Page 85 of The Dark Lord Awakens
As we approached, the nobles immediately dropped to their knees, bowing deeply. Unlike Lord Superiore’s grudging deference, their respect seemed genuine, if still tinged with healthy fear.
“Rise,” I said, examining the drawings spread out on a makeshift table. They appeared to be designs for multistory buildings, elegantly rendered with surprising attention to detail. “What’s all this?”
“My lord,” the tallest noble said, rising carefully. “I am Lady Insertnamehere of House Lumina. After studying the void manuals you so generously provided, we have developed proposals for the commercial district of the rebuilt city.”
I suppressed a smile at her name—one of my placeholder titles that had apparently become a revered noble designation. “Commercial district?”
“Indeed, my lord.” She gestured to the drawings. “These are designs for what the manuals call ‘boutiques’ and ‘department stores.’ We believe they would serve as excellent venues for displaying and selling the remarkable void garments and other products.”
I leaned closer, examining the designs. They were actually quite good—elegant multistory buildings with large display windows, organized around a central plaza with fountains and seating areas. Someone had clearly been studying the architecture sections of those manuals very carefully.
“This is impressive work,” I admitted. “But why the sudden interest in commercial development? Last I checked, you nobles were more into the whole ‘hoarding resources and exploiting the peasants’ business model.”
Lady Insertnamehere had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “My lord, the noble houses have traditionally derived income from land holdings and resource control. Withthe… changes in resource distribution, we have been exploring alternative revenue sources.”
Translation: Now that I’d cut off their ability to hoard necessities and extort the population, they were pivoting to retail. Capitalism finds a way, even in demon realms.
“And we have discovered a genuine passion for these void designs,” added a younger noble with an elaborate collar that made him look like he was being eaten by an origami swan. “The fashion concepts, the architectural innovations—they’re revolutionary! We’ve already formed a preliminary Fashion Guild to study and reproduce the void garments.”
“A Fashion Guild?” I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of demon fashionistas. “What’s next? Demon’s Next Top Model? ‘I’m sorry, Horns McGee, you’ve been eliminated from the competition. Please pack your pitchfork and go.’”
“My lord?” The young noble—Baron Figureitoutlater, according to the signet ring he wore—looked confused by the reference.
“Never mind. Just a void realm joke.” I flipped through their designs, genuinely impressed. They’d taken Earth fashion concepts and adapted them to demon aesthetics, creating something unique and actually quite stylish. Flowing garments with asymmetrical cuts, structured pieces with unexpected details, all designed to accommodate various demon physiologies.
“These are good,” I said, surprising myself with how much I meant it. “Really good, actually. Who knew demons had a flair for fashion? Though I suppose the whole ‘gothic horror’ aesthetic you’ve been rocking for centuries should have been a clue.”
Baron Figureitoutlater practically glowed with pride. “Thank you, my lord! We’ve also begun experimenting with culinary artsbased on the void recipes. The combination of void ingredients with local spices has produced extraordinary results!”
“The void-enhanced food appears to significantly amplify magical abilities when properly prepared,” Lady Insertnamehere added. “Our household chef discovered this accidentally when combining void ‘black pepper’ with shadow root. The resulting dish increased magical capacity by nearly thirty percent for several hours.”
That caught my attention. “Thirty percent? Just from seasoning? That’s like getting a power boost from salt and pepper. Next you’ll tell me oregano grants immortality.”
“Indeed, my lord. Different combinations appear to enhance different abilities. We’ve begun systematic testing with volunteer subjects.”
Well, that explained the nobles’ sudden interest. If void food could be used to enhance magical abilities, it represented a new form of power—one they naturally wanted to control. Some things never change, even across dimensions.
But maybe that wasn’t entirely a bad thing. If the nobles were channeling their ambition into fashion, food, and commerce rather than exploitation and hoarding, it represented progress of a sort. I’d take demon Gucci over demon feudalism any day.
“I want detailed reports on these enhancement effects,” I said. “And any commercial development will need to comply with the new city planning guidelines. No monopolies, fair wages for workers, and reasonable pricing for consumers.”
“Of course, my lord,” Lady Insertnamehere agreed quickly. “We seek only to contribute to your glorious vision for a renewed Iferona.”
Sure you do, I thought. But outwardly I nodded. “I look forward to seeing your formal proposals at the planning meeting this afternoon.”
As we continued our inspection, Azrael gave me a sidelong glance. “You seem pleased with the nobles’ initiative, my lord.”
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” I replied. “Self-interest is a powerful motivator. If they can make money while actually contributing something useful, everybody wins. It’s like when oil companies suddenly discover renewable energy—I don’t care why they’re doing it as long as the result is positive.”
“A most pragmatic approach,” he observed. “Though I would advise continued vigilance. Old habits are not easily abandoned.”
After completing our camp inspection, we returned to the castle to prepare for the afternoon planning council. As we walked through the corridors, I couldn’t help but notice that Azrael himself seemed different somehow. Nothing dramatic, but there was a subtle change to his appearance. His already striking features seemed more defined, the crimson of his eyes deeper and more luminous, his midnight-black hair now having an almost iridescent quality when the light caught it.
“You look different,” I said before I could stop myself.
Azrael froze, his perfect composure momentarily disrupted. “My lord?”
“The void food,” I clarified. “It’s affecting you too, isn’t it? You look… enhanced.”
