Over the course of more than a week, Kamiyā Yuu became the most critical pillar holding Yosuganosora Animation Studio together during its emergency production period.
It was no exaggeration to say that whichever department needed him, he would appear there, patiently guiding the staff and solving whatever production problems they faced.
After the entire company had been operating at overload for a week, not only was every production department exhausted, but even Kamiyā Yuu—who had not felt true fatigue in a long time—was completely drained.
Episode 12 of 'Fate/Zero' contained a total of 434 cuts and 23,340 animation drawings.
The animation budget alone exceeded 40 million yen.
Once the costs of every stage of production were included, the total budget for Episode 12 surpassed 60 million yen—more than three times the production cost of an episode of the original 'Fate/Zero' anime.
A typical commercial television anime usually costs less than 10 million yen per episode.
Anything exceeding that amount was already considered a high-quality production.
In Kamiyā Yuu's previous world, the original 'Fate/Zero' was said to have cost around 20 million yen per episode.
The remastered Episode 12 of 'Fate/Zero' was produced primarily on ones, supplemented by animation on twos, and was fully animated throughout.
Its visual effects might still not rival those of modern productions from his previous world, but Kamiyā Yuu was confident that the overall visual presentation could stand shoulder to shoulder with 2D animation produced around the year 2050.
Even though technological limitations were impossible to overcome, as the animation director, he had pushed every element capable of enhancing the visual experience to its absolute limit.
For example, even in his previous world, where the animation industry had become incredibly mature, no matter how dazzling the visual effects were, the choreography of character movement and the cinematic language of action scenes could not surpass Kamiyā Yuu's current level.
If he returned to his previous world as an animation director, he would still stand at the very pinnacle of the industry.
...
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
"Play."
The executives of Yosuganosora Animation Studio gathered in the conference room.
Holding their breath, everyone watched the wall-mounted screen as Episode 12 of 'Fate/Zero' began to play.
...
"Lancer?"
"Has he gone mad? He's actually planning to face the King of Conquerors' 'Ionioi Hetairoi' by himself! No matter how outstanding a Heroic Spirit's parameters are, the mana supplied by a Master could never support fighting an entire army."
"No. His Master is an exceptionally capable magus. He wouldn't act so recklessly. Under the current circumstances, the only reasonable conclusion is that Lancer possesses a Noble Phantasm capable of confronting 'Ionioi Hetairoi'."
"In the historical legends of China, Lancer was an extraordinary general. Both his martial prowess and wisdom stood at the pinnacle of his era. Throughout his military career, he never suffered defeat."
"And among all his legends, the most famous is undoubtedly the tale of him single-handedly riding through an army of a million soldiers to rescue his lord's son."
As observers, Irisviel von Einzbern and the others gazed across the desolate desert toward the terrifying army.
The King of Conquerors, Iskandar, had unleashed 'Ionioi Hetairoi'—the Eternal Companions.
During his lifetime, Iskandar had waged countless campaigns.
The blazing desert, where scorching sands danced beneath the relentless sun, was the landscape most familiar to both him and the soldiers who had followed him.
'Ionioi Hetairoi' was not merely the King's personal Reality Marble.
It was the shared inner world of every warrior who had followed him across the world.
Even after Iskandar's death, many of those who had served him went on to found kingdoms and dynasties of their own.
The legends they left behind were no less remarkable than Iskandar's own.
Every Heroic Spirit soldier appearing within 'Ionioi Hetairoi' was a genuine Heroic Spirit.
Among them were even a handful whose individual strength surpassed Iskandar himself, though their abilities were limited by Iskandar's own capabilities as a Heroic Spirit.
After annihilating Assassin, this magnificent army that filled the entire desert now faced only one opponent.
Standing alone in the distance, clad in majestic armor and holding a silver dragon spear...
Lancer, Zhao Yun.
At the center of his countless troops, Iskandar stood upon his chariot.
The ranks of his unrivaled army were perfectly ordered beneath him.
Every soldier's eyes radiated murderous intent.
This was an elite force tempered through countless battles, veterans who had crawled out from mountains of corpses.
Standing atop his chariot, Iskandar spread his arms wide and burst into hearty laughter.
"I see! Lancer, you truly were an extraordinary warrior of your era. No wonder I felt my blood stirring the very first time I saw you."
"Lancer, peerless general!"
"Allow me to ask you once more."
"Will you follow me?"
"Will you cross mountains, tread snowy plains, conquer deserts, and behold with your own eyes the legendary 'Boundless Sea'?"
His bold invitation echoed throughout the desert.
The will contained within those words seemed powerful enough to shake the entire wasteland.
Holding his spear horizontally toward Iskandar's army, Zhao Yun smiled calmly.
"Your magnificent army is indeed worthy of admiration."
"Unfortunately, had I met you before finding my Master, I might have accepted that invitation."
"But now..."
"This is not the first time I have refused you, Iskandar."
After a brief pause, Zhao Yun continued with a relaxed smile.
"It has been a very long time since I last stood before such a sight."
"An army capable of striking terror into its enemies."
"Every soldier burns with killing intent."
"They maintain flawless discipline."
"They would gladly sacrifice their lives for their king."
"They are the greatest proof of the path you proclaimed just now—the path of a conqueror."
"The peerless conqueror..."
"I encountered someone just like you during my lifetime."
"Iskandar."
"Now allow me, Zhao Yun, to see whether you truly deserve to call yourself a conqueror..."
"...and whether the incomparable army that follows you has witnessed the same scenery that you have."
Iskandar laughed loudly.
"Is that so? Then what a pity."
As though making a declaration before battle—and answering Zhao Yun's challenge at the same time—he raised his voice.
"A king lives more magnificently than anyone else, whose very existence inspires admiration and longing in all!"
"Indeed! Indeed! Indeed!"
The enormous army raised their weapons in perfect unison, their thunderous reply shaking both heaven and earth.
"A king unites every warrior and every subject, becoming the beacon that guides them all!"
"Therefore, a king is never alone!"
"The wishes of all subjects gather together to become the king's great ambition!"
"Indeed! Indeed! Indeed!"
"This is my royal path!"
"This is what it means to be a king!"
Grinning broadly, Iskandar's towering body tensed with power.
The hearty smile on his face transformed into excitement and a thirst for battle.
Drawing the massive sword from his waist, he swung it forward and roared,
"Then let us begin, Lancer!"
"My warriors!"
"Crush him!"
The entire army moved as one.
The rumbling of countless soldiers advancing surpassed even the roar of thunder.
The sandstorm raised by the charging cavalry became a monstrous tidal wave that blotted out the sunlight.
The black tide formed by the army surged toward a single man.
A storm of arrows filled the sky.
Mixed among them were countless thrown spears, like the spray of waves crashing upon the sea, or a densely packed school of fish beneath the ocean's surface.
Before the projectiles even arrived, the piercing whistles of countless weapons tearing through the air were enough to shake one's spirit.
"Heh."
Facing the overwhelming rain of arrows, Zhao Yun clearly saw the murderous gleam upon every arrowhead.
With a faint smile, he neither retreated nor hesitated.
Instead, his figure flashed forward, charging directly toward the endless black tide.
"Iskandar."
"Though I once served a king..."
"I have always believed that only the victor is worthy of being called king."