"It's getting colder by the day. Is your health in perfect order? Do not expose yourselves to the unsightly spectacle of collapsing from a cough in the wind!"
"Me? Do not fret. I have no limits. Death from overwork is a privilege of my sagacious self! Fuhahahahahahahahaha!!"
—New Year's Eve is approaching. Everyone, please have a peaceful and happy time.
"Now, Air. Shall we call it a day?"
—Yes!
[Absolute Interception Electronic Mythology: Babylonia]
"Now then. Having witnessed such a pathetic future, I must put even more effort into strengthening Chaldea's security."
The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, mutters slowly while soaking in the bath.
"How grand. Are you saying there are still vulnerabilities in this paradise?"
Nero asks with a curious expression, bathing elegantly while scattering rose petals.
"You're going to make it even more wonderful, aren't you? You're going to make it wonderful with your own hands, aren't you?"
Marie laughs, making a duck toy quack.
"The King of Heroes is such a worrier! And what exactly is this plan?"
Jeanne asks, doing something akin to waterfall meditation.
"Too many Sabers, after all! I believe they should be purged, what do you say?"
Heroine Artoria proposes, swinging a towel like a sword.
—Both the vessel and I have a general idea. Chaldea is a facility that fuses magic and science.
Gilgamesh and I managed with magic, but there's another untouched area.
That is—the strengthening of electronic and scientific defenses. The defense of the internet and networks, in particular, presents a problem: it's far weaker compared to physical threats.
In fact, the main system was once easily infiltrated. The "Ara-Fifty Virus" sent from the Throne was cunning and malicious, quickly extending its spider silk to the deepest reaches.
...The vessel realized this wouldn't do. If souls or something were digitized and Servants were sent in, they wouldn't be able to cope.
"I had always thought it was something that needed to be addressed eventually... Hmm, our expertise is thin. What should be done?"
It was, so to speak, the realm of cutting-edge specifications. I was out of my depth, and even the King was a little at a disadvantage. Just a little.
"There is nothing I cannot do, but the reference materials are somewhat insufficient."
—Then, why don't you ask everyone? With just a small hint, I believe the King could easily find a breakthrough.
"Hm, indeed. Since it is so magnificent, it would not be bad to challenge something unfamiliar."
"From this moment, I shall construct a mechanism to defend the castle of electronic devices. Do you have any opinions? I shall take them into consideration. O noble women from different eras. Ah, there was a country girl too."
"Yes! Right, I think many walls are needed to protect a fortress!"
"Walls, you mean a firewall."
"We also need powerful walls that simply deflect cannonballs! Like the Ancestor, we need Roman-style hard walls that repel all threats!"
"Another type of wall, then."
"Sabers are constantly evolving. They are like viruses. Flexible software to deal with them will be necessary."
"I see. So, administrators and governors are needed."
"I think they also need proper care, like taking a bath every day! Don't you think such people are also necessary?"
"The work of an administrator, huh... Hmm."
"Those are the main points, I suppose. Air, do you have any opinions? I shall hear them."
—Yes. Instead of thinking of it as cutting-edge technology, wouldn't it be easier to conceptualize and construct it as a single mythological system?
"————Very well. The policy has been decided."
He stands up with a splash.
"Physical defense is a grand labyrinth! Then, this time, I shall embark on electronic defense! With these, I shall guard Chaldea! I name it 'Electronic Interception Mythology: Babylonia'! Look forward to it, my subjects!"
Everyone's eyes sparkle with the King's resolve.
"Now, shall we not build an even more impregnable fortress! All you mongrels, tremble and die at the meticulousness of this me, devoid of negligence and arrogance! Fuhahahahahaha!!"
—The King's exciting renovation has begun!
1. Install firewalls of various forms.
"These are not particularly difficult. In essence, they are like watchdogs; I simply need to install guards to protect the princess. No need to rack my brain."
He types rapidly on the keyboard, assembling programs.
"Simple programs are fine. What is needed is strength and resilience. —The motif is already decided."
And thus, 11 programs were created:
Musmahhu the serpent, Ushumgallu the dragon, Mushussu the scorpion-dragon, Ugallu the great lion, Uridimmu the mad dog, Ummu-Hubur the storm demon, Lahamu the sea monster, Girtablilu the scorpion-man, Kusarikku the winged bull, Bashmu the venomous snake, Kulullu the fish-man.
"This is a defense mechanism modeled after the names of the children born of the primordial mother. These possess not only the function of a firewall but also aspects of a virus. Not only do they repel and devour intruders, but they also reverse-trace the intrusion path and are sent back as a counter, utterly destroying the opponent's equipment. A defense mechanism and an annihilation mechanism. Binding them all is—"
He types rapidly.
"The Primal Control System 'Tiamat.' Unless this is destroyed, the demon beasts will be immediately replenished. To breach this, one must defeat all demon beasts and then conquer Tiamat. Well, achieving that merely signifies a successful intrusion."
Once infiltrated, it's the end—the most malicious, worst defense firewall that devours everything.
It's called the "Tiamat and Eleven Demon Beasts" system. The oldest yet newest defense equipment, endlessly generating and endlessly annihilating, was born in Chaldea.
"Now. Next is a simple wall of strength."
2. Prepare impact-resistant defenses against external shocks.
"I have a plan for this as well. I simply need to construct seven impenetrable gates."
Having quickly grasped the knack, the vessel creates them in an instant.
"Seven gates that judge adversaries. A trial that grinds down the souls of fools who challenge the abyss of Chaldea."
Seven gates are installed between the outside and Chaldea. Naturally, these do not budge from simple impact.
To pass through, one must offer "a part of oneself," one-seventh, to the gate and open it. If it's a soul, information; if it's a weapon, the weapon itself; if it's a magus, their magic circuits.
By the time they pass through all seven gates, they will be stripped bare, unable to offer even decent resistance. That defenseless soul—
"It will be utterly destroyed using the Spear of the Underworld and the barrier that burns away souls used in the Moon Cell Holy Grail War. No resistance will be possible, as everything will have been stripped away. Fuhahahahaha! How merciless I am! But it is still too lenient a punishment for intruders!"
Rights are stripped, they are impaled with spears, and the soul's tail is severed. What awaits beyond the trials is death by torment. And the stolen resources become Chaldea's reserves.
An efficient system that kills adversaries while gaining returns, named "Chaldea's Underworld Descent ~ Labor Lost, Instant Death by Exhaustion."
"Good! My spirits are high! Let's keep going! Fuhahahahaha! This is becoming enjoyable!"
3. Create an ever-evolving virus guard.
"This is easy. Digitize a Servant and have them deal with it."
He snaps his fingers, and summons a Servant from the original text of "Cybernetics."
"Come forth. Mistress of the Underworld."
And what appeared on the computer screen was...
『Huh!? What is this place!? Eh!? What happened to me!?』
A twin-tailed girl flusters and panics.
"This is Chaldea's cyberspace; you have been summoned as an AI Servant."
『That voice is Gilgamesh!? Summoning me... what does this mean!? I want an explanation!』
"Blah blah blah."
『Hmm, I see, I see. In that case, I am the right person for the job! This mistress of the underworld, Ereshkigal, will protect your Chaldea!』
"I entrust it to you. You are a diligent goddess, sincere in your duties. You are perfectly suited for such steady work. I expect great things from you. I grant you full authority over cyberspace. Trample your adversaries utterly!"
『You can count on me! Oh, wait, I have a favor to ask...』
"Hm? What is it, speak."
『In cyberspace, I'd like to project earthly scenery. Like flower fields and the sun... I want you to project them!』
"Is that all? Leave it to me. Here."
He transforms cyberspace into a vibrant place.
『Wowww—!』
"Now you have no complaints. Fulfill your duties! Ereshkigal!"
『You can count on me! This is my new Underworld!』
"Oh, I leave the care of the demon beasts to you."
『Kyaaa—!! Something's coming—!!』
4. Maintenance Staff!
"Lastly, the maintenance staff."
—Should I take charge?
"You have your own journey. I cannot entrust you with miscellaneous tasks that would keep you tied to Chaldea. Do not worry. I have someone in mind."
—What!
He feeds the Holy Grail of London to the "Golden Colossus that tore Heaven and Earth apart."
"Awaken, 'Siduri'."
Responding to the King's words, the battleship control AI awakens.
『Good morning, King Gilgamesh. Your features are as sharp as ever.』
"Hmph, do not praise the obvious. But now, to business."
He briefly explains the situation. Siduri understands everything and activates the system.
『Understood. Maintenance and upkeep of Marduk and various programs. And activating defensive weaponry against external invasion, correct?』
"Indeed. No mercy is needed for adversaries, for those who would lay rude hands upon my treasures. Let them fully understand Marduk's firepower."
『Understood. I suppose burning down an entire mountain is acceptable?』
"Hm—make that a last resort. Would that not defeat the purpose?"
『Hehe, I'm joking. Well then, I shall go greet Ereshkigal-sama.』
"When you say it, it doesn't sound like a joke... Well, so be it. This is a good stopping point."
『Ah, King Gilgamesh.』
"Hm?"
Siduri asks.
『If this place is Uruk, then a city goddess is indispensable. Why not call a temporary truce and summon Ishtar-sama?』
"————..."
『I understand your feelings, but to solidify our defenses...』
"...I'll consider it."
—Thus, the cyber defense mechanism "Electronic Mythology: Babylonia" was completed.
11 layers of firewall (infinite revival), 7 rights-stripping gates, countless spears, a barrier that burns away the soul's tail, one Servant, and the battleship's system linkage.
A defense front that dominates the electronic sea and utterly crushes adversaries and intruders was hereby completed.
"Hmm, I suppose that's enough for now."
Gilgamesh mutters to himself while soaking in the bath.
"There is no such thing as perfect defense. I must consolidate the challenges and strive for further improvement. —Now, where shall I deploy that Ishtar...?"
In his voice, not a trace of arrogance or negligence could be found—
"This is Chaldea...! Even if it's cyberspace, that I can actually visit! I'm so happy!"
『That's wonderful, Ereshkigal-sama.』
"Yes! I have work to do, and I'll work diligently! Oh, the sun, the blue sky, the flower fields—! It's wonderful—!"
『Hehe. Ishtar-sama will surely like it too—oh.』
"?"
『Since Ereshkigal-sama is treated as an AI, you'll have to act accordingly.』
"Oh, then that's no problem at all. Nanodawa, nanodawa. See?"
『(Cute...)』
"But Marduk, huh... What was King Gilgamesh thinking, naming that battleship after such a boisterous brute?"
『...Someday.』
"?"
『Perhaps the King foresaw... the time of parting that would eventually come.』
"The time of parting...? ...No way. Does that mean Mother will become an enemy?"
『I do not know. But this is... a battleship against evil, against gods. That possibility is—』
"My great achievement!!"
"Yeah, old hag. You're too weak for a demon god."
"OOOOOOHHHHHHHH—!!"
"Fou-senpai. When is Saber's Camelot coming~?"
"When Air gets there. Just wait patiently."
"Okay! (Naked)"
"Don't strip! Don't show me that horrifying sight, you tar-zombie!! I don't like flaunted beauty anymore!! What I like is, like. It just has to be there. Just being there is precious—"
"Senpai disappeared—!?"
"Thank you, Air—just imagining you, I was defeated by you..."
"How many dozens of Primates Murders have you stored now? Aren't you storing as much as Tiamat-kaasan?"
Aaaaa (Don't overdo it, Fou-kun)
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I still have to save up, save up, save up for the future."
"Praise me!! My name is Goetia!! I am Demon King Goetia!!"
"If you need to go to the toilet, just go quickly!!"
"Hmm. I have a promise with you too, you know."
"I'm saving up because I'd rather not rely on you of all people!"
"How mean. Oh, look, it's starting. '24-Hour Beast TV: Kiara's 72 Demon Pillars Training.'"
"Change the channel... New Year's Eve, huh. I want to go to the shrine with Air... Alright! I'll definitely spend it with Air!"
"Pshhh"
"A cold? Your vitals show no problem, though."
"S-sorry... Yes, King. Let's eat soba together, okay?"
"Japanese noodles, you say? Very well. You only have me and the beast anyway. I shall permit you to eat it."
"Yes! May a wonderful year visit the King and all who love the King—"
(Air~!) "
"Ah! I was waiting for you! Fou—!"
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