FGO Specter of Glass

Xiatian la Vue Ch8

Ophelia tugged on the chain on her wrist. She was at a loss without her magic. When the enforcers got close, Lucy pulled the hood over her head and told her to worry more about keeping herself hidden until they reached the capital. They were posing as merchants with a small group of travelers they paid so they couldn't take risks. Ophelia sighed. She was right. Their job was to observe the center spiral, and if they got caught, they couldn't perform their duties. And knowing the White Bishop, he'd have their heads for failing.

Sofitia was just happy to travel with the group again. The three hadn't gone out since they were in Scandinavia. They finally reached the capital and waved farewell to the merchant group before heading to the spiral.

Ophelia tapped on the spiral and was shocked when the chain nearly hit it. The anti-magic metal was trying to cancel the spiral's power. She switched hands, putting the tablet on her right so she could examine the spiral with her left. She noted how it glistened in the sunlight and how energy flowed downward. Though it had been thousands of years, the spiral had enough mana to last another hundred at least. She reckoned if it faded naturally, Xiatian wouldn't feel the consequences. The spiral glowed and made the group jump.

Ophelia held her head. She thought she heard a ringing, but figured it was her imagination since the other two didn't hear. She continued her work and took notes on the spiral before the night hit. She finally closed her book and checked out at an inn with Sofitia and Lucy behind her. The two sat on the couch while Ophelia was at the table. She had to email the White Bishop and print a paper before giving it to a familiar. Since Xiatian tracked mail, she was forced to find a loophole in their security. She discovered that the enforcers didn't follow small animals and allowed them to go through the tunnels uninterrupted.

She joined the others on the couch and turned on the television. She wasn't one for the news, so she changed the channel to see what the idol shows had. She was surprised when an old program was on. The idol group with Yang Guifei and Shelo Mitsuhashi was playing. Yang was at the microphone with Shelo by her side. Back then, no one had heard Shelo sing before, and it was said she was too scared to perform in front of the world. It seemed like they were on good terms when the song ended, and they waved to the audience. Yang even jumped on Shelo and announced they were going to play at the king's coronation.

Shelo hid her reddened face as the camera zoomed in on her. Ophelia paused the screen and leaned closer to see her better. The way she did her hair and makeup was familiar to Ophelia. Someone in the capital wearing a hood had a similar look to Shelo.

"Isn't that Chaldea?" Lucy interrupted Ophelia's thought process, peering out the window with her arms on the back of the couch.

"What are they doing in the capital?" Ophelia tilted her head and saw a small group outside.

"I'll go out and ask." Sofitia jumped off the couch and ran outside.

"And I told you!" Nero said as she grabbed Van Gogh's arm, "I'm not letting you out of my sight! I promised Galatea that I'd keep you safe."

"I'm not a child!" Van Gogh swung her arm rapidly until Nero let go.

"What's going on?" Sofitia asked, making the two stop.

Van Gogh hid behind Nero and pushed the saber into explaining, "I'm supposed to be scouting the area with this one... but she's being picky."

"Why's that?"

"She doesn't like being paired with anyone besides Galatea."

"If you ask me, she likes you."

Nero patted Van Gogh's head. "I wouldn't hold my breath."