Edward Tavern
"Finally over, huh... That's too much. Why did they have to make the ad half an hour long?" Helena complained.
Edward simply replied calmly, "Because it's the allocated time slot. We need to show advertisers that this method works. Otherwise, if there aren't any ads to begin with, no one will want to join in later."
"Well, I guess that makes sense."
As the images on the television screen reappeared, Helena and the surrounding audience quieted down, clearly eager to see how the story would progress.
"So, does the next part continue from the Overlooking View story? Lord Durin, will there be new enemies appearing?" Winry asked from the side. It was obvious that everyone around was just as curious.
Edward replied matter-of-factly, "Actually, the timeline of the second chapter is earlier than the first. This story is about how Kokutou Mikiya and Ryougi Shiki first met."
"Eh?"
Clearly surprised by this reverse narrative structure, the crowd's expressions shifted to astonishment. On screen, as artificial snow began to fall from the sky, a young boy was seen walking up a long slope.
<+>
Imperial Mage Academy
"Whoa! It's finally starting? I just came back from the restroom!"
"Your timing is uncanny. By the way, they showed the trailer for the second part of Fate/Zero earlier. It looked amazing—really pumped me up!"
"Yeah, while The Garden of Sinners has a unique vibe, I'm more excited about the intense action of Fate/Zero. Heroic Spirits and mages fighting for the Holy Grail—that's true mage romance!"
"My biggest regret is not joining the Magical Alchemy discipline! Aaagh!"
"Stop arguing! The show's starting!"
As the television screen displayed the opening scene, the mages in the hall were visibly excited. However, as the events unfolded, confusion spread across their faces.
"?? What's going on? Why do Ryougi Shiki and Kokutou Mikiya seem like they don't know each other?"
"No idea. Something feels off about this version of Ryougi Shiki. I can't put my finger on it, but she gives off a completely different vibe than before."
"Well, let's just watch and find out. I think this is a flashback—the director didn't say it had to follow chronological order."
On the television, The Garden of Sinners continued its broadcast.
"You're still dressed so lightly, Shiki," Mikiya remarked casually as he approached Ryougi Shiki, showing no hesitation in striking up a conversation.
To this, Shiki replied indifferently, "It's fine for now, but it might get difficult later."
"Do you dress like this even in winter?"
"Of course. But don't worry—I wear a coat when it's cold."
"Oh, so there are coats to go over kimonos?"
"Of course."
"Like a leather jacket?"
<+>
"I heard there's been a murder not too long ago, over in the western shopping district."
"A murder? That's unsettling."
"Yes, and it's horrifying. They say the victim's arms and legs were severed with a blade and dumped on the roadside, leaving the scene a sea of blood. The perpetrator hasn't been caught."
"Just the arms and legs? Wouldn't that still kill someone?"
"It would, due to excessive blood loss causing the body to shut down. Though in cases like this, the victim might have died from sheer shock first—Oh, sorry, Shiki, this doesn't have anything to do with you, right?"
"It's fine. Things happening nearby aren't entirely unrelated to me. But, Mikiya… this kind of talk isn't exactly suitable for mealtime, is it?"
The first half of The Garden of Sinners Chapter 2: A Study in Murder - Part 1 was shrouded in an air of mystery. While it outwardly appeared to be a simple school romance, the recurring mentions of "the deceased" and "crimes" painted a starkly contrasting undercurrent.
The audience, deeply engrossed, began to murmur among themselves, unable to engage in independent analysis, completely led by the film's narrative. As the male personality of Ryougi Shiki—"Shiki" (as distinct from "Shiki" with a female identity)—appeared later in the story, the confusion multiplied. No one could predict how the story would unfold next.
This perplexity persisted even though Overlooking View had already provided clues about the future. A Study in Murder - Part 1 was merely a flashback, adding layers to the mystery.
Even the mages of the Imperial Mage Academy found themselves puzzled by this episode of The Garden of Sinners. While they could tell it was captivating, they struggled to pinpoint exactly why. Much of the post-viewing discussion revolved around the identity of the murderer behind the series of incidents depicted in the story.
"I think it might be Ryougi Shiki's other personality," one mage suggested. "There are so many clues pointing to Shiki having an uncontrollable destructive impulse."
"That's not necessarily the case," another countered. "A lot of clues might just be red herrings. Remember how Overlooking View played out? You thought it was a wraith's doing, but it turned out to be a flashback. The real culprit was a living person."
"True, The Garden of Sinners seems to enjoy leading us astray. That's why I suspect the real murderer might be someone else entirely. Besides, giving the protagonist such a dark past—killing innocent people—feels a bit much."
"Not necessarily," someone else argued. "If the killer is Shiki instead of Shiki's other personality, Shiki, couldn't they just resolve the issue by 'eliminating' that side? After all, the personality in Overlooking View seemed to clearly be the dominant Shiki."
"That... strangely makes sense. But still, like we said earlier, this series thrives on misdirection. There could easily be another twist later."
As the debates heated up, the scenes on the television shifted into the midsection of the film.
"I've told you I hate humans before, haven't I?"
In a dimly lit classroom, it was Shiki, Ryougi Shiki's other personality, speaking to Kokutou Mikiya.
"This is the first I've heard of it… You hate humans?"
"Yes, Shiki has hated humans since childhood. Think about it: isn't it common for a child to grow up in a state of naïve ignorance? As kids, we tend to believe the world and everyone in it unconditionally loves us. We think, because we like someone, they'll naturally like us back. It's considered a universal truth, isn't it?"
"That's true. As children, we don't doubt anything. It's natural to think that as long as we love everyone unconditionally, they'll love us in return. The only thing that might scare us then are ghost stories. But now, people seem scarier than ghosts..."
"Exactly. But that's a crucial part of growing up, Kokutou. Ignorance is necessary. In childhood, we're so focused on ourselves that we don't notice the malice others might harbor toward us—even if it's just an illusion. Experiencing love in those early years allows us to develop compassion for others later in life. After all, humans can only express emotions they've personally felt."
"..."
"But I'm different. From the moment I was born, I was aware of other people's existence. Because of me, Shiki could think about all kinds of things. She knew there were other humans besides herself, and that the world wasn't just about her. She also understood she couldn't expect unconditional love from others. From a young age, Shiki saw how ugly people could be, which is why she couldn't love them. Over time, she became indifferent to others, harboring only rejection in her heart."
The atmosphere of this chapter deepened the intrigue, providing a chilling glimpse into Shiki's psyche. The juxtaposition of philosophical musings and raw emotion left the audience questioning the boundaries of identity and morality.
While some viewers felt an unsettling sense of empathy for Shiki, others found themselves even more perplexed, unsure of how to interpret her disdain for humanity or its implications for the narrative. The line between hero and villain blurred further, leaving the mages and audience alike grappling with what might come next.
<+>
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Latest Post In Patreon: Chapter 188: Steins;Gate Premieres! (Part 6)[2]
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https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/130705860?collection=162522
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/130705860?collection=162522
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/162522?view=condensed