LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 102: Chapter 104: What?! Rider is Dead??
"You reporters always want to stir up big news."
The television screen was showing Shinji's speech at the thank-you press conference. Perhaps because he was genuinely angry, Shinji kept tapping the table as he spoke.
"I really think some people in the Japanese media should seriously reflect. Don't use your ignorance and shamelessness to drag down Japan's image!"
"Hmph, you're the one ruining Japan's image!" scoffed Ipei Kawachi as he watched the TV.
"This guy held this thank-you press conference just to slap everyone in the face," Kawachi's assistant whispered. "Everyone only noticed the declining ratings and forgot that as long as it's over 20%, it's still a hit show."
"The reporters were too hasty," Kawachi sighed. "They should have waited two more weeks, until the ratings fell below 15%, before making a move."
Kawachi didn't mention that he too had hastily written a critical article about Shinji. His assistant also conveniently forgot this fact for the moment.
"Oh well, at the current rate, the show's ratings will definitely keep dropping," Kawachi said cheerfully. "I wonder how low the fourth episode's ratings will go. 21%, 20%, or even below 20?"
Just thinking about UBW's ratings potentially falling to single digits made Kawachi's smile widen. In his view, the show's final outcome was already determined; Shinji Matou was just stubbornly holding on.
"I'd like to see what else you have to say," Kawachi said, gripping his cigarette box tightly.
After the press conference, Type-Moon, no longer an empty shell company, activated its publicity department. They began publishing Shinji's statements in major Japanese media outlets, severely criticizing those who slandered Shinji and UBW.
But the criticized journalists and critics didn't back down. They wrote rebuttal articles, denouncing Shinji in turn.
"If I can't speak against Matou Shinji, I can still write articles to curse him out!"
These critics created so-called "statistics" and maliciously predicted that UBW's final ratings might fall below 10%. For a time, both sides clashed in the media, raising UBW's profile even higher.
From a standpoint, Japanese newspapers and magazines sided with the reporters and critics; they didn't like Shinji Matou or his work.
Deep down, they didn't want to give UBW more exposure. But running a business means needing revenue. Even if the magazines could ignore Type-Moon's ad money, they couldn't ignore the sales boost from hyping UBW.
So amidst all the noise and commotion, everyone awaited the fourth episode of UBW.
"Alice, you really never get tired of watching Fate."
Once again, at the Kuonji residence, Aoko and Alice sat on the sofa, ready to watch UBW.
"Because the magecraft shown in it are very interesting to see," Alice said seriously. "The Tohsaka Heiress' use of Gandr has given me a lot of insights."
Aoko noticed that her friend only mentioned the magecraft and not the plot, so she teased, "You don't really want to watch the plot over and over, do you?"
"Not at all. I'm more interested in that Servant Archer. He seems to harbor a near-hatred for Shirou. That line 'drown in your ideals and die' from the last episode made me think he must know Shirou Emiya very well."
Then Alice countered, "And you? Weren't you always complaining that the repetitive plot was boring?"
"Yeah, but since you only watch Fate, I have no choice but to watch it with you," Aoko complained, resting her hands behind her head. "After all, watching Fate is better than staying at Grandpa's house where there's nothing but books."
Hearing this, Alice shook her head slightly. "You should work harder on magecraft. You might become a Magician."
Aoko's tone was dismissive. "Ha! The decline of mystery has been going on for so many years. Where are there any Magicians nowadays?"
"You…" Alice began to say something but was interrupted by a message notification on her phone.
"Someone actually messages you? Let me see who it is," Aoko, bored during the commercial break, curiously leaned over.
[Miss Alice, tonight's fourth episode will have a surprising plot. Please watch on time. — Shinji Matou]
Seeing the message from Shinji, Aoko's lips curled into a cat-like ω shape.
"Oooohh~~ the Matou boy actually messaged you personally. Seems like you two are quite close."
Alice calmly replied, "That's… that's just because I'm the head of his fan club."
"But I saw you set his messages as special notifications," Aoko teased relentlessly.
"Sir Matou contacts our fan club for matters. Of course, I have to set special notifications," Alice said, her tone unchanged, though her ears turned slightly red. Luckily, the dim evening light hid this detail from Aoko.
Not seeing it didn't mean Aoko would let her friend off. Unfortunately for her, Alice predicted Aoko's next move.
"The show's starting. Watch the TV."
Aoko, however, wasn't ready to let go. She hugged Alice's shoulder, her face close to hers. "Come on, I'm more interested in the story between you and that Matou boy. We've seen the show's plot already. Today's episode is definitely about Saber and Rider's school battle. We can talk when they start fighting."
Based on the movie and the previous episode, most fans had already guessed the plot of today's episode.
But this didn't reduce the number of viewers; in fact, it increased.
After all, the scene of these women fighting is both exciting and appealing, attracting many to tune in. Some viewers even intended to turn off the TV right after seeing Rider get blasted by Saber's beam.
However, the fourth episode's plot exceeded everyone's expectations.
The first half unfolded similarly to the movie.
Apart from Rin apologizing to Shirou for Archer's injury, there was nothing new. Shinji activated the barrier at school, the students were in danger, and Shirou summoned Saber with a Command Spell.
Although the summoning process was different and strange skull-shaped creatures appeared during the school battle, the overall plot matched the movie.
Until—
The highly anticipated Saber vs. Rider battle didn't happen because Rider died before the fight even started.
Bang!
One punch.
Just one punch.
Rider's head spun 720 degrees like a plane's propeller.
"What the hell! What's going on!!"
"Wait, why did Rider die?!"
"We were expecting an epic battle! And now it's gone? That's it?"
Every viewer watching the show was shocked by this sudden turn of events.
They didn't see who made the move but felt an immense impact.
This was Rider! The Rider who fought Saber for three hundred rounds in the movie! And now she was taken out with one blow by an unknown character?!
Some viewers didn't realize it was real until after the barrier was lifted, the school returned to normal, and they understood Rider was gone. Moreover, they realized another thing—the show's plot was diverging completely from the movie.
"Is this a new storyline?"
"Was Caster always this strong? In the movie, she was so weak."
"That's because in the movie, Gilgamesh killed Caster. That monster can one-shot most Servants."
"What's going to happen next?"
"Quick, post spoilers online! Tell those who dropped the show to come back! The plot is completely different now!"
All Fate fans were cheering. Even though the action scene they anticipated didn't happen, the new storyline excited them even more.
Many hardcore Fate fans had criticisms about the TV adaptation.
After all, Shinji's reboot was a bit rushed. If it had been launched a few years later, even as a Fate route remake, fans would have enjoyed it thoroughly.
But not all viewers were thrilled about Rider's exit. Rider herself wasn't happy, for instance.
Snap
In a hotel room, Rider, looking dejected, turned off the TV.
Although Sakura had said she wouldn't watch because of her limited screen time, she couldn't resist her brother's show's allure.
So, during each airing, she'd leave home under the pretext of shopping and watch with Medusa in a hotel room.
This secretive TV watching gave Sakura a unique thrill, making her eager to continue the habit.
But today's episode was an exception. Despite knowing the script, Rider's sudden and undignified exit still made her feel sad.
"My screen time... it's over just like that," Medusa sighed heavily.
"Sorry, Rider."
Sakura quickly comforted Rider.
"It's all Onii-sama's fault. Let's go home and throw him into the non-burnable garbage," Sakura said, her body emanating a dark aura. "Onii-sama not only relegated our scenes to the OVA but also created such cruel plots. I won't forgive him!"
"Achoo!!"
In the Matou residence, Shinji sneezed loudly.
"What's this? Is a female fan praising my plot development?" Shinji, lounging on the sofa, chuckled smugly.
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