Chapter 172: Episode 4: The Hollow Shrine (Part 2)
The story of The Hollow Shrine began right where A Study in Murder – Part 1 had left off—with Ryougi Shiki gravely injured and rushed to the hospital.
Unlike the jarring transitions of the previous episode, this time the film carefully depicted every detail of her hospitalization, along with Kokutou Mikiya's increasing anxiety as he stayed by her side.
Everyone watching immediately sensed the severity of Shiki's injuries.
As time passed within the story, a series of slow, introspective sequences unfolded: Shiki's treatment process, the sterile hospital rooms, and Mikiya's weekly visits—all conveyed with quiet, almost painful sincerity.
At the same time, the film intermittently cut to strange, abstract scenes.
Shiki was shown floating in a boundless void, surrounded by infinite darkness. Occasionally, a massive swirling vortex would appear behind her—deep, silent, and full of unknowable gravity.
...
In the Nosrick City TV tavern, the audience sat in rapt silence, utterly immersed in the unfolding story.
Though The Garden of Sinners was known for its non-linear plot and intellectual demands, the people of the Southern Territory weren't the picky type.
Boredom was boredom—and a compelling broadcast was a rare treasure.
Still, with the current part of the movie relatively calm, small conversations began to bubble up among the crowd.
"Man, the plot jumps around a lot. One second it's two years in the future, next second it's a flashback. Honestly, it's hard for the average person to keep up."
"Yeah, but I think each story in The Garden of Sinners kind of works on its own. That actually makes it really good for TV. Not everyone tunes in right at the start of a broadcast. If you miss something, it's hard to catch up. But this? You can jump in almost anywhere and still get drawn in fast."
"That's true! I came in late to KonoSuba this morning and had to start from episode eight. Missed a ton of stuff. It was brutal!"
"Haha, well, maybe once TVs become more widespread, we won't have that problem anymore."
"Yeah, right. These Magitechs are way too high-end for regular folk like us. Only nobles could afford something like that."
"Exactly. And if a TV breaks, where do you even take it? No way the Empire's magicians are gonna line up just to fix stuff for commoners."
"Yeah… sounds like wishful thinking more than anything else."
While the tavern patrons continued their animated chatter, Emperor Hubbard sat listening quietly, a mysterious smile flickering across his face.
This was his first time watching The Garden of Sinners, and he leaned forward slightly, brows furrowed in curiosity.
"Is this girl the protagonist? What exactly happened to her?"
Wilhelm answered dutifully,
"Yes, the main character is Ryougi Shiki. In the previous episode, she was attacked—by what, we don't know. But her injuries were serious. She's currently recovering in the hospital."
"I see… so this story doesn't seem too heavy on action, then?"
"Not exactly. Most of the earlier episodes in The Garden of Sinners have some degree of combat, but the pacing isn't anything like Fate/Zero. It's much more deliberate."
"Hmm."
The Emperor nodded thoughtfully. Despite being a first-time viewer, he was clearly intrigued.
Beside him, the Beastkin Oracle watched the dark, swirling void on screen, his brow furrowed ever so slightly.
Something about that empty black space Shiki floated in stirred a strong sense of déjà vu within him…
...
Meanwhile, in the Alchemy Tower of the Imperial Mage Academy...
As soon as the screening finished in the open plaza, a large group of mages immediately gathered inside the main hall.
Word had quickly spread from Ska that a brand-new film was airing via the public television broadcast.
Inside the great hall of the Alchemy Tower, students and professors from every department had already gathered, their eyes fixed intently on the television.
"Shiki really was seriously injured two years ago. Look at that—her body's covered in wounds. It's like she was mauled by some kind of beast!"
"Didn't A Study in Murder end with a monster's roar? If that's the case, then the only reason Kokutou survived that night… was because the beast got to Shiki first?"
"That's wild. And yet Kokutou still kept visiting her afterward? Isn't he afraid of dying or something?"
"There's no way he's not. Remember the fear on his face when Shiki was chasing him? That was the real deal. He's just an ordinary guy. Of course he was scared."
"Then why is he acting so weird now? It's almost like… he was brainwashed. Like he's being forced to love her and is willing to sacrifice everything."
"Exactly. But the real mystery is why did Shiki stop trying to kill him after waking up? What happened during that coma?"
"I'm betting we'll get the answer in this episode."
Even for the magically gifted, without enough information, the story's meaning was hard to parse. And so the mages focused intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.
...
High atop the Alchemy Tower, the academy's most revered Arch Mages had already abandoned their lofty spires and convened around a prototype television gifted to them by Ska.
While the poor students of the Alchemy Branch were still crammed in the lower levels struggling to find a good view, the Arch Mages sat comfortably and chatted away as they watched.
"I get that Shiki's injured, sure," grumbled Arch Mage Warton, "but what's with those weird, trippy scenes during her coma? That pitch-black space—what is that? Some kind of abstract dream? Is this movie turning into an art project now?"
Administrator Hohenheim frowned, equally puzzled.
"Hard to say. Personally, I'm more curious about Shiki's other half. Aside from A Study in Murder – Part 1, we haven't seen him at all. Has he just… vanished?"
The other Arch Mages all wore similar expressions of confusion. Compared to Fate/Zero, The Garden of Sinners was undeniably more cryptic and symbolic.
That's when one of the few people present who had actually worked on the film—Arch Mage Rosa—finally spoke up.
"That pitch-black void… according to Director Durin, that represents the surface of a lake Shiki sees while in her coma. Her current state is one suspended between life and death. Her body still lives, but her consciousness has experienced death countless times. That's likely why she later awakens the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception."
"I see…"
The room fell into thoughtful silence as the Arch Mages absorbed Rosa's explanation.
Then, out of nowhere, someone blurted out:
"Wait a sec— Rosa, did you just spoil the story again?"
"Huh?! W–Wait, what?!"
Caught off guard, Rosa blinked in confusion. She'd only meant to clarify a bit of context—but apparently, it had been taken as a major spoiler.
Despite her frantic protests, the other Arch Mages were already exchanging looks of disapproval, muttering complaints under their breath.
Rosa let out a soft sigh and wore a deeply aggrieved expression.
I was just trying to help…
<+>
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/134996315?collection=162522
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/134996315?collection=162522
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed