Painting from the Heart
“My lord, good day!”
“Ah, it's Ran.”
Arthur nodded lightly, hands clasped behind his back.
Ran was dragging a massive pig along by a rope, hauling it with great effort.
Squeeeeal!
The pig let out a deafening screech.
“What's with the pig...?”
Arthur tilted his head, then chuckled softly.
“It's such a nasty little beast, isn't it?”
Not only did it look mean-spirited, but every time Ran tugged the rope, it resisted with all its might, refusing to budge.
“Don't even get me started. This thing was raised at my place, but it's got so much strength it smashed through and escaped. And it never listens! Keep this up, you pig bastard, and I'll roast you whole tonight!”
Squeeeeal!
The pig wailed as if to say it was destined for the spit anyway.
Ran grinned sheepishly.
It was embarrassing.
He was currently a key figure leading the soldiers, yet here he was, struggling with a single pig.
Watching the ridiculous scene somehow cleared Arthur's stray thoughts.
Just looking at it was entertaining, plain and simple.
Important Information View available.
At that moment, an Important Information View popped up before Arthur.
It wasn't too pricey at 1,000 cash, so he bought it in an instant.
(Why do you draw?)
Alon has given you homework today. Go out into the territory and draw to your heart's content. Why do you draw? Is it simply to grow stronger? If so, you're likely to score below 60 on the homework Alon assigns tomorrow.
'Hmm...'
He never dreamed an Important Information View would scold him like this.
But Arthur looked down at his hands.
'I draw solely to grow stronger, for strategy and tactics.'
He couldn't deny it.
Even out in the territory, he'd been thinking about how to draw the fastest, best pictures to grow.
This rebuke from the Important Information View struck home.
'Just draw what I want to draw.'
What if he tried that?
Not "that'll give more proficiency" or "that'll boost stats better," but purely for himself—what he wanted to draw.
The thought took root.
“Get over here, you pig bastard!”
Ran grunted as he dragged the pig away.
Arthur followed naturally, drawn along.
Before long, Ran shoved the pig into a repaired pen and dusted off his hands.
“That pig bastard won't get out now.”
Dusting his hands, he shot Arthur an awkward smile.
Arthur smiled back warmly.
At that instant—
Crack!
The pig nailed the flimsy spot on the fence, smashing through with its body.
It crumbled pathetically, and Arthur and Ran's gazes met in midair.
They were speechless for a moment.
Squeeeeal!
The thrilled pig bolted for escape.
“Hey, you pig bastard, stop right there! That thing ain't a pig, I swear!”
Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Ran chasing it down.
A peculiar pig and the man pursuing it.
“Puhahaha!”
After laughing heartily, Arthur nodded.
Yeah. What I want to draw.
Let's draw this.
Arthur sketched Ran chasing the pig and the gleefully fleeing beast.
Over 30 minutes, he finished and stroked the drawing contentedly.
“This'll be great to look at when I'm feeling down.”
It was fun.
For the first time, maybe.
The first time he felt genuine joy while drawing.
'Yeah, today I'll spend time for myself.'
His days had been a nonstop sprint forward.
Arthur wandered the territory, drawing as he went.
An old woman holding a little girl's hand as she dozed off beside her. The old woman gently pulled the girl's head to rest on her arm, patting her soothingly.
Arthur drew them.
Men in the tavern, winding down after hard labor with a dark ale, laughing, “Hahaha, back in my day, I was...”
He drew them too.
And finally.
A little girl and boy.
“I like you, Zabes!”
A boy around twelve handed a red rose to a pretty blonde girl.
She crossed her arms and huffed cutely at the sight.
“Just one? I want a man who can give me ten roses!”
To Arthur, it was simply adorable.
The girl turned and walked away.
'Drawing the moment he offers the flower should do it.'
Nodding, Arthur met the boy's eyes.
“M-my lord...! Ugh, you caught my rejection!”
“Rejection, huh.”
The kid knew the word for heartbreak at his age. He looked utterly dejected.
“That girl likes you too, you know.”
“Huh?”
Arthur leaned in close.
“Didn't you see her cheeks flush? She was just embarrassed.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Tomorrow, bring two flowers and go see her.”
The boy's eyes sparkled as he nodded vigorously.
As the boy left, Arthur smiled faintly and began drawing.
'Young love between boy and girl. Hope it works out.'
Finishing, Arthur spread it wide with a grin.
Creation Painting proficiency greatly increases.
Creation Painting rises from Lv. 3 to Lv. 5. Expandable drawing range increases.
Accelerated Drawing rises from Lv. 3 to Lv. 5. Drawing speed increases further.
Handiwork +5 acquired.
Arthur blinked in surprise.
His Creation Painting had jumped two levels on what might seem a "mere" thing, and Accelerated Drawing too.
A massive leap for Creation Painting.
Now at Lv. 5.
'At this level...'
The drawable scope had expanded dramatically.
'Maybe up to Lv. 5, it was just about understanding Creation Painting.'
Prior levels hadn't offered much efficiency.
Perhaps Akan designed it so true Creation Painting unlocked only when Arthur truly awakened to art.
A pleased smile spread across his face.
Arthur headed back to the castle with light steps.
The next day, unlike usual, Alon was heading to meet Lord Arthur in the dead of night.
Creeeak.
The massive door opened, but the lord wasn't in his usual seat—only Gremori was there.
Something caught Alon's eye.
Five framed paintings hung on the wall.
Alon smiled faintly as he examined each one.
“Did the lord tell you to hang the paintings on the wall?”
“He kept glancing at them, smiling contentedly.”
Alon chuckled softly.
'My disciple...'
Alon had never taught anyone to draw in his life.
Yet watching his rapid progress filled him with joy.
Just then, Arthur entered through the door.
“Teacher Alon, I finished the homework.”
“What thoughts came to you while drawing?”
Arthur pondered, gazing at the paintings.
“Joy, pity, amusement... It felt like...”
Alon focused on his final words.
“...like I understood and captured them in a single painting.”
“I see.”
Alon smiled warmly.
Arthur looked expectant.
“I'll give you 90 points, Lord Arthur.”
90 points. Recently, Arthur had given Gremori the same score. A message: don't get complacent, push further.
Understanding, Arthur grinned, baring his teeth.
Alon's Homework
Handiwork +2, Charisma +1 acquired.
2,000 gold acquired.
Arthur showed a satisfied expression.
Then, another hologram appeared immediately.
(The Enchanter Painter Alon)
Once, a man swayed the entire continent with a single painting. Many who saw his work were enchanted by it. Through this, the painter Alon accomplished great feats—and committed grave sins.
+Quest: Alon's True Recognition
Arthur could guess.
This Important Information View was likely about Alon.
2,000 cash—no hesitation, he bought it.
Alon's True Recognition
📍 Rank: B
🎁 Gold Reward: 5,000
🎁 Reward: Alon's Enchanting Painting Set > Handed to Alon
❌ Failure: Alon leaves you.
📖 Description: Alon, who had no intention of taking a disciple, is slowly opening up to you. Earn his recognition.
Arthur nodded.
Someday—truly someday—he hoped to earn it.
“Today, I've prepared some fun entertainment for the territory folk. Thanks to you, Teacher Alon, my abilities have grown even more special.”
“Oh, have they?”
Alon smiled faintly.
Arthur led Alon and Gremori outside the castle.
Having decided what to draw, he activated Creation Painting.
Shrrrr!
Shrrrr!
His hand moved at blinding speed through the air.
Soon, dozens of fireworks shot skyward.
Boom boom boom!
Boom boom boom!
Whoosh whoosh whoooo!
Whoosh whoooo!
The territory folk, startled by the sudden blasts, soon burst into cheers.
Lords sometimes bought fireworks from the cash shop for such displays—a luxury, really.
But Arthur could just draw them, so no extravagance involved.
Boom boom boom!
The people gasped in awe at the exploding bursts in the sky.
“Whoa~”
“Our lord prepared fireworks today.”
And it didn't end there.
Arthur's hand swept through the air.
Over a thousand illusory birds soared, weaving among the folk.
“Woooow!”
“What an incredible power.”
Alon marveled once more. Arthur smiled bashfully.
Territory folk's vitality rises.
Vitality had risen.
Good news.
Arthur gazed at the fireworks bursting overhead, listening to the cheers.
Late at night, as Valkas Territory's folk enjoyed the fireworks and drifted to sleep.
Rain began falling across the entire Fordail Land.
Ten robed figures hurried through the downpour.
Leading them was Ben, the orc proxy of Arhan Territory.
Ben grinned twistedly at the massive walls and gates ahead.
“Halt! Halt!”
Warning shouts rang from Valkas Territory's walls.
Sweeping his gaze up, Ben saw soldiers nocking arrows.
Seeing the aimed bows, Ben first threw back his hood.
Valkas soldiers exchanged glances at the orcs, tension unbroken.