Chapter 219: The Garden of Sinners Episode 5: Paradox Spiral! (Part 17)
The events of The Garden of Sinners had all the audience members gripping the edges of their seats with anticipation. After all, this was the very first time the unshakable protagonist, Ryougi Shiki, had been captured.
Up until now, every installment had showcased Shiki's fearless, commanding presence. But this time, with Paradox Spiral, it was clear the spotlight was shifting to the other characters. The focus was no longer solely on her, and that alone had stirred immense curiosity.
How would Touko or Mikiya respond to this dire situation? What roles would they play? Viewers across the Empire couldn't help but look forward to their actions in the coming storm.
At the moment, the movie had moved on to show Mikiya and Tomoe Enjou. Having cleared up their initial misunderstanding, the two were now coordinating efforts to rescue Shiki.
Of course, they were still just ordinary humans. Most viewers didn't place much hope in their success. Instead, the public's attention had naturally shifted to someone far more enigmatic—Touko.
Now, as the screen cut to Touko making her way toward the Ogawa Apartments, both casual viewers and the most elite mages from the Imperial Mage Academy collectively held their breath.
. . . . .
Inside a tavern in the southern territory, which was lively with the glow of television screens.
"I don't think Touko has ever actually shown what she's capable of before, right? Man, I'm so hyped to see what she can do."
"Same here—but honestly, does she even have combat ability? She doesn't exactly give off the fighter vibe."
"Still, she is a magus. That has to count for something."
"Right? And let's be honest—if even Touko can't handle the threats inside Ogawa Apartments, who else can? Kokutou and that Tomoe guy are just regular people."
The hum of chatter grew. While most people were indeed looking forward to Touko's debut on the battlefield, few could muster true confidence in her. Up until now, she'd come off as a researcher-type—someone more likely to dissect a corpse than create one.
But there was another layer of fascination buzzing through the tavern: the dynamic between Mikiya and Enjou, the so-called "love rivals." Even if it was pretty clear Tomoe didn't stand a chance, the mere suggestion of a love triangle gave the whole plot a spicy, shoujo-esque tension.
That kind of development was catnip for the audience—especially the female demographic.
In fact, among the countless films and shows currently airing, The Garden of Sinners had surprisingly captured a massive female fanbase. It had, in a sense, expanded the entire market.
. . . . .
Meanwhile, far from the chatter of casual fans, the scholars and mage of the Imperial Mage Academy were fixated on something else entirely—the theoretical frameworks behind magic and magecraft.
Sure, Fate/Zero had touched on the differences between the two, but only vaguely. It was The Garden of Sinners that finally laid out the full conceptual groundwork.
And beyond that, what had the magical scholars truly intrigued was this: what kind of magecraft would Touko use?
Up to this point, the films had offered no real glimpse into her power. She was an enigma. A sealed book.
"So, magic is defined as something beyond human capability…? Then technically, doesn't that mean almost all magic in our world qualifies as true magic?"
"Hah, not quite. Don't forget—there are also knights and priests who wield supernatural abilities. Not everything's so cut and dry."
"Fair point. But if that's the case, what kind of unimaginable force must magic in the Garden of Sinners world be? I can't even picture it."
"No idea. But it must be something utterly unique… something beyond logic."
"…Still, is Touko really that strong? She's barely shown any supernatural ability at all."
"I think it might have something to do with puppetry? She's always been focused on researching dolls, after all."
"But aren't puppets kind of weak in combat? I mean, even the ones Araya created were already pretty amazing… but they still couldn't go up against real powerhouses."
"Well, we'll just have to keep watching and see where it goes."
"…"
The mage crowded around the television chattered nonstop, their curiosity thoroughly piqued.
After a whole month without any new releases, the pent-up anticipation had reached a boiling point. Their hunger for the unfolding story was boundless.
Far above them, at the top of the Alchemy Tower, the Arch Mages were locked in discussions of their own—this time about the mysterious concept known as the Counter Force, much like Arcueid had pondered.
Unfortunately, unlike her, there was no one among them who could explain the Counter Force with clarity—no Edward to break it down for them.
Even within The Garden of Sinners, the narrative's explanation of the Counter Force remained vague and elusive. The Arch Mages were left to piece together guesses and fragments of ideas, with no clear understanding in sight.
And unlike Arcueid, whose existence had spanned countless years, these so-called Arch Mages were still limited—transcendent beings within the human empire, yes, but still far from omniscient when viewed from a wider, more cosmic scale.
Even for them, the concept of the Counter Force lay beyond reach.
As their quiet murmurs filled the air, the film continued.
A new scene began—Touko had finally arrived at the source of it all: the Ogawa Apartments.
…
Just as she was about to step inside, the scene abruptly shifted.
What appeared next was a scorched, desolate field. A wasteland, blackened and bleak. Corpses littered the landscape. The riverbank wasn't lined with stones or soil—but with fragments of bone.
In this strange, war-torn world—so clearly distinct from the familiar setting of The Garden of Sinners—a lone man slowly emerged.
There was no mistaking him. It was Souren Araya.
He stood amidst the sea of corpses, gazing silently at the devastation around him, and let out a soft sigh.
Once, as a monk, he had dedicated himself to good deeds—helping the suffering, offering salvation to the helpless.
But no matter how many lives he tried to save, in the face of death, it all felt meaningless. Against death itself, humanity was powerless. Struggle only led to even crueler ends.
They could not be saved.
There was no salvation for mankind—not through prayer, not through doctrine.
And the reason was simple: humanity was never meant to be saved. Its story was meant to end.
Despair layered upon despair. Yesterday's cries were drowned out by the deeper, heavier lamentations of today. Confronted with the unrelenting tide of death, Souren Araya finally understood how insignificant he truly was.
"No one can be saved—not by me, not by anyone. If I can't save them… then at the very least, I'll make sure their deaths are recorded. Every life that was, and every life still to come—I will preserve it all. That pain… I will make it endure. Life is not about seeking joy. Life's meaning lies in the pain we carry."
"And so I began… to collect death."
He murmured those words softly, as if confessing a truth long hidden.
And then, he awoke—from what must have been a dream.
Yet even in waking, the line between dream and reality remained blurred.
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