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Chapter 250 - Chapter 240 The Sun, The Poison, and The Fortress

"First, try making it however you wish. Do not worry about whether it is good or bad. Even failure has its own flavor, after all."

"This hand of mine glows and roars!!"

"Chocolate making... Mash Kyrielight! I will challenge it with all my might!"

"It takes quite a bit of patience, doesn't it... Jeanne, you are amazing..."

"Fufu, naturally. I am the store manager, after all."

"Romani-sama, say 'aah'—♥"

"A-Aah..."

"Ahahahaha! Look how happy you are, Romani! Can I modify the oven?"

"Please keep it moderate! It is our lifeline! ...Is Goldie not here?"

"I invited him, but he said he has work. He told us to enjoy the family circle as much as we can. Che."

"Maybe I should bring him some sweet maple syrup cake as a refreshment..."

The Sun, Poison, and The Universe — Anti-Lostbelt, Anti-Alien Civilization Decisive Fortress Chaldea

"Now then, it is time for our customary renovation and reconstruction... but before that, we must settle the accumulated debts."

At Chaldea, in the King's private Grand Bath, Gilgamesh poured Sky God wine into a Grail and bathed elegantly as he addressed the current situation.

"Specifically, we must cover the power consumption. Is that not right, Artoria?"

He confirmed this with Lancer Artoria, who was bathing with him, her voluptuous body covered only by a single bath towel.

She did not make a fuss like a maiden or a virgin. Both were Kings, and as they stood on equal footing, there was no room for shame to arise between them.

"Yes. Even with the full power of Karna and Cú Chulainn released to cover electricity, and adding Heracles to reach 30%... I managed to handle it by hastily diverting the reserve power secured for emergencies. However, if we are to release any more Servants... we will have to use power that will interfere with the foundation of our living standards."

Operating a waterproof tablet, Artoria accurately conveyed the situation.

(To use 10% of that power is incredible, but the fact that the King's Chaldea can run on just 10% is also outside the norm...)

"In a normal Chaldea, the fires would go out the moment a single one of them was released. Our independent engine production, borrowing no aid from mongrels, has turned out well unexpectedly... but even with infinite supply, if demand far exceeds it, production cannot keep up. —Before reconstruction, we need replenishment, Artoria."

She nodded at the King's query and answered.

"I have assigned both Edison and Nikola Tesla to the activation of the Fires of Babylon, and requested Charles Babbage to adjust the power output. Compared to recent days, we have achieved more than double the results, but the scale of consumption is simply too tremendous..."

"Hmph," the King of Heroes mused, and immediately derived an answer.

"—We need more power."

Indeed. Babylon is an infinite drive engine capable of perpetual supply, but this Servant issue highlighted a weakness.

The answer is: 'Even with infinite supply, generation cannot keep up with rapid power consumption.' If 90 out of 100 refined energy units are consumed, the steady pace of infinite generation cannot immediately replenish the loss.

—Apart from this, an energy engine capable of instantaneous, explosive generation is needed. A power engine for 'Combat' and 'Rebirth,' separate from the Fires of Babylon that handle the life-support systems.

"I will absolutely not allow the living standards of my paradise to drop. Once one has experienced a life without inconvenience, forgetting it is not easily done. —The only burden those mongrels should bear is the responsibility of saving the world. Temperance and frugality are utterly unnecessary. I have no hobby of making them fight while enduring a test of endurance. Providing appropriate treatment to appropriate people is the natural capability and duty of one who stands above."

—In that case, my King, how about requesting assistance from Pharaoh Ozymandias, and for further defense, Empress Semiramis?

I hear Semiramis is the Oldest Poison Empress. It should not be a bad idea to employ her as an advisor for the 'Tide-Fang of the Great End' that the club members proposed.

Pharaoh Ozymandias goes without saying. As a King of Kings who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Hero King, and a wonderful devoted husband who loves Nefertari deeply, I believe he will surely lend his strength to the renovation of Chaldea, which is his residence with Nefertari.

"Hmph. Few Singularities remain. I must also prepare for your dream... Has the time come for me to employ the method of entrusting things to others?"

—My King?

"Mm, a slip of the tongue. —Well, look forward to it. When everything is over, I will surely grant your dream."

He stood up immediately and sent instructions to Artoria.

"Telegraph the Sun and the Empress, Artoria! Tell them: 'We shall borrow your strength for this renovation!'"

"Understood. —Um, this isn't exactly a proposal, but... I believe Nero Claudius should not be underestimated in terms of Territory Creation."

"First, we shall definitely build a Live House. I will call upon her eventually."

—Take care, my King.

"Umu. Watch closely, Ea. The fact that I am the Gorgeous King you admire, walking half a step ahead of that Sun fellow! I shall demonstrate it once again!"

—Yes! But... in my heart, when I think of a King, it is you. From now on, and forever!

With sparkling eyes, Ea sent unadulterated adoration and respect to the King.

"————Hmph. Truly, your respect and reverence are pleasant to my soul."

Saying this, the King gently stroked the cheek of the Princess, his soul.

...The source that allows the King to laugh loudly at all times, never suffering from any hardship or labor—is the respect and admiration dedicated by this Princess soul. He affirmed this with a laugh.

"Understood. Then—mm."

Artoria slowly adjusted her bath towel as it began to slip.

"...This body is... quite unwieldy."

"If you asked ten people, ten would praise it as a beauty. Well, it is not to my taste, however."

—I agree from the bottom of my heart! Fou even said, "I can't look at her directly because I feel lewdness instead of preciousness from her!"

"...A beauty, is it? For one who is King, that is a complicated compliment."

Though troubled, Artoria smiled happily—

"Ph-Pharaoh is currently dining with Nefertari-sama! R-Restrain yourself! Restrain—"

"Renovation? Umu, very well."

Ozymandias, dining peacefully with Nefertari, nodded immediately.

"Pharaoh Ozymandias!?"

"He surpassed me in wealth. Then I shall illuminate this Abu Simbel with authority, blessing, and universal light. I allow it. Let us reward the soul of the Hero Princess who invited my beloved wife, Nefertari."

Ozymandias tasted the food carried gently to his mouth. There was not a speck of harshness or arrogance in him. Because he was simply savoring and chewing upon the happiness he embraced.

"Fufu, Rameses insists on 'leaving a poem of love for you in this era, and a poem of gratitude to the Golden One's Princess,' you know? It's exaggerated, but it's so like Rameses that I can't refuse him. He really is a handful, isn't he?"

Troubled yet happy, Nefertari winked at the Hero King and Ea.

"Hmph. A letter of gratitude from that Sun fellow is not something one receives often. Accept it with gratitude."

—I-I-It is an honor!!

Ea bowed at a right angle in a salute of utmost respect, overwhelmed by the awe.

"Then I shall renovate it. Think nothing of it; it will be finished soon. Once completed, I will send Nefertari to the room. You may converse after my banquet with the King."

"Fuhaha! You have become so calm that not a shadow of your former self remains! So this was your true face, Sun King the Devoted Husband!"

"Naturally. With Nefertari alone, the concubines I took in life... perhaps all of them were unnecessary."

"...I'm happy. Rameses..."

Ozymandias gently pulled Nefertari close and carefully brushed back her hair...

"Hmph. Showing off like that. If they show off in times of peace, we have no choice but to demonstrate Royal Authority through our united battle, do we, Ea?"

—Yes! With the Hero King's authority, let's show off a bond that stands equal to the Sun King!

"Fuhaha! Truly gallant—!"

The two Kings savored the magnitude of the existence by their sides—

...From there, Ozymandias's work was precise and swift.

First, he deployed 'Anti-Purge Defense' across all of Chaldea, dedicating it to protection.

This is the great defense deployed in the 'Ramesseum Tentyris,' capable of 'countering World-End class attacks.'

It is a top-tier defense that works even against the Hero King's greatest treasure, 'Enuma Elish.' Theoretically, the only interference concept capable of surpassing this is 'Avalon' (Isolation).

He installed the greatest, hardest defensive concept into Chaldea without hesitation.

"Hmph. Even with this, it is still far from the perfection I desire."

This place is no longer a temporary residence. Because he has decided it is the second Abu Simbel where his beloved wife lives.

Furthermore, next to Chaldea, he installed a large thermonuclear engine called the Solar Core 'Heart of Ra.'

The sun shining far away... a secret among secrets of Ozymandias that reproduces it magically.

A miniature sun installed in preparation for the 'Freezing of Chaldea' that Gilgamesh warned of. If Chaldea is a miniature star, this is a miniature sun.

"The Sun is imperishable, and eternal! Yes, just as I am!"

To demonstrate that even if it is the freezing of a Lostbelt... freezing the Sun is impossible.

"Next is—ah, you were troubled by power consumption."

Simultaneously, he provided the 'Great Lightbulb of Dendera' as a power engine connected to the Fires of Babylon. It is the second unit of the same type installed in the 'Ramesseum Tentyris.'

Though not infinite, its instantaneous power generation far exceeds the Fires of Babylon, a treasure of Ozymandias that contributes to handling situations requiring immediate, massive power.

By entrusting this device to Edison and Nikola Tesla to drive it, it became possible to cover power consumption immediately. The power issue saw an immediate resolution.

"The eyes of the desert and the Atlas Institute alone are somewhat unreliable. I shall show you the 'Eyes' of my Gods."

In the Control Room, the blessing of the 'Eye of Wedjat.' Not a device, but a conceptual blessing that dramatically improves the observation and precision of Chaldea itself.

By applying this, unless it is a 'blow that brings death to all,' the existential disappearance or semantic loss of a Rayshifter will never occur.

"On the earth, nothing is impossible for a Pharaoh! All creation is in my hands!"

He sprinkled the blessings of 'Hathor' and 'Astarte' over all of Chaldea. This is a gentle blessing that heals the mind and instantly recovers wounds. Furthermore, it enables the production efficiency of Chaldea's plants to be increased tenfold.

It is also Ozymandias's mercy given to the braves trying to save Human Order, and to the 'Impossible Braves' he believes he will see again someday.

"—Umu. With this, petty skirmishes should not occur. The blessing of Nefertari, the embodiment of Hathor. —Is the goddess manifesting that princess... Anat? Or perhaps Isis...? Fuhaha!"

...Regarding filling Chaldea with divine blessings, Gilgamesh laughed it off after a long, long silence: 'If necessary, I shall overlook it. What does it matter? It is not Mesopotamian divinity, and we are borrowing Ereshkigal's hand anyway. It is too late for that.'

"Almighty Gods, witness my works! And prostrate yourselves! The location of the Throne in the Heavens is right here!!"

To the Search Engine/Simulator, he granted the wisdom of 'Thoth.' Search categories cover a wide variety, and the simulator becomes capable of reproducing phenomena, monsters, and gods of all worlds.

The Hero King built a paradise through possibility and material renovation.

The Sun King colored the paradise through blessings and conceptual means.

Both demonstrated their authority to the fullest, sparing no effort or expense in their investment.

From an outside perspective, it was an unprecedented lavishness, but they both deemed it 'Just.'

Why? If asked, the two Kings would answer thus:

'The greatest treasure is already in my hand. Therefore, all other wealth excluding that is equally of the same value. I have no hesitation in exposing it to the masses.'

Eventually—here, Chaldea, protector of humanity, gained further power and reigned supreme.

Through the renovation and reconstruction of the two Kings, devoid of any negligence, it was reincarnated into a facility unparalleled in history—a fortress to counter all threats and foreign enemies, and a shelter to protect its inhabitants.

What it looks toward is no longer the trivial matters of a planet.

As the one and only hope when a threat menacing 'Humanity itself' manifests—

He recognized 'Chaldea' as a 'Temple' worthy of his seat.

—And simultaneously, absolute 'Death' without exception to those who threaten the paradise.

"Hmph, we simply need to make this place a harbor for the journey to death, yes? Digging a hole connected to the Underworld is an easy request—"

Semiramis laughed solemnly.

"Fuhahahaha! Curses are one of the strongest concepts my Egypt boasts!!"

By the hands of both Semiramis and Ozymandias, merciless improvements were made that would not allow an enemy to return alive, not even one in ten thousand—

First, the 'Prohibition of True Name Release for Servant Noble Phantasms' imposed on irreverent ones stepping into Ozymandias's temple. Except for existences derived from Gods or Divine Constructs, all True Name releases are sealed.

Furthermore, 'Deadly Poison born of Curses.' The curses of Gods that cause instant death in two seconds for a normal living being, and inflict status down and skill weakening even on Servants. Even if one possesses EX-rank Endurance, this is absolute persecution from which one cannot escape.

At the same time, Divine Beasts, 'Sphinxes,' are added. A massive number of fragments of Ozymandias's authority are released to roam free—beasts that pose riddles to those entering the labyrinth and devour those who cannot answer. Both flesh-and-blood and golem types simultaneously.

And presiding over them, the jewel of the King Species. The Father of Terror, raging fire and wind, incarnation of the sky. The embodiment of the God-King's majesty. Sitting before the door leading to Chaldea—

"Name yourself! Sphinx! Wehem-Mesut!! Fuhahahaha!! Run, run, jump! Struggle and scream all you like! Cry out! All irreverent ruffians who trample my temple! It is your fate to be burned by my authority and reduced to ash!!"

A Sphinx composed of the galaxy stands in the way of the enemy. Naturally, with the bonus of the Hero King's treasures raining down as covering fire.

It shall become the Merciless Sun, the embodiment of death that burns away all mobs. The roar of the Sphinx resonates with the loudly laughing Ozymandias.

"Did you see, Empress of Assyria! This is the work of Ozymandias, which terrifies even Gods!!"

Semiramis looked coldly at the declaring Ozymandias.

"Truly gaudy. It is excessive decoration. A single pesticide is enough for ants invading a residence."

Semiramis laid down security with a dry, tasteless killing intent, different from the gaudy Ozymandias.

Using Semiramis's Noble Phantasm 'Sikera Ušum' (Arrogant King's Alcohol), she turned the labyrinth sector into a toxic environment. Poison is imbued into the air and magical energy itself.

That poison is severe and intense. She deploys the 'Hydra Poison' that makes everyone tremble upon hearing of it.

A supreme poison with unparalleled erosion rates. Just witnessing it through a familiar would cause a magus's eyes to rot. A supreme poison that causes Servants and Traitors to writhe in agony and severe pain, caring nothing for poison resistance provided by Noble Phantasms.

Furthermore, for those who make it through, she prepares a room of the Great Poisonous Serpent 'Bašmu' as a reward. A great monster counted among the 11 Magical Beasts birthed by Tiamat. A room of a grotesque great serpent whose mere graze is a fatal wound surpassing the Hydra, and whose open maw breathes a poisonous breath that instantly kills Traitors.

She decided perfectly on the zoning for these, branching into the three-forked road leading to Chaldea. Lamassu, Sphinx, Bašmu. Which one you are guided to depends on luck.

...Not that there are any lucky choices anywhere.

"...I cannot speak for others, can I? To think wielding power as one pleases is this exhilarating. Well, isn't 'too much' just right?"

"No mercy for enemies! No salvation is needed other than crawling on the ground and having their lives ungracefully ended! Fuhahahaha!! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!"

Later, Gilgamesh came to observe and said, "Is a Lamassu alone lacking as a decisive factor?" and slammed the 'Tower of Gold, Druaga' into the deepest part of the route.

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