At 8 PM, a large crowd gathered in front of their TVs.
Yi Yuyao had even prepared a pile of snacks in advance, just waiting for the broadcast to begin.
For a longtime fan of Su Yan with five years of dedication, following his new works like this had already become a habit.
"Alright, let me see what kind of chaos you're going to pull tonight, you old thief."
Based on years of experience watching Su Yan's works, Yi Yuyao was almost certain that Fate/Zero would head into darker territory from here on.
As soon as the clock hit eight, the TV flickered—and she watched the opening theme of Fate/Zero for the eleventh time.
The story resumed with the end of Emiya Kiritsugu's flashback.
Then it began explaining the deeper lore.
The Holy Grail required a vessel to descend into the world. And each time it appeared, that vessel was always a homunculus from the Einzbern family.
In other words—
From the very start of the Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu's wife, Irisviel, was destined to sacrifice herself as the Grail's container.
The moment this setting was revealed, Yi Yuyao froze, a trace of discomfort flashing through her eyes.
"Let's see… Kiritsugu killed his father, then his mother. And now, to obtain the Holy Grail, he's going to send his wife to her death. He also has a daughter… don't tell me the next step is him personally killing Illya too?"
Her expression turned uneasy.
If this were another writer's work, she might think the story wouldn't go that far. But this was Su Yan.
["Something's off! If Kiritsugu can betray anyone to save more people… what's stopping him from betraying Saber later, too?"]
Before her death, Irisviel lay in front of the magic circle, returning Artoria's scabbard to Kiritsugu. She smiled as she spoke—
"I've been very happy. To fall in love, to be loved in return, to spend nine years together with my husband and daughter… You gave me everything. Everything I never even dared to dream of."
"I'm sorry… I wanted you to see more of the outside world." Kiritsugu's eyes remained calm, but his tone was heavy.
After seeing Kiritsugu's childhood in the previous episode, Yi Yuyao now felt a deep understanding of his demeanor.
He had been immersed in pain for so long that he had grown numb to almost everything.
After their final exchange, Kiritsugu left the room containing the magic circle.
Saber went to confront the King of Conquerors.
Kiritsugu went to deal with Tohsaka Tokiomi.
Once Saber and the King of Conquerors started fighting—and Gilgamesh swooped in like a vulture—he would strike Tokiomi from the shadows.
That was Kiritsugu's plan.
However—
["You didn't expect Tokiomi to be killed by his own dear disciple, Kirei, did you?"] Yi Yuyao's expression turned vivid.
From this alone, it was clear—Kiritsugu was already prepared to sacrifice Artoria.
This strategy was essentially using her as bait.
The following scenes were filled with extended daily-life segments.
The resolve of the King of Conquerors and Waver.
Kiritsugu's silent ambush preparations.
The final preparations of Berserker and Matou Kariya.
All remaining Masters and Servants were preparing for the coming battle.
Yi Yuyao could feel the tension building—like a storm about to break.
And then—
The plot suddenly spiraled out of control.
The King of Conquerors launched a surprise attack on Kiritsugu's residence. Maiya was defeated, and Irisviel was abducted.
Artoria chased after him on a motorcycle.
The entire sequence was packed with high-end effects.
Yi Yuyao's eyes widened, her emotions surging without her realizing it.
Of course, just as she expected, the one who kidnapped Irisviel wasn't actually the King of Conquerors—it was another Servant in disguise.
And unbelievably, it was all a scheme orchestrated by Matou Kariya and Kirei.
Yi Yuyao picked up a piece of fruit with her fork, eyes glued to the screen.
Then—
The iconic scene of the episode arrived.
Following Kirei's guidance, Matou Kariya arrived at the church—only to find Tohsaka Tokiomi's corpse sitting inside.
And by sheer coincidence, this exact moment was witnessed by Tohsaka Aoi.
Yi Yuyao was stunned.
This plot…
Su Yan, you're ruthless.
Kariya entered the Holy Grail War to save Sakura. And he wanted to save Sakura so that Aoi could be happy.
But now, manipulated by Kirei, he had been framed—right in front of Aoi—as the murderer of her husband.
This…
This was emotional devastation.
Yi Yuyao could already feel her heart tightening.
Even though she didn't particularly like Kariya as a character, did he really have to suffer this much?
"Are you satisfied now, Kariya? With this, the Holy Grail has effectively fallen into the Matou family's hands!"
Aoi's trembling voice made the discomfort in Yi Yuyao's chest intensify.
"Why? Was taking Sakura away from me not enough? You even killed Tokiomi in front of me?!"
"It's all his fault! If this man didn't exist, all of you would have been happy!"
At this moment, any explanation was meaningless. Kariya understood that whether he liked it or not, he had to bear this blame.
All he could do was hope that Aoi would understand him.
Yi Yuyao was already struggling to keep watching.
What she hated most was this kind of storyline—where a sincere character is misunderstood and hated by the person they love, leading to total estrangement.
"Someone like you… How could you possibly understand? You've never even loved anyone, have you?!"
Aoi's words shattered Kariya—and shattered Yi Yuyao too.
He loves you!
Can't you see that?
Or did you see it… and just not care?
Why assume he's the murderer just because he's next to the body?
If being at the crime scene makes you the killer, then wouldn't every first witness be thrown in jail?
In the end, it was simple—
Aoi had never trusted or loved Kariya in the slightest.
Realizing this, Yi Yuyao felt a trace of pity for him.
Even if "simps never end well," a character this tragic was hard to hate.
"For your sake, I was willing to give my life! That very thought is what allowed me to endure all that pain… to survive until now. I have loved someone. I have had someone like that!"
Kariya broke down.
To participate in the Holy Grail War, he had allowed his father to implant crest worms into his body, enduring the agony of hundreds of worms devouring his flesh every day.
And in the end, all he got was—
"You've never loved anyone."
He lost control. He rejected everything before him.
Aoi's smiling face from the past flickered before his eyes.
And when he came back to himself—
"Do you think I became like this for no reason? For whose sake do you think I ended up like this?!"
In front of him—
Was Aoi, barely breathing, her throat crushed in his grip.
That sickening crack of a breaking neck.
Matou Kariya… had gone mad.
On the second floor of the church, Gilgamesh and Kirei stood with wine glasses in hand, smiling as they watched the spectacle unfold.
The "duo of pleasure" had, tonight, gained a bit of amusement.
Both of them derived twisted satisfaction from toying with others' emotions.
And Yi Yuyao—along with countless Xia Nation viewers eagerly awaiting tonight's episode—
Had completely broken down.