Act 21

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The elderly man smiling in front of me now is named ‘Alrom Chorni’. 

He was one of the vice-principals at the Bayer Academy, introduced to me by Aileen. 

Stroking his seemingly hard-to-manage beard with one hand, he opened his mouth.

“I never imagined I’d see this artwork in person.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed. This is a posthumous work of the great painter Corusius…….”

After examining the painting I brought, Alrom murmured as if lost in a distant thought.

“Under the dark storm clouds, a wheat field violently shakes, with black crows flying low. Beyond that field, you can see several paths leading nowhere………….”

It seemed as if he was looking beyond what the painting captured. 

Of course, I had no idea what that beyond was.

What is beyond?

“The landscape wrapped in a stormy sky, Corusius, who painted this picture, wrote a letter to his younger sibling who was a major financial supporter. ‘I have encapsulated my sorrow and extreme loneliness in this painting.'”

Alrom turned his head and looked at me intently, as if waiting for my response.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

A simple concurrence.

Having given such a straightforward response, a slight disappointment crossed Alrom’s face, and simultaneously, a ‘grey mirage’ appeared above his head.

The color of doubt means ‘skepticism’.

I faintly realized that what Alrom wanted was not simply affirmation, but ’empathy’ for the art.

Damn it.

I began to rack my brains desperately.

To sell the painting for a good price, I needed to be mindful of the other party’s feelings.

‘The posthumous work… the posthumous work… ah.’

Right, I should say it like this.

“Corusius, the great painter, left this world not long after creating this piece.”

“Yes, in a vineyard of red, just like this painting.”

Alrom closed his eyes and meditated for a few seconds.

Did my answer work?

The grey mirage above his head had disappeared.

“I never imagined you had an appreciation for art.”

“Of course, one doesn’t know the depths of another until they share stories. It’s natural.”

“That’s true.”

Vice-principal Alrom nodded carefully.

“Shall we then discuss the price, Sir Julian?”

I nodded eagerly.

After all, I didn’t come here to quibble over art.

Alrom coughed politely.

“No need for appraisal, I suppose. Sir Julian wouldn’t have brought anything less than authentic.”

“I guarantee the authenticity of this item with the honor of my eyes,” I replied with a bit of slickness.

Until Aileen told me, I didn’t know if it was genuine or a fake, but that’s beside the point.

“How about this much?”

Alrom, checking my reaction, cautiously showed me four fingers.

40,000 Nar?

It would leave me with more than enough funds even after purchasing the moonstone.

‘A bit disappointing, the price.’

It was more expensive than expected, but it’s true I was disappointed. 

Out of hope to have even a little money left, I entered into negotiations. 

“The painter named Corusius was not an artist who achieved great success in his lifetime.” 

“…Yes, Lord Julian.” 

“Ironically, though his works are now considered masterpieces, their value was recognized only after his death; during his lifetime, like many other artists, he lived in poverty.” 

He nodded, stroking his beard, apparently in agreement as I didn’t see the ‘grey mirage’ above his head. 

“This is a posthumous work left by Corusius. A piece that puts a period to his unfortunate life.” 

Glancing again. Still, no mirage is seen. 

“A work that brought a golden age after his death. For a painting representing such a famous artist’s life, isn’t it treated a bit too lightly?” 

I’ve said it many times, but I don’t know art. 

However, it’s somewhat possible to package given information. 

It’s not difficult to argue a plausible value by mixing in appropriate facts, based purely on facts, after all. 

However, a slip of the tongue could ruin everything… But I have the ‘Color of Deceit.’ 

With this, I can discern his intentions and correct any mistakes. 

The risk is almost nonexistent. 

Hmm…? 

He frowned quite a bit, but it seemed he wouldn’t refuse. 

So, if we add a little more to the price… 

“Yes.” 

“Add another 100,000 nar…” 

Hmm. 

“What?” 

Add 100,000 nar? 

That’s more than the initially proposed amount. 

“How about 500,000 nar?” 

‘5… 500,000 nar?!’ 

Wait, didn’t the fingers I initially spread out mean 10,000 nar each?! 

Does this mean the painting goes for over 500 million?!’ 

I swallowed nervously. 

I was startled, but Julian’s unique facial muscles and smile managed my expression. 

“Now you recognize its value.” 

As if that had been the case from the start, I said shamelessly. 

*** 

After reporting that the task was completed, the academy officials were nothing short of amazed. 

“To handle the old building business in just one day… Truly remarkable.” 

“Indeed. As expected, someone from the Donasien family has a unique way of handling things.” 

Of course. 

It was a task that seemed like it would take days, if not weeks, to predict. 

To have handled it in just one day, admiration was inevitable. 

“Despite being from a collateral line… ” 

“Your arrogance will grow again.” 

Of course, there were those who looked down upon her with contempt. 

But baseless slander is no more than the barking of a frightened puppy. 

Aileen openly smiled at them. 

“That damned collateral…” 

“Presuming to act above their station…” 

After seeing their deeply furrowed faces, Aileen left the administrative office. 

The memory of their frustrated faces brought a smirk to her lips.

She knew they disliked her because she’s from a collateral line. 

Still, the reason they can’t say it outright must be because the ‘Donasien’ family, to which she belongs, has a higher social status than their own. 

‘Being collateral always requires proof.’ 

That was something her father always used to say. 

No matter if you’re from a collateral line, if you prove yourself with dignity, that in itself is noble, unrelated to bloodline.

“Ugh.”

But even Aileen, who had been relatively unshaken until recently, had her moment of doubt. 

“The half-breed of the Donasien family, who gave you permission to speak?” 

Julian’s statement was a shock. 

It was worse because he was the one who said it. 

‘… He’s from the same collateral line as me.’ 

To speak in such a manner among those of the same poor lineage was infuriating. 

‘Some struggle with all their might, and instead of helping…’ 

He’s a cold blade, tarnishing not just himself but the name of the ‘collateral’ and ‘Crypart.’ 

A person smeared with all sorts of infamy.

-Whether collateral or direct, all nobles are subjects of the empire. Could that comment be taken as a challenge to His Majesty the Emperor, who has built the empire’s laws?

Then why. 

– I too come from a collateral line. According to Sir Hardy, does that mean I’m also from the lacking folks?

But why did he suddenly say that? 

He doesn’t care about his lineage or family. 

All he wants is his own advancement and to surpass his master, the ‘Sword Saint,’ in martial prowess. 

‘Now?’

The tainted name, even if it changes now, what difference would it make? 

Still, she thought. 

If he returned to being the Julian from their academy days. Surrounded by those who demean him for his lineage, if he returned as Julian who proved himself with overwhelming skill and nobility. Then…

“Miss Aileen, good timing.” 

Lost in thought, Aileen turned her head at the voice that suddenly came from behind. 

The vice principal of Bayer Academy, Alrom Chorni, was approaching, sweating profusely. 

“Vice Principal Alrom.” 

As Aileen greeted him, Alrom swept his beard with a hand, showing a smile tinged with discomfort. 

“Talking with Sir Julian really takes your breath away. I’ve seen many knights and wizards in my time, but I’ve never seen anyone emit such a fierce aura except for Sir Hayden Reich, the Sword Saint.”

“He is remarkable. Uh… Did your conversation go well?” 

Aileen had arranged for them to meet. Feeling responsible, she asked, and a smile spread across his face. 

“I’m very pleased! Corusius’s ‘Red Vineyard’ was a piece I really wanted to acquire! It hurts the wallet, but to have it in my hands…” 

“That’s great to hear.” 

“All thanks to you, Miss Aileen. Hahaha!” 

Alrom laughed heartily, then coughed to calm his excited heart. 

“By the way, I heard you finished the task at the old gallery…”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. There have been rumors that the Dawn Society, a heretical group, has been spreading their influence. It’s unfortunate that Miss Aileen had to take on such a troublesome task because of them.” 

Dawn Society: A demon-worshipping cult that has recently emerged in the empire. 

Aileen smirked bitterly. 

“Still, it’s better to deal with it before anything happens.” 

“It’s fortunate you think that way.” 

“Has Sir Julian left?” 

“After receiving part of the payment in cash, he hurried off. Maybe there was something he wanted to buy…” 

“I’m curious about what Julian would want to buy—Ah!” 

Suddenly remembering something, Aileen sighed. 

“I’m sorry, Vice Principal Alrom. I just remembered an urgent matter!” 

“Is something the matter?” 

“I need to secure moonstones for a paper I’m submitting to the Magic Tower!”

After politely excusing herself, Aileen rushed out of the hallway.

**

“What!? There are no moonstones left!?” 

Aileen exclaimed loudly upon reaching the jeweler’s shop “Delan’s Tears” in Benedict Square. 

“Yes, I’m sorry, Miss Aileen.” 

“But, I was sure there was enough stock prepared… And didn’t I mention beforehand that I intended to purchase them?” 

“The thing is, the moonstones were taken by the person who ordered them first. They had made a reservation before you, so there was nothing we could do.” 

“That’s…”

Aileen felt dejected upon learning there were no moonstones left. 

As someone who primarily deals with the element of gold among the fifth elements that make up mana, she planned to write a paper on ‘Mana contained in metals.’ 

But without moonstones, she could do nothing. 

“Could you tell me who bought them? With such a large quantity of moonstones, surely they couldn’t use them all.” 

“Well…” The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before answering. “It was Sir Julian.”

“What!?”

– After receiving part of the payment in cash, he hurried off. Maybe there was something he wanted to buy…

Who would have thought? 

That the reason he needed quick cash was to buy moonstones, just like her. 

“All that quantity!? What on earth does he plan to use it for?” 

Certainly, the quantity of moonstones handled by “Delan’s Tears” was not small. 

For him to buy all of it, what could he possibly need it for? 

“He said it was for making a sword.” 

A sword? 

With that precious material? 

Over other superior materials!? 

‘Moonstone is a gemstone…!’ 

Julian, known for his extravagance, surely planned to make a jeweled sword for decoration at his home. 

“With gemstones… What kind of sword is he making!”

It was an ironic situation. 

Wasn’t it her who helped him sell the painting, leading to this predicament? 

‘Change? No help at all!’ 

Aileen inwardly vented her frustration, reconsidering her once-altered opinion of him.

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