"The gods are gracious."
After listening to the ministers' reports, Joffrey finally spoke.
Tyrion and the others instantly sat straighter, awaiting more specific instructions from the King who towered above them.
"King's Landing shall be elevated into a holy city, untouched by filth, punishing evil and promoting good, bathed in eternal light, wielding infinite power, worshipped by the world, bringing all mortals to their knees."
Tyrion heard the soaring ambition in Joffrey's voice.
Punishing evil and promoting good, infinite power—this was no holy city at all, but rather a heaven summoned by mortal hands, pouring endless karmic fire upon evil and sprinkling vast holy light upon goodness, creating a world of glass.
But what "evil" would burn beneath karmic fire, and what "good" would bask in holy light?
Was it not all determined by Joffrey himself?
Holy city—hearing this description, it sounded more akin to a fortress built for war.
Tyrion's mind raced with these thoughts.
Joffrey continued, "This grand vision shall surely come to pass."
"The grace of the gods knows no bounds. The first step is to allow every soul in King's Landing to bathe in divine grace, to witness the light, and to devote themselves to the great cause of building the holy city."
Joffrey knew that King's Landing possessed even greater potential for development.
As of today, nearly 100,000 people in King's Landing were directly or indirectly involved in matters of politics, military, or the magic net system, while other people and resources merely followed passively, playing no significant role.
According to his plan, within three years King's Landing must evolve to efficiently handle the various affairs of all Seven Kingdoms and become a true center of political power.
Political commands would be unified and complete.
Only thus could the Seven Kingdoms be wholly integrated, with no fear of division.
To this end, every person in King's Landing must become part of the system, contributing their strength to the political machinery, becoming screws that supported the behemoth of power and violence that was King's Landing.
King's Landing would not suffer idlers.
"The reconstruction of the eastern half of the city marks the first step in building the holy city."
With the combined effect of magic and advanced ideas, the eastern half alone could accommodate at least one million souls, thereby meeting the need for manpower and drawing talented minds from across the realm.
"Within this year, this half of King's Landing will take its initial shape, allowing the world to glimpse the glorious future, to willingly dedicate their lives to it, or perhaps hasten the coming of the heaven on earth promised by the gods."
Within this year. Tyrion immediately felt a throbbing at his temples. When the King made such whimsical decisions, it fell to the ministers below to manage the affairs.
Especially to him, who oversaw both engineering and finance.
Moreover, war approached with swift and certain steps, and many materials and resources must be directed southward. Various duties would only increase, never lessen, and now they faced such a tight constraint of time. Alas.
Tyrion could only hope there would be no more troublesome tasks to follow.
He was rendered speechless as Joffrey continued.
"Now that the staff of various departments has grown considerably, the time has come to move into more formal and professional offices and quarters, rather than remaining crowded within the Red Keep."
Joffrey extended his right hand and pointed to the floor of the "Throne Room."
The sunken pool and the model of Westeros that occupied the hall instantly transformed into a blank space, then blossomed with color. Light particles gradually accumulated, forming a small yet exquisitely detailed replica of King's Landing.
Tyrion studied the model with keen interest.
Not only was the Red Keep perfectly rendered, but also the Great Sept of Baelor, the Dragonpit, the Street of Sisters, and even the brothel Tyrion frequented were all presented in the model with remarkable precision.
Though he had seen many similar maps before, Tyrion remained deeply impressed by its exquisite detail.
Gazing upon such a model, who would believe that mere moons ago, travel relied solely on roughly drawn maps and verbal accounts, and even the charts used in warfare differed little from these crude representations?
This technology alone would suffice to alter the course of war, granting their forces a decisive advantage.
"Sandor," Joffrey directed a white beam of light to illuminate an area directly west of the Red Keep. "The Kingsguard camp shall be situated here, guarding the Red Keep from close proximity, and bearing responsibility for the defense of the River Gate and the King's Gate."
The Hound lowered his head. "Yes, Your Grace."
Another red light shone upon an area directly north of the Red Keep.
"Tyrion, this land shall be used to construct the Statistics Bureau residence and the City Watch camp. Likewise, the City Watch shall be responsible for the defense of the Iron Gate nearby."
Tyrion recognized the area illuminated by the red light—the wealthy district nestled beneath Aegon's High Hill, filled with properties and villas belonging to rich merchants and noble families. Of course, all had now been seized and claimed by the crown.
"The Engineering Bureau's numbers are too great, so they shall all dwell here." Another red light shone upon the open space east of Fishmonger's Square.
Tyrion bowed his head respectfully. "As you command."
Two golden lights illuminated the north side of the Dragonpit and the west side of Cobbler's Square, respectively.
"Ser Jaime, the Gold Cloaks headquarters on the west side of Cobbler's Square is now assigned to the Department of the Army, to house 8,000 troops responsible for training new recruits and defending the nearby Gate of the Gods and Lion Gate."
"The Gold Cloaks camp on the north side of the Dragonpit is likewise assigned to the Department of the Army, to station 4,000 troops responsible for the defense of the Old Gate and the Dragon Gate."
"Both barracks shall be rebuilt and expanded. The Department of the Army and the Engineering Bureau must confer and make plans accordingly."
The Kingslayer nodded silently.
"Alyn." Joffrey cast a blue light on the northwest of the Red Keep. "This shall belong to the Security Bureau. Though it lies outside the Red Keep, it stands but a quarter-hour's journey away, with convenient access."
Alyn bowed and offered thanks, a look of reluctance upon his face. "Still, I shall be farther from Your Grace."
Joffrey's lips curled in the slightest of smiles. "These places are for those who serve below. You are all members of the Small Council. Should you wish to remain within the Red Keep, how could I refuse you?"
Alyn's face immediately brightened with a smile. "That is well, that is well indeed."
Tyrion sighed softly, knowing he could not leave the Red Keep. Damn it all, visiting the brothel would now require a journey from the Red Keep all the way to the western half of the city—a truly vexing inconvenience.
"Grand Maester?" Joffrey looked toward Pycelle. The old man's eyes were nearly closed completely. He feigned exhaustion even now. What a cunning fox.
"What troubles you?" Pycelle appeared as though roused from slumber.
"Ah, Your Grace, I beg your forgiveness. Old age makes it difficult to remain wakeful. Perhaps the gods soon mean to call me to their side..." Pycelle continued his mumbling.
Joffrey cast a blue light on the north of Aegon's High Hill and the south of Flea Bottom.
"The staff of the Department of Education shall work here. The Grand Maester and his attendants need not leave the Red Keep and may use the light curtain to issue commands, thus avoiding unnecessary travel and fatigue."
Pycelle nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Another purple light shone between the Security Bureau and the Kingsguard.
"Hanna, the logistics bureau's residence and transfer warehouse shall be built here, convenient for supplying the needs of various departments."
Finally, a series of beams of light shot toward all corners of the city.
"The entire church has been successfully transformed into the Department of Gospel. The Great Sept of Baelor shall suffice for our needs, though we require more magnificent statues of the gods with urgency."
"The White Sword Tower shall remain the residence of the Kingsguard, though it shall be expanded."
"The Academy and the Research Institute shall be established in Flea Bottom, and the Engineering Bureau must lend its full support to this endeavor."
"We must also consider the Department of Justice and the Department of the Navy."
Joffrey turned his gaze to Tyrion. "Though Lord Tywin and Lord Kevan are not present in King's Landing, preparations must still be made in advance."
"Tyrion, you are best suited to this task. You shall be responsible for selecting sites, planning, and construction."
Tyrion was beyond feeling anything but resignation.
"Yes, Your Grace."
So many grand projects, all commencing simultaneously. Tyrion could only pray that the plans of the various departments would not prove too outlandish.
May the gods show mercy.
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