The pale red wooden box exuded a unique charm. When opened, twelve oil paintbrushes of varying sizes and types lay neatly on a red velvet cushion. Beneath them was a folded letter made of animal hide.
Over a hundred people were present, and they instinctively crowded forward, making the space slightly cramped.
Clover had already put on his gloves. As Law opened the box, without giving him a chance to explain, Clover casually picked up one of the twelve brushes and examined it closely.
The round-tip brush, the oldest type of oil paintbrush, had a blunt tip that produced soft, smooth strokes. The handle was made of an unidentified bone. According to Salin, it was crafted from Ciredor's leg bone.
Historically, Ciredor was a renowned painter from the early 13th century, and his reputation was matched only by his identity as a one-legged cripple.
Without verification, the claim about the brush being made from Ciredor's leg bone was shaky at best… too easy to fabricate.
Seeing Clover begin his appraisal alone, the guests, though initially eager to crowd around, now waited patiently, observing quietly.
Law stood to the side, silent.
The museum fell into a hushed atmosphere.
After a long while, Clover slowly set down the brush and turned to Law, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Only three of Roderic's masterpieces have survived to this day, and the whereabouts of his paintbrushes remain a mystery."
"While the age of these brushes does align with Roderic's era, mere visual appraisal lacks credibility."
Salin had pointed out that Roderic was a deserter and that his real name was Ciredor, which is the reverse of Roderic. Yet, Clover still referred to him as Roderic… which was to be expected.
"The brush handles are undeniably made from Ciredor's leg bones. Scientific testing and cross-referencing with the DNA records of historical figures will confirm this beyond doubt." Law stated.
Clover referred to the painter as Roderic, while Law called him Ciredor.
As for which of these two names is right and which is wrong… until verified, it remained a matter of personal interpretation.
The guests listened to the two men using different names, slightly confused, as if they weren't even on the same page.
Clover, his gloved hand gently tracing the brushes, acknowledged that verifying whether the bone was indeed Roderic's leg wouldn't be difficult. Law's confidence mirrored Salin's, exuding an air of credibility.
An appraiser's job required unwavering conviction, not blind confidence… this was the fundamental demeanor of the profession.
"I'd like to see the letter."
Clover withdrew his hand, his gaze settling on the suicide note. This was the key piece, as its handwriting and age could provide preliminary verification.
"Please go ahead." Law said.
Clover nodded and picked up the letter, carefully reading through it.
While Clover examined the letter, the other appraisers among the guests stepped forward, donning white gloves to inspect the brushes.
This was the essence of an Appreciation Conference.
The appraisers Clover had invited were all highly skilled. Their conclusions about the brushes were unanimous… the age matched, but DNA testing was needed for definitive proof.
Among antiquities, the most valuable were those tied to historical figures. Many collectors prized such items, willing to pay exorbitant sums for artifacts with a famous name attached.
Ironically, jewelry and gold ornaments excavated from ruins sometimes paled in value compared to a weapon once wielded by a king or noble.
The museum remained silent as the guests examined the artifacts Law had brought. Suddenly, Clover's voice broke the stillness.
"500 million jenny. I'll take both."
He looked at Law, who had been standing quietly, and named an astronomical price.
Seeing Clover make such an abrupt, staggering offer, Law's lips curled into a smile.
The value of the bone brushes and the suicide note had just been unequivocally confirmed.
Among the guests, expressions of surprise flickered. None of them were short on money, and 500 million Jenny wasn't an unimaginable sum to them.
However, applying such a price to two unverified artifacts, especially when it was Clover himself who named it, changed everything.
This wasn't a price reached through auction bidding. It was Clover's direct offer. What did that imply?
For a moment, the crowd's eyes flickered between the letter Clover had carefully folded and Law, who stood there with a faint smile.
'Could these items truly be authentic relics tied to Roderic? What was written in that letter? Why had Clover immediately offered 500 million Jenny after reading it?'
Just as the guests began speculating, Law responded to Clover's offer.
"Deal."
He didn't leave room for auction or negotiation, directly accepting Clover's price. In the unspoken rules of an Appreciation Conference, this was unfair to the other guests.
Clover collected the bone brushes and the suicide note, summoning a butler to store them properly.
"What was written in that letter?"
Someone finally couldn't hold back and asked.
This question was on many people's minds.
Clover remained silent for a moment before replying, "I'll arrange for testing as soon as possible. Once the results are in, I'll satisfy your curiosity immediately."
Hearing Clover's response, the others refrained from pressing further, though a lingering sense of intrigue remained.
They desperately wanted to know the letter's contents, but Clover had acted too swiftly, showing no intention of sharing it for collective appraisal.
At the beginning, Clover had introduced the event with such exaggerated flair, as if leading everyone to uncover a hidden truth. Yet now, he had simply taken the treasures for himself… it felt somewhat unreasonable.
'Lawlin Museum...'
Unconsciously, Law's standing in their minds rose steadily. Many gazed at the bearded man, thinking that Lawlin Museum might hold real weight. Once the gathering ended, they'd have to look into it.
By now, the promotional effect had already taken hold. Every guest here was also a collector. Once the idea of browsing Lawlin Museum's website entered their minds, they would inevitably peruse many of its collections.
As long as the risk of counterfeits was eliminated, this group would undoubtedly absorb a significant portion of the inventory.
More importantly, their status could serve as free advertising, attracting even more potential buyers.
Among the crowd, Salin had also realized this outcome. She glanced at Law, and the two exchanged a knowing smile.
With this foresight and Clover's cooperation, Lawlin Museum could likely amass a substantial fortune in an astonishingly short time.
'I need to make a stronger impression.'
Using Clover's interests, the bone brushes and suicide note had already created a promotional impact. But Law wasn't satisfied. He intended to aggressively assert his presence at this gathering, ensuring these potential buyers witnessed Lawlin Museum's true capabilities.
After Clover secured the brushes and letter, another guest brought forth their own collectible, placing it on the red-clothed table.
Next, it was someone else's turn to present their treasures for appraisal.
The second person to step forward was Angie.