As Fate/Zero continued, more Servants made their appearances, and the audience in Nosrick Cinema gradually returned to the cinematic experience. For them, the summoning effects of the Servants alone were already worth the ticket price.
What truly surprised the audience, however, were the characterizations of these Heroic Spirits.
Each one, with their unique personality, provided something for everyone to appreciate.
Whether it was Saber, a petite and cute figure radiating a regal aura; Rider, who boldly declared, "Fleeing in the darkness is the act of a petty thief, but retreating in glory is the conquest of a king!"; or Archer, who delivered the line, "You have no right to gaze upon me. A worm should keep its eyes on the ground and die as it should," after instantly defeating another Servant—each left a strong impression.
These distinct personalities garnered fans who found renewed interest after initially struggling with the film's extended focus on the magi.
Some audience members even expressed fondness for Caster, despite his horrific crimes, and for the "gymnast Assassin," leaving others perplexed.
"Birds of all feathers, indeed," thought Edward with a wry smile.
Ultimately, the ensemble drama's novel experience won over many initially critical viewers.
Accustomed to films like KonoSuba or Goblin Slayer, which focused on a core protagonist group, they slowly adapted to this new storytelling approach.
They found themselves immersed in the multi-faceted perspectives the movie offered.
"Fleeing in the darkness is the act of a petty thief, but retreating in glory is the conquest of a king."
Hearing this line, the Emperor seated behind Edward commented, "What an interesting character. This Conqueror King must have been a beloved ruler, capable and magnanimous. Though his appearance seems rugged, it's clear he is a man with a fierce spirit yet tender heart. I'd love to discuss governance with him—though, if such a ruler truly existed, my greatest worry would be whether our empire could withstand his conquest."
Hearing this, Edward, screening the film in the presence of the Emperor himself, could only manage a strained smile.
The situation grew even more awkward for the actors sitting in the back row.
Though deeply immersed in their roles during filming, revisiting their performances on the big screen now left them wanting to dig a hole and hide in embarrassment.
The actor portraying the Conqueror King, in particular, was drenched in cold sweat after hearing the Emperor's glowing review of his character.
Meanwhile, Wilhelm, the general who had recommended these actors to Edward, simply assessed the characters without conflating them with the performers. "This truly is an ambitious and capable ruler. A king like this would undoubtedly inspire devotion among his people and bring out the best in his army, forging them into an unstoppable force," he remarked.
Edward wiped the sweat off his brow.
Complimenting another king so openly in the presence of their own monarch was a risky move.
Still, Wilhelm, who had served the Emperor since youth, clearly knew his liege well enough to make such comments without fear of offense.
Sure enough, the Emperor chuckled. "Well, I suppose it's true that I lack such ambition. If I had the Conqueror King's drive, the neighboring Beastkin Kingdom and several duchies might already be part of our empire."
"But Your Majesty's approach is also commendable. Peace is hard-won. As long as we don't neglect the importance of a strong military, enduring peace is undoubtedly more conducive to the nation's growth."
As the two elder statesmen reminisced about the trials of their past, the film transitioned to Einzbern Castle.
The focus shifted to the magi of the Einzbern lineage and their Saber-class Servant.
Regarding this particular Heroic Spirit, described in the viewing guide as another "king"...
"A timid girl like this becoming a king? That kingdom must have been quite unimpressive," the Emperor remarked.
Edward quickly added, "According to the setting, Saber presented herself as a man during her lifetime, so no one realized she was a woman."
"No one realized? What an unfortunate situation. It seems that kingdom not only lacked intelligence but also had poor eyesight."
"…"
"By the way, Baron Durin, have you considered filming the stories of these Heroic Spirits during their lifetimes? I'm genuinely curious. The information in the movie alone doesn't provide the full picture."
Faced with the Emperor's unexpected request, Edward hurriedly responded, "I plan to publish a comprehensive Fate/Zero guidebook that will include all the details the movie couldn't fully convey, including the Heroic Spirits' backstories. Additionally, the movie itself will later depict a conversation between the kings that should partially satisfy Your Majesty's curiosity."
"Oh! That sounds fascinating!"
The Emperor's enthusiastic response added to Edward's mounting pressure.
Meanwhile, the film reached the scene where Ryuunosuke summoned the Caster-class Servant. Initially, the young boy captured by the psychotic mage Ryuunosuke seemed destined for a cruel death.
However, Caster's initial appearance offered a glimmer of hope, making the audience believe he might be a just Heroic Spirit.
But as the boy neared the door, hope was shattered when he was gruesomely killed. Smiling, Caster remarked:
"Fear must remain fresh... Prolonged terror dulls the senses. True fear lies not in the static but in the dynamic—when hope transforms into despair. That moment, that flavor of fear and death—isn't it exquisite?"
"COOL! So awesome! Absolutely COOL!"
The mutual admiration between these two maniacs deeply unsettled most viewers with normal moral compasses.
Though prepared for disturbing content, many—especially female viewers—still had strong negative reactions.
General Wilhelm commented grimly, "If Wycliffe encountered someone like this in reality, he'd chase them to the ends of the earth to eliminate such scum. Monsters devoid of ethics like this are nothing but the empire's dregs."
Hearing this, Edward sighed and offered a minor spoiler. "Well, though Caster is such a character, he once had a righteous heart. Also, the summoning process considers compatibility. Without a relic as a catalyst, Servants tend to align closely with their Masters' personalities."
"Oh, that's an intriguing concept. It makes me want to try summoning a Servant without a relic myself someday."
"Perhaps Your Majesty will have that opportunity in the future," Edward replied with a mysterious smile before falling silent as the film continued.
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