Chapter 112: Mehko Research Center
Reinhard woke up with a groan before he brought a hand to his head. He began massaging his forehead as his mind drifted back to the dream he had just had.
A cow.
He rubbed his temples as if he could press the images back into clarity. The creature had been enormous, towering over even the Frost Giants, and reached the other towering icy mountains.
It hadn’t been hostile and only patient, it was a calm force that didn’t belong to anything he could explain.
He’d seen it lick the ice and saw it seemed to enjoy it as if that was its purpose. Then the giant action surprised him as it began feeding from the massive cow, and that image refused to leave him.
Reinhard sat up, eyes unfocused. "Odin... Are those really your experiences?" The words slipped out before he could stop them, barely above a whisper.
The question was left unanswered.
If that was Odin’s dream or memory, or whatever passed for such a thing in beings like that, then what was he being shown? Why were there no signs of Odin? Or could it be one of those beings who became the Odin he knows?
The first time the dream had ended in the creation of that giant’s solitude, giving birth to life. This time, it was a continuation of that cycle with the appearance of the cow and all of them working together. And then the uncovering of a new sleeping figure beneath the frost, beautiful and silent.
Reinhard ran a hand through his hair, while he felt that being in the ice would lead to another big change, similar to the cow. He turned the dream over and over in his mind as he tried to make sense of things.
None of the phantasm beasts he’d encountered or knew matched that cow. Its very presence had defied the scale of the dream. Even the giant had seemed small beside it, reduced to a child before something older, gentler, and vastly more alien.
Why would something like that exist?
He looked down at his hands and saw they trembled faintly, but he wasn’t sure if it was from lingering awe or unease. He leaned forward with elbows on knees, breathing slowly.
What was that thing beneath the ice?
The thought clawed at him as the shape had been almost human, but not quite. Perfect in a way that made him uneasy, like seeing a statue sculpted before humanity learned to exist.
And when the frost cleared around it, he could have sworn the air itself had hummed, as if something had sighed in relief.
Reinhard shakes his head and gets up, opening his bag to take some clothing out and leaving to get ready for the day.
...
The afternoon sun washed Phanes City in gold.
Petals from the flower stalls drifted through the air like snow and were carried by a soft wind that rippled through colorful banners strung between the trees.
The vendors calling out prices, carriages rolling past, and the scent of fresh blooms and baked bread weave together.
Reinhard walked alongside Joseph, Nikki, and Scath through the cobbled streets, their boots clicking softly against the stone. The air was warm and lively, almost peaceful enough to make one forget what kind of city they were truly in.
"The north district should be just ahead," Joseph said, glancing at a folded city map. "The Mehko Research Center’s one of the newer buildings, and Phineas helped fund its construction."
"Of course he did." Scath muttered. "He seems to have his hands in every pot."
Nikki smirked slightly. "Makes sense, since he is a wealthy sponsor. There would be many who want to become friends or partner with him."
Reinhard said nothing, though his eyes followed the flow of the crowd. He noted the small Mehko insignias stamped on fruit crates, flour sacks, and even the aprons of certain vendors. Everywhere they looked, Mehko’s presence was woven subtly into the city’s economy.
Eventually, the streets opened up to a large plaza dominated by a beige-colored building adorned with green banners bearing Mehko’s crest.
In front were steps that led up to glass doors framed by stone columns, sunlight reflecting off them like polished bronze. Citizens, merchants, and researchers in white coats carrying clipboards or boxes of produce entered and exited the building constantly.
They ascended the steps and stepped inside.
The air immediately shifted to a cool, and tinged with the earthy scent of soil and leaves. Reinhard saw displays filling the lobby, such as tables of bright vegetables, lush green plants, and growth comparisons between regular and Mehko-treated soil.
A cheerful voice echoed from one of the display stands.
"All vendors and local stores marked with our Mehko symbol proudly provide produce grown using our latest fertilizers and nutrient systems," Said a smiling attendant.
Behind them, posters showed fields blooming impossibly fast, their yields tripled, their colors almost unnaturally vibrant.
Joseph muttered quietly. "Impressive work..."
They moved through the ground floor, weaving between stalls and exhibits.
Reinhard’s gaze caught on a display where a researcher invited visitors to touch the Mehko dark soil. Another area showcased taste testing, where volunteers sampled fruits and vegetables grown under different formulas.
When they climbed the stairs to the upper floor, Reinhard spotted a familiar figure. Miss Martha stood near the far end, speaking with one of the researchers. Her nurse’s uniform contrasted softly with the pristine lab coats surrounding her.
When she turned and noticed them, her face lit up.
"Reinhard! Joseph! Oh, it’s so good to see you two again!" Martha said, waving cheerfully. Then she noticed the others. "And Scath, Nikki, how are you girls doing?"
Scath gave a curt nod. "Bored, mostly. I was hoping for something interesting here."
Martha laughed lightly. "Well, it’s a research building, not exactly thrilling grounds for adventure. Still, I’m glad you’ve stayed out of trouble."
Scath scoffed before a look of half-amused and half-annoyed appeared.
Nikki stepped in with a faint smile. "Shouldn’t you be at the clinic, Miss Martha?"
Martha nodded. "Normally, yes. But I was called over by the Mehko researchers. They wanted me to try a new invention they’ve developed."
Reinhard tilted his head. "An invention to speed up healing and cure sickness, perhaps?"
Martha blinked in surprise. "It is, actually! I’m surprised you guessed that." Her smile faded slightly. "But truthfully, I’m not comfortable testing things like that on my patients yet."
Joseph gave her a soft, knowing smile. "That’s just how you are. You care too much to risk them."
Martha’s expression softened. "Maybe... but I do worry. I can’t stop them if they decide to test it elsewhere. Still, Mehko’s done a lot of good for the city, I can’t deny that and hope they don’t do anything drastic."
Nikki crossed her arms. "Good or not, if something like this works, it’ll just give others an excuse to push boundaries. Sooner or later, ethics get ignored in the name of progress."
Martha gave a thoughtful smile. "You’re right. Fortunately, most of the researchers here agree it’s too soon for testing. They’ve been pushing to delay any human trials, and all we can do is hope the higher-ups listen."
Reinhard studied her carefully, she didn’t seem aware of Phineas’s deeper dealings, but one detail still needed confirming.
The others also realized.
"Miss Martha." Scath said suddenly, "I’ve heard you’ve been receiving supplies from Phineas. Do you ever check what he sends?"
Martha blinked. "Oh, I usually don’t. I’m too busy with patients. The shipments are huge crates upon crates filling an entire room! While I’m thankful for his generosity, it is... A bit overwhelming."
Reinhard’s gaze darkened slightly before he asked calmly, "When do those shipments usually arrive?"
"Hmm..." Martha tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Mostly at night. That way, the workers can sort everything before morning. Why are you planning to ask Phineas for the sponsorship?"
Scath and Nikki exchanged quick glances while Joseph grinned smoothly, and Reinhard answered. "Just curious. If we’re setting up a base here, we’ll need to account for shipment sizes."
Martha nodded excitedly. "Then I suggest choosing a building with an underground floor as it’s perfect for storage. Phineas insists on that for all his sponsored locations, as he says it prevents clutter and keeps supplies safe."
Underground floor... so this building has one too.
Reinhard asked lightly. "Would that still be needed if we built our own structure?"
"Oh yes. You wouldn’t want customers to see piles of supplies lying around. Even if it’s just a small basement, it helps, but the only tricky part is getting the crates down. The elevators here are too small, so they have to move everything by hand." Martha says with a sigh.
An underground storage floor, accessed manually... And Phineas funds it all.
Reinhard smiled faintly. "That’s very helpful, Martha. Thank you."
"Of course." Martha said warmly. "And do take care of yourselves, all right? The city’s been feeling strange lately. Just... Be careful."
As they left the Mehko Research Center, sunlight poured across the plaza once again.