Director Edward

Chapter 223: Episode 5 · Paradox Spiral! (21)

At this very moment, while the audience was still in shock over Aozaki Touko's method of "resurrection," Enjou Tomoe's unexpected move left everyone utterly stunned.

No one could have predicted that an ordinary human with no special abilities would dare to confront the magician Araya Souren.

"This kid's courage is truly commendable. He actually dares to kill Araya Souren."

"Indeed. Both Ryougi Shiki and Aozaki Touko have already been defeated by Araya Souren, yet Enjou Tomoe still dares to challenge him. That's impressive."

"At the very least, I wouldn't have that kind of courage."

"Normal people wouldn't attempt something so dangerous. But if someone's truly pushed to the edge, they might do things they never imagined."

"That's true. Enjou Tomoe has already learned the truth that he's merely a puppet. With no way out, there's no telling what he's capable of doing."

"By the way, how does Aozaki Touko have the nerve to use a puppet as a substitute for her real body? Is she still even the same Aozaki Touko, living like this?"

"I don't really know…"

"..."

When it came to Enjou Tomoe's actions, the southern spectators could at least offer some opinions.

But when it came to Aozaki Touko's near-suicidal method of reincarnation, they were at a complete loss for words.

After all, the average person couldn't even begin to imagine what their own state would be like after death, let alone how to comprehend the idea of a puppet, carrying all of their memories, continuing to live in their place.

Some even questioned whether Aozaki Touko could still be considered alive in her current state, leaving the audience utterly bewildered.

...

Compared to ordinary people, who were utterly baffled by this incomprehensible phenomenon, the mages from the Imperial Mage Academy fared only slightly better. Yet, even they were primarily left in a state of confusion.

After all, Aozaki Touko's situation was far too bizarre, defying conventional understanding. It was difficult for anyone to grasp what value there could be in continuing to live in such a manner.

Thus, after expressing their sympathy and pity for Enjou Tomoe's tragic circumstances, the mages turned their focus to discussing Aozaki Touko's situation, delving into deeper contemplation.

"A puppet… Honestly, if someone knew they were nothing more than an artificial creation, could they really maintain the mindset of a normal human being?"

"No idea. After all, the mechanics of magecraft differ significantly from magic in various ways. While magecraft generally lags behind our magic in terms of raw power, its intricacies often surpass what our magic can achieve. For instance, creating a puppet identical to oneself is something even the most exceptional magicians couldn't accomplish."

"Creating an identical version of oneself inherently leads to paradoxes. That's why, under normal circumstances, no one attempts to make a perfect replica. The idea is to preserve the individual's uniqueness in the world. However, Aozaki Touko circumvented this paradox by killing her original body and allowing a puppet to take her place. To be honest, this is a thought process beyond what any normal person—or even abnormal person—could conceive. It transcends the very concept of humanity."

"Exactly. Because it involves self-inflicted death. Afterward, the puppet left behind, no matter how you look at it—factually or otherwise—is an entirely separate existence. Anyone who makes such a choice can no longer be described as human."

"Mages are inhuman monsters. I can somewhat understand Emiya Kiritsugu's perspective now. After all, these people's way of thinking is anything but normal."

"The essence of magecraft lies in adhering to tradition and remaining stagnant. With such a mindset, the likelihood of mages developing into normal people is incredibly low."

"Among these individuals, Aozaki Touko is truly an anomaly among anomalies."

"Speaking of which, Enjou Tomoe's situation is remarkably similar to Aozaki Touko's. Both are artificial puppets created to replace a deceased original. Logically, there's almost no difference between the two."

"However, Enjou Tomoe is still a normal person at heart. When he discovered he was a puppet, he reacted with the fear and unease one would expect from any human. Honestly, watching his behavior was oddly reassuring—it's much easier to relate to than Aozaki Touko's bizarre existence."

"Actually, I think both Aozaki Touko and Enjou Tomoe are in relatively good states, considering they know they were created to replace someone who has already passed away. If a puppet were created without any purpose or dignity as a human being, its collapse would likely be immediate."

"True, it all depends on the purpose of their creation. In cases like Enjou Tomoe and Aozaki Touko, where they were made to take the place of someone who had already died, it's likely they inherit the original's personality and continue to exist as a substitute."

"Yes, that makes sense. After all, there are historical precedents among magicians. Some, knowing their death was inevitable, chose to store their memories in a familiar, granting it near-human personality traits to live on in their stead."

"Now that you mention it, I recall hearing about such a case. That figure was even famous in the magical world… What was their name again?"

"I can't remember either, but yes, someone like that definitely existed."

"In any case, Enjou Tomoe's puppet, having inherited the original's memories, can no longer be regarded as an ordinary puppet. In a sense, it has developed its own personality—or rather, it has become Enjou Tomoe himself."

"This unique existence, in a way, seems to have broken Araya Souren's spiral. What kind of impact will it have on him?"

"Let's keep watching."

"..."

The anticipation of the mages was palpable. The film had reached a critical point, with an explosive confrontation looming just ahead.

Similarly, the archmages at the peak of the Tower of Alchemy, after their intense discussions about Aozaki Touko's situation, ultimately failed to reach any definitive conclusion.

After all, mages, at their core, are researchers—albeit ones with a baseline adherence to conventional morality.

Even the archmages couldn't align their thought processes with the erratic and often unorthodox mindset of mages.

As a result, they didn't dwell on the matter for long and shifted their focus back to the unfolding events on screen.

Within the film, the narratives of Enjou Tomoe and Aozaki Touko unfolded in parallel.

Soon enough, the final outcome of these intertwined threads was laid bare for all to see.

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