Goodbye, Sakura
Kirei's death came as a shock to many viewers.
They believed Kirei's reason for helping Shirou rescue Illya must have been part of some sinister plan, but halfway through the film, he was suddenly killed off?
It was so abrupt!
Too abrupt, in fact, that they didn't have time to prepare for it.
It wasn't that he couldn't die, but at least give them some hints or closure, rather than making it feel so unfinished.
"I don't know... I just feel like Kirei didn't die that easily…"
Watching Kirei's lifeless body on screen, Daniel raised his eyebrows in skepticism.
Kirei had appeared prominently across all three films, playing a significant role each time.
Characters like him weren't usually discarded so easily by the creators—they often had a trick or a means to return.
And it wasn't just Kirei. That despicable old worm, Zouken, who had been killed earlier, also gave Daniel a strange feeling that he wasn't truly gone.
While Daniel definitely wanted the old worm dead, it didn't seem right for such a key antagonist, the one responsible for turning Sakura into what she had become, to die so simply.
As Daniel pondered these thoughts, the story continued.
Shirou began his preparations for the final battle against Dark Sakura, learning many truths along the way.
One of these truths was Angra Mainyu's true identity. Although this was already hinted at in Fate/Zero, hearing Illya fully explain Angra Mainyu's background and tragic past still made viewers feel a pang of sympathy, despite knowing he was the antagonist.
In addition, when Shirou used his projection magic to forge the Jewel Sword, the audience got a glimpse of the founders of the Holy Grail War. Illya and Rin mentioned the "Jewelsmith" Zelretch, one of the originators of the ritual, and the scene depicted the original three families.
"Wait, hold on!" When the audience saw the three founders, Daniel and many others were stunned.
The one in the red coat was clearly the ancestor of the Tohsaka family, known for their elegance.
The one in white with a veil was undoubtedly from the Einzbern family, probably referred to as the "Saint of Winter."
And the last man, with blue hair… could he be—
"It's the old worm!!"
Daniel compared this somewhat dashing man with the grotesque old Zouken and felt like they were completely different people.
One was so handsome, and the other so hideous.
Time really is a cruel blade, isn't it?
Daniel couldn't help but sigh.
If not for this movie, he never would've imagined that the ugly old worm once looked like that.
And the Saint of Winter from the Einzbern family bore a striking resemblance to Kiritsugu's wife, Irisviel, from Fate/Zero!
"Whoa!"
Many viewers in the theater gasped.
What were they witnessing?
The Saint of Winter was lying on a stone platform, only to be crushed to death by a descending stone pillar from above!
The sight left many viewers in shock.
It seemed that magi really did have twisted morals, didn't they?
Especially since, in the moments before the pillar came down, the Saint of Winter's expression showed not sadness or fear, but a smile!
"This is just…"
As a longtime fan of the Porter's works, like The Garden of Sinners and Fate/Zero, Daniel had already suspected that the magi in this "Type-Moon" world were different from normal people. But witnessing this scene made even him feel a chill.
To think she actively sought death for the sake of the Holy Grail…
And yet…
When Daniel glanced over at the couple beside him, he couldn't help but smirk slightly.
At least they weren't continuing their lovey-dovey display now!
The scene shifted once again.
The screen now showed a dark cavern.
Inside, a lifeless-looking Sakura stood silently, staring at nothing, while an Assassin with a skull mask faced her.
"You've arrived at last, Assassin," she said.
Surprisingly, the voice that came from her wasn't the sweet voice of the Sakura viewers were familiar with, but the one they despised—Zouken's voice.
"I knew it! He's not dead!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Daniel gritted his teeth.
But… how had Zouken survived? And why was his voice coming from Sakura's body?
The audience didn't stay confused for long.
It turned out that the Zouken Kirei had killed earlier was merely a collection of insects. Zouken had already hidden his decayed soul in what he believed was the safest place—Sakura's body!
When Sakura failed to respond to his commands, Zouken began his attempt to seize control of her body!
"Although your transformation is incomplete, I can't be picky. This body will have to do. Goodbye, Sakura!"
As Zouken's voice spoke, a disturbing sound of something crawling emanated from within Sakura's body.
Under the skin of her neck, the outline of an insect wriggled!
Seeing this, viewers who already felt sympathy for Sakura now felt even more anger toward Zouken.
He had turned Sakura's body into a puppet for his schemes.
The audience's blood boiled—not with excitement, but with rage!
They wished they could enter the world of Fate/Stay Night themselves, drag that old worm out of Sakura's body, and kill him with bug spray!
As the scene showed the insect moving up Sakura's neck, seemingly about to take over her body, the audience held their breath.
Was Sakura really about to die like this?
Their hearts clenched at the sight of the disgusting creature's movements.
But suddenly, Sakura's hand moved, blocking the worm's path.
"There's no need for that, Grandpa. I'm perfectly fine."
Her eyes were clear and sharp.
A small smile appeared on her face.
But the words she spoke carried a chilling finality.
Seeing this, the audience finally exhaled in relief.
They could already guess what was coming next—Zouken was done for!
Just looking at Sakura's smile and hearing her voice, they could sense that she was about to exact her revenge on the old worm.
"Finally!"
"That old monster is going to get what he deserves!"
"This is karma coming full circle!"
Daniel could hear some murmurs of satisfaction from the audience around him.
He could feel the relief in their voices.
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