Chapter 108: Dreams And Goals
But the memory of caged beasts and stolen research files reasserted itself. He had information that needed sharing and plans that required making.
"I should get going." Reinhard said quietly after sighing.
Martha nodded in understanding. "Thank you for the dance, Mr. Reinhard. I hope you find more moments like this, even when things are difficult."
"Thank you, Miss Martha. For everything." Reinhard said softly as he turned around.
He took four steps before her voice stopped him.
"Reinhard, I have a question..."
He paused and glanced back at her, curiosity evident in his expression. "What is it?"
"Do you think it will be possible to reform the other clinics?" Martha asked softly with a slight frown.
Reinhard blinked, then spoke with careful consideration. "I think it depends on the people."
"The people?" Surprise colored Martha’s voice.
"The more people your methods are able to positively affect, the more other clinics will begin to change. But this also means it will require a lot of time, maybe even past your own lifetime." Reinhard said softly.
Martha giggled, the sound lighter than expected. "Maybe you’re right... But you know, it feels so good to have people believing it’s possible."
"It’s because people like me desperately wish it would become normal." Reinhard’s voice dropped lower, but his expression was still calm.
Martha trembled as a sorrowful expression appeared, but then she grinned at Reinhard. "Then I will make sure not to give up!"
Reinhard smiled, genuine warmth touching his expression before he paused and asked.. "I have a question. Do you know about the Dark Tide Curse?"
Martha blinked in surprise before she nodded. "I have... Some patients of mine in the past had it, but I couldn’t do much except give them pain relievers and advice for managing the nights."
Reinhard sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "Do you think there will be another cure other than the Elixir of Life?"
"There should be more as time passes, or maybe there might be another alternative..." Martha muttered, her tone thoughtful but uncertain.
Reinhard nodded slowly, absorbing her words even as disappointment flickered across his face.
"Rein! Oh? And Miss Martha!"
Reinhard and Martha both turned. Marie approached with a meat stick in one hand, munching contentedly. Joseph walked beside her, stretching his arms above his head with casual ease.
"Oh, Marie. How are you doing? And Joseph, are you feeling better?" Martha asked with a giggle, her professional concern evident despite the late hour.
Joseph smiled as he waved his arms and said. "I’m doing better. Already fully recovered with no scars."
"That’s great!" Martha’s smile grew.
Marie swallowed her bite of food. "I’m surprised Miss Martha is still up. You’re usually constantly moving and working at the clinic."
"I was just coming back from a colleague and am planning to go home now," Martha explained, then her expression grew more thoughtful. "As for your earlier question, there should be alternative methods other than the Elixir of Life for the Dark Tide Curse. The issue is trying to find out if they can work or not."
Reinhard sighed but nodded, he’d expected as much.
Martha took a step as if to leave, then paused and turned back to face all three of them. Her expression shifted, becoming more earnest. "I want to ask about the goals of Joseph and Reinhard. I want to cheer you on, similar to how you’re cheering me on."
Marie’s eyes lit up immediately, as she nodded excitedly. "That’s true! Don’t be scared, you two. Say your goals so we can cheer you on!"
Reinhard laughed while Joseph chuckled, shaking his head at Marie’s energy. Then he sighed and spoke. "I’m looking for my older sister. She went on a trip, and the Academy promised to help me find clues and her whereabouts."
Martha’s eyes softened. "I understand how you feel. I have a little sister, and I know if she went missing, I would turn the entire world upside down trying to find her. It’s a good goal, but I hope you also try to enjoy life during your search."
Joseph chuckled and pointed at Marie. "This one has already made me realize that."
Marie beamed, puffing her chest out with visible pride while Martha laughed, the sound warm and encouraging.
Then all their gazes shifted to Reinhard, who had fallen silent.
The seconds stretched as he considered his words.
"I want the Elixir of Life from the Academy." Reinhard finally said. "It will help me heal my little brother, who has the Dark Tide Curse."
Martha, Marie, and Joseph’s eyes all widened simultaneously, shock rippling across their faces.
"No wonder you were curious..." Martha said softly, her expression filling with sympathy. "I’m sorry I wasn’t of more help."
Reinhard shook his head immediately. "I already knew the elixir was the only hope. I was just wondering."
Joseph frowned, understanding dawning. "No wonder you’re willing to do these missions..."
Marie body trembled before she grinned as determination shined on her face. She moved to Reinhard and grabbed his shoulder, staring at him intensely. "Don’t you worry, Rein! We will help you get the highest points and gain the Elixir of Life. I’ll just need to pressure them to give us harder and more point-worthy missions."
Reinhard blinked in surprise. "Won’t that make the others feel like you’re abusing-"
"I don’t care." Marie interrupted with conviction. "My team leader and friend needs help, and so I will help him."
Reinhard’s eyes widened before he saw Joseph nodding. "We have your back, so rely on us more. Let’s help you get the elixir for your little brother."
Reinhard stared at them both in a daze, his expression slowly softening. "Thank you both. I will rely on you then."
Marie beamed in satisfaction as she nodded her head. "Good! Now then, as Miss Martha said, we’ll be cheering each other on with our goals. Although I’m curious who will accomplish theirs first."
Martha laughed. "I hope it will be me, but well, I guess that’s the most fun part? Seeing who does it first."
All three of them grinned at her words.
Martha then waved goodbye, her form gradually disappearing into the night as she headed toward her home.
The three of them began walking back toward the hotel.
Marie gently held Reinhard’s arm, her grip warm as she said softly. "We’re serious, Rein. We will help you, so trust us to say what you want us to do, and if you need help."
Reinhard fell silent for several steps, then spoke softly. "Then I want you guys to do the same. Joseph, if you need another person to go look for your older sister, then Marie and I are here."
Joseph laughed, the sound carrying relief and gratitude. "Of course."
They continued talking and laughing together as they returned to the hotel, their voices carrying through quiet streets.
Conversation flowed easily with jokes, observations about the city, and speculation about what tomorrow might bring.
The hotel appeared ahead, its familiar facade welcoming. They entered through the main doors, took the elevator to the fifth floor, and unlocked the door to room 540.
The others were waiting.
Scáth sat on a bed with her wine-colored eyes tracking them as they entered. Roana occupied a chair while Niki sat on the desk, and she was lightly kicking her legs up and down. Gran stood near the wall, and his eyes seemed to shine a bit at their appearance.
Reinhard activated the Harrold Mark before Vanna’s projection materialized, her silver hair and eyes appearing with crystalline clarity.
All attention focused on Reinhard as he moved to the center of the room. "I infiltrated the Hope Salvation Clinic tonight. Below the legitimate operations, there’s an extensive underground facility."
He then began describing everything from the elevator descent, the vast space filled with cages, the dozens of Phantasm Beasts held in drugged sleep.
He detailed the files documenting soul values for each creature, the calculations showing how many souls each beast would produce upon death.
"They’re either meant as backup sacrifices to reach the 100,000 soul requirement." Reinhard continued. "Or they’re meant to be unleashed on the city to create mass casualties that Phineas can then harvest."
Faces around the room grew progressively worse, each of them grimacing while rubbing their forehead at the information.
Reinhard moved to the research files next and began describing the beast blood experiments. The healing properties, the compatibility requirements, and the potential for granting abilities beyond normal Beast Master capabilities.
"The Salem Town research revealed something critical." Reinhard said, his tone becoming more intense. "The soul count doesn’t determine whether a Beast can be summoned, but it determines how much power manifests when it descends."
He let that sink in, watching comprehension dawn across multiple faces simultaneously.
"The Star Walking Beast we fought in Mensis Town was Tier E because only 315 souls were sacrificed. But the actual entity exists at a far higher level, it’s the soul count that limits how strong the beast is when it appears. The more souls are used, the fewer restraints will be placed, and more of its true strength can be unleashed."
Vanna’s projection shifted, her expression showing she was making notes beyond their view. "Which means 100,000 souls isn’t just making it come down... It’s making it come down with some at or near its full power."