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Chapter 580: Sybrian's Golden Moment
Chapter 580: Sybrian's Golden Moment
Starlight bathed the ancient, artisan-carved dome, reflecting off the immortal crystal chandeliers that hung from above. The orange radiance emanating from the slowly emptying golden chests in the Regent Hall suddenly rendered the entire chamber silent.
Even the expression of the Fallen, Caliella, who had unsealed this painting from the nearly empty golden chest, stiffened slightly.
[Painting: Night of the Falling Stars]
[Type: Artwork]
[Grade: Epic]
[Rank: 1]
[Viewers of this painting will consume a small amount of stamina and spirit, invoking a sense of awe for the princess depicted, and may gain a slight artistic insight. One-time effect.]
The enthusiasm of the demon nobles was snuffed out like flames overwhelmed by a giant wave.
Silence intertwined with the brilliant and supreme orange magical glow, permeating the grand hall.
The painting captured a unique and mysterious moment in the demon world on the morning of an eclipse—
The sky was shrouded in strange dim light, neither the darkness of night nor the brightness of dawn, but a bewitching luminescence in between.
The contradictory yet harmonious play of light and shadow rendered the square and steps in front of the royal palace in intricate detail, the steps winding and leading the viewer's gaze deep into the scene.
This was how the princess had appeared a week ago when she made her public debut in the demon world in full regalia.
Yet, she seemed forever trapped in this eclipse, mired in an eternal night, evoking a sense of oppression and suffocation that compelled the demons to avert their gaze, even as they found it hard to tear themselves away from the painting, as if their souls were drawn into its depths.
Obviously, such an intention could only have come from the Tenth Progenitor of the Vampire Clan, Marquis Ulysses.
"Epic grade?"
The demon nobles swallowed, their gazes shifting to the end of the Regent Hall where the Vampire Clan was seated.
The Tenth Progenitor casually rested his hands on his knees, a faint smile on his face, as if unaffected by the intense stares of the demons.
He glanced slightly at the princess, as if asking if Her Highness was satisfied with the painting, even though the oppressive atmosphere of the scene might make her feel uncomfortable.
However, according to the predetermined rules, its epic grade was set in stone, and the princess could not openly choose a lower-ranked sacred grade painting.
Caliella's expression remained unchanged, but the veins on the back of her hand began to tremble slightly.
The reason she hadn't used her own will to change the princess's choice was twofold: firstly, she wanted to avoid conflict; even if it came to a straightforward battle, the vampires still had a chance of winning. Secondly, she wanted to give her old friend face; this was the royal family's last shred of dignity. Lastly, she believed in the will of fate, and the demons' desire to challenge the stronger vampire clan was a gamble with the fate of their nation.
In the end, the princess had chosen the painting almost as if guided by some unseen force.
And the vampires had brought none other than the Tenth Progenitor, a marquis.
An epic-grade painting was far beyond the capabilities of any artist in the demon world at present.
Whether it was the level of completion, the speed of creation, or the overall standard, it completely crushed the artists Caliella had believed could win: the Misty Lord, Orion, and the True Night Lord, Esmod.
His artwork had reached a realm that transcended the current era, befitting the title of the strongest painter of this age.
As expected, even fate seemed to favor the vampire clan.
A sense of powerlessness spread through Caliella's heart.
In this situation, she couldn't help but feel that in this era blessed by the gods, the Blood Moon Generation, the demons' dream of defeating the powerful vampire clan was as elusive as a bubble, forever out of reach.
"Why is it so quiet? Is this a library?"
Even the vampire viscount who accompanied the vampire envoy couldn't help but feel his shoulders tremble.
"Don't you have any comments about Lord Ulysses' painting?"
He scanned the hall, seemingly scoffing at the demons' previous arrogance as they had put all their effort into appraising a mere sacred-grade painting, oblivious to the fact that they had already lost miserably.
"..."
Countless prominent demons glared angrily at the center of the fan-shaped seating area, where the vampire clan was seated, but they couldn't bring themselves to say anything.
Over the years, the demon clan had learned to be deferential and patient with the vampires.
This was the price of peace.
"Not a single one of you dares to evaluate Marquis Ulysses' work? Or perhaps a painting of this caliber is beyond your ability to comprehend?"
The Fourth Progenitor, Eduardo, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke from beneath his gray robe.
His voice was low and hoarse, like an ancient stone mill.
He needed the demons to show respect to the vampire clan.
The demons must never forget their place.
"You old...!"
Lord Orion of the Misty Domain couldn't bear this humiliation, even if the other party was a ninth-rank vampire duke. He stood up, intending to rebuke him to be more restrained, but Lord Esmod of the True Night Domain grabbed his hand.
Those azure eyes seemed to have dimmed a little, as if they had lost confidence yet retained their sanity.
Losing their temper at this moment would only add to the embarrassment of the demon clan.
Lord Orion of the Misty Domain thought for a moment, his anger seemingly soothed by Lord Esmod, and eventually, he sat back down.
Silence reigned in the Regent Hall for a long while.
The Fourth Progenitor, Eduardo, slowly turned his cloudy blood-red eyes towards the princess on the throne opposite him and raised his hand, pointing at her.
It was a gesture that implied that if none of the demons would respond, then the princess should offer her evaluation of Lord Ulysses' painting.
This bold and aggressive attitude finally made many of the demons feel intimidated.
Caliella remained silent, and they dared not speak up either.
Without the protection of the Fallen, Caliella, they were as fragile as ants before the Fourth Progenitor, a ninth-rank vampire. They didn't have the audacity to offend him.
If the princess answered, whether she praised or disparaged the painting, it would make the demons seem utterly defeated—
Praise would signify submission, disparagement would reflect poorly on them, and silence would indicate ignorance.
"..."
Lord Thunderclap lowered his head and clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.
He had known from the start that this group of vampires had come to the demon world with a condescending attitude.
Ever since the signing of the North-South Contract, the demon clan had never truly held their heads high in front of the vampires, and now even a vampire viscount dared to mock them.
"Its name is 'Night of the Falling Stars'. The sky of the demon world is shrouded in a strange darkness, as if the night has not fully lifted, yet it also holds the promise of a dawn that never comes. In this mysterious and contradictory light and shadow, the princess, the epitome of beauty and elegance, slowly descends the steps in front of the royal palace. Her silver hair falls naturally, gracefully covering her light blue dress. There are no stars in the night sky, for the true star is her."
The sudden clear voice reverberated through the silent Regent Hall, and Thunderclap Lord, who had been lost in thought, followed the direction of the sound, gazing at the radiant demon by his side, who remained calm and composed.
And then, Makasi spoke.
"She possesses a peerlessly beautiful face that captivates my heart from just a single glance. Her eyes are clear and proud, like the world's most exquisite amber. Whether in sorrow or joy, with a hint of delight or regret, she moves the hearts of all who behold her. Perhaps she is the soft song of summer days, the crisp mountain breeze of autumn, or the ever-changing starry sky; a mere glance is all it takes for her image to linger in your mind."
Lanchi gazed at the epic painting as he spoke, his words flowing like poetry.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Progenitor, Eduardo, momentarily lowered his hand, which had been raised to point at the princess.
He gave Lanchi an appraising glance.
As the victor, he could afford to be magnanimous.
It seemed that the second plan would not be necessary today.
They could take away the last princess of the demon clan and turn her into a pitiful plaything for the vampires.
Lanchi's impromptu evaluation gave all the demon nobles a moment of relief.
"As expected of Mr. Makasi."
"His words are filled with sincere praise, and he directs it all towards the princess."
"Is he overdoing it with the flattery, though...?"
Murmurs once again filled the hall, and the expressions of many demon nobles softened slightly.
Only Sybrian couldn't hold back her reaction any longer upon hearing Lanchi's words.
"I'm not that beautiful..." she muttered, tugging at her skirt. Her heart was pounding, but her voice was so soft that no one could hear her.
She took a deep breath, knowing that she must not show her anxiety in front of Lanchi, and her well-trained spy instincts helped her regain her composure.
At this moment, Caliella, the Fallen, who had been sitting beside the throne, had been silent for a long time.
Ever since the hall fell silent, it was as if she had finally grown weary.
What was the point of avoiding humiliation after defeat? It couldn't change the outcome of their loss.
Today, the demon clan had followed the rules and given up the princess to buy more time. But what else would they lose next time?
"Fallen One, there's one more painting," Sybrian said, her voice carrying a command.
"Your Highness..." Caliella glanced at the princess, seeing that she remained calmer than ever.
In this moment, the princess' attitude seemed to firmly believe that the demon clan had not lost.
She was braver than Caliella had imagined, and at this moment, she was the strongest among the demon clan.
Initially, Caliella had thought that the princess was useless, but now she felt that she had misjudged her. This witch had the bearing of a true princess of the demon clan.
"Very well, I shall accompany you to the end," Caliella nodded.
As the host, it was her duty to see the process through.
Even though there was only one painting left in the golden chest, the probability of the demon clan losing the princess was not zero.
"Is there any point in humiliating yourself further, Caliella?" The Fourth Progenitor, Eduardo, asked as he watched the Fallen One move once more towards the golden chest, his hand resting on his cane.
This painting, placed at the very bottom of the chest, had been submitted even earlier than the one by the Tenth Progenitor, Marquis Ulysses. Most likely, it was a perfunctory work similar to the one by Thunderclap Lord.
"The ancient legendary craftsmen of the Demon World have lost, and there is no one in the current Demon World with greater artistic talent than the True Night Lord, Esmod. If the Demon Clan still has a one-in-a-million chance to struggle, that would be too optimistic."
The accompanying vampire viscount shook his head and said.
The interwoven glow of magic gradually faded, leaving only the bright and solitary orange radiance of the Tenth Progenitor's painting, [Night of the Falling Stars], shining like a solitary star.
The demon nobles fell silent, as if an invisible hand had silenced them, plunging the entire Regent Hall into a solemn hush.
Even the faint murmurs disappeared, and the air between the proud Misty Lord and True Night Lord seemed to freeze.
Many demons didn't want to look at the golden chest anymore, awaiting the victorious laughter of the vampires.
Caliella used her magic to lift the painting that had been submitted even before the one by the Tenth Progenitor, Marquis Ulysses.
In this moment, it was as if the Fallen One sensed something. Her eyelashes trembled, and hope rekindled in her eyes.
Suddenly, a blazing orange radiance burst forth from the golden chest!
The light scattered and formed a golden totem in the air, and the glow spread like a blessing throughout the hall, awakening the dull eyes of the demons.
On the painting—
In the distance, one could see ripples on the winding canal, reflecting the setting sun.
The evening glow painted the sky in shades of pink and orange.
The girl in the painting, her face illuminated the world.
Her cheeks and the sky behind her were a mix of pink and orange, and her beauty shone through without the need for light. In her golden hour, time itself seemed to stand still.
[Portrait: Her Golden Moment]
[Type: Artwork]
[Grade: Epic]
[Rank: 1]
[Viewers of this portrait will regain a small amount of spirit and strength, and their trust in the girl in the portrait will increase. There is a chance of a permanent slight increase in the magic attribute limit. One-time effect.]
At this moment, no evaluation was needed. The demon nobles went from being stunned to leaping to their feet and cheering within a second!
Even Caliella couldn't help but smile in relief.
"Who painted this?"
The excited demons stood and scanned the Regent Hall, searching for the creator.
However.
When they followed the princess' gaze.
All the answers were revealed—
The mysterious rich merchant.
And the princess.
Gazed at each other from afar.
The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them.
Immersed in this beautiful and eternal moment.
(End of Chapter)
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