Knights of the Faux God

Chapter 10: Push and Pull

"Wonderful!" Mistress Opa clapped, eyes glistening, bright as the ceiling medallions she was gazing at. "All as good as new! It's like nothing in this hallway has ever been wrecked at all!"

A lady went on silently with dusting clean an Astel statue.

Mistress Adelaida.

Wasn't it her who had power to restore broken objects? A Hearth Magic user. One of the most underappreciated forms. With potentials not explored as much as they should probably be.

At her current level, Mistress Adelaida has been able to fix entire segments of the castle, all by herself. Having ample room to grow, her skills could certainly reach extents beyond expectations. Imagine being able to restore an entire kingdom from wreck.

"Good day, mistresses!" Winston approached and bowed. "Has any of you seen Thomas?"

"Good day! Looking for your friendly friend?" Mistress Opa tapped her cheek, thinking. "Last I saw him, he was running to the Quest Hall. Haven't crossed paths with him since, which, with all the me's trotting around, is a little short of impossible unless he's out of the castle."

Mistress Adelaida snickered. "Don't be so sure now. You haven't even found Ethan yet, either, have you?"

"Ugh. Mistress, don't make a fool of me. I swear that man's just cowering in his room, refusing to go out."

"You made him lift a hundred sets of armor. I honestly wouldn't blame him."

"Ahh." Winston let loose a light laugh.

"Looking for Pantrem?" Dorias scoffed, marching through the hallway. His black armor was rejecting all light that were seeping through the windows.

"Good day, Dorias."

"Idiot wouldn't let me tag along. Told him it'd be too dangerous without my help, and still! They left me."

"To go where?"

"Out on a quest with some stupid Gris girl or somebody."

Mistress Opa flinched.

"He won't be back until later."

"Ahh. I see." Winston gave a curt nod.

Strange. Why didn't Thomas invite Winston to go?

"Did you say 'Gris'?" Mistress Opa asked, face suddenly paler than the marble Adelaida was cleaning.

Dorias grumbled. "Yes. At least that's what I think Thomas said the name was."

Mistress Opa cupped her mouth.

Dorias's eyebrows twitched. "What's...up with you?"

"I'm sorry. Please excuse me, sirs. There's something I must look into."

Winston stepped aside as the lady jogged by briskly. "What's the matter, Mistress?"

Her mood changed so suddenly.

Wait a second.

King Lux had just about the same reaction when Winston mentioned the name. Back at the Royal Garden.

What is it with that Gris person?

"Huh." Dorias shrugged his shoulders, watching Mistress Opa run past Bling and Linus.

"Good day, Mistress!" Bling greeted.

Linus was mumbling as his eyes glossed over a sheet of paper between his fingers. "...your grandmother has ordered that I summon you immediately."

Mistress Opa rushed, blurting, "Morning, dears," with a shiver in her voice.

"Wait." Bling paused. "What's up with her?"