Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 19

Episode 19. Irene de Donatien (1)

“How can life be so useless?”

A soliloquy-like conversation.

This is my assessment of the steps 'Yurien' has taken so far.

This fu*king cross-eyed villain is the main character's opponent, Haydn Reich, and is such an idiot that he not only tried to kill his teacher, but also didn't even save properly.

“Even an idiot is this idiot. If you think about your own situation, wouldn’t it be better to save money for emergencies rather than collect art?”

Of course, lamenting won't change anything.

I immediately grabbed a few of the craft items that were lying around in the mansion and headed to the jewelry store I had promised.

Works by famous artists known both in the Empire and on the Continent.

If so, wouldn't it be possible to use this when exchanging 'Moonstones'? That's what I thought.

– “I’m sorry, Sir Yurian, but we do not engage in trade through barter.”

It was a naive thought.

The goldsmith showed a look of 'fear' over his head, but still made it clear that he would refuse.

A merchant would never do business at a loss.

Don't buy something just because it's a work of art.

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

However, in every world, there are places where you can buy these items.

It's an art gallery.

“Well, nice to meet you, Sir Yurian. I am appraiser Pirso from the art gallery ‘Id Cosmos’.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

Upon entering 'Eid Cosmos', one of the art galleries in the Imperial City, I was introduced to an appraiser by a staff member.

Normally, it would have taken several weeks to entrust such emotions, but our 'Yurien' was able to schedule it in just one day.

“Then, can I see the item you would like to give your feelings about?”

When the appraiser asked me to show him the items, I took out a painting that was hanging at the entrance to the mansion.

Portrait painting using oil painting techniques.

It was a painting that projected the artist's unique world of imagination with the creamy texture characteristic of oil painting.

“Oh…….”

A sigh escaped the emotional therapist's mouth.

Even at a glance, it was clearly not an ordinary item.

Anyone who saw it seemed to have a strong feeling that the person in charge was drooling over this.

The appraiser couldn't hide his smile and began to look at the painting. He tilted it slightly and looked at it from different angles, and even took out a magnifying glass to look at it closely.

After a few minutes, the emotional therapist smiled awkwardly.

“It’s a fake.”

“……Is it a fake?”

"yes."

The emotional specialist nodded in response to the question.

“The original artist of this piece is Corusious Vincent. Drawing in his unique style was once a trend in the art world…….”

In the end, his words were a fake that followed the techniques of a famous painter.

Then you're saying it's not worth it.

Should I have brought something else?

I thought it was a nice piece of art because it was hanging right at the entrance to the mansion, but it seems that wasn't the case.

“Still, this is the first time I’ve seen a work of art that has been copied so closely. I’d like to buy it. How about 1,000 nares?”

The good news is that the appraiser has expressed his intention to buy. It also seems like he is willing to give it a certain price.

I nodded.

In order to complete the incomplete <Moonlight Sword>, he needed the moonstone immediately. In a situation where every penny was precious, there was no reason to refuse something like 1,000 nar.

“Then Sir Yurian, may I bring you the contract for a moment?”

"yes."

Nodding, the appraiser asked for a little understanding and headed inside the art gallery.

Left alone in the gallery, I looked around.

'It's quite crowded.'

There were many other visitors to the art gallery besides me. Everyone was absorbed in looking at the artwork.

What was truly unique was that most of the artworks gathered here were created using the Impressionist technique.

Considering that the worldview of <Let's Kill the Demon King Now> is somewhere between the Middle Ages and the modern era, I thought it was truly progressive.

With that in mind, I looked at the most striking painting.

hmm.

Still, I don't know.

They say that knowing something and appreciating it are two different things, but to my feelings, it's just a well-drawn painting.

“Appreciating art? That’s an old-fashioned hobby for you.”

Someone spoke to me, who was not understanding the profound world of art.

Judging by the way you speak, I guess we know each other.

I turned my head to see who was talking to the world's best Yurian so easily.

Dark blue hair.

And the appearance that makes people look back.

Irene de Donatien.

From the moment I first met him, he was a person I couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

I felt like I was being sucked into those red eyes looking at me.

“So, did Ms. Eileen come to see it too?”

I accepted the words pretending not to care.

I could have ignored him, but since he was a character whose direction I couldn't predict, I needed to get information on him whenever I had the chance.

Fortunately, there was no <color of negativity> floating over her head.

"of course."

Eileen shrugged.

Well, what other reason would there be to come to an art gallery other than to see art? I am a special case, as I came here to sell art for money.

“My relative hung his work here at ‘Id Cosmos’.”

Eileen pointed to the picture hanging in front of me.

The painting was titled 'Outing' and had the name 'Palein de Donatien' written on it.

The work of the 'relative' just mentioned seems to be saying this right before our eyes.

“Do you know that?”

Eileen, who was admiring the painting, suddenly opened her mouth.

“What are you talking about?”

“The Elders have been keeping an eye on you lately.”

This woman is making a big deal out of nothing.

Irene continued speaking, admiring the painting as if nothing had happened.

“Well, back when we did the ‘Closed Eyes’ entrance test, you had a rough idea of what the Council of Elders was thinking, right?”

“…….”

“So, that’s why they conducted the test that way. Because they had a clear understanding of the council’s intentions.”

“Well,” I said, nodding.

I was pretending like nothing happened, but deep down I felt differently.

What Irene just said was something I had no idea about.

If I had known, I would have somehow refused to be the entrance test instructor.

“It’s not just because the ruse didn’t work, but because of the proposal you recently submitted to the secretary’s office, the elders are gnashing their teeth at you. They think it’s a challenge to their authority.”

A proposal previously submitted regarding the problems with the 'closed eyes' induction test.

You took that as a challenge to authority?

"okay."

“Don’t pretend like nothing happened. Anyway, be careful. After this, it’s a given that they’ll do something about it.”

“Thank you, Miss Eileen. Are you okay?”

Eileen narrowed her eyes and looked this way.

“What do you mean?”

“Irene, as a noblewoman, will need the help of the Council of Elders. I mean, is it okay to reveal internal affairs in this way?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m a noble, but I’m also a magician of the Magic Tower. And……”

She trailed off for a moment.

The two eyes looking this way wavered for a moment, but soon a strong will formed.

“Because you helped me in the Julin Special Zone. I don’t tend to keep my debts to others.”

Either way, good or bad.

For better or worse.

Eileen added:

It means that kindness will be repaid, and enmity will be repaid.

“It’s a good habit.”

I smiled briefly and answered.

“You, Sir Yulian! I brought the contract.”

The appraiser who had gone to get the contract came running over here in a hurry.

He began to carefully arrange the documents he had brought on the table. I took out a pen from my pocket.

“……What are you doing now?”

Eileen, who was watching from the side, asked.

I explained it roughly.

He said he came to view art and sell paintings.

“Is that the picture?”

“Yes, Eileen.”

As the appraiser answered, Eileen slowly approached the picture frame on the table.

Her expression becomes quite serious as she looks at the picture.

“……Can I just upload this work like this?”

“I see, you also recognize that it is Corusious Vincent’s work. However, it is a fake……”

“It’s genuine. I don’t think there’s a painter in the empire who can handle oil paintings to this degree. And the signature written in the corner matches Corusius’s.”

"……yes?"

The appraiser began to examine the painting again.

This is what Irene pointed out earlier.

Before long, the emotional doctor's face began to gradually become thoughtful.

“T, this can’t be happening… It was, it was the real thing… It’s so hard to obtain, I guess I made a mistake.”

“This quality can never be fake.”

You say it's genuine?

As the mumbling emotional narrator spoke, my gaze turned to the painting on the table.

“So, does that mean there is a change in the emotional value?”

Honestly, I don't care if it's real or fake.

You can just raise the price a little bit. Of course, the price will generally be higher if it's genuine.

“I’m sorry, Sir Yulian… If this piece is genuine, it is currently unavailable for purchase at our art gallery.”

Impossible to purchase?

So how much value is this painting worth?

“I asked you, how do appraisers change?”

So how much is this painting worth?

The emotional man, who had become lost in thought, was left speechless.

The pupils were constantly shaking, and the color of 'fear' rose fiercely above the head.

“You, Yurian! You can make mistakes because of your emotions! It’s natural for people to make mistakes!”

“I’m sorry, Sir Yurian……!”

It was only later that I realized how I looked in their eyes.

The 'Smiling Executioner' is trying to judge the wrongdoers on this spot.

I guess I got so excited that I ended up threatening him without realizing it.

Even the infamous 'Yurien' wouldn't do this.

……maybe.

“I don’t intend to take responsibility for my mistakes either. As Irene said, people make mistakes.”

I told her not to worry, but Irene didn't seem to believe me at all.

“But, this is difficult. What should I do with this painting…….”

If the purchase of the moonstone is delayed, my position will be difficult.

If I complete the <Moonlight Sword> as soon as possible, my life will be at least a little bit safe.

“……Then, should I introduce you?”

While Irene was thinking about it for a moment, she suddenly opened her mouth.

“I know a guy who will buy any painting by Corusius.”

“Really?”

I found myself asking questions without realizing it at the unexpected good news.

So fortunately, a helping hand appeared.

I was suspicious of Eileen's suggestion, knowing that she would not know.

“Instead, help me with just one thing.”

As expected.

She was a reminder that nothing in life is free.