Chapter 121: The Plan for The Garden of Sinners (Part 1)
Chapter 121: The Plan for The Garden of Sinners (Part 1)
While Edward was busy drafting the script for The Garden of Sinners in the second-floor hall, the Arch Mage Rosa, eager to record the insights gained from her conversation with him, hurried back to her research institute. On the way, she ran into Streige, a Grand Mage specializing in the same branch as her.
Seeing Rosa in such a rush, the man, clad in a black trench coat and as burly as a mountain, frowned in confusion and asked, "Rosa, what's the hurry?"
"Oh, Streige, perfect timing! Help me record these notes. They're crucial—don't miss a single word."
With that, Rosa immediately enlisted Streige—her peer and senior from the same school of thought—as an assistant. She began jotting down everything Edward had said during their conversation, word for word. Though puzzled, Streige's astonishment grew as he read the words that transcended his understanding. He exclaimed, "Where did you learn all this?"
"It was from Mr. Durin during our conversation just now. I didn't expect someone so young to possess such profound insights. I can only say it was an enlightening experience."
"..."
Familiar with who Edward was, Streige scanned the notes with a surprised expression. Before he could delve deeper, Rosa, feeling relieved, packed her things and said, "Alright, Mr. Durin is currently drafting a script in the second-floor hall. I should go check on him now."
"Uh… can I come along?"
Though Streige had always been somewhat envious of Rosa for achieving the rank of Arch Mage before him, he couldn't help but be intrigued by the knowledge that could potentially revolutionize the field of Mental and Spiritual Studies. Overcoming his pride, he made the request.
Unaware of her senior's thoughts, Rosa casually replied, "Of course. But as I mentioned, Mr. Durin is currently writing a script, so under no circumstances should you disturb him."
...
Thanks to his Grand Mage-level memory, Edward had no trouble writing out the first three chapters of The Garden of Sinners, which he had read at least five times before. The chapter titles were Overlooking View, A Study in Murder – Part 1, and Remaining Sense of Pain.
Since the story itself wasn't very lengthy, even at a moderate pace, Edward finished the script faster than when he had written Fate/Zero.
When he finally looked up, the two mages staring at him caught him off guard for a moment. After regaining his composure, he said, "Oh, Arch Mage Rosa, you're here. And this is?"
In response to Edward's question, Rosa explained casually, "This is Streige, a Grand Mage in the same field of Mental and Spiritual Studies as me. He's interested in you, so he came along."
"I see. Hello, Mr. Streige, I'm Edward Durin."
Seeing Edward's straightforward and open demeanor, Streige responded with equal courtesy. After a formal greeting, he said, "I heard that your insights helped my junior resolve many of her questions and might even advance the entire field of Mental and Spiritual Studies. I came both to thank you and out of curiosity about you..."
"Curiosity, huh? Well, I'm just an ordinary Grand Mage. Feel free to be curious, though. By the way, you know I'm writing a script, right?"
"Yes, Rosa mentioned it."
"Great. Then take a look at it."
Without hesitation, Edward handed over the three completed chapters of the The Garden of Sinners script and let the two of them pass it around to read.
While Rosa handled the script with utmost reverence, Streige looked utterly bewildered. He had initially planned to speak privately with Edward after everything was over, but now he found himself holding the script to this not-so-thick The Garden of Sinners and, after some thought, slowly opened it.
"Overlooking View? What's this?"
As luck would have it, Streige started with the proper beginning of The Garden of Sinners, while Rosa got A Study in Murder – Part 1—the chronological starting point. Though starting with the latter might make the story easier to understand, it would lose some of the work's dreamlike, mysterious atmosphere.
Of course, when Edward had first encountered The Garden of Sinners, he had read it in chronological order, as recommended by an online forum back then. There was no real issue with it; each approach had its merits.
Having already seen Fate/Zero, Streige did not refuse this new story. After some contemplation, he slowly opened the first page. Then—
"This..."
The ethereal quality woven throughout the narrative left Streige unable to stop turning the pages. As the story ended on a perfectly timed note, he immediately took the second chapter from Rosa without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Rosa, reading the story chronologically, found herself even more drawn in, craving the continuation. However, much to her dismay, the next chapter after A Study in Murder – Part 1 in the timeline was The Hollow Shrine. Even after reading all three chapters, she couldn't find the continuation she desired, leaving her confused by the deliberately fragmented timeline.
"Ahem, if you're done reading, could you return the scripts? I need to get them printed later."
At Edward's words, Rosa and Streige, who were tempted to read the scripts again, exchanged reluctant glances before sheepishly handing them back. Their reluctance to part with the scripts was palpable.
"Mr. Durin, you truly live up to being a film director. Like Fate/Zero, The Garden of Sinners is filled with concepts beyond comprehension yet brimming with wild and imaginative ideas. But with Fate/Zero still unfinished, is it feasible to start producing The Garden of Sinners now? Will there be enough time?"
In response, Edward calmly said, "Fate/Zero is scheduled to release its second chapter in the winter. In fact, the second chapter is shorter than the first, so the production time will be even quicker. Timing won't be an issue. Originally, I planned to make a film for promotional purposes after the television release. Hearing Arch Mage Rosa's thoughts reminded me of this story, so I decided to use The Garden of Sinners as the promotional piece."
"?? What's television?"
Seeing the two mages' puzzled expressions, Edward eventually explained the concept of television in the simplest terms possible.
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