Chapter 330: The Color of Fire

After Luo Yan left, the studio returned to tranquility.

As the night grew deeper, the girl who worked and studied left, and when she left, she closed the door for Mr. Harvey.

Harvey sat alone on the chair by the window, holding the sketch draft, gazing at the flame rising on the silver candelabra.

The candlelight was sometimes as bright as the golden Holy Light, sometimes as dim as the moribund sunset, and finally, there was a trace of imperceptible dark blue hidden in the extinguished green smoke.

In his mind, he repeatedly recalled what Luo Yan had said earlier—

"Yes, that is the magic I am best at."

"I like its color."

Flame...

What color is it exactly?

Harvey frowned slightly, pondered for a long time, but could never think of a reliable answer.

Perhaps—

That answer was not an answer at all, but a riddle.

Just as he was lost in thought, a polite knock suddenly sounded. A moment later, the studio door slowly pushed open, and Casit Silphin walked in from the porch with a gentle smile.

Seeing Casit appear at the door, Harvey hurriedly stood up and greeted him with slight surprise: "Count? Why are you here?"

Casit waved his hand slightly to indicate he didn't need to be formal, then continued, "I happened to be at the Imperial Royal Academy just now, and passing by here, I wanted to come and see... I heard that you and Prince Kelin have already met?"

"Yes," Harvey nodded, just about to call his assistant to pour a glass of water for the Count, but remembered she had already finished work, so he awkwardly stepped forward himself to take the chair, "Please sit."

Casit did not sit down, but passed by Harvey's side and came to the canvas that was accelerating its drying under the effect of magic.

Candlelight and moonlight overlapped on the surface of the canvas, reflecting the character's face both mysteriously and vividly.

Appreciating the vivid Kelin, Casit nodded in approval, his gaze full of appreciation.

The drying process would take about a week or two, after which it would have to undergo "varnishing" treatment before it could be officially put into a frame.

However, even without experiencing this final step, with his understanding and appreciation of art, he could judge without hesitation—the quality of the entire painting was at least at the "excellent" level.

This was the evaluation system established by the Silphin family for the Imperial Royal Academy of Arts and the entire imperial art world; paintings of "excellent" quality or above were worth at least fifty thousand gold coins.

The Empire's artists were one of the Empire's many money-printing machines, but what he cared about was not a mere few tens of thousands of gold coins, but that the Silphin family's treasury had gained another heirloom collection.

Staring at "His Highness the Merciful and Majestic Roxay Kelin," Casit liked it more the more he looked, and suddenly spoke.

"How do you feel about him?"

Looking at Casit, who had his back to him, Harvey hesitated for a moment, weighing his words.

"His Highness Roxay Kelin... is more refined than I imagined. He speaks elegantly and appropriately, and every gesture carries the demeanor of a great noble. I have only seen similar auras in Duke Valencia, Marshal Lako... and you."

Casit laughed after hearing this, waved his hand and said.

"You don't need to praise me; comparing me with these two gentlemen makes even me feel embarrassed."

Harvey smiled bashfully and scratched the back of his head.

"This is just my subjective feeling; what you say naturally has your reasons, but your status in my heart... does not lose to those two gentlemen."

Casit smiled faintly and did not continue on this topic, just continued to ask.

"Then... do you think he looks like a Prince?"

Harvey was stunned, puzzled.

"... Isn't he?"

"Of course he is, I was just asking casually," Casit said casually, "Don't mind it."

Actually, whether he is or not is not important.

Who in the entire Shengcheng doesn't have a bit of the Emperor's bloodline? Presumably, even the Emperor himself couldn't explain this matter clearly.

The ancient family that was unknown five hundred years ago was not that important from the beginning; the Elder Faction only needed a name of "ancient" to facilitate what they were going to do next.

Just like the Church needs a name of "pious."

As for His Majesty the Emperor, presumably he doesn't care how pure that descendant's bloodline is; the Royal Knights and Marshal Lako only want to confirm his loyalty.

As long as the territory is real, the person is real, the Kelin family has the final say on the continent of Gana, and this continent is firmly controlled by the Empire—

That is enough.

Looking at the bewildered Harvey, Casit was planning to continue asking something to divert the topic, but his gaze suddenly fell on the draft placed aside.

A touch of curiosity couldn't help but rise on his face, and then he asked with interest.

"Is this your new work? It looks... a bit different from your previous style."

A hint of a smile flashed in Harvey's eyes, and he explained softly.

"This is a gift I am giving to His Highness the Prince in my personal name; it is currently just a draft. Come to think of it, this painting has to thank His Highness for his inspiration."

"Oh?" Casit was surprised, looking at Harvey with interest, "A Prince from the New Continent actually inspired the famous Baron Mitia... I am curious, what did he inspire you with?"

"He mentioned an artistic style called 'abstract art'... besides the imitation of nature, painters can also use elements in nature to express their own spiritual world. Do you know? After hearing his description, I felt like I had opened the door to a new world!"

Talking about his professional field, Harvey's eyes suddenly brightened, his previous reserve was swept away, his thin shoulders straightened like a pine tree, and his tone carried an irrepressible enthusiasm.

He spoke vividly, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, as if every word was burning. That expression couldn't help but make people think of the missionaries outside St. Clement's Cathedral; any audience would be unconsciously ignited by the passion he radiated—

Watching Baron Mitia's praise without sparing any words, the expression on Casit's face became increasingly wonderful, revealing a few rays of unbelievable light amidst his surprise.

"I really didn't expect that Prince Kelin actually has such a deep understanding of art... It seems I still underestimated him; the Kelin family's heritage is indeed extraordinary."

Abstract art.

As the principal of the Imperial Royal Academy of Arts and the most influential curator and collector in the entire Shengcheng, even he hadn't heard of this term!

If someone else mentioned this concept to him, he would probably dismiss it as nonsense, but he couldn't help it since even Baron Mitia gave it a high evaluation and was even willing to create a painting specifically for this avant-garde artistic concept.

If this painting hadn't already been "spoken for," he would have even wanted to include it in his collection!

Hearing Harvey talk from composition to color, and from color to the exploration of the spiritual world, Casit suddenly felt a move in his heart and asked casually.

"By the way, you asked that Prince what color he likes... I am curious, how did he answer?"

Harvey was stunned for a moment, his gaze drifting outside the window, and the scorching flame that was originally flickering in his mind was extinguished by the rational night in an instant.

Actually, he could feel that the respected Mr. Casit was not interested in his theory.

The only thing filling the Holy Grail was the most naked desire—

The priests just wanted to use his eyes to observe that gentleman.

"He said... he likes purple the most," Harvey replied softly, stating the answer that most satisfied Mr. Casit.

Casit's expression was relaxed, as if his guess had been confirmed, and he nodded with a smile: "Purple, a noble color... It seems noble people always think alike; this is also the color I read from him."

Speaking of this, he paused for a moment and continued in a relaxed and happy tone.

"At the banquet tomorrow night, I will use violets as table flowers for embellishment; presumably, the Prince will feel very cordial. As for Baron Mitia, I hope you complete the gift for His Highness as soon as possible... I heard he plans to go to the Academy of Learning later and probably won't stay in the Shengcheng for too long; don't let him leave here with regrets."

"Yes, Count." Harvey bowed respectfully until the studio door closed and the crisp footsteps walked away.

The shadow outside the window withdrew its gaze from him, like a crow flying off a branch, rolling back into the shadow with colors like an overturned paint bucket.

Mr. Casit Silphin did not come here alone, nor was it a passing visit as he said.

As for whether that was someone from the Inquisition, or someone from the Silphin family, or someone from the Pope... what did it have to do with the inconspicuous Baron Mitia?

Screw them!

A hint of cunning flashed in his gray-blue eyes, and Harvey strolled back to the draft that only outlined lines.

His index finger stroked the plain white drawing paper, a faint arc on his mouth, and fanaticism burning in his eyes.

"So that's it—"

Fire is not any color.

But the color that transcends the Holy Light and everything in the world! Abstract art reflects the painter's inner world, not "the inner world of the person being depicted"—presumably this is the metaphor in the riddle Prince Kelin left for him!

Harvey picked up the brush again and, in the empty studio, began the creation that transcended the era with undivided attention.

At this moment—

He was completely enlightened!

The night was deep.

The tall carriage stopped slowly in front of the main building of the Sage's Court, the entire estate bathed in the quiet moonlight, with only the faint sound of insects accompanying Luo Yan as he walked into the spacious foyer.

Stein waited by the door, bowing to the Prince: "Your Highness, Miss Sarah is waiting for you in the room."

The ambiguous gazes of the surrounding waiters and maids clearly misunderstood, but professional ethics kept them from gossiping about the noble's hobbies to his face.

This actually didn't matter.

Just a half-breed with the bloodline of a demon, this was considered an entry-level hobby in the circle of Shengcheng nobles... hobbies more incredible than this were as numerous as the vast ocean.

Every year, the front line would get a large number of prisoners of war from the Underworld; even goblins could be sold as piglets to farms to work, and demons would only sell for more.

As for being thrown to priests for purification after torture, those were all things said to the believers outside the door.

Luo Yan nodded.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Stein... I have no other arrangements tonight; you all go and rest, and don't come to disturb me in my room unless there is something important."

"As you command," Stein said respectfully, then retreated with a group of servants.

Luo Yan came to the second floor alone. Before entering the bedroom, he let Hearing You You sniff around to confirm there were no traces of transcendent power before stepping in.

Although he didn't think Mr. Silphin was the type to use low-level means, one must be on guard against others... after all, he came wearing a mask.

Walking into the bedroom, Sarah was already waiting by the window.

The bright moonlight passed through the gauze curtains, gently sprinkling on her delicate side face. Seeing Luo Yan enter the door, she immediately jumped off the windowsill and bowed elegantly.

Except for the etiquette he taught her hand-in-hand—

She even switched her form of address to the style Luo Yan expected.

"Your Highness, Baron Tichy Corsia's high-profile return has already begun to ferment. All day today, the taverns in the port area of the Shengcheng have been discussing this Baron from the New Continent, as well as the legends of the continent of Gana being full of gems and infinite wealth, and it's getting more and more outrageous!"

Tafu was sleeping soundly on the pillow.

I don't know if it was because the weather was getting colder, but this "meat lizard" finally couldn't resist the genetic code flowing in its blood and began to want to hibernate.

Luo Yan sat down in the soft armchair, took the hot tea handed by Sarah, took a sip with satisfaction, and said faintly.

"It seems Tichy didn't disappoint me; his personality is just right for this kind of flamboyant performance. The more high-profile his performance, the easier it is for the people of the Shengcheng to believe us."

It won't be long before the master behind that Horn should make contact with Tichy. Once he gets back his own land and reputation, "The Travels of Corsia" will immediately become a bestseller sweeping the lower and middle classes of the entire Shengcheng.

And then—

Countless young men with dreams will board ships to Deadwood Port and set foot on that dreamland full of gold.

Sarah nodded with a smile and continued to report:

"Additionally, good news has also come from Lumir. He has confirmed the genealogy of the Dantes family. Although the story of that Edmond Dantes is full of loopholes, fortunately... the story in his mouth didn't start from his generation, and this just happened to give us a lot of room for processing and embellishment. Lumir has organized the details into a small booklet for Your Highness to review."

Sarah said, picking up a leather booklet from the desk behind her and handing it to Luo Yan with both hands.

Luo Yan opened the booklet, a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and read softly.

"Very good, Lumir is always so thoughtful; I am very satisfied with his meticulousness. Now the last piece of the puzzle is also completed, and we can finally start our plan."

There are also "old fakes" and "new fakes" in fakes.

If one has to choose between the two, of course, the aged fake has more packaging value.

At least Mr. Edmond Dantes, who participated in the performance, was deeply convinced of what he said and would not give up halfway because of a guilty conscience.

If such an unpleasant thing really happened, he could only invite this gentleman to take the secret to the grave, and then find a way from his widow and children.

Wanting to get money from the hands of demons is not without a price.

Pondering for a moment, Luo Yan closed the booklet in his hand, looked at Sarah, and ordered with a smile.

"Notify Lumir that he can send the gift I prepared for the Dantes family over. Loyalty Street is not a place where the Kelin family should stay; at least let them live decently, so that the citizens of the Shengcheng don't think Prince Kelin is someone who forgets his roots... We can't let Mr. Corsia steal the protagonist of the story."

Sarah nodded respectfully, her eyes full of sincere admiration:

"Understood, Your Highness... I will arrange it personally early tomorrow morning."

Luo Yan threw the booklet into the storage space, leaned back comfortably in the chair, and closed his eyes to meditate, the relaxed smile like a crescent moon leaning against the glass window.

The bedroom was quiet, with only the evening wind outside the window gently shaking the leaves, providing a prelude for the storm about to sweep through the Shengcheng.

Everything was proceeding according to the script he had preset.

And at the same time, in an unknown corner, light footsteps accompanied by flickering candlelight filled the secluded secret room.

In front of the statue of Calamos Melusine, a figure in a robe bowed respectfully and placed the candelabra next to the statue.

"—How was his performance?"

In the shadows, a low and hoarse voice drifted out, like a poisonous snake spitting letters in the dark.

The believer in the cloak bowed respectfully.

"His performance was perfect, just like a real Prince... to be honest, even I couldn't see through his true face."

The shadow of the stone statue let out a light laugh, making it impossible to tell whether the emotion within was joy or simply finding it interesting.

No god would tell their believers everything, and the believer hidden in the shadow of the hood was also very measured and kept silent, not asking questions he shouldn't know.

For example—

Who exactly is that Prince Kelin, to be worth Lord Calamos's such concern.

For another example—

What role does this Prince, who has intricate ties with the Underworld, play to attract the interest of so many forces.

Lord Calamos seemed to have laughed enough, the pitch-black shadow fell silent, and the slow, deliberate voice carried a hint of laziness.

"Alright, I know, you may withdraw."

The believer was slightly stunned and hesitated.

"Do you not need me to do anything for you?"

It wasn't easy for them to contact each other—

Especially under the noses of St. Xisi and the Emperor.

The shadow of the stone statue said slowly.

"Not for now, just keep an eye on him for me, remember to watch his every move... I need you to help me figure out what exactly he wants to do."

Even the demon in charge of desire in the Underworld can't see through the desire in that Prince's eyes?

The believer was secretly surprised in his heart, couldn't help but be more curious about that mysterious Prince.

Who exactly is this person?

Unfortunately—

Lord Calamos would not answer his questions, and as a puppet of the former, all he could do was obey.

The lowered brim of his hat covered his chin, and he bowed respectfully, as pious as when he prayed in the church during the day.

"As you command."

The shadow of the stone statue returned to normal.

He blew out the candelabra and turned to leave.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 331 =====