[178] Episode 4 - The Hollow Of Shrine (8)

Chapter 178: Episode 4 - The Hollow Of Shrine (8)

As the movie neared its conclusion, Shiki Ryougi turned to Aozaki Touko and said:

"You said you would teach me how to use these eyes, didn't you?"

"That's right, but there are conditions. From now on, you'll assist me with my work. Since my familiar is gone, I've been looking for someone capable to replace it."

"If I help you, will I have the chance to kill people?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then I'll agree, and you can use me however you want. After all, besides killing, I have no other purpose."

After saying such a chilling statement that would make even magicians tremble, Shiki collapsed to the ground, falling unconscious.

Aozaki Touko caught her and, with a sense of melancholy, said:

"No other purpose? You still don't understand, do you, Shiki Ryougi?"

"Since you're called the 'Void', it means you can endlessly fill yourself. You're a fortunate one. Is there any future better than that?"

......

After falling unconscious, Shiki Ryougi drifted into memories.

She began to ponder: why did Shiki Ryougi's alternate personality, SHIKI, willingly choose death? What was she trying to protect as she disappeared?

Finally, Shiki found the answer—SHIKI had sacrificed herself to protect a dream: to safeguard the impossible dream of Shiki Ryougi being together with Mikiya Kokutou.

With this realization, Shiki opened her eyes again, and at that moment, a voice came from beside the hospital bed.

"Morning, Shiki."

It was Mikiya Kokutou, speaking with a slight tremor in his voice.

"Do you still remember me...?"

Faced with this longtime friend, a friend unchanged from her memories, a small smile crept onto the girl's lips.

...Yes, I know. You've always been waiting for me, You're the only one who's been protecting me.

With this thought, Shiki slowly spoke:

"Mikiya Kokutou... sounds like the name of a French poet."

Upon hearing this, Mikiya's face broke into a smile. He stood up, stretching his legs that had grown numb from sitting too long, and cheerfully said:

"Good thing the weather cleared up today; it's perfect for being discharged."

Hearing his familiar, warm words, Shiki couldn't help but think:

"...Ah, so not everything has disappeared after all."

And thus, the fourth chapter of Kara no Kyoukai: The Hollow Shrine came to an end.

As the movie concluded, the ending theme, performed by the best orchestra from the southern region, began to play, specially arranged by Durin.

....

"Ah, it's over."

"But it's just the fourth movie, right? I can't wait for the next one!"

"Kara no Kyoukai is so refreshing. When it's over, it's over—no unnecessary dragging. Unlike KonoSuba or Fate/Zero, those are just torture!"

"Strongly suggest Director Durin release the fifth movie immediately to heal our wounded hearts!"

"The leads in Kara no Kyoukai are amazing. They're a perfect match!"

"Ahhh, I still want to watch the next one! A whole month is way too long!"

"..."

The audience buzzed with chatter, their voices rising and falling.

Clearly, even without Durin's infamous cliffhangers, people in this world still couldn't handle waiting an entire month for the next release. After all, the boredom of this world was beyond what modern people could imagine.

In contrast, while the king and his knights were equally disappointed, they kept their feelings hidden and began to discuss an odd question.

"What do you all think 'The Hollow Shrine' means?" asked Emperor Hubbard.

The knights were baffled. Even General Wilhelm couldn't offer a reasonable answer.

While the titles of the first three movies—Overlooking View, A Study in Murder, and Remaining Sense of Pain—had been somewhat comprehensible, the fourth one, The Hollow Shrine, left them scratching their heads.

Amid the confusion, it was the orc prophet who finally spoke up:

"If we don't overcomplicate it and just consider the straightforward meaning of the term, I'd say 'The Hollow Shrine' refers to a bottomless void. This is hinted at in Aozaki Touko's explanation at the end of the movie. As for 'shrine,' I think it might tie into the overall theme of Kara no Kyoukai—'Kara' means emptiness, a void or something that is utterly hollow."

"Oh, impressive!"

Hearing this, the knights looked at the prophet with admiration. After all, being mostly unlettered, they couldn't hope to come up with such an interpretation themselves.

Even Emperor Hubbard was surprised and said, "Old man, I didn't expect you to be so learned. It seems you're not from an ordinary background, are you?"

The orc prophet froze upon hearing the king's words, but in an effort to keep his identity hidden, he calmly nodded and replied, "It's nothing. I simply studied under a well-learned scholar when I was young. I learned a great deal from him."

"Oh, I see. It's a shame that someone as wise as you never entered the imperial academy," the emperor said with admiration, clearly impressed.

Flustered, the orc prophet quickly waved his hands and said, "Oh, you're too kind. I'm just an ordinary person who read a bit more than others."

"Haha, it seems you really enjoy these films. There's another screening at the Frost Film Festival this afternoon. How about we go together?"

Faced with Emperor Hubbard's invitation, the orc prophet felt a slight tremor in his heart. But to avoid suspicion and also because he was genuinely looking forward to the film, he eventually nodded and said:

"Of course."

Immediately, Emperor Hubbard's face lit up with a smile. He clearly felt a strong connection with this orc prophet.

This bond, however, wasn't solely personal—it stemmed from the power of the film itself.

Great cultural works have a way of naturally linking their admirers. The shared love for a particular work becomes a label, a symbol, allowing even complete strangers to connect quickly.

Even the orc prophet, a skilled mage, couldn't escape this phenomenon. After discussing the film, he instinctively felt that the human emperor before him was someone worth befriending.

Had it not been for the deep knowledge of his true identity as the prophet of the Orc Kingdom, he might have truly become a friend to the human emperor, bonded by their mutual love for cinema.

Despite knowing his responsibilities as the orc prophet, he momentarily set aside his mission, engaging purely as a film enthusiast. He began to passionately exchange thoughts and feelings about the movie with the people around him.

"Wait, the movie is still playing!"

Suddenly, someone shouted from the back.

Instantly, those who had been preparing to leave the theater stopped in their tracks. As they turned their attention back to the screen, they realized that after the ending theme of Kara no Kyoukai, a new scene had unexpectedly begun...

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