stairs.Each step is slightly antiquated, but absolutely solid, having withstood the test of time. Touching the handrail, you can feel the wood grain and the warmth it has acquired over the years. At...Chapter 2: How Talia Glows

After finishing breakfast, Lance immediately went to find the butler of the house.

Mr. Butler was waiting outside the dining room, smiling at the young man who had suddenly found himself.

"Young master, you seem to be in a good mood today"

That person's voice was very low, like an exhausted and worried old father.

But just the butler speaking sent a chill down Lance's spine.

In the memory of the young master, the steward was the most trustworthy person in the household and the one who took care of him on a daily basis.

But Lan Qi discovered, much to his surprise, that the seemingly affable butler was actually the most dangerous person in the house.

Just like this butler is now calmly showing a 100% fake smile, what he's facing is a spoiled young master who makes everyone in the house either fear or dislike him.

"Alright, I have something I need to ask you."

Lianchi said calmly.

"Please speak."

"It's the dove I sent back yesterday. I realized it might be someone's familiar, and if it belonged to someone important, it could cause a lot of trouble for my family. So I need you to take care of everyone who might know about this from yesterday."

"Oh"

The butler seemed a little surprised by the words.

He seemed to observe Lance for a moment longer than usual.

"Could it be that this young master would also consider his family so much Was it a sudden whim, or did he run into other trouble"

But the butler didn't intend to ask any further questions, he bowed slightly to Lance and said:

"At your service."

"Besides, I'd also like to ask you to help me find someone."

"Please describe the characteristics."

She is a woman who looks about my age, with gray hair and gold eyes. She's wearing a tattered dark gray cloak, looking like a vagrant. And please don't let her know I'm looking for her.

Lanche gestured while speaking.

This, however, caused a look of displeasure to appear on the butler's face.

"I'll do my best. But, young master, you have to understand how large this border town is. I can't guarantee that we'll find her quickly... Of course, if you could give me more specific details about her, I should be able to save a lot of time on investigation and screening."

"Is that so... If I could draw her, how long would it take you to find her"

"Within a day, I can find anyone you've ever seen in this town. I guarantee it."

The butler smiled again.

He remembered that Lance used to draw, but ever since his parents let him run wild, he hadn't seen Lance pick up a brush again.

From then on, the young master's character gradually turned bad.

"Then you go first and take care of our witnesses. I'll finish a portrait of her before you get back."

Lance nodded.

"Alright, young master. I'll be going now. But remember to draw seriously, and I should be able to finish the first task for you by noon."

The housekeeper smiled and put his hands behind his back as he walked toward the kitchen, not forgetting to remind him.

"Don't worry."

Ranchi is best at drawing.

Talya can even paint with her eyes closed.

He guaranteed that no one in the world could paint Talya better than him.

Rance let out a sigh of relief.

Although its past actions caused trouble, it is fortunate that there is still room for maneuver now.

Of course, concealing evidence only adds some difficulty to the process of uncovering the truth for the demon princess Talia.

According to Lance, Tallia has a magic that can see through lies. As long as she is patient, there's nothing she can't figure out.

...according to Talia's super vengeful personality.

Once she discovers that she was the one who hunted her demon, even if she comes to the door herself and behaves politely, letting her temporarily hold back, afterwards when she rises up, she will definitely get revenge.

To truly resolve Talia's hatred, one must personally confront her.

But right now, at least until noon, I can just focus on drawing nicely.

……

As Lancy reached the second floor, he saw the maid who had woken him up this morning and whom he found a little frightening.

"I'll prepare it for you, young master."

The maid was accustomed to it, preparing some fine wine and the latest novel for Lancelot.

But soon stopped walking again.

Because Ranch was speaking to her——

"I'm going to the study."

Because of this sentence, the maid became very anxious.

"Excuse me, are you talking about the study"

Her voice was a little hesitant.

Lin Lanchi couldn't help but reveal a puzzled expression.

"Yes."

Langley affirmed.

He wanted to go to the study to check some information, and sketch a portrait of Talia to send to the butler.

Before he could pinpoint Talya's location, he had nothing else pressing to attend to.

However, when he opened the door to his study, he found...

There was no table in the room, not even paper, but there were many expensive-looking bottles of wine.

"Excuse me, young master."

What's wrong

Lanche looked at the anxious maid.

"I, I haven't finished cleaning the morning in my study yet."

She lowered her head and mumbled, as if she was already prepared to be scolded.

Given the young master's temper, he would surely slam the door and leave now, only to come back drunk later in the evening.

"Is that so It's okay if I don't clean up in a day or two, as long as you prepare my painting tools. It's fine to go to another room too."

Lanche sighed helplessly.

"No, young master, this can't be!"

The maid stared wide-eyed at Ranchi.

She was suddenly a little flustered, surprised by Lance's unusually easygoing attitude today and hurriedly said:

Just give me fifteen minutes, and I'll make the study spotless! Then get ready with your tools! My professionalism guarantees it!

Then, please.

Lancy doesn't mind waiting for a while.

Talya's murderous intent made him a little panicked, but not entirely.

Because he already had a plan in mind.

No one can stop him from living a comfortable and carefree life.

……

About ten minutes later, the maid had finished cleaning the study as promised and brought Lance the finest painting tools in the house.

Lance looked at the pen of this world.

Although it was different from what he was used to in his past life, he quickly figured out how to use it.

Then he sat before the canvas, composing, picking up his brush, and with a relaxed expression, began to paint a portrait of Talya.

At the thought of himself having once drawn the most perfect figure, the majestic Demon Princess Talia, yet now she had to dress like a beggar, Rance couldn't help but want to laugh.

Even without much deliberation in my mind, the pen in my hand moved effortlessly.

He has drawn Talia too many times already.

Lanche cast his honed skills onto the page, a faint smile playing on his lips. He moved with the calm and practiced ease of a master craftsman.

He doesn't seem like a very talented painter at all.

His composure resembled that of a family man preparing dinner.

But gradually, his attention had unknowingly been entirely absorbed by the painting before him, as if he had lost all sense of time.

She didn't even notice the maid standing by, who had begun to blink in surprise, her mouth slowly turning into a small circle.

With time slipping away.

Lanche's painting is almost finished.

Look, the girl on the canvas. Though she wears a tattered cloak, she is as beautiful as a wolf in the snow.

A gentle breeze brushed against her face, making the grey hairs under her hood sway softly in the wind.

Behind those faintly gleaming golden eyes, hidden beneath layers of ice, burned a raging fire.

Her solitary figure would never lead anyone to mistake her for a fragile being. The more dust covered her, the more it failed to conceal the nobility and strength that flowed in her blood.

"Finished."

Lancy smiled, finishing the last fine-tuning touch.

Until then, he took a serious look at the painting and seemed to realize that he had been a little too engrossed in it.

"My goodness, Young Master, have your painting skills become this masterful already"

Gasps of surprise echoed around.

"I was just fantasizing that you must be possessed by the art god! This is the first time I've ever seen such a breathtaking artwork!"

The maid, even up to this moment, couldn't quell the excitement in her eyes.

She had seen Lanchi paint a few years ago.

At that time, Ranchi would still show a warm smile and never lose his temper. The scenery he painted was as beautiful as his soul.

Many of the household servants hoped that one day the current ranch owner would suddenly come to his senses.

Because they couldn't imagine him falling any further, and what their lives would be like if he became the true master of the house later on, whether they would all be driven away.

How the maid hoped that all these signs today weren't her imagination.

But the young master had truly become gentle and considerate from the heart.

"Is that so"

Lance smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head.

He's indeed a very talented artist, but the way that maid looks at him with such admiration almost makes it seem like she thinks he's the resurrected Picasso or Van Gogh.

Just now, while drawing, I felt myself falling into it unconsciously. It was as if I poured my heart and soul into it. The moment I finished, I felt a little dizzy.

It shouldn't be exaggerated to this extent, right

I guarantee you will become a renowned painter, famed throughout the kingdom. Even His Majesty the King will desire your artwork, and even the most esteemed card makers will seek to discuss your skills with you!

The maid clutched her hands tightly, staring intently at Lance as she spoke seriously.

After a moment of silence.

"Hiss—"

Lanche suddenly realized something.

Oh, right!

This was originally a feature of a non-turn-based magic card game!

And I, the art director!

Many things in this world can be said to have been painted by him, including the prototypes of many rare and precious magic cards.

According to the game's setting, magic cards are equivalent to skills, equipment or summoned creature packages. They have the advantages of portability, tradability and convenient free combination.

Compared to spending a fortune learning spells, in this world you can directly buy corresponding magic cards and bind them to use the spell. You can also adjust your skill structure according to the powerful enemies you need to challenge at any time.

In the game's most challenging raid, players are matched with a random alternate dimension, granting them unique identities and situations. They cannot bring any external items with them except for their soul-bound magic cards.

So magic cards are a must-have for getting around this world, committing crimes, fighting, and basically everything else!

Expensive magic cards can be produced in dungeons or crafted by card makers.

And the skill of painting is inextricably linked with the production of magic cards.

"It seems like I'm not only a great artist in this world, but I also have potential in card making"

Ranchito chewed on his lower lip, lost in thought.

He had long felt that all the magic cards in this game were out of reach.

And every time I proposed cards that could enrich the gaming experience without disrupting game balance, they were rejected.

The planner said he wouldn't dare to implement those cards even if he had ten mothers.

"Master, is this the woman you like in the portrait"

A slight probing tone interrupted Lance's thoughts.

The maidservant who was waiting nearby discovered that Ranchi was unusually gentle today, causing all the servants in the house to be somewhat apprehensive and uneasy.

But the maid had been watching him for so long.

I don't think he's faking it.

Besides, he suddenly painted this miracle.

Finally, the maid came to a startling conclusion—

He might be in love!

…"

Let me know if you'd like to translate any other text!

Lance raised his head with a strange expression, looking at the maid not knowing how to speak.

Drawn...

>She could possibly kill me.

But he carefully observed the painting and thought about it again.

If people in this world reacted to his paintings with the same shock as they do now, having the butler take the painting around would probably cause quite a bit of unnecessary trouble.

Then Lance pushed the easel aside.

He deftly prepared the canvas again, eager to paint another portrait of the ordinary Taliia refugee.

However.

In his new work, he had just put down a few strokes when a sudden wave of dizziness hit him, making the whole canvas blur before his eyes.

The maid looked at Lance's pained expression with some worry, but didn't dare to interrupt his creation.

But he hesitated for a moment.

She felt that perhaps today the young master really wouldn't vent his anger on others.

Then he swallowed nervously and said:

"Master, if you're feeling particularly unwell, it might be that you've fallen into a state of depleted magical energy... You seem to pour your whole heart and soul, as well as your own magic, into your art. I heard that in history, great painters or cardmakers also gave their lives to art..."

"I'm not drawing anymore."

Lanche immediately put down his pen after hearing this.

This isn't about staying up late to draw, something that just passes with time.

This time he clearly felt that when he was painting, something strange seemed to be flowing away from inside his body!

"Please take this painting to the butler and have him look at it. After he's seen it, do as I instructed. Then, please put this painting away carefully and don't take it out of the house."

Lanche pointed to the drawing he had made earlier and said.

As soon as I relax, I feel so tired.

Exhaustion, like a receding tide, surged back with renewed force, leaving my head pounding.

He realized that at this rate of consumption, he probably wouldn't have the energy to paint a second portrait recognizable to the butler in a short time.

And anyway, wake me up before dinner.

After stating that, Lance remained silent.

"I know, I know!"

The maid carefully used a magical tool to accelerate the drying and sealing preservation process for this painting.

On one hand, the price of this painting is immeasurable. On the other hand, the young master has already fallen asleep leaning against his chair.

She was overjoyed by the young master's transformation today and couldn't help but be even more curious about what level his work had reached.

So she secretly used an appraisal spell and finally saw the true face of the painting.

Painting · The Mysterious Princess

{ }Category: Artwork}

Category: Epic

Rank: 1

Those who admire this painting will recover a small amount of spirit and stamina, and their favorability towards the princess in the painting will increase. There is a chance to slightly increase their spirit.

……

When Lance awoke again, opening his eyes to the familiar window view, it was already afternoon.

The setting sun gradually sank, its golden hues tinged with red, bathing the clouds in a warm glow. The light streaming through the window rippled and danced, casting an ethereal shimmer across the room.

It should be the butler who carried himself back to his room.

Because there was already a letter on his bedside table, written in the butler's elegant script—about Talia's whereabouts.

Lance shook his head. He had slept soundly.

However, when he sat up and stretched.

I found an extra painting in a prominent spot in my room.

This painting alone adds a touch of artistry to the entire room.

Ranch sat on the bed, frowning at Talya's portrait.

It's definitely that both the maid and the butler misunderstood his meaning.

I don't want you to frame this painting and hang it in my room.

I want you to hide this for me!

Otherwise, what if the real person in the painting saw someone drawing her so seriously That would be so awkward!

"Nevermind."

Lanchi got out of bed helplessly.

Anyway, Tallia wouldn't have had a chance to come into his room.

Getting her safely out of this country would be considered a success.

(The End)

[ ]most solemn place in the Order of the Silent Knights. Its imposing doors are made of sturdy oak, and behind them lies a spacious circular hall. The high windows allow plenty of light to flood in, with...