Chapter 111: The End of "Fate/Zero" Chapter One (Part 1)
"Irisviel, I have a question. Today, you seem to be avoiding touching anything. Is that just my imagination?"
"..."
"Whether it's driving the car or holding the key, such minor things might not matter. But even during the crucial creation of the magic circle, you didn't handle it yourself. There must be a reason. If I'm mistaken, please correct me. Is there something bothering you today?"
...
"—Kirei, why is your definition of 'pleasure' so narrow? What contradiction is there between pain, lamentation, and 'pleasure'? Pleasure has no specific form. It's because you don't understand this that you are confused."
"That's not true! Heroic Spirit Gilgamesh, only someone as perverse as you would find joy in others' suffering. Such actions are the mark of a sinful soul, deserving of punishment. No matter what, the path I, Kotomine Kirei, believe in will never align with yours."
"So, you believe that pleasure itself is a sin? Haha, you certainly know how to propose twisted logic. You are becoming more interesting by the day."
...
"In this era, the people have lost faith, and the state has long abandoned divine will. I thought this was a world on the brink of collapse. Yet, even now, someone like you, a new devotee, appears, and I am truly impressed, Ryunosuke, my Master! But—from your religious perspective, my blasphemous actions are nothing more than child's play."
"Not at all. Everything you do is a top-tier performance. Your exquisite act of comic relief would surely delight the gods, and they would happily play along with you."
"Blasphemy or praise! To you, they are all forms of worship, aren't they? Ah, Ryunosuke, you have a profoundly philosophical mind. Viewing the gods who toy with countless humans as mere jesters themselves... I see! Then such malice makes sense. Very well, let us paint the divine realm with vibrant despair and lamentation. I'll show the gods above that true entertainment is not theirs alone."
...
After the three kings' discussion concluded, the movie swiftly transitioned through various scenes. It moved from Irisviel and Saber heading to the Emiya residence, to Gilgamesh enticing Kotomine Kirei to seek pleasure, and finally to the camaraderie between Caster and Ryunosuke, leading to the climax of the story.
At this moment, faced with a plot driven purely by dialogue, the audience's enthusiasm did not wane in the slightest. On the contrary, it continued to build steadily. They were now fully immersed in the story. Even when the narrative delved into lengthy expositions, the audience was simply delighted to see their favorite characters on screen.
However, some viewers began to notice an oddity. Despite the lengthy runtime, the Holy Grail War had only seen the elimination of Assassin so far. Six more Servants were still left to battle. How long would this conflict continue before reaching its conclusion?
As they pondered this, they overlooked one possibility: the story might have an unexpected end. It seemed the film was preparing to provide these eager viewers with a 'perfect' answer. As the moon reached its zenith, the film, which had been running for an exceptionally long duration, was quietly approaching its finale.
...
Noticing strange magical energy emanating from the sea, all the Masters and Servants turned their attention towards it. Yet, an eerie fog now blanketed the ocean, obscuring the view. Only the distant lights of the harbor were faintly visible, with everything else shrouded in mist.
When Saber and her nominal Master, Irisviel, arrived, Caster emerged from the fog and spoke, "Welcome, Saint. It is my greatest honor to see you again."
"Incorrigible fiend... what devilry are you planning tonight?"
"I'm sorry, Jeanne, but you are not the guest of honor at tonight's banquet. Still, I would be overjoyed if you graced us with your presence. I, Gilles de Rais, have prepared a feast of death and corruption for you to enjoy!"
In the next instant, Caster was swallowed by a massive tentacle that suddenly appeared. A booming voice echoed across the water:
"Now, I shall once again raise the flag of the Savior! The forsaken shall gather around me! The scorned shall gather around me! I will lead you! Command you! The hatred of us, the oppressed, shall be delivered unto 'God'! O Lord in heaven! I shall cleanse sins and praise You!"
"Arrogant 'God'! Cold-hearted 'God'! We shall pull you down from your divine throne! The lambs beloved by God! Those who possess bodies resembling the divine! We will revel in their humiliation, tearing them apart! The laughter of us rebels will break open the gates of heaven alongside the wails of the Son of God!"
...
At this moment, the audience was presented with a nearly horrific scene—a mass of filthy flesh gradually forming on the sea's surface under the influence of magic. Numerous small monsters clustered around a massive, mountain-like black shadow in the center, creating an immense sense of oppression that could be felt even through the screen.
Facing such a scene, the only emotion anyone could feel was pure, deep-seated terror. Initially, the theater was eerily silent, but soon an uproar of discussion erupted!
"Oh my God, what is that monster?!"
"By the Light, I never want to see something that disgusting in real life!"
"If we ever encounter such an enemy on an adventure, please kill me first. I don't want to get close to those nasty growths, and I have trypophobia…"
"How did you become an adventurer with trypophobia?"
"..."
As various comments spread through the audience, the Emperor and General Wilhelm, sitting behind Durin, also showed expressions of astonishment. They were dumbfounded by the terrifying creature on the screen, and they immediately voiced their questions.
"Is that a real monster? Where was this filmed?"
In response to the Emperor's question, Durin merely shook his head and said, "It's not a real monster. This is just a virtual projection. If such a thing were to truly descend, its mere existence would likely cause a massive upheaval..."
"I see..."
Although the Emperor received Durin's reassurance, he still couldn't feel entirely at ease and continued watching the movie. Judging by his expression, he was clearly anticipating the unfolding story.
As Saber, Rider, and Lancer discussed their battle plan and Saber launched a stylish attack in a long take, the tension built up.
Suddenly, with the grand ending theme playing softly, the entire theater lit up. In the next moment, before the audience could fully react, the credits started rolling on the screen.
What did this signify?
Most of the audience didn't grasp the situation immediately, but as soon as one person realized the dreadful truth, everyone erupted in discontent!
"What the hell?! That's it?! Is the director messing with us?! How can it end at such a crucial moment?!"
"Aaaaaah! I'm going to die! I'm going to die! If I don't get to see more Fate, I'm going to die!!!"
"Damn it! If I don't see the ending of 'Fate/Zero' today, I'm not leaving!!!"
"Can someone in charge explain this? We went through so much trouble to get these tickets, and now it just ends like this?!"
"What happens next?! Can the heroes really defeat that terrifying creature?"
"Yeah! Yeah! Maybe we should protest together. This is unbearable!!"
"...."
As various voices erupted throughout the theater, Durin, who had anticipated this reaction, calmly stood up amidst the curious glances around him and waved towards the shadows in the distance.
Suddenly, as if on cue, the screen changed, and the end credits that were about to roll shifted to a new scene. The entire audience fell silent in an instant as the image on the screen showed flashes of Saber and Lancer's battle intertwined with scenes of the other Servants fighting Caster.
Finally, with Saber's golden sword raised high, the screen went black, and the next moment—
"'Fate/Zero' Chapter Two Production Confirmed. Scheduled for release in the Imperial Year XXX, Winter."
With this announcement, the previously agitated audience erupted in excitement. Their earlier complaints turned into enthusiastic praise, with shouts of "Fate is amazing," "The director is awesome," "I'll always support the production team," and "I'll sell everything I own to support 'Fate/Zero'."
Durin could feel their renewed fervor even from a distance, and he couldn't help but smile at their predictable yet gratifying reaction.
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