Act 19

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“How utterly useless one’s life can be.”

A soliloquy-like muttering.

This is my assessment of Julian’s actions so far.

This damned narrow-eyed villain has not only attempted to kill his master, ‘Hayden Reich’, but is also a fool for not saving money properly.

“There is no bigger fool than one who, considering his situation, collects art instead of saving money for emergencies.”

Of course, lamenting changes nothing.

I immediately took several crafts from the mansion and headed to the promised jewelry store.

Works by famous artists recognized throughout the empire, and even the continent.

I thought these could be used to exchange for moonstones.

“…”

“Sir Julian, I’m sorry, but we do not conduct trades through bartering.”

It was a naive thought.

The jewelry store owner showed a color of ‘fear’ over his head, but still clearly refused.

A merchant would not make a losing deal.

They won’t just buy art for the sake of it.

After all, art is only art to those who recognize its value.

However, there are places in any world that would buy such items.

Namely, an art gallery.

“Ah, welcome, Sir Julian. I’m Pirsos, an appraiser from the Art Gallery ‘Id Cosmos’.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Upon entering ‘Id Cosmos’, one of the art galleries in the imperial capital, I was introduced to an appraiser.

Normally, it would take weeks to arrange for such an appraisal, but our ‘Julian’ managed to schedule it in just one day.

“May I see the item you wish to have appraised?”

At the appraiser’s request, I took out a painting that had been hanging at the entrance of the mansion.

An oil portrait,

With the creamy texture unique to oil paint, it was a picture reflecting the unique inner world of the artist.

“Oh…”

A sigh escaped the appraiser’s lips.

It was obviously no ordinary item.

It seemed to be something that any related party would drool over.

The appraiser couldn’t hide his smile, started to look at the painting, tilting it at various angles, and even pulled out a magnifying glass to take a closer look.

After a few minutes, the appraiser gave an awkward smile.

“It’s a forgery.”

“…A forgery, you say?”

“Yes.”

The appraiser nodded to my question.

“The original artist of this work is ‘Corusius Vincent’. It was trendy in the art world at one point to imitate his unique technique…”

In the end, what he meant was that it was a fake imitating the technique of a famous artist.

Meaning it’s not worth much.

Should I have brought something else?

I thought it was a fine piece of art since it was prominently displayed at the entrance of the mansion, but it seems that was not the case.

“Still, this is the first time I’ve seen a work that imitates so closely. I’d like to buy it. How about 1,000 nar?”

Fortunately, the appraiser expressed a willingness to purchase. 

It seems like a fair price was offered.

I nodded.

Given the immediate need for moonstones to complete the imperfect ‘Moonlight Sword,’ every penny was precious. 

There was no reason to refuse an offer of about 1,000 nar.

“Then, Sir Julian, may I go get the contract?”

“Yes.”

After nodding, the appraiser excused himself for a moment and headed inside the art gallery.

Left alone in the gallery, I looked around.

‘It’s quite crowded.’

There were many other visitors in the art gallery, all engrossed in viewing the artworks.

It was particularly interesting that most of the artworks gathered here utilized Impressionist techniques. 

Considering the setting of ‘Let’s Kill the Demon Lord’ is somewhere between the medieval and modern periods, it felt quite progressive.

With that thought, I admired the most eye-catching painting.

Hmm.

Still, I don’t understand.

They say knowing and appreciating are different, but to my senses, it’s just a well-painted picture.

“Appreciating art, that’s quite an old-fashioned hobby for you.”

Someone spoke to me, unable to comprehend the profound world of art.

Given the familiar tone, it seemed the person knew me.

I turned my head to see who would speak so freely to the infamous Julian.

Dark navy hair.

And a face that turns heads.

Aileen de Donassien.

A person whose intentions have been unclear since our first meeting.

Her crimson eyes seemed to draw me in.

“Did Miss Aileen also come to visit the gallery?”

I responded nonchalantly.

I could have ignored her, but with a character as unpredictable as hers, it was necessary to gather information whenever possible.

Fortunately, there was no ‘color of denial’ floating above her head.

“Of course.”

Aileen shrugged her shoulders.

After all, what other reason is there to come to an art gallery than to view the artworks? I was the odd one out for selling art for money.

“My relative has hung a piece here in ‘Id Cosmos’.”

Aileen pointed with her finger at a painting hanging in front of us.

The painting, titled ‘Outing,’ had ‘Pheren de Donassien’ written as the artist’s name.

It seems she was talking about this ‘relative’s work right in front of us.

“Do you know?”

Suddenly, Aileen spoke while admiring the painting.

“Know what?”

“The Senate has been keeping an eye on you recently.”

This woman drops bombshells in such a casual manner.

Pretending to be unfazed and continuing to admire the painting, Aileen continued speaking.

“Indeed, when I was conducting the ‘Closed Eyes’ initiation test, I had a rough idea of what the Senate was thinking.”

“That’s why the test was conducted in such a way. Because I was well aware of the Senate’s intentions.”

Hmm, I nodded, pretending to be unaffected, but internally, it was a different story.

What Aileen had just mentioned was completely new to me.

Had I known, I would have somehow declined the role of test instructor.

“Partly because the stratagem didn’t work, but also because of the proposal you recently submitted to the secretariat, the Senate is grinding their teeth at you. They see it as a challenge to their authority.”

A proposal about the flaws in the ‘Closed Eyes’ initiation test being perceived as a challenge to authority?

“I see.”

“Pretending it doesn’t bother you, huh? Just be careful. It’s a foregone conclusion they’ll try something against you.”

“Thank you, Miss Aileen. But, are you okay with this?”

Aileen narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

“What do you mean?”

“Being a noble, you would need the Senate’s support. I’m wondering if it’s alright for you to be speaking about internal matters like this.”

“It’s fine. I may be a noble, but I’m also a mage of the Magic Tower. And…”

She trailed off, her gaze wavering for a moment before it solidified with strong resolve.

“You helped me in the Yulin Special District. I don’t like leaving debts unpaid.”

Whether for good.

Or for ill.

Aileen added that.

A saying about repaying both kindness and revenge.

“That’s a good habit.”

I smiled briefly in response.

“Sir Julian! I’ve brought the contract.”

The appraiser, who had gone to get the contract, rushed back to us.

He began to carefully lay out the documents on the table. 

I took out a pen from my pocket.

“What are you doing?”

Aileen, who had been watching from beside us, asked.

I briefly explained.

I came to view the artworks and to sell a painting.

“This painting?”

“Yes, Miss Aileen.”

As the appraiser responded, Aileen slowly approached the frame laid out on the table.

Her expression became very serious as she examined the painting.

“Is it alright to just put up this piece like it’s nothing?”

“Ah, so Miss Aileen also recognizes it as a work of Corusius Vincent. However, it’s a forgery…”

“It’s genuine. I’m aware that there’s no other painter in the empire who handles oil paint like this. And the signature in the corner matches Corusius’s.”

“Excuse me?”

“Excuse me?”

The appraiser began to re-examine the painting, focusing on 

the part Aileen had pointed out.

Before long, the appraiser’s face turned pale.

“This, this can’t be… it’s genuine… Such a hard-to-find item, it seems I’ve made a mistake.”

“This quality could never be a fake.”

Genuine?

Hearing the appraiser murmur, my gaze shifted to the painting laid on the table.

“So, does this change the appraisal value?”

Frankly, I didn’t care whether it was genuine or fake. 

I just wanted it to be appraised for a higher price. 

Naturally, genuine pieces are usually valued higher.

“I’m sorry, Sir Julian… If, if this piece is genuine, our art gallery cannot afford to purchase it.”

Can’t afford to purchase?

Then, how much is this painting actually worth?

“I asked you, how does the appraisal change?”

So, how much is this painting worth?

The appraiser, pale-faced, was unable to respond. 

His pupils shook continuously, and a ‘color of fear’ intensely hovered above his head.

“J-Julian! It’s possible to make mistakes in appraisals! It’s natural for people to err!”

“I’m sorry, Sir Julian…!”

They belatedly realized how they must appear to me.

A ‘Smiling Executioner’ about to judge a mistakenly appraising appraiser.

I must have inadvertently threatened them in my excitement.

Even the notorious ‘Julian’ wouldn’t normally do this.

…Probably.

“I have no intention of blaming anyone for a mistake. As Miss 

Aileen said, it’s natural for people to err.”

I spoke with a tone suggesting they shouldn’t worry, but Aileen seemed entirely unconvinced.

“However, this puts me in a difficult position. What to do with this painting…”

If the purchase of the moonstones is delayed, my situation becomes problematic.

I need to complete the ‘Moonlight Sword’ as soon as possible for a bit of safety.

“Then, shall I introduce you?”

As I was pondering, Aileen suddenly spoke up.

“I know someone who would definitely be interested in purchasing a painting by Corusius.”

“Really?”

I couldn’t help but respond to this unexpected good news.

To have such a stroke of luck and assistance appear.

Especially a proposition from the unpredictable Aileen, which made me suspicious.

“But, you have to do one thing for me.”

As expected.

She reminded me that nothing in this world comes for free.

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