"It - it could be a trick. They'd just have to spend the money and effort to forge new orichalcum in a shape like this. Or kill an SS-rank adventurer and hit their guildplate with SS-rank destructive magic."
His heart already knows this isn't the case. But then, that could be exactly the response they were hoping for, if they spent that much money and effort. It's just, it's just why. Why would that be the optimal strategy for any reasonable goal, given that much money and effort, why would they use it to do this. Even taking into account that they could be trying to puzzle him, or Bella, or somebody, by presenting him with exactly that puzzle, why would they be doing that.
Haroun is very quiet as they get back on their horses. He is very young and the universe is very old.