Page 87 of The Dark Lord Awakens
His attention shifted to a large green area. “The Residential Districts! Completely reimagined to maximize both population density and quality of life!”
He lifted another model, this one of a tall building with multiple levels. “The apartment concept! Vertical living spaces with integrated utilities and amenities! Each unit self-contained yet part of a larger community structure!”
“How tall are these buildings meant to be?” Azrael inquired, his voice neutral but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Sir Formalitee nearly dropped the model in his haste to answer. “The preliminary designs suggested optimal efficiency at fifty stories, but we have revised all plans to a maximum oftwenty stories, as per your wise guidance, my lord! No structure shall challenge the Dark Citadel’s dominance of the skyline!”
Azrael nodded, apparently satisfied with this concession to royal architectural penis-measuring. I made a mental note to ask him later if all the demons were this obsessed with symbolic height or if it was just a castle thing.
“Each residential tower will include communal spaces on the ground level,” Sir Formalitee continued, pointing to features on the model. “Gathering areas, play spaces for young demons, and small gardens maintained by residents! The void manuals call this concept ‘community building’—a most revolutionary approach to social cohesion!”
He moved on to a blue-green section near what appeared to be a river. “The Industrial District! Completely redesigned with what the void manuals call ‘environmental considerations’!”
He launched into an elaborate explanation of waste management systems, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing zones designed to minimize pollution. The technical details were mind-numbing, but the basic concept was solid—keep the smelly, noisy stuff away from where people live, and don’t dump toxic waste into the drinking water. Revolutionary concepts in Iferona, apparently.
“The Educational District!” Sir Formalitee practically sang, pointing to a yellow section. “Schools for all age groups! Libraries! Research facilities! Training centers for vocational skills! All connected by safe pathways and green spaces!”
He continued through each district, growing more animated with each description. The Agricultural District with its vertical farming towers and greenhouse complexes. The Recreational District with parks, sports facilities, and entertainment venues. Each explanation was accompanied by increasingly elaborate hand gestures and the occasional reverential pause whenmentioning particularly exciting concepts like “integrated sewage systems” or “zoned commercial districts.”
“The most revolutionary aspect,” Sir Formalitee continued, his voice dropping to an almost religious whisper, “is the implementation of building codes and zoning regulations.” He held up a thick binder with an expression of pure adoration. “Standardized requirements for structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and environmental impact. Organized land use to prevent incompatible activities from interfering with each other. Preservation of historical significance while embracing modern functionality.”
He said “building codes” with the same reverence most people reserved for religious texts or love poetry. It was both amusing and oddly touching. I half expected him to drop to one knee and propose marriage to the binder.
“The implementation will proceed in phases,” he explained, switching to a more practical tone. “Beginning with infrastructure networks, followed by essential services, then residential construction, and finally commercial and recreational development. We estimate complete transformation within three years, with significant improvements visible within six months.”
As Sir Formalitee concluded his overview, I opened the floor for questions and comments. The room erupted into animated discussion, with representatives from each group eager to contribute.
Clipboard88, representing the construction workers, stood first. “My lord, the void machinery that arrived last week has revolutionized our capabilities! The excavators and bulldozers have already cleared seventeen percent of the condemned eastern district! However, we require additional operators trained in the concrete pouring equipment to maintain our schedule.”
“Consider it done.” I nodded. “I’ll order more training materials and arrange for your most experienced operators to train others. Maybe we can set up some kind of certification program—‘Heavy Machinery University’ or something equally impressive on a resume.”
Clipboard88 looked delighted at the suggestion. “An excellent idea, my lord! Perhaps with ceremonial hard hats for graduates?”
“Sure, why not? Nothing says ‘I’m qualified to operate dangerous equipment’ like a fancy hat. Works for college graduations.”
Lady Insertnamehere rose next, her elegant robes rustling softly. “The Fashion Guild has finalized designs for the boutique interiors, my lord.” She gestured to an assistant, who unrolled detailed drawings of sleek, modern retail spaces. “We have incorporated void display concepts while maintaining aesthetic elements unique to Iferona.”
I examined the drawings, genuinely impressed. In the month since our first discussion about commercial development, the nobles had thrown themselves into fashion and retail with surprising enthusiasm. The designs showed elegant shops with display windows, fitting rooms, and customer seating areas—all concepts that had been completely foreign to Iferona before.
“These look great,” I told her. “Just make sure they comply with the new building codes. I don’t want fancy boutiques with no fire exits or plumbing that dumps directly into the street.”
“Of course, my lord,” she agreed quickly. “Sir Formalitee has been most… thorough in his review of our compliance.”
Sir Formalitee puffed up with pride at this acknowledgment of his regulatory authority. I swear the man got more joy from a properly filed permit than most people got from sex.
I noticed several other nobles exchanging glances at this, not all of them pleased. Lord Whatshisface, a portly demon withelaborate facial hair, looked particularly disgruntled. He’d been one of the most resistant to the changes over the past month, clinging to traditional noble privileges and complaining about every innovation.
Magister Wiggles practically bounced to his feet next, the magical patterns beneath his translucent skin swirling in excited patterns. “My lord! The energy integration systems have exceeded all projections in our preliminary tests! By combining void solar collection panels with our natural shadow currents, we have achieved a three hundred forty-seven percent increase in power generation efficiency!”
He proceeded to explain a complex system that, as far as I could tell, was essentially magical solar and wind power combined with some kind of arcane battery storage. The technical details went over my head, but the basic concept seemed sound—and his enthusiasm was infectious.
“So we’re basically going green while still staying appropriately dark and shadowy?” I asked. “Environmentally friendly evil overlord lair? I like it.”
Magister Wiggles nodded enthusiastically. “Precisely, my lord! Sustainable darkness! Renewable shadow energy! Eco-friendly arcane power! The void manuals call this concept ‘carbon neutrality,’ though in our case it might be more accurately termed ‘shadow neutrality’!”
“Implement it throughout the city,” I decided. “Nothing says ‘progressive dark realm’ like sustainable magical energy. Plus, I’m guessing it’s cheaper than whatever we’re doing now, which seems to involve a lot of burning things and hoping for the best.”
Magister Wiggles looked like he might weep with joy. “Thank you, my lord! You shall not regret this visionary decision! I have already designed special collection arrays that resemble traditional demonic architectural elements while maximizing energy absorption!”
