Chapter 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: