FGO Specter of Glass

Princess of Illusions Ch1

"Do you know what's wrong or right?" Zuriel asked. His image in the dream was blurry, and his voice was surrounded by static. By the way he was speaking, he wasn't performing anymore. He was finally speaking normally. "Is there an answer to who should be punished? What is a crime?"

"That's not for me to decide," Carmen answered.

"Do you consider me evil?"

"I think that you were angry and took it out on everyone else."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Because I'm not the one to answer it." Carmen closed her eyes and imagined the people of Xiatian, and the room changed to reflect that. Putting the two on a stage where the people were watching. "It's up to them."

Zuriel looked out into the crowd. "I wish I could go back and undo everything I've done. I wasn't supposed to be the king. I wasn't supposed to have this power. I just wanted to be with my brother again. But I can't. I sold my soul to Azhorra-Tha. I can't join him."

"Was there someone who told you to become the king?"

"Just about everyone, why?"

"I was thinking more like a goddess who was pulling the strings."

"I can't remember anymore," the former king said, going to his portrait and placing his hand on it. "I remember a light that told me to take control of the kingdom. Sorry, I wish I had a better explanation for you."

"You know, for what it's worth." She changed the subject. "I don't think you were evil. You cared about your brother and his ascension to the throne. Someone evil wouldn't feel that way."

"Thank you, master of Chaldea."

The image of Zuriel faded, and Carmen awoke to commotion in the kitchen. She put on her robe and walked out of her room to see Yu holding Abhimanyu by the back of his shirt.

"And I'm telling you! You can't just take the egg and put it in the pan!" Yu yelled. "Crack it open so the yolk and white go in the pan!"

"Abhimanyu failed again?" Carmen muttered.

"You better believe it," Cleopatra sighed.

It had been a few days since Zuriel's death, and Chaldea was bored stiff in the outsider's town. They let Alisha and Molay handle the new council and the justice system, meaning they were engaging in hobbies. What was worse was that the barrier was gone, and those from the other realms were flooding in to see the realm of crystals. Since there wasn't any border control, Daoloth was appointing former royal soldiers to take care of the newcomers. And he didn't mean to kill them.

Li Mao stopped by with his idol group. His hair was completely black, no color or sparkle to be found, and Yang was staring at him. She wasn't used to seeing him so plain. He explained that he had to return to China and speak with his client. When asked who hired him, he shrugged. He was paid to keep quiet about that. Besides, he was visiting because he wanted to thank Chaldea. If not for them, he would've died. He turned himself in, thinking that he'd be locked in jail before judgment day, not trapped in a crystal. He was grateful and bowed to Chaldea.

"Hm," Yu grumbled. "Well, I'm sure we'll see him again. Anyway, I'm leaving for a while. Don't get yourselves killed while I'm gone."

"Where are you going?" Cleopatra wondered.

"I'm finishing Xuerui's leftover business. Which means you're the assassin of the team."

"Less than a year in and I already got a promotion."

"Sure, whatever you say."

Yu left as Alisha walked in. "I guess this request doesn't need her anyway."