Chapter 129: Release of "The Garden Of Sinners"(3)
Edward's Tavern.
As they watched the scene where Shiki Ryougi uses a knife to sever her prosthetic limb and successfully breaks Mikiya Kokutou's control, everyone was curious about how Durin managed to film this. However, Laetitia spoke first, "What's with those eyes? I don't think the change in Shiki's eyes was meaningless..."
In response, Durin explained, "Well, I knew someone would ask this. Although I'm writing a Type-Moon compendium and planning to release it alongside the second chapter of 'Fate/Zero,' I'll explain it to you now. Those eyes are called Mystic Eyes. Similar to the various abilities used by magi in 'Fate/Zero,' they are a type of magecraft. The difference is that ordinary magecraft is channeled through circuits engraved in the body, while Mystic Eyes use circuits in the eyeballs. Mystic Eyes also come in many types. Some, like Charm Eyes or Suggestion Eyes, can be artificially created and only cast low-level magecraft. But some naturally strong Mystic Eyes are incredibly powerful—binding, compulsion, contracts, flames, illusions, misfortune, petrification, and even seeing the future, which are beyond what conventional magecraft or magic can replicate."
"Interesting. What type of Mystic Eyes does Shiki Ryougi have? They don't seem that powerful..."
To Winry's innocent question, Durin smiled and shook his head. "Well, if you think Shiki Ryougi's Mystic Eyes aren't powerful, then there's nothing powerful in the Type-Moon universe of 'Kara no Kyoukai' and 'Fate/Zero.' Her eyes are called the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. They can see the 'death' of things, and by tracing the lines or points of death with a sharp object like a knife, she can bring about the instant death of those things."
"What?!!"
The crowd was visibly shocked. After all, it's hard to grasp the nature of Shiki's Mystic Eyes just by watching the early parts of 'Kara no Kyoukai.' Most would instinctively guess that Shiki's ability was some sort of destructive or causality-altering power, similar to the abilities of the Heroic Spirits and magi from previous stories.
So it turns out her ability is to see and bestow 'death.' It's like thinking the protagonist's power is just rapid attacks, only to find out they can stop time—it's beyond what logic can accept.
Laetitia, the first to react, quickly asked, "Seeing and bestowing 'death,' what about the undead? Can she kill them too?"
Durin explained, "To see 'death,' one must understand it. If she can grasp the concept of death, she can kill. Otherwise, it's meaningless for beings without the concept of death. For example, if an alchemical tool is considered 'alive' because it functions, Shiki can see its 'death' and kill it, even if it's not a living being. Conversely, if the target is incomprehensible, like the world itself or an unknown deity, she can't kill it."
Hearing this, even Beldia asked, puzzled, "Is such an ability... truly possible?"
"Maybe. If someone could really see 'death' itself, they could undoubtedly be called a Grim Reaper. Anything would seem possible for such an existence."
"..."
In the now quiet tavern, Chase couldn't help but ask, "From what I see, Shiki Ryougi isn't a mage. Is this ability innate? If it is, that's practically divine, far more terrifying than any holy figure."
Durin, deciding to stay quiet, said, "Well, telling you more would be a spoiler. All I can say is that in the Type-Moon universe, all things originate from the Root. Where there's birth, there's an end. The end of a thing is determined from its inception. When something flows from the Root, its 'death' is already determined. The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception see the inherent 'death' of things. They only accelerate this inevitable process. There are two conditions for obtaining this ability, and you'll find out what they are as you continue watching."
With that, Durin ignored the annoyed looks from the others and focused back on the TV. The screen now showed the climactic battle at the highest point of the first chapter, Overlooking View.
.....
Imperial Mage Academy
In the halls of the Imperial Mage Academy, students gathered around a television screen, captivated by the scene of Aozaki Touko crafting a prosthetic arm for Shiki Ryougi.
"That right hand is artificial? So, she was missing an arm from the beginning? How was that arm created? It looks so lifelike and functions seamlessly. Is it directly connected to her nerves?"
"You don't know? The Healing Department has long been researching artificial organs. The Holy Light Healing from the church is fast and convenient, but it can't replace lost limbs. If artificial organs succeed, it could significantly enhance logistical support for Imperial soldiers. That's why the Empire has heavily invested in the Healing Department recently. Just writing a paper there can earn more than a month's salary."
"That's unfair. We in the Elemental Department strongly protest!"
"Come on, Elemental Department has it easy. The Empire relies on you for everything, even in peacetime. The Curse Department can barely find work with the strict laws now. At least the Necromancy Department gets graveyard cleaning gigs occasionally!"
"But that needs a war! Our Empire hasn't fought one in centuries. Only Water and Earth Elemental Mages get regular jobs due to their agricultural benefits. We Fire Mages are facing unemployment! Maybe the Academy should hire Fire Mages as teaching assistants!"
"Fire Mages as teaching assistants? Worried they'll burn the classrooms down? How about pairing them with Wind Mages for explosion magic and blowing up the Academy?"
"If I were a dual Wind and Fire Mage, I'd blow your head off!"
The hall buzzed with excitement and tangents, drawing helpless looks from instructors who observed silently with Eagle Eye spells, then discussed their thoughts on the movie's plot.
"Such undead beings, it feels like they're not simple monsters born from resentment, but more like vengeful spirits created artificially."
"I have the same feeling, but I can't see any purpose behind it. After all, creating these things in such desolate places, is it just to increase the number of dead? In fact, these deceased have no common traits; creating them seems more like a whim. You think about it, those powerful undead have nothing better to do, so this isn't entirely impossible."
"Undead? Speaking of which, do the worlds of 'Fate Zero' and 'The Garden of Sinners' have undead? They say it's an alternate reality, so many of our world's logics probably don't apply."
"To be honest, rather than talking about those vengeful spirits, don't you find discussing the protagonist herself more interesting? I still haven't figured out what abilities Shiki Ryougi actually possesses."
"That's because we can't figure it out, so we're not saying it. But if I had to guess, I think the heroine's ability should be related to enhancing her physical body. Shiki Ryougi seems to be quite adept physically."
"Yeah, that's what I think too. But I feel like it has more to do with her eyes. Did you notice earlier, when she broke free from the vengeful spirit's bind, Shiki's eyes suddenly emitted a strange light."
"Could it be... Shiki Ryougi's ability is making her eyes glow?"
"I don't know what Shiki Ryougi's ability is, but I know your ability is definitely having a hole in your brain."
"..."
Soon, as the movie continued playing on the television screen, Shiki Ryougi, dressed in a raincoat under the cover of night, returned once again to the towering building where she had previously been injured. As the plot moved into formal combat, all the mages present, whether students or instructors, now focused their attention intently.
...
Alchemy Tower Top.
As the plot reached a critical moment, a group of wise men abruptly halted their discussion. Just moments ago, they had been debating fervently about the true nature of the protagonist's abilities. Some archmages believed it involved a unique power related to her eyes, others thought it was a variant of magic, while a few speculated she was merely an ordinary warrior who happened to break free from the vengeful spirits' restraints. Regardless of their guesses, none had leaned towards the possibility of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Indeed, without disclosure, who could fathom that someone as unassuming and seemingly frail as Shiki Ryougi possessed the ability to perceive and exploit the "death" of things?
Upon Shiki emerging from the ruins' summit, the distant specters of vengeful spirits, including the mastermind controlling them, nine in total, materialized before her. As she had previously mentioned in Touko Aozaki's office, there were eight victims in total...
"Oh, is it finally starting? I honestly can't imagine how Shiki Ryougi, who isn't even a mage, will deal with these incorporeal vengeful spirits. Even if, as you just mentioned, she may have some special ability, facing such a number of vengeful spirits seems quite challenging. Although for us, just one Tier 5 or higher annihilation magic would suffice, but in this world, the mages seem rather weak, and Shiki Ryougi isn't even a mage. How is she going to handle so many vengeful spirits?"
Yes, the attitude of this archmage almost certainly represented the thoughts of all the mages who understood the story's setting and had some understanding of how to deal with undead. They all understood well how much the average person could be easily preyed upon by the dead with a physical body.
At the top of the Alchemy Tower, as the group envisioned countless scenes playing out in their minds, the television screen depicted the female protagonist seemingly charging toward the row of vengeful spirits. In a sudden twist, one of the spirits inexplicably perished at the hands of Shiki Ryougi.
"How... how did she do that?"
"Wait a moment, this makes no sense at all!"
"Where's Durin?! Get that kid here now!! How did he come up with this plot? Is his brain filled with crap? Since when can physical attacks kill intangible undead? This is misleading the audience!"
"Yeah, if warriors who watch this movie start running to their deaths against vengeful spirits, it's going to be disastrous..."
Seeing the passionate reactions of the archmages, Rosa, who had already finished reading the script, hesitated briefly before reluctantly saying, "You're jumping to conclusions too early. Look closely at the screen. Haven't you noticed Shiki Ryougi's eyes glowing again, and those strange lines appearing on the vengeful spirits?"
Upon hearing Rosa's words, including Dean Hohenheim, the archmages eagerly shifted their attention back to the television.
Sure enough, in the ensuing battle, Shiki Ryougi's eerie eyes captivated everyone's attention, while strange lines appeared on the vengeful spirits. Whenever Shiki's small knife slashed these lines, the spirits dispersed as if struck by a fatal blow.
"This..."
"I don't understand."
"Me neither."
Instantly, confusion spread among the archmages present, while Dean Hohenheim hesitantly remarked, "Could it be that these lines appear because of Shiki Ryougi's eyes, and as long as she cuts through these lines with her knife, the undead will die on the spot?"
"Oh?! That's it! I understand now! So Shiki Ryougi's ability allows her to kill vengeful spirits with her knife!!"
"You understand what, exactly..."
"How do you know I like using a hammer?"
Ignoring the peculiar remark from the friendly fire-element archmage nearby, Rosa sighed and refrained from further explanation, quietly enjoying the film on the television. As the scenes continued to unfold, the battle between Shiki Ryougi and the vengeful spirits soon reached its climax.
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