Under Kanna's powerful persuasive ability, many Operators who had initially intended to refuse after seeing their "roles" ultimately agreed to participate in Kanna's film.
After the actors were in place, Ironhide noticed something: many of the actors Kanna found were highly compatible with their scene roles, requiring very little guidance from her. It was as if the character in the play was their true self.
Although Kanna's first directorial experience was a bit bumpy, her debut feature film officially wrapped up after a month, filling all of Rhodes Island with a joyous atmosphere.
After approximately another week, with Kanna herself leading the editing, the final cut was completed amidst widespread anticipation.
The various restaurants on Rhodes Island became the preview areas for Kanna's cinematic debut.
In a restaurant where the manager personally invited and satisfied Kanna, who then decided to place the main event there, all the partners gathered around the screening area.
Even Jessica, who was far away in Columbia, took leave from Blacksteel and flew back to Rhodes Island on a private jet to attend the highly anticipated film.
One clear evening, Suzuran's family was happily preparing to enjoy dinner. Her father (ACE) was in the living room watching the new baseball season, and her mother (Yue He) was in the kitchen making a delicious meal.
At this moment, her father asked Suzuran to go outside and buy some drinks.
As she reached the main entrance, Suzuran saw several men in black suits walking up the stairs.
She bought enough drinks at the small shop by the door and walked back under the watchful eye of the shop owner (Croissant).
As she walked up the stairs, she saw a man in a black suit (Broca) standing at the stairwell. Taking a few more steps inside, she saw a person covered in blood (Gummy) walking out of her front door.
Her heart pounded, but her expression remained unchanged as she walked directly towards the innermost room down the corridor. As she passed her own front door, her peripheral vision caught sight of her parents lying in a pool of blood and two other men (Kui Ying, Aosta) standing over their bodies.
Seeing someone walk by the door, Kui Ying strode out, looking curiously at the girl walking towards the corridor not far away. The small knife in his hand, fresh from the killing, was still stained with blood.
Standing at the innermost door, with her back to the enemies who had killed her parents, she gently knocked on the door in front of her.
A moment of silence followed. Kui Ying's eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent. He raised his foot, preparing to walk towards the child trapped inside. Just then, the door slowly opened, and a cool figure (Texas) put her arm around Suzuran's shoulder, bringing her inside.
Once inside, Suzuran could no longer control her tears, but she knew her enemies were outside the door, so she dared not cry out.
Outside, Kui Ying, hearing no movement from within the house, left the crime scene with his three companions.
Later, the belated police (Hoshiguma, Chen) arrived at the scene.
After their inspection, they determined there was a third person in the room, but they believed she had been abducted, so they immediately gave chase, unaware that the third person was just a wall away.
Suzuran, who had witnessed her parents' murder, couldn't trust these police at all. She pleaded with Texas to teach her how to personally avenge her parents.
After a moment of silence, Texas told her that she knew the leader of the men, and that he was incredibly powerful. If Suzuran wanted to defeat him, it would be impossible with her current strength.
However, there was an opportunity now. In this city, an ancient game called the Holy Grail War was underway. The Holy Grail possessed god-like power. If Suzuran was willing to participate in this game, then upon winning, she could not only defeat the murderers of her parents but also use the Holy Grail to resurrect them.
But the cost was that if she failed, she would surely die.
Facing this situation, Suzuran unhesitatingly agreed to Texas's request.
That evening, Texas brought Suzuran to an ancient church.
Upon opening the door, they saw a silver-haired woman (Lappland) sitting on a stool, with a huge white wolf lying in front of her, while a Sankta angel (Exusiai) was preaching in the center of the church.
Seeing someone enter, the angel stopped her chanting.
"Lappland, this child wishes to participate in the Holy Grail War! I am her guarantor!"
"Texas, we've known each other for many years, but this is the first time you've come to me for help. I can't remember the last time we had coffee together, even though we both became legends of Siracusa.
I understand. You think this place is paradise: a decent job, a good life, protected by police and capital. You don't need friends like me.
But now you come to me and say: Lappland, do me a favor. With no respect for me at all—you don't treat me as a friend, you didn't even think to call me 'Madam.'"
As melodious music began to play, the silver-haired Lappland stroked the large white wolf in front of her, speaking in an unhurried tone.
"However, out of old sentiment, I can give you a chance, hmm? I see hatred in this little girl's eyes, which is not a good sign. If you are willing to chant devoutly here for one night, tomorrow morning I can give you what you desire," Lappland said, bending down to look at Suzuran. After speaking, she stood up.
"And you, Texas, returning here, facing your past, your nightmare, you must have many things to say to me, right? Let me see if the swords of all these years have rusted..."
With that, Lappland walked towards the back of the church.
Suzuran made a gesture towards Texas, then devoutly knelt before the Sankta, listening to the "Sutra of Great Compassion and Salvation from Suffering."
And Texas's staff lightly tapped the ground, the wood outside turning to splinters. It was then that Suzuran realized the walking stick Texas had been holding was actually a longsword.
Inside, sacred scriptures were chanted; outside, the clashing of swords, accompanied by the melodious song, created a crisp symphony.
In the morning, Suzuran suddenly awoke to find herself still kneeling in the same spot. Not far away, Texas leaned against a stool, covered in wounds.
Just as Suzuran was about to walk over, the Sankta took her hand and led her inside. "Here are relics of past sages. Take whichever one you feel most connected to. Texas will teach you the rest."
Suzuran immediately took a liking to a longsword inside that resembled a hammer, embedded in a cylindrical stone.
She laboriously dragged the longsword outside. By this time, Texas had also stood up.
Looking at the item in Suzuran's hand, she was visibly surprised. "I didn't expect that after ten years, someone would choose this again..."
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