Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 21

Episode 21. I helped you for nothing!

The name of the old man smiling in front of me now is 'Alom Chorni'.

He was one of the vice principals of Bayer Academy, who had been introduced to Eileen.

He opened his mouth, running a hand through his beard, which looked difficult to maintain.

“I never imagined I would see this work in person like this.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, the great painter Corusius’s last work, ‘The Red Vineyard’…….”

Alom glanced at the pictures he had brought and muttered something vaguely nostalgic.

“A wheat field sways violently under dark blue clouds, black crows fly low. Behind the wheat field, you can see several paths that lead nowhere…….”

It was as if I was looking beyond what the picture contained.

Of course, I have no idea what it is.

What is that beyond?

“A landscape wrapped in a stormy sky. This painting was written by Corusius, who sent a letter to his brother who had been a great supporter of his material wealth. I have put my sadness and extreme loneliness into this painting.”

Alomm turned his head and looked at me intently, as if he was waiting for my answer.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Simply put, a janggu.

A look of disappointment appeared on Alom's face as he gave a very simple response. At the same time, a 'gray haze' was visible above his head.

The meaning of <the color of negativity> is 'doubt'.

I vaguely realized that what Alomm wanted was not simple affirmation, but 'empathy' for art.

What the hell.

I started to rack my brain desperately.

In order to sell a painting at a high price, you need to be mindful of what the other person thinks.

'The will… the will… the will… ah.'

Okay, let's say it this way.

“The conversationalist Corusius left this world shortly after leaving behind this work.”

“……Yes, in a red vineyard like this picture.”

Aloem closed his eyes and meditated for a few seconds.

Did my answer get through to you?

The gray haze over his head had disappeared.

“I never would have guessed that you would have any knowledge of art.”

“Originally, you don’t know the deepest parts of a person until you talk to them. That’s natural.”

“I see.”

Vice Principal Alum nodded cautiously.

“Then may we talk about money, Sir Yurian?”

I nodded willingly.

In the first place, I didn't come here to talk about art.

Aloem coughed once, pretending to be polite.

“There’s no need for feelings. There’s no way that glass glasses would have brought something that wasn’t properly made.”

“I guarantee on my closed eyes that it is genuine.”

I continued speaking in a sly tone.

I didn't know if it was real or fake until Irene told me, but it doesn't matter.

“Then… how about something like this?”

Alomm looked at me and carefully spread out four fingers to show me.

40 thousand nares?

Even after purchasing the moonstone, you will still have plenty of money left over.

'The price is a bit disappointing.'

It's more expensive than I expected, but it's still disappointing.

I started bargaining, hoping to have some money left over.

“The artist Corusius was not a very successful artist in his lifetime.”

“……That’s right, Sir Yulian.”

“Ironically, although these works are now considered masterpieces, their value was not recognized until after his death. During his lifetime, like other artists, he lived a poor life.”

He was nodding, stroking his beard.

I guess he agrees, since he doesn't even see the 'grey haze' above his head.

“This is the last work of Corusius. It is a work that put an end to his unfortunate life.”

Glance again.

Still no sign of Azirangi.

“A work that brought about a golden age after death. For a painting that represents the life of such a famous artist… isn’t the treatment a bit harsh?”

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

'However, it is possible to package it to some extent with only the given information.'

It is not difficult to argue for plausible value by mixing in appropriate facts. After all, it is only an evaluation based on facts.

'However, if you make a mistake with your words, you could end up in trouble… … .'

I have <the color of negativity>.

With this, you can figure out the other person's intentions and correct any mistakes. There is virtually no risk.

“Ugh…….”

He frowned deeply, but it didn't look like he would refuse.

“Well, then…… raise the price a little more……”

"yes."

“Add another 100,000 nares…….”

hmm.

'what?'

You're adding 100,000 nares? That's more than the amount you initially offered──.

“How about carrying 500,000?”

'5… 500,000 Nar?!'

Wait, didn't you mean 10,000 nair for each finger you first spread?!

'Are you saying this painting is worth over 500 million?'

I swallowed hard.

I was startled, but Yurian's signature facial muscles and smile took care of my expression.

“Now you see the value.”

He spoke shamelessly as if it had been like that from the beginning.

***

When we reported that the work was finished, the Academy officials were amazed.

“You took care of the old building work in one day… You’re really amazing.”

“That’s true. As expected, people from the Donatien family are good at handling things.”

Of course.

It was a task that was hard to predict how many days it would take. I can only be amazed that it was completed in one day.

“On the topic of collateral issues…….”

“You’re going to get arrogant again.”

Of course, there were those who looked at me with contempt.

But unfounded slander is nothing more than the barking of a scared puppy.

Eileen smiled broadly at them.

“That damn collateral line…….”

“On the topic of lowly things…….”

After seeing their crumpled faces, Irene left the administrative office.

I snickered as I recalled their indignant faces.

I know they hate me because I'm a 'collateral'.

However, the reason he cannot speak openly is probably because the 'Donassien' family has a higher social status than the family he belongs to.

'The collateral line always has to be proven.'

Something my father always said.

Even if you are a collateral branch, if you can prove yourself nobly, you are already a noble. It has nothing to do with bloodline.

“……Ugh.”

But even Irene, who was like that, had a moment of great wavering in her heart relatively recently.

– 'Half of the Donatiens family, who gave you permission to speak to me?'

Yulian's remarks were shocking.

It was worse because he put it in his mouth.

'That makes sense… … He's from the same collateral line as me.'

It's so infuriating that people of the same lowly bloodline talk like that.

'Someone is trying very hard. I can't help them… … .'

He is an emotionless sword that not only tarnishes his own name, but also the name of the 'collateral line' and the name 'Cryphat'.

A person who is marked with all kinds of infamy.

– 'All nobles, whether direct or collateral, are subjects of the Empire. May I take that statement as a challenge to His Majesty the Emperor, who established the discipline of the Empire?'

But why?

– 'I am also of the collateral line. If what Lord Hardy says is true, then I am also of the inferior line.'

But why did he suddenly say something like that?

He doesn't care about his lineage or family. All he wants is his own advancement and the power to surpass his master, 'Geomseong'.

'… … Now?'

What difference would it make if you changed your name from now on? It's already been tarnished.

Still, she thought.

If only Yurian could return to the way he was when he was a student at the academy.

If you return to Yurian, who has proven himself with overwhelming skills and nobility, even if those around him talk about his bloodline and try to belittle him,

If so──.

“Miss Eileen, it’s a good thing we met.”

Irene, who was lost in thought, turned her head when she suddenly heard a voice from behind her.

Bayer Academy's vice principal, Alomm Chorni, was approaching, sweating profusely.

“Alright, Vice Principal.”

When Eileen greeted him, Aloem ran his beard through his hair and gave a sheepish smile.

“Speaking to Sir Yurian is truly breathtaking. I’ve seen many knights and wizards in my time here, but I’ve never seen anyone with such a fierce spirit as the Sword Saint Hayden Reich.”

“He’s a great guy. Um… Did the story end well?”

It was Irene who arranged for the two to meet.

When I asked him about his responsibility, a smile appeared on his face.

“I really like it! Corusius’ ‘Red Vineyard’ is a piece I really wanted to get! It was a pain to spend, but I never thought I’d get it…….”

“That’s good.”

“It’s all thanks to Miss Eileen. Hahaha!”

Alomm, who had been laughing out loud, cleared his throat and calmed his excited heart.

“By the way, I heard that you finished the old building work…….”

"yes."

“That’s good. Tsk… I heard there were rumors going around that the heretics called the Dawn Society were running wild, and because of that, Irene ended up taking on a useless job.”

Dawn Society

A demon worship group that recently emerged in the empire.

Irene smiled bitterly.

“Still, it’s better to take care of it in case something happens.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Oh, did Sir Yurian come back?”

“He took some of the money in cash and then ran away in a hurry. It seemed like he wanted to buy something…….”

“I’m also curious about the item that Yulian wants to buy… Ah!”

Suddenly, as if something had occurred to her, Eileen sighed.

“I’m sorry, Vice Principal Alom. I just remembered something urgent!”

“What’s wrong……?”

“I need to prepare a moonstone for the thesis I’m submitting to the math lab this time!”

Eileen greeted them politely and left the hallway with hurried steps.

***

“Huh!? There aren’t any moonstones left!?”

Arriving at the jewelry store, 'Delan's Tears' at Benedict Street Intersection, Eileen loudly questioned the owner's words.

“Yes, I’m sorry, Eileen.”

“Father, I’m sure you prepared a sufficient amount… And, didn’t you tell me in advance that I wanted to buy it?”

“That’s because the person who originally ordered the moonstone took it. Since that person had already made a reservation, there was nothing I could do.”

"that……."

Eileen's shoulders slumped at the mention of there being no moonstones left.

She, who mainly deals with the element of gold among the five elements that make up mana, was planning to write a thesis on the topic of 'mana contained in metal' this time.

But without the moonstone, you can't do anything.

“Do you happen to know who bought that much moonstone? I’m sure they couldn’t use it all.”

"that is……."

The owner hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“Yes, Sir Yulian.”

"yes!?"

– 'He took some of the money in cash and then ran away in a hurry. He must have wanted to buy something… '

Who knew?

The reason he needed the money urgently was to buy a 'moonstone' like himself.

“That much!? What on earth are you going to use it for?”

Clearly, the amount of moonstone handled by the precious metal shop 'Delan's Tears' was so large that it was hard to find.

If you're going to buy all of that, what are you going to use it for?

“He said it was to make a sword.”

“A sword? Something like that…….”

You're making a sword out of that precious thing?

Leaving aside other good materials!?

'The moonstone is a jewel… …!'

Yulian is a person who likes to spend money on extravagance. Obviously, he is thinking of making a jewel sword and decorating his home.

“With jewels… what kind of sword are you going to make!”

It couldn't be more ironic.

Isn't it because you introduced people to sell your paintings that you ended up like this?

'What's the point of changing it, it just doesn't help!'

Eileen let out a voice full of resentment as she changed her opinion of him.