Chapter 69: What We All Want

Reinhard moved through the mansion while the meeting continued behind him. He had already memorized most of the important routes, but there were still several areas he wanted to prepare before the situation escalated.

He stopped near a staircase and pulled a small relic from his Inventory. The device was barely larger than his palm, and after crouching down, he placed it beneath the edge of the stairs before activating it.

A faint glow appeared for a moment before disappearing.

That should do.

Reinhard stood and continued down the hallway. As he moved farther away from the meeting room, the voices became quieter, allowing him to create another concealed Space Tear through the wall without being noticed. The opening appeared silently, and Veil concealed the mana fluctuation as he glanced through it.

The meeting was still underway.

Big Boss leaned forward with his arms resting against the table. "So, let me understand this. The Baal Family wants Emily Ashcroft because you believe she knows something about the Black Moon."

Rufus nodded calmly. "That is one of the primary reasons."

"One of?"

"There are other considerations surrounding her Gnosis and her potential recovery, but the Black Moon is currently the matter receiving the greatest attention."

Big Boss gave a low laugh. "So even your family isn’t sure what she knows."

Rufus remained composed. "We know considerably more than you seem to think."

"Then explain it."

Rufus looked toward the Baal representative sitting across from him. "Months before the Black Moon appeared, Emily Ashcroft began investigating unusual lunar phenomena."

Big Boss’s expression became more interested. "Lunar phenomena?"

"She was studying different types of moons and records concerning unusual changes in their appearance, energy, and influence on supernatural phenomena."

"And she did this alone?"

"No. She consulted researchers in several cities and traveled extensively to gather information."

"How extensively?"

"She visited multiple cities and even traveled to remote locations where very few Awakeners would normally have a reason to go."

Big Boss leaned back. "Such as?"

"Vincer."

The room became slightly quieter.

Reinhard stopped walking and reached into his Inventory and removed another small relic before placing it near the intersection of two hallways, adjusting its position according to the information provided by Merchant King’s Lens.

If someone comes through here, it’ll trigger from this angle.

He stood and continued moving while keeping the meeting in sight through the Space Tear.

Big Boss slowly nodded. "I see."

Rufus continued, "Emily spent considerable time gathering records and speaking with people who had investigated unusual lunar activity. She was attempting to identify patterns."

"And then?"

"Several months later, the Black Moon appeared."

Big Boss’s expression changed. "You’re saying her research happened before the incident."

"Yes."

"And you believe that is more than coincidence."

"We do."

Big Boss tapped one of his gauntlets against the table. "That alone doesn’t prove anything."

"It wouldn’t," Rufus replied calmly. "That is why the Baal Family investigated her research in greater detail."

"And what did you find?"

"Connections."

Big Boss raised an eyebrow. "Connections to what?"

"To the Black Moon."

Rufus paused before continuing. "Several of the locations Emily investigated later appeared in records connected to the phenomenon, and some of the information she gathered also corresponded with observations made during the incident."

Big Boss’s eyes narrowed. "So she knew something beforehand."

"We believe she did."

"Not believed. Knows."

Rufus looked directly at him. "She knows."

Reinhard’s expression became more serious as he moved farther down the hallway and placed another talisman beneath a wall panel.

So they aren’t guessing.

That was the important part. The Baal Family hadn’t simply noticed that Emily had researched the moon before the Black Moon and decided to kidnap her. They had actually investigated her work and found connections.

Reinhard continued moving while listening carefully.

Big Boss leaned forward again. "Then answer the obvious question. Does Emily Ashcroft know how to recreate the Black Moon?"

Rufus closed his eyes briefly before answering. "She does."

Big Boss stared at him. "You’re certain?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"We have proof."

"What kind of proof?"

Rufus remained silent for a moment before answering. "The nature of her research changed shortly before the incident. She wasn’t simply studying the phenomenon anymore. She was trying to understand the conditions that could produce it."

Big Boss slowly nodded. "And then the Black Moon appeared."

"Yes."

"That is quite the coincidence."

Rufus didn’t respond.

Big Boss smiled. "Fine. I understand why your family wants her."

Reinhard stopped beside another doorway and looked down the corridor before placing a thin relic talisman underneath a nearby table.

So Emily wasn’t just researching something unusual.

He stared at the talisman for a moment before continuing.

She was looking for the conditions that created it.

That was new information, and it changed the situation considerably.

Purple Light finally spoke. "Your family isn’t the only organization interested in the Black Moon."

Rufus turned toward him. "I assumed as much."

Purple Light’s lanterns slowly moved around his body. "Then you should also understand that Silent Night has no interest in stealing the Black Moon’s power."

Big Boss looked at him. "You don’t?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

Purple Light’s expression remained calm. "We are investigating a phenomenon that we believe may be connected to it."

Big Boss frowned. "What phenomenon?"

Purple Light didn’t answer immediately. One of the lanterns drifted slightly higher before he said, "It is not something we intend to discuss here."

Big Boss laughed. "You came to a meeting with the Baal Family and expected us not to ask questions?"

"We expected questions."

"And?"

"We expected to refuse them."

Big Boss laughed again. "I like you."

Purple Light gave him a flat look. "That isn’t mutual."

Reinhard almost smiled as he placed another relic against the wall.

He really doesn’t like that guy.

He moved toward the next hallway, but then Rufus spoke again.

"Are you referring to the phenomenon that occurred after the Black Moon?"

Purple Light’s eyes shifted toward him. "Possibly."

Rufus raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean... the Twilight Star in—"

Purple Light snapped his fingers.

The lanterns surrounding him suddenly became much brighter, filling the entire room with pale blue light. Purple Light looked directly at Rufus.

"No need to continue speaking, Mr. Rufus. Or Silent Night will have to send a body back to the Baal Family."

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Rufus eventually inclined his head. "My apology."

Big Boss suddenly burst out laughing. "Oh? I didn’t think you fellows were still investigating that incident."

Purple Light glanced toward him, but Big Boss continued laughing. "I can’t blame you. If something like that happened to my people, I’d be turning the entire city upside down."

Purple Light said nothing and only gave Big Boss a faint glare.

Big Boss grinned. "Don’t look at me like that. I’m only saying I’d do the same."

Reinhard paused while walking.

Twilight Star.

The name immediately caught his attention. He had no idea what it meant, but the reaction had been enough to tell him that Silent Night considered the information sensitive enough to threaten someone over.

I’ll have to remember that.

He continued through the hallway, placing the remaining relics in carefully selected positions. By now, several major routes through the mansion had been prepared.

Big Boss eventually stopped laughing and leaned back in his chair. "Well, my reason for being here is much simpler."

He raised one of his massive gauntlets and looked at it. "I want to become stronger."

Rufus glanced at him. "That is hardly surprising."

Big Boss grinned. "You say that like it’s a bad thing."

"It isn’t."

"Good."

Big Boss rested his arms against the table. "If the Black Moon really can be recreated, then whatever power or phenomenon allowed it to occur might give me another path forward."

Purple Light looked at him. "You believe it will make you stronger."

"I believe anything that can produce something like that is worth understanding."

Big Boss turned toward Rufus, his expression becoming more serious. "So does Emily Ashcroft really know how to recreate the Black Moon, or is your leader simply betting on a guess?"

Rufus answered without hesitation. "She knows."

Big Boss slowly nodded. "Then I understand."

Reinhard moved into another empty room and released Veil so he could check his mana. The drain was becoming noticeable again, and he frowned slightly.

This ability is getting expensive.

He waited for his mana to recover before activating Veil once more, then created another Space Tear and used Mind Glance through the concealed opening.

His gaze settled on Rufus.

The ability activated, and information flowed into his mind.

The Baal Family head had personally given the Black Moon objective to the four major branches.

Recreate it.

Every branch had received the same order, but each had chosen a different method.

The branch under Rufus wanted Emily because they believed using her directly was the most reliable approach. Another branch was reconstructing Emily’s research and attempting to retrace every step she had taken before the Black Moon appeared.

A third branch was trying to recreate the Black Moon incident itself. They weren’t interested in Emily’s exact process; they wanted the phenomenon.

The fourth branch was pursuing its own method, although even Rufus didn’t have complete information about what they were doing.

Reinhard withdrew from Rufus’s mind and remained still for a moment.

Four branches.

His expression became serious as he processed what he had learned.

Four different methods, and Emily is sitting at the center of all of them.

Reinhard moved again, placing another talisman near a doorway while checking the surrounding hallway. Everything was coming together.

The mansion had become a web of prepared positions, with several routes trapped, multiple rooms protected by defensive relics, and the major entrances under his control. He had identified the escape routes, guard positions, and locations where the strongest people were gathered.

More importantly, he had learned far more than he expected.

The Black Moon wasn’t simply a mysterious disaster. Emily had been investigating unusual lunar phenomena before it appeared, and the Baal Family believed she knew how to recreate it. Their four branches were pursuing different methods, while Silent Night believed the incident was connected to another phenomenon.

Big Boss wanted the secret because he believed it could help him grow stronger.

Reinhard finally had enough information.

A familiar notification appeared before his eyes.

[Investment Objective Completed.]

[A-Grade Investment Successful.]

[Calculating Returns...]

Reinhard glanced at the notification but didn’t open the reward.

Later.

He dismissed it and continued walking.

There was still something he wanted to do.

Reinhard moved through another hallway, completing the final preparations before checking the mansion one last time. Everything was ready, and he had no reason to remain hidden anymore.

Then another notification appeared.

[Investment Opportunity Available.]

[Target: Emily Ashcroft.]

[Current Value: A+.]

[Objective: Get rid of all of the threats in the mansion to protect Emily.]

[Difficulty Grade: A.]

[Success Probability: 10%.]

Reinhard stared at the final number.

Ten percent.

His lips slowly curved upward. That’s even worse.

He dismissed the notification and turned around. The meeting room was at the end of the hallway, and Reinhard could already hear the voices inside. He stopped in front of the door for a moment before adjusting his sunglasses.

I’ve listened long enough.

Reinhard raised his foot and kicked the door open.

The door flew inward with a loud crash, causing every person inside to turn toward him at once. The Baal representatives stared at him in shock, several guards immediately reached for their weapons, and Rufus’s calm expression finally broke into disbelief.

Purple Light’s yellow eyes narrowed as the lanterns around him began glowing brighter.

Big Boss stared at Reinhard for a moment before a wide grin slowly spread across his face.

Reinhard calmly walked into the room and looked around the table at the people who had spent the last several minutes discussing his wife. He pulled out a chair, turned it around, sat down, and rested his arms against the back.

After adjusting his sunglasses, Reinhard smiled.

"Well, gentlemen."

His gaze moved across the room.

"Looks like you were talking about my wife."