https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-695-Lanchi-Just-Wants-to-Be-Struck-Down-by-Tata/12585109/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-697-Lanchi-and-Talia-s-Heart-Racing-Moment/12585111/
Chapter 696: Lanchi Can't Paint
Chapter 696: Lanchi Can't Paint
In the Platinum Forest Palace, located in District 2 on the north shore of Paryea's Flower City, stalactites adorned the vaulted ceiling, and angelic reliefs seemed poised to leap from the walls, their vibrant colors reflecting off the marble floor through the stained glass at the dome's apex.
Two seven-meter-tall statues of lion-headed beasts stood sentinel on either side of the gallery, as if embodying the duo walking within.
"I never expected that seeing it in person would be so different from the projections in the artificial shadow world."
"After all, the artificial shadow world is but a human-made creation and cannot replicate the intricate interplay of real shadow world projections."
After leaving the Paryea Card Maker's Association, Lanchi and Talia unanimously decided to spend their morning date at one of the largest and oldest art museums on the Southern Continent, a landmark of the Bosen Kingdom.
Even though the Platinum Forest Palace had served as the venue for the third round of the Platinum-grade Card Maker examinations, with its projections as the test subject, both of them had wanted to visit the actual site since then.
Or perhaps the Platinum Forest Palace was simply a must-visit destination for any traveler to the Bosen Kingdom.
However, due to the proximity of their hotel to the palace, they often passed by and didn't feel the urgency to visit until this opportune moment.
It was akin to how locals rarely visited the famous scenic spots in their own backyard, always assuming they could go at any time, only to end up delaying the visit indefinitely if not for a chance like this.
"Nearly a millennium ago, it was first established as a fortress to defend against invasions from foreign races. Later, during a period of peace, it was transformed into a royal palace. It was during this time that the Platinum Forest Palace began to amass art collections, gradually acquiring sacred and even epic artifacts. Over the years, successive kings expanded and beautified the palace, making it the center of Bosen Kingdom's artistic and cultural life."
As the pair strolled through the gallery, pausing occasionally to admire the exhibits and share their impressions, the voice of an art exhibition guide drifted over to them.
"Then, nearly a century ago, it was converted into a public museum, undergoing multiple expansions and reconstructions. It opened its doors to the public, allowing visitors to admire its vast collection."
The sculptures on the dome depicted vivid scenes of soaring spirit eagles and galloping winged horses.
"Talia, which one is your favorite?"
Lanchi stood at one side of the central hall, asking the question to Talia beside him.
Right in the center hung a massive oil painting, "The Rise of the Eternal Night Kingdom," by ancient imperial painter Stephen Martin. Although damaged, it still exuded a majestic aura, depicting a fierce battle scene of brandished spears and dragons roaring in the sky. The blood of countless warriors blossomed in the darkness, igniting an immortal flame of glory.
On the left was Isaac Claire's gentle and gorgeous painting, "The Gift of the Earth Mother." A woman in a white, graceful, long dress held a precious vial of Ambrosia in a vase, walking slowly towards the earth through the mist, her hand lovingly leading a pure and innocent lamb.
On the other side of the hall hung "The Three Questions of the Magic Mirror" by the Grimm Brothers, reflecting a blurry, mysterious female face. She gazed into the mirror world, her eyes holding both the sagacity of a wise old soul and the innocence of a virgin, as if questioning the viewer about life's three great mysteries.
These were all renowned paintings on the Southern Continent.
However, Lanchi kept his thoughts to himself.
"..."
Talia merely turned her head to gaze at the entire back wall.
There hung an epic-level massive mural, "The Judgment of the Demon Lord," by ancient imperial painter Tolkien. The hundreds-of-meters-long mural vividly depicted the heroic army of millions charging into battle, launching a desperate assault on the Demon Lord.
She looked at the painting, silent.
But that was her answer to Lanchi.
"What a coincidence, that's my favorite too."
Only at this moment did they feel a sense of equality or shared interests, though neither wanted to admit it.
In a way, they were both skilled painters, but they rarely discussed appreciation topics, focusing more on magic card crafting and magic engineering.
"Has Hyberrian ever mentioned Esmod to you? Esmod, the True Night Lord."
Lanchi asked Talia.
Not all great demons were adept at painting; they each had their specialties, and Esmod was arguably the most talented painter among the great demons during the Blood Moon Calamity.
"Yes, she's supposed to be a talented lady."
Talia nodded.
"Now that I think about it, you're a talented lady too, as you can both paint sacred-level paintings."
Lanchi couldn't help but praise her.
"We're different. When you met her in the shadow world, she was much younger than me."
Talia admitted candidly.
"..."
Lanchi was left speechless, his words momentarily stuck in his throat.
She didn't seem to have a competitive streak when it came to her own kind.
"By the way, if you had been the one brought into the shadow world last time, what would you have done as the princess, facing Hyberrian's situation?"
He asked a question that had long piqued his curiosity.
Hyberrian was an absolute conservative, while Talia's conservatism and radicalism were dual-sided. She could be conservative or radical depending on the situation and her mood.
"I would have told them, 'I am the Demon Lord, and none of you are.'"
Talia answered matter-of-factly.
She tolerated no challenges from other great demons. As long as she held that position, those who obeyed would prosper, and those who defied would perish.
"Then, if you had fulfilled your original wish to restore your country, wouldn't you be more inclined to become a tyrant?"
Lanchi asked in surprise.
No wonder Talia became the true Demon Lord in the world where she obtained the Poem of Compassion and restored her country.
"I have no choice. An emperor who restores their country must be prepared to be a tyrant. Not everyone can be a sacred and righteous emperor."
"Talia also had a rough understanding of the first three Blood Moon Calamity shadow worlds that Lanchi and Hyberrian had experienced.
'However, at the end of the Blood Moon Calamity era, if Rankloos of the Black Sun could have ended it all and been crowned king, given his personality, he would have undoubtedly become a benevolent ruler.'
The more she saw, the more she felt that the Blood Moon Calamity was an era earlier than the Sacred Empire.
Although the ultra-ancient history of tens of thousands of years ago had long been erased, Talia believed that in the eyes of those who lived in that era, Rankloos of the Black Sun should have been a renowned hero.
He shouldn't have had to endure losing everything, only to be maligned and slandered for millennia.
As the two chatted, they ascended the stairs, arriving at the Corridor of Rationality and the Corridor of Prosperity.
As they toured and discussed, Talia paused in front of a painting, and Lanchi stopped as well, his gaze following hers.
The painting depicted a serene and tranquil scene.
A beautiful young girl lay on a four-post Icritus bed, wearing a long skirt.
Her dark eyebrows were gently closed, her cherry lips slightly parted, and her expression was tranquil and gentle, like an angel asleep.
Her silver hair spread out on the white pillow, and the white silk sheets set off her creamy skin. Outside the window was a lush forest, with verdant trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the branches, casting dancing shadows on the girl.
'This painting, "Sleeping Beauty," is indeed worthy of acclaim,' Lanchi commented. 'The sleeping beauty in the painting seems as if she could wake up at any moment, making viewers eagerly anticipate the arrival of the prince to awaken her.'
As if the one privileged to witness her sleeping visage, the one she awaited, was none other than Duke Migaya.
At that moment, Talia beside him remained silent, simply lifting her head to gaze at the sleeping beauty in the painting.
She stared at it for a long while.
Visitors came and went, but they remained still before the painting.
Lanchi didn't say anything further, quietly accompanying her.
'Let's go,' Talia said, finally tearing her gaze away from the painting.
'I'll help you bring her back, and soon,' Lanchi said.
Although it didn't sound like a promise,
there was a certainty to it—this was something he would undoubtedly accomplish.
Their next step was to head to the Krexe Empire.
This was also the final step he needed to take before beginning his retired life.
'When you need it, all my power is yours,' Talia assured him.
The two of them strolled around, and compared to their behavior outside the main hall, they were relatively quiet.
Or perhaps the environment of the art gallery naturally led them to be more subdued.
Leaving the main hall, they arrived at the left wing of Paryea Plaza, passing by the fountain with its statues of the gods of will and love, and they had almost toured half of the Platinum Forest Palace.
Now, it was about time to head towards the exit.
It would be noon soon, and they ought to find a restaurant for lunch.
As they strolled in the corridor of the auxiliary exhibition hall, closer to the exit, a bustling painting suddenly caught their attention.
It seemed to be a temporary exhibition area, but there were quite a few viewers, listening to the guide's introduction.
As the two of them drew near the painting, they immediately recognized it.
The canvas depicted a deep and pitch-black night background, as if illuminated by the light of a temple.
A gray-haired woman stood quietly, wearing a tattered cloak, like a beam of moonlight in the night.
Her face was completely obscured by doves, and their wings spread out in the center of the painting, creating a startling visual impact.
'When you look closely, you can glimpse the woman's eyes through the gaps in the doves' wings,' the guide explained to the tourists. 'They are golden eyes, as clear as amber and as dazzling as gold.'
Not only were gentlemen and ladies admiring "The Enigmatic Beauty," but there was also a small media interview taking place. A Paryea Broadcasting Company reporter held a microphone and camera equipment, interviewing viewers about their thoughts on this mysterious painting.
'Her gaze pierces through the doves' obstruction, falling directly on the viewer,' the reporter explained. 'You are drawn closer to the painting, wanting to uncover the truth and see the true face of this enigmatic beauty.'
'When you are just one foot away from the painting, the enigmatic beauty's golden eyes are fixed on your face.'
'The painter perfectly captures the allure of this moment and immortalizes it on the canvas.'
The most distinctive feature of "The Enigmatic Beauty" is that the more you are unable to see the gray-haired, golden-eyed beauty's complete face, the more you yearn to imagine how stunningly beautiful she truly is.
'I've seen the prototype of the enigmatic beauty in this painting,' the guide continued. 'She is Miss Tata, a participant in the Platinum-grade Card Maker exam. She is truly beautiful, a perfect lady, young and talented, and her radiance shines through even without any adornment.'
After the guide's explanation, the viewers began to discuss their thoughts.
"Whoa—"
Lanchi couldn't help but laugh out loud upon hearing this.
"...'
Even though Talia tried her best to control herself, she gripped Lanchi's hand just a little tighter.
'The person who painted this must have had a crush on her to portray her so captivatingly,' someone in the crowd remarked. 'The perspective is just like that of a boy falling head over heels for a girl at first sight.'
After those words were spoken,
Lanchi's smile froze.
And Talia seemed to let out a light laugh.
'I heard someone has a crush on me,' Talia whispered, standing on her tiptoes and speaking into Lanchi's ear before looking forward again.
'Lanchi?'
'Lanchi?'
Talia called out his name twice, but he didn't respond.
Just as Talia was about to lean on Lanchi's shoulder and continue whispering in his ear, the Paryea Broadcasting Company reporter seemed to have discovered the intimate couple and hurried over.
This feeling of being drawn to someone yet keeping them at a distance, was it not the same as the painter's state of mind when he first encountered the grey-haired girl in The Enigmatic Beauty? It was as if they were witnessing a reflection of their shadows in reality!
"What are your thoughts on this painting, or what do you think was the artist's state of mind when creating this portrait of the enigmatic beauty?"
The Paryea Broadcasting Company reporter eagerly held the microphone towards Lanchi and Talia, asking for their opinions.
"He's quite skilled at painting," Talia replied with interest, looking up at Lanchi beside her.
The reporter also directed the microphone towards Lanchi.
"I... I don't know," Lanchi shook his head and waved his hand, "I'm not good at painting."
He finally seemed to have made up his mind, stating firmly, "I really can't paint."
...
From around the corner in the distance, two heads and a cat-like head poked out. It was only in locations like this in the exhibition hall that they dared to get closer to Lanchi and Talia, as there were too many obstacles elsewhere.
When they heard Lanchi say that he couldn't paint, they couldn't hold back anymore.
"Lanchi can't paint?" Ethiow couldn't believe her ears.
"Why is Lanchi being so shy? He would rather say that he can't paint than admit that he has a crush on Tata," Rosalinda said with a mischievous smile.
"Meow, if the Tenth Patriarch Lao Wu heard this, he would probably be so angry that he'd resurrect," said the cat boss, shaking his head.
On the other hand...
The Paryea Broadcasting Company reporter hesitated for a moment but quickly regained his composure.
"Then, could you share your personal interpretation of the painting?" The reporter raised the microphone again and took out two reddish vouchers from his pocket. "Also, please participate in our interactive session, and we'll give you two firework vouchers!"
Tonight, there would be a festival celebration at the Temple of Love, and with these firework vouchers, they could join the lucky draw and participate in various surprise activities to win wonderful prizes!
Lanchi wasn't particularly interested in these vouchers, but he noticed that Talia seemed to want them. After all, there seemed to be limited edition food rewards in the prize pool.
"The artist clearly depicted a story about a young man who mistook the silhouette of a wandering girl for that of a poor old lady. When he glanced away, he realized that she was actually a young beauty. At that moment, he couldn't help but look at her for the third time, but this time, he failed to get a clear view of her, only catching a glimpse of her enigmatic figure and eyes." Lanchi explained reluctantly, as if he was being forced to do this.
"Although it's different from the interpretation of the connoisseurs, this gentleman's answer is quite novel and imaginative," the reporter said with a smile after hearing Lanchi's response. "Thank you for your interaction, and I wish you a pleasant day."
He handed the vouchers to Lanchi. Lanchi accepted them and thanked the reporter before folding them slightly and giving them to Talia.
"Thank you," Talia said happily as she tucked the vouchers into her pocket. She then took Lanchi's hand and walked away.
Only when they were a good distance away from the temporary exhibition area and the reporter, Talia asked, "Did you really look at me three times that day?"
Talia asked, unsure if she had heard correctly.
"I was acting," Lanchi muttered.
"..."
Talia believed that Lanchi was indeed acting in front of the camera. He had dodged her question and she couldn't tell if his previous words were true or not based on this answer.
"Then, if what's depicted in the painting isn't what you actually saw..." Talia mumbled, confused, as if asking a question that only she could hear, "How did you know what my doves look like?"
The dark messenger doves in the painting were exactly like hers.
"!"
Lanchi immediately turned back.
"At that time, I was drunk and my memory is fuzzy, so I can't give you an accurate answer," Lanchi said as he grabbed Talia's shoulder with his right hand and looked into her eyes. "All I remember is sitting in front of the canvas, and what I painted was what I thought of. Of course, you were the star of the painting, and I used the film in my eyes to create the most beautiful movie about you."
He tried to control his emotions as he quickly explained to her.
"Eh?" Talia's cheeks felt a little hot.
Being held by Lanchi like this, having her shoulder gripped, and being looked directly in the face by those serious emerald eyes...
She felt flustered and didn't know what to do.
No, no.
She must not be fooled by him!
She felt that he would probably say something damning in the next moment!
However...
Her fluctuating attitude seemed to make Lanchi even more nervous.
"I don't have an answer as to how many times I looked at you, and I don't want to know. The only indisputable thing is that you are very beautiful," Lanchi replied firmly.
"So, that's how it is," Talia said, her voice rising slightly.
She slightly freed herself from Lanchi's grasp, instead taking his hand and pulling him forward as she walked in front of him, not wanting him to see her expression.
For a moment, Talia felt a little clumsy.
She was aware of her own discomposure, and Lanchi had seen it all.
No, everything was still going according to plan.
Talia shook her head vigorously.
"My reaction just now was probably like that of a 'girl in love', successfully disgusting him..." Talia thought to herself as she used her left hand and sleeve to cover her cheeks, averting her gaze.
(End of Chapter)
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