"Yes, a magical contract centered on 'weapon power.'" Wizet's voice was clear and certain. "The terms of this magical contract would roughly be as follows..."
"The weapons provided by Mr. Bonanno possess sufficient power to complete the mission. In exchange, the signatories must maintain absolute secrecy regarding the magical contract and all related matters."
"Strange... but their mission failed..." Jimmy scratched his head instinctively. "Since they all failed..."
"Doesn't that mean..." There was obvious confusion in his voice. "That those weapons weren't powerful enough to complete the mission?"
"That's right!" Will clapped his hands and nodded in sudden realization. "Then the magical contract should already be invalid. We ought to be able to get useful information out of them."
"Yes, by our usual way of thinking, that would indeed be the case..." Wizet said with a smile. "But what if I told you that these magical contracts all came from goblins?"
"Magical contracts from goblins?" Will froze for a moment. It was an angle he had overlooked all along.
"You should know that goblins possess magic as well," Wizet said. "Items made through 'goblin craftsmanship' are also rare and valuable collectibles."
"In fact, many books contain records of wizards asking goblins to use 'goblin craftsmanship' to create all kinds of items that met their requirements."
"The Appaloosa Family has items like that too..." Mrs. Appaloosa added at just the right moment. "'Goblin craftsmanship' truly is remarkable..."
"Even family heirlooms from centuries ago, without any maintenance whatsoever, can still look brand-new, with no visible signs of age."
"Even after being handled and admired in every possible way, as long as they have not been damaged with magic, those heirlooms will not show any wear."
"Mrs. Appaloosa, thank you for the addition." Wizet nodded to Mrs. Appaloosa and continued along that line