maximum coverage]

[Perform divine energy alignment]

[Create administrative access parameters]

Following the system's guidance, I located an alcove hidden behind an ornate tapestry - good for concealing yet accessing the sphere. As I began the installation sequence, divine energy pulsed through the chamber's foundations.

[Warning: Installation will take 30 minutes]

[Barrier generation will begin immediately after completion]

[Please maintain astral presence until setup finishes]

I settled in to wait, watching my anxious followers below. Soon they'd have the protection they desperately needed.

Energy surged from the sphere after the thirty-minute wait, rippling outward in waves of invisible power. My astral form rose toward the sky to witness the barrier's formation.

From above, I watched as crystalline energy threads wove themselves across the area. The threads multiplied rapidly, creating an intricate dome-like lattice that stretched across five square kilometers.

The barrier briefly shimmered with an iridescent gleam before fading into perfect invisibility.

"It's done," I murmured, satisfaction coursing through me.

Next step: assigning control access. I pulled up the follower rankings, scanning those with the highest faith scores:

[Top Faith Rankings:

1. Joshua Tree

2. Crystal Waters

3. John Nicholson

4. Elena Gray

5. Emmanuel Pierce]

Joshua and Elena were the clear choices for controlling the sphere. Crystal, though faithful, was still just a child, and John's current success in Horn Kingdom kept him too far from Angel City to be practical.

Elena's sharp mind and proximity to headquarters made her perfect for the role. Joshua's unwavering faith qualified him equally well - his devotion had never wavered since joining.

I checked my remaining Divine Points: 1,380. The terrain reshaping would consume about 500 DP - necessary for what I had planned.

I invested 5 Divine Points in the architectural designs, reviewing the efficient layout possibilities.

The plans materialized in my mind:

The main chamber would expand into a network of interconnected halls and living spaces. Four circular levels would spiral downward, each with clearly marked evacuation routes. The water distribution would rely on standard plumbing - a network of pipes channeling the daily water provided by the sanctuary sphere to communal access points on each level.

Storage facilities would line the outer rings to house the Sanctuary's daily provisions.

The sewage system would use conventional gravity-flow channels connected to waste processing chambers - simple but effective for long-term habitation.

The 300 Divine Point infrastructure expansion would transform our current 0.8 square kilometers underground into 3 square kilometers of livable space. This new layout could house up to fifty thousand people - each level accommodating roughly twelve thousand residents with room for essential facilities.

The design focused on practicality - wide corridors for movement, communal spaces for gatherings, and private quarters arranged in honeycomb patterns to maximize space while ensuring privacy.

***

(3rd Person POV)

Joshua stood among the anxious followers, placing a reassuring hand on their shoulders. "Have faith in our Lord. He has never abandoned us, and He never will. Your fears only show that your faith needs strengthening."

Despite his words, the group's anxiety remained palpable. Their eyes darted nervously around the chamber, bodies tense with fear for their lives. Their reaction made Joshua sigh - such fragile faith in the face of danger.

Suddenly, his eyes widened. *Lord Dionysus?* The divine voice in his mind was unmistakable.

His face broke into a serene smile as he turned back to the worried group. "Brothers and sisters, our Lord's protection has already arrived. We need fear nothing."

The followers crowded around him instantly. "Really? How do you know?"

"Has He spoken to you?"

"What kind of protection?"

"Tell us, Joshua!"

Joshua merely smiled, the peace of absolute faith evident in his expression.

Across the chamber, Elena's eyes also grew wide as she received the divine communication. Her hand trembled slightly as she processed the magnitude of their Lord's preparations.