I Am Really The Best Anti Hero In Another World!-System Of Anti Hero! novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38 - 38 - The Alchemy Oven

Meanwhile, in the heart of the city at the Moonlit Night Hall...

Arthur stepped into a corridor that was excessively illuminated by white crystals hanging from the ceiling in strange shapes—almost like a chandelier. The walls were decorated with items whose meanings or depths he couldn't quite grasp—for instance, a solitary strand of hair—which, like many other objects stored there, evoked an eerie feeling in him, sending shivers down his spine at just the sight of them.

It was more than just a corridor, and he knew it—it was also a display of the power held by the Moonlit Night Hall in that small town, where only a select few had the privilege to come and go beyond the lands overrun by beasts at their whim.

"Please, sir, come in; the manager is waiting for you," said the butler as he bowed slightly—though no matter how hard Arthur tried, he could never deduce the butler's true level of cultivation.

The door swung open, releasing a strange, oppressive pressure from inside. Arthur had been here so many times over the past few years—as they were the only ones with information from the outside world—that he still hadn't grown accustomed to it. He walked toward the room where a young man—someone not to be underestimated—awaited him.

"Mr. Arthur," the young man said in a friendly tone—a stark contrast to the palpable tension in the room—"I regret to inform you that, unfortunately, we haven't received any new information regarding potential alchemists."

Arthur sat down in a chair facing the manager's desk, cleared his throat, and stated:

"I didn't come here for that."

He delivered the words while enduring the pressure without showing any sign of being affected.

"Oh, no...? Then why? Did you come here to participate in our auction? If that's the case—"

"Remember, some time ago you mentioned that you had something here, even though you don't have an alchemist," Arthur interjected.

"I said...? Ah, yes—the oven! Well... it's true, we do have one... but unfortunately it isn't very useful to us since only alchemists can operate it at full capacity."

"I want to buy it."

"You... want...?" the young man burst into laughter. "Sorry... no, really, forgive me... It wasn't meant to be personal. It's just that when I said that 'we' couldn't use it to its maximum potential, I was referring to everyone in this city—unless..."

At that moment, the atmosphere in the room shifted—the mood changed. Arthur sensed the oppressive pressure beginning to fade, but he shuddered upon seeing that thoughtful expression on the young man's face:

— Mr. Arthur, have you by any chance encountered an alchemist here...?

Arthur did not answer—he tried—but he was unable to lie in front of those piercing eyes; he felt that he would be found out if he did.

"No... that's very unlikely..." the man continued, almost to himself. "Alchemists are far too proud to allow themselves to end up in a place like this. So you're really trying everything for the sake of your wife—even this..."