Chapter 3823: (ノ△.) I let my guard down, but I didn't dodge!
"Why are you so sure?"
(*｀ー)
"What proof do you have?"
(^)
So, in her haste, Annie had few options besides bristling indignantly and stubbornly demanding an explanation.
"There's no name written on it!"
Yes, that was another one of the few things Annie had going for her.
She knew full well that the "Staff of Truth" bore no marks or serial number, let alone anyone's name, deeds, or relevant magical information. So she was certain the other party wouldn't be able to produce any concrete evidence to refute them.
(...)
(●￣￣●)
And when Annie said that, Lairen seemed to have expected them to say something like that.
So he didn't rush. He calmly began to explain:
"It's simple."
"According to the relevant records preserved by our Magic Association, there are no more than a handful of original owners of the 'Staff of Truth' who still possess one and are still alive anywhere in the world."
As he spoke, he held up an open hand and paused briefly, letting that information sink in before continuing:
"We have fairly detailed records and important clues about who these certificate holders might be, which era they were born in, what race they belong to, and what state they might currently be in, including whether they've passed away."
"Our association even has some records of their burial sites."
"That's why I'm certain you aren't the original owners."
"That's one of the reasons I refused to register you."
Unfortunately, even after hearing all that, Annie still wasn't buying it and wasn't willing to let the matter drop.
"..."
(˙o˙)
So she just blinked her big eyes and kept up her act, playing dumb as she tilted her head and asked in an adorably