I Am Really The Best Anti Hero In Another World!-System Of Anti Hero! novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39 - 39 - Strange Method

"...Is this an alchemy oven...?"

Sophia moved closer to the large object. She reached out her hand—but found herself unable to touch it. Retreating to her parents, she clutched her chest and whispered:

— It gives me chills just being near it... Are you sure it's meant to be like this, Dad?

"I don't know... but the manager of the Hall didn't mention anything being wrong."

"And why put it here...? You could have placed it anywhere else... besides, this room is far too far from where Noah is."

Arthur glanced around—the room was dark, lit only by torches. Its walls were made of stone, and the floor was nothing less than massive rock. This was the training room for the family leaders, a space accessible only to the three of them—him, Alice, and Sophia—and now, Noah as well.

"It's safer to do it this way. That way, the information won't be at risk of leaking," he explained, causing Sophia to look away in an odd manner.

"Y-Yes, you're right..." she stuttered.

"Hmm, though it might not help much. After all, someone will surely notice when it's time to buy the herbs Noah requests," Alice added.

"And they're sold at auctions... where so many people gather..." Sophia sighed.

Lost in thought for a moment, Arthur mused:

— Perhaps we shouldn't buy them, but rather harvest them...

He observed quietly.

Just as in the western/northwestern forests, the fields surrounding the city's walls are full of things—especially herbs, since it's from these places that the Moonlit Night Hall sources the items up for auction.

"No!" Alice exclaimed firmly, leaving no room for argument. "It would be far too dangerous!"

Besides the herbs, these two locations share a certain trait—they're inhabited by beasts—which is the main reason why the Hall is the only one capable of exploiting them.

"Not unless the boy tries to go there..." Arthur argued, unaware of Noah's true situation.

"Really, do you want to put him in danger for that? Especially when we're still in his debt? Listen to what you're saying!"

"But, dear, he's the strongest in the family right now."

"In the family...?" Alice smiled. "I didn't know Noah was part of our family—when exactly did that happen?"

"...You understand me..."

Restless, Arthur turned away—pouting just like Sophia—and looked at his daughter:

— What do you think about it? After all, unfortunately, you were the one who spent the most time with him...

"Unfortunately..." Sophia laughed, then shifted her posture at the sight of her father's stern look. Embarrassed, she cleared her throat and said:

— ...I also don't believe your plan will work...

"...Why not?"

"Because Noah's problem seems to go beyond mere physical pain—he can't use his own Qi at the moment."

"He can't...?" Arthur began to grow anxious; his mind wandered until he recalled a recent incident—one that bears mentioning in our current situation:

"It doesn't matter how strong he is if neither his body nor his Qi can be properly utilized," Alice pointed out, highlighting the flaw in Arthur's hasty assessment. _{fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓}