Don't Take Away My Human Record Chapter 2: Talia's Radiant Glow - Novel Cool

Chapter 2: Talia's Radiant Glow

Chapter 2: Talia's Radiant Glow

After breakfast, Lanchi immediately sought out the mansion's butler.

The butler was waiting outside the dining hall, smiling as he watched the young master approach him.

"You seem to be in a good mood today, young master." The man's voice was deep and gravelly, like that of a weary old father.

But the mere fact that the butler had spoken sent a chill down Lanchi's spine.

In his past life's memories, the butler was the most reliable person in the mansion and the one who usually took care of him.

However, Lanchi realized that his past self had not recognized that this smiling tiger of a butler was also the most dangerous person in the household.

Here he was, smiling benignly, yet facing a young master who was feared and disliked by the entire household.

"I'm doing well," Lanchi said calmly. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please, go ahead."

"It's about the pigeon I brought back yesterday. I realized it might be someone's familiar, and if it belongs to a person of high status, it could bring a lot of trouble to our family. So, I'd like to trouble you to help me deal with everyone who might have known about this."

"Oh?" Lanchi's words clearly surprised the butler.

He seemed to study Lanchi more intently for a moment.

So, this young master also considers the family's interests? Is it a sudden whim, or is he facing some other trouble?

However, the butler didn't intend to ask any further questions. He bowed slightly to Lanchi and said, "I am at your service."

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

"Please describe the person."

"She is a female who looks about my age, with gray hair and golden eyes. She probably wears a tattered dark gray cloak and resembles a vagrant. And please, make sure she doesn't find out that I'm looking for her."

Lanchi gestured as he spoke.

This request caused the butler to frown.

"I'll do my best. But, young master, you must understand the size of this border city. I can't guarantee that I'll find her quickly... Of course, if you can provide me with more specific characteristics, I could save a lot of time on the investigation and screening."

"In that case... how long will it take if I can draw her portrait for you?"

"Within a day, I can find anyone in this city whom I've seen with my own eyes. I give you my word."

The butler smiled again.

He remembered that Lanchi used to be able to paint, but since his parents had started neglecting him, he hadn't seen the young master pick up a brush.

It was also around that time that the young master's character started to deteriorate.

"Then, first help me deal with the witnesses, and I'll have the portrait ready for you before you return."

Lanchi nodded.

"Very well, young master. Then, I shall take my leave. But remember to draw it carefully. I should be able to complete the first task for you by noon at the latest."

The butler smiled as he placed his hands behind his back and walked towards the kitchen, not forgetting to remind Lanchi.

"Rest assured."

Drawing was one of Lanchi's fortes.

He could paint Talia with his eyes closed.

He guaranteed that no one in this world could paint Talia better than him.

Lanchi breathed a sigh of relief.

Although his past self had caused trouble, there was still room for maneuvering.

Of course, hiding the evidence would only make it more challenging for Princess Talia of the Demon Tribe to uncover the truth.

As far as Lanchi knew, Talia possessed a magic that could see through lies. With patience, there was hardly anything she couldn't uncover.

And given Talia's vengeful nature, once she discovered that he had hunted her familiar, even if he treated her well when she came knocking, and she temporarily held back, she would undoubtedly take revenge later when she rose to power.

To truly resolve Talia's hatred, he would have to personally confront her.

But for now, all he needed to do was paint—at least until noon.

...

As Lanchi reached the second floor, he saw the maid who had woken him up in the morning and seemed a little afraid of him.

"I'll prepare something for you, young master," the maid said, accustomed to the routine. She was about to fetch some fine wine and the latest storybooks for Lanchi.

But she soon stopped in her tracks.

Because Lanchi said to her—

"I'm going to the study."

At these words, the maid became anxious.

"Did you say... the study?" She stammered.

Lanchi furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Yes."

Lanchi confirmed.

He wanted to look up some information in the study and sketch Talia's appearance to send to the butler.

Until Talia's location was confirmed, he had no other pressing matters.

However, when he opened the door to the study, he found that there was no desk, not even a piece of paper, but there were many expensive-looking wine bottles.

"My apologies, young master."

"What's wrong?"

Lanchi looked at the anxious maid.

"I... I haven't finished cleaning the study yet this morning."

She lowered her head and mumbled, seemingly prepared for a scolding.

Given the young master's temperament, he would have stormed out by now and returned drunk in the evening.

"Is that so? It's fine if it's not cleaned for a day or two. Just prepare my painting tools, and I can do it in another room."

Lanchi sighed helplessly.

"No, young master, that won't do!" The maid exclaimed, her eyes widening as she looked at Lanchi.

She seemed a little flustered, taken aback by Lanchi's unusually accommodating attitude, and quickly added, "Just give me fifteen minutes, and I'll have the study spotless! Then I'll prepare the tools you need! I guarantee it with my professional pride!"

"Then I'll trouble you."

Lanchi wasn't worried about waiting for a while.

Talia's murderous intent made him a little anxious, but not completely.

Because he already had a plan in mind to deal with it.

Nothing would stop him from living a comfortable and carefree life.

...

About ten minutes later, as promised, the maid had finished cleaning the study and brought Lanchi the best painting tools the mansion had to offer.

Lanchi examined the brushes and paints of this world.

Although they were quite different from what he was used to in his previous life, he quickly figured out how to use them.

Then he sat in front of the canvas, composing the image in his mind, his expression relaxed as he began to paint Talia's portrait.

The thought of having to paint the majestic Demon Princess Talia, disguised as a beggar, made Lanchi want to chuckle.

Without needing to put much thought into it, his brush moved effortlessly.

He had painted Talia countless times before.

Lanchi applied the skills he had honed over the years, a faint smile playing on his lips as he calmly and skillfully stroked the canvas with his brush.

He didn't look like a particularly remarkable painter.

His relaxed demeanor was more akin to that of a homemaker preparing dinner.

But gradually, his attention became fully absorbed in the painting before him, to the point where he lost track of time.

He didn't even notice the maid standing by, her eyes widening in astonishment, her mouth slowly forming an 'O' shape.

As time slipped away, Lanchi's painting neared completion.

The girl on the canvas, despite her tattered cloak, was as beautiful as a wolf in a snowfield.

A gentle breeze brushed her face, causing her gray hair to stir slightly beneath her hood.

Within her partially hidden golden eyes was a burning flame, hidden beneath layers of icy reserve.

Her solitary figure conveyed not an ounce of weakness; the more the dust of the road tried to conceal her, the more it failed to mask the nobility and power that flowed in her veins.

"Finished."

Lanchi smiled as he put the final touches on the painting.

Only then did he truly examine his work and realized that he had unintentionally put in more effort than he'd intended.

"My goodness, young master, your painting skills are already so advanced?"

The maid's astonished voice broke the silence.

"I was just imagining if you were possessed by the god of art! This is the first time I've seen such a breathtaking painting!"

Even now, the maid couldn't contain the excitement in her eyes.

She had seen Lanchi paint a few years ago.

Back then, Lanchi still smiled gently and never lost his temper; the landscapes he painted were as beautiful as his soul.

Many of the mansion's servants had hoped that one day, Lanchi would have a change of heart.

They dared not imagine what would happen if he continued down this path of self-destruction. What kind of life would they lead when he became the true master of the house? Would they all be driven out?

The maid desperately hoped that today's events weren't just a figment of her imagination.

Perhaps the young master had genuinely become gentle and considerate.

"Is it?"

Lanchi smiled sheepishly.

He was indeed a talented painter, but the maid's admiring gaze made him feel like she was comparing him to the likes of Picasso or Van Gogh.

He had gotten a little too engrossed in his painting, and the moment he finished, he felt a slight dizziness as if he had poured his heart and soul into it.

But surely it wasn't that impressive?

"I assure you, you will become a renowned painter in the kingdom! Even His Majesty the King will desire your artwork, and card designers of the highest nobility will want to discuss painting techniques with you!"

The maid clenched her fists and gazed at Lanchi intently as she spoke.

After a moment of silence, Lanchi suddenly realized something.

"Oh, right!"

This was originally a non-turn-based game featuring magic cards!

And he, as the art director, had designed many of the items in this world, including the prototypes for some of the rarest and most powerful magic cards.

In the game's setting, magic cards were like encapsulated skills, equipment, or summoned creatures, offering portability, tradability, and the freedom to mix and match according to one's needs.

Compared to spending a fortune learning magic spells, players in this world could simply purchase the corresponding magic cards, bind them, and use the spells instantly. They could also adjust their skill sets as needed to face different powerful enemies.

Additionally, in the game's most challenging dungeon, players would be transported to random times and spaces, assuming unique identities and circumstances. They couldn't bring anything with them, except for magic cards bound to their souls.

So, magic cards are a necessity for the people of this world, whether they're traveling, adventuring, brawling, or causing a ruckus."

"High-value magic cards can be obtained not only through copies but also through card makers."

"And it seems that the skill of painting is intimately connected to the creation of these magic cards."

"It looks like I'm not only a great artist in this world but also have potential as a card maker?"

Lanchi stroked his chin, deep in thought.

He had long felt that the magic cards in this game were overly simplistic.

Whenever he proposed ideas for cards that would enrich the gaming experience without upsetting the balance, they were rejected by the planners.

The planners said they wouldn't dare implement those cards unless they had ten mothers to back them up.

"Young master, is the lady in this portrait someone you fancy?"

The tentative inquiry interrupted Lanchi's train of thought.

The maid, who had been waiting by his side, noticed that Lanchi had become unusually gentle, causing all the servants in the mansion to feel apprehensive.

But after observing him for so long, the maid felt that he wasn't putting on an act.

Moreover, the extraordinary painting before them led her to a startling conclusion—

He must be in love!

"..."

Lanchi looked up, his expression odd, unsure of how to respond.

The woman in the painting...

Could very well kill me.

However, as he examined the painting, he had a thought.

Given how astonished everyone was by his artwork, if the butler went around showing it to people, it might cause unnecessary trouble.

So, Lanchi pushed away from the easel.

With practiced ease, he prepared a new canvas, intending to paint another, more ordinary portrait of Talia as a vagrant.

However.

As he laid down the first few strokes on the new canvas, a strong wave of dizziness washed over him, making it difficult to even see the canvas clearly.

The maid watched Lanchi with concern, unsure if she should interrupt his creative process.

But after hesitating for a moment, she felt that perhaps today, the young master wouldn't arbitrarily take his frustration out on others.

So, she swallowed and said:

"Young master, if you're feeling particularly unwell, it's possible that you've reached a state of magical exhaustion... It seems that when you paint, you pour your heart and soul into it, and I've heard stories of great painters and card makers in history who have even sacrificed their lives for their art..."

"I'm done painting."

Lanchi immediately put down his brush upon hearing this.

This wasn't a matter of simply pulling an all-nighter to paint; he could feel something unique within him ebbing away as he painted!

"Please take this painting to the butler and ask him to look at it and then do as I instructed. After that, please keep the painting safe and don't take it out of the house."

Lanchi pointed to the first painting he had completed.

As soon as he relaxed, he felt overwhelmingly sleepy.

The fatigue washed over him in waves, even more overwhelming than before, and he couldn't help but feel drowsy.

He realized that if he continued to paint at this rate, he might not have the energy to paint a second portrait of Talia that the butler could easily recognize anytime soon.

"Also, no matter what, make sure to wake me up before dinner."

After giving these instructions, Lanchi fell silent.

"Yes, yes!"

The maid carefully used magical tools to dry and seal the painting.

On the one hand, the value of this painting was difficult to estimate, and on the other hand, the young master had already fallen asleep in his chair.

She was delighted by the young master's transformation and couldn't help but be even more curious about the caliber of his artwork.

So, she secretly used an appraisal spell to examine the painting—

[Portrait: Mysterious Princess]

[Type: Artwork]

[Rank: Epic]

[Tier: 1]

[Viewers of this portrait will recover a small amount of spirit and stamina, and their affinity towards the princess in the painting will increase, with a chance of gaining a small amount of spirit.]

...

When Lanchi woke up again, he blinked at the familiar view outside his window; it was already afternoon.

The setting sun slowly sank in the west, its golden light tinged with red, staining the clouds, and the rays filtering through the window cast rippling circles of light on the room, lending it a surreal, dreamlike quality.

The butler must have carried him back to his room.

Because there was a letter on his bedside table, written in the butler's elegant handwriting, containing information about Talia's whereabouts.

Lanchi shook his head, feeling groggy from the deep sleep.

However, as he stretched and yawned, he noticed something unusual in his room.

There was a painting hanging in a prominent spot, and its mere presence seemed to elevate the artistic ambiance of the entire room.

Lanchi sat up in bed, frowning at Talia's portrait.

The maid and butler must have misunderstood his instructions.

He hadn't asked them to frame the painting and hang it in his room!

He had told them to keep it hidden! What if the subject of the portrait saw how seriously someone had painted her? How embarrassing would that be!

"Oh well."

Lanchi got out of bed with a resigned sigh.

After all, Talia wouldn't have the opportunity to enter his room.

As long as he could successfully convince her to leave this country, his mission would be accomplished.

(End of Chapter)

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