After resolving the Caster-class enemy in last week's episode, 'Fate/stay night' entered a brief transitional phase.
But this week—
It was exactly the kind of content that instantly energized Gao Han and countless fans.
Shirou Emiya's daily life—
With Rin and Saber.
And then—
Shirou is inviting Artoria on a date at a nearby shopping mall.
The moment this scene appeared—
Gao Han immediately sat up straight.
["Su Yan… you really get us."]
["Who wants nonstop fighting like 'Fate/Zero'? This kind of slice-of-life romance is the best!"]
Amusement parks.
Cafés.
And—
The lion plush Shirou bought for Artoria.
Watching Artoria hold the plush toy, staring at it for a long time—
Gao Han both laughed and felt a sting in his heart.
As a king—
Perhaps only in the modern world could she experience things like this.
But the warmth didn't last.
Because of their contract, Shirou could glimpse Artoria's memories.
And he couldn't accept her way of living.
In Shirou's worldview—
Good people should be rewarded.
But Artoria—
Had been just, noble, and fair her entire life.
Yet she met such an ending—
And even after death, she continued fighting to save her fallen kingdom.
"You must hate fighting! You're not suited for battle at all!"
"Shirou, even you are not allowed to insult me like this!"
"You're only angry because I'm right!"
"I have no other choice but to keep fighting."
"Idiot! You're here now—you have choices! From now on, live for yourself! Even if you obtain the Holy Grail, you shouldn't use it for others!"
The argument shattered the earlier lighthearted tone.
"I still have a duty I must fulfill. From the moment I drew that sword… my oath was set in stone."
"I thought you would understand me, Shirou!"
Gao Han felt a tightness in his chest.
["This guy… you're way too blunt. Even if you're right, you don't have to say it like that."]
Then—
The turning point came.
Gao Han had thought this would be a calm, character-focused episode.
But after their argument, Shirou left—
Only to realize something was wrong and return to the bridge to find Artoria.
At that moment—
A golden figure appeared atop a utility pole.
"Gilgamesh…"
Gao Han's heart started racing.
In 'Fate/stay night', this character hadn't appeared much yet.
But in 'Fate/Zero'—
He was terrifyingly powerful.
Even Saber at full strength couldn't defeat him back then.
Now, with Shirou as her underpowered Master—
How could she possibly win?
With a snap of his fingers—
A weapon pierced through Shirou's abdomen.
"Again?! Instantly taken out?!"
Gao Han grabbed his head.
Watching 'Fate/Zero', he had disliked Kiritsugu.
Now—
He missed him.
At least Kiritsugu had been a top-tier Master.
Shirou?
Completely useless.
Then—
Came the spectacle.
Gilgamesh, smiling arrogantly, overwhelmed Saber with ease.
In direct combat—
The gap between them was massive.
Saber was quickly gravely injured.
Excalibur clashed against Ea.
A beam struggle—
And, as always—
The one on the left lost.
Back in 'Fate/Zero', they hadn't truly fought.
Gao Han knew there was a gap—
But not this big.
Seeing Artoria covered in blood, collapsed—
While Gilgamesh laughed—
["Su Yan, you bastard… You really deserve this."]
Gao Han was grinding his teeth.
["This… how does this even turn around?"]
Then—
Shirou finally showed his worth.
From the very beginning, the series had emphasized his projection magic—
The ability to replicate anything he had seen.
To save Saber—
He pushed himself to the limit.
And what he projected—
Was Avalon.
The scabbard of the King of Knights.
In legend—
With Avalon, King Arthur was invincible.
Unkillable.
With overwhelming regeneration.
As the sword returned to its scabbard—
Its power reflected Gilgamesh's attack.
Then—
One of the most iconic scenes unfolded.
The battlefield, ruined.
Shirou, gravely injured.
Artoria, supporting him, her expression softened.
Under the moonlight—
Holding him—
Looking up at the full moon—
"I finally understand… Shirou, you are my scabbard."
A double meaning.
Gao Han's eyes welled up.
Did this mean—
Had she truly accepted him?
The scene shifted again—
To Artoria's memories.
War.
Slaughter.
A girl standing atop a pile of corpses.
And finally—
The sword she once drew.
The ending theme played.
Gao Han sat there, dazed.
Many viewers still resisted the idea of Artoria falling in love.
But this episode—
That embrace—
It was undeniably moving.
After the broadcast—
Forums exploded.
["Something's wrong… I think I'm starting to like Shirou."]
["He's weak, but that magic is insane. He replicated Avalon?!"]
["Avalon was already inside him. Just like Irisviel in 'Fate/Zero'. Of course, his projection would be close to the original."]
["That cliffhanger is torture!"]
["I started this as a battle show. Now I don't even care about the Holy Grail anymore—I just want to know how their relationship ends."]
["It's going to be tragic, isn't it?"]
["Definitely tragic. That's why I didn't want Artoria to fall in love. If she returns to her era with these memories… it's worse than never meeting him."]
["That line—'you are my scabbard'—that's the best confession ever."]
["Two fools finding each other… sigh."]
["I want them to stay together forever. Can't Su Yan let Artoria remain in the modern world like Gilgamesh?"]
["Only two episodes left… please don't make it tragic."]
["I believe in you, Su Yan! If you dared to write this romance, you won't end it badly, right?!"]
After several intense battle-focused episodes—
Some viewers had begun to feel fatigue.
But this episode—
With its emotional core—
Reignited discussion and hype right before the finale.
Even many who had criticized the romance—
Fell silent.
Because they had to admit—
It was unexpectedly compelling.