Reinhard's smile remained. "There was a boy who only felt warmth and care from his two balls of light after he chased away the sun in his world." He continued softly. "But the world itself was cold and harsh, slowly strangling the boy and his two little lights. And so the boy decided to protect his two little lights. He would create an all-consuming fire that would keep them warm even if it meant it burned down their home."

His blue eyes became distant.

"So the boy did all kinds of terrible acts. He stole from people, hurt people, kidnapped, interrogated, and manipulated. walked with monsters, and even more." Reinhard uttered each action softly with a dazed look. "The boy kept doing these actions so his little lights could continue being warm and safe. He justified every act. He coped with the situation until he could find a way out of this raging inferno that he'd created."

Reinhard furrowed his brows as he gently tapped the table with his finger.

"Deep down, the boy knew what he was doing was wrong. But when he came home to see his two lights happy, smiling, content, not shivering and struggling. Then he would convince himself that this was fine and do the same thing again..." Reinhard's gaze turns to Martha, blue eyes staring into light blue ones. "This boy was no different than the little girl who was abused and lied to, who relied on her little sister, who was her light. In the end, both the boy and the girl might have been better off if someone had stuck their hand out to them. But alas, no one did, and so they set everything on fire."

Silence fell again.

Martha's shoulders trembled violently with her head lowered, and violet-blue hair falling forward like a curtain to hide her face.

But Reinhard could see the way her entire frame shook, and could hear the hitching of her breath.

Reinhard sighed before gently holding her hands again. "So yeah, I understand... I understand it too clearly. Why did you do it and what did you feel as you did it… And what pushed you to do it?" His thumb rubbed across the back of her hand. "And I just want you to know, it's okay. I'd like to think that if we do something better, then maybe we can disperse the inferno that consumed everything and have a chance to live better."

Martha's laugh emerged mixed with tears and something like relief. She looked up, hair sliding back to reveal her face. "When you say it like that, you sound a bit selfless and kind."

Reinhard shook his head slowly. "I won't do this for everyone. In fact, I wouldn't care for anyone else. But for you?" He paused, ensuring she was listening. "I did it because you saved Joseph when you had no reason to. I did it because you wished to change the medical field that caused me and my siblings so much trauma. I did it because you cheered for my goal and wish. I did it because you made me feel joy and freedom for the first time in a long time. I did it because you let me go multiple times. I did it because you had many chances to kill us but didn't."

Reinhard smiled as his eyes softened and he squeezed her hands. In truth, if Martha hadn't done all of these things, he would have thrust Zenuken into her heart the moment she was broken.

Speaking of thrusting swords, I wished that bastard Phineas were still around.

"And above all else, I did it because you deserve someone holding out a hand to you when none ever did when you were young... Because one day, I hope that if I ever go down that path, someone will also do the same for me. So, I won't say it's selfless... It's just me dreaming and fantasizing."

Martha shook her head, her smile widening despite the tears. "I can relate to that. I fantasized and dreamt someone else would be able to see and believe in Hel like me... And it came true when you saw her in the fantasy world and believed in her now."

Reinhard's smile grew warmer. "Then I am glad."

Martha closed her eyes as the tears stopped. "To be honest, I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but I at least wanted to meet you to talk."

"Can they really keep you?" Reinhard asked softly.

Martha laughed in amusement. "Not really. But me going on the run will make it harder to accomplish my dream to change the medical world."

Reinhard's smile grew, with his eyes shining. "So, you'll continue aiming for it?"

"I will. But not only that." Martha's light blue eyes opened, fixing on his face. "I want to watch you, and the others reach your goals."

Reinhard blinked before his smile grew as he said. "Thank you."

Martha then moves her hands from his before standing up and moving around the table until she is next to him.

Then she knelt before him.

Martha bowed her head, violet-blue hair cascading forward, creating a curtain between her face and the floor.

"I want to be your blade and shield, Reinhard. I want you to accept me." Reinhard froze completely.

His mind struggled to process the shift in how the conversation went to this. His fingers tapped the table's edge, and then he softly asked. "Why would you want to be my sword and shield when there are better options?"

Martha shook her head before lifting her head, her light blue eyes met Reinhard's own blue ones, and a faint smile appeared. "None of them did what you did."

Reinhard blinked. "Tell you the truth? Help you?"

Martha laughed and spoke. "Believe in me."

Reinhard froze as his entire body went still as the words struck something deep inside. He stared at Martha in a daze, seeing her kneeling form but understanding suddenly what she meant.

Not just the truth about Hel, but believing that Martha could be better even after all the things she has done. That she could change, that she could make up for what she has done, that she could change the medical world, and accomplish her goals.

Reinhard laughed as his hands rose to cover his face, pressing against his eyes. Then he leaned back in his chair, letting his hands fall away.

"I agree..." Reinhard says with a smile. "I hope you can stay by my side until the end... I don't want to lose anyone close to me again."

Martha smiled as she stood up, and her dress flowed around her like water. "I feel the same way..." She paused, her expression shifting into something more serious. "And there's one more thing I should tell you."

Reinhard blinked. "What is it?"

"My real name isn't Martha. It was just a fake name I used."

Reinhard's eyes widened before nodding and asking with a smile. "Then could you tell me your real one?"

The beautiful woman with long violet-blue hair stepped closer. Her light blue eyes held his gaze with warmth and determination while showing a stunning smile.

"My name is Brunhilde Valkyrie. I am glad to serve you, my dearest Reinhard."

Reinhard stared up at her, seeing not the Sinner who had tried to sacrifice a city. But the woman who had saved his friend, who had dreamed of changing the world, and who was similar to him.

Reinhard's smile grew, and he said. "It's nice to meet you, Brunhilde."

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