Why Is Talia Glowing?

After breakfast, Lanchi immediately went to find the estate's Butler.

The Butler was waiting outside the dining room, smiling at the young man who had suddenly come looking for him.

"You seem to be in a good mood today, Young Master?"

His voice was exceptionally deep, like that of an Old Father who had worried himself sick.

Yet merely hearing the Butler speak sent a chill coursing through Lanchi's entire body.

In the previous owner's memories, the Butler was the most dependable person in the estate and the one who usually took care of him.

But Lanchi had discovered that the previous owner had never realized that this smiling tiger of a Butler was also the most dangerous person in the estate.

Just like how the Butler was now calmly wearing a perfectly fake smile while facing a spoiled young villain whom everyone in the house either feared or disliked.

"Not bad. I have something I'd like to ask of you."

Lanchi spoke calmly.

"Please, go ahead."

"It's about that pigeon I shot down yesterday. I realized it might have been someone's familiar. If it belongs to someone important, it could bring a lot of trouble to the family, so I'll need you to smooth things over with everyone who might know about it."

"Oh?"

Lanchi's words clearly surprised the Butler.

He seemed to study Lanchi a little more closely for a moment.

So this Young Master could think so much about the family, too? Was it a sudden whim, or had he run into some other trouble?

Still, the Butler had no intention of asking further. He gave Lanchi a slight bow and said,

"At your service."

"There's one more person I'd like you to help me find."

"Please describe her characteristics."

"She's a woman around my age, with gray hair and gold eyes. She was probably wearing a worn dark-gray cloak and looked like a refugee. Also, please don't let her find out that I'm looking for her."

Lanchi gestured as he spoke.

That put a troubled expression on the Butler's face.

"I'll do my best. But Young Master, you know how large this Border City-State is. I cannot guarantee that I will find her quickly... Of course, if you can provide more specific characteristics, I should be able to save a great deal of time on investigation and screening."

"Is that so... Then if I can draw her, how quickly can you find her?"

"Within a day, I can find anyone in this town whom I have seen in person. I guarantee it."

The Butler smiled again.

He remembered that Lanchi had indeed known how to draw before, but ever since his parents had started leaving him to his own devices, he had never seen Lanchi pick up a brush again.

That was also when the Young Master's personality had gradually begun to worsen.

"Then go take care of the witnesses first. I'll have her portrait ready before you return."

Lanchi nodded.

"Very well, Young Master. I'll be going first. But remember to draw carefully. I should have your first task taken care of by around noon."

The Butler smiled, clasped his hands behind his back, and headed toward the kitchen, not forgetting to remind him as he went.

"Don't worry."

Drawing was what Lanchi did best.

He could draw Talia with his eyes closed.

He guaranteed that no one in this world could draw Talia better than he could.

Lanchi let out a breath of relief.

Although the previous owner had caused trouble, fortunately there was still room to turn things around.

Of course, hiding the evidence would only make it somewhat harder for Demon Race Princess Talia to uncover the truth.

As far as Lanchi knew, Talia possessed a type of magic that could see through lies. As long as she was patient enough, there was basically nothing she could not investigate.

And given Talia's extremely vengeful personality—

Once she discovered that he had hunted her familiar, even if he treated her kindly when she came to his door and made her hold back for the time being, she would one thousand percent take revenge once she rose to power.

If he truly wanted to dissolve Talia's hatred, he would have to confront her personally.

But for now, at least until noon, all he needed to do was draw properly.

Just as Lanchi reached the second floor, he saw the Maid who had woken him that morning and was somewhat afraid of him.

"I'll prepare them for you, Young Master."

The Maid was already used to it and was about to prepare some fine wine and the latest storybooks for Lanchi.

But she quickly stopped in her tracks.

Because Lanchi said to her—

"I'm going to the study."

Those words made the Maid extremely anxious.

"...Did you say the study, Young Master?"

Her tone was somewhat hesitant.

It made Lanchi reveal a puzzled expression.

"Yes."

Lanchi answered firmly.

He wanted to look up some information in the study and draw Talia's appearance for the Butler.

Until he determined Talia's location, he had no other pressing matters to handle.

However, when he opened the study door, he discovered—

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

"Please forgive me, Young Master."

"What is it?"

Lanchi looked at the anxious Maid.

"I... I haven't finished the morning cleaning of the study."

She lowered her head and muttered, seemingly prepared to be scolded.

Given the Young Master's temperament, he would surely slam the door and leave, then return drunk out of his mind that evening.

"Is that so? It doesn't matter if it goes uncleaned for a day or two. Just prepare some painting tools for me. Another room will do just as well."

Lanchi sighed helplessly.

"No, Young Master, how could that be acceptable!"

The Maid stared at Lanchi with wide eyes.

For a moment, she was at a complete loss. She was both surprised by Lanchi's unusually easygoing attitude today and hurriedly said,

"Just give me fifteen minutes, and I'll make the study spotless! Then I'll prepare the tools you need! I guarantee it with my professional integrity!"

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Lanchi did not mind waiting for a little while.

Talia's murderous intent made him somewhat nervous, but not completely panicked.

Because he already had a way to deal with it.

No one could stop him from living a leisurely, comfortable life.

In roughly ten minutes, the Maid had cleaned the study as promised and brought Lanchi the finest painting tools in the estate.

Lanchi examined the brushes of this world.

Though they were somewhat different from what he had been used to in his previous life, he quickly figured out how to use them.

Then he sat before the canvas, laid out the composition, and began painting Talia's portrait with a relaxed expression.

The thought that he had once painted the most perfect character, the dignified Demon Race Princess Talia, only for her to now disguise herself as a destitute beggar, made Lanchi want to laugh.

Even without much planning in his mind, the brush in his hand moved freely.

He had painted Talia far too many times already.

Pouring his years of honed skill into the work, Lanchi moved his brush calmly and expertly, a faint smile on his lips.

He did not look like an exceptionally skilled painter at all.

His unhurried manner was more like that of a househusband preparing dinner.

But gradually, without realizing it, all his attention sank into the painting before him, as though he had lost all sense of time.

He did not even notice that the Maid waiting beside him had gradually begun blinking in amazement, her mouth slowly forming a small round O.

As time slipped away.

Lanchi's painting was nearly complete.

The girl on the canvas wore a tattered old cloak, yet she was as beautiful as a wolf in the snow.

A gentle breeze brushed across her face, causing strands of gray hair beneath her hood to flutter slightly.

Beneath those half-hidden Golden Eyes, fierce flames burned beneath a thousand layers of ice.

Her lonely figure could never be mistaken for frailty. The more dust covered her, the less it could conceal the nobility and power flowing in her blood.

"Finished."

Lanchi smiled as he added the final details.

Only then did he carefully examine the painting, seeming to realize that he had accidentally put too much effort into it.

"My goodness, Young Master, your painting skills are already this incredible?"

A cry of astonishment rang out beside him.

"Just now, I was wondering whether the god of art had possessed you. This is the first time I've ever seen such a breathtaking painting!"

Even now, the Maid could not calm the excitement in her eyes.

She had seen Lanchi paint a few years ago.

At the time, Lanchi still wore a gentle smile and never lost his temper. The scenery he painted had been as beautiful as his heart.

Many of the estate's servants had hoped that one day, the current Lanchi would suddenly come to his senses.

Because they dared not imagine what kind of lives they would lead if he continued to fall so far, once he became the true master of this home, or whether they would all be driven out.

How dearly the Maid hoped that everything she had seen today was not merely an illusion.

That the Young Master had truly become gentle and considerate from the bottom of his heart.

"Is that so?"

Lanchi smiled a little awkwardly.

He really was an excellent artist, but the admiration in the Maid's eyes made it seem as if she were looking at a resurrected Picasso or Van Gogh.

He had gotten a little too absorbed while painting just now, as if he had poured his heart and soul into it. The moment he finished, he had even felt somewhat dizzy.

But surely it was not worth such exaggerated praise?

"I dare say that you will become a great painter who shocks the entire kingdom. Even His Majesty the King will want one of your paintings, and even the most distinguished Card Makers will want to discuss artistic technique with you!"

The Maid clasped her hands tightly and looked at Lanchi earnestly.

After a brief silence.

"Hiss—"

Lanchi suddenly realized something.

That's right!

This had originally been a game centered around non-turn-based Magic Cards!

And I was the Chief Artist!

A great many things in this world could be said to have been designed by him, including the prototypes for countless Magic Cards that were as rare as precious treasures.

According to the game's setting, Magic Cards were containers for skills, equipment, or summons. They were portable, tradeable, and could be freely combined.

Compared to paying a huge price to learn spells, people in this world could simply buy the corresponding Magic Cards, bind them, and use those spells. They could also adjust their skill setups at any time according to the powerful enemies they needed to challenge.

Furthermore, in the game's highest-difficulty dungeons, challengers would be matched into random alternate times and spaces, given unique identities and circumstances, and unable to bring any external possessions with them except Magic Cards bound to their souls.

So Magic Cards were essential for home, travel, murder, robbery, and smashing people in the face during a fight!

Besides being produced in dungeons, high-value Magic Cards could also be crafted by Card Makers.

And painting was inseparably connected to the creation of Magic Cards.

"Looks like aside from being a great artist in this world, I also have considerable potential in card making?"

Lanchi rested his chin on his hand and began thinking deeply.

He had long thought that the game's Magic Cards were far too tame.

Whenever he proposed cards that could enrich the gameplay experience without harming the game's balance, the planners rejected them.

The planners said they would need ten mothers before they dared implement those cards.

"Young Master, is the woman in the portrait someone you like?"

A soft, probing voice interrupted Lanchi's thoughts.

The Maid waiting beside him had noticed that Lanchi had become unusually gentle today, making all the servants in the estate feel somewhat uneasy.

But she had observed him for so long.

He did not seem to be pretending.

And then he had suddenly produced a miracle like this painting.

At last, the Maid reached a startling conclusion—

He might be in love!

"..."

Lanchi lifted his head with an odd expression, unsure how to answer the Maid.

The woman in the painting...

Was someone who might kill him.

But after carefully examining the painting and thinking it over, he realized something.

If people in this world were this shocked by his work, having the Butler use this painting to search for her would likely cause a great deal of unnecessary trouble.

Thus, Lanchi pushed the easel aside.

He skillfully prepared a fresh canvas, intending to paint another more ordinary portrait of Talia as a refugee.

However.

On the new piece, after only a few strokes, a powerful wave of dizziness made it nearly impossible for him to see the canvas clearly.

The maid watched Lanchi's pained expression with concern, but she did not dare forcibly interrupt his work.

After hesitating for a moment.

She felt that perhaps the Young Master truly would not take his anger out on others today.

So she swallowed and said,

"Young Master, if you feel especially unwell, you may already be suffering from Mana depletion... It seems that when you paint, you pour your whole heart and your own Mana into it. I've heard that great painters and Card Makers throughout history have even given their lives to art because of this..."

"I'm done painting."

After hearing that, Lanchi immediately put down his brush.

This was not like staying up late to paint, where he could simply push through it.

This time, he could clearly feel that something strange within his body was draining away as he painted!

"Take this painting to the Butler. Have him follow my instructions after he sees it, then store this painting away for me. Don't take it outside the house."

Lanchi pointed at the painting he had finished earlier.

The moment he relaxed, he became unbearably sleepy.

The exhaustion, like a retreating tide surging back even more fiercely, swept over him, making his head droop.

He realized that at this rate of consumption, he probably would not have the strength to paint a second portrait that would let the Butler clearly recognize Talia anytime soon.

"And wake me before dinner, no matter what."

After giving that instruction, Lanchi said no more.

"Understood, understood!"

The maid carefully used a magical tool to speed up the painting's drying process and seal it for preservation.

On one hand, the painting's value was impossible to estimate. On the other, the Young Master had already slumped against his chair and fallen asleep.

She was immensely delighted by the Young Master's change today, and became even more curious about just what level his work had reached.

So she secretly used Appraisal Magic, finally seeing the painting's true nature—

Portrait of the Mysterious Princess

Type: Artwork

Grade: Epic

Tier: 1

Any living being who admired this painting would recover a small amount of mental energy and physical strength, while their favorability toward the princess in the portrait would rise. There was also a chance of gaining a tiny amount of mental energy.

When Lanchi woke again and opened his eyes to look at the familiar view outside the window, it was already afternoon.

The setting sun gradually sank lower, its golden-red light staining the clouds. The light filtering through the window rippled in circles, adding a dreamy hue to the room.

The Butler must have carried him back to his room.

A letter had appeared beside his bed, written in the Butler's elegant handwriting—information regarding Talia's whereabouts.

Lanchi shook his head. This sleep had left him especially groggy.

However, when he sat up and stretched.

He discovered that a painting had appeared in a conspicuous spot in his room.

That painting alone gave the entire room a touch more artistic atmosphere.

Sitting on the bed, Lanchi frowned as he stared at Talia's portrait.

The maid and the Butler had definitely misunderstood what he meant.

I didn't ask you to frame this painting and hang it in my room.

I asked you to hide it!

Otherwise, if the real person in the portrait saw that someone had painted her so seriously, how awkward would that be?

"Forget it."

Lanchi helplessly climbed out of bed.

In any case, Talia had no chance of entering his room.

As long as he safely talked her into leaving this country, it would be a success.