Episode 113 — The Firewall Across the Board

With the framework of the Social Security System safely in Argo’s hands, I took a massive stretch in my recliner. My brain had finally stopped redlining, but it was still warm from the residual heat of all that thinking.

"…Phew. That takes care of the backend vulnerabilities for now. By the way, how’s the 'Chess' project coming along? The second banquet… or as I like to call it, the Felsen Protocol’s Forced Update. That’s our top priority right now."

At my question, Gustav opened his notebook with an eager snap, as if he’d been dying for me to ask.

"Yes, Mr. Zect. Progress is proceeding smoothly… or rather, we’re seeing an abnormal situation in the neighboring territories that has exceeded even our wildest expectations. It seems the lords who received chess sets at the first banquet—including Duke Daryl—have become obsessed to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep. In fact, I hear Duke Daryl has gathered mathematicians and military strategists from across his lands to form a research group dedicated entirely to ‘Defeating Gustav.’"

Gustav paused, offering a mischievous yet confident smile before continuing.

"The fever among the neighboring lords has already passed its critical point. I’m receiving letters every day demanding a rematch. Therefore, Mr. Zect, I’m thinking of making the next banquet more than just a party. I want to format it as a ‘Chess Tournament’ where the lords can compete for prestige."

"…A chess tournament, huh? I like the optics of that."

I took a sip of Cola and smirked.

(Perfect. I’ve successfully locked their cognitive resources into a puzzle on sixty-four squares instead of military schemes. The sandboxing was a success. I’ll let them run wild in a safe, isolated environment as much as they want.)

"Once the opponent steps onto the platform you’ve provided, the game is already half-won. Argo, how are your preparations as the ‘Final Boss’?"

Argo pushed his glasses up with the tip of his finger. A cold, calculating light flickered behind the lenses.

"…Preparation is complete. Through observing Lord Gustav’s matches and analyzing the data from the neighboring lords, I have already simulated approximately eight million tactical patterns. No matter how much research they put in, to me, every move they make is merely calculated historical data."

"Reliable as ever. Listen, Gustav. You’ll play first. The main event will be the final match between the tournament winner and Argo. We’re going to use a display of overwhelming intellectual violence to rewrite their pride into respect for the Magic Races."

Gustav nodded deeply, though he looked like he was genuinely enjoying the thought.

"…A cultural invasion. They’ll spread chess in their own lands, study Felsen’s opening theories, and compete under Felsen’s standards. Before they know it, attacking Felsen will become synonymous with destroying the high culture they’ve come to rely on."

"Exactly. That’s what it means to establish a De Facto Standard. If you suppress them with force, you get a rebellion. But if you make them dependent on your culture, they’ll practically beg to become part of the Felsen system. The strongest firewall isn't a physical wall; it’s a dependency built directly into the opponent’s brain."

"Mrrrp… Prrr. (Mrow… There you go again, trying to manipulate people with game addiction. Though I suppose ‘peaceful hacking’ is an improvement over the alternative.)"

Fortifying the interior with social security and hacking the exterior with chess. The next-generation OS known as "Felsen" was finally ready for a large-scale deployment into the legacy environment of the surrounding world.

"Alright, Gustav. Let's send out the invitations for the second banquet… no, let’s call it the ‘First Felsen Cup.’ But remember, this isn't just a game. We’re going to make it the greatest intellectual entertainment show in Felsen’s history."

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