Healers were the last topic on Beholder E. mind. Between the stolen magic of the healers, their destroyed reputation, their budding rage, and the disappearance of the Wandering Healers; the problem was too complicated for himself to handle alone.

He had already failed the healers with his flawed system that relied heavily on their proximity to adventurers and Atelier personnel. ‘private’ Healers – which were healers partially owned by another Atelier – were granted far more protection than ‘public’ healers.

Hearing that Frost wished to take them off his hands relinquished him of this burden, but they could tell that this decision was not one that sat well in his conscience. If he had a heart, then that too would be full of pain.

The only reason he was still alive was because of their Serums.

“Infusion H is what runs through these artificial veins.” He began unexpectedly. “Concoctions of Serums and a few Infusions are precisely what keeps me alive. I have wronged the people that sacrifice themselves just to keep me eternal. I could lament, but this prison was deemed my final shell. A consequence of my ambitions.”

The Mothers were the ones who allowed Beholder E. to live through their sacrifices. Each time a flurry of pale-blue liquid entered his vat, that was an organ being destroyed from a Mother’s body. Of all the healers, they were the only ones who could regenerate organs lost from an Infusion.

No other healer could ever succeed with such a feat. This was because they could partially restore a section of the soul, and therefore, restore the missing part of the body. However, as will all good things, there was a caveat.

The Mothers could only restore their own souls. This was why they stood at the summit of all healers, but unfortunately could not heal others as effectively as the Perched who were their equals.

They only just lacked this ability.

Thankfully, none of the Mothers or the Perched were compromised. It was mostly the public healers that took the brunt of the damage. The topic of the stolen magic had already been covered. The healers that could no longer heal however, were an issue that he could only fix with the Serums.

That was until they began to showcase signs of aggression. They were particularly more aggressive than those that still possessed their healing magic, showing to display sudden outbursts of violence and coating their words with a layer of unprecedented vulgarity.

“All healers that had lost their magic have become like this. Very few that still hold onto theirs have also begun to display this odd behavior.”

“It was about time they took it upon themselves.” Frost commented. “Did you bring them somewhere?”

“All wait patiently at the Ascelpien until further notice. I invite you to personally make an appearance. It will be easy to differentiate the violent ones from the regular ones.” Beholder E noted, bringing a coarse finger to tap at his glass vat. “The hair. They have black streaks. The color is pitch black much like yours. The amount of darkness correlates with how violent they are. You will see it for yourself, I hope.”

The other reason they were held there was because healers were also actively being discriminated against after Scarlet Logic’s sabotage. Their reputation hung by a thread, and healers capable of biting back didn’t bode well for the image of the healers.

However, Frost didn’t see it so bleakly. She was optimistic as always. Even if their reputation was damaged, she couldn’t see this being the end.

“I doubt their reputation is irreparable. Healers are still the only people that can heal. Granted, those that suffered as a result of the Gambit Teams won’t trust them so easily. But let’s not forget that it is the healers who are suffering the most.”

Frost reminded them with a sharp tongue.

“Adding a layer of security can serve as validation. That way, we can both guarantee their safety as well as allow people to know that the healer presented to them is a healer. Moons would be a good way, but we’re low on numbers. In the future I plan to have Moons eventually personally protect a healer. For now, we need to consider the next best option.”

“A-Amalgam!” Evergreen suddenly exclaimed. “May I suggest the Guild? Justica Arms could work nicely, although a vouch from the universally validated Guilds of our Carpalis’ Golden Index can vouch for them.”

“A specifically crafted Guild Card for the healers can work.” Promised Oath backed. “Can Justica Arms allow partnered Associations to also vouch for them too? A lot of valuable dealings are closed outside of the Guild’s eye. Personal guarantees are usually overlooked by me. Having healers vouched by larger entities will be beneficial to restoring their name.”

“My love for healers can’t be described by words. I thought that was well known?” Galia smirked. “I can appoint Wayfarers to each healer. There are enough Elves in H9 to train. Their numbers were not high to begin with.”

“Can we trust the Wayfarers after the disappearances of several Wandering Healers?” Umbra pondered.

“You know well that they disappeared during our communication blackout.” Galia politely refuted.

“D-5 was amongst them. The chaos of the Nex Megalopolis caused CogitO to lose track of them. Either they were taken to the Derma Layer, or, they’re stranded inside of the City of Spades. There is nothing to steal from a Wandering Healer.” Beholder E. tried to understand why anyone would bother to take a Wandering Healer.

It wasn’t like they had magic to steal in the first place.

Frost however, knew something else that was being stolen.