[Shin's POV]
I kept my gaze fixed on Zane, refusing to be the first to look away. After a long, silent moment, he met my stare, his black eyes holding no warmth, only the flat assessment of a man who had just spent hours dismantling minds.
"The stray werewolf bandits and the witches you surrendered here," Zane began, his voice carrying the same dry, efficient tone he might use to report on prison supplies, "possess no knowledge of an active gun production operation. They all believe guns were banned and wiped out ages ago. Which, officially, is true."
The first lead, cold. I pressed on. "What about the mass collection of mana stones?"
"The strays confirmed that," Zane replied with a slight nod. "The stones were included in their general loot from raids on trade caravans and remote mining outposts. The witches then purchased the stones from them. The intended purpose, according to the witches, was for the fabrication of black magic restraints."
