The place was massive and made of white bricks. It had stained glass windows and triangle-shaped roofs for multiple buildings connected to it. It was nothing less than grand.
There was a bunch of plain-clothed individuals that were chatting and praying with one another. There seemed to be people from all walks of life. A few sprinkled in the crowds sported the white cloak Jade held in her hands.
"Ah, Ms. Opal. Didn't you just leave earlier?"
A man with a black suit and tie walked up to us. He had black crow hair and an eye patch on his right eye. He didn't look as though he belonged here, yet here he was. He seemed to be young too, around Abigail's age, maybe?
"Caesar, I must have another audience with Abigail Pasco."
The man shook his head and shrugged his broad shoulders.
"If she cut her schedule every minute the knights wanted to speak with her, she'd never get anything done."
With a clap, Caesar spoke more forcefully.
"I'll have to decline for the day. If you wish, you may come back next week for another audience."
Jade held out the evidence, the white cloak.
"Listen, my team found this cloak at one of our crime scenes. Unless you want this place cluttered with Radiants from the kingdom, you best give me my audience right away."
As if Jade put a knife into Caesar's throat, he put up both his hands.
"A-Alright, I understand. I'll message my goddess right away."
He turned around and took out a rectangular-shaped device. I instantly knew what it was, a phone thingy. We waited as he had a short conversation using it.
"Aahh…"
I approached curiously.
I marveled at the device in Ceaser's hands. It was like a small box. Noises were coming from it, but I couldn't make them out.
"Ah, ma'am, would you please back up and give me space?"
Caesar asked politely.
"S-Sorry…"
I backed up as he asked and put my hands behind my back. Patiently, I waited until he was done using the… phone.
"Alright, my lord will see you right this minute."
The gentleman bowed our way.
"It worked…"
I murmured, earning a nod from Jade.
"She was just about to have a meeting with her worldly father. However, she decided to hold off until after your audience. Come this way, you two."
Caesar guided us into the sanctuary. The halls were bright, almost too bright for me to see as the lights filtered through the cathedral glass. The carpet was the color of red wine.
Church pews were laid out at the sides of the room. Beautiful murals were on the walls that depicted angels. There were large paintings that had many ethereal beings with wings that flooded the walls. In the center of this grand room, there was an oil painting of what I believed to be the Pasco family.
The Worldly Father Valor,
The Worldly Mother Felicia,
The Second Daughter Lana,
And The Holy Goddess Abigail,
"Is that the Pasco family?"
I asked.
Caesar nodded.
"Ah, yes. That's the father, the mother, and their two children. As you can see, Abigail, our lord, is depicted with a halo to show her radiance."
The image looked creepy to me. The holiness depicted in it alone made me feel uncomfortable.
"Right this way, ladies."
Caesar beckoned.
We made our way into the back of the church. It surprised me how large it was back here too. We stepped on a wide rolled-out red carpet that tall white pillars sat on the sides of. We walked down the aisle. On the sides of us were green flames from iron torches. It was as if we were entering into a new realm, we approached what appeared to be a throne chair.
There was the woman we saw on stage. She stood in front of her chair as the green fire roared from torches on both sides of her.
"What the heck?!"
That shrill voice caught me off guard as I turned to the side. The little barklight from yesterday hovered around me like a flea.
"Eh, it's you."
Annoyed, I glared back at Lana.
"I don't want this woman here! Caesar, see her out right this minute!"
Jade held my hand and wrapped her fingers in mine.
"Ehh?!"
I squealed.
A surge of emotions basked over me. Jade's fingers were rough like mine. But they were firm, the hand of a warriors. Surprisingly, they were warm too. Jade Opal's hands were almost soothingly hot.
I tried my best to ignore this feeling, but something was dancing around in my head.
"This is the first time I held someone's hand, isn't it?"
I looked away from her, trying my best to get a grip. Joined together with Jade, she faced up to the mini-sized bully.
"Lana Pasco, I am in the middle of an investigation. Feodora Cicer is a key component to it."
Firm and to the point, Jade stated.
The mini barklight kicked her feet about. She nearly hit me in the face with her wings.
"I don't give a dang if she's going to save the freaking world! Get her out! I had a bruise for a whole day after she attacked me!"
The little tyrant barklight kicked the air.
"Did you at least enjoy the cinnamon muffin I gave you, Lana?"
I taunted.
The barklight face turned bright red. Steam shot from her ears as she swung her arms around. If she were big enough, I bet she'd try to strangle me.
"Oh, screw you, redhead!"
Lana barked.
"Lana, that's enough! Stop badgering our guest."
From the back of the room, the "goddess" finally spoke up. Her tone was lower and certainly more mature than her little sister's.
"Ceasar, you may leave. Thank you."
He did just that, leaving the four of us in the chambers.
"My name is Abigail Pasco. I am the goddess and overseer of the Baron Group. What might I owe this second hearing, Jade Opal?
Jade turned to me and let go of my hand and stepped away.
"Stay vigilant and do what you need to do."
Jade directed me as she approached closer to the throne. That little bumblebee was watching me closely as she circled around the room.
"I have evidence that a member of your group might be involved in an ongoing investigation of mine."
She held out the robe. Jade continued her speech so, I closed my eyes and focused. But I couldn't sense anything other than Abigail's overwhelming spectrum presence.
"Oh, where did you find this?"
Abigail asked as she stood up from her throne.
"In the ancient ruins, east of town. My team also found a beast being fed spectrum in an attempt to make it grow. After dealing with it, they discovered this among the remains."
The holy woman crossed her arms and gave us a pitied look.
"Oh Jade, that's not evidence of anything. Anyone could have stolen those old clothing and did what they will with them."
She exuded elegance from her. I found myself charmed by her beauty as she got closer to us. Needless to say, Abigail was magnificent as she paced around. Her heels clicked, making that loud clank noise as she did.
"We've had members come and go. Some keep their white garbs as well. We let them keep those in goodwill if they ever want to come back. For all you know, one of my departers did this. Or maybe the culprit found it lying on the road and decided to use it?"
Jade shook her head.
"That might be the case, but this is a critical lead. Maybe you don't know if someone in your group is involved? But I came here as the representative for the knights. I demand that you enter an internal investigation into this matter."
With her arms behind her back, Abigail questioned the Radiant's authority.
"Investigation into what exactly?"
The goddess played dumb.
"I want you to question your followers and find out if they have any connection to the beasts being fed spectrum in the ancient ruins."
Her eyes lowered as she smiled cunningly.
"And if I say no, Jade?"
"Then this place will be swarmed with knights and Radiants by the end of today. We'll arrest anyone who dares wear a white cloak and take them in for questioning ourselves."
Abigail waited for a moment and then turned her gaze towards me. With eyes as sharp as needles, she glared at me as she stepped forward.
"Oh, that does sound scary, Jade. But before I go on… "
Those golden eyes pierced me.
"Little missy over there, what are you looking for?"
"Huh? Ah. W-What do you mean?"
"From the moment you got in my chambers, I could feel your pathetic dark spectrum search about. It's bothersome and clouds my thoughts, so stop it before I put an end to it."
I released my magic spell and focused on Abigail. Seeing her up closer, I noticed how oppressively radiant she was. It was a hard battle between her and Jade though. Abigail was beautiful for sure.
"Tsk."
Jade clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes.
"What is your name, Little missy?"
"Ah. My name is Feodora Cicer."
The "goddess's" lips curled.
"I see my beauty captured you if anything. If you'd ever want to join the Baron Group, you would be allowed to sit in on our sessions and admire me from afar."
I stretched my arms out and waved my hands from side to side.
"No, I'm not the right kind of person for that. A-Ah, I appreciate the offer though?"
She crossed her arms around her chest. Mischievously, she tilted her head like a snake about to bite its prey.
"Hm, you have no idea how many followers told me that line before. But now, they mindlessly obey my every whim. If I wanted them to, they'd dance for me in private."
Her wings flapped, causing a light wind to pass over me.
"Wouldn't you want to dance for me, Feodora?"
A light scent trickled in my nose. An idea went into my head. It was strange as my body felt like dancing for just a moment. As fast as it came, I shook it away. With a giggle, she put her hand behind her back and turned to the unamused knight.
"I will open an investigation into the matter, Jade Opal."
She smirked deviously.
"But don't expect results."
It was clear to us that she had no intention of doing anything. Formally, she slapped Jade across the face. That only added to the knight's inner rage.
"If you have nothing else to say, Jade, please see your way out. I hope to be seeing you around, Feodora. I think you'd look great in a white cloak."
Jade clenched her fist and grit her teeth.
"This isn't over, Abigail Pasco. If you are involved somehow, I don't care if you're the goddess of the Baron Group. I swear that I will take you down."
The knight tossed the white cloak on the floor. In a rage, she turned around coldly and marched off.
"Ah! Jade!"
I went to follow her-"
"Huh?!"
My feet kicked a rock, and I fell to the ground, hitting my head on the carpet. I looked up to see the barklight, Lana, floating over me with a satisfied expression.
"Take that! Now get out of here, redhead!"
"You little-"
"Leave her, Feodora!"
Jade yelled my way.
Annoyed, I made my way to Jade's side and walked out the front door with her. We made our way down the long steps and back outside of the gated village.
"Abigail is hiding something. She intentionally masked your search with her overbearing spectrum."
"Yeah. Her spectrum is strong, that's for sure."
With a cross of her arms, she clicked her tongue yet again. Jade could have been a clock with how many ticks she made today.
"Well, I'll relieve you for the day, Feodora. I ask that you come back around 9AM tomorrow though."
"Sure, but what about the pay?"
Jade shrugged her shoulders and reluctantly pulled out her wallet.
"How about two thousand gold for the time being? I can get more from the evidence lock-up later."
I had never held this much money in my hands before. This would last me a long time, I'm frugal with my money.
I coughed to hide my surprise.
"It's good… for now."
I lied.
I had every right to suck this knight dry of all her cash. If I had to be here and deal with people, I was going to get paid well for it.
"Good."
The Radiant crossed her arms and turned away. For a moment, she waited before turning back to me.
"I have a question for you, Feodora."
"What is it?"
"So far I think out of everyone in the consulting team I've made..."
She pondered.
For a moment she paused before confessing something to my surprise.
"Compared to Eve and Vivian, I think that I trust you the most."
"Hm?"
"Don't you get it by now, Feodora? I'm suspicious of all of you."
Jade confessed.
"But despite you being the most likely culprit, I think I've come to trust you more than Eve and Vivian."
The knight closed her eyes.
"What about you? Do you trust them? Do you find them suspicious in any way?"
She opened her eyes, revealing those amazing gem irises.
"What do you think about them, Feodora?"
It seemed that Jade wanted to bounce ideas off of me. When I looked back at how they went about with our mission to the ancient ruins, I couldn't say that I found anything particularly wrong regarding this investigation.
But Jade trusted my judgement enough to ask me. I contemplated everything to give her a reasonable response.
"From what I see Jade, Eve and Vivian have their own secrets and motivations. But I don't see a connection between them and the dark vessel we fought against."
The knight looked at the ground with an intense glare. I was sure she could burn a hole in the cobblestone if she continued doing that.
"Something isn't adding up. I have this feeling that I'm missing something crucial about this investigation. And for some reason I can't trust Eve or Vivian fully."
The Radiant glared back at me.
"Don't think I'm not watching you, though, Feodora Cicer. Everything still aligns that you are the most likely culprit. If not a part of the culprit's crew."
Jade's gaze relented as she relaxed.
"However, I think putting my trust in you rather than suspecting you is the best course of action."
Jade's golden eyes shined a bit and it through me off.
"The key to victory. But how?"
The knight murmured.
I felt uneasy so I quietly responded.
"Thanks, I guess."
As I looked at Jade, I felt as though she had a heavy burden on her shoulders. She had no trust in the people who worked for her. Yet she still continued to fight and move forward.
"Anyway, get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow, Feodora."
"Right."
Without hesitation, the fearless Jade Opal rushed away. That beautiful black hair shined in the afternoon sun. From the moment I met her, I rarely saw her take a break. She was determined to solve this case and probably any that came her way.