Chapter 179 Painting

In this secluded space, majestic lintels stand tall. On the walls, various mysterious antiques and paintings hang silently, as if containing a story that transcends time.

Only Lan Qi and Sigrid were present, making the several hundred square meters of space seem exceptionally spacious.

Lan Qi looked at the sleeping Sigrid.

Behind the main seat, glass bottles and jars were arranged, from amber-colored wine glasses to crystal-clear spirits. They refracted the midday light, making her at the center appear dazzling.

"Hoo."

Lan Qi walked to the easel, gently moved it, and sat not far from her, in a corner of the vault near the window.

These painting tools might have always been in Sigrid's home, or perhaps they were prepared in advance by her direct subordinate, Gloria.

"Meow."

Boss Cat stayed on the ground, watching him paint as if waiting for Lan Qi to make cards as usual.

It rarely dared to be so close to Lan Qi.

In this guy's hands, the paintbrush would always turn into heavy artillery.

Seeing Lan Qi painting so quietly made Boss Cat a little uncomfortable.

Moreover, could he really paint?

It had been with Lan Qi for so long, but it had never seen him paint seriously.

Lan Qi gazed at the paintbrush in his hand, as if engaged in a silent dialogue with it.

"I never thought I'd be using you to paint one day."

Lan Qi finally murmured softly.

"..."

Boss Cat wanted to say something but held back.

"Alright, time for a clumsy display."

Lan Qi smiled to himself, composed the image, started to paint, and his gaze towards the distant figure was filled with respect and reverence.

Recalling every day spent with Sigrid over the past two months brought many smiles to Lan Qi's face.

He was rarely this serious, and every stroke seemed to tell a story about them.

Although he had never painted Sigrid before.

But even without looking up often at her sleeping face, her image was already taking shape under his brush.

On this warm spring afternoon, Sigrid slept peacefully in the main seat.

Lan Qi sat opposite her, quietly guarding her dream, unwilling to disturb this rare tranquility.

It was as if they had returned to that boundless winter snowfield, with one person sleeping and the other guarding, the flow of time becoming exceptionally slow.

That was a long journey to a dead end. Although they couldn't see a trace of the future, they had never been afraid.

The hands of the clock ticked.

The Boss Cat, who was waiting on the side, gradually blinked in surprise, opening its mouth.

Until the slanting golden afternoon sun shone through the window, creating ripples in the vault, Lan Qi's painting was almost complete.

"Not bad."

Lan Qi smiled, completing the final details.

He held up the paintbrush, admiring the painting.

Painting seriously really made a difference; it looked much better.

"Meow meow?!"

A muffled exclamation sounded from the side, and Boss Cat stared at Lan Qi.

Boss Cat didn't dare to wake Sigrid, and it really hadn't expected Lan Qi to be able to paint something like this!

After Lan Qi finished his painting, he put down the paintbrush and glanced at Sigrid, who was still sleeping in the high-backed chair.

She looked so peaceful in her sleep, as if all her worries and anxieties had vanished.

Lan Qi bent down, carefully picked up Boss Cat, gently bypassed the drawing board, walked past Sigrid, and looked back at her.

Boss Cat rubbed against him slightly in his arms.

"Alright, Boss Cat, it's time to go."

Lan Qi stroked Boss Cat and took it out of Sigrid's vault.

…

Almost another rotation of the minute hand, and the sound of a bell seemed to ring again in Sigrid's vault.

Her eyelids fluttered, and she woke up on this spring afternoon, slowly opening her eyes.

It was as if she had had a long dream.

A comforting dream.

After waking up, faint memories lingered.

"I slept for so long."

Sigrid looked at the clock, stretched vigorously, and felt comfortable all over.

She got up and walked towards the entrance.

Gloria had probably arrived, and she would be bringing the Herloom Broadcasting Company's program crew here.

Their purpose was to interview Sigrid and visit her treasured artworks.

Opening the door, she saw her direct subordinate Gloria standing outside, with a group of people behind her.

"Your Grace, the guests from Herloom Broadcasting Company have arrived."

Gloria respectfully introduced them to Sigrid.

Sigrid knew who the leading guest was without Gloria's introduction. It was Leora Franklin, the current host of the Proto's national program "Herloom Evening Show." She was the one who hosted Locke McCarthy's interview program back then.

"Welcome, Ms. Leora."

Sigrid shook hands with Leora and led the crew inside.

"It's an honor to meet you, Bishop Sigrid. If possible, I would also like to invite you and Mr. Locke McCarthy to participate in the 'Herloom Evening Show'."

"Hmph, that will probably be a long time from now. After all, he's even busier than I am."

The two chatted as they toured the vault.

Despite just waking up, Sigrid still showed her composure.

In this space filled with art and culture, an exchange about beauty, history, and personal taste was about to unfold.

Even Leora was shocked by the grandeur and beauty of the vault, capturing every detail here.

Under Sigrid's guidance, they began exploring the vault, traversing among the collectibles and antiques, chatting from time to time. Sigrid answered Leora's questions with a friendly and peaceful attitude, explaining in detail.

"What's that easel over there? It looks like a recently completed painting?"

Leora noticed the easel on the side of the window as she walked through the main hall of the vault.

"Guess who painted it?"

Sigrid couldn't help but smile.

She slept too soundly, and she didn't have time to look at the painting when she was awakened by the doorbell.

But from the beginning, she wanted everyone to see Locke McCarthy's painting.

"Oh? Could it be..."

Leora's curiosity was piqued, and she walked over with a bit of surprise and anticipation, the camera crew following her.

When they faced the easel, they all froze, unable to speak.

Leora, who had more than ten years of hosting experience, stared at the painting, unable to react.

After a long time, they looked invigorated, expressing heartfelt praise.

"..."

Sigrid was a little confused, not knowing why Leora was reacting like this.

She looked at Gloria, who was following the crew. Gloria was also obviously confused, as if asking: Your Grace, haven't you seen it yourself?

Then Sigrid quickly walked to the side where she could see the painting clearly.

Until the painting came into view.

It was as if the whole world was illuminated with colorful light.

Sigrid was completely stunned.

The woman on the canvas was tall and slender, with light-colored long hair scattered behind her waist. Her eyes were like stars shining in the night sky, or like violets blooming in spring. The aura born within her was like the only queen in this world.

The domineering and calm eyes were like a clear and transparent lake, with a sharp sword placed quietly within that could pierce the opponent's heart.

However.

In those eyes, there was also an unspeakable gentleness.

Even without asking, the people of Herloom could guess that this painting was Locke McCarthy's gift to Sigrid.

Because this was Sigrid in Locke's eyes, and this was the Sigrid that she only became when she was in front of Locke—

She was born to be the center of attention, but her heart was only focused on you.

[Portrait - Dedicated to Archbishop Sigrid]

[Type: Art]

[Rarity: Epic]

[Tier: 1]

[Those who appreciate this painting will recover a small amount of mental strength and stamina, and their respect for the archbishop in the portrait will increase. There is a chance to permanently increase a trace amount of stamina attribute limit, only once.]

…

Herloom South Station, sunset was sinking, the station hall was busy and full of vitality.

The dome was towering, supporting the huge curtain wall structure. On the crystal screens that could be seen every so often on the road, the Herloom Broadcasting Company's program was being played.

People hurried back and forth, some dragging suitcases, some checking the tickets in their hands, filled with the urgency of the trip and the anticipation of the journey.

Lan Qi led three friends, stepped on the road of the station hall, and headed toward the platform level.

At some point, discussions gradually sounded in the station hall, and more and more people looked up at the screen, their expressions full of surprise, causing a brief chaos in the station hall.

The light of the screen projected shadows in the surrounding space, attracting the eyes of passersby.

Their eyes were firmly attracted by the sudden appearance of paintings on the screen.

This painting seemed to touch the hearts of everyone, whether it was a hasty traveler or a station worker, they were moved by the picture of the character.

"Wow, isn't this Ms. Sigrid? Who painted it!"

Antanas was the first to notice the movement, threw down the suitcase, and ran over to look at the nearest crystal screen.

"Wait, didn't the King go to see Ms. Sigrid just now..."

Xin Nuola murmured, becoming surprised.

"..."

Plana also noticed something was wrong and stared at Lan Qi.

Lan Qi smiled slightly and didn't say much.

He looked at the painting on the screen, but he didn't look at the painting, but the person in the corner of the screen.

"Wow, King, you are so bold."

Antanas ran back and shook the Boss Cat in his hand, shouting in surprise.

Now probably the entire Herloom can see who painted this painting!

"Okay, okay, it's time to go, otherwise we'll miss the magic train to Lilom City."

Lan Qi dragged the suitcase forward.

"Do you have other works?"

Plana walked beside Lan Qi, asking curiously, her eyes more focused on him.

"There's also a casual painting, which can't be compared with this one at all."

Lan Qi thought about the painting at home, shook his head and smiled.

Plana seemed to understand who was in that painting instantly.

In Plana's impression, Talia had always been a very aloof demon princess.

For some reason, when she got to the King, she seemed to have become a comedian.

Forget it, it's impolite to think about it any more. If I go back with the King and see Talia, I'll understand.

(End of this chapter)