"Even if you're no longer my Master… you're still my friend."
Iskandar hoisted Waver onto his horse.
He wanted Waver to witness the moment he defeated the enemy and claimed the Holy Grail — to show him his true glory.
Waver still felt a bit inferior, afraid that he might hold Iskandar back and cause him to lose.
But Iskandar simply took him along, charging into battle together.
The two of them rode on horseback, soaring through the sky, headed toward the final battlefield.
At the same time, Kiritsugu Emiya and Artoria also advanced toward the battlefield where their enemies awaited.
Qin Yushan's emotions surged.
The plot was simple and direct — the groundwork had already been laid in the previous two episodes.
The next scene jumped straight to Gilgamesh meeting the King of Conquerors, Iskandar.
The two raised their wine cups, made a toast, and began to fight.
The battle opened with Ionioi Hetairoi — the Army of the King.
Triumphant music blasted.
The screen transformed into the desert of the Reality Marble.
Behind Iskandar stood an army of countless soldiers.
Thousands upon thousands charged toward that golden figure glowing in the distance.
Elsewhere, Artoria was locked in fierce combat with Berserker.
The latter half of Episode 12 was a full-on fireworks display of animation budget and visual effects.
Accompanied by music and powerful visuals, Qin Yushan couldn't even blink. Her breathing slowed.
Kariya, as Berserker's Master, was physically worn out by the intense battle.
Yet even in his dying state, he was still talking to Sakura's daughter.
He vowed to save her.
Both Master and Servant were consumed by madness.
During the fight between Artoria and Berserker, she gradually sensed the identity hidden beneath his mask.
Lancelot.
The first among the Knights of the Round Table, she once commanded.
Qin Yushan instantly recalled the backstory she had previously read about Artoria.
"Wait — that Lancelot? The one who cheated on King Arthur?!"
"I mean… not exactly 'cheated.' Artoria and her queen were both women, so Artoria never punished Lancelot."
"Holy crap, I didn't think Teacher Jing Yu would make Berserker's identity such a deep-cut reveal. This is crazy."
"So what's their relationship? Enemies? Or just ruler and vassal?"
"Why would Lancelot hate Artoria? He's the one who betrayed her. Why does he go berserk whenever he sees her?"
"Didn't they say his summoning incantation was altered by Kariya? Made him more mentally unstable. Plus, Berserker-class Servants naturally lose sanity. Double whammy."
"Can't believe this is the second-to-last episode and Jing Yu is still pulling plot twists. So this is a battle between a former king and the knight who betrayed her."
But Artoria misunderstood, believing her own inadequacy as a ruler had led her knight astray — that it was her failure that turned Lancelot into what he was.
She took all the blame onto herself… and the two clashed once more.
Meanwhile, Iskandar led his army in a charge toward Gilgamesh.
An endless army of soldiers faced off against an endless arsenal of weapons.
Then came Gilgamesh's ultimate Noble Phantasm — Ea, the Sword of Rupture.
Even Iskandar's Reality Marble began to collapse under its power.
Still, Iskandar continued charging forward with Waver, relying on the strength of his soldiers to close in on Gilgamesh.
But in the end, the Army of the King was broken by Gilgamesh.
"Before I go, I have one question — Waver, would you like to become my retainer?"
Iskandar turned to Waver in the final moment and asked.
And Waver made his choice.
Iskandar then threw Waver off the horse.
"To witness a king's dream and pass it on — that is a retainer's duty."
He gave Waver a chance to survive — along with his final command.
Then, alone, Iskandar rode into battle, charging at Gilgamesh with nothing but courage and resolve.
Qin Yushan's eyes welled up with tears.
With the visuals and music soaring, the parting between Iskandar and Waver became a scene of epic grandeur. Iskandar's billowing red cloak symbolized his unyielding soul.
Maybe Iskandar was just a fictional character in a Jing Yu TV drama.
But in that moment, his charisma was passed not just to Waver — but to the viewers watching from behind their screens.
"Tears. Iskandar is a real man."
"Teacher Jing Yu, we need more backstory episodes for him!"
"Damn it… I've completely fallen for this character."
"Please don't let him die. Let him lose the Grail War — just don't erase him!"
"Go, King! Beat that treasure-spamming bastard Gilgamesh!"
"After watching this far, the most compelling character is Iskandar, followed by Artoria. The worst is Gilgamesh — no charm at all, just arrogance and treasure flexing."
"But he is the strongest. What can you do? Jing Yu basically set him up as the game's final boss."
A storm of Gilgamesh's endless weapons rained down on Iskandar. Every step closer was a brutal challenge.
Finally, his most broken Noble Phantasm — Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven — appeared.
Iskandar struggled with all his might to reach Gilgamesh, but couldn't break free from the chains.
Ea pierced his chest.
"Awake from your dream, King of Conquerors," declared Gilgamesh in victory.
"Indeed… this expedition thrilled me to no end," Iskandar replied, without a trace of regret.
Though defeated, he had no regrets.
The final conversation between Gilgamesh and Iskandar elevated the scene's sense of heroic tragedy to its peak.
Qin Yushan didn't even realize her eyes were brimming with tears.
This episode… was incredible.
In terms of production quality and character depth — especially the portrayal of Waver and Iskandar — Qin Yushan found no flaws.
She was completely absorbed. Because of Iskandar, Gilgamesh spared Waver's life.
And with that, the journey of King Iskandar in the Holy Grail War came to an end.
But the battle between Artoria and Lancelot still raged on.
Episode 12 ended.
As the ending theme played, viewers across the country sat in stunned silence.
Since Episode 9, 'Fate/Zero' had taken a tragic turn — showcasing the brutal reality of the world of mages, and the desperate struggles of its characters.
Three episodes of pure emotional devastation.
And now, in Episode 12…
Iskandar had died — but in death, he had become immortal in the hearts of viewers. His sacrifice made him perfect — and cemented the show's overall tone.
So what now?
"Teacher Jing Yu… you're really going to end this in tragedy, aren't you?"
"Can't you write something heartwarming for once?!"